Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Slowly re-emerging

Hello, hello friends!
Autumn Walk

Wow, I don't think I've ever been this long without blogging. The past few months have been so, so full. What can I say? Work + baby starting at daycare + many sleepless nights + did I mention work? It's been CRAZY - as it always is in autumn, but so much more this year.

Things are slowly, oh so slowly, starting to adjust to a somewhat less hectic rhythm. Sleep is still a very scarce commodity these days, as my little one has not really been able to sleep for long stretches ever since I went to the hospital; she needs to make sure that I'm still here when she wakes up. However, after a challenging first month, daycare is now going superbly - we have a wonderful nanny who is all for attached parenting, so the transition has been as smooth as possible, and I know my baby is having a great time there; I treasure my job and feel miraculously good at it, despite the accumulated exhaustion over the past few months; we are all so very much enjoying our life as a family; my daughter is just the happiest, giggliest baby ever.

We even managed a long walk on Sunday - and I felt fit enough to babywear my over 8-kilo (Google tells me that's 17 lbs and 11 oz) baby for a whole 3-hour walk.
Babywearing - we love it :)
You may remember we don't have a car, and we babywear pretty much everywhere we go.

That is all very well, but has she been making things, I hear you wonder. I have - it is but a fraction of what I used to churn out pre-baby and pre-illness, but my hands haven't been idle all this time.

I haven't been very inspired to sew for myself these past months. The thing is, the clothes that inspire me right now are not nursing or pumping-friendly, so I'm not that into sewing for me.
I did make a nursing dress back in the spring, that I still very much enjoy wearing. But that's about it.
Nursing Dress... in action!
This picture is from May, and no, I don't have a beauty shot of this dress yet!
I used the Perfect Nursing Top pattern, and I'll try and write up an article about it soon (and take better pictures!).

I've mostly been making (surprise!) stuff for my daughter, and I'll be devoting the next few posts to that.
Here's the latest - a hat for those colder mornings we've been having. Again, no beauty shot, but that may come soon, and this picture was too fun to pass up. :)
Baby Hat with a Touch of Lace
I also made the play mat she's on. Ha! Another post I may write some time. :)

Oh, and these crazy pants!
Crazy Pants!

That's it for today! I know I have a long overdue giveaway to take care of - all in due time... For now, I wish you all a wonderful turn of the season. If you're still reading this - thank you so much for not giving up on me!! Thanks to all of you who left good wishes. They were thoroughly appreciated.

48 comments:

June said...

You're looking well, Isabelle! So glad to see you up and about in the blogging world again. Sweet kisses for your munchkin! :)

Summerset said...

Glad you're doing well! You and Isabelle look healthy and happy - something I sure you're thankful for!

barbara said...

Great to hear from you! Love the baby shots - she's as pretty as her mama!

Jennifer said...

So good to see you back. You look wonderful!! I hope all health issues are in the past and I will be able to enjoy your blog once again. The hand-made baby items are adorable (as is the sweet baby herself!) And P'tite Mignonne...will we see a bit of her again soon?

livin4fishin said...

so glad you're feeling better. love seeing all the pics! so happy you're back!

Mimi Jackson said...

So happy to see you/hear from you here! You look wonderful, and the baby is just beautiful!

Sigrid said...

Good to hear from you and seeing those lovely pictures. So glad you're doing well.

Katrina said...

Hi Isabelle, nice to see you! What lovely photos of yourself and your precious little girl - she's beautiful. Best wishes x

Heather M said...

So pleased to see you and your daughter looking so well, and how good it is to see you blogging.

marysews said...

I'm glad you're back. I enjoy these happy pictures!

Sharon said...

So nice to see you post! You and the baby look great. So glad to that things are back on the upswing for you!

DebbieSFL said...

You look wonderful and what a gorgeous little girl!! Glad you are healthy and things are well.

Margaret said...

I am overjoyed for you, Isabelle, for you and your wonderful family! I am so happy you are feeling better and able to enjoy work and family times. Hugs. :)

Jali said...

So happy to see you well and posting again, Isabelle. Wishing you and your family good health always.

Wouldn't mind seeing any new projects from you really, small or large:). They always inspire.

Rebecca said...

oh where to start!? im afraid my comment will be as long as your post lol!
ok, the title with petite mignonne's pic that pops up from your ravatar is too funny!
i'm sorry you're so tired but i guess that just comes withthe territory. the fact that youare so hapy with your job and your new family life makes it worth it. im so happy to hear you say how good you feel about the work you do. that's what i aspire to but am far from ... maybe one day.
as for day care im so glad you found someoneyou feel good with. and you're right that your little cutie-patootie must feel totally secure with her care-giver and with her family life as she is absolutely a giggly girl in all those shots - she is just about the cutest thing ever!!! i love the pics of her and the ones of you as well. i love how her sweet little self just makes this adorable little bundle of pure trust and bliss on your back! and your nursing dress is reallyreallyawesome! cute and absolutely discreet! i could go on and on - i really miss you and seeing these pics and reading your post make me feel so happy for you. lots of love

Anonymous said...

Lovely to see you and your sweet baby. You are both beautiful!
SheriNJ

AECDesigns said...

Welcome back to Blogland! :)
Glad to see you ALL are doing so well!

grandmastatus said...

It is great to hear from you. You and your baby are looking so sweet and healthy on your walk &heart;

sophie o. said...

welcome back! it's great to hear you and your family are well!

KayB said...

glad to see you back. You're looking great, despite the arrant lack of sleep. looking forward 'seeing' more of you!

Vicki said...

Hi Isabelle, nice photo! Glad to hear from you and to hear you are all so happy.

Anne said...

Beautiful baby! I wouldn't get anything done at all because I'd be gazing into that baby's face all day! You look great, too. I am glad to hear that you're feeling better.

I peeked at the photos in your Flickr album. Love the ribbon quilt. What a wonderful idea. By the way, your baby's floral-print pants are quite stylish! I heard a style expert say this morning on television that floral-print pants and the color burgundy are hot fashion trends.

Your baby looks "snug as a bug" in her baby sling. What a marvelous way to tote your child.

Speattle said...

Oh Isabelle! ☺ So glad to see this post today. I have been praying for your health and strength to return. You look terrific and baby is so beautiful.

You have discovered like all the mothers before you that priorities are rearranged after the children start to come into the family. Not to worry...your health and your baby are the priorities now.

I'm so happy to see you looking strong.

Anonymous said...

Quel plaisir d'avoir de vos nouvelles ! Surtout que vous avez l'air d'aller mieux même si vous êtes très fatiguée (si j'ai bien tout compris). j'aime beaucoup le porte bébé qui a l'air plus simple d'utilisation que l'écharpe de portage ! Cette petite est à croquer! Prenez soin de vous ! Bises Valérie

Lisbei said...

Hello ma chère Isabelle !
Je suis drôlement contente de te lire, et de voir de si belles photos de vous deux ! Je parie que papa passe son temps à vous mitrailler, vous êtes si jolies !
Je suis ravie de lire que ça va mieux, et j'imagine bien la course de début d'année et le jonglage entre toutes tes activités !
Je t'embrasse bien fort, partage les bisous avec tes amours, et une caresse pour la minette !

Tracy said...

So HAPPY to see you here, Isabelle... and know that you are doing better now. And so glad to see your sweet baby girl! Be keeping well. :o) ((LOVE & HUGS))

.x.Helen.x. said...

I tried to comment from my phone but it must not have worked! I was only thinking of you the other day and hoping that you would be back soon. I'm so glad to hear things are going well, if a little busy!

mermaids said...

So happy that life is settling down for you and the wee one. Look forward to seeing more photos and hearing of your adventures in motherhood.

nowak said...

So great to hear from you again!

I could see on ravelry that you did not stop making things. Enjoy the precious time with your wonderful little baby, enjoy, that she wears whatever you want her to wear.
Before those days are over and she either only wants to wear brand x (whatever that will be in 10 or 15 years time) like all her classmates or only black stuff with skulls on it. ;)

Lisette M said...

So glad to hear that you are well and enjoying time with your beautiful daughter! Welcome back!

Kristen said...

Hi there! I would love to know if you made the carrier you're wearing beautiful daughter in this post with, or if it was purchased... And if you have any more pics of it.

Brenda said...

Isabelle your baby girl is beautiful! Welcome back to the blog. We have missed you.

Maxi said...

Welcome back, Isabelle! Glad you are feeling a bit better and getting back into the swing of things. That's a wonderful shot of you with Baby snoozing happily whilst on your walk.

Look forward to more posts and the odd podcast when you're ready :)

Guru Nam said...

So wonderful to hear from you and to see you looking so radiantly well. Your little one is beautiful as every. Many blessings,
Guru Nam Kaur

Shashi Nayagam said...

Dear Isabelle so glad that you popped in to let us know how you are. Your little one is looking very cute. Thanks for sharing pictures her photos. Glad to know that all is going well for you even though life is very hectic. Take care my friend

Annette said...

Très contente d'avoir de tes nouvelles - et tu m'as l'air en forme!!! La choupinette est superbe, quel beau bébé!
Ah le sommeil... Éternel problème des parents, même si, curieusement, beaucoup ne veulent pas en parler (une exception française de plus!). Cela va s'arranger, je promets!

Bec said...

Wonderful to hear from you, Isabelle!

Christine said...

Welcome back. It's lovely to hear from you and see the photos. Make sure you take all the time you like for yourself and your family. We all understand how preciousthat is.
Regards Christine

Karoline said...

Lovely to hear that you are all doing well & that you are managing to carve out some time for crafty pursuits

Deb L said...

I am still reading :) I pop by a couple times a month to read craft blogs (life being busy for me as well). I am glad to hear that life is going well for you and your family and that you've had time for a few creative projects along the way.

millefeuilles said...

Hello pretty lady!

I am v-e-r-y late reading your blog post but I simply had to comment here. I'm so glad you are feeling fit and healthy and that life with your BEAUTIFUL child is falling into a gentle routine. I TOTALLY understand about the broken nights - I've been there with all three children - and this too shall pass.

I'm so happy you are enjoying life.

A bientôt,

Stephanie

The Slapdash Sewist said...

You are looking great! Enjoy feeling better and time with your daughter!!!

MariaDenmark said...

Yay! You're back! It's lovely hearing from you again. And you both look great!
Hugs!

Lisa L said...

You are both looking wonderful! So nice to see you out and about!

Anneke said...

I'm only seeing this in December... :-) Love the pictures of you and your daughter! She is beautiful!!
Of course life is (very) busy with the addition of a baby. And it was busy already. Hope you are all in good health now and that the nights are a bit more sleep-filled.

Shashi Nayagam said...

Hope you and yours had. Wonderful christmas

LN said...

Bonne année 2013 !
Je viens de temps en temps voir les jolies réalisations avec plaisir.
J'espère que la santé va mieux et que bébé pousse bien !
Leïla

Gorgeous Things said...

You and your daughter look so beautiful!