Thursday, December 24, 2009

baby jesus on the race track

We have a little wooden nativity set that was a gift when she was born. Rob likes to organize it at night, after she is asleep. Last night, we could not fined the baby jesus. We made all kinds of jokes about the baby jesus being lost.
Amelia also has a wooden track and wooden cars that flip flop on the track. Clack, clack clack they go down.
She has been working on her technique so about 30 – 40% of the time she can get the little car in the track and Clack clack clack swoosh it goes.

Last night we found the little wooden baby Jesus on the car track. We cracked up. Why not? It’s a little chunk of wood, same as the cars, really. So why shouldn’t the baby jesus race down the track?

Merry Christmas.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Happy Halloween

Here is a little shot of little Dorothy, the Scare Crow, and Toto.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Considering Dream Jobs

Dream Jobs.

I am reflecting on what my next job might be.
What will evolve?

Today, while pondering this weighty question, I was struck by not one, but two dream jobs.

First:
There is a new show called “Man Shops Globe”. The furniture and accessories/props buyer for Anthropology takes a film crew along through Clignancourt (the Paris flea market) and the markets in Provence…
I don’t think I could write a better job description than that one. !!
"man shops globe"



Next:
A conversation at the grocery store revealed a surprise. I was at Whole foods Market talking about staying current with the local clients, and their preferences. The super friendly woman told me about a guy called “the forager”. His job is to hunt around for local products to be stocked in the store. Seriously – finding and tasting local tamales, local muffins, local chocolate. And all of it has to meet the healthy standards that Whole Foods adheres to (so no corn syrup, preservatives… etc) What could be better than THAT?


As glorious as those both sound, I have to contrast that to the job I have now. I waited about 40 years to have this job. I was not at all certain I would “get” this job. The hours are miserable. And the pay is worse. But it is by far the best job I’ve ever had. It’s the absolute last word in “dream jobs”: Mom.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

I heard Tim Gunn would be at Bloomingdale's, and I decided that I had to try to go see him in person.
The simplest outings have a way of being complicated with an 8 month old. And , there were major wardrobe considerations. It's Tim Gunn after all.
I ended up wearing clean clothes. And no crocs. (so, super dressy for us) And putting Amelia in an outfit I had made. "make it work"

The event turned out to be a mini fashion show. It was the introduction of Kate Spade's fall line. And Tim and another woman were narrating some looks from the collection. I was offered Champagne. And Amelia worked the room, greeting people and smiling the whole time.

Tim is every bit as polished in person as he is on camera. He is not a 'big' man, but everything else is as you would expect. He is just magnetic and warm. He does have exceptionally long hands, like a piano player. So his exhuberant gestures carry across the room.

After the 'show' portion, Tim took some questions. He was asked if he would ever judge, and he elaborated on the finale when he did in season 5 (people - ? did you not see every episode ever produced before you came?) He was, of course very diplomatic and professional, but he confirmed that Kenley was as difficult to work with as it appeared on the show. Wow. Safe to say she will never work in the industry.
He was asked who he would like to have seen stay, and after some discussion with the audience, he was surprised that Koto had not won. And surprised that Uli didn't even make it to the finals in the "all-star" episode.

Afterwards, I stood in line to speak with him. I wanted to thank him. In an industry, (TV and Fashion) and a genre (reality) that showcase the swearing, mean, tempramental hot heads, Tim is always well turned out, compassionate, impartial, and exercises a huge vocabulary. Bravo Tim!
It turns out that for the actual professional photo op, we did need a ticket. And to get a ticket, we had to spend $300 on the Kate Spade line that day. When I told them at the front of the line that I did not have a ticket, they said "sorry, only ticket holders for the photo" I looked over at Tim and he looked at me apologetically and held out his hands in a Tim gesture. I said to him "I just wanted to say thank you" and he smiled a big smile. He said "your baby is just beautiful" I beamed "thank you", and the next ticket holder was already by his side.


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Breakfast with Friends.

We met our friends Patti & Martin for breakfast.
This photo captures -for me- everything that is good and right in the world. (and there was crispy bacon on the table not pictured.)

Monday, August 31, 2009

Knitting again


4 generations
Originally uploaded by craft room
I am delighted to report there is knitting in the house again.
When I was in Michigan this summer, I stopped by my first favorite knitting shop, Clever Ewe. And I picked up yarn for the Cable & Bobble jacket. Pure spun pink sugar.



The yarn is surprisingly, Sirdar Baby Bamboo (80% bamboo 20% wool) and it has been lovely so far. Very pink. Of course.
It should be finished in time for A to go to school.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

A bird or a plane?


A bird or a plane?
Originally uploaded by craft room
Oh yes. I can fly too.
This is me, just before lift-off.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

imprints


imprints
Originally uploaded by craft room
Little A and I crafting together. We did hand imprints in clay.
Hopefully, she will enjoy our next project more - because she sure did not like this.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Grocery shopping:

At Whole Foods the baby food and the pet food are on the same isle. And then the cleaning products. What are they trying to say?

Thursday, July 9, 2009

A new chair in the house


There is a lot of new stuff in the house. And an appalling amount of it is brightly colored plastic. Big plastic.

When it came time to have a high chair we bucked the plastic wave, and got the beautiful wood.


This chair is gorgeous.
The pieces are all beautiful.


And here, at least, is little Jambi, enjoying time in the kitchen with me.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

In defense of the buggy bagg



There are these fabric covers made for the top of grocery carts. Who ever needed one of those? I poo-pooed them. Another contraption to sucker money out of new parents.
And then …I was given one by my sister-in-law. We came back from vacation, and A was able to hold herself up more than she ever had before. She could almost sit up on her own. So, rather than take her shopping in the car seat, we road tested this buggy bag. First of all, mine is pink toile inside and hot pink outside. What could be better? And then, put A in the middle of that, and it’s like adding whip cream to the top of a sundae. It is perfect.
This thing can be washed. And it covers the whole area that she sits in. There is even an extra pillow so I can wedge her in there for added security. I can’t speak to the grocery stores that you shop in, but I can tell you I would not lick the handle of the shopping cart in any of our markets. And I was not excited about A licking them either. We have now made that activity impossible. She can wrap her little mouth around the toys we have added to the toile pouch. Or she can lick the fabric all day long.
So there you go. Scurry out and get one, if you have kids at an age where they will lick the shopping cart. It will be the best purchase you ever made. (for the next ten minutes, until they out grow it, and then we'll figure out the next "can't live without it" product)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

6 months


good morning
Originally uploaded by craft room
six months ago today we had a wild time.
two people vomited (at least two admitted it)
there was a lot of screaming.
then there was surgery.
and then, I became a mother.
I haven't slept a full night since. And probably never will.
We live with the most wonderful creature. She is warm and snuggly and growing like bamboo.
Happy 6 months little bitty "Jambi"
Keep up the good work.

Monday, July 6, 2009

speed boat


speed boat
Originally uploaded by noeknit
some high lights from a week in MN

Saturday, June 13, 2009

15 digits, 94 years apart


15 digits, 94 years apart
Originally uploaded by noeknit
introducing the baby to her great grandmother

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Urban baby in the hood


Urban baby in the hood
Originally uploaded by noeknit
A walk in the mission

Monday, June 1, 2009

recycled sweater


Cashmere Pants Project 4
Originally uploaded by noeknit
Here we are making some pants for the peanut with a recycled sweater. In this case, a cashmere sweater. Of course.











Saturday, May 23, 2009

The mom's behind the curtain


I have been lucky enough to meet a group of Mommies in the same place on this path. We have been trying to get together regularly. Here, we invited our friend PJ to come along and photograph the wee little ones. Just like a rodeo, "everything lasts only 8 seconds". The babies are beautiful. And the Mommies are fantastic.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

wait one second


wait one second
Originally uploaded by noeknit
Little A is 3 months old!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Ray of Sun

This is sure to make you smile for today:
Enjoy!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Family portriat


Family portriat
Originally uploaded by noeknit
Rob's windbreaker around us. Little socks to keep the feet warm. A short walk. Just the way she likes it.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

peek-a-toe


peek-a-toe
Originally uploaded by noeknit
There are big things in life, and then there are little things. Here is a little thing. A little thing of beauty.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Take a deep breath

Skype

When you open skype, the holding screen says "Take a Deep Breath".
What a lovely reminder.

Take a deep breath.
I went to an event tonight called "wine and whiners" hosted at a local bar. It's a great way to meet other parents. I spoke with a Mommy who has a BIG job, where she is fortunate to make LOTS of money. And she admitted that she does not want to go back. She's been back, and cries everyday. She and her husband are looking at what their lives could look like if she stayed home for a few years. Big questions. Bigger still considering this economy.
Take a deep breath.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The joy



Little hands
Originally uploaded by noeknit
I waited for this. I waited literally my whole life for this. And it is sweetness.
So many people have said "enjoy this time".
I have now found that the statement means different things to different people. (for some that means "this goes fast" and for others it means "over look the diapers, and just focus on the good parts", and for others it means "I enjoyed that part so much - I hope you are too". )
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I will illustrate the joy the best way I can.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Here is the first Finished Object of 2009.
Welcome to Amelia. She was born on January 7th. 7lb 12 oz.
We are all very happy.


Beautiful little thing.

Happy Family.

Monday, January 5, 2009

The commencement



"There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." Francis Bacon.