Y’all, I’ve got some news. It’s big, at least for me.
My husband Ryan and I will have a hatchling soon. I get to be a mother later this year, for the rest of forever. This is something I’d almost talked myself out of allowing, and honestly wasn’t even sure I was biologically set up to do. (It’s a long endometriosis story, but all is well, and my one remaining ovary says she was born ready, TYVM.)
ETA for the wee Sprite is Halloween. Because of course it is. I first felt movement for certain on Mother’s Day, at 12:45pm central. Kid’s got timing. And seems to already have an interest in dance, because they’ve been very active ever since.
Color me thrilled, and feeling like a boss and a basket case in all the right ways.
I want you all to know, the fact that the available Village for this upcoming person is so vast and badass is the main reason I feel any kind of courage at all right now. Ryan and I are stepping into this with a massive well of support, and we know it. Thank you. Sprite is going to have a diverse and delightful extended fam of adults, teens, tweens, and elders to look up to, and so are we as new parents.
In celebration of all of this, I’ve put together a kids-positive mixtape on Bandcamp for all of you to enjoy, with some new songs in it, as well as beloved faves. Because Bandcamp’s interface is so smooth, if there are songs of mine that I didn’t include that you believe are an absolute must for a kids-positive song collection, I want you to tell me so that I can consider adding those, too! It will be very easy for me to do so. All proceeds will go to the upkeep of the wee Sprite and yours truly as this adventure unfolds, and even towards building/outfitting the baby’s room.
To answer a couple of questions which may be on some folks’ minds after hearing this news:
-Yes, I am of course going to keep making and producing music.
-No, it is not all about to become children’s music.
-Yes, I will keep touring and performing live, though of course the sprite’s needs are going to be my top priority for the foreseeable future, and this autumn through 2020, my travel schedule is going to be necessarily light. That doesn’t mean I’m quitting, because I am Not.
-No, we do not know much about the baby yet, but my next appointment is coming up soon, after which we will know more. So far, so good.
-Yes, I am working on baby registry right now. It may not be awesome, because IDK how to make one, but I know some of you are gonna want to see it. EDIT: here it is!
-Yes, there will be a baby shower, possibly many, partly because my immediate family and friends are all over it (I love you, Renée).
-Yes, Ryan and I will be focusing partly on building a bit more house (again) to comfortably fit this new life.
-Yes, I have an amazing doula and an OB who’s growing on me. I also have an amazing mom and amazing in-laws, not to mention an amazing, adorably beside-himself husband. What better situation in which to be going through my first-ever pregnancy? Ryan and I are very much aware that the world is filled with parents and parents-to-be who do not have the level of support and access to community that we have, the peaceful home environment and the other aspects of privilege that we currently walk in. More than anything, we wish everyone-parents and kids-could experience the support and trust we have from our loved ones, and from each other. So mote.
-Lastly, No, it is not lost on me that my story-sister CMV is also expecting, and that our two due dates are BARELY a month apart. I’m shocked you couldn’t all hear the shrieks of laughter when we called each other to share our news. We have got to get these two together, said Dr. Venkman, and he’s not wrong.