A solemn vow.

I hereby declare that I will never ever knit a beanie or toque for a newborn, infant, or toddler. EVER.

I am of the opinion that a proper baby/toddler hat has some sort of earflaps or chinstrap. Anything else is, in my opinion and experience, far far far less useful.

(But, because I am loathe to become one of those interneters who never credits sources, here are the links to these patterns, top-to-bottom and left-to-right: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.)

10 cool things for babies

DIY tutu! Grady needs one.

Shirred dress from a men’s shirt. So cute.

I love this nursery wall hanging.

Ah! Too many cute things!

This is too adorable, and it’s a free pattern – not just a tutorial. But “Go To” should be hyphenated.

Not too shabby. Unfortunately we have a zillion baby blankets. But this would be pretty cute as a lap blanket, or even adult-sized quilt.

DIY learning!

This is a soup for babies that I really need to make for Grady someday. Really really really.

Cute cute cute cute cute. Pattern from Sew, Mama, Sew.

Solar dress pattern. I love the simplicity of it – it could handle some serious prints without being out of control.

October 11, courtesy of Wikipedia

Here are some cool things that happened on Grady’s birthday:

• When she was exactly -200 years old, Meriwether Lewis died in Tennessee. I think my stepdad is related to Meriwether Lewis. Spooooookyyyy.
• When she was exactly -119 years old, the DAR was founded. So if she’s ever in the DAR, that’ll be cool.
• There’s a whole bunch of neat-o October 11 outer space stuff. In 1957 M.I.T. scientists calculated Sputnik I’s booster rocket’s orbit. It gets better from there. Pioneer I was launched in 1858 and Apollo 7 was launched in 1968. In 1984 Kathryn D. Sullivan became the first American Woman to perform a space walk.
• Saturday Night Live debuted on October 11, 1975. Amen.
• On October 11, 2001, Polaroid filed for bankruptcy and all of the hipsters (including myself) cried.

People who share birthdays with Grady: the guy who founded YMCA, Henry Heinz (the ketchup guy), Eleanor Roosevelt (awesome!), a co-creator of Captain America, LaVell Edwards (I recognize this name because I live in Utah. I think he’s a football guy. Or a Mormon guy. Dunno.), Daryl Hall of Hall n’ Oates, Steve Young (Mormon football! Woo!), Joan Cusack, Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock, and Emily Deschanel.

People I recognize who died on October 11: Chico Marx, Jean Cocteau, and Edith Piaf.

Also, October 11 is National Coming Out Day! I don’t much like holidays but I really dig this one.

Happy birthday, baby! Love you!

Also … I’m writing this on March 25. But it didn’t seem relevant enough to post in March, so I’m scheduling it for October. Hopefully this isn’t embarrassing to me by then.

10 cool things for babies

IT’S BACK! I’m going to try to not just type “squeeeeee!” about every photo, but can’t make any promises. The selection this week is pretty damn cute. Also we’re trying WordPress’ automatic gallery settings this time, because it is late and I am tired.

1. AH! I don’t actually know where this image comes from. But still – it’s amazing. These would be a blast to make out of re-purposed fabric.
2. Soft baby book by Kristena Derrick. Um, this is immaculate. If I ever make this, it will most likely be far in the future, for someone else’s baby – you know, when my life is totally under control and I have a ton of time on my hands.
3. Um, I used the wrong photo for this. It is an amazing tutorial for a fitted crib sheet. And you should click through, because this person’s nursery is amazing.
4. I get the feeling that Grady would totally not buy this toy laptop from Journey into Unschooling. At least not yet. She doesn’t go for the fake cell phones she already has.
5. Child’s sweater vest from an old sweater tutorial from Made. Ah! Grady needs this!
6. DIY baby toddler yoga pants from Samster Mommy. Yes. So much yes.
7. GASP!
8. Cute toddler dress from a t-shirt from 3 Red Buttons.
9. Sock bunny! From Whipup.
10. My favorite toys to make for Grady are always bunnies. And this one from Chez Beeper Bebe is just perfect.