Baby Love

Have I written lately how much I love being a Mom?  Let me count the ways:

I love baby kisses, which come out of no where.

Those first given pats on your back.  (Marlo, not Sabine yet)

Sneak attack hugs from Hugo.

Blowing kisses with Hugo as I close his bedroom door at night.  He'll ask if I caught them.

The sound of the girls snoring in their cribs.

Viewing Marlo through the slats in her crib as she plays and peeps out at you.

Hearing the girls laughter while playing with one another.

Baby toes.

Hugo's hair after his bath.

Bedtime stories.

Those first innocent, short prayers.

Baby burps, toots, and sighs.

Smiles.  Singing.  Snuggling.

Witnessing the love Hugo has for his sisters.

Talking Fabric

Over the river and through the fog I drove to a girlfriends house to talk fabric.  Eunmi's second child will be born this coming Christmas Eve.  With this foggy and drippy weather outside, the thought of a brand new babe born on what I am imagining to be a perfectly snowy and snug Christmas Eve, seems a very romantic idea to me.  

As I drove, I ooohed and aaahed over the landscapes before me.  At one point, I couldn't keep it all to myself any longer,  I dialed up Cesar to tell him about the beauty my eyes were beholding.  I told him how I wished he were at home with me, beside me, to share in this beauty I was witness to.  But, he was not at home this morning, he is not here beside me now as I type this either, so instead, I pulled out my camera and snapped away as I drove. 

So why were Eunmi and I talking fabric?  She was recently visiting our home for a playdate and peeked into our girls nursery, which I so love to show off now that it is almost, almost finished.  I hope to have a post all about it soon!  She really liked the bird mobiles.  She decided she'd like to make one for her nursery as well.  Hence my trip over the river and through the fog to a girlfriends house to talk fabric.

Babies

More rain today. Everyone was late arriving at playgroup. We were also few in numbers. Nicole's mother gave birth to a new baby brother yesterday, they plan to stay in the hospital until tomorrow. Mikell and her Mom went to the hospital to meet baby TJ this morning.

Hugo is very interested by all the babies he sees around him. During our playdate on Wednesday he kept trying to pick up nine month old Hannah. Over and over he tried. I'm not sure if he knows that she is real or a mechanical version of the dollies he plays with while hanging out with the big girls. Baby Brady was at our playgroup today. Hugo wanted him to come out of his car seat and play. Finally he got the drift that he wasn't going to get his way with Brady. He crouched down next to the carrier, peered in and patted his little baby head sweetly. It wasn't that long ago that Hugo was the baby of the group, they still call him Baby Hugo. I remember well the mother's telling their one year olds to be soft with him as they came up to his protective car seat to peak at him while he slept.

It is amazing the change that occurs between birth and the first birthday. Especially now that Hugo is two, he surprises me with how much he comprehends and remembers. He really is like a little elephant remembering patterns, places, toy boxes, candy wrappers, books, and trouble.

Knitting for Babies

Babies are everywhere in my life at this moment. Some were born at the end of this past year but most are due to arrive between now and July. It takes all of my fingers and a few of my toes to count them. It has been a bit overwhelming. I must admit that I have acted the part of an ostrich with my head buried far, far below in the sand. In Alissa Land this translates into ... I better get knitting, and fast. A few of these babies have already received their knitted garments from me. Recently I've made a blanket, a bear, three bibs, three sweaters and a crocheted dress. Sometimes I give the mother a choice of would she rather receive a blanket or a sweater? With so many babies arriving at the beginning of summer I've also offered the suggestion of knitting a six month size garment for their wee ones. Something for the winter yet to come. Have I mentioned it can be a tad, just a tad overwhelming, all these babies? Oh, and I would like to knit for Hugo at some point. I have a sweater half finished on some needles buried away at the bottom of my closet for him. I really don't mean to sound like such a complainer about this. Knitting for babies is a real pleasure for me. The tiny garments feel so precious and are such a hit all dressed up in their gift boxes I can't resist. So today, is the day. I am planning out my next few projects and diving into the actual knitting hopefully tonight after Hugo falls asleep. I think I have settled on this beautiful, soft gray, merino and cashmere blend yarn for my girlfriend Michelle's quickly approaching arrival date. Wish me luck because I sure need it!