tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62340250577252875922024-02-21T13:25:35.295-05:00the brown wallElizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-28590935297204232982013-06-20T11:32:00.000-05:002013-06-20T11:32:32.621-05:00on being pregnant<div class="tr_bq">
With my busy business (yay!), a 3 year old (!) and a baby on the way (yikes) , I barely think about blogging anymore. But I did just find this gem of an email that I sent a friend back at the end of July 2009. I thought I'd share it as I think it sums up pregnancy pretty well. I was about 10 weeks along with Eamon at this point: </div>
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<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Our plans on Sat were leave our apt at 4, go to Paragon Sports to look at backpacks, go to my show at 5:30, and then I was going to hang out at the Strand while C went to the gym. (I knew I wouldn't survive the gym.) And then we were going to go home and cook dinner.</span></blockquote>
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<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">After lazing around the apt (I woke up with morning sickness Sat and then threw up), so I was cranky anyway, eating apples and laying on the sofa propped up by pillows, we got out the door and to Manhattan. By the time we left Paragon I was light headed, and C had to feed me the protein bar he had brought for him to eat at the gym. He said I looked like I might collapse, and I thought I might. I finally decided that I absolutely </span><u style="font-family: Helvetica;">needed </u><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">ice cream, and ONLY ice cream, but we couldn't find ice cream between Union Sq and E 9th St (We clearly went the wrong way) and I had to have a rice dream sandwich instead. which sort of sucked but still perked me up. </span></blockquote>
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<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">After the play I was fine for about 20 min; as soon as I got to the Strand I realized that I wasn't going to survive an hour happily, and mostly spent that hour drinking water at the water fountain and deciding what I was going to order once we went to the Vietnamese restaurant I had decided we were going to eat at as soon as C was done at the gym. I couldn't understand why there weren't sofas at the Strand, and it was all just so confusing and crazy. By the time C found me I was leaning wearily on a phone booth outside the Strand, wondering where he was and desperate for the Vietnamese food. And then of course I ordered the wrong thing and was upset about that, but whatever. </span></blockquote>
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<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I think they key is to just eat A LOT. I need to prepare more for situations like this.</span></blockquote>
Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-84382951086090397722012-07-26T21:05:00.000-05:002012-07-26T21:06:14.086-05:00Photo projectI'm starting one of those photo-per-week projects with a friend. We are posting our photos for each other on Flickr, and following a general list of themes that we found online.<br />
<br />
Our first week (this week!) the theme was Summer/Winter. we used it a little liberally and each of us just did Summer. Here is my photo, from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Family Night last night.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/7650025900/" title="Brooklyn Botanic Garden Family Night/Summer by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img alt="Brooklyn Botanic Garden Family Night/Summer" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7650025900_6b1bfe6edf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-69047997234956139882012-07-05T12:54:00.001-05:002012-07-05T12:56:07.398-05:00homemade dusk mask<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/7507897984/" title="IMG_0426 by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0426" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7276/7507897984_13fd2e536a.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
Need I say more?</div>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-1767310900455493462012-04-21T18:39:00.000-05:002012-04-21T18:39:29.881-05:00so, so longYou may have noticed that there is a LARGE gap in posts. I posted sporadically last summer, and then not at all until this week.<br />
<br />
Things have shifted a lot since Eamon was born. Yes, I am married to the same man and live in the same apartment, but I don't do the same things from day to day. Theater has been my passion for many, many years. I still love it, but I don't know how to continue working in it when the pay wouldn't cover child care and the hours are long. More than anything, I want to be there for my son. Theater not only would take me away, but it wouldn't help me provide for him.<br />
<br />
Last August, confused about what to do with my life, I went to a career development workshop that my alma mater was hosting for moms looking to start working again. I had been working 1 day per week since Jan 2011 and I had designed the set for a show, but I didn't feel like I had a career or focus anymore.<br />
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The workshop enabled me to see what skills I had and how I could best use them, and in late September I launched my new business, <a href="http://elizaseye.com/" target="_blank">Eliza's Eye Family Photography</a>. The business took up every spare moment I had in the fall, between figuring out how to run it, doing shoots, retouching photos and whatnot - all during Eamon's naps and after he is in bed or when Christopher could watch him. Now that the logistics of the business have been more or less figured out (though of course there is always room to grow), I feel a little more able to knit and read blogs and whatever else I did before. And so I am back.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure where this blog will go, or if I will continue it for long. But it might be fun to see where it takes me...Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-3421231488391029132012-04-18T09:32:00.000-05:002012-04-18T09:32:48.118-05:00Eamon on the Streetwith some captions added by my father (though written by me). Watch out Bill Cunningham!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlL8kavvef2sIZ7L_cXRz9f39eMTUx4nRvdEUhS3rD6KAndg9cXFe4CTaZOadwYFR_jneqwcwEb0YXxkwFSTYJDRcGUJbDYZCPZuQtPsP83CTqzd2ny6fh9yFvF3szXRF2Qcv122pu90/s1600/Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlL8kavvef2sIZ7L_cXRz9f39eMTUx4nRvdEUhS3rD6KAndg9cXFe4CTaZOadwYFR_jneqwcwEb0YXxkwFSTYJDRcGUJbDYZCPZuQtPsP83CTqzd2ny6fh9yFvF3szXRF2Qcv122pu90/s1600/Page_1.jpg" /></a></div>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-50427593047337430962011-08-27T21:58:00.000-05:002011-08-27T21:58:52.998-05:00waiting for IreneAfter a few days of warnings, and a frenzied (and over rushed) trip to get groceries yesterday, we holed up today to wait for the hurricane. Irene is supposed to hit New York hard and parts of the city have been evacuated. Our apartment is on higher ground, so today was just about waiting for the storm to hit.<br />
<br />
And it was just a rainy day. I imagine we will be stuck inside all day tomorrow, but somehow we were in Hunker Down Mode, and so stayed inside for most of today too. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, a book I ordered came, just in time for the storm:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Art-Experiences-Toddlers-Twos/dp/0876592221?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="First Art : Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0876592221&tag=widgetsamazon-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0876592221" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>Awesome book. It has tons of projects for kids Eamon's age. While Eamon was playing in the other room with Christopher, I whipped up some play dough. (we didn't have any white flour, so it had specks of whole wheat in it. Oh well.)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/6087755906/" title="play dough by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img alt="play dough" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6087755906_ea750c69ce.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>And later, when Eamon tired of that (which was pretty soon, actually), I pulled out some tempera and liquid starch and we did a little finger painting.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/6087211361/" title="First finger painting by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img alt="First finger painting" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6087211361_1cf69b1dde.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>Probably predictably, he was very interested in the pouring of the paint onto the paper, and kept wanting me to add more. Also, he wasn't so into getting the paint on his hands. He really wanted them to stay clean. So I gave him a brush, which he really liked using.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/6087210619/" title="IMG_5149 by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5149" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6087210619_13be094621.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>We went for a walk (it had stopped raining), saw some emergency vehicles and an evacuation center (both around the corner) and when we came back he wanted to do more painting. All in all, he made 3 pictures. Each of them took probably less than 2 minutes, but it is satisfying to see him trying these things out and enjoying them.Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-48109520571107582872011-08-16T21:04:00.000-05:002011-08-16T21:04:49.300-05:00a monthly featureIt is a cliche, but Eamon changes daily. Everything about him shifts. I blink and it is all different. His hair color (brown to blonde to maybe going brown again). His vocabulary and intonation (apparently any day now he will begin to speak in actual words). And toys and books.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>We have hand me downs from both Christopher's sister's kids and Christopher's cousin's kids, and we have received gifts on top of that. We have a lot of stuff. Toys oozing out of boxes, books falling off of shelves. Somehow it never seems like enough; Eamon tires quickly of Toy A and suddenly he will only play with Toy M. I put things away and rotate them, which seems to keep things somewhat interesting, but it is always a game of catch up.</div><div><br />
</div><div>For a little while now I have been thinking that it might be interesting to record Eamon's favorite books and toys on the blog every month. Since he just celebrated his 18 month birthday, I thought I'd start now and try to post around this time every month. Hopefully this won't become a chore, but will show an evolution of a child's interests. (Full disclosure: I have linked to amazon.com and they will give me money if you buy a product I link to. That is not the #1 reason I am linking there, but I thought I should be up front about that. My reason for writing this is that I think it will be interesting, not because amazon will pay me. And I hope I present it that way, too.)</div><div><br />
</div><div>So, first off: </div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Books</b>. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Eamon loves books. We are big fans of the Priddy books - they have fantastic pictures of objects and animals and children and they are really great for little people who are learning words. We have a ton of these books. </div><div><br />
</div><div>But since I am focussing on the absolute favorite RIGHT NOW, I would choose Tremendous Tractors. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Eamon has been obsessed with tractors (and lawn mowers) since he got to ride on my dad's tractor (and mower) in Maine.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5928791798/" title="Untitled by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5928791798_00ae3f94a2.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He still wears his headphones to the playground in memory of the mower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes, this is a picture from June when we were in Maine, but you can see how he loves his headphones.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tremendous-Tractors-Amazing-Machines-Mitton/dp/0753459183?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Tremendous Tractors (Amazing Machines)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0753459183&tag=widgetsamazon-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0753459183" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;">This book, which I bought recently on, ahem, amazon, is the perfect book for a toddler who loves tractors. There is a rabbit, a chicken (I think it's a chicken) and a mouse who show just how tractors are used. They mow. They plow. They seed. They even haul around some pumpkins. The pictures are beautifully drawn and there are other things to look at too, like the trees next to the field they are mowing. Eamon is particularly interested in showing me the door handle on the tractor on each page. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Eamon is also very interested in photo albums right now. My iPad has a bunch of photos (mostly of him) and some videos, and we also have a few hard copy photo albums, and one of his favorite things is to look at them. It is fun (though I admit it is getting tiring) to show him each family member and himself when he was a baby. He is clearly storing up who all of these people are and learning names. He also points at tiny things you wouldn't notice, like the out of focus, obscured dog in the background, and does the dog sign. Oh, to know what he is thinking!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Toys</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To accompany his tractor book, Eamon has a <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0024FSHD6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />tractor toy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Curve-35083-John-Deere/dp/B0024FSHD6?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="John Deere - Flashlight" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0024FSHD6&tag=widgetsamazon-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0024FSHD6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Amazon is telling me that this is a flashlight, which I honestly think is a bit of a stretch. We got it as a hand me down from Christopher's cousin's kids. If you squeeze the red part, the hood pops up, it makes a revving noise and a light goes on. If you let go of the handle, it closes and the light goes off. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Things Eamon likes about this: he has mastered squeezing the handle, which took some learning. The noise is fun (and not too loud for Mom to be annoyed by it). And it looks a little like a tractor. It also rolls easily, which is a bonus. He likes to roll things these days. I'm not sure he's noticed that there is a flashlight component to the toy, which is fine with me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Construction vehicles are a close second to the tractors, and we end up watching a lot of YouTube videos such as this:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JYzAJviXr0Y" width="425"></iframe></div></div>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-29217481491688371542011-07-22T12:42:00.004-05:002011-07-22T13:40:42.557-05:00little monkeysI have a friend who has been very, very generous to me. She is a close friend, and she always seems to come up with the perfect present for various occasions - our wedding, Eamon's birth, various birthdays of mine and now, Eamon's. I am less generous, mostly because she is the type of person who seems to have everything, and she also is very clear that (usually, anyway) she doesn't want a gift. Plus (I'll say it) money is a bit tight around here.<br /><br />Last week, my friend had a baby. And, well, that's as good an excuse as any to knit something amazing for my friend.<br /><br />A blanket seemed like the most useful gift, something that could be wrapped around the baby in the stroller or car seat, something that would be useful for a few years. I made a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ElizaB/alpaca-baby-shawl">blanket for Eamon</a> when I was pregnant (which sadly was lost) and I found the small 2'x2' size more useful than I had imagined. I poked around looking at various patterns, and finally settled on the <a href="http://twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/64-spring-2009-patterns/248-sleepy-monkey-blanket-by-mary-ann-stephens">Sleepy Monkey Blanket</a> (twist collective link). It is an incredible pattern, one that requires a lot of patience and looks impressive. I felt like making something a little more modern would be fun, and something my friend's husband would also appreciate.<br /><br />I cast on in March, using Berroco Vintage, an amazing superwash wool/acrylic blend. My mother made a sweater for Eamon with it, and it has weathered the washing and wear <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> well. It also comes in wonderful colors.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5535832211/" title="sleepy monkey blanket by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5535832211_1c7a609ee2.jpg" alt="sleepy monkey blanket" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /></div>The color panels went rather quickly, perhaps because they were fun and varied. They were finished and washed in May, and I presented them at my friend's baby shower as a preview as to what was coming. She and her husband seemed excited about the blanket. There was talk of hanging it on the wall.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I made it my mission to finish the blanket while we were in Maine in June. Unfortunately, the border of this blanket is a little more tiresome to knit. Someone on Ravelry said it was "fiddly," and she was right. It is fiddly. I think if I ever knit this blanket again, I would make the border simpler and a lot more user friendly. I did manage to finish it though, while watching episodes of the amazing Danish miniseries <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_%28Danish_TV_series%29">Forbydelsen</a> (yes! knitting with subtitles!).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5895069359/" title="Sleepy Monkey Blanket by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/5895069359_4fbc92a9d4.jpg" alt="Sleepy Monkey Blanket" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /></div></div>I washed it and it was sent off.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5903281612/" title="Monkey blanket - back by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5903281612_e9697dcfc0.jpg" alt="Monkey blanket - back" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /></div><br />I do feel rather proud of this blanket. I finished it on time. I like how it looks and I think the colors work well together. It is probably a little warm for a baby, but maybe it would be useful for tummy time or on a chilly fall day in the stroller.Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-42818475168325460792011-06-25T18:58:00.002-05:002011-06-25T19:03:57.989-05:00you can take the child to the country...<p></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left">You would think that with nearly 4 weeks in a remote place with few plans, one would get a lot of blogging done. Or more than usual, at least. But you would also have to factor in supervising a 16 month old, the endless preparation of meals and washing of dishes (oh, for a dishwasher!), the diaper changes and laundry. Somehow the day just slips by.<br /><br />It has been really nice to relax into a more laid back lifestyle. Eamon has adjusted well to living in the country, and I will miss having a yard. More than once we have found ourselves doing the dishes and watching him play happily outside. We can't do that in Brooklyn.<br /><br />Other things that Eamon likes about Maine: </p><p></p><p></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7tBBcgyW0DM5Yon-JTwljXovdeA3hp1LB18sqTcTe_zg8gJSS_TIA6eYX_gBUIHtlKuDQfbZqw6nDmuZRz3A4096mj2JLNYInsBnaLyku10xUt1EeXoQCxE21jPXW2PagUG6DLeOCjE/" /></div><p></p><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="center">The riding lawnmower. Here he is with my father.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab3ggjqPNXEBhuh4B5PaK5mDtB_OcJ2GG5sNOyJ3ki235QooCqbBKW0H6hA4QrX9JIIUjbe574o4Z2ZDxTggGvnJljB8wVFCCi60GSZh8bhEKe73D6Qlj17mkGkEpb0fBfL8djU0ctcU/" /></div><p></p><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="center">Power tools.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9UmQ6GWZsD_R65G3BWg0WUPCmRU1AC3QeLbmad0An4A51oK4h2Qpaoec6vD2MCBlPZanPItRzBwk3-7BtKdk2RkOVOwV-QkYZzgHbz7BfY348peHUUVPvAugKv5G_JEWnXepl7gwLTw/" /></div><p></p><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="center">My father's tractor.<br />Yes, you can see that he is turning into quite a little BOY.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIe894zS-KRUDwI1oJdoffepBfMH6Hzn00gSGSqv8QI8fYKaem8RiKlIlYyxLXKjZ56O9wPDrcqII24T2Rw8GXs6DPcoecoD7sfKfBG_FGx9l5x9zxPBlz0vXm8ne9nx1phgdd1fPsDHQ/" /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX612cRK0nFj8HKxdBB2Z8FVmRRRVKClyaA0RscWb8lg5ybDHlSrRybSQhNveZtq4daTKoZT-IXLUDRRraNK1zquMmsVdRCK4Ogh8uG4YDHzIdlmpCW3YF0a2tbf7zuR1q-G3YxEATQ0w/" /></div><p></p><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="center">Accessories.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Of course, Eamon will have plenty of opportunities to accessorize after we return to New York, but doubt he will find many pairs of ear muffs. He loves wearing hearing protection, which makes me proud. (I am a stickler for working with safety equipment.)</span></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left"></p><p></p><p></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIM-lTe7hUWbAUyApmD1ZS-SAgHo-HXCFNOlEgkozhNfWR3UWS1mYTfMDrwrX0SJ65JPtDUO0uoAXO8rbTWTch5pgs8bXhAu6uSqnEhelu2wlG0lD2OrBJQoYyQaHWkiuq7zAue1__zc/" /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWMlp44E0X_rrcsWeVenKrBPHlOn5UGgM6_z-_JWN9i9DZpFbAL1MTzL21T-uJ24YLJHpvvFWgKhh70vdbGGba85_xDKc36WhET7Tf20FicrWgK4kOWB4hP_3qXv244eAmTFxvHmMfMQ/" /></div><p></p><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="center">Animals.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Our neighbors have chickens, pigs and ducklings. And this morning a snapping turtle came right up to our porch, looking for a place to lay her eggs. In Brooklyn, we see pigeons, rats and squirrels. And lots of dogs.</span></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left">I guess I should say that there are things that we miss about New York. Easy access to everything, for one. We miss having a playground, library and museum across the street, the multitudes of neighbors and other families that we bump into where ever we go, and a grocery store around the corner. There is a social quality to living in Brooklyn that I miss, an ease in making impromptu plans and common issues that I discuss with other parents (like, what is the deal with pre-school admissions???!)<br /><br />It is hard to let go and think about going back though. It seems like we have been here forever...</p><p></p>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-68155031114366733102011-06-08T21:43:00.001-05:002011-06-08T21:44:44.041-05:00the beginning of summer <p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>We have retreated to Maine. It really does feel like we have abandoned New York and everything that was going on (or not going on) down there. We arrived very late on Saturday night, with a 2 door compact car stuffed with our gear for 3 weeks, Eamon and the cat, who was remarkably cheery considering the long car ride. Being a Saturday and a time when summer travel hasn't really begun, there was no traffic either: a huge bonus.<br><br>The month stretches ahead, with possibilities of things to accomplish: a baby blanket in progress for a friend, novels I'd like to read, plus games and activities to do with Eamon. So far I did a bit of knitting in the car, and Eamon has played with the hose and some plastic pails, which was pretty exciting for him. <br><br>We are still getting into a groove... Let's hope the days are full and productive!</p></p><p><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' ><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAspqSlq-tkxN55Y5Do71nvz7ok42fs_X9K-Xm38nbPzxJW7QzCeCPGP6-yXoI54RsiukJgIMhoLe2RtivzVagBavsfszbBUGZ2t5QSjfvhv9ziiey_9YU4pWkNLUn7d67iCsyIuh-bk/' ></img></div></p><p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'></p></p>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-22226784164142980382011-05-26T20:19:00.003-05:002011-05-26T20:35:42.142-05:00Knitting!Oh my. I thought that by now I was going to be blogging more, but now that Eamon is walking I seem to have even less time. Sigh.<br /><br />In January I started working for my cousin part time, and I once again have a commute. Having a commute was one reason I started knitting in earnest to begin with, and now I have that time again. Not a lot, but it is something. And I am knitting.<br /><br />I recently participated in a Mother's Day swap with a group of other mothers on Ravelry. We were to make one accessory type thing for our partner, and also include something yarny and yummy. I was waylaid in starting - to be honest, I got really obsessed with a baby blanket that I am making for a friend, and then I got very busy with a project I was doing in Philadelphia.<br /><br />I ended up making my partner a scarf. It is lacy and thin; she had said that she liked skinny scarves so this was an excuse to make one.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5720640500/" title="Susan Scarf by Kristen Hanley Cardozo by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/5720640500_8d94247f69.jpg" alt="Susan Scarf by Kristen Hanley Cardozo" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/susan-scarf">Susan Scarf</a> by Kristen Hanley<br />Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine, 1 skein<br /></div><br />Amazingly, and maybe this is because I now have a child, I never managed to memorize this pattern, even though it was pretty simple. I like how it looks though.<br /><br />And here's hoping that I get on here and blog more.Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-47559359319533918412011-04-10T20:01:00.004-05:002011-04-10T20:53:09.474-05:00a milestone<div style="text-align: justify;">Every day Eamon does something new and interesting: filling containers instead of just emptying them, adding a new sound to his babble, picking out what clothes he wants to wear (that was a surprise) or handing out leaves to the other babies at the playground. They are small advances, but through them we see a person emerging, which is very exciting.<br /></div><br />With each new activity, an old one - something I thought he'd do forever -vanishes. And so does my memory of it. Did he ever really wiggle his little fists like other newborns? Was there a time when he couldn't turn over, or lift up his head? Remember when I thought he would never crawl, and when we were in awe of another baby who could pull himself up to stand?<br /><br />Parenthood does go very quickly, and the memories fade quickly because there is no time to sit down and think about them. You are always living in the present.<br /><br />Enter the video camera. I have been taking videos - a few minutes each week - since Eamon was born. It is VERY strange to watch the videos, to see Eamon slowly evolve from little worm to someone more upright, someone with a clear opinion who is able to demonstrate many of his needs.<br /><br />Today I figured out how to download the video onto my computer. I know, I know. Eamon is nearly 14 months old. You would think a grandparent would have wanted to see him in action before now. I learned how to download the video, because I feel like the grandparents deserve to share us in celebrating this milestone:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walking</span>!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzKt50EOitwBrtR6-_SooCjUApHn-F-lZ7s1ZqNKyz-ei3giJ6klLZQjua2pf5xsz3Mh9yfRe2mJpCjR-F_gg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Yeah, this isn't the greatest video, but you can't be choosy about the light and whatnot when you are filming something on the spur of the moment. Also, our floorboards sound sort of like a pig's snort. nice.<br /></div><br />To be honest, he did not take his first steps today. He took a few hesitant steps on March 22, and has bridged small distances daily since then. But after a few weeks of trying to carry large objects while crawling, he gave in and saw the advantages to going a little bit further on his two feet.<br /></div></div>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-79580706591082323482011-03-15T18:42:00.004-05:002011-03-15T19:07:06.424-05:00an heirloomEvery month or two, my mother appears with some age appropriate object for Eamon. The object generally comes from a trunk, and it sometimes looks familiar to me. Some of the objects have a story, though vague.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4313027894/" title="vintage baby knits by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4313027894_fb401eb0c5.jpg" alt="vintage baby knits" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A sweater knit by my grandmother - or was it my great-grandmother? - for my mother's younger sister.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4313026920/" title="vintage baby knits by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4313026920_f8bf9cec07.jpg" alt="vintage baby knits" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Booties knit by my grandmother - for whom?? - using yarn mixed with raw wool from her sheep. </span><br /></div><br />Though I am a believer in using hand me downs, and heirlooms in general, there is something anxiety producing about putting a newborn in a tiny sweater that is over 60 years old. Yeah, Eamon never wore it. And I think he might have worn those wacky, sheepy booties maybe once.<br /><br />When my parents came up for Eamon's birthday, they brought another heirloom, though one slightly newer. Here it is when it was brand new, 35 years ago.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5527719783/" title="me on my rocking horse by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5527719783_6a7ca21300.jpg" alt="me on my rocking horse" height="493" width="500" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Yeah, that is me.<br /></div><br />A few other kids have used this rocking horse since my father made it for me all those years ago. When I had it, it was painted a solid orange color. Since then it has been repainted and had a real horsehair tail attached.<br /><br />Eamon loves it. He can't get on it by himself yet, but he stands next to it and grunts excitedly until we put him on. And then he rocks, so proud of himself. And tonight, when we were reading a book that had a picture of a horse, he turned and pointed at the rocking horse. (he is a genius! Let me tell you!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5527595563/" title="Eamon on my old rocking horse by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5527595563_356775053e.jpg" alt="Eamon on my old rocking horse" height="332" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Please excuse the mess!</span><br /></div><br />This an heirloom I am not afraid of breaking; this is an heirloom for using.Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-79196784435112355482011-03-01T22:36:00.005-05:002011-03-01T22:44:56.698-05:00what's nextI have been thinking a bit about this blog recently. This started as a place to chat about our renovations, and my knitting, and for me to muse about my thoughts on this or that. Though some of it is very personal, and all of it is based on my life, I have tried to keep a distance from the details. <br /><br />I'm realizing that what I want to write about now is Eamon. Not really just about him, but about my thoughts on life and parenthood, and how his existence is changing my priorities and shifting my focus. I'd like to write about choices we've made, or things we are contemplating. I guess I want to make this more of a parenting blog. One of many, I know. Though before this was one of many knitting blogs, so I'm not sure what the difference is. <br /><br />I'll still post about my knitting and my crafts and things that interest me, but I'll probably write more posts like that one about legwarmers, or the one about cloth diapers. And maybe there will be more to read, too!Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-74366528321490215552011-02-13T21:46:00.005-05:002011-02-16T22:40:25.148-05:00a year laterEamon was born a year ago today.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4357114309/" title="EamonDay2 by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4357114309_61a9dd109e.jpg" alt="EamonDay2" height="333" width="500" /></a><br />At just about this time last year, I was settling in and trying to get some sleep, the first in about 36 hours. Though the maternity floor was quiet and I was exhausted, it was not easy to fall asleep. There next to me, in a clear plastic bassinet, lay a little baby with dark eyes. I couldn't stop looking at him, and I felt like he was watching me. He didn't seem tired, just curious about where he was and what was going on.<br /><br />Meeting your child is such an abstract and huge and wondrous thing; it is hard to describe. I also imagine it is completely different for each parent, and for each parent's child.<br /><br />I had long wondered what my child would be like: his coloring, his features, his personality. I think one of the first things I thought after his birth was, "Holy s**t! I am going to know this person for the rest of my life!" (Or that is the hope anyway.) And combined with all of that was, "I am going to raise this little thing. I am going to nurture him. I am going to know him very, very well. And love him. But I don't even know who he is!"<br /><br />And so that first night I couldn't stop watching him, his little face in the darkness, as he watched me. Eventually I (guiltily) sent him to the nursery for a few hours just so I could relax and get some rest.<br /><br />A year later I know him better, but each day brings something new. I am amazed at how much he has changed in a year. From a wiggly little being he has become a small boy. He makes sounds, some of which could be words ("da," "dag," "dat," "duk."), and he understands some of what we say. He can crawl quickly, and pulls himself to stand. His personality has begun to emerge, and I see an observant and friendly (though slightly shy) child with a sense of humor and an interest in everything around him.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5443976084/" title="Eamon's birthday by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5443976084_9e4106f419.jpg" alt="Eamon's birthday" height="333" width="500" /></a>My life today barely resembles the life I had on February 12, 2010, and it took awhile to reconcile that, to rearrange my expectations. Having a baby immediately immerses you in everything Baby - feeding it, changing diapers, getting it to sleep, trying to sneak some naps for oneself, wondering when you will cook again, let alone take a shower or go back to work. I ended up being laid off shortly after Eamon was born, and so the past year has meant being more of a full-time mom than I expected to be. I was assured that I would get my life (and body) back after about a year, and that was true; slowly things have shifted to a place where I feel more in control. Once again I am designing for theater and I feel energized by my knitting and crafts. Eamon's naps are such that I can do some work during them now, and we are both more comfortable spending time apart.<br /><br />Where does this bring me? It has been a transformative year, a year full of learning and letting go of expectations. And as we move into a second year with a child, I hope to move forward, both with embracing parenthood and balancing a career. (Or balancing parenthood and embracing a career?)Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-37731429538064978442011-01-24T21:40:00.007-05:002011-02-07T12:01:58.868-05:00Eamon's wardrobeLast winter, when I was pregnant and wondering what I could make for my little baby, I made some legwarmers. I think I had sworn not to knit anything for a newborn, sinceI had been told that it wouldn't get much wear. Which was mostly true, though he did wear the alpaca chullo I made him (and never photographed well). <br /><br />The legwarmers are another story.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5362046606/" title="legwarmers 1 by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5362046606_84e4f2b675.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="legwarmers 1" /></a><br />Hm. Let me step back for a minute.<br /><br />I realize some of you might wonder about a boy wearing legwarmers. One doesn't usually think "boy" when discussing legwarmers. Which is fine. Not all boys need to wear them. Personally, I like to dress Eamon in clothes that are a little less gender specific, though since girls seem to always wear pink these days, I don't think he gets mistaken for a girl very often.<br /><br />But he wears tights. Regularly. We have at least 5 pairs of tights, and dress him in them as often as possible. I like them because they don't ride up and expose his calf (often a problem, since he has long legs). They also don't require socks, which tend to slide down and fall off. And they look cute. Another bonus is that they layer well under legwarmers and/or snow pants when we go out. (note to American clothing designers: please make more baby boy or gender neutral tights! The ones we have are either from H&M or from my friend who lives in Germany.)<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5362046980/" title="legwarmers 2 by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5362046980_43873012b8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="legwarmers 2" /></a><br />So last winter- pre-tights love - i made a pair of leg warmers for Eamon. I used some left over purple Queensland Collection Kathmandu DK and made a simple ribbed tube. This year, with all of the snow and such, they have been pretty handy. Eamon wears them (over his tights' of course!) when i have him in the baby carrier, or in the stroller without his snow pants. They are warm, they are soft. Hopefully they will be worn next year too, as i imagine he will mostly grow up and not so much out.Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-83869032311097728782011-01-01T21:04:00.006-05:002011-01-01T22:37:15.367-05:00reflecting on New Years pastHappy New Year!<br /><br />Last night we had our first New Year's Eve as parents. We went to an early evening, kid-friendly party and were home by 7:30. Eamon was asleep by 8 (an hour later than usual) and Christopher and I cooked some mushroom-barley soup while waiting for midnight. It was chill, stress-free, calm.<br /><br />It gave me time to think about New Years' past, and how each one is reflective of my life as it was at that point.<br /><br />High school: watching a friend get drunk at her parents' New Year's party and being frightened that she would die because she had a headache. (clearly the drug education class we took in 8th grade made its mark on me.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyRgdXvGr-nfofW_xGMN73rU9PdW9ASskohHj660ikF3qDvBs6aQfR0yQcKNM3_1UOgJwKFiHBe7edayI365qeIXS7sMnQrk0stD1jIfJ8zq_H2aFENuLxed8AikZpyc8NwbVgKhBTkU/s1600/esb%2527s+pics_0012_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyRgdXvGr-nfofW_xGMN73rU9PdW9ASskohHj660ikF3qDvBs6aQfR0yQcKNM3_1UOgJwKFiHBe7edayI365qeIXS7sMnQrk0stD1jIfJ8zq_H2aFENuLxed8AikZpyc8NwbVgKhBTkU/s320/esb%2527s+pics_0012_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557425638189479746" border="0" /></a>College year abroad: wandering the Champs Elysee with my French-American friend, drinking wine and wishing all who passed us a happy New Year. Such a happy memory.<br /><br />Sometime after college: spending New Year's Day happily alone, wandering Soho and taking a yoga class.<br /><br />While dating Christopher: after having Austrian fare in Park Slope, we wandered into Prospect Park in time for the fireworks at midnight. The glory of being in a dark, cold park surrounded by tons of families all enjoying the display.<br /><br />Last year: exhausted from the pregnancy, I begged to leave the party we were at (and had been at for many hours), we were home by 11:30.<br /><br />I've never been a fan of New Year's Eve, or its bashes. The event never seems to live up to the hype, the feeling that you should be having a GREAT TIME! For me it has never as exhilarating as it is supposed to feel. So being home and having a comforting meal with Christopher? It feels right for where we are right now, even if it doesn't seem exciting or fantastic. And Eamon slept from 8pm to 6:30am, which felt great, even if I didn't go to sleep until 12:30.<br /><br />Happy new year to you all! I hope to blog more in 2011!Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-42762959561865886202010-11-02T13:36:00.003-05:002010-11-02T13:45:48.935-05:00we voted!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5139985455/" title="voting! by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/5139985455_35f02c43a5.jpg" alt="voting!" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><br />did you?Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-85411751299903708152010-10-07T20:58:00.003-05:002010-10-07T21:29:50.365-05:00return of knitting mojoI have been knitting seriously since about 2002, when I finished grad school and my mother mailed me her extra knitting needles. I was living near Downtown Yarns and I passed the store window at least once a week on my way here and there. I needed a hat, so I made one. And then I made another. And I started making them for all of my friends and relatives. And then I discovered patterns, and knitting books. And Knitty.com. And then there were knitting blogs and more patterns, and there just seemed to be inspiration everywhere. And then there was Ravelry and I just went crazy knitting and knitting and knitting.<br /><br />And then I got pregnant. Which was a great thing. It was something we really wanted, and I had anticipated making tons of baby things, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I was tired, grumpy, anxious. I made a blanket and some hats, but the whole thing was really half-hearted. I really had to force myself to make those things.<br /><br />The lack of creative interest continued to some extent after Eamon was born. I sort of figured I had grown out of knitting, that the baby was taking my energy and that I had just entered a new chapter of my life, but BEHOLD! That is not true! It is back! Suddenly I can't stop making things, or think about making things. I'm having fun again with my hands.<br /><br />I had a meeting recently with a theater director, a woman I met about a year ago who has a baby 5 months older than Eamon. She and I are working on a project together, and I mentioned my lack of creative mojo. Or rather, I mentioned that I was feeling much more motivated to create than I had in a long time. And she said that she had a theory that this was related to hormones, and to babies starting solids and therefore nursing less. And since my body is less about providing for the baby, it is allowing me to start thinking about things that are non-baby. If that makes any sense.<br /><br />All of this brings me to a few things I knitted in August, as the mojo was returning.<br /><br />First of all: the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-sweet-baby-cap---djevellue">Norweigan Sweet Baby Cap</a> by Gro.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5054194641/" title="2010 Knitting 3 by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5054194641_8c470af3b7.jpg" alt="2010 Knitting 3" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">A very popular pattern on Ravelry and something I have been wanting to make for a very long time. I finally started it when we were in Maine in late July. I am determined to use just stash yarn (still) and so I used some Knit Picks Palette that I've had lying around. The lavender is Koigu.<br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5054194483/" title="2010 Knitting 4 by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5054194483_58f264f100.jpg" alt="2010 Knitting 4" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This was a great pattern. Unfortunately I made it too small and it doesn't fit Eamon. I can't remember what I did, but I will try to make it again in a larger gauge yarn.<br /></div></div></div><br />Second: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stay-on-baby-booties-4">Stay on Baby Booties</a> by Knitgirl's Mother.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/5054194813/" title="2010 Knitting 2 by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5054194813_1501751fb5.jpg" alt="2010 Knitting 2" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Another great pattern, easy and quick. I used some more of the Palette since I thought it would be nice if these matched. Again, they were too small for Eamon. He thought it was great fun to try them on though, and after I took them off he put one of them back near his foot. I think he was trying to put it back on, but he doesn't know how.<br /></div></div><br />I ended up giving both of these to a friend at her baby shower. I'm sure she can use them this winter, and hopefully she doesn't have issues with wool and babies.<br /><br />In any case, I hope to have more to share with you all again soon. The main issue is getting onto the computer and finding the mental space to blog, hopefully more than once a month. Stay tuned.Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-17834211460107312852010-09-08T12:01:00.004-05:002010-09-08T12:21:32.804-05:00knitting for future falls<div style="text-align: left;">September is here, and hopefully soon the weather will begin to cool. The northeast US had a very warm summer, the hottest on record, and it was not so fun to be stuck inside with a baby. We took him for walks here and there, but for the most part we kept him indoors.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">For the longest time I thought I'd knit up a ton of baby things once I got pregnant, but in reality I didn't have much energy or wish to knit. There were so many other things to wrap my head around. I made him a blanket, some hats, a pair of mittens, and a sweater. (Yes, now I feel like I have a lot to catch up with! What will he wear this winter??)<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4844423277/" title="eamon sweater by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4844423277_5220bb6be8.jpg" alt="eamon sweater" width="332" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I knit this sweater last summer, thinking of cool summer nights (ha!) and the fall, when the baby would need something light to keep the chill off.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4845041418/" title="eamon sweater (1) by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4845041418_64e2046eac.jpg" alt="eamon sweater (1)" width="332" height="500" /></a><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I finished knitting it in late December and I remember being in awe that the tiny baby inside me would fit into such a huge sweater someday.<br /><br />Well, it fits now. He's big, a lot bigger than he was, but he's still a baby.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4845041502/" title="eamon sweater (2) by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4845041502_c216b6e2cc.jpg" alt="eamon sweater (2)" width="332" height="500" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I took these pictures about a month ago, when we were in Maine, and it was cool enough for a sweater. Now the temperatures are up again, but I think it will be worn at least a few more times this fall. Let's hope it cools off again soon.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pattern: Sheep Yoke Cardigan, designed by Jennifer Little (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheep-yoke-baby-cardigan">Ravel it!</a>)<br />Yarn: An assortment of cotton Knit Picks yarn from my stash<br />Started: July 28, 2009<br />Finished: December 28, 2009<br /></div></div></div>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-44184149716931158362010-08-13T20:15:00.004-05:002010-08-14T08:16:02.660-05:00foodMy, how time flies!!<br /><br />Eamon is 6 months old today. SIX MONTHS. He has now been here with us for half a year. It seems both an eternity and a flash. It's hard to imagine a life without him.<br /><br />Food: we eat it every day. But Eamon had only ever had milk (and aside from two occasions, he'd only ever had breast milk). A baby's digestive system can only handle so much at the beginning (plus there are all those theories about avoiding food allergies).<br /><br />I have been thinking hard about starting him on solids for a while now, but since we were on vacation until yesterday I put all food plans on hold. Today being our first full day back (as well as Eamon's 6 month birthday) we decided to seize the day and give him a special birthday treat. (that would be food)<br /><br />After consulting many sources and deciding that there are many right ways to do this, I decided to start Eamon with a little rice cereal. It's simple, and you mix it with breast milk (or formula) so it tastes familiar. Rice cereal seemed safe. Besides, it's all about teaching them how to eat at this point.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4890835814/" title="Eamon eats by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4890835814_a0814a6277.jpg" alt="Eamon eats" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />In case you can't tell, Eamon likes rice cereal.<br /><br />Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to understand why he has to eat from a spoon when nursing is more efficient. (we had to take a break from feeding him so he could nurse.) Also, he doesn't like the high chair.<br /><br />Hopefully he'll get used to all of that...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Edited Saturday, August 14 to fix the photo link. </span>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-70652574598872678112010-07-16T21:02:00.004-05:002010-07-16T21:29:26.252-05:005 monthsI've now been a mother for a little over five months. <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4793871659/" title="5 months by elisbrown, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4793871659_7659324013.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="5 months" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownwall/4793871659/" title="5 months by elisbrown, on Flickr"></a>It went so quickly. They aren't lying when they say that children grow up so fast. At Eamon's 4 month appointment in June, he had doubled his birth weight and grown 6 inches. Imagine growing 6 inches in 4 months! That's just insane!</div><div><br /></div><div>Every week, every day is different. Suddenly he'll add a new habit (like nosediving into my chest when he's hungry) and he acts like he has been doing it forever. This week Eamon is working very hard to learn to sit up, and he seems to be in the midst of cutting his first tooth. He is also obsessed with standing up, with support, of course. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, my attention span has been a casualty of parenthood (though hopefully a temporary one). This means that I am no longer able to mull over what sort of blog post I want to write in advance. (I do mull, I just forget my idea within about 30 seconds of thinking of it.) Also, about 90% of what I think about is related to Eamon, and I feel like I don't want this blog to turn into a "look how cute my baby is" blog. (Though I do think some readers might not mind that. Hi mom.) </div><div><br /></div><div>So... I guess I'll just keep going. This blog has never been about much in particular anyway. And maybe I'll just try blogging a little more often, it just might have a little less substance.</div>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-79507866312000250132010-06-17T20:04:00.003-05:002010-06-17T20:20:44.879-05:00flower childThe knitting has slowed around here, but it hasn't quite stopped.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4650122591_6a00b5a340.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4650122591_6a00b5a340.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After Eamon was born, I managed to cast on and knit this little hat, made entirely of scrap or stash yarn. I ran out of the dark orange yarn, and luckily had some pale orange yarn that I could use for the inside brim instead.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4650739932_7b9ffd5437.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4650739932_7b9ffd5437.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The pattern is a formula, and you plug in a circumference and make the hat accordingly. I was a little afraid that Eamon's head would grow more quickly than I would knit, but it fits him perfectly. I'm very pleased, even if Eamon does look like a flower when he wears it. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4650122347_cfb84377a9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4650122347_cfb84377a9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Pattern: <a href="http://machenmachen.wordpress.com/machenmachen-patterns/">Sunshine and Lollipops,</a> by Alison Reeve<br />Yarn: Berocco Pure Pima (pale orange and blue) and Classic Elite Yarns Provence (dark orange)Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-27960572268579371252010-05-19T20:23:00.010-05:002010-05-20T20:28:31.824-05:00a case for cloth<em>This post is part of the <a href=”http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php” title=”What are the real diaper facts?”>Real Diaper Facts</a> carnival hosted by <a href=”http://www.realdiaperevents.org/” title=”Cloth diaper blog”>Real Diaper Events</a>, the official blog of the <a href=”http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/” title=”Real Diaper Association for cloth diapers”>Real Diaper Association</a>, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to cloth diaper education. Participants were asked to write about diaper lies and real diaper facts. See the list at the bottom of this post to read the rest of the carnival entries.</em><br /><br />A little known fact, something I feel somewhat sheepish about, is that we are using cloth diapers with Eamon.<br /><br />It's funny that I am so hesitant to tell people when it's something I believe in strongly and have hoped to do since I was in high school. I guess I think that people will think that I'm weird or crunchy or that cloth diapers are unsanitary or something. When I <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span> mention cloth, I see a wave of something (judgment? shock? sympathy?) wash over the face of whoever I am talking to, and so I've more or less kept mum.<br /><br />The thing is, my silence doesn't really help change people's stereotypes about cloth diapers.<br /><br />I recently heard about a backlash against the cloth diaper industry, and the Real Diaper Association has asked cloth diapering mamas (and papas, I suppose) to write about various lies and truths concerning cloth. Therefore I am dedicating a blog post to the cause.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4625428586_0396b36491.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 496px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4625428586_0396b36491.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Look, this is me wearing a cloth diaper back in 1975. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That's how far back my dedication to cloth goes!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lie</span>: Cloth diapers leak.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Truth</span>: We had more leaks when Eamon was wearing disposables.<br />The cloth diapers we are using are incredibly absorbent. Some of them have microfiber inserts, while other inserts are made of hemp (!) or bamboo, which are also incredibly absorbent. The only leaks we've had when using cloth diapers were at night, and it turned out the diapers (which are adjustable sized) were on the wrong setting. Once I changed the size to medium, the leaks went away.<br />Oh, and no poo-splosions so far. Eamon poops about once every 3 days now, and there is quite a lot of it on that third day. None of it has leaked.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lie</span>: Cloth diapers make the room smell.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Truth:</span> Not so far, in my experience. We wash them every 3-4 days and the room smells as good (or bad) as any other room in our apartment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lie</span>: Cloth diapers are a hassle.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Truth: </span>I guess it depends on your tolerance.<br />The diapers we are using are called pockets, meaning that they include the waterproof layer with a pocket where you insert whatever you want that is absorbent. Once it is stuffed, you put it on the same way you would a disposable diaper. When you take it off, you pull the insert out of a pocket in the back and put them all in the laundry bag together. And when you do laundry you just dump the contents of the bag into the washer and wash it twice. Easy peasy. (This may be slightly more complicated when Eamon starts eating solid foods and his poop becomes more poopy.)<br />The main hassle is that you have to wash them at all, but we are able to do laundry about twice a week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lie</span>: I've seen those new cloth diapers, and they are expensive.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Truth: </span>They do look expensive. Each diaper is about $17, and you need about 2 dozen of them. But if you look at the costs of disposables, it's nothing. Our diapers were a gift, but they cost about $400 to buy. The laundry is $6/week. If Eamon wears diapers for 2 years, that's $312/year x 2 years + $400 (cost of diapers) = $1024.<br />If you were to use the same number of disposables per week (60) and each one cost 25 cents each, you would spend $800 per year or $1600 for 2 years.<br />We will also be able to use the diapers for another child (if we have one) and have a pretty decent resale value.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1171/4623232164_6a2d62280c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1171/4623232164_6a2d62280c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Eamon models one of his newfangled diapers.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lie: </span>Babies who wear cloth cry more.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Truth: </span>Eamon doesn't cry more or less when he's in a cloth or disposable diaper.<br />The diapers he wears have a layer of microfleece between him and the microfiber, and it helps him feel dry. Some diapers certainly don't have the fleece (when I was a baby I didn't have fleece in my diapers!) and I think babies just get used to it. Plus, you should change them when they are wet anyway!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lie:</span> Babies in cloth get more diaper rash.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Truth: </span>Eamon's only bout of diaper rash was when he was in disposables, but apparently cloth and disposable diapered babies experience about the same amount of diaper rash. According to the <a href="http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php">Real Diaper Association</a>, diaper rash was unheard of before rubber or plastic pants were introduced in the 1940s. So blame the rash on the lack of air circulation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lie: </span>Cloth diapers are bulky.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Truth: </span>While they are a bit bulkier than disposable diapers, Eamon still fits into the same clothes. Really, it's not that big a difference.<br /><br />So there you have it. I'm sure there are other misconceptions about cloth. Feel free to ask questions, and maybe I can write another post dedicated to cloth diapers.<br /></div></div><br /><br />(I'm having trouble with the code I'm supposed to paste in here. While it's pasted in, nothing appears. boo.)<br /><br />Edited to add: the code is there, in html, but it won't show up and blogger keeps adding extra code to the code. :(<br /><br /><script src="”http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=27830″" type="”text/javascript”"></script>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234025057725287592.post-60986828198472976682010-04-24T16:22:00.000-05:002010-04-24T20:18:37.059-05:00gratitudeRachel is one of my oldest and closest friends, and she has been extremely generous to me through the years.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4535306175_aaf190a451.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4535306175_aaf190a451.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> In January, she hosted my baby shower, and to thank her I suggested that I make her a beret. She chose the <a href="http://ysolda.com/2010/01/12/snapdragon/">Snapdragon</a> pattern by Ysolda Teague, and some yummy orange <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/blue-sky-alpacas-100-alpaca-sport-weight">alpaca</a> that I found at La Casita, a newish yarn shop in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4535939002_1e891252b7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4535939002_1e891252b7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I started the beret in early February, and raced to finish it before the baby came. I lost that race, but amazingly was able to finish it when Eamon was a few weeks old. (I was so sleep deprived that I actually don't remember finishing it, but I don't think there were any glaring errors...)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4535306467_50fa2aa36a.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4535306467_50fa2aa36a.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>It then took me nearly two months to block it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4535939366_3a457d7e5e.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4535939366_3a457d7e5e.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Oh well, the weather is warmer and poor Rachel will have to wait till next fall to wear it! In the meantime she will have to settle for posing for pictures with Eamon...Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01378846842244475778noreply@blogger.com4