Mosaic of my Favourite Things

Mosaic of my Favourite Things, originally uploaded by &Naomi.

Looking at my favourites all together, I notice that they're very homey and indoorsy. Not so long ago, I would have included my well-worn passport, backpack, hiking boots, bicycle and Lonely Planet guides in the mix. Where are these things now? Packed away, well out of daily use. I was issued a new passport just after falling pregnant, and I can't imagine when it's going to get its first stamp. I tell myself that outdoor adventure does not have to end when the baby arrives, but I'm not sure I'm entirely convinced...

1. Wedding photos and rings. My engagement ring is my most special possession - a complete one-off designed by a most enthusiastic new jeweller to Hayden's specifications, all organised in secret while I was away travelling for work. I could not bear to lose it - the mould was destroyed when the ring was made, and there's no way we could recreate the spirit that went into the making of it.

2. Automatic computer backup machine - this has every photo I've taken and every word I've typed since 2007, all stored safe and sound ... I've lost it all before but never again!

3. Camera

4. Macbook with ultrasound pic on the desktop - the image I open up to every day.

5. Journal, pencil case, favourite writing pen and box of print photographs - all ways to record my thoughts, my feelings and my days

6. Magazines - one of my favourite ways to relax

7. Datebook - I love to be organised. There, I've said it. I know it sounds boring, but I find that I'm completely free to be spontaneous when I know that the bills are paid and the insurance is up-to-date.

8. Favourite books - most of my books are in storage at the moment, but I kept a few precious ones aside

9. well-stocked pantry

10. Sardines on toast! I am really loving cooking and eating for pregnancy

11. Well-used coffee pot ... I can't wait to get back to drinking a couple of cups a day

12. Bed

13. 'Pursuit of Love' mug.. the book was the first grown-up one I read; the mug was a present to myself on the day I received some lovely feedback on my writing.

14. Sunset .. at the beach of course

15. DVDs - there is no arthouse cinema in our town, so we have to make our own!

16. Bathtime

17. Breakfast with a view

18. Sharing a bottle of wine ... though I haven't done this for a while

19. Ultra-sensible, helpful baby books - these are keeping me sane through pregnancy

20. The beginnings of getting the nursery together. Well we've made a start.

24 weeks 5 days

Silly self portraits I snapped this morning while still in my PJs. The urge to document this time is strong!

Wish I was ...

Look at that flat stomach! Not that I ever thought of it that way before. But these days I'm only that lithe, flexible and comfortable (on my back anyway) in my dreams. Each morning I wake up refreshed, with silly thoughts such as "I know! I'll take up fencing!" or "Yes! We'll hire canoes and paddle down the river!" (actually, I think the paddling would be OK, but as for hoisting a canoe onto the roof of a car ... well, forget it).

But the days are definitely warmer and, out of the habit of old associations, my mind turns down its well-worn track towards summertime fun. I remember our honeymoon on Hinchinbrook Island (April 2008) and wish I could be there again.

At 22 Weeks

At 22 Weeks, originally uploaded by &Naomi.

sun down

Our lease on the River House is up, and unfortunately we don't have an option to renew as the people who truly own this place are coming back to live here. We can't begrudge them that.

Hayden and Lily and I are moving just down the road to a smaller, simpler dwelling. We will still be near the river, but it will no longer be in daily sight. Will we miss it? Or make more of an effort to stay in touch?

sorting

sorting through some things in my study today, I came across this photo from the day of our wedding.

Extra nicely, I came across it in print form ... and there is something so poignant, I find, in coming across a slightly crinkled, slightly faded print photo that has fallen down the back of a drawer.

Holding it in my fingers didn't so much make me remember the day, or the kiss, or the vows or anything so much as that general glow of happiness and excitement for the future that surrounded us at the time. We had lost that, since then, during a tough couple of years. But I think we may just be beginning to feel it again.

There's nothing like that sensation, and I hope to remember to make more prints of photos, if only to lose them in the backs of drawers, and find them again, and feel them again.

dream lab

Dream Lab dared me to do something different today: to leave an anonymous gift or message of kindness for a stranger or a friend.

I actually had fun making this little sign to leave on the door of a friend's house. I loved not being a perfectionist about how it looked - I just whacked it together to get the message out there.

Strangely, it caused me to have a wonderful day to.