There’s been a lot of winter hibernation and snuggling. You may’ve already seen this photo of one of my first two (beagle) children on Instagram. You may’ve also seen photos there from my trip to Alt, which I still want to tell you about, after I share the other things that’ve been happening.
There’ve been some sad days. I’ll admit that sappy posts about passed relatives aren’t always my favorites to read. I don’t like to think about the sadness that isn’t mine when I don’t absolutely have to. I know how selfish that is. But now I better understand why people share them. Because they have to. I have to tell you how special my grandmother Augusta was. In early February Grammy died. She was 94– no young’un, and completely happy with her long, full life– and yet I’m still so sad that she’s gone. More selfishness. I want her here. My greatest cheerleader, she applauded every creative effort I ever made and with crazy enthusiasm.
The last conversation I had with my Grammy is a fantastic memory for me. She was normal Grammy, no sign yet of the respiratory illness she was about to face a few days later. She’d raised three children of her own, and I was able to share that we’re expecting our third in August. “Ooooh, Suuuu-saaaan” she’d said in her delighted, singsong voice. We spoke for a while about the logistics of raising three, and about how I was feeling. I will always treasure the sound of her voice as she laughed, knowing so well what a blessing and challenge my growing family has in store. On our Grammy-celebrating road trip I snapped this evening shadow. Not much of a belly yet.
I have some impressive lists of things I want to do. In my mind, I’m ready to get busy! (My Pinterest boards are about the only things that haven’t suffered over the last 9 weeks!) I’ve just got to wait for my body to be ready to keep up. If and when it eeeever happens, I’ll be back to show you! Thank you for reading this long and eclectic post. It feels like a small victory to be able to come here to write and share. And so nice to know that the kind folks who read our blog are the sort to put up with my occasional rambling.
Sorry to hear about your Grandmother passing. She sounds like a special lady. And congratulations on your baby bump! I’m sure your craftienss will start to creep back in as your morning sickness eases! suz
Thanks! I keep telling myself that aaaany day now I’ll feel halfway normal. Halfway would be reasonable at this point!
Delurking to say bless you. Your words about your Grammy brought me to tears because mine (93 at her passing) died two years ago this month. Your tribute is beautiful as is the legacy she leaves. Thank you for sharing.
I was also pregnant with our third when my grandmother passed. That and all the extra stuff that goes with the third pregnancy made me mushy like you describe, which was uncomfortable for a usually stoic girl like me.
Anyway, I just wanted to give you as much comfort and encouragement as one can . . . you know, with words over the Internet and all that.
Blessings to you and your family!
Oh, thank you for delurking. It’s not even international delurking day. :) Mushy is an excellent word. I’ve cried in front of total strangers. Have never ever ever done that before! Thank you for taking the time to comment. In my present “mushy” state it’s even more appreciated. :)
It’s funny; sometimes it’s easy to hide when you’re “going through stuff” on a blog (if you want), but sometimes it just feels like you need to share it too. Glad you shared all of this – sorry to hear about your grandma, but excited to hear about #3!! Congrats and hope you’re feeling better every day. Oh and two sergers?! What’s up with that? ;)
I feel like such a faker when I blog about crafty stuff when I’m busy thinking about other things. I think that’s why I just couldn’t blog. Well, you know, that and the puking. Thanks for the congrats. And I knooooow, 2 sergers. I really want to uuuuuuse them again! They’re eying me with suspicion.
LOVED this post about LIFE…in all it’s happy and sad aspects. Big congrats on the baby news. Pregnancy nausea is literally the worst ever. I totally know how you feel (mostly felt, yay) and it is one big pool of guilt, self-pity and tiredness – yuck!
We live in Wake Forest – north of Raleigh, NC – and we absolutely love it here (of course I don’t know how northeast NC ;-). So if I can help with anything location wise please feel free to contact me: sewinglikemad@gmail.com
Thanks, Mie. Guilt, self-pity and tiredness. Yes. I’m totally glad I’m pregnant, but it’s kinda hard to be happy when you’re in the big pool. But sooooooon… climbing out. That’s the plan.
This story sounds very familer. Minus the moving and your sewing table is cleared of more than mine. My third is coming August 11th.
Congrats! Hope the familiarity is in the happier parts. :)
LOVED the blog, Susan. So sorry about your grandmother. So glad that you are feeling better. Can’t wait until you’re back in northeast NC. At least you know you’ll have a young helper available to assist with the girls, moving, baby, etc. :) Take care of yourself! Lyree
Thanks, and HOORAY for Beth! Can’t wait!
Susan – Very bummed to hear about your Grammy. Can’t wait to see how the spring unfolds for you and your sweet family.
xoxo,
Jen
Thanks, Jen. We need crafty hangouts between now and June!
Congratulations! Hope you turn the corner on the 1st trimester yucks soon. As Nicole would tell you I have spent several of our sewing nights laying on their couch not being crafty, the joys of pregnancy lol!
Cherish the memories of your Grandmother, sorry for your loss.
If one is not going to feel like sewing, Nicole’s couch is the place to be! :)
Sorry to hear about your Grammy and congrats on the pregnancy! I was super sick with my daughter. The only thing I tried that you didn’t list that may or may not’ve helped is getting foot massages. Oh and finally having the baby many many weeks later.
I’m going to try both of those!
I’m so sorry about your Grammy Susan! She sounds wonderful. Congrats on your new little one!! I hope you’re feeling better soon!
Thanks, Bev!
Wow, you’ve had a lot going on. I’ve never stopped missing my Mema. Sorry. So glad you got to tell her about your one on the way.
So, congrats!! I hope your sickness leaves soon. Morning sickness is one of the most horrid things ever.
Horrid. But over when it’s over, at least that’s MY plan! Thanks, Corinnea!
Blessings to you during this time. So much heartache and unknowns intertwined with such excitement and happiness!
I would love to know about the afghan in the top picture. Did you make it? I LOVE it!
Thank you! I didn’t make it. I rescued it from the linen section of my fave thrift shop. I’m imagining it came from a super hip granny. :)
Congratulations on number 3! We are due with our third in August too. =) I was feeling terribly uncreative for the past few months, but it’s starting to come back! Hoping you feel well enough to make stuff again soon. I can relate to the move too, but ours will be anytime in the next month… and we are just renters so it’s easier in a lot of ways.
Thanks! We are headed toward a rental situation for the next 2-4 years, and I’m sooooo looking forward to it!
My third was 11 this week. I love it but be aware there will be very hard and tiring times ahead…. Just relax and cut yourself a break from perfect and it should be fun.
Sorry to hear about your Grammy. I still miss mine but it’s good that you have such happy memories.
And moving? …. before or after the baby? How many major life stressors can you have in a year?
Moving before baby. I’m not sure which is better. I think I’m glad it’s before. But I’ll ponder it again when I’m packing in week 34 and trying to find the toaster for the following few months.
Oh, I’m so sorry about your grandmother. She sounds (and looks!) like a sweet, wonderful woman. I’m glad you shared her with us! No selfishness at all. :o)
Also, I can totally relate to the first paragraph about not posting…and then fearing posting but also fearing not posting. It’s crazy putting stuff out there for the world to read!
Thanks, Disney. I was so lucky to have had her as my cheerleader for so long. And to still hear her in my head. :)
Congrats congrats! And sorry for your loss. I finally stopped puking at 18 weeks with this one. And then got the most horrid stomach flu. I thought I’d never feel better, but I do. Still so very tired but not feeling so sick makes a world of difference! Here’s hoping you will feel better very soon!
I have been runnnnning from people who cough or sneeze or look green. Knocking on wood, so far have avoided the stuff going around. But geeeeez, it’s not over till it’s over. Have been watching your bump shots on Instagram! I used to think 18 weeks as a nausea endpoint sounded awful. Now I’d take it, just BE OVER, please.
Speaking of Pinterest, I read a funny thing there today that said “congratulations, you two made a human with your genitals!” So yes indeed, you have been crafty. I hope you feel better soon! Accupuncture, sea bands etc did nothing for me either. The blergh will all be worthwhile in the end. Love the photo of your grandparents.
Ha! Thanks! I’ve seen that one too. Reminds me of my wide-eyed stare at EVERY pregnant woman I saw for two solid years after I found out where babies came from. “I know what you’ve been doing….” was all I could think!
Hi Susan and family
Congratulation on your pregnancy. Sorry for your loss. It is so nice, that you got to tell your grandma about expecting your third child before she passed, though.
I am sorry that you feel so sick. I felt the same when I expected my twingirls. I could not even think of going near the kitchen. But one day it will suddendly be over and you will feel great again.
Good luck with everything.
Regards from Switzerland
Barbara
Thank you, Barbara. I’ve had 3 ultrasounds so far and with each one I expected they’d say “twins!” ’cause I felt yucky enough for two. Can’t imagine how sick I’d have been if there WERE two! :)
Sorry about your Granmmy, excited about the baby – I’m due about the same time. On the tiredness bit have you had your vitamin D checked? I was super deficient and have so much more energy – even being pregnant and having 3 others to chase. I even read up a bit and one doctor (who wrote a book about it) says nursing mothers need like 4000 IU a day…email if you want more details and thanks for the great blog!
I’ll ask at the next appt. I remember that I was low before getting pregnant and was taking a supplement. Maybe it’s time to add it back!
Mom of three grown daughters here and even though I absolutely adored being pregnant (doing something miraculous every day) I distinctly remember the exhaustion with number three. Throw in your Grandma’s passing and facing an upcoming move, you and your precious cargo deserve some down time. Hugs!
Thanks, Sally. :)
Another lurker peeking out from the background :) So sorry to hear about your Grammy, but so good that she had the joy of hearing your news. My daughter was so nauseous until she reached 16-17 weeks that seeing her suffering really took the edge off the pleasure. Salty crackers helped a teeny bit and changing the timing of the pre-natal vitamins – but mostly it was just getting past that long first trimester, I’m afraid. But she has a fabulous little girl now and claims it was all worth it. Of course, she’s totally exhausted now :) Just take as much down-time as you can because you really deserve some cosseting right now.
Hi Lurker Annie! Thanks for taking the time to comment. :) I’ll take exhaustion over puking. Cosseting sounds good either way!
I enjoyed reading this post. Just popped over from The Red Kitchen because your comment there was so delightful. Congratulations on being “under construction”! Lucky little one to join such a loving family. So sorry to read about your family’s loss. Your grammy is a beautiful woman. Take care.
I forgot to say how thoroughly delighted I was with the first photo. I just looked at it again and I’m still chuckling. And you have a lovely craft area.
Thanks. She’s always good for a chuckle. :)
Hi ! I never commented on your blog, but today I had to. I lost my own grandmother Augusta some years ago, and she too was a great woman. I don’t know you, and I agree, it’s a little weird, but I feel your sadness and want to send you some thoughts.
Hi Cecile! Thank you. The internet is kind of magically weird in how it makes you want to connect with people you never would have otherwise. And while it’s weird to feel comforted by someone you’ve never met, I genuinely appreciate it.
So sorry to hear about your Grammy – it sounds like she was a wonderful person. Sorry to hear you’ve been sick also but also very happy to hear about bubs – congrats! Don’t worry about non-productiveness – I’m sure it will return. It’s just your body telling you to slow down a little bit – take care!
Thanks, Anne!
Susan, I’m so thrilled to hear about your pregnancy, and I so deeply understand the feelings of frustration, lethargy, will-my-creative-spirit-ever-come-back…girl, it will! It just takes time, and rest, and (although I’m probably the least credible person on earth on this subject) patience. Take care of yourself and that sweet baby! I look forward to hearing more about your move–North Carolina is such a great place to live. Also, I’m so sorry to hear about your Grammy. I know she’s still cheering you on:).
p.s. You may not be a fan of this idea, but I ultimately had to take Zofran for a few weeks during my early second trimester, and it worked wonders. We decided there was really no other way for me to continue functioning as a mom!
Well, I’ve actually had it in my med cabinet waiting… but the one time I’d taken it previously it’d caused *other* problems. Thankfully, I seem to finally be in the clear! Hooooooray! Thank you for the kind words. I’m enjoying reading about your baby and the return (of a tad of) normalcy!)
Uggg. I remember those pukey times like they were yesterday. I think laying low, taking care of yourself and your baby, and letting the girls get crafty on their own might be just the ticket:)
I read a week ago on my phone, and just now am getting here on the comment-able computer.
Sad to hear about your move! We definitely need to have some fun before you leave!
xo
Yes! Must play! E-mailing you back!
I just had # 3 last week. The vitamins made me sick too (along with other things… but they were the worst). Its the iron in them for most people (I was told). Hope that you feel better soon. I know its no fun packing/moving with a newborn hopefully it will be better before. Get lots of help. :)