This time of year has really got me reminiscing, lingering on memories of the last few years.  An email landed in my inbox, and it immediately brought to my ind, this time last year where I was awaiting Evie’s arrival.

I remember the cold mornings so vividly, the bright hues of the fallen autumn leaves as Nye and I wasted time at the park, kicking leaves and collecting them to bring home to create garlands. How odd it is to even think of having only one child.  It’s so easy to forget all that time where it was just the two of us.  And I look back, astounded at how easy I had it.  Except of course, it never felt like that!

It has been quite wonderfully remembering those October moments, moving into our home, making it our own, nesting, unpacking and getting to grip with the garden.  I have images of Nye in his snow suit, digging against the backdrop of the dark sky. Remembering him tripping over in a pile of mud and of us shuffling inside, sniffles and all, huddling around the coffee machine as we froth milk for hot chocolate.

I just can’t imagine there being no Evie.  I think back in wonder to that time where she was so close to arriving and I was just waiting, waiting to see when she would make her way into this world.  What she would look like, sound like and be like.  Now she is here and she is proving to be the most wonderfully clever creature. On the verge of walking, on the verge of sleeping through the night. but totally and utterly charming.

This year we’ve made new autumn memories, out feeding the ducks (and other assorted birds!) at the park.  The light is just amazing at the end of the day.  Even though the nights are drawing in, when the sun is setting it is simply beautiful.  I’ll always remember ducking under the branches of the trees to avoid the rain drops for a little longer, crumbling up bread ready for the birds and seeing your face light up when you saw the ducks dipping their heads into the water waggling their bums in the air.