I’m feeling really blessed. Life is good (despite the lunar crazy that comes around the full moon) It’s peaceful and joyful (apart from the fairly-regular screaming/ hair pulling/ howling dramas that James and Grace indulge in: best friends one second and the next looks like a scene from “Gladiator”)
Our smallest baby is so easy, smiling, placid and content. She sleeps; as in, several hours together a night: I’ve had full nights sleep since she was born (unheard of!!) I regularly wonder is it because she’s the sixth, there are always arms to hold her and I’m so much more relaxed (I’m getting enough sleep!) or is it just her. Probably a bit of both.
So while I’m counting my blessings, I want to give thanks for the enormous kindness I’ve been shown since Anna was born. And I want to show you some of the handmade gifts of great kindness that have been given to me (us) (I’m sure I’ve forgotten some things, but while baby sleeps and no one is throttling each other, I’m photographing what’s closest to hand)
I love anything handmade: and I obviously attract great handmade-y friends as the photos below attest!!
The day I came home from the hospital, there was a table of loveliness laid out for me: flowers, cards, and this:
I have made no secret of how much I love Ruby Robin Boutique‘s work, and even more so because she uses bits of lichen and moss in her jewellery. I love it. This is filled with lichen in a copper terraium locket pendant. Even the packaging is drool-worthy. I had cried with utter relief from the moment I left the hospital, and this made me cry a little more. With delight, I hasten to add!! (I am married to the kindest person I know)
And then came more: 
the most beautiful handknits (Bernadette, Tara, Susan and Nicola: *heart*); cards (my sister Eithne from Cardroom Delights made the card on the left and top right, Vanessa the one on the bottom right); the CUTEST pair of crocheted Converse thanks to the lovely Helen from The Busy Mamas and my blog-friend Joanna painted this painting for me. This was a photograph of the first time I had held Anna, and I treasure it. Thank you Joanna!
*I am surrounded by blessings*
The little love heart stitch! And I do not for one second believe your kids “throttle” each other. Unless it’s with love. Anna is a DOTE!
Oh I wish it was throttling with love 😀 😀
Beautiful post 🙂 lots of love xxx
Oh I love handmade too 🙂 Those little cardigans are just beautiful! 🙂
Louise, aren’t they just? Someday, someday I’ll learn to knit!!
Beautiful Emily..we’re still missing cuddling Anna!x
Emily, thank you so much for the lovely mention! I am definitely in the presence of greatness in this post, yourself included. The little Converse are just adorable and *how* talented is your sister?! No surprises there I suppose, everything here is just beautiful. I feel like crying at that line, “I am married to the kindest person I know” and that amazing locket (and the packaging it has to be said), but have been saved falling into too much of a blubber by Wonderful Wagon’s comment about your children only throttling each other with love, I agree with her but she also made me smile!!!!
Oh I’m charmed to be in that little collection of love! Aside from the fact that they’re going to each other’s debs, our two bubbers have sleepiness in common! My man frequently goes hours at night. At first it panicked me – having never had such a strange creature as a ‘sleeper’ before but Crikey it’s lovely!
Your Anna is beautiful – and your fighters are in good company with my treacherous toddlers xx
Oh how beautiful and heart warming. You have so many talented friends but it is no surprise 😉 The photo of your three lovely children is divine x
Nicola, we’ll be in (or ye out!) for quality cuddles soon 🙂
Joanna, I know, I laughed when I read WWs comment, I wish!! Yes, everything in the post is beautiful, I really feel absolutely surrounded by good people who make me beautiful things 🙂
Helen, it has taken me a long while to get used to the sleeping at night, what amazing kiddies we make!!! Those Converse are taking pride of place! Thank you xxxx
Naomi, I am very selective when choosing friends 😉 😉 xxx
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