the secret project :: aka my rapidly expanding waistline
Remember this post about my lack of progress in the finished object department, the postponement of the hourglass sweater, and the mention of a secret something that was 'in-the-making'? Well, I can finally reveal the source of my distraction and tell you that what I have been so busy making will fit into this:
{baby kimono from westcoast baby in vancouver}
I am going to be a mummy. And *J* is going to be a daddy. We are happy and scared and excited, all at the same time. But mostly I am sick. Horribly sick. Nine weeks of barely keeping any food or liquid down has really taken it's toll and I hear that this is only the beginning. I have been treated for dehydration a couple of times now and it seems I have tried every trick in the book: saltine crackers, ginger, lemon drops, preggie pops, motion sickness bands, vitamin B6 and as a last resort, two different kinds of medication, all without much success. The intense heat in California was making the nausea even more extreme and also harder to avoid dehydration. Many days were spent embracing the cool tiles on our bathroom floor - a sight for sore eyes, to be sure! Out of desperation and the fear of being at home alone {*J* has another six weeks of being away}, I made a very last minute decision to travel to Scotland. I am here now and am finding some much needed comfort in the cooler weather and my mum's cooking. I'm still pretty grumpy, though. And exhausted. After a year of wondering if it would ever happen, I never stopped to think that the pregnancy itself would bring a whole other set of challenges and worries. My eyes have been opened in a way I never expected...
I also wanted to say thank you...
:: to everyone for being so patient while I was being so neglectful :: for the sweet comments about the simple quilt - I can't wait to make another for my own little one :: to olivelse for this mention - I am so glad you were able to find a copy of Yoshiko Jinzenji's amazing book and congratulations on the birth of Luce :: to onegirl for crossing your fingers and all of your kind words of support :: to those poor people that have been on the receiving end of my hormonal rollercoaster
I owe another very overdue thank you to my secret pal, Alyson. She is finally no longer a secret and over the course of the exchange has spoiled me with the most beautiful yarns + needles + so many other gorgeous things that I have yet to photograph. And I haven't sent the little thank you gift that I promised her, either. I haven't forgotten about it, I just haven't been able to concentrate for long enough to do it justice.
Even although the past three months have been void of all things creative, I haven't stopped daydreaming of all the things I'd like to make for baby once I feel a little better:
:: this baby kimono from clementine's shoes :: these simple shoes from uniform studio :: these bootees from saartje knits {found via this post} :: everything from citronille, if only I could find where to buy the patterns and remember how to read french {found via olivelse} :: this sleeping bag, another french pattern ::
Should I admit that I am secretly hoping for a girl, just so I can buy something {anything!} from the 6.5st etsy shop? I am completely in love with Alison's wool knit fold tops and obi scarves. Other things I am in love with: bloomers and this dress {both from uniform studio}. This list will only get longer...the prospect of having a teeny-tiny wardrobe for our little one excites me to no end!! I fully expect myself to get entirely carried away...particularly since my own wardrobe has become obsolete. Only 12 weeks and already sporting a bump and a rapidly expanding waistline. How is this possible, when I haven't kept food down for 9 of those weeks? One of nature's little quirks, I suppose.
I remember those days of never ending nausea that never, ever seems to go away and you hold onto such simple beautiful things in your head to make it all real and to find some sort of beauty to the utter desolation and tiredness of all day sickness. It's not the nicest way to start a pregnancy is it!
But what a wonderful person which grows within you and is already so bound and imprinted with you, of you, and around you - I wish you such warm congratulations on this journey. It does end, I promise :)
And thankyou for such kind words and mentions.
Rest, and dream of handmade goodness.
xx
Posted by: Alison | July 20, 2007 at 04:27 PM
best wishes with your best creation. fingers crossed something or someone can help with your terrible nausea and sickness. poor start to your pregnancy but i hope you continue to find some solace in the beauty around you and your plans for the babe.
warm wishes for the next 6 months and beyond.
Posted by: kirsten | July 20, 2007 at 06:35 PM
Oh how wonderful! I remember months and months of nausea. But looking back on it I absolutely loved being pregnant. Enjoy this time. It'll fly by and soon this wonderful amazing tiny little person will be in your life. Congratulations!
Posted by: Kuky | July 20, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Congratulations!! For me the getting pregnant part was always the hardest. So in a way I long for the sickness to reconfirm I actually was pregnant. Crazy I know and not all would understand! I hope you are feeling better soon and look forward to see what tiny creations you make for your baby.
Posted by: belinda | July 20, 2007 at 10:48 PM
wow congratulations on your wonderful news! I hope that the sickness passes soon and you can enjoy the blossoming life within :)
i just wanted to mention that I read olivelse via www.translate.google.com it's not perfect but it makes more sense than me trying to read french.
Posted by: Jo | July 21, 2007 at 02:12 AM
Congratulations - enjoy your time in Scotland!
Posted by: Rebecca | July 21, 2007 at 04:20 AM
Congratulations! The sickness will subside and soon enough you will be able to fully enjoy the beauty of carrying a child to birth. Take care.
Posted by: sally | July 21, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Congratulations on your happy news. I love your blog by the way. Beautiful photos. I hope the morning sickness improves. Best wishes from Australia.
Posted by: Kristine | July 22, 2007 at 05:03 AM
Yay! Congratulations. I hope the sickness subsides soon. Enjoy your time with your mum.
Posted by: Carrie | July 22, 2007 at 08:04 PM
Well, congratulations, lady! I hope you start to feel less sick very soon!
Posted by: Tracy Harris | July 23, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Congratulations and good luck with the belly! ;) Many warm wishes from Stockholm, Sweden.
Posted by: Emma | July 24, 2007 at 05:36 AM
Ali, hope that you're enjoying your mum's company and cooler weather. Congrats to you & J, i'm sure he's bursting at the seams. We know from experience you'll be great in your new titles. Told the kids while away on holidays, and they are all so excited about the news, and can't wait to see you all. Take care, all our luv from Lacombe. Say hi to your family from us too!
Posted by: Andrea M | July 24, 2007 at 10:26 AM
damn, i was too busy enjoying my holiday weekend to get the first comment congrats in! oh well, you know i am deliriously excited for you and will now be keeping my fingers crossed for your morning sickness to subside and for a healthy, easy pregnancy : )
Posted by: leslie | July 24, 2007 at 07:51 PM
It's been a very long time since I was expecting but it doesn't seem that long ago. Many congratulations. I can't help with sickness aids but I do remember pampering myself with Clarins blue lotus oil to help avoid stretch marks. I still got a few but just the smell of that oil brings back such happy memories. I have just found your journal and it is very beautifully written and photographed. The links you have made are making a hole in my purse but I'm not complaining- as I await some beautiful ceramic heart earrings from Scotland, how could I? I too bought some Habu for experimenting with and your comments about your crafting are very helpful. Enjoy your stay in Scotland and its cooler climate.
Posted by: Teresa | July 28, 2007 at 02:52 AM
Congratulations!!! Hearing that people are having babies makes me so happy, even when I don't know them, and it makes me badly want another one . . . The morning sickness is just a passing phase, it will get better. Enjoy this wonderful time to create lots of beautiful things for your little one. And sleep, make sure you get plenty of sleep while you can!
Posted by: melissa | August 05, 2007 at 04:08 PM
hello there!
just discovered your lovely blog today via 6.5st, and what a joy to read your last post! congrats for this wonderful news!
if you need some help to get citronille patterns and to translate instructions, i would be very happy to help, just feel free to ask!
enjoy this great time of your life, and take care! :)
Posted by: sandra | August 06, 2007 at 04:51 AM
oh, i am oh so late reading this....many, many, many congratulations! hope you are feeling better!
Posted by: leslie | August 12, 2007 at 09:16 AM