Belly Casting

Shawn and I went on a sweet little day date on Saturday, just the two of us.  We visited a
local artist to have a belly cast made, a project I've always wanted to try but never got
around to.  Since this is our third baby and we were blessed to have a very short list of things
to buy, having a piece of art made to commemorate this pregnancy seemed like a luxury
worth splurging on.  Danielle, the artist who cast me, creates some pretty amazing and
unique pieces and we had such a nice time collaborating with her to find something that fits
our aesthetic.  Her studio was a warm and calming space and her energy was so inspiring.
She complimented my "goddess spirit" and I felt so blessed to be in the presence of a
fellow mother who embraces the journey of pregnancy as much as I do.  The baby kicked
and squirmed the entire time, making his strong presence known.  And Shawn made me
feel like the most beautiful and adored woman in the world, encouraging and praising me
and making the day so special for both of us.  We finished off the afternoon with a big
sushi dinner and Japanese tea.  I'm not sure how often we'll be able to sneak off for
special little afternoons such as these in the new future so I found myself savoring
every moment, letting my heart sink a little deeper into the present.  

The next morning, the four of us set to work getting the house cleaned and laundry
done before we set out for another week.  We put the baby's bassinet up in our room:
fresh sheets and a baby blanket shared by his two sisters before him.  Brees was fascinated
by the whole process, leaning over the bed and peeking inside, so curious about this new
piece of furniture and what it means to our family.  It was the perfect weekend to begin
the final push that is the next few weeks: creative, inspiring, and full of love.