Domestic Blitz

Steep learning curve

Today I took on the Simple Tote from “Bend-the-Rules Sewing.” And I learned that the definition of “simple” is variable, depending upon your level of experience and comprehension.

I got turned around a few times on the project. I put the lining and the facing together the wrong way, so the raw edges are on display on the inside of the bag. And when I stitched all the pieces together and turned it right-side-out, I found that I’d trapped the handles in the tote’s insides. I had to fish them out and improvise, because I didn’t want to take the whole thing apart. (Because I’m lazy.)

The book calls for two different fabrics for this project. I came home with two from the fabric store, but I didn’t like them together when I started working. So I used all polka-dots, and I think it’s pretty cute even without the contrast.

It’s a smaller bag than I’d pictured (I’m not so good with envisioning dimensions), but it’ll work quite well as a little tote for Poppy.

I have quite a bit of the polka-dot fabric left over, so I may try to make another one tomorrow, to see if I can get everything right. Now, though, I have to disassemble my “sewing room” before Poppy wakes up from her nap.

Family matters

Oh boy

Poppy never kicked or moved about all that much before she made her grand entrance into the world. She’s held on to her laid-back style, for the most part. For the last week, for example, I’ve had to wake her up every morning. I don’t like to let her sleep past 10 am. Even with her 13-hour sleepathons, she usually takes a 2-hour nap during the day. Today, it’s been closer to 3 hours.

But this isn’t about Poppy. This is about her little brother. The ninja. He moves all the time. And they aren’t gentle little nudges, either, like his sister used to give me. Most of the time when she moved, it felt like she was tickling me from the inside. When Pete is flopping about, he is punching and kicking and flailing. And it’s generally in the direction of my bladder. I find myself this close to weeing my pants roughly 800 times a day.

Last night, as I was trying to get to sleep, little Pete torpedoes hit each side of my stomach simultaneously. What is he doing in there? Calisthenics? Whatever it was, it went on for hours. I’m trying to get as much napping in as I can now, because I something tells me little Pete isn’t going to be as enamored with sleep as Poppy is.

I’ve been worrying a bit about the differences between raising a girl and raising a boy. When I brought Pete’s activity level up to my sister-in-law, who has two boys and two girls, she said, “Oh, that’s right! You’ve never seen someone stick a fork in an electrical outlet. Yet.”

I’m trying to prepare myself for Life With A Boy. Life with considerably more dirt and wildlife and rambunctiousness. But it will also be life with extra hugs and kisses and another sweet little voice saying, “I love you too, honey.” And I’m definitely OK with that.