hi 2012

2012 completely snuck up on me. But my house is in better 

shape than ever.

So an update since I posted last... Christmas ended being different than we thought it would be, but it was wonderful. My dad was admitted to the hospital on Friday the 23rd to get a couple of blood transfusions. Turns out he has had ulcers for a while, and they were causing him to lose blood. Now that he knows and can treat them, he is feeling really good. He says he got the gift of his health back for Christmas. We decided to drive up to SC for the holiday instead of celebrating here so that we could be with him, my mom, and Trevor's family. We still put up a tree, and did a few small things to decorate and celebrate here at home, but having Christmas in our own house has not yet happened. I don't care, I am just glad that my Dad is okay. And it gives me something to look forward to planing. It is scary to see someone you love in the hospital with IVs and all the monitors, especially if they look sick. Remember my mom's illness? She has an autoimmune disease. She is still dealing with it, every day, taking meds and trying to live life.

My sister and her family came from Arkansas and we got spend New Year's Eve (and my sister's thirtieth birthday a little bit late) together. I am so glad that I got to see them, especially the kids. They're in SC now, and Piper went with them to spend some time with her cousins. She is in heaven. In the meantime, being here without her has been weird. The house seems so empty without her little footsteps and her sweet voice. I miss her alot. I wasn't going to cry when she left until Trevor started crying :). He is such a sweetheart, he loves her so much. In her absence we've been working on projects, making space to welcome Larken into our family. I made some fitted sheets for the crib and Piper's bed, Trevor finished the mid-century dresser for the girl's room that has been in the works for a long time, I washed all the newborn clothes and got the Moses basket pad recovered in a sweet print, packed the hospital bag. I hung up the Leah Duncan calender for 2012 that Trevor gave me for Christmas... isn't it perfect? I love it. I am amazed when I look around at my house at how it has all come together. In Portland, we lived in a 425 square foot apartment for three years. We brought Piper back from the hospital to that little home. We didn't own a dresser. Now, in the past 2.5 years, through the generosity of family, thrift stores, craigslist, ikea, and really all of it is and was God's giving hand, we have put together a home that is totally us. I love our space. It isn't perfect but it is a sanctuary, a place of rest, play, comfort, color and light. It's still a work in progress and probably always will be. It's a constantly changing, organic process. The nursery is almost complete, full tour to come. Perhaps a house tour as well.

When will this little girl decide to be born? We'll be 37 weeks on Thursday, so we're just about full term. She has settled so low in my pelvis that mobility is a challenge for me :). Our whole family is so ready to meet her. I just want her healthy, however that looks... but really, early + healthy is okay with me. Really.

And did I really say I was going to stop making bags? I miss my sewing. I have some thoughts and plans for this new year, but I am not sure that I'll be able to stay away from the bags forever. It will be a little while, though. I guess it all depends on what kind of little person this girl is, and I am totally open to not working until she is older... but we'll see. In the meantime, I am scheming some ways to grow as a photographer, cooking up a website, learning about the business, thinking about where to go equipment-wise. Things to take my mind off of the waiting, I guess. 

Can't wait to introduce you to our newest little nestling, but in the meantime, I'll be back soon.

xoxo