Two Bombshells, One Post!

As you know, I've been working on my Bombshell Swimsuit Bikini Hack. Here it is, with another bombshell for your viewing... um... whatever...

What? You didn't quite get that? I'm not surprised. How about the side view...

Yeah, I know, I know. That's the lamest 26-weeks-pregnant belly ever.

And that's with me really angling for the camera for maximal bump-age and to minimize the fact that I still have a distinct dent where my waist is/was. 

At first I held off announcing on the blog because of the increased risks associated with my age. But then, as the weeks ticked by and everything was going beautifully, I thought, well soon I won't be able to hide it. And so I waited.... 15 weeks...still early... 17 weeks... sometime soon...  19 weeks... any time now!... 23 weeks (at McCall's open house)...why aren't I showing?... 24 weeks... what the heck!?!?! For those not familiar with pregnancy, just google "26 weeks pregnant" or consider that 26 weeks is half a year, just two weeks away from the third trimester, and you'll understand why I have developed a severe case of belly envy. Apparently, my family "carries well" because of our height. In clothing it's really not obvious and I'm still having to tell people.

But enough silly vanity!  Let's talk about this happy bombshell today, and we'll leave the swimsuit for another day.

First off, how am I/how are we doing?
Great! Phin and I are thrilled, and our little Raspberry - whose gender will be a surprise - is totally normal and kicking up a storm. So far I've had the sort of easy pregnancy that gives people the wrong impression about how difficult it can be to grow a whole new person from scratch. It helps that I have a supportive partner in Phin, who is over the moon and looking forward to parenthood. We've built such a wonderful life together and feel like we have so much to give to a child. I'm due in late November, just days before Thanksgiving and a few weeks before our 10th anniversary.

Next, how is the herd taking the news?
At first, there was the sort of jubilation unseen in the Craft Lounge since Christmas morning. But when they realized that we were talking about a new little human and not a new knit herd member, the mood became pensive; babies have a habit of sucking and slobbering on their play things. But we explained that, because the herd was knit for adults and their poly-pellets are loose inside them and not sewn into a beanbag like I do for baby toys, they could be a choking hazard if a pellet got loose. Once the herd felt reassured that they will be given a safe hiding place on a high shelf away from the reach of grabby little fingers, the celebration returned.

Learning about babies (and Dinoshark)

They've thrown themselves into all things baby and are busy preparing gifts for the little one on the way. They are also thrilled that the herd will grow, with new stuffies especially for Raspberry. Stay tuned for posts.

Am I "nesting" yet?
If the nesting instinct can be measured in fabric and yarn purchases, then yes!  I will be sewing and knitting for the foreseeable future without any danger of running out of supplies.

The herd has baby gift plans.

Is that second trimester creative surge real?
In my case, absolutely. I have so many projects I've been holding back that the next few weeks are going to be a blogging bonanza as I try to share them all. I currently have a  maternity wardrobe project going - I have NEVER been more happy that I sew!!! Maternity RTW is a bleak and depressing scene and really isn't fitting my small bump. I also have his and hers diaper bags in the works and a plethora of knitting already done.

Wait. Does this mean that Clio & Phineas will become a mommy blog?
Oh dear, I really hope not!  Not that there is anything wrong with blogs that focus on young families and crafting for kids, but to be completely blunt, mother/daughter or father/son patterns creep me out in the same way that some people fear clowns, and I have no interest in posting baby puree recipes. But on the serious side, with such a supportive partner, I hope that I'll be able to continue to carve out space in my life for my creative pursuits and my needs. Obviously, a new little person will play into this. But my hope is that this blog will continue to be a place for my imagination, creativity and sense of humor, wherever that leads me. I hope you'll continue to follow along.

I think that's enough for today! But stay tuned because there's lots to show and tell.