last look at year one

the best days

Lil is on the cusp of her second year. It's hard to look at her and see the baby she used to be, but it's equally as hard to see the toddler or the little girl she's about to become (at least for her mama it is). And since she won't sit still, it's really hard to get a decent picture of her last days of infancy. Here are a couple shots of her earlier this week.

so curious (and so comfy) in hand knits and bamboo leggings

modeling her activewear from cousin Jos

biting her lip since day 1

Tomorrow is her big birthday bash, and I promise to have lots of pics to share, plus a Lil retrospective with some unseen images, and footage from her first hours out of the womb. Oh Lil, we love you so!

my heart's on my sleeve

knit wit

I can't knit. I can't sew. I can barely iron. But I really love it when people who can do these things gift us their creations. This little sweater was made by Papa's aunt on the west coast. The berry colors are like opening a bag of Skittles, and the yarn is beautifully dyed with subtle variations in each fiber. Lil's grand-tante also made her a matching hat, and although I mentioned Lil hates hats, she loves this one!  It must feel good to have something made especially for you squeezing your ears.  As her mama, I just love that someone paid special attention to even the smallest detail just for my l'il Lil.

Lil paired her hand knit sweater with her favorite baggy baby jeans, a kelly green onesie, and her sheepskin mocs (the final look at our favorite footwear!). Spring has finally arrived in Brooklyn, and this sweater is perfect for keeping that last hint of cold air away from Lil's sensitive skin.  While we waited for Papa to get home, Lil entertained herself in her swing- which she's also outgrowing!

growing up

The first time Lil wore this, she was about 3 weeks old.  We went to the nice family-oriented part of Brooklyn to visit Lil's second cousins. She was swimming in this romper.  The toes of her little mocs were barely visible!  Now it looks like she's wearing little knickers.  I am going to be sad to pack this away.  I love baby velour, and the smocking detail in pink and white soften the teddy bear brown so nicely. 

What to do with this first bunch of baby things that no longer fit?  Today Lil and I sent a box of her gender-neutral and boyish things to her little cousin in California.  It's a great way to extend the life of newborn gear that gets hardly any wear.  But these pretty little girlish things... well, we just have to wait for the next tiny fashion plate!

growing up fast

After only a few weeks of motherhood, I've learned that it really is true- they do grow up too fast.

the biggest disappointment of the season

I bought this sweet bunting long before Lil was born. I thought the black faux shearling with the little eared hood would not only keep her warm, but would also aid in her acceptance by our felines.  Isn't it logical to think they'd be kinder to something fuzzy and black than something pink and screaming?  Unfortunately, the bunting was much less practical in real life, and it's also one thing Lil never grew in to before the end of the season.  With snow reappearing today, I thought the shearling bunting ought to be given one last look.  Sadly, I can't fit Lil in her carseat with the bunting. I don't know what the manufacturer (of the bunting bag) was thinking when they sized this thing!

 

But look!  It did work as "cat-mouflage" afterall!

Lil is a cross-dresser.

I don't like pink for girls.  My preference has little to do with the color itself, I actually think Lil looks beautiful in soft carnation or rosy pink.  But the gender label attached to this color bothers me.  I don't understand why some people think I have to dress my baby girl in pink and purple when she looks just as nice in blue and brown.  Flowery prints and pastels are fine, but camouflage and plaid cause confusion.  Why not just dress our babies however we want, and let other people ask, "is that a boy, or a girl?"  I shouldn't dress my baby girl in olive drab and camouflage so that strangers aren't made uncomfortable by gender ambiguity.  I'm fine with the discomfort they might feel, and I'm just as fine with your baby boy wearing pink and purple, kittens and bunnies.  After all, our babies haven't defined their own gender identities yet.  Lil can like baseball caps just as much as tutus; she'll be my sweet girl, no matter what.

It's another nasty day in Brooklyn, and a perfect last look at this little brown kimono top and leggings from baby gap. The socks, however, are from Trumpette, the world's best baby socks.  Thank you KHB for that little box of cuteness!

velour is perfect rainy day attire

Nasty days are good for few things beside napping and cuddles. What better attire than a $3.00 black velour jumpsuit from baby Gap? Today Lil chose Jerome Giraffe as her cuddly companion, proving once again that animal prints are irresistible for Spring. 

Today is also my first day using the Olympus EPL-1 instead of my cell phone.  Until now I've been using an Android app to upload photos directly to the blog, and even add new entries.  Although you can't beat that kind of convenience, these photos are so much nicer.  My phone didn't even capture the detail of the ruffled collar on her jumpsuit.