A labor of love

Some folks asked about my labor sewing project, so here it is. The green cape was the only one that was unfinished when I went into labor. All the capes are for Orion's preschool and I had been asked to make them a few weeks before Soleo was born.
(By the way, his name is pronounced Soul-eee-oh.)

They are a great project and I'm thinking of putting together a tutorial because I finished the neck in a way that makes it easy for a 3-4 year old to put the cape on unassisted. This comes in pretty handy when your hands are full and your superhero needs to get dressed!

The capes have been in use at the school for three weeks now and are getting good reviews from the kids and teachers alike. Orion has announced that he'd sure like to have a red one and a light blue one of his own at home (he only has a dark blue one at home).

Little house for sale

Casey and Liesl are selling their darling little North Portland house!
2 bedrooms
1 bath
over-sized attached garage
beautiful organic garden
large covered deck
$223,500

Details here:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/reo/858527111.html

Growing boy

These aren't the best ever photos of Soleo, but they show off the gorgeous, fantastic, most wonderful hand-knit sweater that my friend Katy knit! Many of you know Katy as the friend with whom I traveled (to many, many countries). She lives in Norway now, with a beautiful growing family and she sent this to us right before Soleo was born.

The yarn even has a story, as Katy and I were together in Munich when she bought it, more than 10 years ago! It has traveled across the Atlantic twice, and back and forth across the United States before finally getting to be this sweater! I am so honored to have such a great friend who made such a wonderful gift! (Never mind her comment that the sweater can last through "many more children, at least enough to fill the minivan"...)

And while I was taking pictures of Soleo, Orion asked that I capture this moment as well:
He is propped on a birdhouse that he and Papa made at the Corn Roast on Sunday.



I think he misses his gymnastics class, eh?...
Check out those little ribs sticking out!

He's here!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of

Soleo Hess

He was born at home on Saturday the 30th,
9 lbs 12 oz, and 22 inches long!