IT'S A PERFECT DAY

Some days stand out for being an amazing day, for no real reason at all.
Because of a sunny day? Lunch of sandwiches and old fashion creamy soda?
I think because of spending the day with my two babies.

And yes, the title reminds me of Trainspotting. Tamika had never seen the movie, so came home and watched it.

The "Man Cold" t-shirt

It has been a hard week, Jarvis not only got his first tooth, he also got his father’s “Man Cold”. So with two sick grumpy boys in the house not much sewing got done.

I did manage to recycle one of Justin’s t-shirts

Into a t-shirt for Jarvis

I cut up Justin’s t-shirt along the seams and used one of Jarvis’s t-shirts as a guide. I cut the shirt a bit big as I wanted to keep as much as the pattern as possible.

Everything was a bit of a guess; and I have not hemmed the edges of the neckline or the bottom of the shirt. It has been through the wash once and seems to be holding up ok.

But not bad, considering my fear of stretch sewing and lack of pattern.

Jarvis is in his "Beetlejuice" chair which I recovered as part of his whole room make over.

Tiretain Sarouels, Punker Than You Punk

For week two, of the sewing challenge that I have set myself, I wanted to re-visited the Baby Sarouels from Sophie’s blog Cirque du bebe. Because of my fear of stretch I thought I would try the sarousels in a plain cotton. So with the two inspirations of Sophie’s sarouels (image on the left), and (the image on the right) I found under goggle search, I set to work on a piece of fabric I have had in my sewing basket for years.

I cut the pants from the same pattern as last weeks, I just allowed a little more for each seam. This time I opted not to do a separate waist band, I just did an elastic waist and included belt hoops.

Jarvis looks gorgeous rocking the pants and his Dad’s hat.

For some extra detail I included and angled back pocket and a belt loop from this pocket to the side seams. As most “punk” pants I looked at on the internet had chains and extra belt details.

All that was needed was a belt to finish them off. After searching everywhere for a belt in Jarvis’s size and having no luck; I ended up making one; after a trip to the local spotlight. I bought one set of D-rings and some black binding, after less than five minutes, Jarvis had a black belt to go with his new Tartan punk sarouels.

Overall much happier with this weeks sarouels than last weeks. A tad too big, as I over-estimated what was needed in lieu of the stretch, but at the rate Jarvis is growing it may be a good thing.

Baby Sarouels Sewing 1.

                                                             

Not so long ago I made a promise to myself for more “me” time. Things I included in more “me” time was to start blogging; to take more photos; and another, was to sew more. So I have set myself a challenge of sewing at least one item per week. 

Where to start was obvious, that being Jarvis’s wardrobe. I got a major dose of inspiration from Sophie on her amazing blog Cirque du bebe. Sophie’s sewing is really good, I am more than a little envious of her skill, so I thought I would start with one of her projects, the Baby Sarouels.

So I raided Justin’s wardrobe and found this t-shirt.

Drafted a pattern

Then I half followed Sophie’s directions and half made it up as I went along. I didn’t include the pockets, but I did make a waist band to encase the elastic and the draw cord.

Because my model is not good at sitting or laying still, here are a couple of shots of the sarouels on the line.

Instead of using draw cord, I should have followed Sophie’s recommend and made it out of left over t-shirt, because after two washes the cord looks ragged.

But for my very first attempt at sewing a stretch fabric overall I am happy with them. Already started on next weeks improved version! Thanks Sophie for the inspiration and the great ideas in your blog, Cirque du bebe.

p.s. It it Sophie's birthday today, make sure you go over to her blog and wish her Happy Birthday.  

EIGHT MONTHS OLD

Eight months (and one day ago) you were in my tummy. Now you have spent almost as much time outside, as inside of me.  Yet, somehow, you are still very attached to me. Or is it that I am very much attached to you? For 40 weeks we called you Dim Sim, and waited to meet you.

Now you are Jarvis. From the moment you came screaming out of my tummy you have been a little man with a big personality.

It is like every day you change. In front of me, you have changed from a tiny little bubba to a chubby toddler. You sat up early, but still have not learnt to roll over, crawl, or walk. It could be because you hate tummy time. But you are such an active little man. You love the “Jolly Jumper, and to walk around the house when I hold you under your arms.

Everything goes in your mouth; you are such a curious little soul. You are so much more aware of yourself and of your surroundings. You love your food and have a good appetite, but you would, and constantly do, choose breast over solids.

Music and dancing never fail to make you happy, and THAT ABC song, well I have lost count of how many times I have heard that. You love to sing, even more than you love to chatter. Each week you will find a new noise to make with your mouth, and we delight in repeating it back to you as it never fails to make you grin and repeat it back to us.

I enjoy every moment with you, even when you are screaming to be held.  I did not think I could love anyone as much as I love your sister. But now, I live everyday for you. I hate being apart from you, even for a moment.

I love to gush over you; from the top of your sweaty little boy’s head when you sleep, to your big feet. I constantly call out to your Daddy, or to your big sister “Quick! Come and look at Jarvis.”

If your smiles melt me, I cannot even begin to explain how your laugh will make my day. I even like it when you cry, the way your bottom lip drops down and the curls. Not that I can let you cry, I weaken the moment you do, which could explain why for the last three months you have slept with us in the bed.

Now you hold out your arms to be picked up and you give the best cuddles, snuggling in laying your head on my heart, or reaching your face up for kisses. Kisses.... hmmm, it seems as if I can never kiss you enough.