Just One More?

Something about babies clothing and shoes makes me lust for a new baby. For a moment I explore the thought of just one more. Please notice that I wrote 'for a moment?' I really am one that can clearly see my limits, and my need for balance and I feel very satisfied (also thrilled, grateful, and over-the-moon) with the family that Billy and I have made with Annie, our family and dear friends.
Just this week our friend Alison has grown her family for the second time through open adoption! Baby Isobel was lovingly placed in her arms by her birthmother Moriah who is also the birthmother of Olivia who is almost five. Alison and I both were dreaming about open adoption around the same time so we share a strong connection around this special way of growing our families. These booties are for Isobel who I will see tomorrow for the first time. She will be six days old tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Isobel!

Similar Portraits

I snapped a few self portraits in the dark the other night after dinner and I thought they turned out interesting. Then this morning I sifted thorough some of Annie's most recent self portraits, almost 1800 portraits now, and found a very similar series that she had done in the dark recently as well. Now we just need Billy to do some.
I'm posting these now for lack of any other news...
Like keys...

Maybe Tuesday.

@#*?!@#*?!

I've been holding out and trying to bite my tongue, until we got the keys to vent about how awful our home buying process has been. It has been horrible. It has sucked.

I've really just about had it.

And according to our agent Angela and loan expert Jeannie, it's nothing we've done or haven't done. All parties agree it's the U.S mortgage crisis that's putting stress on every aspect of the process. We went into this purchase pre-approved but were dropped once escrow got underway because the industry changed, then changed again, then changed back, and all the time the escrow clock was ticking... Securing a loan is very tricky even with perfect credit, a very good income, having cash for 10% down payment plus close to $15,000 for the closing costs. Agggghh! Now we're in the final stretch and still we're being put through the ringer! Are we moving in three weeks or not? Put me out of my misery, please! I have one nerve left and it is very fragile. To help keep calm I've been embroidering some baby booties for the newly arrived baby Isobel in Santa Cruz and packing, packing, packing.

The Fox And The Child Trailer - In UK Cinemas 8th August

Annie and I can't wait to go and see this movie! It is to be released sometime in 2008 and it's by the same people who made "The March of the Penguins."

I'll Take Wimsy

I stumbled onto the site of Johanna Murphy purely by accident, and every time I peek at her illustrations they warm my heart and tickle my funny bone. And I will say, after being in escrow for going on six weeks, my funny bone needs a little tickling. I don't want to gallop ahead of the whole process and say "we got it" until I've got the keys in my hands. Although I will say "we're really close!"

So close I've started to pack.

Bird Bath

Annie has made me this bird bath at her ceramic studio. I LOVE IT! I think it's one of the best gifts I've ever gotten. It has three birds that sit around the edge with little metal posts that fit into small holes on the rim. One bird is still being fired. Annie pictures it used in the aviary, and I don't want to risk it leaving the safety of the house. For now, it's on the living room table.

As far as the new house goes...we're still on pins and needles. Hopefully we'll know by this weekend! I'll post my celebration or my mourning as soon as I know.

I Know We are Beautful

I love this sweet glimpse of care and compassion. Jiang Xiaojuan, a police officer in China, is shown nursing hungry babies after the quake. It reminds me of Rose of Sharon. Do you remember her from John Steinbecks' Grapes of Wrath? Starving along with so many others in the dustbowl, Rose of Sharon's baby comes still born. And yet, through her pain, she offers her milk to a man so close to dying he could barely move.

Ma smiled. "I knowed you would. I knowed!"...

She moved slowly to the corner and stood looking down at the wasted face, into the wide, frightened eyes. Then slowly she lay down beside him. She shook his head slowly from side to side. Rose of Sharon loosened one side of the blanket and bared her breast. "You got to," she said. She squirmed closer and pulled his head close. "There!' she said. "There." Her hand moved behind his head and supported it. Her fingers moved gently in his hair. She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously.

What surprises me about this bit of news from China is that it is being made such a big deal of. Are we that out of touch with our caring that it is a massive news item when someone that is hungry and scared gets fed and comforted?

I'd like to live in a world where we are stunned and put it on the front page when people don't.