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)
Well done you. I have four, I thought 3 was mad, bad, crazy wonderful, the fourth just goes on for longer, but in a good way! I love babies and I miss my babies. The eldest went to high school this year (we're in Australia) the youngest went to preschool. Such a lark this motherhood. Enjoy the next few months of that bump. I think boy!
Congratulations! That is wonderful news! (I'm pregnant with my fourth, as well, so while the rest of the world may decide you're crazy, at least you're not alone.) :-)
Congratulations!! What a blessing! :)
Congratulations, Sharon. I hope for a boy so you don't have to change your company to Four Irish Girls.
Congratulations Sharon!!! I am super excited for you and your family!!! My daughter , though adopted, was our 4th and our boys were 9, 9, and 10 when she arrived. To say they adore and dote on her would be a major understatement. I am sure your "helpers" will be just as wonderful with your precious bundle! Can't wait to see your wonderful, precious, Irish baby!!!!
It is so nice when good people make more good people. Keep up the good work.
Congratulations! I wonder if Four Irish Girls will become my 'new' favorite hand dyed yarn?
Congratulations - that is wonderful!
YAYAAYAYAY CONGRATULATIONS!!! your well-earned title will come in so handy. :)
Congratulations! That's awesome Irish news---just like a four-leafed clover!
CONGRATS!!!! :) Beautiful photo! I'm going to guess boy :)
Congratulations!! That's incredibly exciting :)
Hey me too! Only I haven't told anyone yet.... I am guessing based on how much longer you have left that we are due within 6 weeks of each other! Awesome! Mine will be number 5 though....
Whoohoo! Congratulations to you and hubby on the new little Irish! Sending positive vibes your way!
Exciting! Congratulations! I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant with our 1st child, who is expected to arrive around June 21st. Sounds like your new addition will be joining the world about a month later. As a new mom, I'd be happy to take any tips you have on balancing work and knitting with all the mom responsibilities, since you are a veteran. ;-) (sjn821 on Rav)
Congratulations, Sharon! You are a wonderful mommy--- can't wait to meet your newest little one :-)