Friday, December 3, 2010

22 weeks pregnant




Little Juju:


We found out a lot of new things about you, these last few weeks. We found out you're a girl, and I've started filling your room with little bits and treasures that I have collected over the years.
My favorite is a bunny that your Bibi sewed for me when I was a little girl. I remember going together to the fabric store to pick out the colors for her dress. I picked a peach floral print fabric, and peach ribbons for her floppy ears.

Right now she's in your bed, naked. In my studio is a small pile of fabrics that I will use to make her a new dress - one that matches your room.



Figaro the cat has been curiously observing every little thing that belongs to you. You don't have to call him Figaro, we only do when he's in trouble. You will call him Fig, and please be nice to him. He came from a not-so-lovely past and now he doesn't trust people very often. We hope he will love you, like he does us. At night he curls up on the couch next to my belly and purrs. I wonder if you can hear or feel him, yet.



Last night I felt my first contractions. I went to bed at 11:00, and around 3:45 I woke up in bed feeling something I had never felt before. I was a little scared, but I didn't want to wake up your Dad in case it was nothing. I drank some water and laid on my side, breathing slowly and waiting for them to go away.
I guess now I know what contractions feel like. I know the pain is only a thousandth of what I will feel on your birthday, but knowing what they're like was almost a relief. There was a strange comfort in those contractions....a rhythmic wave and release and pattern to the way my body was turning.
I can't compare it closer to anything but laying in the low tide, weightless. And feeling the ocean pull me in and out as my body surrenders and lets go of any resistance I have to offer against it.

I'm not scared anymore, baby. When your birthday is here, the pain won't even matter because on that day we will get to meet you.
I can't wait to take you to the ocean, and let you feel that kind of weightless rhythm in your own body.



"Only the Ocean" - Jack Johnson

note: in Farsi, Juju means tiny bird. My Mom said at work, the women have taken to calling baby Juju and think we will be naming her that. While I will probably always call her Juju, she will have a real name, someday :)
Bibi is short for Aubibi, which means Grandmother. We will be teaching our daughter Farsi, and hope to incorporate as many words as possible into her vocabulary.

57 comments:

Robyn said...

honestly, you are glowing more and more with each new picture post! i'm so excited for you! you are going to make a wonderful mom (:

Valerie said...

You are gorgeous! And I agree that you will be a wonderful mother. I'm so glad that you are sharing your pregnancy with us. I would love to have another baby one day but alas, it's not in the cards for us at this time. Until then, I will live vicariously through you!

Laura said...

You are seriously the most gorgeous pregnant woman!!! Enjoy it because it goes way too fast... her birthday will be here before you know it... then her 1st... then her 2nd, etc. Trust me, my little angel just turned 1 and I have NO IDEA where this past year went!

Love your blog... you make me want to become a better photographer!

ErinElizabeth said...

I hadn't started following you long before your pregnancy, and I just want to say that I think you are absolutely gorgeous in photos and even more so with your words, and your little Juju is such an incredibly lucky girl to have you to show her the way.

And Kathleen said...

I always loved it when your grandma would come into the fabric store and you would talk to her in Farsi. It was this really sweet side of you that I would have never had a glimpse of otherwise. I love that you'll be passing it down to your daughter - I can't think of a better gift.

Unknown said...

I agree with Robyn, you are glowing and gorgeous.

Maura said...

SO So beautiful!!!

Elisa said...

Does your hubby take your photos? they are amazing. You are just gorgeous. I like reading your description of the contractions and comparing them to the ocean waves.

I noticed the big seashell on your window, I have one as well.

siniann said...

You are beautiful Aura! Farsi sounds so magical language, I would love to see more of this. Do you speak farsi always with your parents? I'm finding more and more hard to speak finnish with my family as I don't use it everyday now, like before. I don't ever want to forget my roots, I would love to teach finnish to my babies someday.

Taylor said...

Aura, you look wonderful! It's really cool to hear that the early contractions are offering you a bit of comfort in the knowing. What a brilliant thing our bodies do.

zs closet said...

you look great!!Xx

www.zscloset.blogspot.com

Kiersten said...

You look so gorgeous and happy in this pictures <3
Fig is so adorable, and if your daughter is going to be growing up with a cat in the house, I'm sure she will love him as much as you guys do. (I always grew up with cats, and can't imagine living in a house without one now, because of it)
I can't wait to see the finished product of her room!
<3 Kiersten

Kathleen said...

Did your tummy get tight and hard when you felt your first contraction? Those first Braxton Hicks are very strange.

Farsi is a beautiful language,it's smooth and rhythmic at the same time. I hear it when I am out and about in town. Old Persian ladies often approach me in hope I understand what they are saying but I kind of just smile blankly at them and try to reply in Arabic, and even Armenian.

I love that you will be teaching your juju farsi, I am a huge advocate of staying connected to your roots. I try and incorporate Armenian every day with Violet, and Jake incorporates German. Sometimes I feel like it's a language war in our house :]

How much Farsi does Michael know?

(sorry I know I am wordy...i feel we have a lot in common :)

superhappyjohi said...

Aura, you are amazing! Shine on!

Kristen said...

So intensely jealous of your hair- wow!

Amber Noella said...

That's so amazing! I love "Juju"!

Paula said...

My niece was also called Juju in utero. Her father's family, from Iran as well, nicknamed her that. Her birth name is Vivienne but many in the family, including my children, still call her Juju.

You look lovely!

Sarah M said...

you are seriously the most beautiful pregnant woman ever!! Congrats to you and your husband! Juju is such a sweet nickname, too.
I also got contractions early on in my first pregnancy and after a few hours of wondering, called and found out "That's just the baby (and your stomach/uterus) stretching to get bigger!" no worries!!
Sarah M

Shutterbug Mama said...

I love seeing your baby bump grow

Johanna said...

Aura,
I haven't been commenting as much, but I have been following along with every post and I am so excited for you. I love that you call her Juju and you look beautiful as a pregnant lady!

xo
Johanna

a little black cloud in a dress said...

You look absolutely beautiful, Aura! I never had contraction prior to labor, but I can imagine that if they feel anything like the real thing that they're not much fun. I think I've said this before, but Juju is very lucky to have you as a mom. I also find it funny that your name is Aura, because you have such a lovely one.

Jessica said...

These photos are so beautiful. You look goregous and glowing with mama pride :).
The first few contractions can be a little scary, but are a little exhilerating as well.
Can't wait to watch this story unfold with you and your precious family!
Love and Blessings.

Stephanie said...

Beautiful! Congratulations on a girl! I teared up when I read the part where you wonder if baby Juju can hear fig purring. I've always wondered if when I have a baby if I should play baby noises for my furry companions before the baby is born, but not the other way around. So precious.

Anonymous said...

The nursery looks like such a pretty place :) I think Juju is a perfect name and I am so happy you will teach her Farsi :) You look gorgeous!

kelly ann said...

you look absolutely gorgeous! and from what i can tell, the nursery seems quite cozy. :)

Anonymous said...

You look so cute!!! I must know where you got all your cute maternity clothes!!! I love love love them!

Thanks!

Loni said...

So pretty as usual. I can't wait to see the baby's nursery.

As far as labor pains go, it is the most intense feeling in the world. You feel like you're dying and then it lets up...and then you repeat that for like 14 hours. HAHA. But it's not crazy, screaming, wild crap like in the movies...well at least mine wasn't. I was very peaceful through the entire thing I'm sure you will be too.

Ashley J. said...

You described contractions so beautifully. So beautifully infact, that I almost want to feel them again! Isn't that crazy.

I absoluetly cannot wait to read your birth story!
Congratulations again Mama. So excited for you!

Anna said...

My sister's name is Juliet. We call her Juju :)

lila said...

Dear Aura you are glowing more and more with each new picture you post!
what an incredible journey...what a blessing to be the vessel that caries this precious new life.I will never forget how it felt to be pregnant with a new life...It is simply magical.
bless you
lila

Julie-Inspired Shares said...

I am so taken by your words each time I read them. I don't know you, only through your posts, but I feel the energy you put into each one. I want to thank you for expressing the tenderness that you're experiencing for being a haven for that little girl and sharing it, it makes me excited to be a mama someday. You are truly inspiring.
Love&Peace, Julie

Stacey said...

You are so cute. I love your blog, but haven't I said that before?

Steph said...

You are beautiful!!!!

Ana said...

You look so beautiful! One day, your daughter will be old enough to read through your blog and I think she will be touched by all the candid feelings you share here.

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

You look beautiful! Congrats on your little girl!
~Michelle

Bethany Susan said...

you are freakin gorgeous, lady. love your outfit, and your clarity of mind.

Marie said...

I just discovered your blog recently, and I love checking in to read about your pregnancy. I just had my first baby in February this year. Pregnancy was one of the most wondrous, beautiful, intoxicating experiences of my life. Your posts are beautiful and heartfelt. Your daughter will love reading them later. (I've been scrapbooking mine for my son.)

Congratulations! You are a beautiful, glowing mama -- inside and out. :) I'm looking forward to keeping up with you!

Megan said...

Everything about this post makes me smile. :)

Anna said...

You look absolutely, splendidly beautiful. The nursery so far looks just darling, and I know all of us can't wait to meet your little bird!

jackiek said...

Hi Aura!
I have a question for you from awhile ago. Where did you get your super cute tote bags printed? I'm looking to start up a little store to benefit charity, and I want to create tote bags, but I need to find a reliable place to do it and yours turned out so cute. Were they done online or at home or in your state? Please let me know! thanks :)

Zamora Desert Vintage said...

Omgoodness girl, you are glowing so much in your pictures! Your beautiful!!! Your baby girl is going to be a knockout!!!! Keep it up, your healthy and strong, and have a beautiful heart!

Allie said...

I call my husband Juju...but only because because he's Jewish...

Nice to see it has a non offensive meaning.

Meemo said...

Your half way there! Can't wait to see little Juju's room. If her room is anything like the rest of your house, she is a lucky little girl.

jennifer said...

you are looking healthy and beautiful! I felt so wonderful the second half of both my pregnancies.
I urge you to not think of contractions as pain, pain is different.
I also have a sister that everyone calls juju!

Jacki said...

Love your hair! I wonder how you style it?

clare @ the pretty walrus said...

You are looking radiant. There's no better word!

Unknown said...

You are so unbelievably cute. WIth your cute outfit, hair and face, your cute belly, cute writing and cute cat name I can't quite get enough!

O. said...

You have the most amazing skin, that little girl is going to be gorgeous.

Monique said...

So great you'll be teaching your daughter Farsi. My friend is fluent and as a side gig while in law school she teaches Farsi to undergrads she loves teaching it. Much love to you and baby JUJU

Kristin H said...

How Gorgeous you look! Good luck with the pregnancy!
I have two boys and LOVE it! Actually thinking of a third:)

Unknown said...

Yes, she must know Farsi.

Wonderful pictures!

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

You look amazing and radiant. These images are wonderful and all the words too. You know I adore Fig, having a black cat of my own that is shy around other humans makes me fall for him even more. I know Baby Juju will love him. ox

twinkietotmom said...

You look amazing! And I absolutely love all of your photographs...so timeless!

Becka @ life as an artistpreneur said...

I love the nickname JuJu! And you look amazing.

mama bear said...

Aura you look beautiful in these photos.

And I love Figaro (Fig) the cat. What a fabulous name for a fabulous cat. xx

ps. i had to laugh in the post above, I think i've thrown a few inanimate objects in my time with Chris too!

robyn said...

i'm 17 weeks pregnant today, and i'm loving looking back at your belly photos - despite the fact that my belly is about as big now as yours is at 22 weeks!

have been taking some of your fashion tips in hand for the 2nd trimester, and may even write up one or two of my own as the weather turns warmer!

Wendy Boggs said...

I just came across your blog from a friend who had linked to you. Your blog name, Aura Joon, made me wonder if you knew Farsi. :) How lovely you'll be teaching your daughter such a beautiful language. I wish I'd had the opportunity to learn it as a child!

By the way, you are absolutely gorgeous, inside and out!