6/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015."

F: My Sofa Boy.

You might have noticed I've been a little quiet and the reason is this week – or the last eight days – I've been at home with this little sick bunny. Normally my boy is full of energy, first up in the morning and on the go all day until he falls into bed at night. But not this week, instead he has been struck down with a nasty virus which took a bit of a turn and almost ended in an emergency trip to the hospital. Thankfully it didn't come to that and I've watched over him as he snoozes on the sofa or on me, him waking only when I move away from his side.

This morning his fever broke and he seemed his happy self again, even if a little pale. So I've spent the day tidying, cleaning and trying to catch up on all the work I've missed while looking after my baby. It's so easy to forget how little he still even at the age of four. All those cuddles and kisses, strokes and comfort needed, I cling onto those as he gets back into his routine of superheroes, dare devil jumps and pretend sword play.

Also I'd just like to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who voted for me in the #3cities competition.  Although I didn't win the grand prize, you kept me in the final three and I'm happy to say I won a GoPro camera to document our travels with.

Here's to a fun filled week. x

Linking in with The 52 Project.

4/52 • 5/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015."

4/52 Above : His little pouty face.
5/52 Below: Always running, the best way to take in art.

After spending most of the day awkwardly positioned on the sofa/floor/chair with back pain due to lifting my poorly – not so little boy – up for a snuggle this morning, I'm late in posting a few things. But hey, sometimes real life takes centre stage and with a kiddo off school, a night of no sleep and some crazy trapped nerve, electric shocks type pain going up and down my body, I'm going to cut myself some slack.

As February starts I'm making an important mental note to take time with this little one, who is so full of life and growing so fast that even he seems to be in a rush. I'm off to London tomorrow for blogging related work and hopefully enjoy a some art, cocktails and city skyline views.

I hope this week brings you lots of fun and laughter.

Linking in with The 52 Project.

3/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015."

F: A lazy morning.

It seems weird that I'm posting the third photo of the year as this signifies that January is on its way out already. How does time pass so quickly?! We've been having a little furniture shuffle and F is loving the space in his bedroom, spending lazy mornings playing with lego and and drawing on his blackboard wall. While he takes it slow things couldn't be busier this end. I'm now at the start of another solo week as Paul is away in Bucharest for work, so I'll be leaning on the caffeine a little to help me get through the week. I'm still focusing on getting the flat sorted out with plenty of DIY and painting under way, as well as planning more travel for 2015. I hope you have a great week!

Linking in with The 52 Project.

2/52

F: Playing at the park and oh boy that smile gets me every time.

So I'm firmly into the new month, work is going well, there's exciting plans in the pipeline and my travel plans for 2015 are starting to come into shape, with a trip to Amsterdam already booked in. Last week I focused on getting F settled back into pre-school, de-cluttering the house with lists upon lists and checking out the sales. I especially love Anthropolgie at the moment and might have left with five a couple of pieces from there yesterday *shhh*

I'm also getting back into fitness and might even start my own #gofit15 hashtag so people can join in on Instagram or dip in and out for healthy living inspiration, what do you think? I'd love to see if we can motivate each other into a healthier 2015.

Linking in with Jodi's The 52 Project. 

1/52

F: Pretending to be a pineapple.

So here it is, the first portrait of 2015 and although I didn't end up posting the last four of 2014, I have them ready to share with you in the next week or two. Normally I wouldn't take on a project like this but I love looking back over the year, seeing F's face change and his personality shine through in these pictures, so here I am ready to go again and join in with Jodi's The 52 Project. 

You may have noticed I had taken a little time away from the blog to make the most of the Christmas and the New Year, and while spending time with family has been blissful, I can't keep away for long and as of tomorrow I'm officially back in work mode.

So here's goodbye to the end of the holidays and hello to reality, let's make it a good one.

46/52 • 47/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

47/52 F: A whole lot of love for the Paddington Bear Statue in London.

46/52 F: A quick pit stop and chat on the way home from pre-school.

Another week has flown by and once again I'm playing catch up with The 52 Project. I love both of these pics, and even though they're very different in composition and colour, they both show F's cheeky playful side which has kept me company during the past few solo parenting weeks.

Tomorrow I'm flying to Dublin for the very exciting Lovin Dublin event, and although I'm thrilled to be visiting the Emerald Isle, I'm starting to get very nervous about the flight! Fingers crossed it will be smooth and if you're interested in seeing what I'm up to then you can follow me on twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #wildgrizzlytravels and come along for the ride!

Linking in with  The 52 Project.

45/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: Ready for an adventure after waiting for a delivery.

This last week has been so full of busy – fun but busy – that I haven't managed to spend that much time just hanging out with this one, in fact he's spent a few days at my folks as I've been in London for press days and the Amara Interior Blog Awards (there's a whole post to come on this). 

Thankfully the next couple of weeks are a little calmer and I can focus on spending more quality time with F. As a few of you have asked where F's clothes were from I thought I'd share it here:

Coat: Zara

Jumper: Mamas & Papas

Hat: Kite

Jeans: Hand me downs

Wellies: Joules last season

Linking in with  The 52 Project.

43/42 // 44/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: Autumn walks and Halloween madness

So this is me trying to catch up, for the first time since starting #the52project I've missed posting a photo, but sometimes real life takes over and things slip. It's been so busy this end with events and meetings in London, preschool half term, a week of solo parenting, helping out at my folks as they prepare to move house and trying to keep everything ticking over that something was bound to give. Not that I'm going to give myself a hard time about it, but I do hope that this is the only blip in me documenting F each week, especially as we draw near the big 52. 

The first photo is from week 43, I could talk about the beautiful autumn colours all day and couldn't wait to snap a pic of F playing in the leaves. We walked and collected different colours, making leaf bouquets before throwing them in the air and letting them shower down.


The second image is from week 44, this week, and shows my little Count Dracula all ready for Halloween. He was so super excited to go out trick or treating that he pretty much wore the costume all day. We headed out as soon as it got dark and excitedly approached the spooky houses in the hopes for sweets and candy.

This week is much the same, super busy with the added excitement of The Amara Interior Blog Awards in London on Wednesday. I can't wait to catch up with some lovely bloggers although I still need to find my cocktail dress! 


Linking in with  The 52 Project.

42/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: Amongst the fallen leaves.

Over the next two months both our schedules couldn't be busier; with school visits, work events, deadlines and London trips for me, where as Paul has international travel, conferences and generally working away on the cards. More importantly this has to fit around F, keeping his routine as best we can during it all. I'm preparing myself for a tricky couple of months where planning is going to be key, and making sure we make the most of every minute in the countdown to Christmas.

Linking in with  The 52 Project.

41/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: My baby is four.

This week has marked a special moment in the year, a celebration of my boy. My baby who years ago made his appearance in the world, blinking at the brightness of it all, is now four. Being October born I have one more year before he starts school and my precious hours with him are snatched away as he starts a new adventure in life. 

Oh how we ate cake (lots), danced, watched on as he excitedly opened his presents and played with his friends. 

As I do every year, I waited for the seconds to pass on the clock and reach 01.32 am, before sneaking into his room to snap a pic of his sleeping baby face, documenting the minute he entered the world those four years ago.

I have picked two photos this week, the first shows his cheeky side, his humour and the part of him that makes me laugh. The second photo is my favourite though, these are the moments I stop what I'm doing to watch him, his thoughtful gaze staring out, his kind nature and wisdom beyond his years captured in that moment. 

Happy birthday my baby, how you have my heart. x 

Linking up with The 52 Project

40/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F:  Let's go fly a kite.

So here we are, 40 weeks into this project and my countdown to the end of the year has been set. Although last week has felt completely manic – hence this post being a  little late – we managed to take some time out to hang out and just be.

F loved running back and forth, trying to get his cool new pterodactyl kite c/o Jurassic Kites to chase him in the air. What more could a boy want?

Linking up with The 52 Project

39/52

F:  Hanging out with this funny kiddo.

Next week marks forty of The 52 Project, leaving only twelve to go. *gulp* Like the 12 days of Christmas this suddenly feels like a countdown to the end of 2014 and I'm hoping this spurs me into putting some of those  'DO' ideas  into action before the year slips away and another winter is here.

This week has been tumultuous, as it turns out booking last minute holidays is not our forte, instead there has been indecisiveness and the occasional swear word thrown in for good measure. So admitting defeat we booked a single night away in Bruton's, At the Chapel for a city escape and some much needed R&R.

This weekend has been full of conker hunting, spider watching and planning for the days ahead, let's hope this week is kind and full of fun.

Linking up with The 52 Project

*I stole this pic of Paul's iPhone, it's fuzzy but I do love this little face.

38/52

F: Outdoor days

While the weather is mild F has spent most of his hours outdoors, climbing, digging and generally running wild. He becomes more fearless in his endeavours day by day which leaves my nerves slightly frayed and reflexed primed to step in at a moments notice.

This week has seen a change in our routine with Paul being at home on holiday rather than flying off somewhere with work. F has loved every minute of it, being showered in attention in a way that is not possible when I'm with him on my own, and boy does he know how to wrap us around his little finger! However when it comes to parenting we're not always on the same page, so there have been a few disagreements along the way.

After the excitement of the MAD Blog Awards ceremony and London fun this weekend, I now have itchy feet for another city break. So as I type and sip coffee, I'm also browsing European boutique hotels to see if we can grab a last minute getaway. Here's to fun filled week ahead.

Linking up with The 52 Project

37/52

F: A touch of autumn

There's a hint of change in the air as temperatures slightly shift and that certain glow signifying the end of summer starts to set in. I know it's been a bit quiet here this last week, but with a stretch of solo parenting and new school routines it has been good for me to step away from the screen. 

This week I asked my folks to step in and take F for a day or two, and although there were long lists to do and deadlines to finish, I wanted the time to do nothing; to hang out, drink coffee when I want, read magazines, stay in bed, see friends and stay up late. There's nothing like a bit of solo time to kick back and relax.

Next Friday is the MAD Blog Awards 2014 ceremony in Kensington, London where this little blog is a finalist for the Best Family Fun award. *Squeal* So next week there's going to be a bit of pampering in the run up to the ceremony and trying to find that perfect mama style. 

Linking up with The 52 Project

36/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: Mesmerised by the game

I still can't quite believe September is here and as of this morning F goes into pre-school for three whole days, ok they might only be half days but this will be a new chapter for me. Getting ready to leave the house at 8am and leaving the morning free for me to concentrate on upcoming projects, all while the realisation of time passing quickly being ever present. 

I love this snap from last week, after an impromptu park play date he caught a glimpse of the big boys playing tennis on our way home. As he ran up and held onto the fence, I sat and waited for him, this boy of mine.

Linking up with The 52 Project

35/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: Splashing in the smallest of puddles

I was hoping to get this post up sooner but after arriving home late on Monday from End of the Road, I didn't realise how exhausted we would all be. It seems the flat has become awash with scattered toys, camping equipment and mountains of laundry and no matter how much I tidy, it still looks the same. So we took a day off to wake from our post festival coma and ease ourselves back into our normal routines, while keeping my fingers crossed for F's bedtime routine to return – think 9.30pm and small boy wide awake.

Linking up with The 52 Project and The Ordinary Moments

34/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: Sheltering from the rain, with his 'I'm not impressed' face

There has been a slight shift in season this week as we slowly edge towards autumn. The rain has poured, an extra blanket has been needed at night and dusk settles in earlier, all reminders that summer is fading. I am still hopeful that September might bring more heat and outdoor play, and I'm praying to the weather gods for sun at End of the Road Festival next week.

Linking up with The 52 Project

33/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: Always a happy camper, relaxing with his cup of hot milk.

We're back from Just So Festival after a most excellent weekend spent camping under the stars, laughing with friends and romping around outdoors in the most perfect place – I can't wait to share it with you all. I've spent the last week making handmade gifts, choosing prints for the walls, enjoying good food with friends and soaking up the last rays of summer as the holidays wind to a close.

Joining in with The 52 Project and Ordinary Moments.

32/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: tiger tiger.

Just as some weeks are quiet and slip by unnoticed, these last seven days have been long and hectic, with events punctuating the days and distorting time. Looking back over all my captured moments it's hard to choose one image to sum up the week. We have been in Bristol and London, I have been juggling work deadlines and childcare, family time and me time, as well as some steps to overcome my flight phobia. So this corner of the internet has taken a back seat while we've embraced the day to day. To make up for the silence I have some exciting posts this week, including: DIY Pom Pom Garland tutorial, weekend adventures, Kids Fashion and more Festival fun. 

The one constant theme of the last seven days is F's wild side, at the moment I'm finding my feet as he challenges me in the day to day. The normally chilled child is becoming very assertive in his own right and navigating this phase is trickier than I imagined, reminding me that motherhood is one big learning curve. 

Linking in with Jodi's The 52 Project 

31/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014."

F: Playing car with his shadow

August is here and the dry summer days seem endless, we're making the most of the sun as I know how quickly the months roll by and wetter days will follow. I can't believe August is here already, a month of festivals, camping and birthday celebrations, and as summer break from school continues F revels in these long days just hanging out with his mama. 

Linking in with Jodi's The 52 Project and Katie's Ordinary Moments