Lil discovered that on the interwebs, kitties don't run away from you. In this video, Mama introduces Lil to Maru, the box-loving cat from Japan. The only way to describe Lil's reaction is ape-shit.
And no, I didn't burn dinner.
3.26.2012
3.22.2012
mwah
Last week marked Lil's 14-month "birthday," and St. Patrick's Day. St. Pat's was fun, Lil called cousin Josie to sing her "Happy Birthday," (Josie was still asleep at 6:30am pst, so she sang it to me instead), and then went to her friend Ethan's first birthday party in Greenpoint. It was great to see the whole gang together again! That was actually the second Williamsburg-Greenpoint event we made it to last week. A small contingent spent a day at Coney Island, and traipsed around the NY Aquarium. And lazy 'ol mama got pics of none of it! Boo! Hauling that Olympus Pen can just be too much sometimes.
I did manage to get a few shots of our lovely girl before or after heading out. In the first set, Lil is celebrating her 14-month birthday in a darling little play outfit from Zulily. The little skirt is attached to the leggings, something she hasn't tried since she was a tiny wee lass. It looks so different when your legs are straight and long and can support your weight!
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| of course, you can't even see her long legs in this photo |
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| 14 months? Doesn't look a day over 12. |
These next few pictures are from after the St. Patrick's Day-themed birthday party we attended. Right before Lil hopped in the tub, I managed to snap a few pics with the setting sun lighting her little cherub face. Her tee shirt says "Kiss Me I'm Irish" in white sparkly letters. It was only $5, so even though it probably won't fit next year, it was worth it. She's all about kisses, and gave and received plenty of bonny love that day.
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| kiss me? |
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| mmmmmmwah |
3.16.2012
signs, signs
I've been practicing sign language for Lil for about six months. Just a few small ones, like "more," and "all done." But she would rather incoherently vocalize her needs and opinions rather than actually communicate in a way I can understand. Today I thought we had a breakthrough. At the end of lunch, a happy Lil waves her hands (the sign for "all done") instead of simply throwing her dishes and food on the floor (her way of communicating "all done"). It can be confusing, and sometimes I think it's easier just to clean up the mess.
Just watch the video and judge for yourself....
3.14.2012
look who's reorganizing...
All those pretty little things were nice and folded in their pretty little drawers. And then someone decided everything looked better on the floor. "I like my things where I can see them," she says.
3.13.2012
"we're just watchin' some 'toons, mama."
Yesterday Lil felt like watching some cartoons with her new buddy, Paddington. Yes, that is a Paddington in a tuxedo, which may stir some memories for some of you who knew a very young, opera-attending Mama. And before you criticize me for allowing a 14-month-old to watch television, just get a load of how sweet she is, perched on the nesting coffee table with her arm around her little plush buddy.
Need I say more?
3.10.2012
3.07.2012
3.06.2012
3.03.2012
our icon, our absence
Everyday Lil started out as a tongue-in-cheek approach to baby fashions, and we never expected any followers, save one. Every day when I would pick out Lil's little outfit I would wonder what her Granmary would say about our style choices. Lil's Granmary set her sights on many things, raising children, educating the masses, fighting conservatism and ignorance, and putting together a fabulous yet affordable wardrobe.
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| in Phoenix, 1990 |
She had her priorities in order. First, raise the kids, so by the time they're grown you have enough closet space for your growing wardrobe. Second, educate. Not only is education an important and rewarding field to dedicate your life to, it also provides ample opportunities to show off your wardrobe, and inspire wayward, fashion-stunted teens to better their appearances (and as an extra bonus, not a day will pass without a compliment). All arguments made against conservatism and ignorance are much more powerful in a well accessorized outfit– perhaps a pressed white blouse, fitted jacket, pencil pants and skimmer flats. Many an opponent faltered before her, and she always had the last word followed by a glass of Finger Lakes Pinot (noir or blanc, depending on the mood). Andrew Breitbart has no idea what's waiting for him in the afterlife, but to be sure Granmary's gonna school him. Along the way her wardrobe grew, spanning a few decades and a number of sizes. Retirement allotted just enough time to purge, reorganize, and change out all the cheap plastic hangers for those nice velvety ones. The closet in my old bedroom was reserved for her old work clothes, and the double closet and two dressers in her room contained everything fun and frivolous, as well as all things practical and functional. By combining form and function with her bold confidence, Granmary's coup de grace was her style.
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| Granmary's last visit to Santa Cruz, April 2011 |
Besides remembering Granmary, my ramblings do have a point. Everyday Lil was created for Granmary. I didn't need any other readers, or any fans. I only cared about sharing my beautiful girl with my mother, showing her Lil's insanely cute wardrobe, capturing every beautiful expression for her enjoyment, and hers alone. The fact that anyone else bothers to read this blog is probably a testament to the pride and joy Granmary got from my daily posts. So when she left us, it hardly seemed worthwhile to keep going. The only person left who I wanted to share it with was a future version of Lil, as a document of her first year of life. I never got a baby book, so I fashioned Everyday Lil into a sort of chronicle for her to enjoy when she grows up. For a time it didn't make a difference whether or not anyone else read this blog, so I began to post less frequently. There were other mitigating factors, but the truth is that I lost the motivation.
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| all dolled up for Valentine's Day |
I'm thinking stylishness skips a generation. I never liked getting dressed the way my mother did. I only wanted clothes that were comfortable. With pockets. I could spend my whole life in a cotton maxi dress, a hoodie, and flip-flops. It's still to early to tell if Lil enjoys her prettier things, but she does seem fascinated by shoes and accessories. And she's not afraid to be herself no matter what she's wearing. If there's crawling and climbing to do, a few layers of tulle will not get in her way. Of course, it would be much easier to get a decent picture of Lil if she did sit still, and maybe we'd have a little more Lil and a little less editorial this week.
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| keeping busy in the new place |
Spring is coming. The sun is warm, crocuses are blooming, and we've moved to a new apartment in a new part of Brooklyn– Kensington is just south of Prospect Park, a mix of cultures and alarmingly free of hipsters. Lil is by far the most stylish toddler on the block, and I think she knows it. There's a whole pile of new outfits just waiting for her (and for me to put them on hangers). So stay tuned, dear Lil readers, our goal for March is one post per week. Maybe two.
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