Our Valentine's Day

9:00 AM

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12:00 PM

12:20 PM

1:30 PM

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2:30 PM

 Introducing our baby boy, Rowan Shepherd Stephensen

8 lbs. 10 oz. 20.5 inches long.

The perfect Valentine. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Life and preparations for the new baby have accelerated to a considerably fast pace, as well they should. We have a little over a month before we meet our little dude, and while with Hannah we found ourselves twiddling our thumbs during the last month of pregnancy, there just aren't enough hours in the day with this one. Why does that happen with subsequent pregnancies? Let me name a few reasons for me . . .

First, this little one keeps me on my toes. Every day she shows new, stunning independence. There are some days, however, when she understandably regresses. After we assembled the crib for the baby, for instance, she decided she wanted to take her nap there. We obliged, but after her nap we sat down and discussed what it means to be a big sister.

 I explained that yes, the baby will get special privileges like sleeping in Mommy and Daddy's bed or a cozy crib, drinking Mommy's milk, wearing cute little teeny tiny clothes that just won't fit a 3-year-old, etc. But there are also things that big sisters get to do that baby brothers can't! I've been keeping a running list with Hannah, so we can refer to it when life begins to feel unfair for her. Here are a few of the things she and I have named.

Baby brothers can't:
1. Eat ice cream
2. Run and jump and skip
3. Color pictures
4. Eat noodles (Hannah's favorite)
5. Change dresses as many times as they want
6. Call their aunts, uncles and cousins on the phone.
7. Go potty all by themselves
9. Walk
10. Sing all the words to "The Wizard of Oz."

Second, what started out as a small play group with preschool undertones has grown into a full blown preschool co-op with 6 moms and 11 kids! With the big move happening in November, this has been my first chance to host preschool. It just also happens to fall in the last month of my pregnancy! I wanted to make sure I hosted at least once before the baby comes, and what a tornado of joy it has been!

Beautiful puppet theater made by my talented sister in law

Celebrating 3 Kings Day

Dancing with puppets!

Third, I am teaching my final month of piano and voice lessons before taking two months of maternity leave. In December we had a small winter recital (only half of my students were able to attend), and though it was a small, intimate chamber recital held in my folks' living room, it took a lot of coordinating on everyone's part, and I am so happy with how it turned out. Music is such a gift, and I'm so grateful for students who are willing to share it.

Fourth, we are diving headfirst into the world of cloth diapering! We didn't really have this option with Hannah in Japan (at least from what I could tell), and now in America it seems we have too many options. After much research, asking around and deliberation, we (well, I) finally settled on a diapering system that will work for us, and I found a wonderful Etsy shop with the CUTEST cloth diapers I've ever seen. I mean, take a look at these beauties-for-baby's-booty!

Seriously, how can you NOT want to dress your baby's bum in one of these adorable prints?! The bottom three on the right are Happy Heiney's that I picked up at a consignment sale, only to find out later that it was one of my best friends consigning them (small world)! The others were made by Tabitha, a work-at-home-mom with amazing talent. Not only did I discover her wonderful Etsy shop KonstantKrafter while browsing Craigslist for diapers, but I learned that Tabitha lives right here in Leavenworth! I immediately contacted her and asked if there was a way for me to come see and feel her diapers. She had so many fabric options that I was getting overwhelmed making my choices. Tabitha enthusiastically replied and invited me into her home to check out the diapers in person, and the rest is history. With a generous supplement of size small Fuzzibuns diapers from my sister in law, I think we finally have enough diapers to cover our baby. 

Last but not least, I am still knitting and crocheting. :) Here is another shawlette (my third - I really like the pattern!) I made for a dear friend:

And a hot pink owl beanie (pattern from Inner Hooker) for a little one who outgrew her favorite hat:

Whew! This was just going to be a Yarn Along post to link up with Ginny at Small Things, Linda at Natural Suburbia and Donni at The Magic Onions, but it turned into so much more! This is my life in a nutshell right now - beautifully busy, messy and creative. I wouldn't have it any other way. A friend said to me recently, "this baby will slow you down from 100 mph to 1 mph." I'm looking forward to that slower pace, but until then I'll enjoy the chaos. :)

Happiest of New Years

In the Japanese New Year custom, I'm spending today cleaning and scouring the house, with the intention of relaxing and doing nothing but fun things tomorrow. In Japan, this would also mean cleaning and ironing all of the curtains in the house, washing all bed sheets, and airing out all duvets/futons before the first of the year. Being 8 months pregnant, I'm not feeling that ambitious, so I'll settle for a tidy house, laundry that is clean, folded and put away, and a kitchen with clean counters and stove tops and NO dishes in the sink. I believe, as the Japanese do, that the first of the year should be reserved for rest, reflection, and recreation. I'm not a fan of loud, drunken beginnings to new years. I think that's why the Japanese tradition speaks to me. While living in Japan we would celebrate the new year with our dear friends Megumi and Miwako. We ate a richly symbolic "osechi" meal (which I do not have the skill to prepare) and quietly watched the news coverage of people visiting shrines, writing their prayers on little pieces of paper, attaching them to balloons, and reverently releasing those prayers into the night. There were no shouts announcing the new year, no miserable hangovers the morning after, and best of all, no reports of car crashes from drunk drivers in the night. It was refreshing and rejuvenating, and exactly what we needed.

Dinner at the Iguchi household



Traditional Osechi meal



Megumi



Teaching us how to eat Shabu Shabu

Miwako

I've also been reflecting on what the past year has meant for us. New jobs, new house, a new baby on the way . . . and yet most of those things happened within the second half of the year. The first half was full of questions - Where did the last year go? Where do we go from here? How do we move on? When will all be right in the world? When will we feel whole? It is easy, when times are hard, to see only what is lacking in our lives and the world around us. It takes far more courage and far more work to see what what we have, and find peace and contentment in that. To those who are suffering right now, whether it be from some hurt done to you, depression that you cannot explain or wish away, or a situation you feel is beyond management or repair, I want you to know that I have been where you are. I have felt your pain, anger and frustration. I have felt beyond repair myself. There came a moment in my life in this past year, however, where I made the choice to see beyond my wounds and imperfect situation, and heal. There came a point when, like the Japanese prayer balloons, I let my expectations and prayers float out of me and into the universe, leaving me only the will to do and be, not wish and want. And once I made the choice to heal, I did. As I have been cleaning house today, I've thought of the "house cleaning" we've managed in our souls this past year, and I am in awe of the steps we have taken, and the healing we have accomplished.

I can't imagine being in a better, happier place than we are right now. I love my family, I love my home, I love my life. Never have I felt more spiritually in harmony with the universe and all of its diverse paths. Never have I been more acutely aware of my connection to the lives around me, and the significance that connection holds in my life. I am full to bursting with wonderment and love of the human experience, however ugly it may seem at times. I am grateful for the gift of a new year, and all the exciting turns and events it holds for us. It is hard to imagine a year topping the one we've just had, but I'm just crazy and optimistic enough to think that it will.

I wish all of you the very Happiest of New Years. May you find the peace you seek, and the courage to grab hold of it and never let it go. 

Yarn Along, Other Crafts, and Christmas Snaps

Now that Christmas has passed, I can post some photos of the handmades I gifted to family. You'll probably remember the piggies I was working on a few weeks ago. I'm so happy with how they turned out. These lucky pigs now have a home in Hawaii!

 I also tried my hand at candle making this season. With these little Japanese tea cups I scored at a thrift store I followed this tutorial, adding lavender essential oil to make them fragrant. I think next time I'll add more. :)

 For another sweet nephew I made this aardvark, another Mamma4earth pattern.

 The construction of this paper lantern was therapeutic for me. I worked late into the night before Christmas Eve, and then just sat there and watched it glow while everyone slept. Tutorial found here.

 And another Dory Shawlette for my sister. Seriously, this pattern is so quick and easy to wip up, I want to make one in every color!

 Upon request, I made my husband an extremely warm hat using a combination of Malabrigo worsted and some qiviut (musk ox) lace yarn I won from this blog. Having little desire to try my hand at knitting lace, I knew I wanted to double the qiviut with something equally as decadent and warm, and what could be better than merino wool? The pattern is a simple knit 5, purl 5 which I found on Ravelry. I had made Hans the same hat last year, and wanted to make it longer this time so it could be folded further over his ears for added warmth. It seems my efforts may have been a little too exuberant, as now Hans says the hat is too warm for this unseasonally warm weather. Picky, picky!

 So that's what kept me busy the last week before Christmas, and consequently my progress on Hannah's Milo vest/dress took a hiatus. Maybe I'll have it completed for her birthday in March. I'm not stressing. :)

 And here is what our Christmas looked like. Fondu dinner, a wonderful time with both sides of the family, and my very favorite part, a beautifully crafted handmade Waldorf doll for Hannah. Daria of Nobby Organics made this very special doll for us, and I couldn't be happier with how she turned out. Thank you, Daria!!

My little poser, in her Christmas dress.

Fondu Dinner!

Ready to open presents

Opa tells the Nativity story.

Amazing puppet theater made by Aunt Kerri. Can't wait to use this for preschool!

Every new homeowner's dream come true.

Hannah's new friend, whose current name is "Felicity." We will see if it sticks. The tiny baby doll was another giveaway from Little Chips Handcrafts. Perfect for a little girl expecting a baby brother in 2 months!

 

 I hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along at Small Things, Creative Friday with Linda at Natural Suburbia, and Friday's Nature Table at The Magic Onions.