This weekend, my body let me know that, hey, I did just have a baby 7 weeks ago, and maybe I should take it down a notch? So, I plan to spend this week doing nothing. Well, not quite. I borrowed a few great movies I’ve been meaning to see from the library. And I’ve got plenty of projects to keep me busy. Plus the books I’m reading.
L and I met 12 years ago today. He gave me these over the weekend…
The heart was a little project I did a week or two ago. Oh, how I love mod podge!
Someone gave Lark a pair of Levi’s as a gift! Jeans…for a baby! Hehehe.
She can lift her head when she feels like it. And smile!
Lurve this new mirror. I actually want it for myself. Click through to flickr for details…
I cornrowed Wren’s hair for the first time…and then “borrowed” the hairstyle she normally wears.
Last year, my “word” was more. This year, the word is “change”. One thing I want to change, is the amount of time I spend creating. I said the same thing last year. Was I successful? I don’t know. I am guilty of doing what Ericka mentions in this article, and spending more time reading about what other creative people are doing when I could be doing things myself! I received a beautiful sketch/notebook and a set of watercolor pencils from my husband for Christmas. I’m putting them to good use by sketching out some ideas I’ve had floating around in my head. The plan is to not just put them down on paper, but turn them into reality on my sewing machine and with my knitting and crochet needles. My first project of the year was a simple one. It took maybe 30 minutes to do including the finishing. I originally had something else in mind, but once I started to work, it turned into something else.
Details on flickr
9 lbs, 3 oz. in the water
1993: Attempt to pick lock of guestroom I am staying in for the summer (Richmond Ballet summer course) and have locked myself out of, then pull hairpin out with teeth when it doesn’t work. Result: permanent tiny chip between front teeth
1995: Blend eyeshadow with water and apply to face. Result: burn on eyelid
2009: Host dinner for a dozen people on my due date. Result: To be determined.
So I finished those booties and have moved on to mittens. I’m convinced the baby won’t arrive until her matching mittens are finished. I’m on the second one. I’m also convinced that she won’t arrive until after my parents and brother leave after Christmas. Of course. I’m so excited, this is the first year we will all be together for Christmas in my home. My mom and bro have visited for Thanksgiving, and of course, we’ve all been together for Christmas in New York, but never this!
I got my eyebrows done…by someone new again.I finally found someone I liked a few months ago only to go back last week and learn she was no longer working at that particular salon! I went back today and had someone else do them because I just couldn’t take it anymore. I feel ungroomed without my brows done. It’s my thing. And you know what? She did a great job, I love them. Oh, and I painted my toenails, by myself tonight. With some sparkly Wet N Wild 99 cents polish. Because…why the hell not?! And while I was watching water birth videos on youtube last night, I noticed someone else’s painted toenails and thought…ooooh pretty.
I’m reading Your Best Birth right now (you’ve seen The Business of Being Born…right?) although this being my fourth time and all, I think I’ve gotten to the stage where I’m pretty confident about my ability to have the birth I’d like, regardless of location and barring an emergency. I’ve always been slightly paranoid that I will have a birth that will get out of control and things will turn out the complete opposite of what I’d like. Hasn’t happened so far, so I don’t know why that is. Anyway, the thing that sucks most about this birth is that the kids won’t be able to be there b/c the birthing center is in a hospital and our area hospitals have a ban on visitors under 18 due to swine flu concerns. DD really wanted to be there. Ah well. Oh, and one thing freaking me out: I’m supposed to do an enema when I’m in early labor b/c according to the midwives “the birth tub is not a toilet”. Right. I’ve never had that particular problem before, and have never done an enema. I am trying not to think about it too much. Yes, TMI, I think this is a good place to stop!
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On this Labor Day, I’m thinking about my own impending “labor day”. I don’t qualify for FMLA b/c my employer does not have 50 or more employees. In fact, I have not even begun to discuss maternity leave with my boss yet. Part of the reason is that I am completely devastated that I will have to return to work after the birth of my little one and part of the way I cope is by not thinking about it. (Hey, it gets me through the day!) I never planned to have to work while having a newborn, but it is what it is and I’ll do what I have to do. Another reason I haven’t begun to discuss it is that whatever they decide to give me as far as leave goes, won’t be good enough. I just know it. And for most women working in the United States, it isn’t good enough. Even little St. Lucia has a better maternity leave policy than the U.S. So, what can I do? I write letters. I know it’s not as much as some people do, but it’s something. Something that says, hey, I’m here, this affects me, and I don’t like it! Even before I was a working mother, I had friends who were working mothers, and my own mother was a working mother. So how could I not care? And I know this isn’t the most eloquent piece* on maternity leave, but it’s my piece!
*Please visit Amber at Strocel for many many wonderful bits of information about maternity leave around the world.
It is absolutely gorgeous outside. Breezy, 70+, the grass is freshly cut. Ah, fall is on the way. I really enjoy the “do nothingness” of summer. Ice cream trucks rolling by, kids playing outside and lots of time spent at the beach. I have now gone through an entire year of seasons without being home with my children. It’s been an experience, for sure. And now, we are picking out school supplies and new clothes. In years past, I have been quite excited for my kids to return to school, but not so this year. We are about to embark on yet another journey as a family, with two parents working full time, three kiddos headed to school (and activities), and just for the fun of it, another baby on the way! Things are certainly not shaping up the way I would’ve planned, but as time passes and things change, I have no choice but to let go of the way I see things, and to embrace the way things are.