Looking at these treasures of photos, I feel like it was only just last week that we were sitting in the thick of the joyful, exhausting chaos of newborn life with Remy-James, and of becoming a bustling family of six; Of completing our family, with my heart brimming with gratitude and blissful satisfaction of a lifelong desire truly fulfilled…Or actually, an adventure that has truly begun.
I cannot believe that this is now almost TWO years later (HOW?) How this is possible, I’m not sure. I feel like it’s a glitch in the matrix or something – all of it is still just so absolutely fresh in my mind. Even this very day of the shoot. This would also explain why I’ve taken SO long to share these pix with you, because in my head its only been a week, and I still have plenty of time to share! (LOL) #momproblems (Which reminds me, if I havent gotten back to your whatsapp yet, I promise I will, now-now) 😉
But here we are…with my little Remy only about 7 weeks away from turning 2 years old (I know right! Im pretty sure 2020 is working on a time turner).
But for real, having had these two babies in a row made it feel like life just sped by since being pregnant with Yuriko-Mae. (For those who don’t know the backstory, by the time I had returned to work after maternity leave with Yuriko, I was pregnant with Remy again. HUGE surprise to me!lol) So, now, I finally give you a peek into our life a freshly turned family of 6, with master Remy-James Lebeau only a few weeks old, as captured by Tabitha from GrandLittleAdventure.
First up, this boy had his mama’s panties all in knots for a few weeks as he refused to nap for any decent amount time, which lead me to wonder how on earth this photoshoot would go as he would be probably in such a miserable mood with so little sleep. Lo and behold, the moment Tabs pulled up outside, he fell asleep.
Like FAST asleep. Even as I laughed at the irony of his timing, all my jiggling with him in my arms didn’t wake him up.
OH well, such is the life with littles, all the unpredictability, but we roll with it, and so glad it was captured in it’s truest state. Tabs has beautiful gift.
As can be expected, it’s a bustling home..
And there is always laughter
Always…
And so many different characters making this wonderful journey a colourful path…
Parker is our resident hairdresser..(still is)
But there are also slow molasses dripping moments… that I savour just as much as much as the loud bubbly moments…
He’s a big boy…. (my one friend said he looked like a 3 month old right at birth .. lol ) 🙂
Bliss in daddy’s arms
These sisters…
Remy doesn’t know how good he has it with these three….all of them are his number ONE fans…
All of them SO ready to love on him. SO in awe of their brother.
And Yuriko-Mae, has been best friends with him since day one – its like they’ve always known each other…
(And ps. I may have mentioned it before, but after a soul session that I did with Robyn Sheldon whilst still preggers with Yuriko, Remy actually came to “show” himself to me then already – I just didn’t understand it at the time – I couldn’t understand WHO this boy was who came to plant himself amidst a soul session, when really its just supposed to be about Yuriko. But that’s a story I will share one day, however it makes sense why these two are SO close.)
There’s alot of love here…
Also, would you get a load of his chub… He was by far my chubbiest baby at birth…but Morgy definitely beat him out by the 3 month mark – that baby girl could open a bakery with all her rolls! 🙂 (Rems unfortunately got hit by the RSV virus then and his weight took such a horrible knock that he never recovered from.)
When you wake up but there’s not a boob in your mouth… #newbornproblems 🙂
And then mama fixes it…
Waking up to find a whole lot of action happening..
You are SO loved little boy…
Daddy right there to help navigate big feelings…
Up and down the stairs with babes in arms…all day long 🙂
Also, catch a glimpse of how nice our stone garden used to look in these pix up above. #RIPStoneGarden
Also,just in case you’re thinking Im painting newborn life as a purely blissful state…lets get real, we know it doesnt roll that way.
Know that we were deep in the newborn trenches and exhausted at this point…But we were happy and mindful of how this journey usually unfolds. We know its an all or nothing kind of demand and life. We know that the exhaustion levels you reach are completely unparalleled, out of your control and knock you mentally no matter how many times you do this – we’re only human.(Im so hoping you have support and help,mama)
I think this time, we were just a in more experienced and well seasoned kind of mental space at this stage…Little could suprise us. And in fact, because of all my experience, research and qualifications, this breastfeeding journey with Remy was the easiest and least stressful out of the whole bang lot. Which for me personally, in itself, accounts for alot of the stress of newborn life I experience. So yay for one thing off my mind.
And mama..yes you with the dark circles under the eyes, living on coffee and snuggles. Struggling to orientate yourself in this exhausted stupor you may find yourself in, hold on to the fact that this is but temporary. They will grow and things will shift. The dawn will rise inside again as rest finds you more often – i promise. In the mean time, try to find joy in every day…no matter how hard the days can be, do your best to seek joy. And when that feels impossible I implore you to seek help.
Seek it knowing that you are not weak in doing so..but actually so strong of mind and in knowing yourself that it is SO very admirable. You are doing incredible feats mama, dont forget this!
Also, please read this for more on the gentle art of postpartum care.
Also if you want to read more how life with 4 kids really was when Remy was a newborn have a read here.
But also the sacred dynamic between the siblings also helped bring alot of joy and peace of mind. Each of them bringing something wonderful and unique to it all…
Our eldest schmunshie…Morgan-Lee..
She brings big joyous energy…such a playful and happy spirit, that she tosses around like glitter…She brings a wonderful dimension to this sibling group…she managed the transitions of all her siblings so well, and was always involved in their everyday lives.
Our second schmunshie…Parker-Grace
My soulful girly, who’s really actually not girly, depsite the fact that she has fab dress sense, and does great hair and foot massages.She has been such an incredible mothering-sister presence to all her smaller sibs – its a beautiful thing to bear witness to.
Our third and explosive schmunshie…Yuriko-Mae
WHAT FREAKIN energy does this girl bring…and she’s been invested in her little brother since day one. this girl is connected to all her siblings like it’s magic!
Connected to all of them deeply..
I also loved how Tabs just caught regular every day momemts…like this very normal mama moment: just casually chatting to one child while saving a toddler from themselves… 🙂
And board games and Jenga, a family favourite in this house…
Whiskey, forever part of this family, and a very very loving and loved member, mind you!
And now…as the chapter of these baby bearing and birthing years close, we’ve breathlessly and excitedly moved onto the next chapter and new adventures…How amazing it will be, and how blessed I feel to actively take part, guide and bear witness to it all unfold…What an honour. The HIGHEST honour!
