Wednesday, December 3, 2014

three stockings

There are three stockings hanging by the fireplace this year.
Well technically four, if you count Lola's...but let's not.
I had to get new ones because our old set didn't have a third (besides the tiny one that has become Lola's). Replacing stockings (or anything) because you have a baby is not the worst thing ever. Because now there are three. Where there used to be two- and a two that felt incomplete, a two that wanted more- now there are three. My mantel and my heart are so full and happy.


I realized after sending these to the embroiderer that I possibly didn't plan ahead very well. There are three- and only three. The colors of the embroidery thread mix and match perfectly with three. And they look awesome and I'm thrilled with how they turned out- but I immediately thought (and had a friend quickly voice the same opinion) that it wouldn't be easy to add a fourth, should the need arise. Oops?

But you know what? I just don't care. I don't know if we'll ever need a fourth stocking. I don't know at what emotional and/or physical and/or financial expense a fourth stocking may come. I don't know what the future holds for us or whether one day I'll be anxious and crying for lack of a fourth stocking, or whether a fourth stocking will just appear on our proverbial doorstep and be welcomed in with open arms. I really have no idea.

But right now I am just too happy, too content, too complete to think about it much. We have three stockings- an infinite improvement over two. My heart is so full that I can't imagine ever needing anything else. And so I just can't get myself too worked up over imagining what the future might or might not bring. I spent too many years already living in an uncomfortable state of 'well, next year maybe ______' and 'I can't commit to _____ because what if ______.' I can't do it now. So maybe I could have given a little more thought to Christmases of the future and bought an extra stocking or had the embroidery all done in one color, to make future stocking additions a little more seamless. But I didn't. And it's okay. Our three stockings are perfect- especially this one:


And if we were to ever need a fourth stocking someday, or a fifth, or a twelfth (ummmm...), then I'm sure I'll be all too happy to make a return trip to Target and find a new set for all of us. 

But for now, I am totally and completely and beyond happy with my three stockings.

(Stockings are from Target; embroidery was done locally.)

30 comments:

  1. Three is a pretty lovely number :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. So beautiful! I was planning to buy 4 stockings this year but I like it better the way you did it. Buying 4 almost makes it seem like I'm not satisfied with 3 which I completely am.

    I'm so happy for you and your happy family. Are you going to take Camilla to get her picture taken with Santa?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stockings 4, 5, 12, etc., could all be green with white embroidery.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yay!!! I love that you got to add another stocking this year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your mantle is so pretty! Simply, festive, and happy with THREE stockings! It's a beautiful sight...beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is one of the most festive, joy-filled Christmas decorating photos I've seen thus far. I love your three stockings.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The stockings are gorgeous, it is so pretty and the embroidery is so perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 3 is my favorite number. :-) (Well, actually, 7 is my favorite number, but I would never wish that upon you. So for your sake, I say 3 is an equally lovely prime number that I love just the same.)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations on your three beautiful stockings, and all they represent! Here's to living in the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've been wondering about "future kids" for you, but didn't want to ask... I love your perspective on it though!! SO good. Also, I just refused to hang stockings at all this year because I hate that ours don't match and we aren't 100% decided on how many kids we will have so I don't want to buy more. SO DUMB. Maybe I will go get new stockings done after all - who really knows what the future will hold for any of us, you might as well have a pretty mantle in the meantime right? :) As always, so blessed by your story and your heart! You deserve every single second of joy this season!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm not sure how Lola feels about this whole thing (perhaps a guest blog is in order?), but those 3 new stockings look pretty perfect to me!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Simply beautiful. Enjoy the moment of three.

    ReplyDelete
  13. "We have three stockings- an infinite improvement over two." YES! So true. I think you're totally allowed to want more. Infertility doesn't require that you be fulfilled with one child, but I'm so happy that you're enjoying this holiday season with your plus one and able to focus on all that you FINALLY have.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Loving this.

    Also, am slightly obsessed with your custom-embroidered stockings... I was shopping on Etsy for personalized stockings so we could all match, and yeah... $47 apiece... no bueno. How did you find someone to do it for you? And was it very expensive? I think they look amazing, and if you need a fourth, you'll figure it out. Not a bad problem to have...ha! (Also, we downgraded our dogs from having two stockings to just having one. I'm a terrible dog mom.)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think 3 for now is a great number :) I love that you have 3! How exciting!! :) So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I LOVE your stockings and your perspective on the future. My mom made Landon's stocking and I just cried when I hung it up... such a simple gift that means the world!

    ReplyDelete
  17. So great! I can totally relate to all of the years spend thinking "I can't commit to____". Enjoy this season with Camilla and do not worry about possibly needing a 4th stocking because then you can just go shopping if needed:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hanging up our 4 stockings last year was a big "oh my gosh this is really my life" moment for me last year... such a tangible reminder of how very greatly our stories have changed :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love this. I've been silent on the commenting since I'm almost always mobile and it's just too much with an infant but, fear not! I've been reading. Oh, and nice balls...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your posts about your little family of three make my heart burst with happiness for you. xo

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the color schemes!! Your 3 look perfect :) And if a 4th, 7th, 19 become needed, a trip to Target is easy :D

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your 3 stockings are perfect. So happy for your upgrade from last year.

    ReplyDelete
  23. There is always puffy paint and regular socks. Just saying. (I love your three. I love our three. Three is pretty good, right? In fact, it's just perfect.)

    ReplyDelete
  24. This makes me so happy! Seriously, reading all your posts about your sweet girl just make me so appreciative of my own boys and make me realize how lucky we all are to have such amazing kiddos in our lives. I am so happy for you!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love both your stockings and your thoughts/perspective on the situation! I think many people (no matter what's on their fireplace) could use a minute to be content in the present and not worry so much about what may come in the future. I know I can!

    The fact there are THREE now - such a blessing and so exciting. And, for what it's worth, I think you could add another red or green one and stick it on the opposite end, if ever the need arises. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. And then there were three...ahh love the symbolism of it all. Perfect.

    ReplyDelete

I love comments almost as much as I love Mexican food. Seriously.