clearframe

unexpected connections

Yesterday, I went to see a podiatrist in an attempt to resolve one of the more...um...glamorous side effects of pregnancy. The doctor, a quirky man in his early 60's, reviewed my intake form.

"Hospitalization during pregnancy? Oh, I see you had a cesarean in April. Is this your first child?" he asked.

Not wanting to go into all the details, I simply answered "yes."

He asked if the baby was a boy or girl. He then told me that parenting was one of the greatest gifts in his life.

"How many children do you have?" I asked.

"Two," he said. "But we lost several in between. No one ever talks about that."

I then shared with him a little about our journey to bring Thea into this world.

In those moments, we connected through the understanding of a similar experience. I never would have seen it coming.

When was the last time you had an unexpected connection?

spreading hope : a giveaway

I'm feeling the need to spread some hope today.

So, I'm giving away one of my hope necklaces.

Leave a comment on THIS post by Friday, January 2nd at 5 pm EST to be entered in the giveaway. And, if you're feeling up to it, share something that gives you hope.

starting over

An essay I wrote on babyloss and starting over appears in the January issue of Richmond Magazine. I am honored that the editors asked me to share my story, and I hope that someone out there is helped by reading about our journey. If you're local, go snag a copy - you can read my story, as well as six other inspiring essays about starting over.

{And thanks to Beth Furguson, who shot the photo that appears in the magazine. She was so much fun to work with!}

love list

Here are a few things making me happy right now:

Somebody's two front teeth are making their grand entrance, and Humphrey's teething pellets seem to help about as well as anything. I like this formula because it is lactose free - important for a wee one with a suspected dairy allergy.

Making my own baby food and using these and these.

This cookbook.

Wooden baby toys from Little Alouette.

This blog. And this one and this one. Oh and this one too. Ali Edwards totally makes me want to start scrapbooking.

This spoon.

Oilcloth bibs and splat mats from my friend Kelly McCants, the lovely Modern June.

This squeaky little giraffe.

My lucky baby sling.

What fun things are you loving right now?

grateful monday

Today, I'm feeling grateful for so many things - big things and  small things.

I am so, so grateful for the safe arrival of my friend's sweet baby boy. Welcome to this world, Oscar. You are loved so very much.

I am grateful for the return of REM sleep.

I am grateful for a husband who shares nighttime parenting.

I am grateful for homeopathy.

I am grateful for time spent with friends and family.

I am grateful for my new camera lens.

I am grateful for my mom's special batch of butter-free chex mix.

I am grateful for new challenges.

I am grateful for Thea, always.

What is making your heart sing today?

the portfolio project

 

Two of my muses are up to something. It's big. It's going to be challenging. But it's going to be fun. It's called the portfolio project. The project is an invitation to stretch yourself, to think about your creative work in a fresh way. It's goal is to push past the emotional and logistical hiccups that can stall the creative process by focusing on quantity - by setting a goal of what you want to produce in a twelve week period and not stopping until you're there. The idea is that by creating a vast body of your work, you're sure to come up with a few gems. Read more about the project here. And then join in. 

I'm going to be focusing on writing, and I hope to share a good bit of it in this space. There are so many things that I want to write about, but I usually get trapped by my own perfectionism and start many posts that I never finish. I can't work out the details of an idea, so I just let it sit. I get frustrated when one idea turns into something else and I never finished working through my original thought. But, for 12 weeks, I'm going to try to let that go and simply keep pushing forward.

Won't you join me?

{If you're up for the challenge, I'd love for you to leave a comment and a link to your site - if you have one - so I can follow your journey.}

merry and bright

We had a lovely holiday, full of family and friends and cheer. Thea insisted on unwrapping her packages with her teeth. It was a long day, but a good one. We are so blessed. Here are a few moments from our celebration:

I hope your holiday season is filled with love and laughter.

growth

8 months

17 lbs, 11 oz

28 1/4 inches

.......

And I wonder how long you have traveled with me
and I bow with the trees
to your light    to your voice    to your wings    to your soul
to your hands holding mine

- from a poem by Andrea Alban Gosline

.......

Happy birthday, sweet girl.

feeling grateful { and an update }

Hello there!

Despite the quietness of this space, I'm still here.

We've had a rough couple of weeks. Or, I should say, I have had a rough couple of weeks.  While I'll spare you all of the details, I will say that nearly 8 months of getting between 2-5 hours of sleep at night has taken a toll on me. That on top of a rough physical transition into motherhood, a baby in the NICU, a diagnosis, a health scare, a baby with food allergies and reflux, a modified diet for the baby's allergies, my husband losing his job, and a baby that didn't know how to sleep unless she was being cradled. Whew. I'm exhausted just typing all of that. Last week, I hit an emotional and physical wall. I felt like I was drowning.

But, things are looking up. I managed about 6 hours of sleep last night, and I feel halfway human again. Thea and I are both out of our pajamas today. The blinds have been opened. And I've managed to eat breakfast and lunch. A good day indeed. I'm feeling a bit more relaxed in the messiness of my life.

And despite the shaky ground I've been standing on, I am overwhelmed with things to be grateful for:

I am grateful for my daughter and all of the magic, hope, and purpose she brings to my life.

I am grateful for my husband being my partner on this parenting journey.

I am grateful for snowflakes and scarves.

I am grateful for facebook. {and I can hardly believe I just typed that!}

I am grateful for sleep.

I am grateful for friends who have been there sharing their wisdom and support.

I am grateful for my mama.

I am grateful for all of the kindness I've felt since sharing some pictures of the jewelry projects I've been working on. Thank you so much.

 

another gift for a dear friend

{Because I've been getting quite a few inquiries, I've decided to list a few items in my etsy shop - the hope pendant necklace, large and small initial necklaces, and the style of pendant pictured above. I plan to have all the listings up by tomorrow. I am hoping to get back to work on a more regular basis after the new year arrives. I've got lots of ideas for brand new things, and I can hardly wait to start playing with my new kiln. Eek!}

What are you feeling grateful for today?