Requiem

I just finished our third and final performance of Verdi's Requiem. All three performances were beautiful and moving. Tonight I sang for Julian.

"Requiem aeternam, dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis."

What's Different

How am I different since July 22, 2012?

I now share my feelings and details of my life on the internet (albeit with a select group of friends and family).

I can't watch several of my favorite shows this season because of pregnancy/baby-related storylines (e.g. Modern Family).

I've found it hard to keep in touch with some friends. I've gotten closer to others.

I have eczema flare-ups, something I haven't had to deal with since middle school.

I am more likely to expect the worst.

I understand my parents better.

I am often tempted to write rude things in response to people's Facebook postings when they complain about parenthood.

I weigh less than I did before I was pregnant. (Don't worry, I do eat-regularly and well.)

I do acupuncture regularly.

I feel awkward in most social situations. During almost every interaction, about 30% of my mental energy is devoted to wondering if something will come up about pregnancy or babies, and how I will handle either topic.

I'm trying to get pregnant. I didn't think I would have to do this again for a while.

50th on 30th

This is my 50th post!

Taison's 30th birthday is on Sunday. In honor of this milestone, here are 30 things I love about him:

1. His kindness
2. His sense of humor-we are silly in the same way
3. The fact that he can get along with just about anyone, no matter how much or how little he has in common with them
4. His smile
5. His willingness to try anything I cook or decide we should eat (avocado pound cake, quiche, raw oysters, kohlrabi)
6. His ability to comfort me
7. His ability to make me laugh
8. His enthusiasm for bicycling
9. His interest in managing our finances
10. His eclectic taste in music
11. His willingness to try new things (installing ceiling fans, playing the sax)
12. That he turns on the heat before I have to get out of bed and warms up the car before I go out (I hate being cold!)
13. That he likes to straighten up before we travel so we can come home to a clean house
14. That he loves to travel and has become our travel agent
15. That he loves the beach
16. His interest in indie films
17. His willingness to ask if he doesn't understand something
18. His willingness to talk about his feelings
19. The way he enthusiastically supports my interests (music, yoga, gardening)
20. His ability to appreciate what he has in life
21. His unsqueamishness
22. That he gets along with my parents and brothers really well
23. That he is a good teacher
24. His openmindedness
25. That he values family over work
26. That he is always thinking of ways to improve himself
27. That he likes my natural hair
28. That he gives good hugs
29. That he likes animals
30. That he loves the idea of being a dad

Happy Birthday, Taison. I love you so much, and I look forward to what the next decade has in store for us.

Lulu Love

Taison gave me a gift certificate to Lululemon as a "push present" last year. I never would have bought myself anything there on my own, but now I'm hooked. I just got another pair of their yoga pants. Lululemon pants are amazing. They feel good and they make you look good. It's funny, because I don't even do yoga in public anymore (I'm back to practicing at home, often using classes from Yoga Today). I have these great pants and the only person who sees them is Taison. He appreciates them, though ; ).

In Vermont last summer wearing my new Lululemon gear

I was struck by how getting a few new, good-quality, well-fitting clothes helped my confidence as I slowly rejoined the world after Julian was born. I learned that "look good, feel good" is actually true in some cases. And having comfy yoga wear makes me want to do more yoga, which makes me feel even better. Taison chose a perfect push present-it was a gift that keeps on giving.

A Quote

I came across this quote recently and it resonated with me:

"Not everyone understands how you can spin two lassos at the same time, 

one of hope and one of grief."

Kitchen Adventures: Bread in a Pot

I made a loaf of bread in my favorite Le Creuset pot : )

Here's the recipe: Crusty Bread

Just out of the oven

Looks (and tastes) delicious

Moving On

I bought my 2013 calendar weeks ago (and almost cried in Paper Source when I picked it up). As much as I'm ready to start a new year, it will be sad to leave 2012 behind. After all, the first half of the year was great. We started off the year with Taison getting to see Baby Bell via ultrasound on his birthday. I sang at Carnegie Hall and we spent a week on an island in Belize. I was pregnant, experiencing something I had always wanted to experience...and it was an easy pregnancy. My baby brother graduated from UVA, a good friend got married, and we bought a car. The first half of 2012 was too good to be true.

The second half of 2012 was so hard. But, I have learned a lot about life and about myself over the last few months. I still have plenty to be grateful for and to look forward to. Along with loving memories of my sweet Julian, I hope to carry into 2013 a greater appreciation for time spent with loved ones, because you never know when that time may be cut short. I know that 2013 will have its challenges, but I know that I have the strength to face them. I look forward to what the new year has in store for me, Taison, and our friends and family.

With love for you all and best wishes for 2013,
Kristen