putting up work on etsy

http://www.cd112298.etsy.com/

starlight, starbright

36 weeks and ready!

We're all set! Natanya's room is ready for her. We've finished our birthing classes (birthing from within; HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

I've got all the supplies for a home birth waiting to be put to use. Natanya grows and grows by the second and at almost 40 pounds heavier than I've ever been with an expected 10 to go during the last month I'd say my legs and hips are ready for the event. Jono and I are sorting out all the upcoming changes beautifully I think and now it's just a matter of weeks and days and minutes
and seconds...

I'm officially finished with work for the time being. A strange feeling as I've never not worked in my life. I've found that emotionally, the things that both Jono and I are giving up and taking on in preparation for the immediate and indefinite future are surprisingly easy and surprisingly difficult too.

But mostly there is joy. Intense, unwavering, amazing joy.

I'm going to be making things and posting more and more on etsy and I'm hoping to have time to work on a children's line of clothing, blankets, burp cloths, mobiles etc. to sell in a local baby store here in Santa Fe. My dream is make enough dough with my artwork that I'll be able to stay home with Natanya for as long as possible...

Jono is on the road this week. A mini tour in Arizona and hopefully a last hurrah/inward journey while still pre-baby independent. I too am hoping for some inward reflection and some outward FUN this week. If I can stay up past 8:00 I might even indulge in some grown up style socializing!!!

As I watch the progress of friends with children it becomes clear that each stage of parenting happens so quickly. The kids grow up so fast. I'm trying to focus on being present and focused on the NOW of it all (including every moment of pregnancy) because even these last 36 weeks seem to have evaporated. I can hardly believe that another round of birthdays have gone by and that there are graduations happening and milestones being stepped right over by legs that are no longer dimpled at the knees... jeeez louise!!!

And for now, we're over here, 36 weeks and ready. For everything.

a little happy thought while i should be working...

at home in the wild
of new day air
a breaking wave still
unimagined
on the straight line of horizon

out there in the midst
where heaven touches
the soft place below your palm
where the heart beats
and the stars fall

i see something coming
the shape of wings
while i shed one skin
and climb into another
preparing for a dance
who's tempo, who's lyric
has not yet been played

we are all here
we three around a fire
the logs sing and burn
our feet on the earth
and our hearts like kites
round with the breath of life
soaring high

at home in the wild
of new day's light
a bursting forth, a birth
gathering form
against the soft line of horizon

Kerry's photos

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/sherck/gallery/Maternity-Portraits/G0000nSqharoAIss/

I hope this works. if not I'll try again...

Baby Shower!

*What wonderful friends I have! Kerry made and sent out 30 invitations while in the midst of moving from CT to SANTA FE! She and Larkin planned and put together a very beautiful and fairly non-traditional baby shower and about 25 of the 30 people were able to come...

*Two of those people were Ali and her son Charlie who came as a surprise at 11:30 the night before the shower from NYC AND Ali had dozens of H&H bagels shipped out here! (very funny story!)

* Kerry and Larkin made home made truffles to give people as party favors and people brought fruit salads, champagne for mimosas (sigh), there were lox and deviled eggs and cookies and other varieties of deliciousness...

*Larkin initiated a sort of blessing/wish ceremony where everyone had brought a special bead which they tied around a lavender sachet saying a wish for me as they filled the sachet and a wish for Natanya as the tied it closed with the strung bead. After the shower, I strung them all together and will hang them from the bedposts when I'm giving birth.

*Natanya received many beautiful, thoughtful gifts, all of which were things that I love! I was thinking that it's going to be a little tough for me when she's old enough to open her own presents!!!

Not only did we get practical things which we will surely need but Natanya got a few personalized art pieces for the beginnings of her art collection!

*The day was perfect. The first flowers opened up in the yard the day before. The sky was blue and everyone was happy... Not having ever had a baby shower before I didn't know what to expect but it was totally completely wonderful...

*Thank you everybody who was here for the love and gifts and kind words and wishes. And also thank you everyone who was not here who have been sending love and gifts and kind words and wishes all along!

a field of daisies

all little wings

on the glass

a whisper inside me

says "welcome"

to all the world

she is the most

verdant garden

the ripest fruits

of summer's basket

she is the bird

who can carry

all your songs

she roams while I sleep

from the milky way

and back

to the path of home

all pockets full of wind

come pour yourself

within these walls

a knock at my door

is your invitation

no keys, no locks

the curtains moving.

she is the turtle

inside the hand of my heart

growing like a flower

a field of daisies

a universe of stars

she is time

all you remember

all you have forgotten

a motion

like the sea

not bound by any moon

her own tides

her own deep magic

sands of seashells

an ancient rhythm

an invitation

the color of rain