abby try again

summers past

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I'm patiently waititng for the baby to arrive, I'd thought I'd pop in and share some memories with you all. These photos range from 2007-2010...hope you enjoy!

 

 

a little reminder

I'm sure it's annoying to keep posting about this, but just wanted to give a head's up...today is the last day my etsy shop and bigcartel shops are open. Tomorrow I am shuting them down for maternity leave. There are still some clearance and sale prints in both of the shops-and type "baby20" at the checkout to save 20% off your order in with either of the shops. I'm just trying to do one last final "push" before he gets here. Once he's here I have no clue when I'll feel up and ready to do the whole shop thing again.

Thank you and happy Monday!

 

five senses friday

Happy Friday!

Well, I hoped to have my latest roll of film developed to share with you here, but this week got a little crazy. I took a spill and had to get stitches...kinda changed my schedule a bit. The baby is ok, I'm just a little sore...so I hope you don't mind these shots pulled from my archives :)

For those of you who are new readers (or maybe never understood what I was blabbing about) five senses friday was started years ago by my friend, Shari Altman. I use it weekly as way to sit down and reflect on what the past days have been like for me. I would love for you to play along in the comments or on your own blog.

Tasting:

watermelon agua fresca

Hearing:

Beirut

Feeling:

the sensation of my skin being sewed together (and surprise at how getting stitches didn't hurt)

Smelling:

a mixed bouquet from James' friends

Seeing:

my cacti grow like crazy in this heat

* * * *

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

a little peek

Here's a little peek from my baby shower that was here in Austin this past weekend. I wrote about it over here at my baby blog if you are interested. Thanks to my pal Aimee Wenske for these great photos. 

five senses friday

Happy Friday to you all!

For those of you who are new readers (or maybe never understood what I was blabbing about) five senses friday was started years ago by my friend, Shari Altman. I use it weekly as way to sit down and reflect on what the past days have been like for me. I would love for you to play along in the comments or on your own blog.

Tasting:

wood fired tacos from Dos Batos

Seeing:

tiny tomatoes at the farmer's market

Hearing:

an old favorite song, perfect for summer

Feeling:

the baby's movements turn from jabs and kicks to waves of movement as my skin stretches to accommodate his growth

Smelling:

fresh, clean sheets

 

* * * * *

I hope some of you will play along. Thank you for the sweet comments as of late.

* * * 

(and in case you missed it in the last post...both my etsy shop and bigcartel shops are open from now until August 15. I will then shut them down for maternity leave. There are still some clearance and sale prints in both of the shops-and type "baby20" at the checkout to save 20% off your order in with either of the shops. I'm just trying to do one last final "push" before he gets here. Once he's here I have no clue when I'll feel up and ready to do the whole shop thing again.)

 

august

 

(edited to add: since so many are asking about the book shelves-I thought I'd share a link. I talked about them over at my other blog, baby t. They are $4 ikea spice racks-orignal idea found here. Thanks!)

In search of calm

I am typically fairly open here although the past year I've found myself holding back.

I knew freely writing my feelings about conceiving a family would open me up to a whole world of potential advice and comments that I frankly-wasn't sure I'd be able to handle.

But here I am, on the verge of giving birth to this new life and I am ready to share a bit.

We've decided to give labor in a local birthing center. I am young and in good health, so to me it's an obvious choice to avoid medical interventions while I can. I realize this choice is not for everyone, but for me-it's been an incredibly powerful choice.

I am amazed by how much I've learned about birth, maternity care, and pregnancy these past eight months. I've immersed myself in as much literature as I could stand. Many people told me to steer clear of all this info, decide my route and be happy with that-but I've found that this information is completely liberating. I love learning about how our bodies work. I admire the trials and tribulations of women in the past and am honored to be supported by such caring and knowledgeable midwives.

Several years ago the idea of giving birth sent ice through my veins. I was literally terrified of it. The way it's often portrayed in the media is less than flattering-it's down right scary. I thought of labor as a sort of "means to an end" instead of a beautiful part of life. I am so thankful that I've been able to hear positive experiences from my Mother, sisters, friends and colleagues. They've given me the hindsight to see that this could be more than just a traumatizing time...

My biggest lesson so far is how much my health can be affected by the environment I am in. With that in mind I'm trying my best to create a calm environment here at home for these next few weeks. I realize fear and anxiety over labor will only put myself in a bigger frenzy when that time is near. I am notorious for being a Nervous Nelly before important events and for the first time in my life I feel like I can conquer this trait.

I am actually looking forward to the day when I'll experience so much pain, love and emotion-I seriously cannot wait for it!

Anyway...I am just sharing these thoughts here about my own experience so far-not trying to start any sort of debate about anyone else's birth/pregnancy choices etc...

With the idea of calm in mind-maybe you can help me with something? My midwife advised me to compile 10-12 hours of calming music to have on hand for labor. I would love any of your suggestions about particular songs/albums.

Thank you and happy Monday!

(and in case you missed it in the last post...both my etsy shop and bigcartel shops are open from now until August 15. I will then shut them down for maternity leave. There are still some clearance and sale prints in both of the shops-and type "baby20" at the checkout to save 20% off your order in with either of the shops. I'm just trying to do one last final "push" before he gets here. Once he's here I have no clue when I'll feel up and ready to do the whole shop thing again.)