I'm sorry this post is a bit late, friends. I've been busy-beeing with other things and let it slip my mind.
As the last of the leaves start to change on the trees and disappear, I try to hang on to as much of the outdoors as I can to get me through the next few months until it's Spring again.
This Fall I decorated with branches, leaves, and pine cones that we brought home from Colorado, and huge ones my parents brought me from their camping trip to Sequoia National Park this Summer.
(images from marthastewart.com & bhg.com)
My little leaves changed and dropped off the branches before I had a chance to photograph them. You can clip them early, fill vases with them and enjoy their beautiful leaves for a couple weeks before they drop. They don't last as long as the Spring time blooms, but they give a good show before they're gone.
Bringing the outdoors in - Fall & Summer: (click photos to go to posts)
These photos were taken 3 weekends ago, when I was 18 weeks pregnant. It's amazing to see how much I am growing and changing in just a few short weeks.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. I spent the night of my birthday (Saturday) feeling a bit sick, and the rest of the weekend both Michael and I puked our guts out. Thanks to a nasty stomach bug, I went 24 hours without any food or liquid and barely escaped having to get IV's for dehydration. Fortunately, last night my sister-in-law came over and saved the day with some of her nurse care and today I am feeling much more like myself. I went for a long walk this morning and got some much-needed fresh air.
I hate being sick and feeling sorry for myself, but when there is a little baby involved in the process, it makes me feel ten times worse. All I could think about was if she had an upset stomach, too.
We bought our crib this weekend, and Michael's parents are picking it up with a truck and bringing it in a few hours. We didn't expect to have to put the nursery together so quickly, but when we found the crib of my dreams (the very last one, floor model) for $200 off, we snatched it up. Putting this little room together has been so exciting and fun for me. I can't wait to show you all the finished project.
As always, thank you all for your thoughtful comments on the last post. For some reason I always pictured myself with a house full of boys and pockets full of rocks and toads. A baby girl might be just what I need as a little partner in crime for all my gardening, sewing, and cooking.
Happy Monday, lovelies.
I have a lot of years to teach you the things it has taken me a lot of years to learn. I wonder if all this time is enough to show you everything I want for you to remember by heart, as each slippery stepping stone year of your life passes you by.
It takes a strong mind and a courageous heart to wake up every day and be happy. This is my wish for you, and I hope that I know enough about myself as a woman to raise one.
I hope to teach you that beauty always comes first from who we are, on the inside. Appearance and the way we carry ourselves can never turn ugly faster than when we act ugly from the inside. When you are a beautiful person, the world around you feels the warming effect that your presence adds to life. Your looks are only a carrier of your soul, and they don't define you.
Sometimes people won't like you. And that is okay. You will never please everyone, and until you learn this, you will waste a lot of time trying to fulfill an image you see to be true in someone else's eyes.
I hope to teach you to never be ashamed of who you are. "Be who you are, and say what you feel. Because those who mind, don't matter, and those who matter, don't mind."
One day I will teach you to write and speak beautiful words. Ones that come from your heart, and in turn, touch other people's hearts in the process. Reaching out and connecting with someone through any form of expression is the most beautiful and rewarding gift you will learn to give. Treat it only as a gift, and never as a tool to achieve something you want to gain.
I will teach you to never compare who you are, what you have, or how you look to anyone around you.
To be kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and caring towards every one and thing you come across. Every ant, leaf, person or thought deserves the same respect you wish to attain for yourself.
and when the sky drops all those feathers
and when the birds sing in the morning
I'll be a mama, I'll have a daughter
and I'll give her melodies
I'll give her melodies
and she'll be my little bird
...and then she'll fly
Little bird, Juju, there will be a lot to learn in your life.
For Mother's day last year, I got your dear Aubibi a print called "Learning to Fly." My Mother. For always being my wings, and teaching me to fly on my own.
For myself, I bought I Am Illuminated When I Am Free.
I found out about you after a Summer of learning to fly. And now my time to learn is done. Now I have you, babybird. And the rest of my life will be spent teaching you how to take your first steps without feet.
Sweet baby girl, I can't wait to meet you.
Last weekend your dad and I were looking through treasures in antique stores. He came across a small, silver music box shaped like an owl. To the beautiful notes that it plays, my mind wanders thinking about all the little hands that have turned the dial over the years. I wonder how many times we will turn it for you.
When he found it he said: "I want to buy this for her, it's perfect." And I couldn't think of any moment that I was happier, than these moments right now.
We have so much love to give you. For now, we are getting used to saying "our daughter."
I wish everything about becoming a parent was as easy as putting together beautiful shopping lists for your little one.
We spent the day at almost a dozen stores, looking for an old antique dresser I can paint and turn into a changing table. So many wonderful treasures to look through - I could live in antique stores. Michael found a little something and said "I want to buy this for baby."
My heart is melting every day when he rubs my belly, and talks about his baby.
Next weekend we will announce what we are having, and I will show you a picture of Michael's sweet little gift.
Hello, baby. I picked out some cute things for you.
We're still working on the patio. Somehow our Spring 2010 project of expanding the area around it, building a fire pit, and making a hammock stand got pushed back to Spring 2011. At least we got the landscaping done, and our willow tree is growing big. Hopefully in a couple years, it will hang over our hammock and make the best shady spot to relax.
I am daydreaming about snuggling in the hammock with babyjoon this Spring.
This is an exciting week for us. On Thanksgiving we will tell your families the results of our big ultrasound. I can't wait to start the nursery and dream up names. I love this time of year, and preparing for the little one has added an entirely new level of love and excitement to our lives.
I'm 20 weeks pregnant, and halfway done. Baby is 10 inches long, and growing fast. I can't believe I can already say "5 months pregnant" when I feel like we just found out.
We've been having a laugh about all the guesses people are giving us. I have heard anything and everything about the way I'm carrying, my face, skin, and body shape. Everyone seems to just "know" that it's a boy, or a girl.
Last night Grandpa told me that baby was a tiny little girl, with lots of dark hair. He said she was beautiful, and her name would suit her perfectly.
We don't care, and Michael would like to not even find out. Whoever and whatever you are little baby, you are just what we wanted.
In the middle of the desert in Iran, there is an ancient city called Yazd. It's history dates back over 3,000 years, and the age shows in the beautiful architecture and mosaics. I have heard more stories about this city than I can count. Grandma's recollection of it is bitter and dry, and Grandpa talks about it like a love he lost many years ago. I like his stories best, because he has a place in his heart for Yazd like I do Oklahoma. Their families lived there for generations, and neither of them can recollect any part of our family coming from a different part of Iran. In their 50's they came here, following my parents, and left their home behind.
Angela recently visited Morocco, and after seeing her pictures I told her I would have to dig into my hundreds of photos I have saved to show her some of my favorite spaces with Middle Eastern influence.
Growing up, our home always looked like Yazd.
Layered Persian rugs, tapestries, intricate plates hung on walls, and lots of color. Even our meals that we share together as a family every Saturday are a reflection of home, and the culture we still enjoy from it. I always appreciated my parents incorporating these little bits of who we are into our every day life. It shaped and changed my senses to love anything that reminded me of Yazd, too.
Here are a few of my favorites that I have saved over the years. I apologize in advance that I never have sources for anything. Some of these photos are so old that I can't even remember where I got them from. I have owed Angela these for months, and I thought I would share with anyone else that is interested in a little ethnic inspiration.
Oh, my heart melts to the tune of a jewel-toned rug, layered pillows, and lanterns.
So it came as no surprise than when it was time to feather my own nest, I would find ways to pull bits and pieces of our culture into my every day.
Even my little spot at the last Arts Market is a piece of home.
Over the years I have found inspiration in so many different places, but none of them can compare to what runs through my blood, reminding me that Yazd holds a big piece of my heart, as well.
