friday present: settling into lullabies.


First, I want to say thank you to all of you! Your lovely comments always make my day. And since some days (if even for silly- or non-reasons) are harder than others... such sweetness boosts the ole superpower reserves. 

Without further ado, this week's gratefulness list goes like so: Thankful for...

Settling in. 

{in the woods at giverny by claude monet}
I mean this on so many levels. Settling into my skin, into pregnancy, and settling down. It's funny after all this time vagabonding, I finally just want to be settled and in one place. Long-time friends might be shocked to hear me say such a thing.

So here we are in Santiago, and for the first time this week, we have uninterrupted internet. I'm playing blog catchup, which is always fun. Because the internet situation was so shoddy here, we were going to change to a different place, but they seem to have fixed it, so we're here till Monday. No moving, just settling. This morning I refolded all my suitcase and tidied up. We're staying in a pretty posh fully-equipped two-room apartment in the center, Santa Lucia area. (It only costs us about 14USD more to stay here rather than in the cheapest Santiago hostel, the one with a tiny room and a horribly dirty shared bathroom. And other tourists. Now, lemme just say... Hostels are great when you're traveling and want to meet other travelers! But having the where are you from conversation with the wide-eyed (fellow) globetrotter 3-5 times/day in the place where you currently live started to get old somewhere along the way.)

Moving on. 

{photo : unknown : please let me know if it's yours}
I mean this on so many levels. Moving into phase 2 of the visa process, the light at the end of it all leading us into the USA together. And going on a little vacation! On Monday, we head to Uruguay, just because it was the cheapest place we could get to that wasn't Chile. We plan to see the sun rise from the Atlantic at least once. We've both seen the sun sink into the sea many times (I seem to be a permanent West coaster, from California to Chile), but neither one of us has ever seen the sun rise out of the sea! Other than that... we'll see.

Immigration visa. 

{bardot in blue}
What can I say about this? We decided to do file Serkan's visa paperwork DCF way (via Direct Consular Filing). This means we must go in person to the U.S. Embassy in the country where we live, instead of me mailing it to some PO Box in Chicago from the States. DCF method for Chile takes 2-4 months, whereas if you do this from the States it takes 6-12 months or longer. What held up our process was the crazy slow waiting for me to receive my updated Chilean ID. My last one under a job contract had expired and had my maiden name on it. (Long story.) But to sing the praises of DCF, I can't tell you how amazing it is to be able to file in person! If something is wrong, you know right away. If you have a question about part of one of the documents, you can ask, and know that you filled out said document correctly/satisfactorily, or change it if need be! You know the paperwork has been received, and you have a verbal time frame, and even card to email further questions. You get all the phase two paperwork right away too! Anyway, like I've said, this went crazy wonderfully, and I'm psyched! (If you have any questions about how to fill out forms, sample affidavits or sample cover letters, what to include, etc., send me an email! Happy to share it all with you!)

Getting lost. 

{october by fanfan}
My direction sense has always been horrid. The only place it's ever been halfway decent is in the mountains and on trails. Somehow intuitively I know that one trail will connect with where we want to go. This intuitive sense has dulled over the years (despite the fact that I spend lots more time in the mountains now). Why has it dulled? Simply because I don't trust myself... I get lost everywhere in amazing ways. Sometimes I get lost in the same way various times because I know that I've been there and seen such and such landmark before. Um. Yeah, but I saw it by getting lost. So mostly I can stay pretty relaxed and be lost. But when this lostness joins forces with my habit of being late, that's when the freak outs and real exasperation starts. Really, Heather? Again!? So I'm thankful to be with someone who always seems to know where we are. I think he's magic. He's definitely my favorite dream.

Baby Yalin. 

{by popular demand : the belly, circa 17 weeks}
And of course I'm thankful for our baby, who I now feel daily. I'm starting to sing lullabies to him in hopes that they'll help quiet him later. I've been singing You Are My Sunshine, and I used to love the Irish Lullaby (Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra) my mom and grandparents sang to me as a wee one.

Do you have a favorite lullaby or song that you sang to your little one or that you remember loving to hear as a little one?

47 comments:

Stacey said...

Ok, i feel like i'm stalking you with all these comments:-). However, i was about to close down the computer and head off to bed when i saw that you had just posted. These are adorable pics and that shot of your very little belly is the cutest. Muah:-). I'm signing off now. xo

P.S. I haven't forgotten about the tag either:-)

Abby said...

yay belly pictures! Congratulations!

Kerry said...

You write so beautifully. I've never had the experience of having to file papers in the way you have to but I understand bureaucracy and so glad it's been circumvented a bit! But I can tell you that I've seen the sun rise out of the water in the east and it's magic. Hope you think so too. The bump is beautiful. I used to sing My Bonny lies over the Ocean to my kids...have no idea why!

jules @ The Diversion Project said...

oh wow, look at that. a baby growing. that's incredible. love that shot! jx

Gracie said...

Oh I love your posts. They are always so thoughtful. Yay for the sweet little baby bump picture. I adore those photos.

I'm looking forward to reading more about your baby :)

Faiza said...

feeling so happy for your joy right now! i hope you continue to feel this calm and happiness.

my dad used to sing me nat king cole songs to get me to sleep and sometimes he still does ;) my favorite was mona lisa...

polli said...

cool header! thanks for sharing!!
Congratulations

xx

erica said...

Yay for belly pictures! Congratulations girly! Absolutely beautiful post!


xo

Anonymous said...

Pregnancy is such an exciting time! Someone had bought me a lullaby cd when my son was born and I still remember the words to a couple of songs I would sing to the kids. xo

S and O said...

Aw your too cute ^_^
Congrats on the coming baby :D
Xoxo
Sarah

a little black cloud in a dress said...

That belly shot is the best I've ever seen!

I remember holding my lil one in the hospital, and singing "you are my sunshine" and crying my eyes out, because the song had just popped into my head, but the words were so meaningful. I still sing it to her. :]

OneCraftyFox said...

Yay baby Yalin! Thanks so much for sharing that :)

I'm glad to hear that you are getting settled in. Unlike you, I have been experiencing connectivity issues with my internet service provider... yet I am not on the move.. how ironic :)

Speaking of on the move - - I was thinking... so funny! You bounce around and have Visa issues... are you a woman on the run? Hiding from the law perhaps?! LOL!! Completely kidding of course. Besides, you would make a horrible outlaw with your poor sense of direction... ha ha ha

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend!

DolceDreams said...

You will treasure that gorgeous belly picture in years to come!
Nathalie

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Congrats! such JOYs!!
Enjoy reading your posts, you certainly write so beautifully I must say~

enjoy your weekend*

noone said...

beauty post. and congrats on the belly and the baby!

Kellie Collis said...

Gorgeous belly picture! Hope you are having a perfect weekend! Kellie xx

koralee said...

What a lovely post my friend..congratulations ..your belly is adorable...xoxoxox

Unknown said...

Oh, I'm so happy that things are moving smoothly for you! Baby is so lucky to have two fabulously cool parents!

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

I LOVE your belly shot- that made my day- you look lovely.

I am so glad I 'found' you at this stage!
I'm looking forward to following along the glimpses you post.

Unknown said...

What a cute post! Your bubbly personality shines through your writing, love it:-)

Oh, My Darling said...

What a beautiful post of gratitude!!!

stylenuggets said...

You write so well of things that matter. And thanks for the first peek at your little belly

Anonymous said...

I love the memories I have of my mom singing to me as a little one, so keep up the singin'! :)

I love the peace of mind that just oozes from this post - it's beautiful!

LyddieGal said...

I hope you get to enjoy your sunrise, and savor all the moments of your journey. Congrats on the little one.

Chic on the Cheap

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Wow I love the way you write, great post!

walrus studio said...

cute little belly!!

Elena said...

Yippee for Baby Yalin! Thanks for posting the belly shot. Looking forward to more :)

After Gabriela was born I would burst into tears every time I heard Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles.

rachel said...

ohh, good luck with everything. i hope it always works out. i am happy to see your baby! <3

georgia ~ gi gi said...

You are pregnant, yeah!!!! How wonderful! Look at you and your cute lil tummy!
Lovey post, love to hear about your beautiful life, that just keeps growing :0
Smoochies
gi gi

Barbara von Enger said...

What a divine photograph of your tiny belly - thank you for sharing it with us - especially since it's so intimate, too. XX

k said...

that picture is SO precious....with the background! And all of that paperwork stuff gives me a headache even reading about it :) haha!

Joyti said...

How lovely :) The baby belly was the nicest ending to your post. And the way you described him/her.

Anonymous said...

Woohoo!!! You're so skinny!! :) Thanks for sharing and I LOVE the scenery!! so pretty!!

kelli g. { bug miscellany } said...

such a sweet post. :)

and LOL to your description of your amazing "lostness" powers. i think my hubbers has the same. it's truly remarkable how often he gets lost. :)

Josie said...

The first two "thankfuls" are so perfect for me this week. I've just moved onto a new year and settled in at school and I'm thankful that I'm here and comfortable.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

this free bird said...

Heather.

Oh gosh. At the risk of sounding like a complete nerd, I could read this post repeatedly and still find so many things to soak in and ponder.

I'm so happy you are on a trip and seeing things and having some time away. Uh, belly pics are ADORABLE! Hooray! and thanks for sharing.

xoxo,
Carrie

OneCraftyFox said...

Hey, I have already commented but I just wanted to let you know that I have a Polyvore Challenge on my blog - - the grand prize is a $1,000 Visa Gift Certificate!! We could all use a little extra cash, right? So get over here and win it, lol :)

steph said...

congrats on the baby. :) I really enjoy reading this post ... your description is so vivid and clear, so much to the extent that I can totally feel your excitement and anticipation of having a little one, and the whole settling down process. it's such a beautiful post and it makes me feel happy for you.

Lila said...

I use to sing "So this is love" from the Disney Sleeping Beauty movie. My Son still love it. And for my daughter she's a bit wild and I would sing a song from the Hair musical "Sunshine"

PS newest follower and congrats

Diana Mieczan said...

Awww...how very sweet! Congrats,sweetie:)

Chantele Cross-Jones said...

Gosh you seem to be on such an amazing journey! Its very brave of you to settle in a foreign country. Congrats on the baby, your belly photo is so sweet! Daisy Dayz Home
Cross-Jones-Photography Home

its simple love said...

Oh my gosh! Your belly is so tiny! You are so cute and fit! I am glad you are fitting into your skin and pregnancy more. Good to hear :)

Rachael

Alice said...

i love the pics :) they're amazing!
http://adorecandy.blogspot.com/

Dani said...

Yay baby belly :) So beautiful my friend! My mother used to sing the song Baby Mine to me... It was in Dumbo and the movie Beaches. Love that one...

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Hello, I just came across your blog... Your pictures are just beautiful!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia

JMay said...

Aww, how cute are you preggers!!!

lydia said...

Hey stranger :)

Do you remember when you requested music I told you to check out the Rockabye Baby Lullaby cds...There was no Baby Yalin then, but maybe it was a subconscious knowing that he was destined to come soon...?

Some songs I sing to Eden are All Through the Night, All the Pretty Horses, and the chorus to Angel Baby. I'm sure anything you sing to the little guy will be great. Can't wait to meet him! :)

On a side note, reading about being lost reminds me of our wrong-way BART trip to work, which reminds me of our wrong-way trip home from the mall where we ended up driving to the Altamont Pass, which reminds me of our wrong-way 2-mile hike through a Philly suburb. heh. fun times :D

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