We have settled into Darwin very quickly which has had a lot to do with the generosity of our friends here who have warmly welcomed us back as well as helped us out practically with bits and pieces for our place. Our little unit is only a street back from the foreshore in our favourite suburb (where we were last time) and Eden and I have been enjoying many walks to and from the pool along the Darwin coastline. Check out the view!
Speaking of Eden... she has been filling our life with delight just as her name suggests. She has recently learnt to roll from her tummy to her back as well as her back to her tummy and she wriggles and moves around with incredible determination. You don't want to stand too close when she is exercising her legs or you just might cop a foot in the ribs!
READY
SET
ROLL
She has also become quite the chatter. In the morning she will happily sit in her rocker in our little courtyard (my new favourite place) and listen to the birds and chat away like they are old friends. I love watching her explore the world with
her senses as she learns and absorbs from the environment around her. It's amazing to watch and wonder what is ticking over in that little mind of hers. She has been sleeping really well, which has meant that JR and I have also been able to get plenty of sleep. Her smiles are absolutely contagious and she is a much loved little bundle of joy. And you should hear her sing ;)But my favourite thing of all is that she has started giggling! She had had one or two chuckles before but a few weeks ago she found her chuckling momentum. It all started when my Nan and Aunty Kathy were visiting and Nan asked Eden if she would like a cup of tea. Eden fixed her gaze on Nan and then laughed at her. Of course I went running for the camera and everytime Nan asked her again, "Would you like a cup of tea?" she just gazed at Nan and chuckled. Absolutely adorable! Needless to say, even in Nan's absence, if ever we are trying to get a chuckle from Eden we'll kindly offer her a cup of tea - in a happy-Nanny-kinda-voice.
I managed to catch one on the camera the other day so you can see for yourself...
I had my first mother's day a few weeks ago! I headed off to church early to play in the band and when JR and Eden arrived Eden was holding in her tight little hand a mother's day gift card for me. I couldn't squeeeeze her tightly enough! God has filled JR and I with an incredible love for this little girl and I felt so honoured to be her mummy on such a special day. The gift was accompanied with a power point of photos that 'she' had put together with cute little captions matching her abundance of expressions! Thanks Eden/JR. To top it all off we had a musician by the name of Steve Grace visiting at church and he made a very special presentation to Eden of two of his albums so that she can grow up listening to hymns. As Steve shared I realised that the story of his mum was much like the story of my mum and so not only did I feel honoured as a mum but it was a day for me to honour my mum and the incredible example she set for me.
I had my first day back at work last week and will continue to be available for relief teaching just one day a week, which means JR and Eden can have some special Daddy-Daughter time together. I had not realised how hard it would be to say goodbye to my little girl for just 7 hours! After all, I have spent almost every waking moment with her for the last 3 and a half months. Thankfully when I got to school and was welcomed by kids running up to me, hugging me and excitedly welcoming me back, I was soon able to get on with the task and enjoy the day. I recognise that we are very blessed to have the option of having JR stay home for a day to spend with his daughter while I go back to work.
I think I've said enough. I trust you are well and enjoying life in your corner of the world.
Much love from JR, Eden and I.
P.S. I couldn't resist adding a few recent photos of our precious little Eden Leonie!
P.P.S. For privacy reasons if you could please direct people to this blog to show videos rather than sharing the links that would much be appreciated.
