Spring/Summer wardrobe for Olivia

Boom! It feels so good to not only reach a goal, but smash it! One of my dreams when I started sewing two and a half years ago was that I would reach a stage where most of my children's clothes are made by me. This year I set out to achieve this with Olivia's wardrobe, with a reasonable goal of fifty percent store bought and fifty percent mama made. After an audit of her clothes I am so proud to say that, apart from a few irresistible deals at some of my favorite stores, I have bought very few clothes for her and have made more than eighty percent of her clothes this year.

I started working on her Spring/Summer wardrobes a few months ago. I would start a garment when feeling inspired, leave it incomplete, and then start a new one - and before I knew it I had more than ten pieces needing finishing touches. I enjoyed making every single item, and with each one I either learned a new skill or improved one I already had. I was so enthralled with this project that I even made one of the dresses between contractions the day I went into labour and gave birth…surely one of the best distractions ever!

I love making these clothes for Olivia - not only because of the finished product, but also the funny discussions and disagreements we've had when choosing fabric and designs. It took many such chats, not to mention a little bribing, to convince this little miss that not every item of clothing should be pink with a twirly skirt and flutter sleeves...or "pretty shoulder wings" as she calls them!

The photo shoot left us both exhausted hence the funny faces and out of focus and unedited pictures! She's a trooper this girl of mine, so are her little brothers who had be patient for a while!

New pyjamas for big brother

In his nine hundred thirty four days of life, this lovely boy of ours has slept through the night no more than twenty times, and last night was one of those wonderful nights! In celebration of this rare and glorious occasion I thought I'd share pictures of the pyjama sets I made for him during the height of my nesting syndrome two months ago. Maybe once summer sets in and he sleeps in these, we will see more wonderful nights like last night, seeing as how they were made with lots of love and sprinkled with generous amounts of sleepy dust!

Owen may not be the best sleeper, but he surely is a good big brother. He has welcomed his baby brother with love, kindness and curious little fingers that playfully poke him all over!

Great Expectations. Reflecting on birth and sewing tiny newborn clothes

In these final days before my third child's birth, I have been reflecting a lot on the previous two as well. Although both experiences were deeply poignant, the second seemed especially beautiful. I remember responding to someone asking me about my experience shortly afterward with the words, "I actually enjoyed it!" It certainly was not pain free, but, apart from "hitting the wall" at one point for about 20 minutes, I was largely at peace, focused and completely trusted that my body and baby knew exactly what to do.

Without a doubt, the differences between my two births were experience and preparation. The second time around I was much more deliberate about preparing myself for what was to come, physically, emotionally and spiritually, and I was obviously more experienced after having done it before. Looking back now, I realize how blessed I was that my sweet one and a half year-old girl would happily entertain herself while I watched a birth video, listened to some relaxation music or read a book or affirming passages of scripture. Almost on a daily basis, after the first trimester, I dedicated an hour or less to preparing myself for the impending birth.

Now, during my third pregnancy, things are different. With two beautiful children who need and love attention when I'm at home, and with some tough physical challenges I have been experiencing, it has been difficult to dedicate quality time to prepare for this birth. I have not felt anxious about this however, because I embrace that I am in a different season of life now. I fully trust that my body and my baby are filled with God's divine peace and that He will carry me through the birthing process just as He has before.

I also made a discovery, much to my delight, that has allowed me to invest a little bit of time into preparing while doing my favorite thing. My children do not like to see me on my computer, iPad or phone, and it is almost guaranteed that as soon as I take out one of these, whether it is to work, relax or just waste time, they suddenly need me for something! However, they seem to happily "tolerate" me sitting in front of my sewing machine while they watch an episode of something on TV or entertain themselves otherwise. So I've been using my sewing hour (when it happens) in the afternoons to listen to teachings, music, scripture passages, declarations, etc on pregnancy, labour and birth. Janet Mills's CD Childbirth in the Glory as well as a few birthing affirmation videos on Youtube have been some of my favorites to listen to. I've also pinned onto my sewing table encouraging passages of scripture.

While sewing tiny newborn outfits and nappies for my son, I consciously turn my thoughts toward him, and pray for him. Even though he may not wear these clothes for long, the privilege of creating them with my hands, heart and soul makes it all worth it.  And this is all the preparation I need.

Of course such deep moments are usually interrupted by the inevitable need to use my seam ripper! Ughh…such are probably the only times you'll hear me use vivid expressions that are not normally within my mental vocabulary!

Patterns used:

Brindille & Twigg Harem Romper
Brindille & Twigg Side Pocket Pants
Peek-a-boo Kimono Top
Rocket Bottoms Contour Diaper