pictures...

Ambrose was terrific for his one-year portrait. I love every single shot. *sigh* Here's a sampling:

the good ol' department of motor vehicles

This morning, I made a trip over to the DMV to renew my driver's license. I hate the DMV. Today, however, I was delighted to find the place practically empty and walked right up to the counter. No lines. No wait. It was wonderful. But the DMV has a way of always being a rotten place to go, and just when I began to think I might not absolutely detest my experience, the clerk opened her mouth. Eying Ambrose in the mei tai on my back, she says, "Are you sure he's in there right?" A quick pat over my back and I assured her that yes, he was. "He won't fall out?" "Nope, he's nice and snug." "I bet he'll climb out one of these days. Aren't there any buckles or anything?" (WHAT?! No PLASTIC?! I can't believe it even WORKS!!!) "Oh, no. It's just cloth. It's really comfy." "Hm. Well, I bet he'll learn to climb out." (smiles at Ambrose) "Won't you?" "I hope not. He really likes it in there." "My daughter uses one of those...what are they called? Baby Bjorn. Those are nice." "Yeah." (Mentally rolling my eyes at her, and at everyone who truly thinks a baby bjorn holds a candle to a mei tai.) To her credit, she did go on to ask me where I got it, and said it was very pretty. This really wasn't the part of the conversation that irked me the most. Later on, she was confirming all the information on my old license. "Height and weight still the same?," she asked, peering over her glasses. "Yes." And truthfully, they were accurate--yes, weight too--even with being pregnant. She gave me a long once-over, smiled sympathetically and then said, "I understand." See you in four years, you mean old lady!

the things occupying my time...

So, it seems that I'm sewing my life away these days. I've been enjoying it, honestly, since I find sewing really relaxing...but whew! After making and selling the adult mei tais, I've since taken on the task of making these mini mei tais (for baby dolls--I think they're awfully darn cute, if I'm allowed to say so:-) ). Turns out they're really, really popular, especially among moms who have their own mei tais, and I've taken orders for about 10 of them. As a little birthday present for my favorite 5 year-old and 3 year-old sisters, I made these little doll diapers. I spent an afternoon over there a few weeks back making real diapers for Ambrose, and they kept sheepishly asking if they could play with them. So, hopefully they'll enjoy these. And a bonus picture, while we're not too far off the topic of babywearing: Sometimes, riding around on mom's back for the afternoon while she vacuums and does dishes is just sooo relaxing that you can't help but fall asleep. And sometimes, you fall asleep so deeply that you don't even flinch when she practically drops you onto the bed from her back. I just love this picture.

snow, snow, snow!

Oh, how I love the first snow. We got about 4 inches last night, and are expected to get a few more in the nights to come. I'm not sure why...there's just something so cozy about listening to the plows in the middle of the night, and waking up the next morning to a bright white world. When Ambrose woke up this morning, I excitedly took him to the window to show him the snow, which was still pouring from the sky. Awe-stricken, he announced, "uh oh!" (Like, hello?! Am I the only one who noticed that the sky is apparently falling?)