moments to love

:: Jameson

I’m sitting on the couch, nursing William. Jameson’s disappeared from sight, and then I hear the crash of dishes in the kitchen. Oh dear. “Jameson, please come in here with me, okay?” He skips into the living room, big smile on his face, saying, “Mmm, Mama!” Sure, bud.

An hour later, after everyone’s down for naps, I go out to the kitchen to tidy up and spot my small saucepan on the floor. And what in the world is in it?… Then I spot the [opened] envelope of carrot seeds. Jameson had spied the colorful veggies pictured on the front and figured — hey, why not cook this up for dinner? That was his “Mmm!”

That boy.

Love ‘im.

:: William

The cries of a waking baby crackle over the monitor, and I leave the breakfast table to retrieve my little love. I find him, squishy and warm, burrowing his way out from under my down comforter. His pilot cap is hooked behind one ear. And I’m not sure why, but there’s something irresistibly adorable to me about a baby with one ear popping out of his cap.

Must. kiss. him.

:: Ryan

Saturday afternoon, and then Sunday, too, found Ryan on his knees, trying his best to get a childhood train set up and running for Jameson’s enjoyment. It took two days, but he finally got everything greased and oiled and firing. The rest of us watched with anticipation — and it was one of those, “Hey, this feels like a real family!” moments.

Maybe we just are [a real family.]

Most assuredly, Ryan is a real daddy.

He’s our hero.

loving :: (being a mama)

:: jameson

I love watching Jameson’s imagination grow and develop. I love that recently he’s discovered “train tracks” in the lines of our hardwood floors, the borders of the oriental rugs, the pattern of the kitchen’s linoleum. Suddenly, his train can choo-choo all over the house, unhindered by pesky things like wooden rails. (Of course, this means watching your step. Nothing like the feel of a small toy underfoot!)

:: william

I adore William’s chubby-cheeked profile when he sleeps. It’s perfect. Actually, he’s perfect. I confess: I kiss him and smoosh him and pinch him all. day. long. All day. And then I watch him grow. Suddenly, he grabs for toys. He talks at them. He arches his back when I’m taking him out of the car seat, in that, “Here, Mom, let me help ya out,” sort of way. He’s interacting with the world, with us, and it’s amazing. Wasn’t he just brand new? When did he have time to learn all of this??

I love, love, LOVE being a mom, because I LOVE these babes.

(How could anyone deny that we are masterpieces — every one — of a Great Artist? Surely every mother must know: this child was fashioned by God!)

a smile to love

finished.

William’s quilt, which was started in November, finally was completed on Friday. The piecing and quilting was all done before I headed to New York — and good thing, because William doesn’t sleep the day away anymore. I can’t imagine getting a quilt started now. In the 6 weeks since I’ve been home, I managed to turn a yard of fabric into bias tape (thank you, Amy Karol), and affix that binding in a much more polished way than I did with Jameson’s quilt. Yes, that meant hours of hand sewing, but I didn’t mind. Sitting in the evening with my basket of scissors, needle, and thread is a luxury I enjoy. (Probably because it doesn’t happen more than once a week, thank you William!)

This quilt project was fun. I’m certainly not an accomplished seamstress, and definitely a clueless quilter. But one thing I’ve enjoyed about the new wave of craft enthusiasm is the “express yourself” that’s at the core. In other words, know enough rules to not be frustrated, but don’t be worried if you don’t know them all. Have fun.

So William’s quilt is certainly one of a kind. It’s wonky, yes. I’m sure there are a million things a true quilter would cringe over. But it’s also just what I wanted: a larger pattern than Jameson’s in the interest of saving time (do you know how long it took to piece Jameson’s 1.5 inch squares???), odd-shaped squares, white space, a bit of log cabin, and a cool striped binding that I made myself. And colors that compelled me to get the quilt done in the first place.

All on the cheap.

And all wrapped around one of the sweetest, happiest, smooshiest, loviest babies ever. Yes. I love him.

*****