Author: Lynzie

A LITTLE PROJECT

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One thing I’ve never been good at is taking pictures. I’ve attempted to teach myself photography on more than one occasion but really I just haven’t been committed enough to the process and so my photos never seem to get any better.

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My mister says that if I want to take better photos I have to take more photos and so yesterday, I did. With the fancy camera in my hand, we set out for a little walk through the neighborhood.

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Oh, this neighborhood. Beautiful homes on beautiful streets, and lots of families with kids. Emet and Jade are especially happy about the fact that friends from school live just a few doors away, a most serendipitous coincidence that has provided many a playdate, not to mention a pretty sweet carpool situation. Thanks, Kacey!

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I’m a sucker for finding the beauty in the everyday, it’s a practice that helps me to stay balanced. I often ask myself why I don’t just try to capture these things on camera, and really the answer is because I’m lazy.

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But, lo! I have been inspired by yesterday’s adventure and the images that resulted from my being brave enough to just give it a go. Honestly, most were pretty bad, but still. You gotta start somewhere, am I right?

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What I’m trying to say is that I’m going to teach myself how to shoot decent photographs, so I don’t constantly have to ask this handsome guy to do it for me.

IN A NUTSHELL

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First of all, did you know that pecans are pink? So fancy! I spotted these pretties at Sprouts last week, and now I want some to decorate with for Thanksgiving.

We’re nearly 24 weeks into this pregnancy, and so much has transpired for our little family since learning of the baby that it’s hard for me to know where to begin.

We moved, but that probably doesn’t surprise anybody. We move a lot. But this time, there was intention. We wanted a house with space enough for a new addition, and at least one more bathroom. We’d hoped to end up in a more family-friendly neighborhood, perhaps one within walking distance to something cool. And hey, if we didn’t win the rental lottery with the place we found, then I don’t know what.

Our new house is a quirky little gem, which actually isn’t all that little. Nestled in the winding hills overlooking Downtown San Diego, it’s a spacious split-level straight from the 1960s and nearly everything is still in its original condition, including the contact paper in the cupboards. Rather special, this place.

Regardless, moving is hard. I’m particularly bad at it, in fact, which is quite funny since I do it so damn often. But this one really got to me, and I’ll spare you the details but it wasn’t pretty. We’ve been in our house nearly two months, and although we aren’t anywhere near settled, we’ve come a long way. There is even a dedicated space for the littlest one, even though there aren’t any things to put there. Yet.

We also gained a housemate in the form of one Jesse Miller, my dear ex-husband and father to Emet and Jade. He’s been here just over a month, and what I can say for certain is that there is nothing that makes those two kids happy quite like having all of us under one roof.

With less than four months until the due date, I’m finally feeling as normal as possible because let’s face it, growing a human isn’t exactly comfortable. But it is exciting! I have lots of plans for our home and for our family as we continue to prepare to welcome our newest member, and lots of thoughts that I hope to share here.

Unexpectedly expecting my third child remains an incredible lesson in surrender and acceptance. And gratitude. I am truly blessed, and even though I may struggle in this way or that, ultimately my heart is filled with joy and peace.

Plus, I’m so thrilled for the Holidays I can hardly stand it.

BUMPS IN THE NIGHT

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Nineteen Week Belly Shot, 10/22/13

I think it’s starting to sink in. We’re having a baby! And we’re almost halfway there!

I wish I could say that I was feeling better, but the truth is that I still struggle from day to day. I haven’t been writing much of anything lately, and the thought of stringing together coherent sentences in an attempt to capture the poignancy of this time in my life is overwhelming. Making it through the day with all of my responsibilities tended to is about all I can handle.

Yet I can’t help but feel an incredible urge to preserve these moments as best I can, to somehow make them tangible. They are so very fleeting. And they are precious, even if they are trying.

The baby has been moving a lot recently, and I’m so grateful. Feeling those kicks and flutters somehow makes up for the fact that it’s almost three in the morning and I’m awake because I had to throw up. Again.

Before long, I’ll be up at three in the morning again, and not because of an upset stomach. Instead, I’ll have a tiny baby to care for.

I can’t wait.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT

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Expect the unexpected, that’s what I always say. Which doesn’t exactly mean that I was prepared for the surprise our family received this summer.

Indeed, just one day after we celebrated Emet’s tenth birthday, we learned that a new member of our family will be joining us this spring.

My sweet mister and I are having a baby and we couldn’t be more excited!

I’m 17 weeks pregnant, and still fighting a daily battle with nausea. It got the best of me for a few months, and I blame my absence from this dear little blog on the fact that it’s been twelve consecutive weeks of waking up in the middle of the night to vomit. Yeah, baby.

Last week, our midwife proclaimed both the baby and I in excellent health. We were able to capture the sound of the baby’s heartbeat, which has been on constant repeat for the past several days.

The sweetest.

Welcome to the family, Baby Baker! We can’t wait to meet you!

THIS + THAT

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So, I’ve been feeling a little under the weather. All the excitement of last month finally caught up with me, and I’ve been in bed since Sunday recovering.

Not all is lost!

For my birthday, my sweet mister gave me the kitchen appliance I have been coveting for the longest time, and many a chocolate milkshake have I eaten as a result. And a few orange creamsicles, too.

Here’s a tip: Topo Chico is the sparkliest of all sparkling waters and oh so refreshing. So yes, I’m starting to feel better, thank you.

Our little family watched this short documentary about one of our favorite bands last night. We were lucky enough to see them at Coachella before they officially started their tour and it was pretty amazing hearing those songs that I’ve loved for years finally played live.

And now it’s August!

SHAKEY GRAVES

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A while back, my mister and I discovered an Austin, TX based musician called Shakey Graves. It was love at first listen. Last year, while in Austin for a wedding, we got to see him play at Stubb’s and it was just perfect.

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Tonight, he’s playing at Soda Bar here in San Diego, which means I got me a hot date with my love!

shakeygraves.com // @shakeygraves

LINKS + LESSONS // 05 – BIRTHDAY EDITION

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Today took my breath away, from beginning to end. The whole week, really. It’s been a pretty special time of celebration and reflection; I’m feeling very doted upon and very, very lucky.

My magical friend Jessica gave me a cake. A cake! I haven’t had a birthday cake with candles since before Jade was born. Jessica brought the cake to a restaurant, and everyone sang and then cheered when I blew out my candles. I will never forget that moment for as long as I live, it was that special.

And she caught it on camera!

It’s enough to make any birthday heart burst, and mine has a million times over.

Today is also special because it marks the conclusion of my thirty day writing challenge. Phew! As such, I have decided to link to a few of my favorite posts from the past month:

The one about Emet’s birth. And mine too, really.

The first LINKS + LESSONS post.

That one time I posted an actual recipe!

My thoughts on Independence Day. Plus a video essay from Bill Moyers!

This one was posted on my lovely friend Kate’s blog, which I wrote about here.

I started this particular project with the specific intention of rediscovering my inherent happiness. I’d say it was a smashing success. The Power of Intention, indeed.

GOODNIGHT, THIRTY

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What a wild ride this thirtieth year of mine has been. I have been blessed in the most unexpected and marvelous ways. I have been challenged, and I have grown.

I am happy.

My wish for this year was to find peace, and boy did it ever come true. Even in my most audacious dreams, I could not have imagined a more fulfilling way to enter into this next decade of my life. I am humbled by the way the Universe has conspired in my favor, simply because I trusted that it would.

I can’t wait for what lies ahead. Bring it on, 31!

A NEW PRACTICE

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pardon the poor image quality, but this is one of my all-time favorite shots

I have rebellious chi, is what I learned from my very first acupuncture appointment.

You see, my next door neighbor is the greatest, and when he found out that I wasn’t feeling so well, he insisted that I see his acupuncturist. Being the no-nonsense kind of guy that he is, I was surprised by his enthusiasm for alternative medicine, and I took his recommendation to heart.

I think I told the good doctor that I was nervous at least a half-dozen times during our initial consultation. Needles aren’t really my thing. Except tattoo needles, but that is an entirely different subject.

As it turns out, acupuncture is exactly what I thought: little needles and being still. What I wasn’t expecting, though, was the almost immediate sense of relaxation that resulted. I’ll admit that I have a long way to go before I’m able to fully surrender to the experience – I talked myself out of ringing the bell to call for assistance on three occasions – and I only feel slightly foolish for allowing a silly thing like fear keep me from something that is truly beneficial in maintaining equilibrium.

Today was the first time in over two weeks that I didn’t taken a nap. Not that I didn’t want to take a nap, napping happens to be one of my signature talents, but that I didn’t need to take a nap. A small miracle, I say.

My assignment for the week is to spend more time meditating, in an effort to harness my individual energy.

And by “spend more time” of course I mean “start”.

PROJECT 30

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My beautiful and brilliant friend Kate writes 365 til 30, a blog based on bringing dreams to life, where she gracefully and humbly shares her journey to becoming her truest self. She is one of the best ladies that I know, and I’m so glad to call her my friend.

Today, I had the honor of being interviewed for a series she created called Project 30. I credit her provocative questionnaire with being something that really got me thinking about what I would like out of this next decade of my life, and also helped to put the last decade – and the last few years – into perspective. In fact, it was months ago that she sent it over, and it was the perfect catalyst to get me writing again. In a lot of ways, I owe her gentle persistence a great deal of thanks. She had a huge part in helping me to find the inspiration I had been missing.

After I shared Emet’s birth story last week, Kate texted me with some of the most thoughtful and encouraging words, and asked (again) if I would share my answers with her and her readers. Maybe it has to do with the fact that my birthday is on Friday, but something about the timing felt utterly serendipitous.

Thank you so much for having me, Kate! And for being patient with me. I’m so proud of all that you have accomplished these last two years, and I’m thrilled for this next adventure in your life. You inspire me with your honesty and your determination, and I’m grateful for our friendship. Love love love you!