sweetness

Wooden nesting dolls I finished the night before Max was born. They are painted with acrylics and pearlescent pigments.


Me and Max, posing on the porch.


Two weeks old and getting bigger!

Look how sweet my babies are! Azalea is so nurturing and sweet, like a little mama.

Look at my girl, wearing her daddy's boots!

The last couple of weeks have been a blur of cuddling and hugging and not sleeping. Which for me, isn't a big deal, since I'm used to working at night. The hardest part is staying out of the studio! I'm torn between the desire to make stuff and the need to always hold my baby. Of course holding the baby wins! I've barely left the house and haven't stepped foot in my studio since my boy was born! I don't mind, I love this part of babyhood so much and its so brief. I feel like I was just holding Azalea in swaddling blankets yesterday.

We went out yesterday to the local Barnes and Noble, to see my book on the shelf (I know, I'm a corn nut) but to my disappointment, I couldn't find any. I felt slightly bummed out, because I couldn't stop wondering if they sold out, or if the store just didn't order any copies. Oh well, maybe I'll spot them at Malaprops or Borders.

Welcome home, Max!

These are a few of the first pictures taken right after my baby was born. We think he's pretty cute. I had been planning a trip to Columbia, SC to attend a doll show in the morning, to visit the booth of one of my favorite dolls, Ellowyne Wilde. Around four in the morning, I started to feel odd, sort of crampy and thought I might be experiancing some contractions you get during the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. About forty minutes later, I realized I was in labor. I guess the cramping every three minutes gave it away. We got ourselves organized and drove to the hospital, trying to figure out what to do with Azalea (since swine flu prevents visitors under 18) and we thought my sister would be here when I gave birth. It was stressful, but one of our friends was available (and awake!) and could take care of our girl. Thankfully, it didn't take long. I was in labor for three hours, then pushed for ten minutes and then my baby was in my arms at 9:14 a.m. Maximus James Ogden, weighing in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. came home at 6 p.m. Halloween day!

I've spent the last few days focusing on healing and breastfeeding. Its seems simple enough, but I've found it just as challenging as with Azalea. My midwife told me to stay in bed for a week, then stay at home for the next. I couldn't stay in bed, but I did stay in the house. Its really hard not to do the normal routine rituals, like checking emails and favorite sites, sweeping and fiddling with my supplies. It is easy to gaze at my baby, marveling at all the wonderful blessings that have come our way. Our family is so filled with love right now, we're fit to bursting with it. Azalea is an amazing big sister, always beside me, ready to help with Little Brother. I could go on and on about how in love I am, but I hear Max calling me.