massive spring cleaning and reorganizing is immensely satisfying, if i wait for the real desire to go for it. energetically it feels like telling the truth, to me. refreshing.
we are so rich with friends. to have a group of mamas and kids who all love each other this much? whoa. each week there is some form of discussion about who is going to marry whom and then still be together with whom, living with whom. meanwhile, all the paired up moms and mother-in-laws to be are silently cheering and arm pumping in the background. every possible combination is fantastic.
pretty much a daily occurrence, snacks in the car seats, yet so ordinary that i forget to document it. so here it is. when i travelled to africa in 1988 i saw the tuaregs pour tea squatting in the sand in the desert so often that i forgot to "see" it. i regret that.
i did a little sewing today. it's been a bit of a desperate situation, actually. there is a reason she never wants to wear clothes. her skin is so sensitive. i didn't realize just how much so until the other day at a friend's she tried on a ruffled skirt and because of the extra seams rubbing against her thighs, ended up with big splotchy red patches all over her legs. so, with that, i set out to make some truly comfy duds. it ended up in a little chasing game to try to snap a photo of her in this dress.
there it is. so simple, really, that it's hardly worth showing, yet that feeling of seeing what they need(instead of what i like or want for them) and meeting them in that spot which they own, well that's what feels so fine. (oh and yes...that sun is of a whole different quality when it comes out. yes...spring is possible.)
another little ditty of the same variety. i tried out a couple of pairs of pants with super loose elastics, but they failed her try-on-test. deees awen't comfy!! i have no idea how to keep those luscious legs warm. hmmm.
and, lest you think for one second that you are not good enough or whatever because you don't sew or didn't sew today or are having one of those days where you can barely keep your head above water, check out this out...
this is what the room looks like after a sewing session with children in the house. oh who am i kidding...it would probably look exactly the same if they weren't even here.
another part of the spring cleaning...those little buckets on the wall and the little table moved out into the living room. fun.
and then this late afternoon treasure. she fell asleep on my back. it's been awhile and i know that one day i will realize it has been a very long time. then one day it will be no more. it's been almost a year since elliott did this. oh love. mothering is always one big part helping of heart wrench.
so that's what's been happening. house cleaning. clothing. feeding. sleeping. all quite ordinary. and not.
HI anne...so sorry to hear that jude is so sick. saschy and elliott are sick too, fever and everything. yes...i am even thinking of breaking out the bleach to kill all possible lingering sickness on every surface. ugh! its crazy. seams on the outside sounds like a great idea for your sensitive girl. i love the simple too. it is just so satisfying to see her wear anything at all and to say that it feels soft. xxxooo
Posted by: kris laroche | March 11, 2011 at 08:34 PM
Oh, I love this glimpse into your life. I am beginning to think that Clementine has clothing sensitivities of the same sort. It is SUCH a battle to get dressed to go anywhere. Perhaps I will try to conquer my serger and make something with the seams on the outside. I love those dresses you made for Sascha. I think simple kid clothing is the best-it lets their true beauty shine. Funny, I'm also on the verge of a major spring purge/reorganization. Jude is very sick right now, and I feel like I need to clean everything!
Posted by: anne | March 11, 2011 at 07:53 PM
hi margie...it was so fun to see you too for that speedy flash in that favorite spot. it was a vibrant moment for us which is certainly not always the case as i often schlep myself through the grocery shop trying to keep my tentacles around the growing chaos. darn on the nursing issues and your lack of sleep. it is so crushing to feel exhausted and then to try to be out in the world functioning. just huge....xxxooo
Posted by: kris laroche | March 11, 2011 at 07:21 PM
Hi HIlaree: Oh heartbreaking indeed. I am currently obsessively writing as much down that they say as possible because it is changing so fast. It is such a loss for mama...all those precious, short-lived things they say which are so utterly perfect just as they are. permanently and forever fixed...brings tears to my eyes. (ps...i was just thinking about you the other day, wondering how you are and how things have been for you...xxoo)
Posted by: kris laroche | March 11, 2011 at 07:18 PM
Yes and that lovely girl of yours with her heart drawing! xxoo
Posted by: kris laroche | March 11, 2011 at 07:07 PM
Hello Mary...Oh our girls have the same thing, then eh? So particular. I understand how it feels, hating tags and anything tight or scratchy myself. AND it makes it hard on mama, unless one lives in a warm-all-year climate. Even then... The snacks in the car, so true. Often we will finish a meal then climb into the car and the first thing they say is...what snacks did you bring. Sometimes Im smart enough to just pile the scrambled eggs into little bowls and bring them along instead of switching to snack food. Our nights do seem to be evening out a little. It sure hasnt been like it was with Elliott where he just started sleeping right through the night after a few tough nights of weaning. She is up a couple of times but its becoming more rhythmic at least which eases my resistance significantly. Thanks, friend. xxoo
Posted by: kris laroche | March 11, 2011 at 07:07 PM
Hi Carrie-Anne: Yes...I so know what you mean. Im gonna try to make one up! xxoo
Posted by: kris laroche | March 11, 2011 at 07:04 PM
I love that dress
It's beautiful
I want one for me
Xxxcarrie-anne
Posted by: Carrie | March 10, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Hi Kris,
So great to see a windows into your life. I love your sewing projects...their sweet dresses. My daughter, Aimira, is very finicky also about her clothes..although it has nothing to do with sensitive skin.
I love the pictures of the car rides. Boy isn't that the place to eat food! My children seem to eat so well when we are driving.
Take care and I hope your sleep is improving..Mary
Posted by: mary leveque | March 10, 2011 at 10:58 PM
This was fun. Loved all the photos and all that went along with them. xo
Posted by: Romy | March 10, 2011 at 08:37 PM
Here's my "big heart wrench" of the week: My four year old son still had all of those wonderful, small child speech differences...that is...until this week, when he climbed into my bed and instead of saying, "Mama, SUNGLE me," he said, "Mama, SNUGGLE me." The S and the N permanently and forever fixed. waaahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Posted by: Hilaree | March 10, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Hi Kris! I meant to post a comment on your de- lurking day - but got distracted. I now have a sleeping Paulie on my chest - so have a quick moment to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. It was good to see you at the store - I was grabbing lunch for Jed and I. I get a pang when I see a vibrant mom and her kids - when I'm having my weekly "date" with hubby. Anyway, thanks for your wonderful blog Kris!
Margie
ps mr. Paulie and I are having some nursing issues too. . . This mama needs some sleep . . .
Posted by: Margie dennison | March 10, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Im so glad, Kassia. I always feel a little strange posting like this...so Im relieved that you like it.
Posted by: kris laroche | March 10, 2011 at 06:04 AM
I loved this. so. much.
Posted by: Kassia | March 10, 2011 at 04:15 AM