More summer pics…
2008 @ 1:53 pm
Chipwich at Long Beach…
Sieving jellyfish…
Cuddly new friends…
(felted elephant from Mary)
And a birthday for me…
it’s a happy, crazy summer!
(yes, that’s a giant stuffed penguin)
Summer Olympics are for Sewing
2008 @ 12:38 pm
FIRST THINGS FIRST. You’ve probably heard that the preview for the latest, and definitely greatest, knitting zine is UP UP UP! Go and visit Popknits now 
i’ve gotta hand it to Stephanie, she thought it, developed it and then DID IT. It takes guts to put stuff out here on the Internet–she is a shining star among us.
I committed to some WIP Wrestling with the Spiders Team over on Ravelry… I think I’m going to bring the team down! First of all, I’ve watched about one hour of the Olympics (not counting the entire, amazing opening ceremony). I am so exhausted in the evenings. I’ve also had my birthday, some visitors, and awesome weather to contend with. Not to mention our small home improvements, the purchase of a new car, and a haircut. It’s been a whilrwind of small changes–all of which are probably to blame, at least in part, for Maia’s unwillingness to nap. But, that’s another story.
For me, the Olymipcs has served as a reminder that summer is almost over–boo! It lit a fire under me to finish certain already cut sewing projects before it’s too late.
This little number just needs some buttons. It’s the first sewing project that I didn’t totally screw up. I didn’t have to break out the seam ripper until my machine went haywire while making buttonholes. That’s the last step and I decided to pause and give the machine a break. Thanks for being my hanger, Mary
Pattern: New Look 6576 (sans applique and headband)
Size: Small 13-18 lbs (pattern goes up to 24 lbs, I am thinking of making one for Maia’s first day of “school” this fall)
Fabric: ummmmm, purchased in Hudson, NY
Mods: I did french seams down the side–so cool! Not a raggedy edge in site on this thing.
Improvements: I think I would do a better job on the hem if I had the motivation. I just did a straight stitch and I think it would be better with a blind hem. I am pretty sure Cassie doesn’t give a crap though.
Pattern: from Stardust Shoes
Fabric: some calico of my mom’s and some flannel
Mods: I didn’t interface anything. It’s not really a big deal, but the shoes would have more structure if I had.
Other: Lots of stupid mistakes. I cut holes for the elastic in in the top of the shoes, hence the cheezy ribbon. My stitching didn’t lock down on the sides so i had to do some hand fixing. These were gifted to Jennifer for her new baby (arriving today???? updated: YES!!!). I hope she likes them and forgives my spazticity.
Ok, now reallly, go visit Popknits.
under the weather, but in good spirits!
2008 @ 8:36 pm
We’ve been a little sick here, but things are still trucking along.
We play with Playdough almost every morning…
We dispense Infant Mortin as needed…
And we visit special people like Lily-the-cousin-once-removed that give us wonderful hand me down toys… I continue to be amazed by how much kid business has found a rightful place in our apartment.
home improvement
2008 @ 9:21 pm
It’s been a minute, but I assure you, I am still here. And, I will even have some “before and after” photo evidence soon! We’ve embarked on some home improvement projects in this blasted heat. Nothing major–we rent, after all. But, there are just some things I can no longer stand for. The fact that my desk is covered in crap because I have nowhere else to put stuff,
the fact that that the bathroom was obviously not painted before we moved in six years ago,
cream and mint green do not go together. And what fell off the wall?
hmmmm, not even attempting to cover the primer. I wonder if my bathroom will look cleaner after we paint or if everything else that’s wrong with it will just seem worse?
the fact that my entryway is tacky wood paneling (it is painted over everywhere else in the apartment, thank god),
that’s a tin ceiling up there, not that anyone would notice!
that i get soaked every time I wash a dish,
and that we have all this baby stuff falling on you as you walk into the hall. Today we purchased hooks, shelves, paint, a faucet, and plants. Wish us luck. I have been instructed to leave the house for most of the action. Honestly, I would rather not watch.
Ugh, after all that ugliness, let’s see some babies
We went on vacation last week, yay!
Maia loves the sun and the sun loves her
Uncle Chris collected some crabs…
Cassie in stereo. I bought this awesome onesie at Brooklyn Flea and got to put her in it exactly once. She is growing so fast!
Added later–couldn’t resist posting it when my sister in law sent it…
A weekend at The Green and Purple House
2008 @ 10:33 pm
When my friend Maura invited a bunch of gals up to craft at her country house in Columbia County (NY) for a weekend, I jumped on it! We hadn’t planned any vacations for the summer so i was itching to get out. It was decided that we would leave the older children at home and bring the babies upstate. I’ll pause here while you visit Maura’s blog, Green and Purple House. She hasn’t posted in a while, but I know how you guys like the cute babies–and she’s got plenty. Her last post was 8 months ago and recounts the story of her latest creation (off the needles), Mairead. This gorgeous, supremely content being was born at home and I think you’ll enjoy the read. And by the way, that fresh-faced woman in the photos JUST GAVE BIRTH.
Since Maura hasn’t updated since that day, I’ll post Mairead here, at 8 months…
We packed knitting and sewing and books and patterns with the best intentions. It turns out that even little babies don’t let you get that much done–I sort of forgot that. What we did get done, I am very proud of. And it’s still way more than i could ever do when Maia was 10 weeks.
Maura found this amazing mobile via Spool Sewing.
I can’t wait to see hers complete. My birds may take a different path–the two I made have been gifted to Maia. The pattern calls for hand sewing, but we broke out the machine and learned a bit about the third dimension and a bit about the sewing machine. We both still have lots to learn, but these little birdies are great practice. Just a quick note: we stuffed our tails, but on closer inspection, this does not seem to be what the creator of the pattern chose to do. Not stuffing them will make closing the bird far easier.
I also got cracking on some more cloth baby shoes and we each cut a pattern for a short, summery baby romper/dress. This blue one is for Cassie, who’s skin tone lends itself far more to pastels than her big sister’s.
We also made a trip into Hudson to the quilt shop for some supplies–yardage and fat quarters for kid stuff, unknowns, and of course, more birds…
(yea, i know they look dead, but you wanted to see the contrasting fabric choices, right?)
and here is the house. It’s not exactly green and purple, but it feels like it is…
I am really hoping we get to do this again soon…
A meme
2008 @ 10:43 am
It’s been a while since I responded to one of these and this one seemed appropriate to now–I graduated college ten years ago and recently decided to head up there for my reunion. Mr. Sassypants will also attend since he graduated at the same time. But folks, it’s gonna be so strange! See, we were “together” for sophomore year, but spent the rest of our time at school being separate. Barely even friends. We know a lot of the same people, but had very different experiences in that tiny town. It will be interesting to check out our old haunts together. Bars at opposite ends of a two block Main Street. Actually, I wonder if we will even wind up bar crawling together–maybe we’ll separate into our groups? I guess that will depend on his crew showing up though… I digress.
1. Where was I 10 years ago.
Just graduated SUNY Geneseo and had already started my first low-paying job in nonprofit at the Westchester Arts Council. I learned a lot at this place in a bass ackwards sort of way. I was smoking a drinking my way through this summer to be sure. Most of my college buds lived on Long Island so I drove out there almost every weekend. When I stayed in town (Mamaroneck, NY) I ran with my friends Megan and Karen to local bars. My grandma gave me $1,000 towards a professional wardrobe for graduation and I shopped A LOT that summer. I don’t recall what I did for the fourth, but it probably involved missing the fireworks. That always happens to me.
2. Five things on today’s to-do list.
-Start NYFA grant for client
-Go to Abs class at the Y. We are new members.
-Hand address envelopes for Cassie’s birth announcement (yes, late)
-Groceries
-attempt to figure out sidecutter attachment for sewing machine.
3. Snacks I enjoy.
Brownies, plain yogurt with honey, Lundberg rice cakes with butter or cream cheese.
4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire.
Start my own foundation to support the arts and social change.
Get my kids better health insurance.
Set my parents up for retirement wherever they want and then make it easy for us to visit whenever we want.
Purchase Volvo S50 and a corner brownstone with one of those detached garages in a good public school zone (that’s right, i would still try hard for public ed).
5. Places I have lived.
New York (Mamaroneck, Geneseo, Manhattan, Brooklyn)
6. Jobs I have had.
babysitter, receptionist, sales clerk, telephone operator, development assistant, development director, foundation program officer, consultant.
7. Who would I like to know more about.
whoever. comment if you decide to go for it!
Summer Days
2008 @ 7:34 am
So, Cassie’s getting a little bit bigger and more alert as the summer progresses–we’ve got some smiling and a pretty strong neck. Maia is still being a great big sister. There’s a little more interest in putting Cassie’s pacifiers in her own mouth, but it’s not all that bad. We’ve had playdate upon playdate to keep us busy and we’ve managed to get to the swimming pool (our favorite is quite a distance) a couple of times.
Maia’s favorite activity at this pool is to “be the monkey” and swing from the railing. She also does this at home on our bathroom sink. I’ve heard her give very precise instruction on how to “be the monkey” to her friends–she’s really into it. Since this pool is shaped like a bowl with no steps, she’s pretty much relegated to the railing or someone’s lap. We signed her up for swimming lessons at the Y starting this week because the kid has NO FEAR (unlike mom, ahem) of water. She’s gotta learn to swim by next year or it will be disastrous. Mostly for my nerves.
All in all, it’s been a great start to summer!
barfy baby
2008 @ 3:56 pm
As I type this, I think it’s safe to say that Cassie has slowed it down on the spit up. While she was in the throws of it, I made a few burp cloths (as per Cathy’s post). I used what I had around and they came out pretty great! Not my first choices, but pretty much the only stuff that matched my green skull flannel.
I need some serious help with my top-stitching and I think this pattern is a great way to practice! Burp cloths are not items that need to look perfect and the curves are great for getting better at guiding fabric through the machine. Next time I might try one of my fancy quilting stitches.
I also need some help with the manual setting on my camera. It’s blurry, but you get the idea. I’ve been reading the blog Beyond Megapixels–it’s been really helpful in helping me understand more about the potential my camera has.
Pattern: New Conceptions
Earl Grey Socks
2008 @ 10:57 am
I’ve cast on for some Earl Grey socks… I was needing something portable and non-lacy… I like the pattern so far, but didn’t pick a solid color yarn that would highlight the cables. It’s not awful and I don’t think the recipient will really care anyway.
I’m using a US2 (magic loop) and Araucania Ranco Solid in a gray colorway. I agonized over which two skeins to purchase since they all appeared wildly different, even among dye lots. Hopefully the two socks won’t be too “off”!
A day in the life
2008 @ 10:44 pm
I have enjoyed reading Heidi’s “day in the life” posts for the last few years–it’s probably because her daughter and Maia are the same age and have some shared experiences. I thought it would be funny to try one of my own. Yes, funny. Funny because even as I type this, I know that it’s going to be impossible to remember the whole day. So, we’ll see how it goes.
7:30 am: Cassie seems to be awake for “good” at this time. I am so out of it that I think it’s 6:30 when I look at my watch. I look at the clock and realize it’s close to 8. In that span of time, Cassie has spit up three times. In my bed. There has also been a diaper malfunction and there is a baby piddle puddle. In my bed. I hear Maia, Cassie seems to be asleep again, go get Maia.
8 am: Maia greets me, “I want daddy”. Naturally. “He is downstairs”. “I want to see him”. “okay, let’s change your diaper first”. She tells me its “just pee” a few times. Lucky me, it is Cassie still sleeping, we debate bringing her and decide not to even though Maia really really wants to. We go downstairs. I talk to Jennifer about the day’s plan to get our girls together post-nap. I call back 5 minutes later to discuss pre-school payment schedule.
9 am: Maia plays and I make coffee and call the health insurance company to contest yet another statement. Low point of my day, even though i think it will work out in my favor.
9:30 am: Maia jumps on daddy who, amazingly, does not wake up. Sidenote: sometimes when Jason comes home from work very late, like 4 am late, he passes out watching TV. She plays with her “topato” (computer), which is really a LeapPad, until I bribe her to the table with orange slices. Orange in slice format is VERY exciting. She also eats a couple of hard boiled eggs, but only the yellow part. Some white part is had with resistance. We have some silly conversations that I don’t really remember right now. The following phrases were uttered at least 5 times each: “what you doin’ mommy?” “where mommy?” “where daddy?” “where cassie?” “where joey?” “who dat mommy?” I tell her the plan for the day, which i thought would involve a trip to the shoe store. Maia would rather go to the park. She has started calling me Papa–what a weirdo. I down two cups of coffee.
10:15 am: Maia seems to be done with breakfast, but chooses to sit with me while I work out the class schedule for Brooklyn General. How nice to have company! We hear Cassie and agree that I should go get her. I am finding it works to ask Maia what we should do when Cassie cries. Turns out we usually agree There’s not really an averse reaction to things having to do with Cassie, i just like involving Maia in the process.
10:30 am: Feed Cassie while Maia watches (sort of) Ni Hao, Kai Lan. Great show, short episodes, positive themes, Mandarin skills. We have seen each episode 1,000,000,000,000 times. I still can only remember “green”. Maia can remember green, red, push, and a few other things.
11 am: Daddy is awake and is on a few calls that seem to involve the purchase of a forklift for $100. I am skeptical, but say nothing. I pass off Cassie to tackle the gross kitchen which was left the night before by me. I passed out with Cassie at 8:30. Sue me. Daddy does a diaper for Cassie.
11:30 am: Nurse Cassie.
11:45 am: I get to shower today–hooray! Maia and Daddy make lunch, Cassie fusses in the bouncy chair. I try on three shirts and finally settle one that has a pattern crazy enough to distract from my baby pooch, but that I can nurse in. Towel dry hair, put in ponytail/knot thing and throw on a headband from Renegade ‘07. That’s right, i didn’t even comb it. Pack diaper bag.
12:30: Bag is packed for our long walk to Brooklyn General that I have strategically planned for naptime. Cassie is falling asleep so I move her to the snuggly thingy that slides into the bottom of our fancy pants double decker stroller. Daddy converts stroller from two-toddler set up from the weekend (cousin visiting) to infant/toddle. See? told you it was fancy pants. Maia tries to go on the potty.
1 pm: We are on the road, yay! Ahead of schedule even, which turns out to be a bad thing. Cassie sleeps the whole way there (40 mins), but Maia never sleeps. Lots of exciting stuff to see: dogs, jackhammer, BIG trucks, buses, etc. Maia has “sprrrring cheese” (string cheese).
1:40: we are there, but Maia is awake. keep walking.
2:10: No napping. Head for Coffee Den to get a peanut butter and jelly on wheat, banana and iced coffee. Meet Catherine there, but don’t recognize her from behind. Hello. She only delivered my baby. Nearly DIE when the cost is only $6.45. I had $12 and was worried it wouldn’t be enough. We walk back to the shop and meet a bunch of friendly faces. Maia plays with some kids that are there and I watch/listen and enjoy my lunch. Cassie is still sleeping–I am somewhat amazed by this. Maia gets possessive when another child looks a HER baby sister and covers the stroller with a blanket. So freakin’ cute.
3:00: Maia’s playmate who DID nap, wakes up and they are getting along well–only minor sharing B.S. to deal with. Cassie wakes up, nurses and goes back to sleep. Wow. I wind some yarn.
3:30: I decide to walk Maia again and there is talk of going to the playground. Run into Stephanie and Camille, who are meeting us at the store. After 15 mins there is no napping and the sky look foreboding. Go back to shop and watch Camille, Paloma and Maia play. Lots of running and craziness. Also lots of hugging. Maia gets huggy when she’s tired, but Paloma is sick of it and needs her own space. I cast on for Earl Grey socks. Cannot believe I accomplished this.
4-something: Cassie wakes up and nurses. Maia getting crazier by the second, I begin to wonder if we are trapped at the store by weather. I call Jason to see what’s up with him–any chance he can rescue us? Fancy pants stroller is not devised for public transportation. he might be free at 6:30 so I decide we are eating dinner at the shop. yay pizza! There is crazy play going on, hugging that ends in injury (toddlers often knock each other over when they hug), “mine mine mine!!!!”, sneeze-ball (the very first game Maia and Paloma made up with each other), maia is tired and falls a lot (”i ok!”). Change diapers.
5 something: Pizza is procured and Stephanie and Camille take off. Cassie goes back to sleeping. There is intermittent conversation about how I will get home dry. Take the subway and hope someone pities me and helps me get stroller down and up the stairs? Leave the stroller at the shop and take the bus? Leave the stroller at Jennifer’s and take the other bus? Settle on the latter. Children are instructed to sit on butts or knees on the chairs to eat pizza. Small amount of pizza is consumed and also some chocolate milk. Gross combo, huh? Maia falls off the chair and announces “I all done”. i think she meant to say, “I ok”, but was so tired she mixed up the words. Either way, she nailed it in that she was totally DONE with being awake.
6:10: We leave the shop.
6:30-ish: Get to Jennifer’s and I decide to go for it. I pee at her place and grab some crackers for the ride. We make it about 5 blocks and run into a former student, Melissa, who just had an ADORABLE baby boy. On the small side like my babies Getting paranoid about rain and decide to walk fast.
6:45-ish: Crossing Gowanus Canal and feel drops. See lots of drops in canal. CRAP–this is the worst place for it to start raining. No shelter. Start to run. Get 1/4 mi and realize I am way way way out of shape, but maia really likes going fast. Walk again. Fast. We make it to the door with the first clap of thunder and I am the most wet, but it’s not that bad. Phew. Cassie waking up.
7 pm: Nurse Cassie. Maia searches for various toys, pets the cat and pulls out a book to read. Maia finally poops and we change her diaper.
7:30 pm: Maia requests water (with lemon juice like mommy) and we head upstairs to bed. Cassie is awake, but pretty quiet while we read books-nice! Change Cassie’s diaper. Once in the crib Maia asks for Cassie to sleep with her. This is nightly. I explain that some day Cassie will sleep in the room with her, but not until she’s bigger. She asks me to “sleep on Oda’s bed” (this is Lola’s bed and Lola is Maia’s paternal grandmother. really, it just came from her house and will someday be Maia’s bed). I tell her that Cassie and I will nap in there with her tomorrow. And we will. That works and Cassie and I say good night and leave the room.
8 pm: clean up a little bit downstairs and realize Cassie’s been asleep, like, all day. I pick her up and hold her for an hour or so and give her a little more to eat. Call my parents. Watch So You Think You Can Dance. Dance around a little with Cassie. Until cable box fritzes. Stupid thing.
9 pm: Cassie is clearly tired so I pop the pacifier in to help her relax. She falls asleep and I put her in the bouncy chair. She’s been making intermittent grunty noises, but is still asleep as I type.
11 pm: will probably fall asleep on couch until Jason gets home around 12. He says he’ll take the next feeding (for a couple of night Cassie’s been sleeping 5 hours at this first stretch). Yay sleep. Oh wait, I need to change my sheets. I am pretty confident that if I hadn’t decided to write this post, i wouldn’t remember that until too late.
11:15: Maia crying. She is overtired, but puts herself back to sleep.
All in all a pretty typical, fun day! I even got a little knitting and a little cleaning in. How about that
