Ok, I'm going to have to fess up here.. I was intending to write a great big long post, but I can't. I just can't. Because I have had two glasses of wine and whilst I'm still perfectly sober, I wouldn't want to be in charge of a car and I don't think I should be in charge of a blog either. If for no other reason than my mother keeps sneaking on and reading this, and she'd tut and roll her eyes. So, I shall try to keep this short! (but no promises!)
First off, I finished this quilt about a week ago.
It's for a very special friend of mine. Ages ago, just before all the crap really started, I mentioned that someone I cared very much for had had some bad news. At the time I didn't feel that I should go into it, but she's told me she doesn't mind if I share it here.
I met her at a mother and baby group that I went to when Bella was tiny and we quickly discovered that we had a lot in common, and I quickly discovered that not only is she the kindest, most thoughtful person I know, but she is also the absolute funniest. This girl could make you spit out your drink in polite company!
There are 19 days between our girls birthdays and we insist (yes insist) that they are the best of friends. Which means frequently ignoring the scratching and biting! Ack, I'm sure we've all wanted to bite our bestfriend at some point (actually Grainne, I can't think of a time - can you??).
Anyway, in July she found out that she was pregnant with her second child. Which was wonderful news that had a much bigger affect on Jim and I than we would have expected. We had been talking about trying for another baby for a long time but we were scared and kept chickening out. However, when she told us the news, we were both jealous. Very jealous.
And we realised that now was the perfect time and that we should just go for it. And we did. And it worked!
But here's the thing. The day that we found out that I was pregnant, my friend found out that she was going to lose her baby. She had been for a scan and found that the baby was not growing.
And we all had a truly shit week. She tried so hard to be excited for us and we tried so hard to ignore our excitement. We were all heartbroken.
But do you know what she said to me? She said that if either of us was going to lose our baby, she would rather it was her, because she's never had any problem with getting pregnant and I've already lost 3. Can you imagine?
The following thursday, we looked after her daughter, whilst she went in to hospital and lost her baby.
Exactly a week later, to the day, she looked after Bella whilst we went to hospital to be told that I had a coexisting ectopic pregnancy as well as the normal one. And she looked after Bella the following Thursday when we went to hospital to be told that neither pregnancy was viable.
I lost my baby exactly 19 days after she lost hers. There were 19 days between the first being born and 19 days between the second being lost.
And through it all we have both laughed (a lot) together and cried together and most of all sworn together. But whilst I am incredibly grateful to have her by my side, I would give anything for her not to have gone through it with me.
I'm not able to take away her pain, but I would like to at least make her a bit more comfortable as she lies on her sofa with a glass of wine in her hand, so I made her this quilt. It's one of the most important things I've made.
And because Christmas is only 3 months away (how the hell did that happen???) I've started on the christmas range. These two stockings accompanied the christmas cats to the US.
And finally, (because that third glass is calling to me and then all bets are off!), I recieved a wonderful package this morning from Jhoanna .
This is the absolutely beautiful Freya!
Oh my, if Jhoanna puts more of her dolls up for sale, you should definately buy one. They are perfect. Perfect in every way. I had originally thought that Bella might have her, but now that she's here, she's all mine I'm afraid.
Included in the package were these beautiful fabrics!
How beautiful are they? I. Love. Them!
And as if that wasn't enough, Jhoanna also included these magazines.
Thank you so very much Jhoanna, I really do love it all. And I'm so sorry that I haven't been in touch about my side of the swap. I will get to the post office this week. I promise! Although, now I'm worried that you won't love my package as much as I love yours!!!
That's all for tonight - Jim's just upped the ante by coming in with a packet of chocolate Hobnobs!!