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Two years ago today, I looked like this;

38 weeks & 5 days cooked, perfectly rotund, and blissfully unaware of what was coming in just 24 short hours. 

On September 3rd 2012, at 4:58am, this magical being popped out to say hello;

2.9kgs, with ruby red lips, a splay of blonde locks, and the sweetest button nose, Blake Isabella had arrived. 

What ensued, has been two years of indescribable joy. 

Finding the words to paint the picture of how this girl has impacted my life, is difficult to say the least. How can I tell you how much this girl means to me? How I still get a rush of endorphins every morning when I hear her squeal from her bedroom. How her laughter physically fills my heart with happiness. How I sometimes feel as if I could explode with the pride I have for her. How hearing her call me 'Mummy' is the reason I love springing out of bed in the morning. How my fascination with her never dulls. How from the very moment she was born I have felt like the luckiest mamma in the world. 

And how fiercely, irrevocably, and unconditionally, I love her. 

('Scuse zee shin)

So far...

You walk, you talk, you copy, you play, you laugh, you smile, you eat, you cry, you cuddle, you kiss, you repeat, you dance, you sing, you squeal, you touch, you pretend, you run, you fall, you dig, you draw, you read, you swim, you watch, you explore, you feel, you laugh some more. You are perfect. 

As I have taught Blake a little about life these past two years, she has simultaneously taught me more. How family is above and beyond everything & anything else. And how it's the little things that truly matter, like how she races into my arms when she is upset. Or how she recognises when I'm sad & tells me 'it's alwiight". Or even just watching the world through her eyes; the butterflies & the birds are fascinating and exciting. No worries, no stress, no dramas, just pure innocence and joy.

This time two years ago, I didn't know what kind of mother I would be. Infact, I was a tad afraid. Would I be the person she will come to when she needs somebody? Will I discipline her well? Will she feel nurtured and safe? Will we teach her everything she needs to know? Will I know when to let go? Will she want to make me proud? Will I make her proud? Will we give her a good life? 

The doubts that clouded my mind have slowly (not instantly) dispersed over time, and the sunshine has come streaming through. Blake makes it way too easy to nail this mothering business.

The two years since she arrived have easily been the greatest, most memorable two years of my short life. Life pre-Blake is now nothing but a distant memory. It is as if she were always here with us, ready to lead the way with her commanding personality. 

Well, we are right behind you Blake, and we are looking forward to following in astonishment for many years to come. (Particularly when you have first dates, we'll definitely be following you then)

Happy Birthday darling girl, you are my sunshine 

Thought of the day "I'm thinking we'll just skip the teen years" 

Gem