Year Twenty-Seven and the Roller Coaster Ride into Motherhood

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Well, I survived another year on planet earth, barely. Yesterday was my 27th Birthday, and things got off to a rocky start which has sort of been the norm for the last few weeks. I ended up sick as a dog, and threw up with such violence that I burst dozens of capillaries in my face. My now red-freckled face, paired with the unmistakable waddle of someone with sciatic pain, is a sad testament to the miracle of pregnancy. Ha! The day improved considerably after my husband whipped up my favorite fruit salad, (I’ll have to share the recipe soon because it’s winning) baked me a beautiful carrot cake, and proffered lots of hugs.

While the morning of my Birthday was quite sour, the final week of being a twenty-sixer was marked by pregnancy symptoms far worse. My midwife ended up prescribing me painkillers after witnessing my body shaking uncontrollably from the pain. Although I tend towards hyperbole, I must clarify that these body aches were more severe than any other pain I’d ever endured, and they were apparently a rare sight according to my clinicians. Now I’m able to walk around unassisted, and tear-free! So trust me when I say, I’d take the Birthday nausea and the subsequent red-face over those body aches anytime.

So on my Birthday, with my mobility roughly restored, my husband and I took to the mall for a Birthday present but I couldn’t find anything I wanted. Probably because I usually gravitate towards clothes, and this super pregnant body has not complied with that type of shopping for months. In fact, all the shopping I’ve done during this pregnancy has been on baby stuff and home decor (see the photos below). I reckon that must be God’s way of redirecting the selfish desires of young women (okay, me) toward more matronly pursuits. 
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Then today, as though I’d never had a pregnancy discomfort ever, I was the best I’ve felt in weeks. I was able to clean the entire first floor with just normal distended-belly discomfort. It was pretty miraculous, so I hope this strength and energy continues until Margot arrives, which is hopefully on her due date this Friday.  Otherwise, it’s back on the pregnancy roller coaster ride I’ve been stuck on for 9 months.
LinensAnd I owe a great many thanks to my friends, family and readers who have shouldered the brunt of my recent pregnancy woes and consoled me with well-wishes and unending empathy. I sincerely appreciate your support and love during such a life-changing period! The next post you’ll see around here will be a baby welcoming one.

Friends of Margot

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Across the Hours

Lately, it seems that time has been slowing down and speeding up simultaneously. I’m sure I know why, but I’m not in a position to say as of yet.

With certainty, the soundtrack to this changing era in our lives is Beach House’s newest album “Bloom”. It’s exactly as Lindsey Zoladz with Pitchfork says, “‘Bloom’ is also what these 10 songs do, each one starting with the sizzle of a lit fuse and at some fine moment exploding like a firework in slow motion.” Truly profound.

I also expect the passage of time to be indicated by the life expectancy of my 12-year-old Beagle, Yango. The vet gave him only a few months to live this April. It’s now August, and he’s better than he’s ever been (although I can’t say much for his internal malignant tumor). He’s more active, happy and spry than when I first adopted him. Thanks be to Iggy. Our newly adopted dog won’t take no for an answer at playtime. They will run, they will scrap. Joy overwhelmed me when my friends who visited this summer commented on how great Yango looked. I’m optimistic that he’ll be hanging around for at least another year. R-e-l-i-e-f.

There are some major changes in our household afoot. I really haven’t been feeling so hot lately, which explains the recent blog hiatus. I’ll be posting less frequently this month as a result. Rest assured, I’ll be sharing more at a later time.

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AND! We shall not forget, the giveaway winners! I used the random number generator to pick two readers from the comments on the last post. Lucky ladies # 2 and 6 are the winners. Lauren and Ashley can email me their mailing address and a pretty little necklace will be coming their way from South Africa via Washington State!

A Giveaway: Pretty Little Necklaces by Red Rabbit Ears

Hey Folks!

Since I found Jess’ blog over at Red Rabbit Ears earlier this summer, I haven’t missed a post. Her dogs, wedding plans and images of life in South Africa have me intrigued.  She’s wildly creative, too. My husband has busted me on more than one occasion drooling over some of the nature-inspired and domestic-themed necklaces  (both are right up my alley!) in her catalog. Needless to say, when I received an email from her offering up a necklace of my choice and two for some of my loyal readers, I was ecstatic!

I picked out ‘The Bear Hug’ for myself, and ‘Oh Deer’, and ‘Yee-Haa’ for you guys.

The mailman knocked on my door a few hours ago to hand-deliver a well-traveled piece of international mail. The parcel was wrapped so beautifully I could hardly bring myself to open it beyond the burgundy ribbon. Excitement prevailed and I now have a lovely bear hug around my neck, as well as two lovely necklaces waiting to be given to you!
So, to pay this gracious gift forward, I’m opening up a giveaway.
For a chance to win one of these Hand Crafted Pretty Little Things, leave a comment for one or both of the following: 
1. Tell me which piece in Jessica’s catalog (or from above) is your favorite! 
2. ‘Like’ Red Rabbit Ears on Facebook, or  follow @RedRabbitEars on Twitter and leave me a comment telling me that you are now a fan or follower. 

It’s as easy as that. Just be sure to get your comments in before July 31st at 11:59PM PDT. That’s when the giveaway ends and commenting closes. Multiple entries are fine by me, as two winners will be selected by random on August 1st and announced shortly thereafter.

Good luck, friends!