An hour outdoors

As Grub is getting older, I think its very important for her to spend time outdoors everyday, weather permitting. Providing Grub an environment that allows her access to the outdoors, I feel will help her become closer to nature and therefore appreciate and respect the wonders that nature offers. Besides children naturally love the outdoors, so a good time should be had by all.


So I've promised myself to try and get outside for at least an hour a day and then on weekends we have outdoor family time too. Even if its just our daily walk around the neighbourhood, I'll stop and allow Grub to feel different textured leaves, smell flowers, look at the cat following us on the fence. To stop and look for birds while I try to name what type they are. Its all about stopping and allowing her to absorb and learn from her environment. We're already teaching her about seasons, plants, animals, textures, sounds and shes just loving it.

Early morning at Playford lake

Taking it all in

Last weekend we spent our outdoor family time at Belair National Park, Mike insisted we take Grub somewhere with lots of tree and birds. We definitely got both. We found a variety of birds including a variety of ducks, the Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Ducks and hybrids of Mallards.

Hybrid Mallards

An Australian Magpie gave me a fright and swooped at me, Magpies are known for their aggressive behavior around mating season.

Magpie starring at me after its attack

Dusky Moorhens followed us basically all the way around Playford lake, hissing, the way they do. I think the water birds thought we had brought food because they were crowding us and acting abnormally friendly.

Dusky Moorhens chasin' and a hissin'

Surrounded by Dusky Moorhens

On the other side of the lake I spotted a Koala perched in a tree not far beyond the path we were on. Mike and Grub went in for a closer look and to Mike's delight the Koala had a joey with her. We had a brief chat to Mama Koala, Mike told her she was doing a good job at raising her baby and that he wished her all the luck in the world. Grub was mesmerised by Mama K, she wouldn't stop starring at her and every now and then would wave and add a 'hello'.

Mama K and her little joey

Grubs in love

Moments like these bring the family closer

Its moments like these, unaided by man made objects like television or even books or toys allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of things, it allows families to come closer and find happiness from 'simplistic' joy.


MamaKoo

Nursing my nursling

This past Tuesday marked my first anniversary with Grub and our nursing relationship, I say relationship because it involves a lot of trust and mutual agreement to keep the relationship strong. Things have changed remarkably since we first started out, what first comes to mind is the length of time it takes to nurse and the number of times a day. I remember feeling like I was constantly on the couch with my breasts out and Grub attached to them, when I let down, a surge of milk would come flooding out wetting what felt like everything. I was constantly sticky and smelt like milk ALL the time. As you can most likely tell, I didn't enjoy the first few months of breast feeding.

Grumpy MamaKoo

Not to mention the latch problems and unbelievably sore nipples (I would have rather go through labor again). I remember crying, not wanting to nurse because it hurt too much and becoming depressed because I felt I couldn't give my baby the best start in life.

First time nursing didn't hurt, Grub was 2 months

Nursing becoming a breeze

Perfecting the lying down position

I'm so happy I persevered, it becomes unbelievably easier, to the point where Grub has become such a professional, she knows exactly what to do.

Starting to fall in love with nursing

I love some things that have stayed the same

• She still needs me and wants me above all other people
• When she latches her head automatically drops as if I'm always going to be there to catch it
• The way her eyes roll back in ecstasy when she first gets a taste of my milk
• The way she looks at me when she nurses, like I'm the most important person in her world

I love some of the things that have changed

• Time and frequency of feeding!!!
• The inventive nursing positions that shes coming up with
• Her humming her nursing song while nursing
• The way she strokes my side or plays with my amber necklace
• When she needs to touch and stroke her hair

One year! Woo hoo!

MamaKoo

First year

As spring is coming around the corner and we've been experiencing some glorious days. Last year baby Grub was a bit too young to fully absorb her outside surroundings. She LOVED leaves back then and still does.

Baby Grub's first time swimming last year

But this year is all about birds, dogs, grass, textures, sounds and waving a friendly faces.
 

Happy Grub enjoying life

We all had an absolute ball when we went out for a picnic for her first birthday. I made cheesy sticks, broccoli and tomato muffins, chickeny fingers, butter bean and carrot patties and a delicious healthy banana cake, which I took from a mini cake recipe I found here.

Mini cake for a mini lady

Its such a delight to watch your young one take such pleasure in the simplest of things. It really makes you sit back and appreciate life from a different perspective.

I think she likes the wrapping more than what was inside

We ate, played, chased birds, met a beautiful Labrador who tried to demolish our picnic and fed some ducks. Grub had so much fun with her slice of cake, that afterwards I had to strip her down and change her. I think it was her secret plan all along... she loves being a nudist.

Rebel

Nudist behavior

Grub's birthday was not only a day of celebration marking her day of birth, but its also our one year of breast feeding anniversary. In the early weeks I didn't think we would make it this far, having sore crack nipples made me wonder if it was all worth it. We're both very glad I persisted, I can't imagine life without.

1 year: You, me and the boob

Celebrating Grub's first birthday has evoked a strange new feeling, full of emotions. One that is full of pride and humility and joy yet sadness. We made it through our first year generally unharmed! And my little baby is on her way to growing up.

MamaKoo

{This moment}

Inspired by Soule Mama.  A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Birthday day!

Its been a very long yet extremely fast year, one year ago today I gave birth to my lovely first born, Baby Grub, I still remember it like it was yesterday. After a morning of relaxing, kisses and cuddles, we're going to head out to the park to meet a few friends and family for a picnic. Its going to be a lovely blue skied day and what better way to spend it, outdoors with my little Grubby bum looking at birds, crawling on grass and eating food.

Me and Grub seconds after birth

We've come a long way baby! Mama loves you.

MamaKoo