{dear friend}

almost december.

November 29, 2017

Here we are. Almost 10 months with Ophelia. I am so excited for Christmas with her. Her first one! I love her so so much.

From the beginning, I’ve been reading to this girl. Reading in the mornings, in the afternoon light, and before she gets tucked in for bed each night. I put a bookshelf in the living room so we have easy access to stories wherever we are in the house. She sits for them now– still and focused. I couldn’t love her more if I tried. For December this year, and hopefully for years to come I’d like to do a Christmas book advent calendar with her. I remember seeing this on Rachael’s blog before and knew in that moment, that I would someday do this too. And even though Phea is not even one yet, I’ve just gotten so excited about it. So, here we go.

We drove to the library last week and loaded the stroller with books. I didn’t worry too much about what they were just so long as they were board books and short stories about winter and Christmas. I’m hoping to collect some favorites as the years go by. This year is a trial of sorts. For me, for her, for both of us.

25 books all wrapped up and ready to begin.

Happy Christmas, world! Sending out wishes it’s merry and bright.

28 Comments · Filed Under: books, holiday, ophelia grace ·

sweet ophelia

September 21, 2017

Ophelia is now seven and a half months old.

!!!

I sometimes wonder how it has gone by so fast. But then also, it has been so slow and sweet. She is a dream baby. Beautiful and lovely since the day she was born. She has this very calm way about her — she studies the world as she learns it and is happy and content. I love her so much it’s unbelievable. How can someone so small take up the biggest place in your heart?

I am soaking in everything. Time is going fast but it is also standing still.

Today we went to a raspberry field and picked the sweetest berries. Ophelia patiently sucked her thumb the whole time, as it was late afternoon and she was tired. Self soothing is high on her list of strengths and I have always been thankful for it. She likes when I sing to her too, which has been the nicest daily ritual for both of us. I like Elizabeth Mitchell’s music best and am on a mission to memorize them all. We walked through the berry field plucking the ripest fruit for our pail. Just like Blueberries for Sal, we ate the juiciest ones as we trailed along. I can’t wait for breakfast tomorrow, and for Saturday and Sunday too. Get ready, sweet Phea. We will be eating ripe raspberries for days. ♥

4 Comments · Filed Under: baby, ophelia grace ·

Ophelia Grace Winchell is born.

May 15, 2017

She is here.

Ophelia Grace Winchell was born on a cold and icy morning in February. She is the most beautiful thing. She is magic.

I went into labor at 10:00 PM on February 7th and she was born at 2:47 AM on February 8th. I didn’t even know I was in labor at first. Just a steady cramp that woke me up that night. I called the doctor. I took a bath. I sat on the toilet a hundred times. The pain was not going away.

“Come in,” the hospital said. “We’ll hook you up to the monitors and check you out.”

And so we went and in my mind I thought we would come home.

But my cramps were getting worse the closer we got. I wasn’t even calling them contractions. I am not having this baby tonight, I thought. I can’t!

But I did!

When I arrived at the hospital I was in so much pain. I had to sit down and IT HURT. My stomach would contract and the intensity was crazy. They put me in a wheel chair and I just felt like I had to push. “Don’t push!!” they said, “We don’t know if you’re ready. You could hurt yourself if you’re not ready.”

BUT I WAS READY.

I changed into the hospital gown, went to the bathroom again and my water broke. I kept feeling like I had to push and they kept telling me DO NOT PUSH.

Then the nurse checked me… “YOU ARE 10 CENTIMETERS.”

WHAAAAAT (Zan says I yelled.)

And then they hooked me up to the monitors and I started to push. No time for medicine. No time for fear.

I pushed and I pushed and I pushed. “Look at me, Anna,” Zan said. “You can do this. Look at me.”

I pushed for 45 minutes and remember it like it was yesterday. It was hard, but it did not hurt. It felt crazy, but it felt right. I felt her head coming down and I felt her slip into this world. And I loved it. I loved every minute of it.

They put her on my chest and there she was, our baby.

“I can’t believe she’s here. I can’t believe she’s here. I am so SO happy she is here.”

Ophelia Grace Winchell
February 8th 2017, 2:47 AM
7 lbs, 2.5 oz / 20.5 in.

“Heaven blew every trumpet, and played every horn
On the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.”

Welcome to the world, baby girl. We are forever so in love with you.

8 Comments · Filed Under: baby ·

a nursery tour // for a little lady

January 24, 2017

I am so excited to share pictures from the baby’s nursery today. I had so much fun thinking it up in my head and then following through and putting it together over the last few months. It is my favorite spot in the house now and I sit here most mornings with my coffee and most nights listening to records and just thinking about how different life is soon going to be. Most of the furniture in the room is from trusty IKEA (chair, crib, dresser, and all shelving), which I didn’t exactly plan but it ended up being the easiest (and cheapest) way to find everything we needed and I’m so happy it worked out that way it. Everything else is a spattering of bedding and blankets and pretty art and toys that I found and loved. This space is so lovely and special to me. I hope you like it too…

Welcome!

I love the view of the room from this angle. I got the idea for the wall shelves (meant for picture frames) as book shelves from pinterest, of course. For years I have been seeing books displayed in children’s rooms this way and I knew that I wanted to do that in our little girl’s room too. Picture books always have the best covers so why wouldn’t you want to show them off?

Also let’s take a moment to love on Pennylane, please. Her days in the spotlight are numbered, or so people tell me, but I will always love that little girl so much.

One thing I am really excited about (strangely?) is that we’re going to attempt cloth diapering. For the first few weeks we plan to use swaddlers, but I purchased set of bum genius pocket diapers and a bunch of cloth wipes for when she’s big enough (around 10-35 lbs) and I’m actually really pumped to do it. Cost efficient AND good for the environment, plus I have always been a super fan of doing laundry (also strange, I know). I have done so much research and I feel really ready for it. I think. Ha! Wish us luck — we shall see!

And this is another one of my favorite views — the crib and the tall bookshelf filled with books, trinkets, stuffed animals and blankets galore. Collecting gifts from family and friends has been one of my favorite parts of this whole process. And of course the clothes! I’ve washed nearly everything in the newborn drawer and it’s all ready to go. About 5 weeks till her due date! It feels so close, I can’t believe it.

More sources:
Tall bookcase | Gold Lamp | Crib Sheet
Ivie Baby Hexagon Blanket (THE SOFTEST!!) | Elephant Hamper

Anything else you’re curious about just ask! I’m happy to answer if I can. XO

12 Comments · Filed Under: baby, house and home ·