and i forget that. it is a constant practice for me…to adjust my thoughts about anything that goes wrong.
once i do, miracles happen and i find peace again.
so when something was broken by a short, furry, and totally in trouble member of the family and when that little thing really felt like it was going to break me…
i stopped.
i changed my attitude.
and i found some glue.
here are some photos from our day…
minus the breaking and the swimming that went on.
these are both so very gemma.
clover’s feet are so irritated and spotty from crawling outside…she needs to get that walking thing down.
the happiest of little men when he first wakes up…it can go pear shaped anytime thereafter.
we (as in me since alec does not do cloth diapers) are giving cloth diapers a go on a fairly full time basis. i am giving myself permission to use disposables when i just can’t deal, but i ordered a bunch of inexpensive generic pocket diapers straight from the manufacturer so that i could change the twins as much as they need without running the wash all day long or investing a ton of cash. i have the peapods.com.au brand for nighttime as they are definitely a better quality product and worth the money. wish us me luck!
so even when it seems the wheels fall off this bus of ours, i just have to remember that i am in control of at least one important thing…my perception of the situation.
since i could not find an email address for the author, i will just say it here. thank you, sarah.
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cloth diapers, eh?
i just ordered some for alex ( 14 months ). figured what the hell…never too late to do a little good…
now off to check out that book…
Oh Gemma looks so happy and Keiran looks so 'smushable'. I first started to read your blog (well, Flickr) because you were a fellow professional photographer and you took lovely, no amazingly lovely, photographs. Now I read because of posts like this and not only are the photos still inspiring, but I've come to know these lil'uns. They make me kindof/almost broody (did I just say that? Don't tell the boyfriend! I'm only 23! Too young!). x
sounds "devine" Rachel forgive the pun, you are getting this Mum, photographer, environmentaly conscious individual down to a Tee and if buddhism helps then so be it, best of luck xxx
Did you know she's also written a book specifically targeting parenting school aged children?
oh yes, i have that one as well!
love those bright, smiling faces! I don't know how you do it all. The only way I managed to do cloth nappies for any length of time was with the help of a nappy wash service. If they are still around, there were some issues for awhile – nappiewash.com.au
Your blog spoke to me today! You have no idea!
I admire you…and the way that you share real life experiences.
Thank you for the recommended reading! I am off to the bookstore.
Gorgeous sweet babies, i can't wait to see them all!! Hopefully soon!! These shots are all such perfect DILO images, i nearly feel like I am right there.
You did a great job with Kier Kier's hair btw
I just love your post. Your children are adorable and your writing is so nice to read. Wonderful Photography!!! My Father was a photographer and he is now gone but he would have been the BEST with digital pictures.
Adorable pictures, as always! I love the picture of you laying down, with your feet in focus! Good luck with the cloth diapers! I just want to hug Kieran! He's so sweet in his pictures!
We love our cloth diapers. For me, it is actually simpler to use cloth diapers. Running an extra washload every 3 days is so much easier than having to run out and buy diapers – or figuring out how to fit disposables into our already stressed budget. I also find it much easier to deal with a cloth diaper to clean than having a disposable blowout off of the baby, her clothes, and whatever she was sitting on.
I love your philosophy…it is truly amazing what the mind can pull off, isn't it? I will most definitely check out the books. LOVE that you are sharing your cloth diaper reality. Although I sooooo wanted twins (too many Bobbsey Twin mystery books as a child!) I was instead blessed with three (separately born) beautiful girls whose bottoms never touched a disposable diaper – EXCEPT the time we forgot the diaper bag on an outing with our first born, and wrapped her tushy in paper towel instead – go figure!
Going to get this book asap. Thinking about you daily as I follow your lives over there. I love everything you do; this photo collage is wonderful with the laundry and the perspective of the sky/clouds. And I am so glad that you are getting all of this wonderful recognition (magazine spread, etc). Sending lots of love to you and your lovely ones.
You will love this book. It really helped me when things got overwhelming.
How on earth is B already 3 and a half?!
I know. And I can't believe Gemma is turning 5. Life moves so fast. I had a dream last night about leaving little one alone for an hour and a half in the village, and I wonder if that is about her growing up, or maybe it's about my feeling lost, or lost as a parent. I know this for sure: You inspire me on every level — as an artist, as a writer, as a parent, as a woman, as a friend. And I am awed by your ability to share yourself — your work, your art, your life — with so many others and to inspire them. You are beyond amazing!
P.S. I hope Clover's allergies subside soon! Hugs!
I would say I need that book in my life, but I’m not a mother…however, needing the calm, I might give myself a present. hefty dose of Buddhist literature coming my way.
Gorgeous girlie that Gemma, she’s growing…especially in the first picture. Where’s the kid with the crayola all over her face gone?!
I’m doing a gemma tomorrow…Im spending the whole day at NGV – water wall pictures, tres bon!
Hope Clover’s feet get better…its not to do with her peanut allergy I hope…more little mite. Get walking Chicken!
i love all the pictures… but since i've become the mother of a little boy, i relate more now to little boys than i was relating before. I love kieran's face. love it!
Thanks for reminding me to pull out that book again
I love dropping by to see the photos of your kids – you are really so inspiring. And with 3 little ones of my own, a nice reality check to know someone else has a rough day too! Thanks Rachel.
Rachel, I picked up both of the books that you referenced above and immersed myself in them last week. Thank you so much for sharing these titles on your blog – I feel that I am now more conscious of my role as a Mother (and a Partner) – and I am very aware of the fact that I can change how I react to the circumstances that arise in daily life. Thank you for this! I am so grateful to have read these books before my wee ones have left the nest! Because of you, I am going to work very hard every day at truly being present with my kids. Janice