super top secret surprise announcement!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 12:09PM I've been promising for the better part of a week to deliver a very important announcement today. It is Valentine's Day, a day set aside for eating vast quantities of pink and red wrapped chocolates, delivering mushy cards, and secretly hoping for a flower delivery. (I am the lucky recipient of all three.)
So happy Valentine's Day to you. I hope it's filled with undying love, romance, cupid, restaurant desserts, happiness, etc.
OK. On to more pressing things.
I have a very important question to ask you.
Here's the question:
Which of these is a picture of me?
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
Option 4:
And because I'm a nice Yarnista, I'm going to just go ahead and help you figure this out.
Option 1: If I were an pudgy middle aged man -- and that is a big if -- I would not be wearing a speedo.
Or that crucifix. Do men think this is attractive to women? Men who are reading this, let me tell you: women do not think this is attractive. Ever. Under any circumstances. Ever.
Option 2: If I were a chocolate colored equine-canine -- and that is a big if -- I think I would have more modesty than this. Have some pride, girl!
Option 3: If I were Jillian Michaels -- which I am not, let's just clear that up -- I would call my workout DVDs something other than "Shred." Shredded is how I like cheese on my tacos. I do not prefer my humans to be put through food processors.
Option 4: Huh. Would you look at that. That looks suspiciously like the color of the studio wall from my Lookbook profile picture.
If that were me -- and at this point, I'm admitting that it is -- I would say that looks suspiciously like a new Irish baby is on the way. Like maybe, oh, about five months from now?
And because I know you're curious, as I am,
We don't know yet, but we will sometime in the next couple of weeks.
And because I know you have other questions like,
"Don't you already have a bunch of kids?" and "How are you going to run a company in this condition?" and "Will I still get my yarn?", I'll try to allay some of your fears.
Yes, I do already have three children. If my math is correct, this will be my fourth child. So by today's standards, four children is more than the national average. But this is not my 19th child, so let's not get carried away with the shock and awe. I know a woman who raised five sons to adulthood, and she likes to say, "One child takes all your time and money. Five children take all your time and money." And that is true enough.
When this little one comes along, my bigger kids will be 10, 8, and 5, so I'll have some built in helpers. (And they'll all be school age come September.) We did, however, give away every scrap of baby gear before we moved to Minnesota two years ago, so we must once again allow our house to be overrun with tiny clothes that need washing nine times a day, toys that rattle, and all manner of baby holding, baby safety, and baby carrying devices.
While it's been five years since I've had my own little one, I can remember through the haze of early onset dementia that I appear to be developing, that this necessary hemorrhage of money and space is very, very worth it.
Also, I am the official baby holder of Three Irish Girls, remember? (Here's a tip: Be extraordinarily careful about which titles you bestow upon yourself!)
I started this business when my first child was a toddler, and simultaneously worked dyeing yarn and teaching high school (you can read the story starting here, if you want) for years and years, so the fact that I will only be working one job this time is of great help.
Owning my own business also gives me the flexibility to work around the baby's needs -- I can bring him or her with me, they can nap in my office, they can spend half the day in a sling or on my back if they want to, and when they're big enough, they can stay home with daddy, who works from home.
The take away here is that I've successfully had (cute, healthy, sweet) children under much more challenging circumstances than this one. Besides, after three kids and over 1,000 babies held, I'm a veteran mama bear.
Yes to a few other things:
Yes, you will still get your yarn.
Yes, the spring collection is still coming shortly.
Yes, we are still publishing all the patterns we planned on.
I've been pregnant for a while, you just haven't known it. All is well.
So, there you go. My super top secret surprise announcement. Yay!
Closing my eyes and hitting publish...
Reader Comments (96)
Congratulations Sharon!! What exciting, sweet and wonderful news!! Many wishes for a safe pregnancy and a beautiful, healthy boy or girl.
Most exciting news EVER!!!!!!!! Congratulations on your new addition! I really can't wait to see all your adorable baby clothes for tiny arms and legs! Best of luck! :)
Congrats on the new Irish addition!
congratulations on your new addition Sharon! This is simply amazing
So happy for you and your family! New happy adventures await. Congratulations!
Oh Sharon, congratulations! I am so happy for you. OMG! It is the infallible baby dust, you touched it!.
Now, let the knitting commence - baby things to knit and this baby will no doubt be covered (smothered) in handknits.
Congratulations on the new bun in the oven!! That is so exciting and I know that you are thrilled. Praying for a wonderful pregnancy with a safe delivery with a healthy new baby!!!
Congratulations, my dear friend!
Baby DW will be the most loved new addition to the 3IG family.
How exciting!!!
Thank you so much, everyone! Infallible baby dust strikes again!
Woooohoooo!!!! Congrats! SO happy & excited for you :D :D :D
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!! I am so excited for you. It's all the baby dust you are exposed to. I am smiling ear to ear. Hope you are ready for a mountain of cute, knitted baby things.
Yeah! Baby! :)
Congratulations, Sharon!!!
Such wonderful news, hope you are feeling good!
That's awesome exciting news!
We can be 4th baby buddies - I've got 6mths to go and my "helpers" will be 9, almost 8 & 6 then. (Wish we hadn't passed on the baby clothes either!)
Bet you're looking forward to all the tiny knitting!
YAY!!! Congrats! This is wonderful, exciting news. <3 (Also further proof of the Baby Dust rumor....)
And big kid helpers make a huge difference! With my youngest, I even got to shave both legs in the same shower. Amazing.
Sending all best wishes for healthy baby and mama.
Congratulations! 4 children is absolutely wonderful. I am excited for you and your family. I am, however, glad it's not me for so many reasons. Let the fun begin.
Congratulations!
I'm still convinced it's #3.
Congratulations Sharon!! Having a baby now will be 'old hat' as they say! Wonderful news!!