January – you have been long! Doesn’t it seem so long since Christmas? I’ll be so glad to see the start of February and will be welcoming the lighter mornings, brighter evenings and that one step further towards spring.
For the past maybe two weeks I’ve been wondering when this month is going to come to an end, not because it has been particularly bad because it hasn’t, it just seems to have dragged a little. I think I was so relieved to have survived December, getting to January meant I could breathe a sigh of relief but that quiet, post-Christmas period seems to have gone on just that bit too long.
Saying that, I have achieved quite a lot in the past month. I’ve caught up with lots of friends who I hadn’t had chance to see over Christmas. I’ve been out the past two weekends in a row which is not like me at all, I’ve got back into running and even signed up to do a 10k in Roger’s memory. There has been sadness, of course, but a lot of laughter and love too.
Writing that all down makes me feel pretty positive that the year has started off so well. Our family life, although not ideal, is settling down into more of a rhythm and I feel more able to cope at stressful points in the day, like getting us all out of the house so I can catch my train to work and getting Sam and Florence ready for bed if we’re all tired.
We talk about Roger a lot, every day, and the more times Flo asks me if he’s coming back the more I am able to try to answer her without tears. Sam wrote a really touching piece at school this week all about his dad and why he was his hero. It was full of such wonderful, fun things and really made me feel so proud of them both.
Sam is growing into such a lovely little boy and the relationship he has with his sister is so special. Of course they get on each others’ nerves from time to time but more often than not they can be found siting next to one another on the sofa, chasing each other round or getting up to mischief together. I love that Sam is old enough to laugh with me at some of her toddler demands too, rather than let them wind him up. Some of her current favourites are the need to wear her dressing gown at all times in the house, and her inability to be sociable in the mornings before a drink of milk and piece of toast. Sam even said the other day, ‘Flo, please can I have a hug after you’ve had your breakfast?’, before telling me he knew she would say no anytime before!
I think I’ve captured a bit of their relationship in these photos. I was hoping to get out and about today with the camera but typically it started hailing in the window of time we had free, so we made do with the lounge instead. When will I learn to sort out my Me and Mine photos earlier in the month?
If you’d like to look back at my December Me and Mine, you can do so here.
x Julia
This post is linked up with the Me and Mine project – hosted by Dear Beautiful, Bump to Baby, Capture By Lucy, Let’s Talk Mommy, Mummy Daddy Me and Tigerlilly Quinn – where you take a photograph a month of your family all together.
20 Comments
Notmyyearoff
January 31, 2016 at 7:05 amLovely photos and it’s so nice to see their brilliant bond, the bit about asking for a hug made me smile. You have such a wonderful boy there. January definitely feels like it’s dragged. It’s gone for for far longer than 4 weeks!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The Golden Baby Age
Rainbeaubelle
January 31, 2016 at 7:22 amThank you, I’m glad you feel the same about January Tas – just one more day to go!! x
lucy dearbeautiful
January 31, 2016 at 8:25 amThese photos are gorgeous, so full of fun. And I’m with you on January feeling sooo long, but we’ve done it (YAY!) and now we have those lighter evenings and the promise of spring around the corner to look forward. x
lucy dearbeautiful recently posted…the me and mine project {january}
emilyandindiana
January 31, 2016 at 8:49 amI think I wrote the exact same thing about January, it was soo long wasn’t it! Such lovely photos, I love how the toys had to be included too haha xx
emilyandindiana recently posted…Me & Mine | January 2016
Katie
January 31, 2016 at 9:19 amI agree about January. Absolutely love these photos xxx
Jenny
January 31, 2016 at 9:36 amThese are so lovely hun. I love them on the lounge in their own element happy and playful. We had the same everytime we tried to go outdoors this month we couldn’t because it was hailing or raining or windy. Ours had to do with our lounge floor as it has been sooo dark but even then it didn’t come out very good but I think sometimes that’s ok they are still documented moment. Glad things are falling into a routine and what a lovely thing for your son to write about his hero his dad. #meandmine
Jenny recently posted…Me & Mine {January 2016}
Alice Langley
January 31, 2016 at 10:10 amWhat wonderful children you have – such and credit to both you and Rog. That thing about the school piece on Heroes brought tears to my eyes. Wishing you sunshine and happiness for February x
Alice Langley recently posted…The Me And Mine Project: January
Hannah
January 31, 2016 at 10:19 amYour little ones sound like they have a fab relationship, you must be so proud of them. I love how Sam understands his little sister, he sounds like a brilliant older brother. Lovely photos xx
Hannah recently posted…Me and Mine – A Family Portrait Project 2016 – January
Carie @ Space for the Butterflies
January 31, 2016 at 11:04 amOh I’m another one so very ready to see February! And I love these photos, especially the ones with little miss F’s giggles, she’s absolutely adorable and clearly adored by her big brother!
Natalie @ Little Jam Pot Life
January 31, 2016 at 11:37 amLovely post & photos Julia. It looks like their sibling relationship is blossoming and your little chap looks proud to be F’s big brother. xx
Natalie @ Little Jam Pot Life recently posted…Our family portrait in January 2016
Katie @mummydaddyme
January 31, 2016 at 2:52 pmThese are lovely photos Julia, you all look really content and like things are going well all things considered. I love your sofa too, of all weird things to say. And your two look they have a lovely and playful relationship. x
Caroline
January 31, 2016 at 5:27 pmJanuary has been long! You have some great captures there though, the bond between them shines through. You must be very proud. x
Caroline recently posted…February Bucket List
Mini Ventures
January 31, 2016 at 7:16 pmOh they are so lovely. I love that Sam knows she needs to eat first: really really cute.
Mini Ventures recently posted…War and Peace Challenge
Stephanie
January 31, 2016 at 8:12 pmOh it is so lovely to see them having fun like that together, you captured it beautifully. Your family photo is so cute of you all together. Good luck with the run training, nice to have something to focus on.
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Lisa@intotheglade
January 31, 2016 at 8:50 pmI have a terrible personality clash with January, I am so relieved we are finally at the end too. I love these pictures Julia, the children look like they are having such great fun. I am with Flo, I never hug anyone before breakfast either ha! xx
Lisa@intotheglade recently posted…My Sunday Photo!
Heledd _ Running in Lavender
January 31, 2016 at 10:41 pmJulia, Sam and Flo are a credit to you! I think it’s lovely that you talk about Roger every day and that you’re able to include him in your daily family life. These pictures are beautiful and full of playfulness, I especially like the one of Sam making Flo laugh with that ‘cheeky monkey’ – brilliant capture!
#meandmine x
Heledd _ Running in Lavender recently posted…Me and Mine Family Picture for January 2016
Fritha Strickland
February 1, 2016 at 7:23 pmI always leave mine to the last minute too! I think these photos are brilliant though, really natural and so fun. Hearing the part about sam & his piece about his dad really moved me, what a wonderful little boy he is xx
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sarah christie
February 2, 2016 at 10:38 amJulia such lovely photos, I am so glad that day by day life is getting easier, and Sam and Flo seem to have a great relationship, Jack and Joe are the same some days get on fine some arghh they drive me mad with their bickering, heres to lighter evenings too xx
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Mrs H
February 6, 2016 at 9:42 amWhat lovely photos. I love the bond that Sam and Flo have. That is so adorable. And that story about Sam asking Flo for a hug after she has had her breakfast is so sweet. You have done so much this month. You should be so proud of yourself. But you’re right January has dragged on. I am most definitely ready for Spring now. Hugs Lucy xxxx
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Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
February 6, 2016 at 11:46 pmGorgeous photos of you all this month – love the first one and the one where Flo is sitting on your lap. I can definitely sympathise with Flo being grumpy before breakfast – I tend to be much the same in the mornings and love that Sam asked her if he could have a hug after she’d had her breakfast! Sounds like Sam wrote a really wonderful piece about Rog – no wonder you were so proud of him. Sounds like you are doing well with getting back into running too and good luck with the 10k.
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…Making fairytale magic in the garden