this little life of mine

FOUR!

2012-01-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

Four years ago our Little Buddy was born.

It was five weeks before his due date, we had just that week moved into our first house, and we thought it was just Braxton-Hicks contractions.

After all, we had two false alarm trips to the hospital before Claire actually made her appearance.

When the nurse told me I was going to have Alex that night I laughed out loud!

I was so unprepared- no camera, no jammies, no coming-home-from-the-hospital outfit, nothing!

That whole night in the hospital I wondered about him and if he would look like Noah (I thought he would since Claire did) and how it would be to take him home and be a mother to two.

When a nurse gently told us about an hour before he was born that he was too early and would most likely need extra care, I was surprised.

I knew he was five weeks early, but for some reason, it didn't seem like it would be a problem.

There were extra nurses in the delivery room and a special set-up to deal with premature problems.

His actual delivery was so easy, I smiled through the whole thing and the doctor pointed out to a brand-new nurse (her very first delivery) that most of the time, it is not that peaceful and fast. :)

But I didn't get to hold him.

They whisked him to the nursery and finished up with me, and it wasn't for a few hours that I got to see him.

He was bloated yet tiny, red-faced and angry and connected to tons of machines.

He was mine and he was beautiful.

Then they told me he had to be transferred to a better-equipped Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit, where he stayed for 13 days before coming home.

The nurses thought I would stay in the maternity ward to recover and then go home in 24 hours.

I thought, "Are you crazy? One of my babies is at home and the other is in another hospital. I am not staying here."

I didn't stand up for myself, but my awesome Mom did.

And 8 hours after Alexander was born, we left the hospital, no baby in tow.

Those 13 days were rough, with frequent visits to the NICU (where I would have lived had I not had Claire at home) where sometimes scary and sad things happened to my baby.

And then early one morning, we got the call that he was ready to come home!

We packed him in so gently and tightly in the car and I think I drove no more than 50 miles an hour, even on the freeway. :)

And then Noah got home from work, and I took a deep breath and thanked my lucky stars.

All four of us.

Home together.

Happy birthday Alexander James!

Embroidery

2012-01-28T15:49:00.000-08:00

I started this earlier this week, and I love that it is the type of project I can do a little bit at a time- a few stitches here as lunch is cooking, a few there as I wait for Claire to get out of school, and hopefully a lot as I park my bootie in front of the tv after we've gotten the kids to sleep for my recently-discovered love, Parks and Recreation. :)

I want to do another one (with more perfect circles, these ones are actually eye-balled), and listing it in my etsy shop for personalization. :)

Rainy Day!!

2012-01-24T14:38:00.000-08:00

Lucy has no shoes on here!

As soon as it started raining (pouring, more like), yesterday, they all just HAD to go outside.

I was not as enthusiastic, so I stayed inside to try to get pictures and get the warm towels ready. :)

You should have seen and heard them!

Sloshing, squealing, jumping, chasing each other- they were having a ball.

Then they were done, and they peeled off their cold, wet, muddy pants and socks and shoes, so ready for the warm, bubble-filled bath that was waiting for them.

Followed by hot chocolate, snuggles and stories in the reading corner, and a simple but delicious dinner?

That is what we call a perfect afternoon.

I wish I could keep these for myself, I love them so much :)

2012-01-24T14:26:00.001-08:00

Bit by Bit

2012-01-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

A new set of burp pads!

Having a great weekend, especially the gray, cloudy, rainy skies. :)

Little Heirlooms is Reopening!

2012-01-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

Working a little on my etsy shop in the hopes of growing it this year!

Just listed two burp pad sets with plans to gradually and continually add more items, including quilts, embroideries and buntings. :)

Also been spending a lot of time outside lately (and crossing fingers for rain!) and cracking up at these two:

Happy Wednesday! :)

Lucy Loo is Two!

2012-01-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

Two years ago, she surprised us in the greatest way by arriving in the grandest fashion: 35 minutes of hectic labor and there she was, in the safety of Daddy's hands.

Since then, she has delighted us and tested us and frightened us, but mostly she has brought joy to our home and many others.

Now she is two; a giggling, running, jumpng, scribbling, gives-the-tightest-hugs two-year old.

And she thought it was the greatest when her four biggest fans serenaded her with the birthday song upon waking up.

She wasn't too sure about those candles!

What can I say?

Every single day I am more grateful for her than the day before. :)

Happy birthday, Love.

three is our magic number

2011-12-30T18:32:00.000-08:00

The kids and I have a favorite song, Three, It's a Magic Number, by Elizabeth Mitchell.

Here is an ok cover if you're curious. :)

It's folksy and easy to sing and sweet, so I love it.

It's also symbolic, because for us, three is our magic number.

It is the right decision for us for several reasons, but I would be lying if I told you I wasn't a tiny bit sad.

It isn't that I am unfulfilled with the three little loves in my life, or that I will always be pining for another one (though I wouldn't have to give it a second thought if the opportunity arose!)

It's just that I can't imagine never feeling a little one move inside me, or holding another newborn.

I don't think the baby fever will ever go away.

But luckily, we've got siblings and friends who will soon be having babies and so my life will never really be baby-less.

I really love where our family is at right now, still quite young but growing, growing and able to do and explore new things.

So that's that.

The Minton five. :)

birthday dress

2011-12-29T11:04:00.000-08:00

Someone is turning two in a couple of weeks, and while she has no need for a new dress, I couldn't help myself!

This was the perfect little project to get back into sewing after a small hiatus from the holidays. :)

the most wonderful time of the year

2011-12-21T16:03:00.000-08:00

We are soaking up the greatest perk of Noah being a teacher- winter break!

I'm not gonna lie- it's awesome. :)

We sleep in, we stay up late, we stay in our jammies, we go to the park, we chat, we laugh, we play mario kart, we tell jokes at dinner, we are having so much fun! :)

Alex and Aunt Mira's little dog (and Claire in the background wiggling her first loose tooth!)

My sweet mom and Claire

In the morning last week before school

Oh yeah, and I've been sewing a ton!
I never blogged the coats I made- here is Claire's.

Lined in super soft flannel and the outside is wool- so cozy.

my mom and her grandkids :)

The buttons are from Noah's grandmother's collection- they are over 50 years old sparkly pearls. :)

Hope everyone is having a happy holiday. :)

WIND!!!

2011-12-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

Happy December!

I am having fun filling our home with the season, from the music to the movies (my brother Brendan, Noah and I watched this hilarious favorite last night), to the card-assembling station on the table to the presents I have stashed in my closet.

I am definitely a procrastinator, always have been, but I like to think that I really immerse myself in the season, enjoying every little thing and not simply doing them to check them off of my to-do list. I'm glad I still have several more gifts to buy (and make!)!! :)

I'm sure glad it is Christmas time, because the joy and happy busy-ness of that is helping in a small way to keep my mind of the crazy wind we are experiencing. Last night it howled (exacerbated by our neighbor's empty above-ground pool which catches the breeze and lets you know about it with an awful wailing) and gusted and kept me awake from 3am on. I was a bundle of nerves, with our bed right by the window and trees right outside. It was ok though, because I used the time to catch up on some shows online, ones to make me laugh, like Modern Family and Daily Show. :)

The wind has not let up today, though it is about 23 times less frightening in the daylight! Plus, the sun is out and the sky is clear, so hooray for that. :)

I was sad (and scared) to notice a fallen tree very close to us- a huge old ash tree (I think), looking ominous as it rested horizontal on the pathway, it's roots sticking up at all angles. Crossing my fingers our trees have strong root systems! :)

On the bright side, I foresee an afternoon of Christmas crafts, happy mail in my mailbox and a husband home before it gets dark. :)

the sweetest thing

2011-11-22T21:33:00.000-08:00

For more than five years my alarm clock has been one or more of my kidlets coming to wake me up.

So imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning to no kids in bed with me or on the floor (have I told you about our sleeping arrangement? I suppose it is unconventional, but we all sleep in the same room, Alex and Lucy in bed with me and Claire on the floor in her "special bed." We love it!)

As I slowly started to wake up a bit, I could hear them in the kitchen, laughing.

Then I hear them giggling and running down the hall and proudly announcing that they made us breakfast!

Seriously, how cute is that??

I melted. :)

They were so proud of it and were so happy that I loved what they made me- raisin bran with soymilk.

And Noah was so cute and grateful too, even though he woke up an hour and a half later and his cereal was soggy to the point of mush. :)

Dang I love them. :)

Sick (again)

2011-11-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

I'm only half-joking when I say I fear we might be one of those families plagued by invisible mold in our house that is constantly making us sick, because here we are again: two sick girls with double ear infections, and Claire with an official diagnosis of asthma. :(

We've had restless nights, clinging-to-Mama days and to top it all off, if Noah's team wins tonight, I will be hosting dinner for 21 teenagers on Friday night.

So I'm just trying to hang on for dear life. :)

Last week, when we were all miraculously feeling fine for a day (haha), we took a long walk to a faraway park for the day.

By the time we got home, tummies were rumbling, throats were parched and kids were in tears, but it was fun anyway!

She made it across the monkey bars for the first time by herself!

He loves this picking-up-sand contraption

Him

2011-11-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

I talk a lot about our kids and what I've been making them, but not a lot about him.

It is a busy time of year for him, water polo season.

This year, and especially now, with his team going undefeated into the post season (first time ever!), the pressure is on in ways I can only imagine.

Last year, they were the underdogs, with nothing to lose.

This year they're perched precariously at the top, with all the other teams aiming at their spot.

It's tough when what is expected of you is nothing less than perfection.

I can just see the worry in those hands on his hips

a crucial time-out just before a close win

Sometimes it's hard to remember that all of this is really small potatoes, that in the grand scheme, the important things are how he has taught his players to be determined, dedicated and respectful, to lose gracefully and win even more gracefully, and to have fun in the process.

He works so hard and is so honorable in everything he does, it feels so good to be able to make his favorite dinner and dessert and be the sanctuary where he can relax.

The next couple weeks will be the most stressful of his coaching career, and I just hope he can remember that no matter how his team does, his four biggest fans will be there waiting to hug him when it's all over.

Good luck, babe.

We'll be watching. :)

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T18:02:00.000-07:00

About to go trick-or-treating with the cutest Sleeping Beauty, firefighter and ladybug I ever did see! :)

Sewing for Fall and Winter: Lulu dress

2011-10-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

I love this fabric so much I couldn't bear to cut into it for fear of making a mistake and wasting it.

But then it was just sitting there, all lonely.

So I decided to just go for it!

Hooray! :)

lately

2011-10-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

Savoring, a few pages at a time:

Watching my girl play soccer!

Cheering as Noah coached his team to the second biggest win of his career

I just love seeing him so happy!

Sewing three wool coats at a time, slowly and carefully.

Welcoming my favorite season, with changing leaves and cooler temps

Loving the napkin note she wrote to Daddy

Story: She's got a favorite shirt that says "Everyone loves a brown-eyed girl." It is skin tight, full of holes and of course, pink, and she wants to wear it everyday. I let her wear it under things as long as it doesn't show. So she came up with an acceptable substitute, as none of my suggestions have been good enough: She writes "everyone loves a brown-eyed girl" on her new, better-fitting pink tee with washable marker. The ink comes right off in the wash, and she thinks it's great. I think it is resourceful and adorable. :)

Building train tracks with my best boy (should I be embarrassed that I like it as much as he does?)

This was a couple weeks ago- sick kids sleeping in the middle of the day. :( And Lulu taking advantage of track time! :)

Getting a kick out of this one, who thinks it is hilarious to climb up on the table, run out into the street, and dress herself. ;)

psst: Those are actually my undies she is wearing around her shoulders. :)

Awaiting our new dishwasher (hooray for new and white and quiet!)

Dreaming of rain and gray skies and soup for dinner and flannel sheets.

Regretting that loaf of garlic bread I ate yesterday.

Thanking my lucky stars for this life. :)

A Coat! I Made a Coat!

2011-10-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Friends, I would be lying if I said I wasn't proud of this. :)

This was my test-run for the three wool coats I am making for my three favorite little people later this month.

I used fabric I already had, which is awesome!!

You know, making room for more fabric. :)

This one is for Lulu, and I love how it is sort of dressy and sophisticated with the black and white houndstooth.

Then, tada!!

Yellow gingham lining!!

The back- I love the hood!

It is fully lined which makes it really comfortable to wear, especially since the outer fabric is somewhat scratchy.

Blow kisses!

Running at the camera... :)

Coming to a frame near you... :)

YAY!!

being a mother

2011-09-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

I have heard women talk about how they are afraid to "lose themselves" when they have children. For me, becoming a mother was when I found myself. :)

a couple somethings for the one who cracks me up

2011-09-28T11:13:00.000-07:00

He makes the funniest faces, talks with his hands and tilts his head to the side when talking seriously (which makes it seem not so serious) and fills our days with funny, random thoughts.

Now he has two pullovers for fall and winter!

I used this pattern and this fabric as well as coordinating corduroy, because I love cord.

It is lined which will make it the perfect weight for chilly but not freezing days.

I might add some buttons to the top placket so the sides don't splay open so much, though that won't really matter when he wears it over a tee.

I am so excited for this fabric- little kids building rockets! It is soooooo hard to find cute boy fabric. :)

This fabric is adorable too- little diagrams for how to build a paper hat. :)

Now we just need cooler temps so he can wear them!!

sick :(

2011-09-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

The girls are sick with fevers, sore throats and coughs.

We have a stack of 25 of our favorite books to help pass the time and keep everyone occupied,

and mostly I'm just really glad that Claire's body let her reach high temperatures without going into seizures like it did in March and April.

Alexander has not shown any symptoms, so I'm hoping it passed him by.

He has been playing with this train set (that used to be Noah's) morning until night since we picked it up at Noah's sister's house on Friday.

It is perfect for him!!

Claire and Alex can play together pretty well with it, but Lulu is still too young and thinks it is hilarious to break up the tracks.

Alex doesn't think it is hilarious. :)

Claire helping Alex with his letters and saying things like "Oh, Alex, great job! That's such a big-kid thing to know!" :)

We had soccer on Saturday morning- she liked it...

...and the littles were fine just playing with their water bottles

Then a little wii sports (excuse the messy room!!)

Even Lucy had to get in on it!

..with some help from big brother of course

Hopefully they'll feel better soon!

a typical morning

2011-09-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

A few weeks into kindergarten and we have all adjusted nicely to our new daily routine.

That isn't to say there weren't some bumps and tears and worries at the beginning, but where we are now is a good place.

So usually, we wake up at 6:45 and take our time getting Daddy off to work and Claire off to school.

On a good morning, we leave with plenty of time to dilly-dally on the walk- it is especially fun if it is Thursday (trash-truck day) or Friday (street-sweeper day). The kids just love trucks and get really excited when they can get a wave out of one of the drivers. :)

Sometimes we stop to say hello to her preschool teachers before moving on to the kindergarten playground where I keep a constant eye on Lucy, who thinks she is just as entitled and skillful on the monkey bars and firefighter-style pole as the big kids.

After we say our goodbyes it's off for either a long jog or a leisurely walk home, almost always followed by a stop at the park (this and a bag of grapes or crackers is how I can convince Lucy to happily stay in her seat while I'm running. Alex doesn't have a problem staying sitting, but he does have a knack for talking my ear off and asking very detailed questions that require attention and precious respiratory resources...)

The mornings are starting to feel lovely and crisp, so we take advantage by playing outside a lot.

This week we have explored our favorite plant nursery, gardened, ridden bikes, and gone to a park whose main attraction is that there is construction going on,like ten feet away. This morning we spent 30 minutes sitting at the top of the slide, all in a line, just watching the bulldozers. I'm not kidding!! It was fun. :)

We do an early lunch which usually involves cheese since I try to restrict Claire's intake of it as we strongly suspect allergies. If she's not there, we cheese lovers have no qualms partaking!!

If I'm lucky, I can get Lucy to sleep for 30-45 minutes before we leave to pick up Claire. If she doesn't sleep, I have another chance at luck during the walk over- the stroller is great at lulling to sleep! If neither of these work, oh man, it is not fun because she's wound up at Claire being home and only realizes she is tired around 5pm, which is the WORST possible time of day for a little one to nap. Bedtime is pushed back hours in this case. :(

Alexander doesn't nap anymore, and I really enjoy the one-on-one we get if Lucy naps. He has definitely stepped up as the oldest child during school hours, suggesting which errands to run (not kidding...he asks to go grocery shopping), which chores to do (again, not kidding...my kids like helping me clean and the big kids love vacuuming!), what things we do, which books we read (and he is one who likes to read the same book 14 times in a row), when we have a snack.

It has also been really fun to see him and Lucy alone together. They tend to get along really well, except for that one time yesterday when I was on the phone (prime time for mischief) and Lucy climbed on top of the washing machine and Alex closed the laundry room door on her so it was pitch black...

We are all really glad when we get to pick Claire up.

She's usually one of the first ones out the door, full of energy and almost as curious about our mornings as I am about hers.

So there you have it, more than you ever wanted to know about our mornings! :)

Sewing for School: Outfit #4

2011-09-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

Success!!

I couldn't wait to try the new fall patterns from my favorite company oliver and s, especially the Apple-Picking Dress, which I think is the perfect mix of vintage and modern styling.

I sewed a size 5 for Claire, because every time I size up I'm not happy with the results- too big/long/loose, etc.

I chose a peachy-pink homespun plaid with tiny stripes of silver that add a little shine to the dress.

I love the color- pink enough for her and I love the way she looks in the peachier shade.

I chose special buttons- pinky pearls with a silver outline to help bring out the silver in the dress.

I love the bow at the top, which is cut on the bias so it stretches a bit and lays nicely.

I love the length of the sleeves and that they're gathered.

I love the ruffle skirt.

I love the double-button placket.

I love that it was easy and fun to sew.

I love that she loves it. :)

FIVE!

2011-09-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday, Angel Girl. :)

I made two emergency trips to the grocery store yesterday...

2011-08-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

...once at 5:30pm for eggs for our cornbread,

and one at 9:30pm for red food coloring

for the play-dough I volunteered to make for Claire's class, which was a day late. :(

I really need to get my twin tendencies of procrastination and scatterbrainedness under control!

Now I'm off to wrap presents for a certain birthday on Friday.

Oh look, three days early!

Go me!!

picking up big sister from school :)

three little mintons

2011-08-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

Always making me smile. :)

2011-08-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

new too-big tutu that looks a lot less pink than it is...

Eating breakfast together

Happy weekend!

sewing for school: outfit #3 a.k.a. "The outfit that made me cry"

2011-08-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

Friends, I finished another fall/winter outfit for Claire.

Honestly, I am not pleased.

For one thing, I made a size 6 thinking she could grow into it, but when I put it on her, it was huge! It looked shapeless and just too long. :(

So I hemmed it higher so the length is a little better.

But still. I was disappointed.

I think because I am mostly self-taught there are little fundamentals that I don't do properly, and it affects the whole product.

Like imperfect buttonholes, a collar that isn't totally straight and mismatched fabric (meaning the design at the side seams doesn't match up).

I had such grand visions for this dress, mostly because the fabric is a really special heavier weight linen-cotton blend that happened to be fairly expensive.

I thought this dress would do it justice to show off the cute Sleeping Beauty drawings, and I guess it sort of does that, but Claire doesn't like the way it feels (too scratchy).

We'll fix that by adding a tee and tights underneath (good thing it is for cooler weather!) and I think some pink boots will make it adorable.

I'm bummed though.

I want to keep sewing because I love it.

But I want to love what I sew too, and I usually end up slightly disappointed with the final project compared to the vision I had.

Like I always tell Claire (who gets easily frustrated), I have to keep trying- it is the only way my skills will improve, right?

I said in my title that this dress made me cry.

It totally did.

Noah and Alex (the girls were sleeping) came to see what was wrong, and both laughed when I cried "I ruined the dress!"

They don't get it... :)

You see, this dress has been worked on little by little for about three weeks- and I'm not kidding- on the very last step, the VERY LAST STEP, I made what might be an unfixable mistake.

I was carefully opening the last buttonhole and having some trouble due to the thickness of the fabric, and RIIIIIIIIIIIP! Right through the fabric in a slash!!!

see that huge rip? :(

GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

This is where formal training would have come in handy, because I'm pretty sure there is a better way to open a buttonhole than using a seam ripper!

Live and learn!

Next time I will use tiny scissors...

sleeve cuff (my favorite part!) and close-up of the design

ta-da! Rip and all. Maybe I can cover it up with buttons??

Also for Claire, some jammies.
Her birthday is next week and she both loves/needs new jammies, so I got to work in my little sweat shop (literally, my sewing area is the hottest place in the house!)

We've got some lightweight flannel pants and a matching tee which I embellished with some leftover pants fabric

And another pair, with super-nice, super-soft flannel that is soooo luxurious. :)

Now I'm finishing up a birthday tutu and headband, soon to be followed by a dress for me!!

Super excited about that. :)

kindergarten girl

2011-08-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

I'll spare you the gushy emotional stuff (a little bit anyway!!), and just share with you a few short words and pictures of her first day of kindergarten!

setting out the all-important outfit

so cute with the shoes and socks!

she wanted to pick some flowers for her teacher

The full outfit and hair in all its glory! She wanted two braids "just like your Mom used to do in your hair."

She rode her scooter while I pushed Alex and Lucy in the jogger. She was so excited, the girl was scooting (scootering?) so fast I had to run to keep up!

Poor thing, I had to get this picture, but of course the sun was right in her eyes. We'll redo this another time...

She's been talking about school nonstop since I first picked her up yesterday, and it's neat for me to hear it all multiple times as she tells the same stories to me, Daddy, Oma, Nana...

She was on my mind the whole time she was in school, pride and excitement slightly tinged with heartache.

The construction equipment we passed on our way to the grocery store made me think how normally she would be pointing it out to Alex, knowing he would want to crane his neck to see it.

The granola bars at the store made me think of her and how she would have asked for the blueberry ones.

Eating lunch of course made me think of her and her absence, especially when I set the table. I thought how normally, she would be putting the napkins out, and writing little place cards for everyone. And of course she would sit me next to her.

It is definitely going to take some getting used to.

And it will be good for her, even when it isn't perfect.

But the best part?

Was when Noah asked her what her favorite part of the day was and she answered,

"When Mama picked me up."

Because even though she told me her favorite part was playing on the playground,
even though she told me she didn't miss me,
even though I know she had so much fun,

she still comes happily home to me.

a card for her teacher

2011-08-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

Claire wanted to make a card to bring to her new teacher who we met last night.

In case you are not fluent in kindergarten, that says "What's your name" :)
:)

sewing for school: outfit #2

2011-08-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

It isn't 100% complete, but I'm a little excited (and Claire is a LOT excited, so excited she wanted to wear it today. In 100 degrees. I said no.) about the newest addition to her fall wardrobe.

It is missing it's sash, which (once I figure out how to turn the darn thing right side out) is of the pink check fabric and will tie either in the middle or off to the side in the front. It will also conceal the gathering stitches from the skirt and cinch the fullness of the waist which will give it more shape and polish up the dress a little bit more.

This is the placket, all buttoned-up.
I didn't have any buttons that would work, so I covered my own using the contrast fabric of the placket and sash!

I like it like this for a bit of breathing room, plus the top button is less than perfect and this styling hides that!

Cuffed sleeves and pocket

Can't wait to see what it looks like with the sash!

almost here

2011-08-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

It is almost here.

Kindergarten.

I am a little nervous-

     what if she doesn't want to go?
     what if she cries?
     what if I cry?

I am a little scared-

     what if she gets hurt and I'm not there to hug her?
     what if she has a seizure and I'm not there to hold her?
     what if she gets her feelings hurt and I am not there to reassure her?
     what if she hurts someone else's feelings and I am not there to counsel her about her actions?
     what if I get used to her not being home with me?

I am a little excited-

     so far she has shown little trepidation and much happy anticipation, and I do think she will have fun with school, like her daddy and mama before her.

But it is hard, this business of giving your child to the world.

I wonder if we made the right decision-

     my mind still comes back to homeschooling every so often

But mostly I trust.

     That no matter how much I will miss her, wonder what/how she is doing, count the minutes until I pick her up, she will come back to me my sweet, precocious, sensitive, bright Angel Girl.

Who holds my face in her hands and tells me I'm the sweetest one in the world, and that she loves me even more than I love her-

     how to show her that that is utterly impossible.

Kindergarten.

Please be kind to my girl.

Vacation Recap: Days One and Two

2011-08-10T00:37:00.000-07:00

When we found out Noah was to coach a junior olympic water polo team this summer, we were a bit bummed at the time commitment, especially the four-day tournament at the end of the summer.

We quickly decided to turn that negative into the plus of a vacation and take the kids to Disneyland!

That is what we did last week. :)

The first day was traveling, which meant almost six hours in the car.

Enjoyable for me (I get to read while Noah drives! Plus we have awesome conversations) but awful for our littlest Lucy Girl who has never ever ever enjoyed the car.

But we made it safely to our hotel, and we watched "Wall-E" and we all really liked it.

It is mostly word-free, relying on the actions and emotions of the characters to convey the story and I have to say, it was really well done.

The second day was Disneyland!

Noah coached three games, which happened to be at they very inopportune times of 8am, 12:50pm and 5:50pm.

So unfortunately, he was not able to come with us, which sort of breaks my heart that he wasn't able to be there for the kids first time, but he was so cute listening to the kids tell him all about it, and they were so cute telling him! We're definitely planning on going next year (not on a water polo weekend)!

I have to pat myself on the back a little bit.

I don't mind driving, I even enjoy it, if I feel safe and familiar.

I felt neither as I drove the littles and I across over-crowded, unfamiliar freeways, all the while gripping the steering wheel and taking it one step at a time.

Usually I rely on Noah to get us places, and I focus on other things, like whether we have enough water and granola bars.

This time it was all me.

And let me tell you, when I got to Sleeping Beauty's castle, three kids in tow, knowing I had done it all myself, I felt like I do after just giving birth- I felt invincible!!

I was irrationally proud of myself.

And even though it sounds so silly as I read it back to myself, it is true.:)

I was very happy and relieved when Noah's parents met me at the teacups.

Then we were cruising with one adult per child! :)

this was just after a Japanese tourist asked if she could take a picture of my "cute daughter." The girl was so fun though, she knelt down next to Claire and took a picture with her, while I had my hands secretly at the ready in case she was going to take off with her. That sounds so paranoid, but hey, better safe than sorry!

We went on the carousel before Noah's parents got there- just a little taste of the magic to come!

meeting Sleeping Beauty and telling her "I'm four years old. Almost FIVE!"

Eating messy, melty treats while riding the train

Small world! The best!

I was so dizzy after the teacups! This picture is so going right next to the one I have of me, my big sister and our mom on the teacups when I'm five!

There were definitely some tantrums...

Dumbo!

Claire and Oma on one of Claire's favorite rides- the other was apparently the circus train

Alex and Opa

We stayed in Fantasyland the whole time, and with the exception of the absence of Noah, some of the best times I've ever had.
It was truly just as much fun to be in Disneyland as an adult, with the added bonus of seeing it all through my kids' eyes. :)

together

2011-07-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

It has been so much fun lately to watch as they play all together, instead of either side-by-side or in completely different rooms doing completely different things.

I think this is definitely one of the perks of having kids close in age, that they are, like I always tell them (especially if tensions are a bit high), built-in friends.

Even Lucy is joining in now, a little big kid herself.

reading in the hallway at bedtime

enjoying a popsicle after lunch

eating breakfast together- see Lulu on the chair? Right now she thinks it is hilarious and exciting to climb onto the chairs and then stand up on them. Mama thinks this is neither hilarious nor exciting because all she can imagine is the chair falling backward- EEK! So we have been pushing the chairs as far as possible into the table. When Alex went through this stage, we spent about a week with the chairs all laying down, sprawled across the dining room in a wacky obstacle course so he didn't have the chance to climb on them. Of course he still tried... :)

Princess Claire, King Alexander the Great and Fairy Lucy

The ages they are at right now are just perfect (of course I say this about every age!)

I have one that can hold a pretty complex and interesting conversation with me,

one that is all about exploring and discovering and learning all the fun little things that make them so proud of themselves (he is particularly proud of how he writes his upper-case A),

and one that is still very much a baby in a lot of ways, especially in the I-want-Mama-to-hold-me-and-snuggle-with-me department.

And with the busy water polo summer season coming to an end with a few weeks left before school starts, I'm pretty much smiling every second in anticipation of what is to come.

Disneyland (EEK! It is going to blow the kids' minds!!)
sleeping in
water park
lounging
netflix night
Daddy home
BBQs
etc.

Couldn't ask for anything more!

sewing for school: outfit 1

2011-07-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hooray, I finally have some sewing to share!

I am very proud of this dress (I used this pattern), despite the fact that once it was done and on its model I couldn't help thinking it looks like a nightgown! That thought was confirmed when Noah, after first expressing congratulations and flattering surprise ("you made that?"), and ever the honest man, asked if it was for sleep or school.

Darn it. :)

Oh well, once again, while it is imperfect, she likes it and that's really all that matters. :)

pardon the extra-large sandals, she insisted on wearing her to-grow-into shoes for the picture...

placket, baby! Not hard, but fiddly and time-consuming. The sides lay perfectly over each other in real life...

button-tab detail on the sleeves

gathered round pockets

Lately...

2011-07-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

...looking way to grown-up (don't you think?) and I am in denial about how close we are to kindergarten and five years old!

...playing Chutes and Ladders (and talking about how to be a good sport and not cry when you don't win, and not brag when you do)

...playing fairies with homemade wands, finger puppets and a magnifying glass (hey, we like to improvise!). We have: Fairy Claire, King Alexander the Great and Princess Lucy. :)

...putting on shows and playing pretend all. day. long.

...playing outside

...making Mama laugh

...constantly

...hanging with Uncle Nathan

...coming along with Daddy to a weekend polo tournament, and sleeping much of the way!

...exploring new parks while Daddy coaches (thank you internet and GPS!)

...all swinging at once! Our neighborhood park only has two swings, so this was a real treat. :)

...becoming very interested in books, and really, anything the big kids are doing. I just love how she babbles to us and it is so clear she thinks she is conversing! My favorite is when one of us sneezes and she says "Bah boo!" SO cute!

...sharing the pull-out bed in the hotel (which only lasted about thirty minutes), which they were very excited about until they realized it was dark in that part of the room when the lights were out. They ended up in bed with us, which we are used to, and we all slept better. :)

...discovering water balloons

...which are fun to explode on each other...

...but even more fun to explode on Daddy!

I am working on/struggling with part of what may become Claire's first-day-of-kindergarten outfit, so wish me luck! I've never done a placket before! :)

soon to come

2011-07-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

Since I always have more plans than finished projects, here is a peek at what I will be working on in the next few weeks.

A cooler-weather kindergarten dress for Claire- I love the ruffle collar in the second line-drawing of the dress on the pattern envelope! Also, fabric has been approved and squealed over. :)

I am going to elongate the shirt into a simple dress for Lucy and add the rick-rack to where the bodice meets the skirt. Blue is my go-to color for her, I think because of her eyes? Also, I love blue and there are so many pretty and feminine blue prints that Claire just doesn't like and I want to use. Now is my chance, before Lulu develops a preference for a certain color. :)

Two different prints for my boy, who happens to really like elephants (hence the one on the left, in a really nice green) and cars/trucks/trains/planes (hence, the one on the right). These will probably become simple shirts like the seersucker one I just made him. :)

And because it just wouldn't be as fun to read without some pictures...

Daddy and Lulu at the big kids' last swimming lesson (you know Noah can't wait for them to play water polo)

Oh, that little face. :)

seersucker + linen = favortie outfit for Alex EVER (and I Made it!!)

2011-07-08T14:09:00.001-07:00

I am finding a lot of time for sewing lately, with the big kids not napping and Lucy taking just enough of a nap that they are ready for bedtime at a reasonable hour, and I have been making lots of things!

Last week each kid got an outfit- I already showed you Lulu's, but not Alex or Claire's yet.

Then last night I finished a second outfit for Alex, and I just had to show it to you first because it is my most favorite thing I have ever sewed for him.

Ever. :)

I was so excited to find this pattern called the Charlie Tunic.

It seemed so perfect.

Most boys patterns are either dressy button-ups (which are nice, but I'm not a huge fan of sewing the collars) or too plain, like a plain tee.

Enter the tunic- simple enough (two hours of sewing), yet ample room for fun!

Alex chose these baseball buttons months ago, and I thought they were a nice match for the seersucker, which is possibly my most favortie fabric/

Seriously. I'm thinking of ordering it by the bolt (which is like 20 yards in length!)

The shorts I also like- they are dark brown linen, which are great for the combined heat and dirt-play of the summer (linen breathes even better than cotton).

The best part was when I put the outfit on him he jumped into my arms and said "Mama, you're the best maker!"

Talk about making it worth it!

picking some tomatoes, which he simple wiped off and downed in a few bites. :)

It isn't always that my projects either turn out exactly as I had envisioned, or the recipient loves it as much I do, so to say I'm completely thrilled would be an understatement! :)

holiday weekend update

2011-07-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

We had a fun family weekend, especially because it was one of the few summer weekends Noah was home- weeeeeeeeeee!!

Saturday: Nana and Grampa's, BBQ, water play, new niece, visiting sis and (practically, if not officially) bro-in-law

She loves drinking water from the hose. So much that I bought a special lead-free hose just for her drinking pleasure while I am watering! :)

Saturday: Hiking to Willow Creek with Opa

These cute kids!! I wanted them to stand next to each other, which they did, and then they added a synchronized lean because I had to lean from where I was standing, hehe!! I notice this all the time with Claire, her modeling my actions. Like when she smiles. Often she squints on purpose, and I am convinced it is because I have serious smile-squint. :)

How low can you go, sillies!! At this point I"m cracking up...and leaning so far I almost fell over. :)

Opa (Noah's dad), is what I would call a Mountain Man. Loves hiking, camping (serious camping), skiing, etc. He was surprised and delighted when the kids wanted to go further than our planned hike. So I stayed with Lulu and our things while Opa and Noah took the kids a bit further.

It was so beautiful.

And loud (see the water? It was rushing and gushing).

There is a sign when you begin the hike warning you to be careful and respectful of the water- there is about one death a year of people falling in and being exposed to the powerful, rocky torrents. I'm glad I didn't see the sign until we got back to the car.

At one point, Noah took the kids to the water's edge, where it is relatively calm. He was under strict mama-orders to not let go of their hands. Well, Alex slithered out of his grasp, and I tell you, in that moment I understood what "my heart jumped nto my throat" means. Luckily it was half a second before Noah caught his hand again, and all was well (except my nerves). I think next time we'll go somewhere without the water danger. Not necessarily without water, but I could do without the death rapids. :(

silly goose girl, making funny faces!

Lucy spent the hiking part of the day in the carrier- in the back and looking out on the way in and in the front, towards my chest, and sleeping, on the way back. She tested the exploring waters a tiny bit too, but there was no way I was letting her out of my or Daddy's arms so close to water! The girl is fearless!

Sunday: Oma and Opa's, swimming, BBQ, fire crackers coutresy of Noah and my brother-in-law, Kris

Uncle Kris and Aunt Mira with the kidlets, and I'm so nice, I had them face directly into the sun, hehe. :)

Lucy and Oma

The girl is so at peace in the water- not fearful at all.

Alex was shy in the water, as usual, staying mostly to the steps, but he had fun dunking his head for a few seconds and blowing bubbles.

Claire's first flight out of Daddy's arms, into the pool, where she can swim !!!

an outfit for Lulu

2011-06-29T16:50:00.000-07:00

Completed in a single naptime:

an elastic-waisted linen skirt

with an embellished tee

Gracing the world with her presence

2011-06-26T14:40:00.000-07:00

My beautiful (and first!) niece.

Addison Grace

xoxo, Auntie Em

backyard picnic

2011-06-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

After a morning of:

untimely and rude awakenings,

hurt feelings for my sensitive girl,

shenanigans from my boy,

ear-piercing (happy) screams from my baby,

an ordeal of a grocery run (fairly common when all 3 come along, hehe)

and a pointless and silly battle I should not have chosen to wage but did anyway,

all while Noah is away at a water polo tournament...

we chose a picnic to chase the blues away!

picnic quilt from my friend Janell!

this is her first kindergarten (!) dress that she insisted upon wearing today!

YUM!

one of the few shots I got of her NOT stuffing food into her mouth, hehe

FRAMER!!

Like a charm, it got us all laughing and rejuvenated.

And now for naptime...I've just finished this (loved it! Thanks Mom!) and onto this, a somewhat unconventional choice for me, but should be interesting nonetheless! :)

I turn my back for just one second...

2011-06-17T17:51:00.001-07:00

...good thing our carpet is old and un-loved. :)

(pardon the bed-head (which I think is adorable!) and undies stain...chocolate milk from breakfast) :)

sand shampoo

2011-06-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

It is officially hot here, so we have been spending our mornings outside when it is still bearable. :)

Honestly, we have an awesome backyard.

It's big enough for the kids to run around, play a little baseball, ride their bikes up and down the sidewalk, check out how their tomatoes are growing (bigger by the day!) while Mama joins in and/or swings in the hammock with a book and a grateful smile for all that I have.

Also, the sandbox.

Which lately has been the most popular attraction, used by all three kidlets and visiting friends.

"Here, Lucy, have a sand shampoo!"

"See, I'll do it too!" (Notice her look and hair, hehe!!)

Also, I wanted to mention my good friend for just a moment.
Laura (she blogs here) was my neighbor and we used to go on walks with our kids every week.
I always looked forward to those walks. :)
Now they live a few hours away and I miss them. :(
Laura's daughter Bonnie is having a very important surgery in a few weeks, and I just thought, even though I know only a few people read this blog (Hi Mom! Hi Sarah, Laura Carlee and Mandy! Hi Keshet!), the more people we have thinking happy and positive thoughts for my dear friends, the better.

So please, think a happy thought or two or three for them!

just for fun

2011-06-06T15:19:00.000-07:00

Claire, and now Alexander, too, love to carry Lulu, even though she is usually squirming to get down!

Got to love art time! See Lucy's hand in the back trying to pull something down? Yeah, this was our messiest (aka most fun!) art time yet! :)

it isn't always so rosy

2011-06-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

Our days are not always filled with gentle sunshine and singing and laughter, just in case you were wondering.

Sometimes we set out to try a new recipe and end up arguing over who gets to stand where, who gets to choose the song, for heaven's sake, who will crack the eggs first?

Sometimes we look forward to an afternoon of riding bikes and gardening only to be distracted every thirty seconds by the non-sharing of said bikes and the stepping on the flowers and, for heaven's sake, will somebody get the littlest out of the street?

Sometimes our much-anticipated walk with our very dear friends turns into a competition to get Mama's attention; requesting, no, demanding, crackers that were already eaten, whining about someone looking at you, crying to be held so Mama has to push the behemoth of a (much-beloved) stroller one-handed, complaining about not stopping at the park, etc.

There have been times I have been so weary, so frustrated, so lonely for my hardworking coaching husband who, six months out of the year (water polo season) is not fully available for either moral or parental support, that I want to scream at the very top of my lungs "LEAVE ME ALONE!" to anyone or anything that asks something of me.

One time, when Lulu Belle was an infant, and Noah was at practice, Alex asked me over and over and over to fix an unfixable truck. If it hadn't already been a very long day, or I wasn't trying (very hard, but unsuccessfully) to get Lucy to sleep, I wouldn't have done it. But it had, and I was. So I took that darned green dump truck, and with all of my pent-up anger and frustration, I hurled that thing at the wall. Away from the kids, but still. Noah came home less than five minutes later to three bawling children and one nearly hysterical wife, and Alexander bo-Bander said it best when he tearfully explained "Mama threw my truck hard hard HARD!!!!"

Sometimes I want to shout "LISTEN to me, goddammit!!!" And if you know me, you know how utterly shocking that would be coming from my mouth.

And still.

These moments, while very real and unsettling and rare, when I want to lock myself in my bathroom and pretend nothing else exists for a few minutes, always give way to the most intense need to gather my four great loves close and hold them.

Not to talk or even look, just a desire, no, a need, to hold each other so close that it is impossible to tell where each of us ends and the others begin.

Because even after those days, the ones with no naps and irritation, yelling and crying and pleading and that feeling of utter defeat, I tuck them into bed and after a sigh of relief and a promise of maybe an hour of free time, I miss them.

With the same intensity with which I threw that darned dump truck an hour before.

No, it isn't always rosy.

But it is exactly where I want to be.

blast from the past: sailor dress

2011-05-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

that's me in the middle, with my two sisters and one of our brothers, 1988 :)

in the kitchen

2011-05-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

Our kids have been cooking with me in the kitchen for as long as they have been a part of me.

Each of them were privy to my oddly-timed food cravings (eggs and cream cheese right before bed, primarily) when they were still inside me.

As newborns, each snuggled against me in a sling as I measured and stirred, one hand holding them close.

Lucy Belle, three weeks

When they were old enough, they rode on my left hip as I tried to figure out how to slice onions one-handed (it can be done, though not easily!).

Then they were old enough to stand, and they peered over the counter while atop a chair, me standing guard behind them.

November 2009

And the squeals and laughter and hugs when Daddy walks in and, everyday, announces that something smells delicious.

yesterday

And then, one day, they were old enough to ask.

"Mama, can I do the sugar?"

"Mama, can I crack three eggs since I'm three?"

April 2011, Claire cracked the eggs and spiced them up. The only thing I did was actually cook them.

"Mama, can I make guacomole?"

Last week- she asked me for salsa, onion powder and avocadoes, and she did the rest. And, honestly, it was delicious!

And of course, the answer is usually yes.

So we continue on in the kitchen.

The great chocolate chip cookie marathon of December 2009. Look at how little they look! Especially my boy! :)

Trying new recipes, discovering each of our favorites and not-so-favorites, learning new techniques, talking about where our food comes from (Claire's teachers still laugh about the time she informed the class that eggs do not, in fact, come from the grocery store, but from chickens' booties) and when it is in season, fishing egg shells out of the mixing bowl, and yes, sometimes, most times, licking the cookie dough-covered spoon.

Because it is so much more than simply preparing food.

Together.

A quilt for Becky and Johnny

2011-05-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Last October my cousin Becky got married.

It was a beautiful wedding, with an even more beautiful bride, and I am so glad I went. :)

I really wanted to make Becky and her new husband, Johnny, a quilt.

True to my ever-procrastinating form, I finished it a few weeks ago (finally!!)

Here is the front:

And the back (with a little helper, of course!):

Quilts, especially great big ones like this, are such grand-scale projects, with so many steps along the way.

That just makes the finish all the more satisfying. :)

I enjoyed this one immensely, which is good, because I have no less than 5 bed-size quilts planned in the next few months. :)

my little buddy

2011-05-13T15:32:00.001-07:00

my darling

2011-05-10T16:26:00.001-07:00

this moment: the beginning of summer

2011-05-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

Last summer, Lucy and I hung out on the quilt while the big kids did cannon balls into the pool that they filled up multiple times.

This summer, there is one more kidlet enticed away from the heat into the cool (too cold for me, actually) water.

So I watch and listen and smile, as they laugh together.

My three greatest blessings.

blast from the past: sock curlers

2011-05-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl, my mom used to curl both mine and my sisters' hair using socks.

I always loved how my hair looked and felt the next day after the socks were removed and the soft curls bounced on my shoulders.

So I wonder why I waited 4.5 years to do the same with my little girl?

She was thrilled with the idea of curly hair, and since she had a birthday party the next morning, we thought it was a perfect opportunity.

I told her it might be a bit uncomfortable at first to lie down on them, and she told me "That's okay. I'll just sleep on my cheek so I can suck my thumb." :)

When we unrolled them, they were perfect.

Soft and wavy, just how I like them.

We did "party hair": a little bit up and to the side, tied with, of course, a ribbon.

My, she looks so big.

And me, at the same age.

Mother's Day

2011-05-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

We had a Mother's Day tea at C's preschool last Thursday, and oh my, it was so cute.

There was a song:

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy, when skies are gray.

You'll never know, Mom, how much I love you,

You are my sunshine today, hooray!"

and I tell you, if she hadn't already been singing it for me at home since they started learning it a few weeks ago, I would have cried on the spot!

I've been singing it to them at least twice a day since they were born.

There was a very fancy water-colored hat, a tea cup and saucer with a flower planted in it, and a picture frame with a shot of my girl- all decorated/chosen by her for me.

We dined on muffins, strawberry salad and scones.

Nana got to come...

...and we gave her our joint-effort present.

Claire drew a picture of her and Nana on linen, and I embroidered it in colors of her choosing.

Then we made it into a wall hanging for Nana's craft room.

It's a little hard to see...

I love Mother's Day.

When it comes right down to it, the thing I always wanted more than anything else, was to be a mother.

So thank you to my Mom and my Mom-in-law who are incredible examples of the kind of mother I want to become.

Sew Into Spring: In Review

2011-05-03T22:49:00.000-07:00

We are definitely moving from the short, glorious spring to the long, sweltering summer here, which means it is time to conclude Sew Into Spring!

I had so much fun making

shirts

and cotton dresses

and knit dresses

and hats

more dresses

matching ensembles

something for myself

something for my sister

more shirts

jumpers

even more dresses

shorts

Whew!!

It was fun and useful and challenging, and I'm planning on doing it again for fall.

For now, it's all about little projects for others.

Embroidery,

felt,

pillows.

Maybe a dress or shirt here or there.

I heart sewing. :)

this moment

2011-04-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

This moment.

A snippet of our lives.

Seemingly mundane,

and yet,

I know it is the kind of thing I will want to

remember

years from now.

So I will savor and cherish it now.

And forever.

{Inspired by Soule Mama.}

Egg-hunting

2011-04-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

The kids were so into Easter this year, especially coloring eggs (which I goofed up by buying the brown eggs we normally eat, oops- they hardly colored at all, and only a little bit pink at that!) and egg hunting.

us with our college friends and their little boy. :)

Noah trying to get them set up for a picture

There, that's pretty good!
I sewed all of their outfits. :)

"I got one!"

She just wanted to explore...

...and she was very competitive about who got how many eggs.

We had a mostly great spring break, though Lucy and I have little head colds.

I got so used to having everybody home, I am so looking forward to summer! :)

sew into spring: matchy-matchy sisters

2011-04-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

I don't care if some people think it is nerdy, or if one day my girls tease me about it.

Sometimes I just have to make them matchy-matchy. :)

Unfortunately, the stars were not aligned for photographing the matchiness.

Lulu was not thrilled with the idea of not being held and Claire was overly thrilled with the idea of funny faces and twirling.

Now I love those things about both of them, but it does make taking decent pictures, shall we say, challenging?

Here we go...

The blouse and the dress, both made from DS Quilts fabric I was lucky to find at Jo-Ann. Lucy's has linen for the yoke and hem, which I love.

It was my very first time working with linen, and I find it to be lovely to the touch, easy to sew with and a bit more interesting than plain solid cotton.

Plus, it is supposed to breathe really well, making it ideal for summer, though I'm not sure anything helps when it is 110 degrees, which it is bound to be here in not too long...

And here begins the uncooperativeness :)

I really love profile shots.
Someday I want to make a pillow with all of our silhouettes, kind of like this one

I can't put my finger on why, but this picture makes me think she looks like me.
Plus, that lady at Whole Foods told me she does too.

I'm thinking of linen shorts for Claire in this pattern.

Off to cut fabric for my boy! :)

happenings

2011-04-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

It is spring break over here, and we've been doing a whole lot of nothing in particular.

Just the way we like it. :)

So here are some pictures I meant to post last week...

Getting her first phone call (especially for her...she has been the main phone-answerer in our house for awhile now), from her friend Peyton. She was so cute, grinning fron ear to ear, talking about going to the park and what we ate for lunch, asking him how he was and if he wanted to talk to Mama... :)

planting pumpkin seeds

Do you see it? She sounded out and wrote all by herself "Claire's garden." She's been writing her name for a long time now, but this sounding out and reading/writing words, this bona fide reading is new and exciting! p.s. I added the apostrophe and tried to explain in a kid-friendly way why we use it, but, yeah, I don't think she understood! :)

Out on a walk on possibly the most beautiful morning ever. That Noah was with us (and pushing the stroller no less) definitely helped.

And really, doesn't this picture just make you smile?? The backpack, the boots, the tiny bike, the sunglasses... :)

Snow day!! It's always neat to see the geographical transformation, when it is sunny and warm and flat at home and not one hour later, mountainous and cool and snowy. :)

The only photographic evidence of my presence on this field trip into nature, except for the picture of me nursing Lucy that I thought you might not want to see... Anyway, I might frame this one, even if my bending down husband appears to be much shorter than me and Lulu is not looking up...

Opa towed the kids and my tentative Alex kept saying "Not too far, Opa, not too fast!" My fearless Claire was all smiles. :)

I've also been busy making two dresses and a blouse. They are done but need to be photographed, and my models are sleeping, so, you know, it'll have to wait.

Next up: a few shirts (in linen, seersucker and striped cotton) for my boy. :)

t-ball

2011-04-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

Our very first foray into the world of organized sports for our little ones- Claire had her first t-ball game last night!

I was worried it might be canceled due to rain, and my little girl, who spent the day randomly bursting into squeals of "T-BALL is tonight!!"would be disappointed.

But it was neither canceled nor she disappointed. :)

She is on the Rockies, which, she can now tell you, are "mountains in Colo-rad-o."

I must say, the color is very appropriate for her, especially when it is worn with her pink pants. :)

warming up with daddy

meeting Coach Solis

hanging out in right field

not much action in right field in t-ball, hehe

waiting to bat

joking with a new friend

very first at-bat

learning from the coach

first hit!

go girlfriend!

coming home!

And because I can't leave the other two out...

waiting outside C's classroom :)

Sew into Spring: Hats!!

2011-04-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

Both out of necessity (spring sunshine is here!) and desire (I wanted a small-scale project I could finish in an evening), I turned to my new sewing book Little Things to Sew.

I soon found my answer...hats!

Large dots and striped in yellows, greens and blues for my boy, and pink (of course) florals for my big girl.

The best part is that they are reversible! Boo-yah!

Side one...

...and side two!

My lesson learned from this project is how to place the pattern on the fabric for maximum effect.

You'll notice the stripes on A's hat are not even close to matching, and one of the big flowers on C's hat is cut off so conspicuously at the seam.

In other words, I need to be much more vigilant next time I cut!!

I'm thinking I'll have lots of opportunities, because a certain Miss L needs (at least) one, and it just seems the perfect little birthday present idea...

Now to figure out how to make it in my size... :)

Sew into Spring: a pink dress

2011-04-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

Pattern: Oliver + S hopscotch dress

Size: 5

Fabric: interlock knit city weekend park ramble in pink

Bunny ears: optional

Tutu: must-have :)

lately

2011-04-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

Just when the seizure episode of a few weeks ago was becoming a distant and harmless memory, our big girl had another one.

It happened Saturday around noon, very soon after I put her down for a nap.

Thank goodness I put her down on the couch instead of in her room, or we would never have known she had it. Which begs the question...has she had any others we have not seen?

This time it lasted about ten seconds, and she pulled out of it rather quickly- she was back to herself in about 45 minutes.

Noah saw the whole thing.

His calmness didn't surprise me (he is very difficult to rattle), but his tenderness did.

I calmly dialed 911 while he sat with her, comforting her and himself.

It was diagnosed (again) as a febrile seizure.

It has been most reassuring to discover that 95-98% of kids with febrile seizures grow out of them with no brain damage.

Apparently febrile seizures can last up to one hour (can you imagine???), so we have been lucky that hers have been so short in duration. :)

We have been told there is still no reason to suspect there is more behind these episodes than simply a too-high/too-fast fever spike.

Every hour that goes by without another one brings more ease to my worried heart and mind.

It has been very difficult to leave her at school, but my phone is always with me, and it helps to call to check in on her a couple times throughout the morning.

So we just wait and see.

For seizures that might never come.

Or that might.

Crossing fingers, happy thoughts, always. :)

So how about a picture share??

helping mama shop at "The Whole Foods"

Her first (unsure) ride in a forward-facing carseat. Notice Alex, thrilled to be in Claire's seat, hehe.

learning to write

learning to read (sunglasses seem to help, hehe)

discovering old pictures of my best boy on my internal memory...

...here he is today in the hat I made him last night :)

Sew into Spring: A jumper for Claire

2011-03-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

I was a bit nervous about this one, as I cut a size 4 for my 4.5 year old. But I have sewn this pattern up for Lulu and so I know it runs a bit big.

I am so so so pleased with how this turned out. :)

French seams, crisp pleats, simple and pretty buttons.

The best part is that she was so excited when she saw it hanging on her door this morning.

Hard to believe she used to refuse (adamantly) the things I sewed for her!

I'm on a roll!!

this was her pose when I asked her to turn around so I could see the buttons, hehe.

she had to wear that tutu underneath to make it more twirly, hehe. :)

sew into spring: one for the boy

2011-03-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

This one was so fun and easy to make, and I am very proud of its construction, if I do say so myself.

The collar went in perfectly, and I hand-stitched it down.

I also hand-basted in quite a few spots to get it perfect, no puckers.

If only I had thought more carefully when I cut out the fabric!!

Eesh, the bicycles were supposed to be on the bottom- they look ridiculous on top!

Oh well, my boy likes it and has worn it for the past three days.

I call that a success!

He's trying to hold her hand, but she was just not into slowing down, hehe!

Up next: a pale yellow jumper for my big girl. :)

safe

2011-03-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

She is okay, she is okay, she is okay.

I have to keep repeating this to myself whenever my mind wanders back to last Friday and the primal fear that wracked my body for a good portion of the day.

You see, our big girl had a seizure on Friday.

Our neighbor accompanied Alex, Lucy and I on our walk to pick up Claire from school.

On the final stretch of the walk, I saw all the other parents waiting to pick up their kids, and then, out of nowhere, one of Claire's teachers comes sprinting down the street, arms waving, voice hoarsely yelling "Claire's having a seizure!"

In that moment, adrenaline reigned, and as I left my two littles in the stroller to run to my big girl, I honestly felt that I was running for her life.

For my life.

Literally.

I burst into the room with what I assume were 22 very frightened children, but I only had eyes for the one lying on the ground.

I screamed what must have been a guttural, primal scream, as I thought in that moment, that she had died.

In an instant I was there holding her, squeezing her, loving her, as she began to come to.

Firefighters, paramedics, a stretcher.

I need to call my father-in-law. He's a doctor. He'll know what to do.

I'll meet you at the ER.

My neighbor serendipitously there to take my babies safely home.

Riding in an ambulance, trying to calm down, squeezing her hand so tight.

What does this mean? Why did it happen?

In the ER, watching her (very painfully) tested for all sorts of things, waiting for answers.

So happy when her spunkiness started to reappear.

Purple popsicle, nicest nurse ever (Patrick), My Little Pony stickers.

And a few funny moments.

Like when the receptionist looked me in the eye and very slowly and pointedly asked if I spoke English.

In the end, we were told it was probably a febrile seizure, caused by a sudden spike in her temperature, and not uncommon in those aged 6 months to six years.

We were told to keep a close eye on her in the next two days, to keep her medicated to keep her fever down, and to bring her right back if she had another seizure.

We were told she is slightly more prone to them now, but that if she has two in one day, or any after the age of six, that that indicates a deeper problem.

So now we watch (trying not to be too obsessive) and wait, for something that might never happen again.

And as I type this, and she sings in her made-up language, sharing her oranges with Lucy and asking for me to be done so we can go make our pumpkin pie, I sigh with both gratitude and fear.

At what was.

And what could have been.

And what may still be.

Thank goodness she is safe.

sew into spring: week 7

2011-03-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

Sewing for the kidlets' spring and summer wardrobe has taken a backseat.

I really wanted to sew something for Laura's birthday, so when she found a few patterns she liked, I went to work!

First I made a muslin (a.k.a. a first try of a pattern, usually sewn in an inexpensive fabric like muslin, in order to check the fit and make any necessary modifications before cutting into the final fabric), which I made in a yellow check ($1.97 a yard!) with the thought that I could keep it for myself if it turned out halfway decent.

Well, it turned out like a potato sack.

Big and shapeless.

So I added my favorite black shrug for some waist definition...

...much better.

Yeah, I'm so not comfortable in front of a camera...

Until you get my big girl in there, then I'm like "Babe! Take our picture!!!"

Sigh. She's the sweetest. :)

I'm definitely framing this one.

Noah got some better pictures of my dress...

...again with the weird faces that unsuccessfully mask my low comfort level. :)

I was happy to discover that the tie can fit all the way to the front, which is handy for when one wants to wear a sweater (it looks very odd to wear a sweater over a bulky back bow).

Plus, I think it looks cute, so I wear it like that even if I am not going to wear a sweater.

There's my Lulubelle, trying to chew through a nestle crunch bar.

And because this post has entirely too much estrogen, here is my best boy, just repeatedly opening his singing card whilst sitting in a hat box and wearing his favorite "ballerina". A typical morning. :)

p.s. Don't worry Laura, yours won't be yellow and white check. :)

This walking baby of mine

2011-03-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

I had to take pictures of Lulu in the same dress Claire wore at 1.

So glad the weather is warming up, which of course means the chunky legs and arms come out for nibbling, hehe.

Maybe my favorite and destined to be enlarged and added to the "Newly Walking Minton Babies" gallery

2011-03-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

scooting to the park

He got too tired so we put his scooter on top of the stroller, but he still had to hold the handlebars to steer, hehe. :)

Helping Mama garden. She actually was able to get both gloves on her hands, but they didn't last long. Then she tested me by following the big kids down the driveway, and then veering off right into the street. Luckily we live on a super quiet, calm cul-de-sac, but still. Half of our afternoon was spent weeding and composting and the other half was spent rescuing/depriving her of her adventures. :)

sew into spring: weeks 5 and 6

2011-03-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

Week five was originally (on my very official scrap paper outline for Sew Into Spring 2011 ) dedicated to a dress for Miss Lulubelle.

But after a brief inspection at her spring/summer wardrobe, I found, for better or worse, that she has about 20 sundresses alone.

I still could make her a new one, but it wouldn't get worn but maybe twice or thrice, and that just seems silly.

So I switched things around and made myself a dress!!

Note: Pardon the awful self-timer shots that, while amusing to take, are way off on color, etc. :)

I used this fabric:

and this pattern:

Ta da!

It has pockets! Genius! I have a small stash already of tissues for little noses with colds. Plus, it's a place to put your hands when you don't know what to do with them. :)

Uh-oh, Mama needs a new non-sports bra bra!!

I'm wearing this black shrug with it right now, and I love the way it looks. Plus, it covers up the fact that I need a non-sports bra bra!

There's my helper girl, who ate a piece of blue chalk while I ran back forth with the timer. :)

Claire approves of the twirlyness factor (and asked for a matching dress to boot!)

New things I learned from sewing this dress:
1. French seams. Very easy, very professional-looking, no raw edges. Used this technique on the skirt seams.
2. Bias-binding to enclose raw seams. I used this on the waist seam.
3. Hand-stitched facings on the neckline and armholes. I love hand-sewing.

All in all, I love it.

It's cute, it's super comfy, it has a sash, it makes me feel pretty and somewhat put-together (and goodness knows, I'm not usually that!)

The only thing is...do I look frumpy in it? I think I need help with accessories/hair/shoes so I don't look like homely. Sarah??? Do you hear me??? :)

Happy birthday Laura!

sew into spring: week 4

2011-02-22T14:01:00.000-08:00

Three pairs of shorts for my boy.

He loves the little robots and elephants, and I love the fabric- linen/cotton blends that are both comfy and sturdy enough to withstand three-year old antics (hopefully!)

Next up is something for me, though after two recent utter failures (believe me, they were BAD!!), I'm only cautiously optimistic. :)

sick (again)

2011-02-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

Those inevitable-yet-pesky preschool germs are at it again, keeping this bundle of energy snuggled up on the couch and requesting "The Sound of Music," her water bottle and nothing but bowls of cereal to eat.

Although I am sad she is not feeling well, I would be lying if I didn't admit to a tiny bit of happiness at her being home sick.

You see, it feels good to be able to take care of her.

To know that the little things I am doing (like getting her what she needs, asking how she is feeling, tucking her in like I would want to be tucked in, reading to her, telling her stories when she asks, snuggling with her) might be making her feel a bit better, and at the very least, loved to the moon and back times a million.

To feel those little arms wrapped around my neck, to hear that small voice tell me she loves me, to see her sucking her thumb just like when she was a baby.

I do so love being a mama. :)

2011-02-12T22:41:00.000-08:00

I've talked about how little Lucy thinks she's a big kid.

Well, today she took it one step further by climbing onto one of the tricycles and practically demanding a ride.

I insisted on a helmet, and Alexander pushed her, very slowly, up and down the sidewalk.

Pardon the undies, hehe. :)

She looks thrilled, no?

Actually, she totally was, so I have no idea why she looks so unamused.

Maybe it's the concentration. :)

Oh, they crack me up. :)

sew into spring, week 3: in action

2011-02-12T22:23:00.000-08:00

Yes, we are still into funny faces. :)

sew into spring: week 3

2011-02-11T14:12:00.000-08:00

Size 5 (!) for my big girl.

Fabrics and button chosen by her.

Hand-stitched yoke

I hope she likes it! :)

what did we do this morning???

2011-02-11T13:54:00.000-08:00

Oh, the kidlets (easily) talked me into going to the "plant store" and getting a start on our spring garden!!

And as soon as we got home, and got started, I realized the problem I had not foreseen:

Lucy is old enough to want to be put down and play with us (yay), but she is not old enough to not rip the blooms off the plants for fun (nay).

Uh-oh!!

What do I do now?? :)

outside

2011-02-08T22:48:00.000-08:00

The weather has been so nice and so we have been outside.

A lot.

I even got a little sunburned on Sunday, so we broke out the sunscreen.

In February.

A little crazy, but necessary.

So the kids give each other wagon rides,

and Lucy gives me a heart attack by standing up and almost tumbling out,

and we do lots and lots and lots of gardening.

And tasting dirt. (guess which one?)

And playing with pink brawlies (are we the only ones who call them that??)

And the best part is the conversations.

We talk about all the bugs we come across,

what Daddy is doing at that very moment at school,

our favorite part of the day so far,

how Claire wants to go to astronaut school and then take us all on vacation to the moon.

We talk about the plants we are going to buy,

the vegetables we are going to grow,

the holes we are going to dig.

And we have so much fun.

And we laugh so hard.

And we get so dirty.

Especially the one who was swimming in the dirt, Lucy Loo.

And we sleep so well at night.

It is going to be a good year in our garden. :)

sew into spring: week 2

2011-02-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

A dress and bloomers for Lucy Girl. :)

the littlest one...

2011-02-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

...just took her first steps! It was so cute because Alex and Claire were just as excited as Noah and I, and Lucy just thought that was the greatest thing. :)

...is showing a feisty side of her up-until-now very mellow personality. She complains when we leave the park, kicking and squirming so that if I were not quite as strong as I am, she would fling herself out of my arms to the ground! Oh, and the swing (you know, the one place at the park I can put her and know she is going to be safe), is no longer good enough No, she needs to be on the merry-go-round, or crawling on the ground, or climbing up the steps and nearly tumbling down the tallest slide!

...likes to play in the kitchen while I make dinner

...loves to go for wagon rides, especially when Claire is pulling her

...just loves feeling like she is one of the big kids. :)

...wishes she could climb dirt piles too, hehe.

...see what I mean?! With the feistiness??

...likes going down the little slide by herself, thank you very much. :)

She has five, almost six teeth, and those little suckers are sharp. Not that I've been bitten while nursing or anything... :)

She loves cheese.

Her little fingernails have dirt under them, a sure sign of her newfound bravery and exploring tendencies.

I love her. :)

getting a jump on spring

2011-02-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

I will admit to two things:

1. I'm over winter

2. I have way too much fabric and way too little to show for it.

So, I decided to implement a semi-strict and very ambitious plan.

Specifically, to sew most of the spring and summer clothes for my littles.

I realized it is much more efficient to sew assembly-line style instead of outfit-by-outfit, so I even wrote up a plan of action.

My first task (to be completed by Saturday and already finished, boo-yah!) was two knit dresses.

One in size 5 for Claire, and one in size 18-24 months for Lulu.

The best thing?

Claire (who has been known to stubbornly reject my previous attempts at wardrobe sewing) immediately stripped down to undies, put on her dress, slept in it and insisted on wearing it to school the next day (yesterday).

That's a success in my book!

Especially because Lulu is too little to demand clothing choice autonomy. :)

Next up: a few of these:

in pinks, yellows and greens.

(Don't worry, Alex up next!)

three

2011-02-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my big boy got even bigger

Three.

Three years he has been cracking me up/frustrating me (but mostly cracking me up) with his mischief and in general adding so much joy to my life.

I wanted this birthday to be really special (he might remember it, after all!), so first thing I asked him what kind of cake he wanted.

"A blue castle cake with a pink backhoe loader."

Okey dokey, artichokey!

The castle part was covered, due to a certain four-year old's birthday desire for a "pink castle cake with Sleeping Beauty on the top and clips to make it pretty"

But where, pray tell, was I going to find a pink backhoe loader cake topper? (A backhoe loader being a very important piece of construction equipment for those not in the know, hehe)??

Alas, no pink backhoe loader was to be found, so we improvised.

Found a color-able image of a backhoe loader online, and had the kidlets color them.

Taped onto a spoon, dipped into the cake, and voila!
A blue castle cake with a pink backhoe loader.

Note, I am not showing pictures of the cake for its beauty or artistic value (obviously, hehe) but because he loved it. And that is all I wanted.

Claire decided to make him a birthday crown

Happy birthday little (big) boy! :)

unique: a reflection

2011-01-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it is startling to me to see how different the three of our littles can be.

For instance, how each deals with minor obstacles.

Claire always has, and still does, react with frustration, which I am ashamed to admit she got from me.

When she was a chunky and hungry newborn, upset with the time and effort it took to get my milk flowing, she would get red in the face, punch her fists in the air and give up.

And now, she can get upset by something as unimportant as the fact that I reminded her to rinse out her toothbrush when "I already knew I was supposed to!"

And Alexander is quietly strong and determined, just like Noah.

When his progress is hindered by something, he doesn't freak out.

He simply figures out how to deal with it and then does it.

Poof- problem solved.

And now we are getting glimpses of Lucy's coping strategies.

She, in typical third-child form, goes with the flow.

Like last night.

She was trying to remove foam heart stickers from the princess mask Claire decorated last week for our Fun Friday art activity (today we are going to paint!), but some were just not budging.

She did not fret about it (like Claire might have) or figure it out (like Alex might have), no, she simply moved on to find another, more vulnerable foam heart.

So while they all might be fascinated by bubbles, or repulsed by chicken tortilla soup (why?? it is sooo good!!), they each have their own personalities that make them them.

And I love noticing that. :)

teddy bear picnic

2011-01-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

Well hello there!!

A couple of weeks ago, Claire's class had a teady bear picnic.

The kids wore their jammies and brought their favorite stuffed animal, and Mother Goose came to tell stories, etc.

These are some of my favorite pictures of her, because she is so happy and just...her.

Dancing and singing and posing on the walk home

Giving piggyback rides

That's my girl. :)

sick

2011-01-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

I have been avoiding posting here due to Blogger inexplicably rejecting my photo uploads. :(

Need to get Noah on that, ASAP. :)

We've all been sick, the kids, sadly, most of all. Alex has pneumonia, Lucy has an ear infection and Claire has the most horrible heaving cough I've ever heard come from her body.

That's the thing about being the Mama.

You see your kids hurting and sick and you want to take those nasty germs and put them in your own body so you can feel the pain instead.

Except it doesn't work that way.

And then you get sick too (not instead of the kids, but in addition to), and you all spend the day making chicken noodle soup (delicous and healing) and watching "The Sound of Music" songs over and over and over.

And it's a strange sickness, where they can be coughing up their left lung but still want to go to the park and school and "The Whole Foods" (as known by Claire) for their favorite blueberry granola bars.

And then you get the kids tucked into bed and they can't fall asleep for the coughs wracking their little bodies.

I'll be really glad when this bug passes through. :)

Playing hooky

2011-01-13T14:05:00.000-08:00

Not really, but sort of. :)

Thursdays he has his long preparation period, and sometimes he comes home, seeing as how we live one block away.

So today he came with us to pick up Claire, and she thought it was the greatest thing.

I did too. :)

And then we stopped at the park and had lunch, of course.

Thank you Mr. Sun, for coming out to play! :)

Bold

2011-01-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

What?! Just because she's ONE she thinks she can just stand up on the merry-go-round?

Hehe. :)