Mummy, Mummy, Mummy, Mummy, Mummy

"Mummy."

"Yes Miss S."

"Mummy."

"Yes Miss S."

"Mummy."

"Yes Miss S."

And so on. You get the picture. This scene is replayed in our home many times a day. And I absolutely LOVE it! Surprisingly Miss S' first word was not 'Mama' or 'Dada' but 'Hello.' A few weeks later she discovered 'Dada' and both Michael and I were addressed with this word for over a month.

Glowing and continuing to grow at 7 months pregnant

Now as a mother who went through a very very long nine months of pregnancy and a three day labour you hope and even expect that your child's first word would be 'mummy.' Why wouldn't it? Since then I have learnt that most children say 'Dada' first regardless how many times you vomited during your pregnancy.



Hours old Miss S and a very besotted Mummy

Being a mummy really is the greatest experience of all time. Holding your new child in your arms for the first time is overwhelming. She is perfect, absolutely perfect. I remember saying this over and over again when Miss S was born.



Miss S (3 months) and Mummy 'helping' to landscape the new house

Of course it is not all smooth sailing. The first few months are so emotional and challenging. You are crying because breastfeeding is so painful and then at the same time crying because you are so in love with your child. You are surviving on very little sleep and the days all start rolling into one.



Celebrating Mummy's birthday (5 months)

Then suddenly your child is smiling. For us this happened when Miss S was 6 weeks old and her bright smile seemed to make many problems dissipate. She became an expert at wrapping her parents and anyone else in her presence around her tiny little fingers.

Miss S (6 months) having a lovely time at the park

Your child becomes such a huge part of your family that you can't even remember what you did before they came along. No nappies, no toys all over the house, no 2am wake ups, no morning smiles, no giggles. How boring :o)

Enjoying a holiday in NZ (8 months)

And of all the amazing things you have heard in your life, the one that most melts your heart is hearing your child say 'Mummy, Mummy, Mummy.'

Playing at Southbank (13 months)