balance and dressforms

i've written this post, edited it, and deleted it a couple times over now. how do i go about explaining my 3 month disappearance, and even, should i? do i go into great detail or keep it simple? do you guys really want to hear the nitty gritty chaos? i am thinking not. lord knows i could go off on a whole tangent about my seemingly constant struggle to find the balance between motherhood and life and busy-self-employed-working-out-of-the-house-web-lady-land. i could tell you that i've really sat down and considered my options. i could tell you that while i know how incredibly lucky i am do be my own boss, some days i just hate being my own boss. and that i am probably not very good at being my own boss. i could tell you a whole lot more things, but the truth is: i have always kept this a positive place. yes, i am human, and i have my bad days. i feel overwhelmed. i want to pull my hair out. i want to rant about things. but i choose to share the good stuff instead. because really, don't most of us just want a little eye candy or funny/inspirational/good story when we pop over into blog land? who wants to listen to somebody whine?

so i will just say this: it has been a crazy up and down couple of months in my life, and a step away from the computer and life on the internet was needed. family and life was taking front seat. and if you know anything about running a busy website/shop/blog, then you know that it's not the kind of thing that you can do with one foot in the door. at least- you can't do it well. so the computer was turned off. and the personal time was taken. i never intended on being away so long, it just happened that way. i hope you guys who have written me emails can understand, and forgive me for the lack of reply. i am taking a deep breath and easing my way back into this, and i will attempt to dig out from the mountain that is my inbox, so please bear with me.

and in the interest keeping this place one of happiness and good news, i am thrilled to finally share with you the best thing that has happened in these last few months, after all the curves and punches the universe has thrown in my path: life is good. and i am super duper pregnant. yep, with child. the little bugger is moving and bumping around, and on tuesday we will find out whether henry will have a brother or a sister. and let me tell you, his heart is sort of set on a sister. whatever this baby is, he or she has really knocked me out! talk about some horrific nausea. morning, noon and night. and fatigue like you ain't never felt. i think i've got my mojo back now, being in well into my second trimester. i think the toughest part is behind me.

but with all this change coming my way, it's a bit impossible to know what might be in store for Frecklewonder- how much time i will end up having, what kind of energy i will be able to give. i'm not quitting this thing any time too soon, i just hope that you all will be ok with looking at clothing on a dressform for a little while cause i'm sure you don't want a pregnant lady modeling all those cute vintage finds. frankly, i don't even think i can twist my tummy into any of them anymore. i promise that i will do my very best, as always, to provide great descriptions and photographs and answer any questions that you might have. and i can only hope that my headless dressform won't be too terribly impersonal and scary. would it help if we named her? suggestions are welcome.

i just want to say THANK YOU. thank you to all of you who wrote me thoughtful emails. thank you for hanging in there with me. thanks, thanks, THANKS.

with love, jenny

Comments

[ELK]

congrats on your pregnancy!! I was really worried about you being gone and completely understand the need to refocus and regroup! I am just so glad that it is happy news...you are in my thoughts as you and your little family take it one day at a time!

[Lori]

congratulations, jenny! :^D

i understand that push-pull re: work & family & self-employment v. well. ;^)

[kacey]

I find the same struggles in my life. Knowing when to stop and break is important. Congrats on the pregnancy. Take your time and know your friends and customers will always be here waiting.

[Hyena In Petticoats]

Hi Jenny!

It is so wonderful to hear that you are safe, well, and PREGNANT! Congratulations!

My advice? Delete your ENTIRE inbox, take a deep breath, and start again at your own pace, in your own style, with your headless dummy and pregnant tummy and whatever else you want to post.....

So happy to hear all is well..... it was getting a little scary in the comments on your last post!

much love to you and your family,

Leah xx

[Rachel]

So glad to hear that all is well! I have been checking in for months and am so relieved to see the update, and with happy news to boot. Happy holidays to you and your (growing!) family.

[Jessika]

Yay!
So glad to hear you all are okay and another little freckle is on the way!
I am willing to come model for you someday if you'd like. could be fun!
Im dying to see your amazing house in person.
Take your time. Dont feel one bit guilty!
love, Jessika

[Ruthanne]

Wow, congratulations on your pregnancy! I agree with just deleting everything and starting afresh! Never, ever feel you have to explain yourself and never be frightened to just switch off when it all gets too much for you. You and your family must always come first. Big hugs and hope the sickness goes soon. x

[Anja]

Congratulations! Such great news. I'm hoping for lots of baby vintage stuff and pregnancy posts in place of the Frecklewonder modelling :) Hope you all have a lovely Christmas without nausea!

[Lillian]

I´m just so glad you´re back and life is good again for you. I was worried really. And yay, you´re pregnant! Congratulations!

Oh, and name suggestions for the headless dressform: Judy! ;-)

[eryn]

congratulations! so exciting!! and its nice to see you back again - balance is so important and can be so hard to find. breaks are key.

[tracy]

congratulations! missed you! so glad to hear that you are safe & healthy!

happy holidays!

xoxoox

[breanne]

So good to hear from you, lady J! Congrats on the bebe --- hope you, Matt and Henry have a great holiday. xoxoxo

[hillary]

Oh congratulations!! I bet you're having a girl. I was sooo sick with Phoebe. I'm so glad you got some time off. This online crap can be so overwhelming. And the vintage thing, I did that for a while before I had kids and it kicked my ass. It's so much work. You're a superstar!

So glad to hear you're doing well. Funny, cause just last night we were checking over here to see if you'd popped up. So this morning I told my husband you were back and pregnant and he said what lucky baby gets to live in that awesome house! I think he wants you to adopt him :)

[jessica]

glad you popped in to let us know where you've been...i understand the break. omg, you are preggers!!!! congrats jenny! i hope you and your family have a great xmas!

[ileana]

Welcome back, sweet lady J! And congratulations to you and Matt and little Mr. Henry! OMG how exciting for you guys!!

I definitely missed seeing you on my internets, and I'm glad you're back. I've totally been there and done that with needing to take time off from internet/bizlady/blogger land. Sometimes turning it all off is the only thing to do.

So glad you're doing well. Love and cupcakes to you and your family!

xoxo Ileana

[Megan]

I'm so sorry to hear about all the "downs" and I hope the negatives are starting to go away...
They definitely remind us how much we love the "ups." One step at a time...
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I am so happy for you all; that is such good news! We've been struggling in that area, so it's nice to hear when it works out for someone! :) All my best!

[Andrea Ramsden]

Whew! It's nice to hear from you again, Frecklewonder! We were all getting a little worried about you...
Massive congrats on the new little one on the way. Now that is an awesome Christmas present, right?
Good to have you back! Take your time for sure though!
Happy Holidays!

[Kathryn S]

Oh Jenny! Welcome back. So glad to hear you are OK. I know how pregnancy hormones can kick you in the ass. You did the right thing taking time off. Take care of yourself.:)

[kerry lynn]

congrats jenny!
xo

[Cathryn]

Oh, my goodness -- I'm so glad to know that everything is OK with you. Congratulations on your pregnancy!! I only recently started exploring your website, and I always feel inspired after seeing the great things you've found and photographed. You -- and your family -- seem lovely. Have a most peaceful and joyful holiday. I really look forward to more updates in your shop. . . how about Jane or Emily for the dressform? :)

[val]

OMG what wonderful news!

Don't worry about all of us shoppers/blog-readers/long-distance friends...we don't mind a little rant and rave here and there.

Especially from a pregnant mom!

Have a wonderful holiday!

[maria]

wow - welcome back and congrats on the baby! chloe has always been a favorite girl name of mine :)

[alison]

The most important thing is that you do whatever it is you need to do. No need to apologise to anyone.
I don't comment often but do check in every now and again. It seems that there are some good women out there who have been sending positive thoughts your way. Quite comforting that don't you think?
Congrats on the new babe to be. You must all be thrilled and I wish you an easy, stressfree pregnancy.
I know that I said that you don't need to apologise as you shouldn't feel that you're answerable to anyone but thanks for checking in with us. Great to know that you're on the up.
With very best wishes from New Zealand, Alison.

[alison]

P.S. ...and the Inbox - delete them all!! People will check in here and see that you're ok. x

[Mary-Ellen]

Thank God and great news. I was super worried about you Jenny. God Bless.