Month: December 2013

CHEERS

Posted on by Lynzie · Leave a comment

spark_variations

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I’m not really any good at resolutions. They are far too rigid and absolute for me, a person who is quick to change direction and is easily distracted. Instead, I much prefer themes as they are flexible and allow for interpretation.

For the new year, a year that is sure to be unforgettable, I have chosen creation as my central focus. I’m busy creating a new person, so it seems fitting.

I intend to infuse every day of 2014 with the impulse of creativity, to be mindful of the myriad of ways in which I can create and to remain available and attentive to inspiration. I want to write more, to cook more, to take more photos, and above all, to make more memories with the ones I love.

My glass of sparkling grape juice is raised, and I’m ready to toast to a brand new year.

A FOND FAREWELL

Posted on by Lynzie · Leave a comment

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I always get a little nostalgic at this time of year, don’t you?

In looking back at all that has happened in 2013, from where it began to where it is ending, I am just so stupidly grateful. This has been the hardest, loveliest, most surprising, and most rewarding year of all, a year that has taught me about surrender and acceptance.

Most of all, it has been a year filled with love, more love than I ever could have imagined, and not for one second do I forget how incredibly fortunate I am to live such a magnificent life.

The blessings of the past twelve months have been many, but none so exciting as the expansion of our family. The unexpected gift of this baby and all of the transition that has transpired as a result, these are the kinds of things that I simply did not plan for and probably never would have. Which makes the fact that they kind of just happened all the more divine.

Forever, I shall remember 2013 as the year of happy accidents.

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS

Posted on by Lynzie · Leave a comment

merryandbright

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Christmas, I can’t believe you’re here!

What a year it’s been for this little family of mine, a year filled with surprises and a whole lot of growth. Our life has blossomed here in San Diego, and this has truly been one of the most magical seasons of all my 31 years.

As we were exchanging gifts, I sat back and watched my two kids shower their parents with the sweetest and most lovingly crafted presents. They spent their piggy bank money on chocolate bars for us, and worked together to paint and sew and wrap packages for us all to unwrap. My mama’s heart overfloweth! I could not be more more proud of those two, I tell you, they are the most magnificent young people in all the land. Only, they’re not quite so young these days, and every now and again I am reminded just how big they’ve gotten. I will never forget the tenderness of this morning, not ever.

The rest of today will be spent in my most favorite way, dancing around in the kitchen making a festive feast for the ones I love, followed by cookies and a movie. And maybe even a game or two of Catan. Heaven.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is always a poignant time, and already I can sense the potency of this day and the next few to come. It won’t be long now before we welcome 2014, the birth year of our baby!

We are a lucky bunch, and today our home is positively bursting with love and gratitude for all that we have, and for each other most of all.

Merry Christmas, Friends!

HELLO THIRD TRIMESTER

Posted on by Lynzie · 1 Comment

bellyshot_27

27 Week Belly Shot, 12/18/13

I was describing my general state of being to my doula/dear friend/cherished colleague Amanda earlier this week, and she joked that it sounded as if I were still in my first trimester. And it’s true! I’m easily nauseated, overwhelmingly exhausted, and unexplainably emotional. To be honest, that’s kind of how it’s been this whole entire pregnancy. Actually, all of my pregnancies have been like this. Despite the physical similarities, however, this one has been a completely different experience.

From the beginning, I have approached this pregnancy with new perspective. I’ve had a long time to reflect upon my previous two deliveries, and decided a while ago that if ever given the opportunity to bring another life into the world, I’d do so outside the traditional medical system. My reasons for this are many, and perhaps one day I’ll actually get around to writing about how and why we made this choice, but for now I will simply suggest The Business of Being Born as a great documentary on the subject of hospital versus home birth.

Through this process of allowing pregnancy to happen without hardly any intervention, I have become more trusting and confident in my own body and its inherent ability to grow, birth, and sustain a baby. Because we haven’t had any ultrasounds, we rely entirely on heartbeat and movement to monitor the growth of the baby. As such, I find that I am much more in tune with all the various bumps and nudges in my belly. Quite a bouncy little thing, this baby, and I absolutely love it.

We have decided to wait until the birth to find out whether the baby is a boy or a girl, and I can’t even begin to tell you how fun not knowing is turning out to be. Our family has bonded together in the sweetest way as we eagerly await the arrival of our newest member, and I’ve managed to fall in love all over again with each of these radiant souls I’m blessed to share my life with.

With just a few days left until Christmas, our house is buzzing with preparations for our simple celebration. The kids have been hard at work all month long, handcrafting and carefully wrapping no less than two dozen presents, all of which have been placed with care under our tree. My fingers are busy stitching up some last minute gifts, and there is baking to be done and movies to be watched. And a proper Christmas feast to be made, my favorite.

This is a really, really special time in my life. I have always loved this season, and to think that next year we’ll have a new little person to celebrate with is just about the best gift I have ever been given.

FULL

Posted on by Lynzie · 1 Comment

simmer

Hello, December!

After a much needed week-long break from school, I was jolted awake by my alarm this morning and wasn’t all that happy about it. The kids, however, were both eager to return to their rhythm and made it out the door in record time for a Monday.

This Thanksgiving Holiday was nothing short of perfect. Most of it was spent at home, which is pretty much the only place I want to be these days, and there was so much food it was kind of ridiculous. I started preparing our feast Tuesday evening and couldn’t have been more pleased with how it all came together. I even made the best pie ever, which just so happened to also be the prettiest.

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I mean.

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Have you ever hand cut leaves from pie dough with a paring knife? Because wow, that is some tedious work. Can’t wait to do it again!

Seriously though, spending quality time with my sweet family in our little nest was just what I needed. We watched some favorite Christmas movies, ate too many molasses cookies, and even managed to put up some of our decorations. The kids spent most of yesterday making and wrapping presents, and at the end of the night as we lit our first Advent candle, I was overcome with gratitude for this beautifully chaotic life of mine.

In other news, I received a few texts and messages recently of the “You’re pregnant?!?” variety, so I thought this might help clarify things a bit.

bump

And that’s before I started eating for three straight days.