a mark for every breath you took...

{source}

I found this on Pinterest yesterday and it brought me to tears.  I gave birth to two babies within a little over two years and gained a combined total of 120 lbs with both my pregnancies.  There have been times that I've looked in the mirror and could hardly recognize myself from all the changes those two precious lives brought upon me.  But this makes me proud and thankful of every little "flaw" that I've been left with. 

*next to the original picture it reads....

 "A mark for every breath you took, every blink, every sleepy yawn. One for every time you sucked your thumb, waved hello, closed your eyes and slept in the most perfect darkness. One for every time you had the hiccups. One for every dream you dreamed within me.

It isn't very pretty anymore. Some may even think it ugly. That's OK. It was your home. It's where I first grew to love you, where I lay my hand as I dreamed about who you were and who you would be. It held you until my arms could, and for that, I will always find something beautiful in it." 

~ by Cassie aka LeFoxy

{pregnancy update}

Today I am 41 weeks and 4 days pregnant.  I really thought that I would have had my baby girl by now but once again I am being reminded that I can not control everything in my life.  It's good to be reminded of this at times but also very frustrating for a planner like me.

So far Lyric has outsmarted every attempt I've made to naturally induce labor.  Here are some things I've tried...

• eating 2 lbs of pineapple
• eating eggplant parmesan
• bouncing on my birthing ball
• drinking a castor oil cocktail
• having membranes swept
• howling at a full moon  (just kidding on that one but it was a full moon last night)
• lots of mall walking
• spicy food
• evening primrose oil
• red raspberry leaf tea
• acupressure

Lyric is perfectly content on staying cozy in my belly (she must know we have more snow heading our way tonight) but as we approach the 42nd week my midwife wants me to be induced.  As much as it pains me to have my birth plan thrown out the window I respect her opinion and I will not be so stubborn about going natural that I may put my baby's safety at risk.  If she does not come on her own in the next few days then I will be induced this Sunday at 7:30 in the morning.  Even though I have waited for this day for so long I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that she will be here soon and our little family will be complete.  Oh, how I love her already.  Please say a prayer for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.  Next time I blog it will be announcing her arrival!

Hypnobabies

I came across Hypnobabies a couple of weeks ago and knew it was the method I wanted to use to deliver Lyric.  I had made up my mind that I wanted to go natural this time but I had put off researching different birthing methods because well...honestly I got anxious everytime I thought about it.  But when I listened to the free download from Hypnobabies I knew instantly that it was for me.  I was so relaxed but not out of it which I had feared when I heard the word hypnosis.  I talked with my midwife who backed it 100% and I finally ordered my home study tonight!  I'm so thankful to have found a way that I'm at peace with to bring my sweet girl into this world.  

{If you're curious here's a great video on it...} 

if Etsy had a baby gift registry...

this is what would be on my list to welcome Lyric with...

A sweet little fawn teether from Little Alouette.  It's made from locally sourced hardwood and polished off with certified organic flax seed oil.  This is how toy making should be!  I don't see anybody recalling these in the near future.

A fun chenille burp cloth  from Ragamuffin.  I love that you can customize it by choosing between a great assortment of  fabrics.  Ragamuffin is  Raechel Myers' shop who also happens to be one of my favorite crafty mommy bloggers!

I adore little woodland creatures.  Especially this little fox with a removable hoodie from Little Green Fern's shop or maybe the bunny with a baby on it's back!  So cute!

Adorable mary jane's with matching hair clip from Posh Little Bebe.  As a bonus she uses organic and eco friendly materials and packaging in her shop! 

I am in dire need of a good diaper bag and I think this one from Hayden J should do the trick!  It's nice and large with an awesome Anna Maria Horner fabric that I love!

This "hip pouch"  would be beyond convenient when I'm on the go with two kids but I'm not sure I could pull it off.

Lyric is going to need sunglasses to shield her eyes from all the bright graphic patterns that I naturally gravitate to.  No pastels for this girl! This "noonie" definitely makes the baby registry list.  It's like a little pea pod for babies. I love it!

{Well...that was fun!  I could spend hours on Etsy!}

{nesting}

nesting (v)- an uncontrollable urge to clean, craft, organize and make every Barefoot Contessa recipe known to man.

Okay so maybe that definition isn't accurate for every excepting mother but I am in full fledge nesting mode over here, finding  myself doing strange things like collecting acorns at the park, taking them home and polishing them with furniture polish (which by the way doesn't really work so I'm going to have to come up with a different way to make them shiny) or browsing the aisles of fabric stores for the perfect fabric to make new drapes for my dining room (keep in mind I have no idea how to operate a sewing machine nor have I ever made drapes).
My mind is constantly full of ideas on how to decorate for fall, for parties, for the kids room, dining room, office, front porch...it goes on and on and since I haven't figured out a way to turn the little Martha Stewart off in my head (delivery might be the only cure)  I have been spending countless hours reading some amazing design blogs.  So if you find yourself in the same situation here are some of my favorites....

The Lettered Cottage

The Nesting Place

The Inspired Room

A Country Farmhouse

The Twice Remembered Cottage

Skip To My Lou

The Pleated Poppy

family...another word for love

~author unknown

 

 

{pictures by Coryn}

pregnancy update

I was relaxing on the couch trying to decide what I should blog about next when I received a good hard thump coming from inside my belly and it occurred to me that I haven't posted a pregnancy update in awhile. I haven't even announced on my blog what we're having so without further ado...it's a GIRL!!!
I had an ultrasound last week at 18 weeks and heard the news that I had felt and hoped for all along, that we are being blessed with a daughter.  Her name is Lyric Elizabeth and I am head over heels in love with her already.  I'm counting down the days until I can hold her in my arms and smell that sweet new baby smell.

{disregard the ? in front of girl, the technician said she's 80% sure but I'm 100% sure}

why I'm secretly wishing for a girl....

rompers aren't as cute on boys

they make gladiator sandals in size 0-3 months

ruffled bikinis

ridiculously large flower headbands & tutus

need I say more?

updates....

Hello blogworld!  Sorry for the lack of posts lately but I have been going through some horrific morning sickness!  I hit 12 weeks on Tuesday and I'm feeling like myself again! Yay!!! I'm so thankful to have such a great husband and family who really stepped in to help wash dishes, take care of Bishop and bring me whatever random craving I would have at the moment. I'm so glad that's behind me and I will never have to experience it again (this is our last baby for those of you that I haven't told a million times...unless it's coming from another woman's womb).
I also meet with my midwife this week  and got to hear the baby's heartbeat which made the 6 weeks of constant nausea and vomiting all worth it!  There is nothing sweeter than that sound!  Bishop even got to hear it because he was sitting on my chest during the whole appointment. I can't wait to find out if he's going to have a little brother or sister!  I have a feeling it's a girl but we shall see....
I've been busy this week filling orders and restocking products.  My organic coconut balm has been very popular this summer and I completely understand why, it  makes you feel like you're at the beach!  Every time I make a batch I leave some for Bishop so I can smell it on him. He loves it too but he mainly just wants to eat it! We have a new retailer that I'll be announcing soon too!!!  Ok I'm off to the post office.  Enjoy the sunshine! xoxo

somebody is going to be a big brother.....

Yep, that's right Bishop will become a big brother this coming winter after the new year.  He's super excited too can't you tell?  He actually looks like he is cooking up some pranks to pull on his new brother or sister.  Oh my goodness what have I gotten myself into?!