Minggu, 26 Oktober 2014

Bumpwatch Week 36






How Far Along: Yesterday, we finished up our 36th week! The baby is the size of a honeydew melon, which now that you mention it, sounds delicious. BBG is pretty fully baked, and he has fully developed organs (the last thing they work on is their brain, so the longer we can keep him in, the better for his noggin. He also has gained lots of fun hobbies like hanging upside down like a bat like a pro and sticking his butt way up into my rib cage. This is the first week where I kind of get the sense that he isn't as comfortable anymore, because his attempts to roll over or get more comfortable never seem all that successful.

At our doctor's appointment this week (we are on weeklies now- how crazy is that?), we got a surprise ultrasound, but we still didn't get a good look at his face. We can now say his head is very round, though that kind of thing doesn't stick through labor as I hear. But he can know his head was round once- we have a picture to show him!

Best Moment of the Week: We had our second half of the "How to Have a Baby and Not Hate Each Other" workshop yesterday, and even though it sounds like the kind of thing that builds your character, we actually loved it. It is taught by a sweet older woman named Rosalys who lost her husband to Alzheimer's 3 years ago, so spending time with her and hearing her stories (including one about taking her husband to a scuzzy hotel) serve as exercises in appreciation. I feel like we have just been trying to figure out how we will get through that first few months, and hearing Rosalys, you feel like you should figure out how to enjoy it. It says a lot about an instructor if you have to give massages in a group of couples and sit in a circle talking about your feelings about your parents, and you still have a really nice day.

Most Interesting Prego Quirk: The rings did come off, the belly button maintains a strange non-outness, and I am officially too big for a couple of my maternity things. Otherwise, it's pretty uninteresting here.I would say that my brain and body are both working at like half the pace they were even a few weeks ago, and that part is hard on how I perceive myself (not to mention my blog output- sorry loyal readers!). I hate the feeling of not being productive, but my bandwidth is so limited that I just can't handle much.

I Would Really Like Some: You know, I'm good. I have been asking for clam chowder for a week, so we may have that this week (and Salmon- still pushing those Omega 3's!). Otherwise, I feel pretty spoiled already and am not struggling with any particular cravings or anything.
 
Bizarro Thing No One Warned me About:  You do reach a phase past cute. Maybe some people don't hit this phase, but I am there in a big way. At the same time, older women especially will sometimes smile at you like you are a toddler or a puppy. I don't mind this, just like I don't mind the occasional belly touch, but I do wish I knew what of it is baby-related and how much of it has turned into schadenfreude. So enjoy the belly when it is cute, because in the end phase, the baby is apparently sucking up the cuteness left.  No one will tell you that, but it doesn't make it any less true.

And The Boy?: Officially freaking out now. He can't sleep much at night, and he has a couple of projects left to finish which are clearly driving him nuts. Let us all hope, for his sake, that he gets lots of sleep and lots done today, because I think until everything is up and ready, he is just not going to feel alright about things. We ordered the things we absolutely need right away off the registry, but we are still pretty short on some of the necessities, so I think that is stressing him out too.

Looking Forward to: This week my cousin Shelly will be induced so she will have her baby! I am very excited for her as I know she is way ready to be done. Rochelle is a big planner, and she is always focused on the next step, where I am always kind of desperate to stay where I am (for instance, it makes me sad we will be out of the phase where we are both pregnant at the same time). But I am very excited to see her baby, and I hope she has a great labor! I really can't believe this time has come already!
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Sabtu, 25 Oktober 2014

3 Reasons Why Meghan Trainer's "All About that Bass" is the WORST Kind of "Empowering"

So I wrote the majority of this blog a few weeks ago, and a day later my Dad and his wife both proclaimed their love for this song, so I didn't post it, because I didn't want it to seem like I was calling them out specifically (Pagmanda, I love you both, but your taste in trashy pop music really is the worst, which is weird because you have great taste in non-trashy msic). This piece of ear garbage has inexplicably picked up steam, and now I can't avoid it, so I went from hating it to REALLY hating it. It's attempts at body positivity are really ridiculous and the worst this sort of pseuo-feminist positivity has to offer. The ugly isn't even all that hidden. And here's why:

1. "Yeah, my mama she told me don't worry about your size
She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night."


 Liking parts of your body because that's what boys like is a fool's game- You know what kinds of girls bodies heteronormative boys seem to like? All kinds, because every person has their own taste and attractions. I have seen in my 28 years that they mostly like bodies that will have sex with them best. Male approval of your looks is one of the cheapest and least valuable things in the world; if their desire based on your looks was all you needed to feel good about yourself, we would all feel amazing all the time. Look elsewhere.

2. "I'm bringing booty back
Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that"


Being nasty about skinny girls isn't being "body positive" it's being a jerk- I said it and I mean it. I get it that photoshop and magazines and all that nonsense aggrandize a body ideal no one can reach. That being said, antagonizing people with a body- type you feel antagonized by doesn't help anyone. They aren't an image, they are a person- just like you. Rather than feel angry at people who get high grades on some perceived social aesthetic scale shouldn't make you mad at them- be pissed that the scale exists at all (and stop buying those magazines!). You are perpetuating all sorts o assumptions about our visual presence defining our value as women, when really our body type has very little to do with our value as people. And while we are at it, though I can't blame Meghan for this one, a curvier body is no more "real" than a skinny or small one. You know whose body isn't real? Ghosts. Hallucinations. Mannequins.

3. "Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two
But I can shake it, shake it
Like I'm supposed to do" 


"You know I won't be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll"

Comparing yourself to someone else, no matter how you feel you stack up, will never really empower you. Comparison truly is the thief of joy, and choosing to play that game means you have already lost- You know, for as secure as Trainer says she feels about her body, she spends most of her time talking about another shape (ok technically she mostly talks about that bass, but I am trying to scrape that stupid metaphor off my brain). Why can she only feel good about herself when she is putting someone else down? We as girls are prepped and trained to gauge our own success and value against others, and honestly, has that ever served you well? Has it lasted? Has it helped your bonds with other women or helped you get to know someone new? So why do we do it? This song isn't about the glory of loving yourself, it's about trying to feel better by putting down what we are not. It's the mean middle school girl of pop songs, in that passive agressie bitchiness that is many women at their worst. Plus, it really is unrelenting on the radio, only being topped by Taylor Swift's rapping. We can do better, for goodness sakes.



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Kamis, 23 Oktober 2014

Becky in delicate 1930s peach lace wedding dress.

Dear Reader,
Say hello to Becky, dainty Vintage Bride of the Week...
For her August wedding, petite Becky chose a darling 1930s wedding dress in peach lace. The dress was so delicate and suited Becky to perfection. 
In Becky's words...
"Thank you so much for the lovely fun afternoon we had at your studio trying on dresses. It was just how I wanted to find my wedding dress!  
I loved gazing at the dress for ages before the day, and even more so wearing it on the day.  Thank you for helping me find my absolutely perfect dress!"
Congratulations and love to a dainty bride with a wonderful giant smile!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try:
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Rabu, 22 Oktober 2014

Today's Inspiration- Jody Alexander's Ruby B

Today I had a special project to finish for Artsy, and I couldn't be happier, because I discovered yet another truly amazing artist. Jody Alexander works as a librarian in Santa Cruz by day and as a book artist and collector by night. She spins her own narratives around found books and texts, but the ways she transforms them are unlike anything I have ever seen. New favorite for sure. Here are a few images from her "The Odd Volumes of Ruby B" series, which you can read more about here (no seriously, click the link. You will see beautiful things).

from www.seagergray.com

from www.jalexbooks.com

from www.herringbonebindery.com
The total femininity and precision of what she is doing moves what could be just an original idea into something that feels precious and rare. The embroidery on the pages is unlike any I have seen before. When a collector makes her own objects, I think she captures that magic that drives those archival instincts in the first place. I think this work is magic.
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6 Things for the Last 2 Days- Leggings, Aretha, and a Working Sink!


from http://www.modcloth.com/shop/leggings/imaginative-merriment-leggings-in-delight
1. Bosch Leggings- This may be the best a camel toe could possibly look. I want these in a bad way, because they are just wonderfully classy and inappropriate all at once. Plus, anything to bring attention to my inner calf. Well done, Modcloth. I have always wanted to see leggings with more naked people on them.
2. Calling it and just going to Arby's- A horrible and wonderful solution to life just being annoying. Also, curly fries are good for the soul.
3. Aretha Franklin singing Respect live- There is one version I love, and it gets harder and harder to find. I may just buy the cd, since I have mostly decided streaming is a fool's game.
4. A Working Sink and Laundry Machine! Woot woot! You all can come visit us now- we will stink much less. Latest brush with adulthood conquered, and we are back to blogging and playing video games.
5. The Horror of Trying to Binge Watch Love it or List It- Homeowners are the worst. Homeowners in Canada, worst ever (have you ever noticed when you hang out with Canadians, they always have to talk about how it is better there? Have they never seen this show? Don't you know how whiny you all are?). The designer and homeowner's drama  and disdain can destroy your soul if you watch too many episodes in a row. It doesn't even matter how contrived it is. Also, what is going on with Desta's hair? Bad in a million different ways!
6. Crab Bisque- We are trying to eat mostly soup and salad from now until spawn. This way, we can test lots of new things that might be good once we are trying to lose weight and also learn how to be parents. Tis week, we are doing crab bisque
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Selasa, 21 Oktober 2014

3 Things for Yesterday- Notorious RBG, Xbox Music, and Word to Mother


from https://www.etsy.com/listing/196009779/notorious-rbg
1. Notorious RBG t-shirts- I have almost bought this on etsy like 10 times now for the Boy (he loves Ruth Bader Ginsburg- that's a keeper. I keep thinking about making him a surprise bag for the hospital when I am in labor, both because it sounds pretty boring for him and just in case I am super mean to him, and this may be in it. Need to make a decision.
2. XBox Music- I am finally saying goodbye to Zune, which has gotten worse and worse for quite a while, and I am switching over to XBox music, so I can have music on my new phone when we get it in November (ah to have a phone with battery life?).
from godsavedadaism.blogspot.com
3. Word to Mother- This is my favorite artist I genomed yesterday. Former Street Artist/ Graphic Artist. Check out his work here.
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Senin, 20 Oktober 2014

A Gypsy Vintage Wedding, Part 2.

Dear Reader,
Today I have more delicious Gypsy Wedding images, from the photo-shoot using my original vintage dresses...
After some research, the stylist / photographer team behind the shoot knew they needed an original Romany Gypsy wagon. It took some time to find the perfect one...
And luckily for them, they also found Walter - one of the most revered Gypsy Wagon Restorers. As well as loaning them this stunning black-and-gold caravan, Walter and his family guided them through all the details for the day. In Christian and Erica's words...
"Walter took us though to his barn, and it was an exciting moment to come face to face with what would become the centrepiece of our shoot - a gorgeous, original ‘Doors & Windows’ Romany caravan, hand-carved and covered in gold leaf.
We also took the opportunity to talk to Walter and his wife Mary about traditional gypsy weddings, and within minutes they’d found a fascinating old leather-bound album full of black and white family photos from gypsy weddings. And so we began to form a picture of what a REAL gypsy wedding would’ve looked like."
The results are lovely. So soft and romantic... 

Thanks for stopping by,
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try
My Gypsy Style Vintage Wedding Dress of the Week


With thanks to:
Authentic gypsy wagon – adzlee@btinternet.com
Vintage Headpieces – Flo and Percy
Crockery – Felicity’s Vintage Tea Party
Blooms – The Blossom Tree
Make-up Artist – Gemma Lees
Hair Stylist - Emma Buck
Boutonnieres – D C Bouquets
Cakes – Rachel Edwards
Vintage Suitcases – Fountain Pen Emporium
Groom’s Vintage Suits - Vintage Whistles
Wedding Favours – Vintage Twee
Models – Cirila Zorenc and Charles Durnian at Model Mayhem
Photography and Styling –  Christian Ward Photography
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