Dizzy Swallows

Waiting

September 4th, 2015 1 Comment

They call it an estimated due date. Yet after 40 weeks of responding to seemingly endless “When are you due?” inquiries, one does tend to put more weight than is strictly prudent on said date. For us, yesterday was that day. September 3rd. The great Response. But instead of having a baby (in fairness, only 5% of women give birth on their due date), I spent the day tidying up for the umpteenth time and engaging in a bit of light pruning. I’m fairly sure that in my case, the so called “nesting” period right before labor will be difficult to recognize since I’ve already been spied on a step-stool, scrubbing the bathroom ceiling. Yeah.

At any rate, I thought this might be a good time to give you a look at a project I recently completed for the nursery. Designed on a whim, and completely hand-sewn, this little mobile … Continue reading

This Belly

August 19th, 2015

Undeniably, there is a certain gravitas to the hugely pregnant belly. It demands respect by virtue of its very existence, its ponderous curvature. It exudes an aura of eminent, profound transition, as a physical manifestation of this ever changing life.

I am fortunate enough to count among my close friends two unbelievably talented photographers, who honored Jacob and I with the gift of maternity photos. Though I have rarely felt less photogenic, I am eternally grateful for their kindness in documenting this incredible time for us.

This first set of photos is from the incomparably lovely and ridiculously accomplished Mercia Moseley.

After suffering through the majority of a summer that has blistered the Northwest with record high heat, we finally bit the bullet and bought a pass to our local outdoor swimming pool. Good gracious, I can’t imagine why we waited so long. (Until now, I’ve been surviving solely … Continue reading

Of Rhubarb and Nurseries

May 26th, 2015

Hello darlings. I hope you are well and enjoying the warmth of spring! Things have quietly been humming along here. My prized peonies have started to bloom, the days are fast approaching the timbre of early summer, and at nearly 26 weeks my belly now resembles a soccer ball stuffed under my shirt (if soccer balls could kick).

One of my favorite spoils of this time of year are the firm, ruddy stalks of rhubarb gracing the farmer’s market bins. A few days ago I went on something of a rhubarb baking binge, transforming several pounds into a pot of silky compote and one fluffy clafoutis.

My normally sure fingers seem to be suffering the brunt of the fabled pregnancy clumsiness, and for the first time in memory egg met floor whilst I was cooking.

The results where nonetheless scrumptious, with that tangy, hearty, sweet bite that only rhubarb can … Continue reading

Yucatan Part II: Tulum and An Announcement!

March 27th, 2015 2 Comments

After Chichen Itza, we drove the few hours back to the coast, meandering slightly south to the beach town of Tulum. I have mixed feelings about this place. Having heard nothing but glowing reviews from friends and other bloggers, I was perhaps expecting more. However, if you are looking for a lovely resort town with a heavily ex-pat community, Tulum is for you. For Jacob and I, it wasn’t quite our cup of tea. Beautiful ocean, absolutely. Friendly people, oh most certainly. Mayan ruins, trendy restaurants, and Californian-run coffee shops? Check, check and check. But (with the risk of sounding like a travel snob) for us it just felt a bit to over-built. So much so, I didn’t really take any photos of the town itself.

On the morning of my birthday, we headed over to the Tulum ruins. This time we beat neither the crowds, nor the sun, though … Continue reading