merry christmas!
December 22, 2008
All the baking is finished. The presents are wrapped. Gifts and good cheer sent out into the world. Time to sign off for the year to enjoy some cookie nibbling, egg nog drinking and time with family and friends.
Wishing you and your loved ones the very best holiday.
Till next year,
penelope
xxoo
love bug
December 19, 2008
For me, pregnancy has also brought with it an intense honey-moon type of love for my husband again. That swoony kind of floppy puppy love that you have for someone who you’ve just fallen for. Infatuation almost. You know the kind?
It’s very strange. I mean, sure — I’m always in love with Colin. He’s the best thing in my life by far, but this is new ground. I find myself staring at him from across the room, my eyes changing to giant heart shapes like in the cartoons. And I am sure I have heart-shaped bubbles floating up from my pitter patter heart.
All I want to do is cuddle up with him and be hugged constantly. (I’m sure this is pretty annoying when he’s trying to get work done.)
And I hang on his every word like it is a brilliant manifesto. Tell me all about dryer vents and rope caulk, baby. I’m loving it.
Yes. I’m that guy. And I’m sure it’s totally sickening to on-lookers. Sorry about that.
But I just think to myself: wow, this incredible person will soon be the father to my little girl. And he’s going to be a great dad. So patient, kind and compassionate. I mean, he helps little old ladies put their coats on in restaurants. He is always patient and kind about my antics. And he’s always curious about everything (the most random things!) and up for any adventure. I love that.
Also, I’m very slow moving these days. I need a heave-ho to get off the couch with this giant belly. And I need help zippering up my boots. And I can’t just jump up and reheat my coffee when I feel it’s a bit too cool. So Colin does it. And he’s been amazing — never once complaining that I’m a pregnant pansy. He gets right up mid-sentence and helps me. He tells me to sit down and he’ll handle it. (A whole new rollercoaster ride for me, who doesn’t like to get help with anything.) He’s basically the best thing since sliced bread… (more hearts flying out of my eyes right now… can you see them?)
So if you see us walking down the street holding hands and you wanna barf — I won’t blame you. Just pretend we’re playing red rover and bust on through. (Gently though, I will probably pummel you if you run into my belly.)
I don’t know if this love bug feeling is common among pregnant women, but I’ll take it.
want to make something?
December 16, 2008A mysterious email was waiting in my inbox about the Beckoning of Lovely. This little film made me smile. Hmm… Want to make something?
baby bump - 31 weeks
December 12, 2008
We had another baby checkup appointment on Wednesday where they discovered that I’d gained over 10 pounds in the last four weeks and my belly is measuring more than 5cm bigger than normal. She also looked at my ankles and said: “Those don’t belong to you!”. hee. Told you they were bad… I had apple-patterned knee-high socks on that day and had imprints of apples all over my legs. Attractive. We all laughed at my apple legs. :)
So the doc called for me to get another ultrasound to check to see if the baby’s kidneys were functioning properly and we went in early this morning for the appointment. I didn’t sleep well last night because I was worried, but the tech said that everything seemed to be fine. (She needed to verify with the radiologist to make sure, but we felt so relieved!) We got to see the baby again and verified that she is indeed a girl and that she weighs 4 pounds now and has long legs like her mama. :) Maybe that’s why I’m so big now… the girl’s all leg and just needs more room.
We also met with a doula yesterday and felt instantly like she was a kindred spirit who could help with the birth. Help us be present, be a liaison for the nurses and help guide Colin to guide me. She was so confident and kind and gentle. I’m excited!
Have a good weekend, peoples!
puddle lope
December 10, 2008Hiya.
Sorry about crossing all that out on the last post. I’ve been quite wishy washy lately and I think I just panicked that I was doing it wrong… I don’t feel quite like myself lately. I’m not sure how to feel or which way is up. Which is weird for me because I’m usually pretty clear on my opinions and direction. Must be hormones, I’m thinking… because I’m also off the richter scale with the emotions.
Colin and I went to our first birthing class last week and when the teacher started talking about things partners could do to help out the laboring mother (ice-chips, massage, breathing reminders) I instantly got choked up and had to bat my lashes to hold back the alligator tears. Over ice-chips?! I felt totally ridiculous. But luckily no one noticed and I sniffed and started thinking about other things to distract myself.
So I’m puddle lope lately. Please excuse me while I gain my composure.
downtime, abundance and fear
December 9, 2008
I have been thinking that I need to start slowing things down a bit to prepare for baby bean’s arrival in February. Just a few weeks of self-care and downtime to center myself before my world gets turned on its end. This requires taking on fewer jobs and fewer obligations. And this is something I’m really really bad at.* I say yes to almost every job that comes in because I’m scared that work will eventually dry up and I’ll regret not taking it all on when it was flowing. And I don’t know how much I’ll be able to do when baby is here. On top of that: Colin’s work situation (he was on a contract with an agency) is coming to an end in January. So I’m a bit nervous about where income will be coming from when the baby arrives. (It’ll be fine. Maybe a blessing so Colin can be with me and baby bean more in the first few months.)
Last week I had a ton of work. Lots of painting, sketching, designing and thinking. And this happened every day for 12 hours a day. And then I worked the weekend too. I paid for this is exhaustion and wicked swollen ankles (the bane of my pregnancy).
I did this in part because everything seemed to be due around the same time. (It always works that way, doesn’t it?) And because I wanted to clear some space for this week to be less intense. I created a list of things I wanted to do when I got some down time, including:
- Read in bed.
- Catch up on downloaded podcasts in bed.
- Listen to my birthing cds in bed.
- Stay in my pjs and stay in bed.
(Lots of bed time with my feet up!)
- Relaxed yoga.
- Meditate (possibly in bed).
- Planning meals that would be good to freeze for when baby gets here.
- Pack my bag for the birth (a little early, I know, but I’d just feel better if it were done).
- Go the library.
- Call my dad back.
- Catch up on a few friend emails.
- Get a massage (I have a gift certificate!)
- Have dinner with a friend.
- Go for a long walk in the woods.
- Sip tea with no time pressure.
- Play scrabble.
Getting to do these things would be awesome. But I took on two new jobs again yesterday without blinking. It’s like a reflex at this point and I actually feel guilty for saying no… like it’s somehow personal. (BUT I did say no to two also and lived with the guilt! Points for lope!)
But I’m thinking maybe I should space out my simple pleasures list instead of trying to have a week or two or three to enjoy them all. I dunno. Just thinking out loud. My gut says to cool it and chill for a while — it would be good for me and the baby. But my head is nervous for all the reasons I stated above. Maybe I should continue to squirrel away my acorns. Or maybe I need to shift my focus to abundance — of both time and stability for the future (even in this scary economy).
How do you make space for downtime? Is it a struggle for you? Or do you just do it and let everyone deal with it? I’m curious.
*I think I’ve blogged about this 7 billion times now. Sorry about that. :(
* * * *
Y’know. Scratch all that. I feel like I’m just complaining and that’s gonna get me a big fat nowhere. Let’s roll. Work, downtime, whatever.
handmade holidays
December 5, 2008A note to my family: Please stop reading this post or you will spoil your Christmas. Unless you don’t mind potentially knowing what your gift will be. And in that case, you’re a fruitcake. (But I love you anyway.)
A few posts ago I mentioned hand-made gifts for the holidays and Jacqueline prompted me to share some ideas I’ve been toying with. I think hand-made gifts are especially good in this craptastic economy. Plus, when making gifts, I love to focus on whoever it is I’m making it for. It’s like a little meditation on the people I hold dear. I wonder if they can feel/taste the love that went into them…
Added bonus: avoiding the mall/shopping (which is one of my own personal versions of hell.)
So handmade. I haven’t settled on anything yet (or have I?!)… but I’ve been gathering ideas. Below are just a few. (I must also note that I am not a very crafty person… in fact I stink at crafty things, so these are probably super basic to those of you who are craft-superheroes. My apologies.)
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- Banana bread
My mother in law, a few years ago, gave her recipes out in little photo albums and in there is a killer recipe for banana bread. It’s super easy to make and is oh-so-delish. Here it is:
1 C sugar
1/4 C Crisco
2 eggs
1 C mashed bananas
2 C Bisquick
Grease and flour one loaf pan. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl and bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes (till you can stick a knife in and have it come out clean).
You can tie it up with pretty strings or with tissue paper, like these:
photo from Martha Stewart.com
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- Speaking of recipe books. That would be a great hand-made gift, huh. Good thinking MIL!
* * * * *
- No sew fleece blankets. I haven’t done this before, but it looks really easy and I love soft fleece. (The teddy bear pattern, not so much.)
photo from craftelf.com
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- Bath salts. I would probably leave out the herbs though because they stick to the bath tub, pretty as they are. I did bath scrubs one year and they were well received I think. I had a lot of fun designing the labels, too, which I made with a peppermint theme.
photo from Martha Stewart.com
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- Snow Globes. I made these a few years back, too. Turned out pretty well. That was probably the craftiest I’ve ever gotten, too, which made me feel proud. :)
photo from Martha Stewart.com
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- Knitting scarves. I was a knitting fool last year and knit scarves for my whole family. I enjoyed it and I love to see them worn this winter. :)
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These are just some ideas. And like I said, I’m not a crafting expert. Here are several other links I’ve bookmarked for ideas: Sew Mama Sew, Instructables, Martha Stewart.
Do you have any more ideas that you’ve tried (and were easy) and loved the results? I’d love to hear them!
Also, another question: what do you do for people you know who wouldn’t appreciate a hand-made gift (or say, a gift from Etsy, an artist’s shop, or a donation to Heifer in their name?) Do you concede and just get them something store-bought?
Happy friday, friends!
gray area
December 2, 2008
So busy lately… house guests, traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday, seeing friends, and lots of studio time. I’ve been really into black and white since winter arrived. The silhouette of trees against the snow, india ink drawings, clean lines. Wanting to pitch b/w to all my clients lately and have to fight the urge.
My thoughts lately haven’t been so black and white. Lots of different shades of gray. I’ve been researching baby gear now that I’m nearly 30 weeks (so close!). I’ve been procrastinating on all of it because I don’t want a lot of stuff for no reason… only the essentials please and thank you.
But even with that in mind, it’s amazing how many varieties of everything are out there! I mean… How do you know what you’ll use and what will collect dust? Which kind of bottles won’t leak (amazon reviews vary widely)? Whether to go with glass or bpa free plastic? And what kind of pacifier the baby will take to? (There are different shapes apparently.) How will the cloth diapers that were recommended by a trusted friend work for my kiddo? It’s all confusing and a jumble. (And expensivo-rivo if you don’t watch it.) And it all makes me nervous.
I suppose I’ll be a pro at it soon enough… when we figure out what works for our family, but dang. I wish I could skip this part. sigh…
good things list
November 25, 2008
Inspired by the cutie Nina Beana’s list, here is my own good things list:
- starting to feel in touch with our neighborhood… watching the flow and routine and bustle of the residents and workers.
- new, super-warm maternity clothes courtesy of my mother in law. My belly is not squeezing into too-tight tees any more!
- our dryer broke — and for once in our lives it’s still under warranty! So until next week when the repairman can come, we have socks and undies strewn on every flat surface in the living room.
- waking up to snow on the ground.
- rearranging the furniture in the studio to make it flow better.
- super warm down comforters to sleep under at night.
- my husband’s big red beard (which strangers now come up and talk to him about. ha!)
- mulling over baby names… we have three contenders now.
- meeting out for breakfast at a moment’s notice.
- smiles from my niece who laughs at my funny faces.
- homemade veggie chili lunch (oh yum) over at some friends’ house … good conversation and meeting their baby boy for the first time.
- pasta. with marinara.
- food in general.
- fleece.
- hand-written letters from friends that make my whole day light up.
- crangrape juice in wine glasses.
- black and white artwork (we asked one of our super-talented artist friends to do a b/w piece for us… and he’s working on it… I can’t wait to see it!)
- thinking up homemade christmas gift ideas.
- white christmas lights starting to go up in the village.
- woodwick candles (sound so nice!).
- long walks in the woods with Vince off the leash. He’s so good.
- hand-me-down baby clothes from friends and family.
- wanting a composter for christmas, but not sure what kind… any suggestions anyone?
- reading about eco-showers… wondering if my family would be down with that.
- egg nog.
- looking forward to thanksgiving feasts!
What about you there, sugar-feet… what’s on your good things list?
*
- bread disasters. oven on fire. smoke barreling out. Um. I guess I must have done something wrong. hee. 2 weeks ago
- Being a veg at Christmas dinners is a good thing. You don't feel quite as roly-poly afterward. Bonus! 3 weeks ago
- I seriously suck at schmoozing. I need to take lessons or something. 3 weeks ago
- More updates...