ahhh congratulations, becca!!! how exciting!! here's to hoping you feel great through this pregnancy!

Thank you for your sweet words, Joanna. Means so much, especially now.

thanks, hannah!! it's so fun picking fabrics just for the customer!

ahh so glad you love them!! thank YOU, my dear, for supporting Bird E :)

i wish i had some more helpful words of advice. but, really, i am here for you. i don't often talk about the "hard" things i've been through, but they're there. so, of course, while i have NO idea what these feelings feel like when associated with a child, i've felt some icky feelings too, and hope you know I'm here for you not just for the funny talk, but the hard things too, friend.

Over the course of 4 years, I watched my (22 year old) best friend slowly lose her battle to cystic fibrosis, then lost my uncle to cancer, then lost another close friend to cystic fibrosis as well, and I am now watching my little cousin battle cancer. Similar to watching your small child be seriously injured, i felt beyond helpless to everything that was going on in front of my eyes. And for me, it was something that would forever change me.

my best friend, who only lived near me before all of these things happened, constantly says things like "You just used to be so much more fun and carefree," or "You're so much more subdued now," all statements comparing me to the "old" Erika. For me, I struggle to carry on in the same exact way I did before I watched all of these truly amazing people lose their lives. I guess I just always wonder how you can not be affected by such events as what you experienced and what I have seen. Of course we should be so thankful that we now truly understand just how precious and fleeting life is. But that realization, while it allows us to truly see the beauty in the small moments, also comes with the hard things that we went through. Unfortunately, I too am still working on how to find a greater sense of peace with all of the pain and loss. I don't have the answer on how to have happiness all the time. I wish I did.

Perhaps it isn't a matter of getting the "old" Tiffany back, but a matter of finding peace for the "new" Tiffany, in light of knowing what that strong lady has been through. You can't forget the events of what happened, because they have shaped such a part of the beautiful woman you have become. For me, the most important thing has been finding peace with what I have seen, and then, hopefully, happiness will follow for us.

oh hai pretty lady!

oh goodness. this just seals the deal that we will get along WONDERFULLY in person. bahaha. i am dying over here.

thank you baby jesus! my heart was hurting at the thought of you selling the bag...and you know the insane hospital bill! again, crossing all fingers, toes, eyes, everything that the hospital comes back with better news!

xoxo,
E

bubs? he's going to be a heart-breaker for sure!!

such a fun get together!! and adorable photos :)

love this! i wasn't a part of the SITS back to blogging, but I recently asked myself this question...and come up with the same answer. i really think it is the only reason to blog. here's my post: http://www.birdestudio.com/2010/09/leave-your-mar...

PS i've loved connecting with you on twitter :) i'm going to start nannying for a 4 week old tomorrow, so i might have some questions for you!!