The Art in Life

The last in a string of adorable newborn photos! Also my last photoshoot for the indefinite future, which is kind of exciting. Photography has been such a blessing and a joy over the past years, but I’m slashing and burning commitments to make room for changes to our lives and schedules. It was so fun to end on this note, with Leah and her family, as I have been photographing her sister Clara since she was born. Welcome to the world Leah Isabelle!

Happy Fi-yay all. This week had me crashing on the couch way more than anticipated. I blame the gray weather, or the cake I kept eating that sent me into sugar comas, or the baby that is sapping all my energy, or maybe just a total denial of the fact that we are already halfway through May. But in any case, it’s the weekend, and here are some fun links to amuse and distract.

The men are out! Let the bracket research begin! And no- hipster is not a profession.

Why can’t they just put water in the cups?

Everything about this is perfect. I don’t plan on getting The Cut… but I sure do love an oversized glass urn with a single candle.

We finally set up our Ikea crib this week… and I can neither confirm nor deny the truth of this depiction of the process.

Every word of this rings true. I love academia, love my colleagues, and value the diverse opinions that I encounter every day at work. They have rubbed off on me in the best possible way, making me think about aspects of my own beliefs that need clarity, or at least more clarity and compassion in expression. But I also know that, as a conservative Christian in academia, my own brand of diversity is less welcome, or occasionally outright mocked, and that saddens and worries me as I consider my career. I have long wondered if this was open bias on the Left, or longtime failure to communicate on the Right, or maybe a little of both.

I have really struggled to find baby boy clothes that I liked. On the whole, I am not a fan of the aggressive prints and slogans that are splashed across anything ostensibly baby boy. Which explains why I went mildly crazy on Old Navy’s selection of adorable unisex baby clothes. And of course, when I bought them earlier this week they were a mere 35% off, but now they are 40-50% off because we all know that Old Navy basically has a sale every day that ends in y… but only for a “limited time.” Old Navy is also where I got that maternity tank dress that I am wearing under a knotted-t in the above photos- but only after texting all my girlfriends for their opinion of said outfit combo as “Boho bump” over “Frump bump.”

In spite of the endless rain and gloom characterizing DC spring, I am gearing up for summer food, which means that all I want is panzanella salad… anyone have an amazing recipe for it that they are dying to share?

And no link for this one, but I am STOKED about doing 4 loads of laundry today because it means I can justify watching The Good Wife finale as I fold. I have worked really hard to avoid spoilers, but I am DYING to finish strong with Alicia and crew!

[Photos from an outing this week to Union Market, home of the District’s most Instagrammed wall. Because why bother taking shots in front of amazing monuments when you could pose with a giant wall of Lisa Frank sloppy painted hearts???]

I’ve been squeezing in a couple last shoots before this baby comes, and every newborn session I do with friends makes me really excited for our own squishy little baby to come. We had joked for awhile that we wanted to have kids at the same time as our friends Stephen and Les, but I wasn’t sure if it would actually happen. But then it did! With due dates exactly 2 months apart, and their girl coming a tad late, we are thrilled to have kids close in age with some of our closest friends. Ava Grace, you have pretty great parents and we are pretty excited that you are here.

Last week had some rough bits, like finding out our bikes were stolen, dealing with plumbing issues, sorting out complicated paperwork, and all sorts of frustrating setbacks on a million tiny things. But instead of blogging about that heap of mundane annoyances, here are 5 quick things making me happy these days.

Today I am thankful for…

#classact

The girls weekend I had with my sister-in-law and soon-to-be sister-in-law. We hit a barre class, brunched like champions, analyzed every dress in the mall, and generally confirmed my belief that the only thing better than growing up with brothers, is when they marry awesome women.

Four babes at Barre!

The fact that my bridesmaid’s dress fits. GLORY. When we ordered it in December, it was a wild guess as to what would fit at 39 weeks pregnant. I picked it up Friday and I think there is just enough room for me to squeeze myself in after a couple more weeks of growing this baby. I am hopeful about channeling this:

…instead of this:

Smoothies. I was never much of a smoothie person, but now I want them all the time. A banana, some frozen fruit, a handful of spinach, a quick plunge of the immersion blender, and MAGIC. Breakfast. Or snack. Or dessert.

Breakfast of champions, complete with cute-yet-ineffective straw.

The individual slices of cake that the grocery story sells. Ok, a less healthy note than the smoothie one, but more healthy than me eating an entire cake by myself- something that seems 100% feasible at this point in my cake cravings.

I have no picture of the cake, in all its plastic-carton, bright yellow, gross-frosting glory. But I am also thankful for farm-to-tacos from Chaia, but I couldn’t have this whole list be about food. But for real y’all – those tacos. I’m a little obsessed. Also obsessed with the phrase “farm to taco,” a phrase that simply must be accompanied with artistic succulent placement.

Leggings that fit. My mother-in-law sent me a Mother’s Day package with the coziest leggings ever and there is a strong chance I will wear nothing else for the remaining 4 weeks that this kid is supposed to stay in. He is measuring quite large and I feel it in every corner of my body, hence the dire need for stretch and comfort in every decision. [Insert all the terrified emojis to express how I felt when the otherwise kind doctor started estimating his large birth size.]

Hope that your weeks are giving you lots to be thankful for!

Finally made it to take newborn photos of baby Livia! It only took a couple month after she was actually born. I love looking at these pictures and remembering Mollie’s newborn shoot a couple years ago. That little baby has grown into one fun toddler, and I have no doubt that she will be the best big sister!

I used to wonder why everyone did the humorously mysterious “gaze-down and let hair fall to inspect bump” pic. But now, at 35 weeks, I totally get it. My chin has recently started carrying the long lost twin to my womb baby and I just don’t mind if I do hide that behind a veil of hair/braid/weather inappropriate neck scarf/etc. I know you were just dying for that every 5 week post dedicated solely to pregnancy happenings (versus the normal tenor of the blog where I almost never even bring up this bundle of love- ha), so here it is.

35 weeks! As in, baby is coming SOON! As in, I’m kind of over being pregnant, but still not really prepared. We have lengthy to-do lists for these last weeks, but somehow they usually get ignored for more time in bed or trying to finish the last season of The Office. We have also officially reached the point where I just feel pretty uncomfortable. Last week I was in the middle of a 7 mile run (with walk breaks mind you – those started around 30 weeks and have been lengthening), and at one point I just stopped abruptly and announced to my running partner that I was done. Not with this run, but with running- period. The slamming of this kid into my pelvic girdle had just become too much and I was over it. Last night I was moaning to James about how everything just kind of hurts and he nobly asked what he could do to help, imagining grand sacrifices. Nope. What I need is someone to pick up my pen when I drop it, or retrieve the remote when I am settled in the couch and it falls to the floor, or tie my shoes, or do any and all mundane tasks that involve bending over. And really, all I want is cake. Cake in the morning, cake in the evening, cake all the time.

But on the plus side, this kid now moves so aggressively that we can see it on the outside of my stomach, which is both super fascinating, and the most disturbing thing ever.

As the due date grows nearer, I also started experiencing new waves of fear. Birth fear, like what happens if something goes wrong, and practical fear, like how on earth is he supposed to find more room in there to grow over the next five weeks. But also fear about this deeply flawed world that he is entering. It is not the world I want for him. It is a world where wrong usually wins, evil cloaks itself as good, and lies are everywhere. As I get closer and closer to holding him, I pray harder and harder that he enters this world with a spirit that can discern truth. Yes, parents teach and instruct, but I am praying for a little soul blessed with discernment beyond what I have, what I am capable of imparting.

I want him to know truth and be able to sort through all the lies he will hear throughout his life. When our culture lies to him, telling him that masculinity is a divine right to oppress and marginalize those weaker than him, I want him to know the truth. When politicians and our government lie to him, spewing hatred and falsehood, I want him to know the truth. When our society lies to him, telling him that work is worthless and that he is entitled to anything he wants without sacrifice, I want him to know the truth. When his peers  lie to him, telling him that he is more if he can make others seem less, I want him to know the truth. When the church lies to him, manipulating God and scripture to say what we want it to say, I want him to know the truth. And when I lie to him, letting my own fears and insecurity seep into what I say and do, I want him to know the truth. I want him to have a spirit that can see through the lies that we all tell, all spread, all believe everyday. I want so much more for him too, so many big dreams and happy days. I pray for lots of things, from the friends he will make to what school to choose one day to desperate prayers that his shoulders and head be nice and small when I have to actually push him out.  But if I had to pick just one thing, this would be my single prayer: that this child has eyes to see truth, discernment to choose it, and strength to do what it demands.

Of course, most posts on this site are for the ladies. Pretty sure my constituent demographics tend towards the girly end of the spectrum, and I am totally ok with that. (Though if you are a man reading- welcome, try not to be scared.)

We spent all of last Saturday being crazy productive. New driver’s licenses that only took 2.5 hours at the DMV to get! (Sidenote: do not EVER get a new DL picture at almost 8 moths pregnant. It will only confirm every fear you have about carrying ALL of your pregnancy weight in your face. It will immortalize your strange pregnant hair growth and throw you into a truly despondent state. It will almost make you weep when you realize that DC’s new license process means that this photo will continue to be reused FOREVER.) Vaccines that took forever! Traffic! Stroller picked up and assembled! Chair picked up and assembled! Friends visited! Photoshoot done for some friends (the top photos is from this family shoot-more to come)! Alllllll of the things! Of course, it was about time we started being productive, as this baby is coming in 5 weeks and we were still sitting around waiting for that famous nesting urge to kick in, but no- I just kept on getting Netflix watching urges, or stress about politics urges, or really any urge other than preparing. But prepare we must, because that time is coming.

All the preparation had me thinking about Mother’s Day, and announcing to James that this would be my first Mother’s Day. He tried telling me that I don’t get a gift until the baby is outside my womb, to which I responded with the full force of emotional manipulation and informed him that he cannot claim to be pro-life and then deny me Mother’s Day status because my child is pre-born. Winning. Really the whole thing is just a ploy to get a massage, because we have officially reached the “everything is sore stage.” I’m not really sure how the logistics of this massage work, as lying on my stomach is so 5 months ago, but I am eager to find out.

Anyway, here are some things from around the web of the female focused variety  for your perusing pleasure.

For the mothers in your life who mourn children on Mother’s Day instead of eat breakfast in bed alongside them.

#reality instead of #blessed.  Because who has time to eat yogurt from a tiny spoon made from a company that donates tiny spoons to people?

Make this girly cake for a special occasion…. and then just eat it all yourself. Not that I did that. Absolutely not. (But maybe.)

And to top it off, some random fashion commentary, from someone woefully unqualified to give it and usually happy to leave it to the multitudes of well-dressed fashion bloggers. But guys, the J.Crew magazine came the other day and I had to Snapchat all of my emotions to my friend Sarah (who should actually be a fashion blogger, because she is the epitome of well dressed). This summer will not be my finest season. I plan on showing my post-partum body some love by not judging its flabby self and letting it take its sweet time to sort itself out. This means that I am pretty much sitting out new clothes and summer collections this year, and my sideline status gives me a great vantage point to offer some unbiased reflections on things in style. Some highlights from the J.Crew catalogue included…

These seem like a good idea, and I have spent much of my life trying to embrace the high-waisted sailor pants. Inevitably, they look like I am trying to be  backup dancer in a 1950’s musical. But what better way to make them less costume like… than by covering them in stripes???? Points for something I love, negative points for something that the average person will struggle to wear.

NO J.CREW. YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR. Yes, homeschool  conventions from the mid 90’s and mission trips with strict dress codes are thrilled that you have embraced their style, but STOP. That small child is rejoicing that she doesn’t have to wear them, while the model is clinging to the wallet that she just emptied to buy something truly unattractive.

From left to right: Yes, “longish” is awkward on most people but yes, and NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. TAKE BACK YOUR DENIM JUMPER NOW. Who wants a fitted denim bodice in the summer? Nope.

Ok J.Crew, actually everything about this is perfect. Good to know you are still capable of making me want to dump all my dollars on your overpriced clothes. I shall abstain, but I shall pine.

Now then. Aren’t you glad you started your week with this post of truly useless factoids and opinions? You’re welcome.

I keep meaning to take the time to sit down and write out a truly meaningful post on such lofty topics as the J.Crew summer 2016 collection (bad) or the lovely DC shower some friends threw a couple weeks back (good), but I keep getting distracted by life, spring, friends, and all things non-internet. So instead, here are some quick and piddly ramblings from life lately, otherwise known as repeats of recent Instagram posts.

As I was awkwardly taking this on a sidewalk not my own, the owner of the house came out and gleefully yelled, “It’s like the city is getting married and we are all invited!” Moral of the story: trespass, and ye shall find kindred spirits.

SPRING Y’ALL. DC spring is glorious, with a rainbow of flowers and foliage that starts with Japanese magnolias, flows through cherry blossoms, and then explodes in a burst of wisteria and those pink trees that look like the world’s largest bouquet of carnations. We’ve been spending as much time outside as possible, reveling in the perfect weather and bright green fresh grass, trying to ignore the plague of seasonal allergies as best we can.

Obviously the most important thing about this photo is that ducks mate for life, so there is nothing sadder than a solo duck, doomed to a life of celibacy and gloom. Luckily, that is not the case here.

This past weekend James’ mom and brother were in town for a bit and we enjoyed our first Tidal Basin picnic of the year! One of the perks of an early summer baby is that we won’t really be doing much travel this summer. While I usually love summer adventures near and far, I am not at all upset about spending lots of summer nights in this city, carting our kid around to all our favorite picnic places.

Pretty soon that belly won’t fit in our one full length mirror. And obviously, grainy bump selfies can only be taken on days where outfits and hair are on point and MUST be taken in the morning, as the bump is at least 20 times bigger and less attractive by the end of the day.

34 weeks this week! But this picture is actually from last week, and reflects my intense love for the Belly Band. How have I been going so long without it? One day I just couldn’t handle my wardrobe, and I grabbed it in desperation from the pile of clothes that a friend loaned me, ignoring my dubious feelings about its tubular self and shimmying in (or at least, as much as a 33 weeks pregnant woman can shimmy). And BOOM. Hello non-maternity pants, welcome back to my life. In my zeal I might have even snapchatted a tutorial video to a non-pregnant friend, trying to convince her that she needed one for those days where pants just don’t fit like they should. Because friends don’t let friends be belittled by their pants.

Yes indeed, French graduate students know how to party. WITH CHEESE. ALWAYS PARTY WITH CHEESE.

Last week my co-workers threw an amazing surprise baby shower at work, a truly impressive feat since I spend my life anticipating surprises and am thus very rarely surprised. They also showed their excellent taste, as the spread included a giant pot of Costco mac-n-cheese, which might just be my love language.

I don’t always read Madame Bovary, but when I do, I make sure to do it in a well-lit window nook, and key color coordination. Oh wait- except I do read Madame Bovary all the time (what, you don’t?), and usually it is in pjs in bed. Oh well.

In non baby news, I finished chapter 1 of my dissertation and am wading through chapter 2, determined to get it mostly done before a certain interruption comes into our lives in June. Sometimes dissertation research turns into assimilating a series of fascinating, but useless, factoids, like the time I read for half an afternoon on the danger posed by wolves in nineteenth century France. But, in a truly magical moment, I did actually think of a way to tie in my impressive wolf knowledge over the weekend, so I am just giving myself one long pat on the back.

Gimme all that bright green foliage!

Loving right now: Belly bands, scrambled eggs, An Idiot Abroad being back on Netflix, sleeping with the windows open, new sheets from Target, Barre.

Hating: Restrictive clothing, the fact that mosquitoes will soon be back, certain probable outcomes of presidential primaries, bending over, stairs, running (I think I have maybe 2 more weeks of running in me than I am calling it quits).

Ok, enough ramblings for now. Happy Monday all!