Meet the ever so adorable Ryder Hudson. Oh my I enjoyed my cuddles of this little man! Thank you Janelle for bringing him in and letting me photograph this amazing time in your lives, it really is an honour. xx

 After a busy day at the shops, it was time for a coffee… and some hot chocolates and babychinos. I swear Ethan was happy, this seems to be his ‘photo face’ at the moment

The boys always drag out one of their doona’s and snuggle up on the couch watching cartoons in the morning. That’s what school holidays are all about. Makes me a little sad that the holidays are almost over.

…and then there are the moments where you play so well together. These are the moments that make my heart sing.

A walk after dinner, down to the creek at the end of our street.

It was warm out today and the boys spent most of the day splashing around in the pool, while Amelia enjoyed playing with some of her birthday presents. We had a little tea party inside in the cool. What’s an Australia Day tea party, without lamingtons! At night we headed down to the beach to watch the fireworks. We can see both the Mornington and the Melbourne fireworks from where we sat. The boys loved it, Amelia once again didn’t move off her blanket, because there is no way she’s touching sand.

I was vacuuming the floor inside, and I looked up to find you sitting in the swing, tending to your baby. You had no idea I was watching you. I love the expressions on your face as you care for your baby. I love to watch you bounce your babies on your shoulder, patting their bottoms and you “shhh-shhh-shhh” into their ears. Or overhearing your conversations as you ask them “you ok darling?”, or as you use half a packet of baby wipes to change their nappies, and then tell them “all better, nice and clean”. You’re a born little mummy, just like I was at the same age.

Officially 3 years and 12 hours old. This so perfectly sums up our family at the moment! Daddy looking at you adoringly as he sings happy birthday to you. You having a shy moment as all the attention is turned to you and you’re not quite sure what to do, so you burry yourself into Ethan (you’re not biting), him laughing excitedly…. and Liam, doing what Liam does EVERY.TIME I get the camera out.

Happy birthday beautiful girl xx

New shoes. She chose them herself and insisted on wearing them from that moment onwards. She even went to bed cuddling them.

1. Every girl needs a pair of red shoes.

2. Polka dots make everything better.

Day 22. Our little princess is almost 3, and today was party day! Our home was filled with people who love our little girl, who’s friendship and love and mean the world to us all, and for which we are so grateful. We all had a wonderful day celebrating her life and all that she has bought into our lives in the past three years. Reminiscing about her early days when it felt like she’d never make it home, and how we told ourselves in the blink of an eye she’d be celebrating her third birthday and we’d find it hard to believe our strong, bold girl had such a rocky start. And here we are, celebrating the third birthday of our strong, bold girl, finding it hard to believe those days were three years ago.

My sweet little princess, you are mischievous beyond words. You know what you want, and have the determination to achieve it. You are happy always (most so, when you’re up to mischief!) You are part Tom-boy – having two older brothers, that’s expected. You hate to wear dresses, and would live in shorts, t-shirts and thongs every day if you could. But then other times you are so girly. You are CRAZY about shoes. The very mention of going to the shops, you collect your baby and stroller and park them by the door, you pop your handbag over your shoulder and quickly duck into my bathroom where you raid my lipgloss, and select a necklace, before returning to your baby and announcing you are “ready now”.  and You are constantly attached to me, or following me like my little shaddow. You like to know I am nearby, and you love to snuggle. You still love to create mischief with Ethan, and you still find comfort and protection in the arms of Liam. And when you hear the gate close at night, no matter what you are doing, you stop, pause for a moment and look out onto the deck, and when you catch the first glimpse of him, you light up with the most beautiful, radiant smile and shout “Daddy! Daddy’s home!” and you run, as fast as your little legs will carry you and you dive into his arms. Because there simply is no better place in the world to be. You have completely changed the dynamics of our family over the past three years, and bought so much happiness into all of our lives. You complete us all.