Today, I’ve paused.  I’ve been out for French quiche and hot chocolate..I’ve ignored the message tone,  I’ve taken time out to chat to my husband about nothing at all really.  I’ve remembered how beautiful our garden is as the sun rises each day.  The past few week have been a little bit exhausting and it’s nice to have some time out.

I really am still very overwhelmed at the Tea Party photos and am still to see all of them..I do like to savor special things so I’ve waited for the quiet moments with a cup of tea in hand..By request, I have created a Flickr Ava’s Tea Party Group and would also love to see images added there. For those who don’t Facebook, (Mum!)  this will allow me to share them easily so I’d hugely appreciate it.  If you blogged about your tea party at all, would you mind adding that link to your Facebook/Flickr photos or here in comments?  All of these things are such precious memories for my children and it means more than you know that I can preserve them for when they’re older..

Eye Candy Evolve Workshop update:

Evolve is not too far away..I’m putting the last touches on it before we send place offers so please don’t think you’ve been missed if you’re waiting for an email.  I’m enjoying working on some exciting things for the Workshops!

Love, Sheye xx

There have been many occasions since Feb 07 where I have been lost for words. This is one of them.  Have you seen all the photos?  The tea parties?   My goodness!  How can I convey what it means to see so many beautiful little people with their Mums and Dads and friends and family all making new precious memories over the sharing of tiny cakes and strawberry milk and raspberry tea..Just being together is enough for me but so many of you actually honored Ava at the same time.  Wow.

From beautiful little tea parties in lounge rooms, back gardens and local parks to cupcakes shared beside soccer games, families pulling up on the side of the road, sweet girls dressed in pink mid-forest.. The gorgeous photos I’ve only just begun to look through and each time I am left searching for the right words to express what it all means to us.

And not only the tea parties.. For the beautiful emails I received, the hundreds of messages sent via comments, FB, Flickr and ye olde letter post..  The most beautiful outfit for Ivy to wear at our own tea party.. A vintage dress for me.  Handmade cuff links for Crayton.  Balloons sent Heaven-bound.  A treasured photo of the pinkest sky.. Beautiful flowers in baby pink, with dragonflies, in spotty teacups..  Special drawings from budding artists.  A precious, tiny felt angel who made her way from the other side of the World.

I really don’t know what to say except, thank you.  For keeping Ava’s memory burning bright.   Truly, thank you.

Love Sheye xx

ps: If you do have photos..even those that have already sent links to me,  I would be SO grateful if you could add them to Facebook and tag them for me..  (Of course I will add you as a friend if I haven’t already).  Thank you!!  I’m sorry I don’t have more photos of our own Ava’s Tea Party to share but I only took a few.   S x

Links:

Tea Party Photos (Please add!!)

Ivy’s Custom Party Hat & Dress (Thank-you so much Leigh from A Rabbit in the Hat!)

Ava’s Tea Party Print

Ava’s Tea Party Invitations

I’m hanging out washing. Taking in the crisp of the air and the blue of the sky which today seem strange and new and amplified. Only a little bit earlier on this clear August morning, it seems my waters broke.   Not in a dramatic dear God get an ambulance the baby is coming kind of broke but enough to make me gather my pink rose pyjamas and clary sage oil.  I ring her Daddy at kindy.  Come home quickly, I say.  And quickly, he does.

We travel down the highway.  Forty minutes of excited chatter & nervous imagining.  The knowing that we’re leaving our home a family of four for the last time.   It’s my due date but more significantly, it’s the date Crayton’s mum left us, three years earlier.  It feels right that I would be birthing on this day.  I’ve waited so long to meet her. I am ready.

“You’re not ready”, the midwife tells us.  Not yet.  And still not after seven hours of walking and talking and willing and wishing.  I ring my far away sister.  “Please come.  Please bring your blue cohosh and your massage hands and your calm.  I need you.  Come quickly”.   And not very quickly at all it seems, she comes.

We walk that entire hospital. Inside and out.  Moon shining bright, up stairs and down hills.  With gritted teeth and willpower, real labor begins.  It’s ten pm.

I sway. In her Daddy’s arms I’m rocking and breathing and almost believing I can do this.  I’ve forgotten to unpack the oil.  The soft music has been switched off.   It’s one am.

The waves come and go and I’m not very sure any more and when I reach a point where I can no longer do this, I move to the bath.  Angie tells me how well I’m doing while I’m pleading for it to be over, for her to be out, for anything to make it stop.  I contemplate drowning myself. It is six am.

And then she is.   Black hair, olive skin, eyes wide open.  Finally, she is.  I can barely hold her, I can barely believe.  My dear, darling girl.   My Ava.

Today, you would have become six.  I can not greet you with a special hug. I cannot sing to you this day. I will not make your favorite breakfast nor see you open your gifts.  It the day of your birth, but not a birthday, as we know it.  You can not celebrate beside us but even still, we will forever cherish the day you came to be.

Happy Birthday, Superprincess Ava.

Love Mummy.

xxxxxxx

This weekend, we will begin a tradition.

Come this Saturday, August the twenty-second, we will hold Ava’s Tea Party.

Even though our plans for this year are tiny…really just some simple tea cakes and a pretty frock for Ivy, I am excited to be doing this.  I want it to be the start of something really special..an annual tradition for our family.  A time to remember and a place to be thankful.

But I want this not just for us… My hope is that all of you reading this also take a moment on August 22 to share a cupcake, or a pink milk, or maybe just a cuddle with your own loved ones..For Ava.  If you’re able to extend to a little tea party, that would make my heart sing. To imagine people taking time out of their day to do nothing more than love and cherish and laugh with friends and family..Just to really stop and be thankful for the gift that is a normal, happy day.. This, I would love.

Sheye xx

ps. If you do decide to participate, I would dearly love to see a photo :)

Ava’s Tea Party Invitation available from Belle & Boo.