triangulation

i've been trying to figure out what this third child will do to and with the current family dynamic we've got going here. (yes, this past weekend and came and went and along with it, his due date. waiting waiting. . .). over and over the three little kids that will soon be mine have led to thoughts of triangles and the shape's possible meanings. on one end they're symbolic of perfection and unity while down at the other they represent danger and unavoidable tragedy. so which is it? should i be preparing myself for familial annihilation or some sort of exaltation once this little one joins us? as with most things this baby will probably take us on a path somewhere in the center, with detours in either direction occassionally thrown in the mix. moments of hell and moments of heaven. much like our current life, just with more stomping feet. 

so, to celebrate the triad that baby will complete; this triangle banner quilt. there are countless imperfections and the whole hurried project could have used a bit (a lot) more careful planning, but the fact is that that is just how i operate around here. especially lately. each time i get an idea i am in a near panic to start and finish it immediately. . . who knows when this little guy will decide to come and my days will consumed by holding, feeding, staring, keeping the girls from smothering him and trying to figure out how he ever fit inside me. 

why not

yes, why not throw a few more dresses and/or skirts in the mix around here? and why not do it in compulsive spurts starting around 9pm at night?

i actually drew up the pattern for these first two dresses a few weeks ago and then immediately went to work making and dip-dyeing the first dress. i love dyeing. especially in a big pot over my stove. with my wooden spoon prodding and pushing the cloth in the steaming opaque water i feel like a happy old village witch. like strega nona. the girls are always so puzzled and a little bit worried when the cooking of their clothes begins, but once it is clear i won't be making them take a bite they cheer and demand frequent proof that colors are changing. i still have several kinks to work out with dyeing, but there will certainly more of it, and soon.

this second dress is such a happy burst of marigold sunshine, both in color and in the fact that i was able to correct the few small problems with the construction. the colors chosen were a second choice from my stash when i realized i was too short on the green i had planned, but eve couldn't be happier- after all, it's yellow (albeit an orangey one) and yellow matches her hair.

i've almost got a completely reversible version worked out, both in wrap-around and regular. i'm fairly certain the skirt will be a happy medium between the full/gathered and the strait. more to come on that progress, especially if this baby stays as cozy in utero as he seems to be currently.

ruthie's skirt came along as an attempt to soften the blow that only eve would be wearing a brand new dress to church on sunday (last minute saturday night sewing didn't allow enough time for a second dress). didn't go over very well. she knows a consolation prize when she sees one and does not appreciate being slighted. she insisted on modeling the sunshine dress for this post and is now feeling a little bit better, although i'm still getting a lot of scowls and the occasional tongue stuck out at me. sweet angel.

shortcake and bloomers

happy belated mother's day to all of you. i hope you got a chance to relax and enjoy your families.

in an apartment filled with the smell of lilacs and lilies i was fed a delicious meal prepared by chip, presented with cards, a pasta necklace and a "talking butterfly" from the girls and entertained as we all joined in on making strawberry shortcake; a favorite dessert for as long as i can remember. i went to the new sweet melissa baking book (thank you mim!) for the shortcake recipe and am happy i did. a great biscuit-y texture and with the lemon zest, a perfect foundation to the strawberries and whipped cream. i'm excited to try out more of the recipes- especially the baked donut things- and soon, before i feel obligated to monitor what i shove into my mouth.

before mother's day with its flowers and naps i went to an amazing baby shower for my ridiculously talented friend abby. the woman has some creative and talented friends and the result was a perfectly executed "pop" theme shower. i couldn't stop staring at the giant balloons suspended from the ceiling, the sensation of pop rocks in my mouth (used to sprinkle the cupcakes) was one i hadn't felt in at least 12 years, and solely because of visual appeal i was suckered into drinking a bottle of soda, which neither i nor my stomach like, but just couldn't resist. i'll make the same excuse for the obscene amount of the adorable mini pop burgers i consumed. . .

due with a girl in june, a tiny and cheery summer outfit was in order. smocked short dress with bloomers. no pattern for the dress (just a rectangle) but the the bloomers are a slightly modified version of the makie pattern (great japanese craft book, isbn# 4-579-10996-1). here's to the flourishing parks and gardens of brooklyn, the outfit that was inspired by their beauty and the new little baby girl who will soon be here to take it all in.

fashion show

it's strange being a parent before a performance. i tried not to, but waiting for the show to start i couldn't stop myself from getting nervous. how was eve doing backstage? will all that sugar from the cupcakes, cookies and starbursts hit the bloodstream at the exact moment she's supposed to walk on? will she freak out? will she get overwhelmed with all the cameras and people and bright lights? is she going to keep the raincoat on? will all the pep talks make any difference? is she going to have a good time? nervous nervous, pretend like i'm fine, stare at the clock, wait wait. and then, finally, it starts. the kids make their way out one by one and they are amazing. eve is third (fourth?) in line and comes out with the greatest smile and confident little walk. halfway down the catwalk she spots us, gives a big wave (crowd loves it- such a nice crowd), gets to the end, turns around and smiles all the way back. done and everyone is happy. we sneak out through the masses, find eve with her fellow models, give hugs and praise galore, take more pictures, change and leave parsons. we make our way to the subway, ruth plays peek-a-boo with strangers while eve cuddles up and falls dead asleep against my belly.

esther, parsons design student, getting eve ready to go for rehearsal

rehearsal

the real thing

recovering

do you have those moments (or days) when you feel like you've done some serious reverse-maturing? lately i've been reminding myself of college me: doing anything and everything i can think of besides the one thing i really need to do. honestly, i'm always functioning a little like that, but almost dysfunctionally so in college. and here i am again, finding all kinds of things to do besides actually preparing for the major thing i have coming up: baby. this week's unhealthy procrastination has resulted in several projects, the first two involving some re-making and re-covering. not thrilling, but at least useful.

new stroller seat. the other was hideous but i held out on making a replacement until i had a legitimate reason. when it ripped apart i finally had it. keeping the plastic belt snaps from the other stroller seat, using it as a pattern for the new and using some fabric and ribbon on hand, it was done. i may have to do some major reinforcing; the girls love to sit in it and push each other around (dolls are rarely allowed in). . . i'm pretty sure i've already heard stitches popping.

ironing board cover. why haven't i done this sooner? before the burn and water marks our last cover was fine- just natural canvas- but we have had some terrible covers in the past. always in the worst shades of baby blue. no more. i used the old cover as a template, finished the edges with some double fold bias tape and fed the re-used string (but you could use elastic too) through, put on board, tightened and secured with the holder/clamp. done.

ha! this might be the most boring project report of all time. but it makes me feel like i've been slightly productive, even though i really haven't.

the real excitement begins tomorrow; we've got eve's very first fashion show! i can't wait. she'll be walking in the parson's school of design junior fashion show. the theme (at least for the children's wear class) is "street wear, hong kong 1995" and the outfit that esther (design student) made for her is so so fantastic. i imagine eve will end up covering her eyes (her shy/ i'm overwhelmed reaction) for at least a little bit of the walk but for now is insisting "i'm going to be so brave of the fashion show." on the very same stage used in project runway, we'll see how she handles the big time.

++ and there's some excitement over at brooklyn bean. head over there and get in the mix to win one of alysha's handmade goods. i consider this a real act of selflessness (i really like winning) so take advantage, blog or no.

mish-mash of lately

happy may day!

it is official, spring is here and summer is right around the corner. i know because last week i got the very beginnings of what is, three years running, my summer trademark: massive saltwater sandal tan. feels good. i also have the beginnings of a nice farmer's tan which doesn't feel so good but until i start remembering my sunblock is also kind of inevitable. does anyone else have arms that tan at a rate five times faster than the rest of their body?. . . but, i can't complain when i am able to spend hours of my day sitting on a playground bench surrounded by great friends watching the kids run and play. new york in spring is amazing. if you've never been, come at this time. everyone and everything is emerging from their winter gloom and reveling in the glory of renewal.

and, i'm 29. (i know. only 29 and almost three kids- yikes.) tuesday was my birthday and with great friends all around, a brother and sister-in-law in town (who woke up to make me crepes in the morning!), and time alone with chip, it was a really great day. chip and i went to freemans on the lower east side and other than the somewhat irrational fear that one of the taxidermied animals was going to fall on me and cause serious bodily harm (i was most concerned about my eyes), the place was really great. watching the parade of hipsters walk down the alley to the restaurant was entertaining and, once, inspiring. i love the lower east side. after dinner chip and i made our way uptown in a cab, a rare treat for us- we're cheap like that, to see macbeth. such an intense and gruesome production. not going to help my creepy dreams at all. the art direction was beautifully modern and the acting was stunning. . . i always wonder whether my opinions are completely skewed because i'm just so happy to be kid-free for a night. i might consider anything a work of genius because i don't have two little girls shouting "i'm never playing with you again!" or "more didi boots! i want food! no, mean mommy!" at me every thirty seconds. but this time i'm certain it was the production and not the euphoria of being away that won me over.

here's yesterday photo of baby boy, who, it turns out, is not breech at all! good baby. i'm hopeful this is the last time we need an ultrasound with this baby. i'm tired of hospitals.

our may day will be filled with joy school for eve, some grocery shopping (or maybe napping instead?) and folding of the laundry neglected yesterday while at the hospital and then preparing for last night's book club i hosted. we read crossing to safety by wallace stegner. one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. i love his depiction of relationships in all their quiet tragedy and glory. it was so great to be in my home, kids in bed and surrounded by good people and good discussion.

++ update: my hero brother-in-law and sister-in-law who live in manhattan just swooped in and took my children for the afternoon/evening. looks like i'll be getting that nap afterall, once i waste more of my time watching the most recent episode of the hills. i already stayed up until 2am last night catching up on the bachelor. gross reality tv confessions. . .