The Luckiest Little Man

It's hard not to feel like this little man-to-be is unbelievably blessed. And, you had better believe I am feeling the same.

Not only did my work colleagues throw me an amazing baby shower with homemade food but they bought gifts mostly from etsy and even connected with one of my craftiest friends for some amazing surprises. I just love the love that etsy spreads, it's such a good kind.

These beautiful booties, gorgeous sweater and baby soaps are all from work friends and were bought on etsy. The soap I have already sampled, got some for family at Christmas. My work colleague is friends with the soap maker, Marigold, and I have to say this is some good stuff. For her baby soap she did all kinds of research to create this baby-friendly soap. Her soaps are so gentle and smell good and don't turn into goop in your soap dish, an incredible combination.

They also got the baby an amazing owl mobile that I find myself just standing and admiring, as if mobiles weren't already amazing this felt owl-friendly creature is also red/white/black perfect for baby vision without being offensive to mama like so many conventional baby mobiles are.

Also, a while ago my work colleague had contacted my artist friend lily through etsy about her painted dolls. So, to my amazement the two of them had connected and through my work colleague lily sent this mobile (I said etsy love was good!). The ceiling in the baby's room is going to be filled with with floating, fun good feelings.

And, because Lily is just one of those people she went ahead and also sent doll version of our soon-to-be four person family. Check these out!! She custom makes these for sale on etsy and they are even better in person than you can imagine. I put them within view at my desk for two days and as soon as I brought them home my husband put them next to his bed so he looks at them in the morning. They are that great. I don't know if it comes across in the photo but the baby is in a sling and has a little leg sticking out...it's too great.

All of this is coming from someone I work with, who happens to be an amazing photographer/ crafter in her own right. So, she went ahead and took four photographs using the dolls in different settings. No, I am not kidding! Check this one out.

So, now my plan is to frame all four photographs to put them up in our kitchen when it is finished. Talk about good shivers. I'm just a crazy bundle of good shivers. Babies bring such challenges and alot of that has been on my mind these days but, wow, they sure do bring some kind of special joy.

Nesting

Something amazing happens to me when I get pregnant. It's more fun than getting the line running from my belly button and even better than the little kicks...I get more 'good shivers'. You know, the kind that you get when people play with your hair and you are really relaxed. About four months into pregnant I start getting them for every small act of kindness...a thank you note, a smile in the hall, a toddler's little hand on my knee, etc. It's wonderful. And, I have to say that every time I get a box in the mail from Beth I get the good shivers before I even open it. But, truly, this takes the cake. A hand-knit 'nest' of four blue spring eggs in a beautiful brown nest alongside an amazing handmade card. It literally caused me to stop in my tracks and just enjoy the shiver. It feels like a true long-distance embrace of everything ahead for both me and my family. Thank you. And, it should be said that almost immediately all four eggs were stuffed into Cal's fire truck and then promptly returned to the nest. Guess the little guy wanted to give them a warm welcome, too.

I'm not sure how to thank you...really

I should start by saying that the contractor working on our house project is great. His whole crew could not be more considerate or hard-working. But, he is a little, well, quirky. And, he showed up a few weeks ago with this, ahem, Butt Bench, for our bathroom. It came completely out of the blue. Turns out that as he approaches 60 he has started to consider retirement plans. Primary among them is the manufacture and sale of this bench that suctions to the bathroom wall and rests on the tub to serve as a butt bench. He has trademarked the name (!) and even has a patent pending on the invention. He's currently working on a website and happens to be looking for a pregnant model. Gulp. I have to say it's very handy as a pregnant lady to be able to sit and shave my legs and it's an attractive, handy addition to our tub. Not sure I'm ready to be photographed in a towel, however.

we're almost there

I can feel it, spring is almost here. Soon it will be time to celebrate all the wonders that are about to hatch. ( post by lily )

Letting Go

I had my heart set on making a birthing quilt, a baby mobile like this one, these baby booties and so much more before my due date but between house project demands, parenting demands, relationship time, and well, gestational demands it's just not realistic.

So, I'm trying to embrace letting go. After all, babies need love more than textliles, right? Plus, mom's like Beth, Jupe and Lily help me feel like I will actually be able to get crafty with two (or more, in their case!) little ones. Of course, if they hurry up and finish our house addition I just might be able to set up my little table and...