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Series: bride blog
Series: pregnancy & parenting

Presence

February 13, 2012 · by gemmaruthbrown · in Uncategorized. ·

And for you who now move on,

pensively,

Here becomes there without

ceasing to be.

Yves Bonnefoy: “Passer-by, These Are Words” (2001)

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Ok so it’s not QUITE as wonderful when it’s as wet and windy as today, but autumn is still my favourite season. This wee print is an ode to its beauty - an imaginary illustrated forage - and is available via @brownpaperpackagesni for just £10!

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I’ve been spending a lot of time on the floor recently. My little one is learning to crawl and climb, so I alternate between being his climbing frame and his safety net when his balance lets him down (which, at 9 months, is a lot - and it's the funniest thing. Sorry, son...) 🙈 This shift in perspective has got me thinking about the stories we tell ourselves. Baby B and I can be looking at the same thing, but our views are different - and sometimes, in life, I think we can choose between views, or stories, when it comes to what's in front of us. (Before I say anymore, there are situations that are just horrible whatever way we look at them, and this is not what I'm talking about here.) I think back to this time last year when I was pregnant - it was such a special, sacred time, but one that was also filled with uncertainty and complication. In it, I often found myself at a crossroads: what story would I tell myself about what was happening? My physical difficulties (tachycardia and hypertension throughout my second and third trimesters) led me to feel like my body was letting me down. I felt I couldn't trust it. And I felt that I was already letting my unborn baby down by not being able to carry on as 'normal'. These were natural ways to feel about a difficult situation, and it was important to acknowledge that. But then I realised that the way in which I was viewing what was happening wasn't the only way to see it. I learned that I could choose to tell myself a different story: that my physical complications were a result of my body working extra hard to keep my baby healthy, that it knew what it was doing. And that I wasn't letting my baby down, but in slowing down and stripping life back a little, I was doing what was best for him. This decision to choose a different story, which was a daily, sometimes hourly choice, led me to a more peaceful and hopeful stance - one which I benefit from still. I still have to trust my body as it nourishes my son and continues to heal from surgery. I still have to make decisions that prioritise presence and family and health. I'm glad this is my story now. Continued in comments 👇

Exploring the world with my wee sidekick on my hip is my favourite thing to do. 🌿

When friends love your baby well ❤️ Also: can confirm @brewandbakebelfast on the #LisburnRoad is delightful.

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I’m usually a pen on paper girl but I really enjoyed this little piece of #chalkboardlettering during naptime today! In case you didn’t know, @brownpaperpackagesni is my lettering page - follow along for more there! Hoping hanging this on Baby B’s wall helps him connect those sleep cycles tonight... 🙏

Ok so I’m trying to work out if I’m team Bryony, Manon or Rahul - but one thing’s for sure, Bryony’s show-stopper last night reminded me of @mrsmeneels & @benconnolly’s #AliceInWonderland shoot! Who are you rooting for in #GBBO this year?!

Baby B’s legs never fail to kick excitedly as we approach this little wooden hatch at the #GiantsCauseway, home to his auntie @emma_b_80 & @jojmooreni’s magic pit stop of dreams which has served up epic grilled cheeses, hot drinks and other homemade goodies for a VERY busy year now! The girls are closing for the season (maybe this means you’ll, like, take a day off?!😅) and I’m reflecting on how cool it is for Baby B to have such a fun example of chasing a dream, putting in the VERY hard work and creating something original and brilliant that also supports local and fair trade. 👊 We’re a proud family. Good on ye, @minimaegden and thank you - we’ll be first in the queue come springtime. 😘

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RT @God_loves_women: The @Outtheboxcards project is so positive for girls! They have a kickstarter campaign that you can support here: http… 1 day ago
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The stories we tell
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My foray into natural skincare
My 5 Newborn Essentials

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