She's going to school ......

Life has been pretty busy over the last 3 weeks, with Emma now completing her 5 days of transition from Child Care to School.  I think I have been preparing myself for this time for the last 5 years of her life - and now I can't believe its here.  My baby is going to school full time on the 30th April.  I can't believe how twisted my tummy feels knowing that we are going to be separated from me on a full time basis.  I have become so accustomed to her little laugh and chatter during the day, she has been my source of joy (madness some days) over the last 5 years.  And now she has to go to grown up school, meet new friends and become a part of that world that I have been protecting her from since she was born.  I will miss her so much.  Nobody told me that being a Mum can make you feel so sad whilst being so proud at the same time.

Miss Madison has just turned 8 months and is really progressing well.  She weighs just over 7.5kg now, and has developed a rather robust sense of eating - especially Weet Bix,which seems to be her favourite food of the moment.  Well the Weet Bix Kid, is starting to say MaMa and trying oh so hard to communicate to us.  She is rocking back and forward from her sitting position and reaching forward to try and grab her toys.  I feel that we are not that far away from the crawling stage.  Once again all my stuff I love will have to into hiding for fear of being smashed into mush.  She is laughing alot more now, but still very serious about the world.  I have this feeling that one day Madi might save the world.  She always looks like she is carrying the weight of its problems on her tiny shoulders.  Its amazing how two children with the same parents can be so different.

Just wanted to mention that Madi is doing a few cute things at the moment.  She is waving to us, (so so cute) and has invented the "madi kiss".  This involves you putting the tip of your nose in her mouth and she puts her little tongue out to give you a kiss.  Yes its a bit sloppy but so so beautiful.  They are very popular at the moment ..... !!!!

Just thought I would post this old photo of me, Mum said how similar Madi and I looked when we were little - what do you think ??

Just like to say congratulations to Nicole Finlayson and Carole Janson on joining the Aussie Scrap Source Design Team.  They  both bring a different design approach to the team and their work is gorgeous.  You can view the Design Team's work here.

Molly took this photo on our last photo shoot.  I have added a photoshop action and played with the light and shade of the image.  I have just scrapped this one for the SIA Industry Awards (Commercial Design Team) entry.  I will share that layout with you once the results have been made public.

I finally got to use my Making Memories Scalloped Paper.  This layout was done for FK Shortcuts to Success series, and its the first time I have used this size photograph on an layout.  I really enjoyed putting this one together, lotsa girly stuff and pretty flowers.

"You stole my Heart" was done for Scrapbook Company as a class last calendar.  I love Jenni Bowlin's chipboard, and I found that by using Heidi Swapp's dainty tulle, the plumage on the bird took on a real shabby chic feel.  Aren't the colours just so pretty?

Im using alot of trees and leaves lately, I just have found they are so versatile and beautiful for my pages.  So  no doubt you will be seeing alot of layouts coming up with leaves attached to them !!

Madi has decided to loose the plot, so I better go and see what the problem is.  Just a short update to let you know what we have been up to.

Talk soon.

Steph xo

Comments

[Chrissy Berry]

Such gorgeous photos Steph love and hey, I felt exactly the same way about my munchkins starting school too. Wish I could say it got better with each one but ummm it didn't. *blush* I'm such a sooky la la. *grin*

Hugs and God bless
Chrissy x

[Chris]

Hi Steph, just adore these layouts and photos! The one of Emma is stunning! It's such a hard time when the kids start school, I still have days where I just want to keep them at home because I miss them so much.

[Lisa Le-Ray]

Hey sweet girl! Are u coming to Debs next week! I can't wait to see u again! I think u are beautiful :D I'll bring some fabric and stuff so that u can help me with it!

Love me xox

[Kelly R]

Hey Steph -
Madi looks just like you when you were a bubba!!
She's gonna grow up to be a stunner...just like her Mum!!
No words of wisdom re: Em going to school, although being apart can make the sweet times even sweeter!
Take care Steph,
Love Kelly xxx

[Belinda Venables]

Hey there Steph, thanks for dropping by my blog. I would LOVE to get together to scrap one day. How exciting!
I just adore that photo of Miss Em - she is so precious! It's hard to let your baby go - but she is going to love it! I am loving being a 'school mumma' atm. It's so much fun! They learn something new every day. They are just like little spounges...hehe.
How fast Miss Madi growing. Like a little mushroom. It seems like only yesterday you said you were pregnant. She does look just like you as a baby. Very cute!
Great to hear from you again.
Take care, and we'll chat soon.
Belinda
xx

[JanineK]

Oh my, your banner is just divine!! When did you sneakily change that?? Emma is going to love school and you need to enjoy the time that it is just you and Madi at home. It really gives you the opportunity for one on one time with her that you would never have if Emma never went to school.

[Willisa Hogarth]

WOW Steph, I love the new look banner, and that photo of Emma is so so beautiful!!

Love the new layouts, and I've sent you an email about you most recent For Keeps article - so inspiring.

My heart aches for Emma going to school, I'll be in that position far sooner then I'd like.

xoxo
Will

[Pam]

My goodness you do look so much like yoour daughter- LOve your LOs btw.

[Ruthy]

wow matey you and your girls are soooooooooooo gorgeousssssssss, love al the photography and your beautiful LO's too.Lovely to hear from you again too1

love ruthy xox

[Lisa Le-Ray]

Love the "new" blog Steph! Esp the pics above and those birdies! It was great to see u again yesterday ;)

Love me

[Debbie Lamborn]

Hey Steph what a neat time the other day , I am just loving catching up and spending time with you and Maddi, she is such a little angel.
Yeah , I agree , Maddi does look like you in that photo.
See you Wednesday week .
Hugs from Debs

p.s. now that challenge wont be stretching me too far out of my comfort zone will it?????? (looking forward to it !!)

[Kerry Murray]

Wow awesome pics Steph the girls are so growing up and your little MAddy is just like you.Got to catch up some time soon .take care Kerry xx

[Sharmaine]

Hey there Steph! Made me smile having you visit my blog and your sweet comments!!
The robot was in a RAK but I think it was from Etsy, but I did a search for it (giligowla rocbot) and found a blue version here
http://www.kaboodle.com/maliciousgnome/janet-store.html
but I shouldn't have gone looking as there is so much other yummy stuff there!!
Thanks again for dropping by my blog :)

[Kate]

Hi Steph, thanks for stopping by PP, it was so nice to 'see' you! My your little girls are growing up beautifully, my first started school a few months ago and it was way tougher on me then her I tell you! You take such lovely photographs xx Kate.

[Belinda Achatz]

HI Steph
Can't wait to finally meet you & the rest of the girls next Wednesday.
I so totally relate to you right now - my Ellie will be starting school next term too (she turns 5 the day before!) - and I have loved being a kindy mum - it has gone so quickly!
I love your blog & your art - so so pretty & innovative and original.
See you Wed!
Belinda

[SCRAPWITCH]

oh Steph...your shots are so devine ..the softness of them are so special ,and big school girl emma absolutely looks like a angel...i went to the info night for my dd1's year 7 high school,next year..im not really looking forward to a teenager just yet...it was only yesterday that she was starting Big school...
enjoy the time you have left with emma..
your baby shots are so similar...two peas for sure..
your layouts...oh what can i say but magnificent..your layouts have an air of such lush richness Steph with delicate girly gorgeous overtones.oh swoon...

thanks a bunch for dropping by my blog..i almost died when you said you had a live feed from my blog...you made my day