Rainy-day ways: Walking, walking (in any kind of weather). Every morning, we are out, rain or shine. It's quiet, and the birds are singing. The robins hop around in the squelching grass, looking for breakfast. The wind blows the rain from the dripping tree branches, and everything's soaked. It's cold and quiet. You can hear the wind. It won't really be warm for a while, though compared to the rest of the pitiable, winter-locked country, we're balmy and flourescent here. We talk as we walk or sometimes she sleeps, only to wake at the bakery where we frequently have our breakfast (chai, toast, blueberries). She sits in the high chair, watching all the people, occasionally stopping to munch while she quietly watches. She comments: "Uh oh!" if a dish falls. "Hi!" to every and all. "Da!" and pointing at every pendant lamp (there are many — now I notice them everywhere we go, because she does). Signing for "more" (put your fingertips together) breakfast. I drink tea and read my book (my gosh, I had to put down The Little Stranger! Right after the party scene [i.e.: not very far in!]. I was so scared I couldn't continue. You warned me!) while she people-watches, turning her head to follow anyone moving, sometimes just sitting and looking like she's listening to and considering other peoples' conversations, chewing. She loves everything. I love everything with her. Sixteen months. I love this age. Just starting to talk. "Hi baa!" at the store, waving to a bin full of colorful rubber balls. Hi pendant lamp!!! Hi new glasses!!! Hi flower that smells like spring!!! I clip a sprig of daphne to put in a buttonhole on my shirt every morning. She brings me her scarf, her boots. I put them on her and she wears them around the house after we get home.
I'm procrastinating. Taxes, pattern writing I need to do, a yarn order that was received without everything on the packing slip, and a funky, almost-felted cone of sport-weight wool needs to be returned, along with the pajama jeans that are too big and the raincoat that I ordered for myself without realizing it was a kid's coat (what in the world). Also, the Minut lamp for the crocheted lampshade needs to be the large size, not the small — the pattern doesn't specify. Naturally, I bought the small. Instead of doing chores, I sew, and find Simplicity pattern 6713 from the year 1966 to be just about the most perfect shape ever conceived — the circular yoke, the right amount of fullness, such nice angles at the sleeve. I've made it for her before. This time, I used the gray with yellow flowers (from JoAnn's) which was so lightweight it almost felt like lawn. You hand-sew in the bodice lining and the hem at night while watching Psych (and yes, we are crying on the inside during these last six episodes — Andy was seriously disappointed in Wednesday's episode; I was, too, but I think it was just a set up. They have a lot of loose ends to tie up, if they do wind up tying them up. And if James Roday I mean Shawn does not ask Maggie Lawson I mean Juliet to marry him I'm going to start shreiking with pineappled frustration, FYI. Yes, James Roday I want to see TWO WEDDINGS [yours, and yours] come out of these six episodes, dangit!!! Or at least two engagements. C'MON SON!!!)
Now: Bobby and Bibby. The deep-sea diver and the squid. Crocheted by DADDY. Who is also writing an album called The Bobby and Bibby Show, a variety show featuring original songs by every one of the most-loved stuffed animals in the house. Bobby, Bibby, Nighty Knight McNye-t'aghin, Mr. C, Heather, Margot, and Billie. So far. The man is amazing.
Given that I am a 1966 baby, I would bet anything my mom has made 6713 for me (or my cousins, or my niece) at some point. She loves patterns of that sort. I'll have to ask her (because dollars to donuts, she still has it if she bought it when I was a baby).
I follow Psych, and although I'm not caught up on the latest couple of episodes, I am of the same mindset. I will be soooo disappointed if that does not happen!
And, finally, because I know a little ASL, and because my niece learned some baby signs, I saved the day one day because I knew the sign for "water." Gotta tell ya, every baby should learn signs! Believe me, it makes for a much more happy kiddo when they can "speak" for themselves.
I guess I never paid attention to where you live. Is it in the U.S.? All of the signs of spring are giving me hope! lol! Beautiful! She is sure growing fast. Slow her down!
Oh, Alicia, each of your posts is a little ray of sunshine in our gray Seattle days! I get SO excited when I check in and find a new post. . .thank you! Mimi is about the cutest little girl I have ever seen. I was her age when my parents brought my baby sister home from the hospital. I can't imagine how they managed a toddler and an infant, but we got along just fine! Seeing all of the beautiful clothes you have created for her makes me want to go back and look at our OLD family albums, as my mother made many of our clothes, and we are often dressed identically. What fond memories! And what a lucky little girl.
Western fringed vest.
Rose bud lips.
Tiny floral prints.
Rain dashed everything.
Your breathless exclamations, I can actually hear your excitement.
And, as always, these perfect captures of coziness.
Always lovely.
Thank you.
The man can crochet, wow!!! The little dress looks so perfect what a wonderful pattern, as ever a pleasure to read your post xx
I think I had that same pattern and sewed it for my girls. It was a pattern from MY childhood...my Mom also sewed. I should dig out my favorite raglan sleeved little dress pattern and see if you like it. The youngest of my three girls turns 21 this month. I can't part with any of the dresses I sewed for them. What to do?
I also made sweet flannel nightgowns from that pattern. My girls always had nightgowns, until the sad time when they grew up and wanted to sleep in boxer shorts and tank tops.
What a delight it would be if you created your own patterns. I'm sure they would be quite popular. A lovely post as always!
xo...your posts full of green are so good for me!! ...still so so much snow here. they say march weather will be worse than february...who does that??! off xoxo love from muskoka
I love this essay and photo essay of your lives in Portland, Alicia. Most. Loved. Baby. Ever. Gorgeous shots that convey real life, seen through an artist's eye.
PRECIOSAS FOTOS COMO SIEMPRE ME ENCANTAN..
SALUDITOS
She.is.precious. A little girl with BIG style, already. She wears it so well. Is that what Spring is SUPPOSED to look like? Not here in Vermont........thanks for sharing ;)
Precious, precious child. Oh How I LOVE watching her grow. You and Andy are the BEST parents. Such a beautiful place you live in. Thanks for letting us see your part of the world.
I love the picture of the pavement after the rain. My kids used to call that a "rainbow stain-bow".
Can you be my mom? I'd make a great big sister. I drive and can babysit, plus I love to read out loud! ;) Let's just say your house looks so warm and inviting!
I don't know what to say about how sweet Bobby and Bibby are. Daddy is amazing, and you are two lucky girls.
That scarf on Amelia…the one that's like a bow tie. I have a zillion of those because my neck is always cold and how cute is it in her size?
Enjoy your posts every time…thank you.
I can't believe you have Spring.
It looks so alive..and so new and fresh and full of promise..just like Miss A.
Vraiment, elle est si mignonne.
A doll.
My girls were born 75 and 77 I loved my Simplicity patterns for them..it was always a treat for me to make them matching outfits.
Nothing like playing house:-)
I wonder what could be more beautiful than those pretty spring flowers promising new seasons... Or that old crooked tree... Oh, yes! It's that adorable! Little girl! Don't you want to hug her every second? Nice post!
Bobby and Bibby!!!! What a cool surprise! Honestly, all of these pics were so cute and filled with SO MUCH cuteness, I couldn't take it. And then: Bobby and Bibby!!!!!!!
You've finished me off. Again.
I giggled at Mimi's hand reaching for Daddy's toys. What a great advert if you ever decide to market them!
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful life with us. But, please, more about Clover! Miss hearing about her! X
Love the clothes! My mother made me (and my dolls) custom wardrobes from birth through graduate school (the dolls didn't get any suits made for job interviews though.) That hum of the sewing machine is the sound of my childhood. I always looked forward to sewing for my daughters, but I got two boys instead, so most of my sewing was limited to Halloween costumes - dinosaurs, dolphins, squid, - they never wanted anything that you could just go out and buy. Now if one of them would just get married and have a daughter...
I recognize that dress fabric! My daughter chose it (with the mustard ether than gray background) for her third grade pioneer dress. Just got it done yesterday and now I see the gray back fabric is much cuter. Oh well. Thanks, as always, for sharing with us.
Your pictures are just so beautiful and they make my day, every time! Thank you!
such lovely photos. and so pleased to see you put up some photos above the hooks in her bedroom. the love comes through in each of your posts. thanks so very much for sharing.
Your words are poetry! I love the way you talk about your days! Thank you so much. I feel very happy when I find a new post!
I'm happy to read and see how your days are with Amelia.
What a Beautiful dress! Great pictures.
Thank you so much, to share the beauty, you have in you.
you can find a picture of me and my first girl Olivia who is 5,5 years old, on pinterest. My member name is CatiSP.