Tonight I finally finished a project dear to my heart that has been sitting on my desktop for the past year. Sadly, in this business it’s always the personal projects that never get ticked off the list. With some free time on my hands, and jetlag keeping me up till all hours of the night, the Millypede Project has been completed.
Before Milly was born, I had an idea that I wanted to document the first year of her life at different stages, and compile it into an album just after her first birthday. Well, Milly is two now, but at least my heart was in the right place. As I’ve sat here and watched this album come together, it’s hard to believe she’s the same little girl who now gives me hugs and kisses on command, and calls me “Aunty Todi”.
So Kel, suprise!! I was going to wait and give you the album once it was ready, but I really didn’t want to wait any longer. Love you xxxxx
So, having kids is not very high on my “Things To Do” list. The older I get, and the more firm in my convictions I become, I notice that the general reaction I get these days is one of two things. The most common reaction is an inability to understand - as if I’ve just said that I don’t care to breathe in and out anymore, quickly followed by their assertions that I WILL change my mind one day (thanks, but I won’t). And the second is that I must be some kind of cold hearted, child hating monster.
Children are a LOT of work, and I just know that I’m not cut out for that. I do, however, love the children I have in my life as if they were my own. I get cuddles, I get kisses, I get to push the pram - and when they start screaming I get to high tail it out of there and go home to some peace and quiet. And I’m 100% happy with that decision.
I haven’t posted shots of Milly in a while. She’s at that age where the world is full of curious wonder, and will not sit still for longer than about 2.35 seconds. Seeing patience is a virtue that I don’t seem to have (hence why I’m not a childrens photographer), photoshoots these days with her are few and far between. I went shopping last week with Milly and her Mum, and after a trip to Pumpkin Patch, I knew I’d be pulling out the camera when we got home.
Here are a few shots of a beautiful little angel by her Aunty Toni - who is definately not a monster!
With so many weddings going on over the last couple of months, I haven’t really been posting any of my personal work, which includes catching up on what Milly has been up to.
On one of my rare Sunday’s off in October, I spent the afternoon with my best friend and her family. I’ve known Kelly since I was 12, so her family are kind of like my own family in many ways. We had a lovely afternoon lazing about, and tucking into Danny’s grappa cherries (that stuff WILL take your head off). I also wanted to get a few shots of Milly hanging out with her Grandpa for the family album…
How fast does a year fly by! It seems like yesterday I was going up to the hospital to meet her, and now she’s a fully fledged one year old.
Pretty much immediately after Milly was born, I checked my diary to look up when her 1st birthday was, and sure enough it was a Saturday. Right there and then I took that date out of my diary so I wouldn’t book any weddings. It didn’t stop me from getting tons of enquiries though, but there was one special little girl that to me was far more important on this day.
Kelly went above and beyond with the preparations for Milly’s “Princess” themed party, and I’m right behind her when she says “NEVER AGAIN!!”. The work that was put into the invitations, decorating, party favours, not to mention food (oh the food!!!) was just astounding.
Milly seemed quite comfortable with all the fuss being made about her (well, she was the princess after all!!) moving around the garden interacting with all of her adoring fans.
The highlight for me was seeing Milly’s dad, Matt, decked out in fairy wings, skirt, and tinsel tiara. Disturbing, but a highlight all the same!!!
The Millypede is exactly 11 months old tomorrow!! It is so hard to believe how quickly time flies. Milly has even started walking (She was doing this at 10 months, so it’s old news now, but I’m just so proud of her!).
Just before I went away, I took some more photos of her, so these are circa the 9 month mark, but she’s still as cute as ever…
I cannot wait for her 1st birthday party next month! Her birthday is on a Saturday this year, and I took that date out of my calendar the day she was born so I wouldn’t book any weddings. That’s one party I wasn’t dare going to miss!
My best friend wanted me to come over and shoot a quick family portrait she could send out with her Christmas cards. So under my “will work for food” arrangement, I went over for lunch (it was lamb roast - and it was pretty bloody good!).
Milly warming up at the dinner table…
Then it was down to work. Say cheese…
Let’s take a five minute break…
Now work it Milly, own it…
Before finishing up with some Daddy cuddles…
It is so hard to believe that our baby girl is five months old already! And it is true, you wonder what you ever did without her!
I was pleasantly suprised when Milly and her Mummy dropped in for a visit, and to bring me lunch. I think that Milly knew my Mummy was away camping this week, and didn’t want me to go hungry!!
Milly’s latest trick is now being able to put her foot in her mouth…
Yesterday my best friend came over, and we went down to our “local”, The Fernvale Pub, for lunch. Of course the Millypede was in tow, so I took my camera with me for a few pics.
We then met Toby (yes I realise there’s laws against animals being present where meals are provisioned, but this is Fernvale after all!!)…
Milly has a fascination with everything at the moment, and today it’s bottles…
I love my little Millypede. I love the little noises she makes as she breathes when she’s asleep. I love the way she talks to herself. I love her crazy hair (one day Mill I’ll teach you all about product). And I love the way she gun barells the camera as if to say “how you doin’”…
