Last year, before we knew we would be having another baby, I started putting Mabel to bed again in our room. There is such a big age difference between her, Larkspur, and Beatrix that bedtime had become a bit of a challenge. She needed to go to bed on the earlier side and they wanted to stay up later. I decided that I’d read to her in our bed and then stay with her until she fell asleep, Jonny carrying her up to the girls’ room before we went to bed ourselves. It’s not something we would have done had we known a new baby would be joining our family, but I’m glad we did. It gave her some extra special time with me over the last year. In recent weeks I’ve been a little worried about the transition that she will need to make, back to going to bed with the big girls when the baby arrives. I didn’t need to worry. A few days ago, Mabel made the announcement herself that Beatrix would be putting her to bed upstairs in the girls’ room from now on, knowing that changes will need to come when her baby brother is born. She turned five years old a couple of weeks ago and it feels like she is growing up so quickly! I think she’s very ready to be a big sister. What a tremendous gift we’ve been given! After three miscarriages between Mabel and this baby, I didn’t believe that we would have any more children.
For Mabel’s birthday, I made her an album full of pictures chronicling her first year of life starting with a photo of me the day before she was born up until her first birthday party. She’s always asking to see photos of herself when she was a baby and I wanted her to have something she could hold in her hands. It felt like good timing with her brother’s expected arrival so near to her birthday. And then, I asked Jonny to take some photos of Mabel and me together. Her last days being the baby of the family, and me realizing that there have been very few photos taken of me throughout this pregnancy. I haven’t been spending much time with our goats in recent months so they were all eager to crowd around for a visit when we headed into the backyard for photos. I’m very close to having this baby and starting to dream about being able to walk about normally again…soon!
p.s. The photos of the peafowl were taken on the estate where Keats works. My girls had been begging to visit ever since he started working there.
p.p.s. I usually share the gifts we give on birthday posts in case you need inspiration. Mabel’s gifts were pretty basic this year: books, puzzles, a game, and a few special things from her grandparents. I did buy her one last-minute gift at Beatrix’s suggestion: this set of watercolor pens. (affiliate link) These are worth mentioning because Mabel has been using them a lot. She is always asking to paint, and I’m not always able to accommodate her wishes. These are so easy and fun and don’t require prep or cleanup. They probably aren’t washable, but my kids ruin all their clothes no matter what I do anyway.
Oh, how lovely! Happy birthday, Mabel! 🙂
What happy and exciting days for you, Ginny! Happy birthday to Mabel and I wish you every good thing for your new baby’s arrival xx
Such a sweet birthday celebration! I am so happy for your family!! (and high five to a fellow mom with kids who ruin clothes no matter what we do!)
What lovely photos! I have read your blog for many years (since your big girls were tiny) and the amount of things you are able to accomplish always astounds and inspires me. Thank you for that. Prayers for a smooth delivery and welcoming of the new baby into your precious family. Peace!
You look beautiful, Ginny! You are at the end, how wonderful! A baby to hold and your body “back.” It’s all around a glorious feeling. (forgetting all the gruesome recovery pains and nursing pain, etc. etc.)
We just found out we are pregnant with #8. I will be 41 when he/she is born. It will be my fourth c-section after four home births. You are an inspiration to me in your calmness and enthusiasm in welcoming another baby. I will be spinning the first wool from our sheep and dyeing and knitting like crazy for this one to be born in late winter, in Poland. Somehow all of my baby knits from past babies have been lost in the melee or are now sitting upon various stuffed animals.
I look forward to your first baby posts. My youngest girl turns 6 tomorrow, almost exactly one year older than Mabel. She loved looking at all her pictures…and now wants a crown of her own! And unicorn cupcakes!!! Heaven!
Good luck, dear Ginny,
Peace be with you!
Happy birthday, Mabel! She’s precious and so are the pictures of the two of you. Prayers for a happy delivery.
Those pictures of you and Mabel are so lovely. And while you guys are definitely the stars of those photos (of course) I always love seeing those goats as well, with their cute little nearly-earless faces!
Thinking of you often, Ginny. Wishing you a good delivery and a healthy, happy baby 🙂 I think Mabel is going to be the best big sister this child could have. Much love!
Ginny you look so beautiful! These photos make me want to have another baby! My “baby” is four now and I turn 41 in a few weeks; I thought we were done but perhaps there is room for one more…
Such nice pictures of you and Mabel.
You have a beautiful family! Prayers for a safe delivery and healthy baby.
Five years has gone by so fast!!!! Happy Birthday sweet Mabel and Ginny, you look beautiful.
Blessings for you and your precious new baby. So excited to meet him!❤️
Happy Birthday to Mabel and you and I wish you a smooth and beautiful birth, Ginny, xoxoxo
About the ruined clothes problem: Try this “miracle” mix of equal parts Oxi-clean, Clorox II, and Cascade added to warm water. Let the clothes soak until the stains come out. I just took a baptismal gown from storage to loan to a friend and noticed it was stained and yellowed. I’m going to give it this treatment.
A very lovely birthday party for dear Mabel. Hard to believe she is already five and so big. The photos of her are precious. You are such a great photographer. You are looking well and I pray that you have a safe and easy delivery. Can’t wait to hear all about the new little one. You are an inspiration. Much love.
So happy and excited for you all! You are really not that big but beautifully pregnant for sure! Happy belated 5th birthday to Miss Mable!
Lovely photographs…looking forward to seeing the new little one.
Keeping you in my prayers.
Wishing Mabel a wonderful and happy year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MABEL.
Ginny thinking of you and the baby.
Joan
Hi Ginny;
Thank You for sharing your photos of Mabel and you. In my prayers for you and the baby.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MABEL Wishing you Fun,Happiness and Blessings throughout your birthday year.
Marion
Ginny the photos of you and Mabel are precious. Prayers for you and the baby.
HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY MABEL
Marilyn
Beautiful pictures as alwsys. Can’t wsit to see the new baby.
Best wishes Ginny