The Birth of Spring
maternity photos + writing update
“With the flower of one perfect idea—and there they build their nests and lay their pale-blue eggs, every year, and every year the hatchlings wake in the swaying branches, in the silver baskets, and love the world.”
Mary Oliver
Hello dear ones,
Spring is blushing pink here in the Pacific Northwest. We had a brief few days of sunshine before the clouds took back over the sky. I went for a walk with my son and felt the warmth licking my shoulders. Overhead the magnolia blossoms were like upturned teacups.
I wanted to write a personal piece this week, something about spring and motherhood and this strange feeling of coming back around to the one year anniversary of my baby’s birth. But I am deep in book revisions right now, so that exploration will have to wait for another time.
It’s been an interesting experience, returning to this novel after two years away from it. My perspective on the characters has changed. I started working on this book when I was 24—now, I’m almost 31. I’ve grown up a lot, become a mother, and settled further into my own skin.
These photos were part of a maternity portrait shoot that I did last year with my friend Holly. Our babies ended up being born within eight weeks of each other. It was a special shoot because it was the first time I made the costumes myself. I designed, sewed, and hand-dyed the dresses, inspired by Flora and tales of Greek nymphs. All while I was eight-months pregnant.
My sister and I are hoping to have book revisions done by early next week. Then it’ll be a round of line edits and onto submission. I’m looking forward having a bit more breathing space in April. I want to make some more dresses like this.
I did a little bibliomancy to pick the quote for today’s post. Mary Oliver’s Devotions sits above my desk. This line is from “Goldfinches.”
Do you have a favorite image from this set? I’d love to hear which one. Leave me a comment or reply to this email sharing which caught your eye.
Until next time,
p.s. this is a new format I’m trying out for my bi-monthly letters. Let me know if you enjoyed it!
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I love the one with the two of you facing inward and gazing at your bellies.
These are gorgeous, Kerani! I especially love the last one, the full length one, maybe because it shows the most of that luscious dark middle piece in the dresses. On both dresses, that color is so rich and fertile and juicy (just like new motherhood!). I can't believe you made those! Spectacular!