Belly

I thought that it would be fun to finally post some belly shots, so I snapped some the other day just out of the shower, these are the first ones that I have taken this pregnancy. I'm in my 18th week now, almost half way!

I am feeling worlds better now than I was even a couple of weeks ago, I have definitely turned the corner with my morning sickness and it feels so good to have my energy back and to be feeling good! I've also started a great prenatal yoga class that is kicking my butt in a good way and helping me to meet other mamas. The class welcomes pregnant mamas as well as mothers who want to bring their babies to yoga, this is especially fun for me right now as being around babies gets me excited for what is to come, its all feeling more and more real each day.

Here are a few other shots of life around here these days....

fort building in the family room happens more often than not here,

The vacationing tourists on spring break have started to become a part of my morning beach walks, the ocean water is still cold but they are out there playing and we've been having a string of great weather in the 70's, feels like spring has sprung.

Carys usually has one of the kitties in her arms, its love all around,

Our kids recently asked for their own rooms, which has been a project that I've been working on, I'm looking forward to posting pictures of that soon. Since they have always shared a bedroom, it has been fun for me to now decorate a specifically "boy" room and "girl" room for each of them. Jasper has chosen a safari theme and Carys wanted a mermaid room, both of which have been really fun!

Sending a bit of the sea to where ever you are! xo

My new favorite dress

A tale of shopping is one that I will never tire of, the constant quest for that perfect thing always excites me.
But, suddenly here that thing is....my new favorite dress/tunic/shirt. (Yes, I have worn it for 2 days in a row).
A couple of days ago it appeared on my doorstep after it's long journey from Eastern Europe. I just love Etsy for that, only there could I find LeMuse the maker of this amazing garment thousands of miles away in Vilnius.
I love to dress for comfort, my favorite clothes are ones that make me feel like me at my best when I wear them, and this dress does that for me...I just feel comfortable and uncomplicated.

I love LeMuse's description of her work:
"I always considered that the beauty of a person cannot be described by tangible things/somehow comes from within. It cannot be determined by a nice dress or new haircut. The sources of beauty cannot be easily traced for the beauty glimpses through each time at a different moment.
Every time a woman would dress in LeMuse, I would notice how differently it looked. It adapts to individual body and moves with that person in its own unique and beautiful way."

And don't you just love her dreamy photos!

Old friends

Do you have things around your house that are just possessions but somehow they make you feel more yourself, or remind you of who you are at your best?
These rings totally embody that for me, each of them has a story about how it came into my possession, and each serves as a reminder of a part of myself that I cherish.
Since I use my hands so much rings really work for me, I love the way I catch sight of them in little moments, like when I am in the middle of making a painting, zipping up my child's coat, or moving my hands during a conversation. Since often the stories are the best part I thought I'd share just minimal detail about each ring, and while I love how they look all piled on, I don't usually wear them all together.

Thumb~a branch from Brooklyn Prospect Park, which we live a block from and go to every day, cast in gold by a friend.
Index finger~turquoise ring that I bought from a Native American jeweler in Taos N.M. the stones had been in his family for generations, the same jeweler made the bracelet on my wrist which my mom has a match to, I never take the bracelet off, I even wore it in my wedding.
Middle finger~cocktail ring, bought on a whim in NYC, I wear it for fabulous nights out or dinner parties.
Ring finger~a silver ring that I bought in high school at a hippie store that I loved; a large disk of two types of turquoise that I bought at a craft fair right after ending a really big relationship in my 20's; a gold and labradorite beauty that my husband gave to me on our 5th Wedding anniversary which was also my little brother's wedding day (I also never take this one off).
Pinkie~both of these rings I got on a year long road trip around the US and Mexico after college which involved living in my V.W. van (oh yes), I bought the turquoise one at a market in Mexico, the pink stone is from Africa set in a silver setting by an artist in Seattle who I bought it from at a market there.

I took the picture of my bejeweled hand on a leaf from my Banana Palm tree, another old friend, who I have raised from a tiny plant. This is the time of year that I bring all of my tropical plants inside after they spent 6 months on our deck drinking the sun, now they come inside to brighten up our winter months.
I find comfort living surrounded by these old friends.

Birthday

Two birthday self portraits.
Focusing today on this quote:
Life is the classroom. Love is the lesson