Indefinite Maternity Leave

I have been on a blogging hiatus because I have been storing all my thoughts internally.  Every time I think I should write something down I'm not sure what to say.  My mind is in overload and I suppose a lot of it could be hormones that are whipping me every which way.

Today starts my officially official first day of my indefinite maternity leave. I know I have been unemployed before with question marks hanging over the future but this time feels so much for bizarre because it feels very permanent.  With a baby coming soon, that is a job that I don't really know how to train for.  I'm excited and nervous and scared and overwhelmed and feel completely unprepared for this big adventure.  It seems all I can really do is clean my house and finally learn how to organize.  Does that gene kick in when you have a baby? I hope for her sake it does.  I am a pretty terrible housekeeper and my hormones have made eating a chore so I'm not even good at grocery shopping and making dinners these days.  I hope to document this journey here while also keeping up with my online shop, making dolls every chance that I can and exploring new ways of artmaking.  I will admit that I am terrified that I will lose that part of myself.  All I know how to do is sit in my studio and make stuff.  For the past month I have not been anywhere near my studio.  I know it's going to be up to me to make that extra effort to find the time to keep up with my own interests.  It's my own fault if I don't.

Lets talk fun stuff.  I have had several showers in the past month.  My sweet friends had a shower for me and they pulled out all the stops. Courtney, Robyn, Bryanne and Janey hosted and it was mostly book club friends and co-workers and my sister and Mom who drove up from Kentucky.  There was also a very special guest from Slovakia who was visiting her daughter on her first trip to America. It was a real honor to have her there celebrating with me.  Here are some highlights of the beautiful day.

Photos taken by Robyn.  To see her process of making the invitation check it out on her blog here.

Courtney killed it with the Pinterest-Approved treats.

Robyn made the beautiful leaf garlands. 

I had trouble choosing my cupcake. I wanted all the bunnies and deer!

Bryanne made beautiful flower arrangements.

 The girls kept me in the dark on most of the shower things. It was so fun to arrive and see everything they had been planning over the last couple of months.  The one thing I did get to help with was the "photo booth" backdrop.  I'm not sure if I have said before but the baby's name is Maybellene and her nickname will be Maybe. I know the Maybe part throws people off if they don't know the whole story.

My mom and sister and I as little critters.

I loved the Fall/Woodland theme.

There was a craft table! Everyone got to make their own party favors.

They also made pendants for a garland for Maybellene's room. Pictures of that soon.

Cutie Critter Friends.

No shower is complete without actual children.

My party "throne" was surrounded in balloons and gifts.

A thoughtful guest collected my ribbons and made me a bonnet. I decided I should wear this to the delivery. ( ;

Some of the beautiful crafting results.

The hostesses.

That was such a beautiful day and having my mom and sister here made it even more special.  I am excited for Maybellene to meet all of these amazing women that are in my life.

Today I'm going to start cleaning, so begins the nesting period.  My biggest challenge is not eating the leftover Halloween candy. Maybe just one piece will be okay.

Thank you for reading. <3 p="">