Our Lady, Helper of Mothers, Childbirth and Midwives II

Bernadette and the icons.

Many, many months ago, I was asked to write some smaller versions of this icon, and I agreed.  I began gessoing the boards, but didn't continue.  One reason was that I started up extreme couponing (somewhat mundane, I know, but the family needs to eat!), and that has taken quite a bit of my "alone" time at night, as well as my "not alone" time during the day.  But I'm finally getting the hang of it!  

The main reason for my delay, however, is pictured here, my lovely Bernadette Elise, born three weeks ago.  For those who've never been pregnant or infused with all those wonderful female hormones: hormones can change a woman like nothing else.  So, for example, one moment we're feeling creative, another moment we're not. Or we feel creative in different ways.  My creativity has lately been taken out in sorting baby clothes.  And couponing.  And shopping.  Hence my need for couponing (a joke, of course.  Mostly).    :)

A few days ago, however, I was talking to my mother, and she brought out remorse in me, for this project left undone.  Did you know that breast-feeding also changes hormones?  And lo and behold: I wanted to write icons.  So I began again last night, and brought them to their current state this morning with a baby strapped to my body, and two other rascals running around making trouble.  

Albeit, this is a good time to be working on these icons, since I'm on maternity leave.  But I do want to say one other thing - I sure feel sorry for those monks who are able to spend 12 plus hours a day writing icons.  With no distractions.  No kids running around making life crazy fun.  While 12 uninterrupted hours sounds VERY attractive at times, I must say that I am thrilled to have just got in 45 minutes of icons done this morning.  But more than that, I would never give up the fact that as I'm writing this blog I have one baby on my lap being burped, one toddler behind me kissing my back (I've no idea why, but I enjoy the loving), and a three year old asking how she should put her clothes back on after having gone potty.  

What the monks are missing!  There's something to be said for work done with blood, sweat and tears.  And spit-up.  I've got it all.