It is a big honor for me to include my thoughts and projects on Minas de Ouro–an inspiring, eclectic, and in-the-know group of “golden” girls that I have faithfully followed on my blog roll. I hope I can tempt readers to set aside time to re-awaken creativity, to make something by hand or conjure up a new idea–making it happen with the help of others. I know we are all busy and, at times, this might seem an impossible task. But sometimes running to the store to buy a dessert takes just as long as making it yourself (traffic!)…and it is never as good. So let’s do it, have fun, and get started.
I’ve been blogging for a while (apronstringsandprettythings) and aside from posting random rants and projects, I do a lot of writing about my daughter, Georgia. So I thought it appropriate to dedicate my first post to my, soon to be born (November) and yet un-named son.
Like most Brazilians (even though I am not one–just possess an RNE card), I went baby shopping in the land of bargains–God Bless the USA! My empty departure suitcases returned with luggage that was grams away from the maximum limit. I am not ashamed to admit that I used my big belly and daughter (sympathy) as tools while I silently prayed and pushed my mammoth cart through the line: “nada a declarar.” And when you consider how many of those wee garments one can fit in several Samsonites, you just might imagine that baby boy really doesn’t need another thing before the age of one.
But then I realized he didn’t have anything handmade. All those Baby Gap onsies and footsy pajamas are super practical and very American. But I have an RNE card now. The maternity ward in Brazil is an event. Unlike the states, insurance companies don’t have you sent home before the anesthesia wears off (thank god). One must be prepared for the guest list! And, although, I may have ridiculed the whole “enxoval process” with the birth of Georgia (I couldn’t believe that the hospitals here didn’t provide perfectly comfortable clothing/scrubs for mother and child.), I’m going to have fun with it the second time around. This time I don’t feel the pressure mandated by up-scale boutiques…the six perfect tricot ensembles (with matching blanket and blusa de pagão) neatly and individually arranged in separate lace/net bags. And I certainly don’t care about what “leisure wear/semi nightgown” I’ll be donning. It can all be tossed in a gym bag packed after my water breaks. But I won’t let the occasion lose its luster and lend itself to something practical. So I’ve resorted to sewn by hand albeit not so traditional baby attire made with love.
Now that the last button has been sewed, Georgia (of course) and I pinned up the garments and are ready to share a selection of junior’s first handmade pieces. They are all 100% cotton or linen. I bought the fabric at Maluhy Tecidos and Cinarama. All I did was roughly sketch some rough designs and use other pieces for sizing. I hired a seamstress to execute. She couldn’t understand why everything was so “plain.” My feelings were not hurt when she said they did not look like baby clothes. I am really pleased with my totally unnecesary and completely sentimental modern little collection.
I cannot wait to see his warm little infant body enveloped inside.
13 de setembro de 2010, às 14:54
Tammy! só faltava vc mesmo aqui neste site ! Amei ! Beijos, saudade. Li
13 de setembro de 2010, às 23:39
sempre sempre tua fã (and little G’s and the boy-with-n-name’s), love, miss U!
13 de setembro de 2010, às 23:39
sempre sempre tua fã (and little G’s and the boy-with-no-name’s), love, miss U!
14 de setembro de 2010, às 14:17
aw shucks! gee! gosh!
thank you all so much!
big kisses and hugs!
14 de setembro de 2010, às 17:11
Tammy,
Loved the post!!!!
Congrats for the news!!!
bjs
15 de setembro de 2010, às 19:03
Tammy! I want all the mini outfits for my boys! Você faz sob encomenda??!! Bem-vinda ao Minas de Ouro. We love you. beijos Gi
15 de setembro de 2010, às 23:01
gi sister gi!
i would be so honored if our boys could be wearing the same little outfits!!!
and i am so happy to be a part of minas!
hope you and belly and babies doing great! i keep thinking of having four legs kicking me instead of two….hope they are letting you sleep at night!
big kiss
28 de setembro de 2010, às 01:18
Olá Tammy ! Só agora ví que está escrevendo aqui no minas ! Muito legal !!! como o tempo passou rápido né ! Te ví no chá de bebê da Gí e agora já tá pra nascer o baby ! Parabéns ! Não te contei que tb estou grávida ! No chá de bebê eu já estava mas não sabia ainda ! Início do quinto mês ! Estou amando…é uma menina, Olivia is her name ! Depois preciso de umas dicas !!!!! Super beijo e avisa quando o baby nascer ! Ps: amei de paixão as roupinhas !