"Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy!" --Ms. Frizzle

"Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy!" --Ms. Frizzle

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

A New Friend (and other, lesser news)

After nine long months, some really killer morning sickness, and a lot of hot and uncomfortable days my dear friend Kristen gave birth to a gorgeous baby boy! On August 11th at 7:01 in the morning, Thomas Preble made his grand entrance into the world, weighing 6 lbs 6 oz.

To Kristen and Daniel: thank you for sharing your son with me! It is a huge privilege to be part of your family's life.

To Baby Thomas: I love you, little one. Be good to your mom and dad! They are smart, wonderful people and for all you know they know what they're doing ;)









I was lucky enough to get to meet Thomas on the day he was born, thanks to my flexible work schedule (i.e. stay-at-home parenthood). That trip over to Seattle with Geneva was my first night away from Avery since she was born, and I was a bit apprehensive about how that would go. I know that I am the one taking care of her for most of the day, but the prospect of losing those couple of hours where Avery is in charge of her seemed really daunting. I suppose in the face of 22 "on call" hours in a day, those other two seem pretty crucial. But you know what? We did just fine. Mostly what I missed while I was gone, aside from getting to spend time with Avery, were my dear husband's navigational skills-- I got spectacularly lost on the way to the hospital, and with Geneva bawling in the back seat I was thinking she might have the right idea with throwing a fit. Fortunately we survived.

Other recent happenings include the planting of a new flower bed in our backyard, a lovely visit from Grandpa Robert and Melba, Geneva's new ability to ride forward-facing in her wrap, and the disappearance of our sweet kitty Milo. He has been gone for almost two weeks now and I'm beginning to think he might not come back. Today I made a huge stack of fliers to put up around the neighborhood, hoping someone will recognize him and call us. I really, really miss him.



Avery planting lavender in the new flower bed.



Melba



The Zoglmans



A funny face (or two).



Facing out!



My little buddy, the day before he ran away.



On a different subject, I have a new addiction: fabric. I'm finally learning how to sew and oh. my. goodness. I could spend a fortune on fabric-- even when I have absolutely nothing in mind for using it! I go to JoAnn's and pick through their quilting quarters, which for you non fabric store addicts are 18 inch squares of printed cotton for like a dollar fifty. It has gotten to the point where I've come home with a new stack of pretty fabric squares only to realize shoot, I already have this print. Mostly I've been making baby hats, which is not necessarily the most useful thing I could be churning out but does combine my love of babies and hats (and now fabric). Today I finished my first actual garment, minus the buttons: a blue polka-dot jumper for Geneva. It's actually pretty cute, but despite my intention to make it a little big on her it still somehow ended up quite snug. I'm going to have to let the seams out under the armpits so that she can, you know, inhale when she's wearing it. Even though my first foray into the world of homemade clothing was not entirely successfull-- we'll call it 80%-- my confidence is growing. Today I actually ventured away from the quilting quarters and started exploring different textures of fabric, including courduroy-- DROOL! I bought two yards which will either become overalls or a jacket, for Geneva of course. When I'm creating things for her my heart is just full to bursting.

On that note, here are a few more pictures of my favorite girl.