Rowan's First Days in Pictures

Passing on Moments

I'm in what you would call a season of resting and waiting. At 39 weeks, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our beautiful baby. While conversations used to consist of weekend plans, drama at work, trips we wanted to take and who to meet up with for dinner, they've shifted almost completely to this precious one being knitted together within me. What features of ours will she have? Will she love pets and books and traveling and meeting new faces? Will she be brave and confident and kind and generous? Will she be eager and open-minded and full of grace?

And then all of these questions lead us then to the even bigger questions. Have we created this type of atmosphere between us? Have we created a safe place for her to grow and ask questions and make mistakes? Do we demonstrate kindness and character and forgiveness and grace in ourselves? Do we love unconditionally? Are we slow to anger?

At the end of the day, you don't start working on the atmosphere your children will be raised in when they set foot on this earth. That atmosphere starts being cultivated in your family, and through the relationships that you choose to build over the years. And then continues on in the first days of dating, your engagement, then on through the first weeks and months of marriage. This cultivation is a task that takes years of practice, and at this point I can only hope that we've forged through tough enough waters, having come out stronger and more loving on the other side. That we've forgiven and shown grace so many times that that has become our default. That our words are more kind and less harsh, more sincere, less annoyed.

In this period of waiting, I find myself revisiting big life lessons that I've learned over the years. Taking inventory of the memories etched in my mind, the hard moments, the nights where I felt full of life and joy, the days spent traveling and being challenged to think bigger than myself. How can I hold those precious life moments that, when accumulated, make up everything that I am? And not only treasure those moments for myself, but share those intimate places with my children and spur them on to seek and to live out their own moments?

I don't know the answer to any of these questions, and it will be years before I do, if ever. But I do know that this precious daughter of ours will be fearlessly loved, sacrificed for, carried through hard moments, inspired to dream bigger, and be woven into a family tapestry that is more vibrant and colorful than she can imagine.

Sweet baby, we are so ready to meet you. Come join us soon.

Creative Expressions

I've found that I'm developing a mild obsession with all things handwritten and colorful. But with custom work at every turn on the internet, how can you not want more unique, hand-crafted touches in your life? 

This etsy shop was featured on Young House Love over a year ago, and I have been admiring all of silvertreeart's work since that day. With a new babe on the way, I finally splurged and picked a couple of fun prints for the nursery/bathroom. I'm semi-obsessed. 

And to make matters worse, this girl just posted some amazing stationary that is to die for. It is a little bit outside my price range, but man, it is stunning. If I could order it all, I would. Or if I could just write like her, or make custom cards like her...or just be crazy cool like her, then I'd like all that too.

Let's all just make a pact to write more hand-written notes so that we can hoard some of these beautiful stationary pieces for ourselves. Deal?

Deal.

April Showers Bring May Babies

This month has been full of baby celebrations, and I have loved every minute. I think until we started to get gifts here and there, I didn't feel like any of this was real. With my stomach being the size that it is, I'm not sure when I expected that 'realness' to kick in, but alas, it did. I don't know that I've ever felt so loved and humbled with how gracious and supportive everyone has been for us. No thank you note, text, hug, or gift seems adequate enough to express my gratitude. I love you all tremendously.

This first picture is from a shower hosted by some of my best girlfriends. I hate that I didn't snag more pictures throughout the day, but I loved that I was so fully present and just soaked it all in. Sometimes that is way better. ;) The food was amazing, the decor was beautiful, and being encouraged and loved on by so many women who have been significant in my life over the last few years was priceless. 

Some of you will remember that back in September, I went to Kenya for a medical mission trip with these beauties:

This trip was so incredibly significant for me, as I felt like I finally saw the fruit of all the counseling I'd been going through, and more fully stepped into who I was created to be. And what was so powerful was that I was actually pregnant on this trip, and had no idea. But it seemed significant that I feel truly free and full before transitioning into those next 9 months. Months that would require lots of resolve, courage, selflessness, and humility. 

This past weekend, our group gathered together to enjoy each other in the mountains, and to take a little bit of time to celebrate Baby West. It was nothing short of amazing, and I left being filled up in hundreds of ways that I'd never expect. 

On the night of the baby shower, everything was centered around the concept of a 'Blessingway' which is an old Navajo ceremony which celebrates a woman's passage into motherhood. The focus is on loving and nurturing the mother, and 'filling her cup' so that she has more love to pour out. 

The first thing that happened was the girls made me a crown of flowers, and had me walk through this tunnel. Each had been praying for a specific word to speak over me as I walked through this next transition in my life. 

Another thing that they did was they each wrote out specific words or prayers or encouragement for me on these pieces of paper, creating a banner that could be hung in the baby's room. Each of them went around and shared what they wrote, and why they wanted to encourage me in that specific way. The picture below is what the finished product looked like. 

Another thing they did was they each gave me a bead, symbolizing what they were praying for me throughout this next season. The hope was that I'd have this strand of unique beads to keep with me as a reminder of their love of me, and all the prayers they are praying for our precious daughter. 

Morning sunrise and coffee overlooking the mountains. 

If you have been a part of any of these celebrations in any way, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. They've all been so encouraging and powerful to me, and I truly can't thank you enough. No flower, note, card, gift, or bead has gone unnoticed, and these keepsakes will be with us for many years to come. 

Nursery Inspiration + This Week's Recipes

Nurseries can be tough to design and decorate because (in theory), you might use it for more than one child. My hope for ours was that the walls and furniture be mostly neutral, but the art, pictures, shelves and bedding be fun and feminine. 

This room was my inspiration:

Mainly because I liked the neutrality of it, but it was still bright and fun, but also soothing. We also have a dark crib and white shelves, so it is hard to feel like everything is cohesive. 

Once we painted the walls dark grey, and got the furniture in its final-ish destination, I added these three prints above the crib:

This is pre-bedding (with terrible lighting), but you get the gist. ;)

Two prints for another wall that I've ordered:

Two candles I bought for decoration, a wooden letter, and drawer pulls for a little turquoise side table:

I'll show pictures once everything is completed, but this is a start for now!

And now for my anti-nesting hobby: cooking. Most people clean and organize, I have been cooking instead. Probably because cleaning and organizing is A. Not fun and B. I don't want to do it. 

Caprese Salad:

Tzatziki Sauce:

1 cucumber chopped in the food processor (then dried with a paper towel)

1 cup full fat Greek yogurt

Juice of half a lemon

Swirl of olive oil

1 tsp white wine vinegar

Salt, pepper, garlic and dill to taste

Mix with a fork or whisk. 

Grilled Chili-Lime Fish Tacos with Mango Avocado Slaw:

Watermelon Lime Slushy

Inspired by this recipe, but here is what I did:

2 cups of watermelon

1 cup ginger beer

Handful of ice

Juice from 2 limes

1 scoop mango sorbet

Blend!

Strawberry Tarts:

*I used strawberrys and blueberry bourbon jam (because I don't actually know what rhubarb is or how to use it)

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee:

Blueberry Crisp (not pictured because it got eaten too quickly)

*This is sugar free and FABULOUS. 

*     *     *     *      *

So there you have it, a week of recipes and glimpses into Baby West's nursery. Or maybe you could call this a week full of distractions, which is a tad more accurate. Happy cooking! 

Our First Baby Shower

Since I promised most subsequent blog posts would be more positive, this is my first attempt. You're welcome. 

Two weeks ago, my mom and Patrick's mom threw us a beautiful baby shower. We got incredible gifts, and I'm continually reminded of how many amazing friends we have. This babe is one lucky girl! Can't wait to introduce her to everyone. I can already tell you'll love her.

This last picture on the bottom right is of some headbands Jacquelyn sent us. They are as cute as can be, and I definitely recommend you check out this creative gal's shop!

All other photos (except for the obviously iPhoned ones) are courtesy of my talented brother, Walter Hall. Check out his other work here. 

Big love from the Wests!

xoxo

Griping + Rejoicing

This is one of those posts where I wish we were sitting across from each other at a coffee shop, or maybe on one of our couches. In fact, a bar might even be the better choice, as the loud noise would ensure that you wouldn't catch all that I'm saying. Thus reigning in your judgement a hair more than if you could hear me loud and clear. That might make this feel a little less dramatic, and maybe a little bit more endearing. Okay, well, that might be a stretch. 

The good news is that I'm hangin' in there. And by 'hangin' in there' I mean I am compulsively online shopping, switching out yoga for pj pants, and then going back to yoga pants. I have bought more doughnuts and Nutella in the last few weeks than in all of the years of my life combined. Patrick has had several long out-of-town work trips, which has left me to be the sole support for our dog and cat. Read: feeding and pottying in the early mornings and late nights, and offering general emotional stability for them while one of our pack is gone. Sidenote: pregnancy is not a time to be counted on to be emotionally supportive, not even for your pets. Hoping I pull it together in this area for the sake of child #2.

Yesterday I went to TJ Maxx, and found myself scowling at those who walked by. Normally I'd smile, say hello, and maybe even an 'Excuse me.' But I'm too cranky tired, and the other shoppers were moving so slowly that my 'quick' errand was turning into an endless excursion of weaving around retired women and waiting for them to make room for me on the aisle. So much so that I had to sit down on a couch halfway through my trip to rest. Mind you, I was only looking for a lamp. 

In other news, I attempted to paint my toenails last week, which was a mild success. But now the polish is chipping and I can't reach my toes to touch it up. Sorry, mom. (This is a cardinal sin in my family). 

Earlier this week I thought it'd be a good idea to do some arm weights. But then I got out of breath cutting up a cucumber, so there went that idea. Points for good intentions? 

But in all fairness, I have had some incredible support around me for the last 8 months (yes, I'm in the EIGHTH month). My mother-in-law has gone above and beyond and handled a few returns, washed baby clothes and blankets, and helped me organize them in the nursery. Patrick has graciously helped clean the house, or given me time to sit down mid-walk, or sent me to take a nap while we're in the middle of a project. My co-workers are dreamy, and are consistently checking in on me, encouraging me, and cheering me on towards the finish line. I'm in a group text with two friends and they've helped keep me sane and outwardly positive in the last few weeks. (Inward positivity at this point is a lot to ask). 

And I am also getting more excited as the day to meet this precious little one draws closer. I don't know that I've felt truly excited until this week. Maybe because we had a shower and I could start putting her room together. Hanging pictures on the wall, organizing books, folding her clothes, etc. Those little projects have helped me move from 'scared shitless' into genuinely thrilled and anxious to meet her. To see her face, hold her hands, tell her how much we love her and talk about her. Tell her about all the friends that have prayed for her for so long, and that to us she is such a sweet miracle. To show her the place we created for her in our home, to introduce her to Bailey and Lucy and tell her how well they'll help take care of her. 

All these little things have starting compounding in my heart over the last few days, and although I am getting more physically uncomfortable by the minute, I already feel like my heart is starting to 'get it.' And in some ways, there is something beautiful in the fact that women do the growing, laboring, delivery, nursing, etc. I can't forget about her, she's strapped to my stomach. She's with me everywhere and is already such a big part of me. Physically and emotionally and spiritually. Despite my griping, I've been entrusted with this grand task of bringing this child into the world. And that's big. And I'm so blessed to co-labor with heaven on this one. 

So thanks for listening to my complaining and negativity, if you even made it this far. If you did, plus one Thin Mint. I promise to make subsequent posts more positive and engaging. And show you pictures of the nursery, and some of my favorite gifts that have been given to us and Baby West. You guys are awesome, and have made this whole process hilarious and honest, yet joyful and grand. And I love you dearly for that.