Sewing

After sewing the dresses for Kate's wedding on two different machines, both having tension issues and other problems, it became quite clear that if I was going to keep sewing a lot, I would need a new machine. One of my machines is my grandmothers. It was made in the 50's and is a good machine. I love it, but it does not like non-cotton weave materials. My other machine was made in the 80's and is a good machine, not fancy, but it rattles and shakes like crazy. And as I mentioned before, I can't get the tension settings to work consistently on either machine.

So for my birthday, Thomas got me a new machine! I am so very happy, and I tried to be very good all weekend - getting lesson plans and chores done before sewing, but yesterday, I forgot everything so I could sew. I put waistbands on two skirts that I had made earlier, made an overskirt for a medieval-esque costume dress, and started to make two little wool capes for the boys.

I picked out the machine I wanted. I went with Singer, because I am familiar with it. I chose one without lots of fancy stitches and electronics, because I don't do quilting and have never felt the need for that many more stitches. Even with the ones I have, I will have to read about when to use them because both my previous machines are pretty straight forward. The old one doesn't even do a zig-zag.

Today I have to be good again and get chores and things done before sewing, but I have so many things I want to sew now!

IN WHICH Eamon turns 4

It is a little crazy to think that it was only four years ago that a tiny 5 pound 3 ounce child entered our lives. The adoration in having his tiny self curl up in my arms, the worrying over his little yellow face, and delighting in his every facial expression seems so recent and yet so long ago.

Sensitive, he has taught me what it means to be gentle and how to listen carefully. Stubborn, he has taught me how to be firm. Full of creative energy, I am learning how to say "yes, be careful" instead of "No" all the time, and how to turn that energy into positive pursuits, rather than destructive ones. Musical, we have had to ban instruments and singing at the table.

He saves the day, builds spaceships, dives in the ocean, flies a helicopter, digs dinosaur bones, and cooks birthday cakes and soup. Boxes are boats. The couch his helicopter. Dinosaurs are his friends. Animals are his pets. He thinks the world belongs to him, to touch, ask about, enjoy, but only sometimes share. He notices people and he reads emotions. It is beautiful to watch his sympathetic nature, and hard to see also learned how to put up walls to protect himself. He is cautious, but also a stuntman.

So far, it has been difficult having this four year old. He has been challenging everything I say and wanting the independence to decide what to eat, when to go to bed, and what Mommy does with her day. But it has been rather rainy and wet, and he has been sick most of the time since his birthday, so I guess I shouldn't judge being four based on the past week. Today is sunny and we are all feeling better, and he has shown glimpses of his cheerful helping side.

But for all his independence and exploration, he still wants cuddles when he is sleepy and kisses when he is hurt. Although Mommy can't solve all the problems, she makes most of them easier to bear. And Daddy! Well, Daddy is where the fun times happen. He really knows how to play and Eamon looks forward to playing with him every night when he gets home from work. Our tiny baby is a little boy with all the bumps and grins that it brings.