We're doin' fine.

Hello! Wow, thanks for all the congratulations! It has been a wonderful week.

There is nothing so wonderful as having a newborn: I am intoxicated by her smell, her floppy body that I can hold in one hand and her "meow's" and "coo's" and "squeaks." I am in love! We are adjusting fine, and let me tell you....my body is sure happy too! I have sexy ankles again. Well, ok. They sure seem skinny and wonderful after the 9 months I just went through. Anything is sexy after that!

I promise this blog isn't going to turn into a "look how cute my baby is" blog. I promise. But real quick: look how cute my baby is!

Thanks again for all your sweet emails and messages. Parenthood is wonderful, and has been just the reminder we have needed of what is most important and worth living for. Motherhood is bliss. It really is. My children are in love with their new sister which was apparent upon arriving from the hospital when Addie immediately gave her new sister her pillow, blankie and her favorite doll. "Sisters share, Mom. That is just what they do." These are precious moments.

I'll be back with updates on the shop and when I plan to reopen. We'll be ready soon!

Miracle of Miracles.

(Baby Ella Jane, 4 hours old)

She's here!!!!

Baby Ella Jane came first thing Monday morning, and I am completely in love with our bundle of heaven. She is perfect in every way with chubby cheeks, the most kissable mouth, the most elegant fingers (complete with fingernails as you can see by her left cheek:) and the sweetest "meows" and "coos" that melt me like honey. Our children' are in love with her too, and I guess you could say we're in heaven and already can't imagine life without our Ella.

We are doing very well, and look forward to the adjustment to 3 children to play with. So far, so good! Motherhood is bliss.

Thanks again for all your wonderful thoughts, emails and well wishes!

Off to nibble and kiss and snuggle, and maybe throw a needed cat nap in....

xo

A very happy Sarah Jane

still here.

I wish this were me....out shopping keeping up with my other two littles. My belly is that big...but I sure feel a lot less mobile! No sign of her coming yet, which is so ironic to me since I have been dealing with signs of her coming for 6 weeks now. Oh well...more ice cream and pickles for me!

35 weeks+

Oh these are the days of swollen legs, swollen belly, swollen face, swollen everything! How is it that I can be so uncomfortable, yet love how I feel all at the same time? Today we saw a hot air balloon sailing through the summer sky, and I could completely relate.

Now that the shop is closed, we are getting everything ready! I found some new swaddling blankets today, and we have moved the cradle into the bedroom. It is all becoming real now.

Baby girl is coming soon!

Keep checking back for updates....

xo

sarah j.

The simple joys found.

Oh hello. It feels really good to be back. You may have not noticed an absence, but I have been nearly a month without reliable internet. I have been having to go to my grandmother's to email, run the ETSY shop and make the occasional blog post. Granted, she only lives next door, but it did take a bit of planning.

Besides the fact that I was (am still) incredibly behind on emails, and have made a few mistakes with getting orders straight, I learned more than I had expected to! Life without internet is tricky when you work from home, but oh....it was a much needed break!

Lessons from a wireless-less home:

*Life is too full of wonder to think more wonder lies behind a screen.

* Emails can be attacked once a day rather than paying attention to the constant nagging of the "What-if-they-emailed-me-back" syndrome.

* Communication is a lot easier online. But much nicer on the phone.

* My children noticed a renewed focus on them. They can't say it, but they are much happier when I am not dedicating a portion of my mind to the distractions online.

*My business can do fine without my constant attention. Checking in Twice a day is just fine.

* Finding resources in books had become second to google. What a treasure to let go of Google searches and go to the library or bookshelf instead.

* Staying organized in Google Docs is only good if you have the internet. Paper lists became my support, and it felt good to sharpen more pencils.

* My home is beautiful and wonderful and I don't need it to look like a post from Apartment Therapy to feel cozy and safe and inspiring.

* Life is full of simple joys that can be forgotten when there are too many distractions around you.

But with all the lessons learned, WOW I am glad to have my missing arm back. It is just good to know now that moderation is everything. I can't wait to be blogging again, and posting more pics. It feels good to be back.

This time of year is so magical for me. Watching my kids play in the yard all day and experiencing an earth that is growing every day. I can't even get decent pictures of Ian because he becomes so transformed in his outdoor world I can't keep up with him! (The extra 35 pounds on my body has something to do with that too though!)

And in case any of you are wondering who made that darling green dress, it sure wasn't me. Cally has made me a few things over the past year or two, and I can't say enough about her incredible talents. Check out her blog here for more sewing awesomeness.

See you soon, and happy weekend!

xo

sarah j.

A new mother.

Above my studio room, in the eaves of the roof, a nest was built. And day in and day out, I have heard the flapping wings of the Mama bird come in and out, working hard on building that nest. And then this morning, in the new light of Mother's Day, there was this incessant chirping above the ceiling from what seemed like a nest full of baby birds. Addie and I went out to check, and sure enough, that hard working black bird became a mother today. We sat on a quilted blanket under the tree and watched that mama bird fly off and catch a worm, and then fly back to her nest with chirpy, hungry babies waiting inside. She would fly off again, and 4 minutes later be back with another worm. We watched for over an hour and a half while this new Mama diligently fed her new babies...in and out of the nest, never resting. Me, with my huge belly and baby kicking; addie with her 4-year old motherly tendancies; and this new black bird mother....all enjoying a springtime mother's day. It was so magical and slendid! Besides the incredible dinner, and three hour nap I got, it was the best mother's day present to see new birth and a new mother in the nest above my studio window. Motherhood is magical! Happy mother's day to all!

Beehive Bazaar.

Hello! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Thanks for all your sweet compliments on my belly. Sometimes it amazes me that my baby is 30 weeks big. She is quite the character, and I am already getting a sense of her personality. It amazes me.

I wanted to give you a heads up for all you UTAH people out there. I am going to be a vendor at the Beehive Bazaar in 2 weeks and I can't be more excited. I am more excited to do my own shopping and window shopping. It is BY FAR one of the BEST events in Utah all year. It is out of control awesome. Art, Aprons, books, stationery, clothing, accessories, food...all handmade indie designs from The Beehive State. Very hip and very yummy. Mark your calendars. Website here.

Wising you all a great monday. Spring is finally here for us, and we are spending most of our days outside. Life is good.

**And again...my internet was down most of last week, so if you are waiting to hear from me via email, I'll be getting to you soon!**

BIG is beautiful.

Justin Hackworth did a photo shoot with Addie and I yesterday for his 30 Strangers project. He is a brilliant photographer with a very documentary look and I am so honored I could be part of his project! You can see and read more here:

This is (believe it or not) the first time I have let myself get infront of a camera for most of my pregnancy. BIG is beautiful I keep telling myself! Something about this time around has made me feel more awkward and more full than ever before, but 30 weeks is close enough to 40 that I am willing to keep on going!

Visit his blog post today toread more of his post. Justin is SO talented, and if you are ever in the Provo Utah area....give him a ring. Thanks Justin!