Now You Are One…

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Little man, it was your birthday this last Friday and now you are one. One whole completed year of life.

First Birthday Celebrations

I have spent at least the last month in some state of denial that this milestone was coming. Every time I looked at you I could only see my tiny new born baby. Yet, now you are one, I have accepted the reality and when I look at you of course I see the cheeky little toddler you are rapidly turning in to.

You have spent this first year growing at the incredible rate that most babies do, piling on that wonderful squishiness from the moment you arrived. Now you are one and that rate of growth has slowed a tad, but you have only sped up (fastest crawler in Sussex and walking is high on your agenda 😉 ) and that baby squidge is slowly starting to disappear.

You have always been a champion eater from just breastfeeding through weaning to your current full meals. I am so glad that your turning one hasn’t had any sway over this (fingers crossed!) and you still regularly eat more than your big sister does on a daily basis. Although this weeks new trick with finger foods is ‘Lets-see-how-far-I-can-throw-all-of-this-food-before-mum-really-gets-cross-despite-how-cute-I-am’.

Now you are one your communication skills are coming along nicely.
“Hello Matthew.” “Em-ma”
“What’s this?” “Em-ma”
“Can you say mamama?” “Em-ma”
“Say dadadada?” “Em-ma”
“Do you want this food?” “EM-MA!”
You get the idea. Although this week you have found a sound to accompany your little pointy fingers worthy of being said – “Ook!” (We are taking this to mean look as it mostly adds up.)
I feel I should note here that you most certainly can say mama and dada you simply choose not too and cheekily grin at us while we attempt to coax it out of you.

You are, obviously, still adorably obsessed with your sister, especially when we are all at home together. I am so glad this shows no signs of changing now you are one, and that she still loves you back just as much. You are very aware of when she is not around and call out for her when she is at nursery. I am afraid you will miss her terribly when school starts in September.

This past year has really been a year of two halves for me, little man. Our first 7 months together are a bit of a blur now. I have a few shining specific memories but otherwise it was a season of ‘getting through’. You loved to eat and did not like to sleep and this poor mummy functioned on a level of tiredness I didn’t know existed and though I don’t remember much it must have worked because with a lot of prayer and grace we did get through. Our last five months have been much more fun because, well lets be honest, you learned to sleep properly and that made more difference than you’d think possible. Real food probably helped too, because, food! (Even dairy/soya free food!)

You are an incredibly cute, cheeky, funny, happy and confident little boy. You bring so much joy into our lives and of those who get to spend time with you. I am so thankful each day that God chose us to be your parents and that we have the pleasure of raising you and watching you grow.

Now you are one and we cannot wait to see what the next year brings for you Matthew!

Naomi-16

 

 

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Springtime Bolero Crochet Pattern

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Today I finally have a new pattern for you all!

Crochet Circle Cardigan

Do you remember the Springtime Cardigan in this post?

Well I have tweaked the things that needed tweaking and decided on calling it a bolero and… ta-dah! A crochet pattern freebie for you all 🙂

This bolero is a very forgiving fit which means it will comfortably fit a child from ages 2-5. I hope to work on a bigger size… particularly an adult version at some time in the future… but I’m afraid no promises as to when that might be!

There is a fair bit of terminology and stitch guidance at the beginning here but stay with me, keep scrolling and you will find the pattern! 😉

Crochet Circle Cardigan

As usual, you may sell any items you crochet using my pattern with the due design credit given but the pattern is not to be reposted or sold….. it is available for FREE here! :) Thankyou.

Supplies
Stylecraft Special DK (two colours or as many as you like!)
7mm hook
darning needle
Button

Terminology/Handy Hints

To fit ages 2-5.

Read the pattern through first! 😉

Tension Gauge – 13 treble stitches across 7 rows = 10cm square

I use UK terminology in all of my patterns.

st(s) = stitch(es)
ch = chain
ch sp = chain space
ss = slip stitch
dc = double crochet (single crochet US)
tr = treble crochet (double crochet US)
dtr = double treble crochet (treble crochet US)
dtr4tog = double treble crochet 4 together (decrease)

double treble crochet(dtr) [tr for the US] – Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (4 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook (2 loops left), yarn over and pull through all remaining loops. (double treble crochet complete)

dtr4tog – *Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (4 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook (2 loops left)* work this** through 3 more times working into the next 3 sts, yarn over and pull through all remaining loops on the hook. (decrease complete)

Tall Cluster – This is essentially a dtr4tog worked over 3 stitches not 4, the 2nd and 3rd dtrs are worked into the same stitch. *Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (4 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook (2 loops left)* work this ** twice into the next st and then once more into the following third stitch, yarn over and pull through all remaining loops on the hook. (cluster complete)

Short Cluster – This is the same as above but worked in trebles not dtr. *Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (3 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops left)* work this ** twice into the next st and then once more into the following third stitch, yarn over and pull through all remaining loops on the hook. (cluster complete)

Pattern

R1) Chain 4, slip stitch into 1st chain to form a ring

R2) ch3, work 13tr into the ring, ss to close the round (14sts)

R3) ch4, work (tr, ch) into each stitch, ss to close (28sts)

R4) ss into the next chain space, (ch3, 2tr) in this space, then 3tr in each ch sp around, ss to close (42)

R5) Work a Tall Cluster chaining 4 in place of the 1st dtr, ch3, *Tall Cluster, ch3* repeat** to end, ss to close (56)

R6) ss into ch sp, (ch4, tr, ch, tr, ch) in this space, (tr, ch, tr, ch, tr, ch) in each ch sp around, ss to close (84)

R7) ss into ch sp, (ch3, tr) in this space, 2tr in each ch sp around, ss to close (84)

R8) Work a Tall Cluster chaining 4 in place of the 1st dtr, ch3, *Tall Cluster, ch3* repeat** to end, ss to close (113)

R9) ch4, (dtr, ch, dtr, ch, dtr, ch) in the next 6 ch spaces, ch20, skip 4 ch spaces, (dtr, ch, dtr, ch, dtr, ch) in the next 7 ch spaces, ch 20, skip 4 ch spaces, (dtr, ch, dtr, ch, dtr, ch) in the next 6 ch spaces, (dtr, ch, dtr ch) in the next ch sp, ss to the top of the starting chains (160)

R10) ss into ch sp, (ch3, tr) in this space, 2 tr in each single chain space around. In the long chain spaces work 23tr. Ss to close. (162)

R11) Work a Short Cluster chaining 3 in place of the 1st tr, ch2, *Short Cluster, ch2* repeat to end, ss to close (162)

R12) ch4, (tr, ch, tr, ch, tr, ch) in each ch sp around, (tr, ch, tr ch) in the last ch sp, ss to the top of the starting chains (324)

R13) ch3, *2tr in the next ch sp, 2tr in the next ch sp, 1tr in the next ch sp*, repeat all the way round, working the last single tr in to the same space as the original ch3, ss to close. (271)

R14) Work a Tall Cluster chaining 4 in place of the 1st dtr, ch, *dtr4tog, ch* repeat all the way round, ss to close. (136)

This is the start of the edging, so a good natural place to change colour if you want to.
R15) The following round is worked only in the previous decrease stitches not in the chain stitches.
ch3, 7tr in the same st, ch1, dc in the next st, ch2, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the next st, ch2, dc, ch1, *8tr, ch1, dc, ch2, (2tr, ch, 2tr), ch2, dc, ch1*, repeat** to the end 17 repeats total, ss to close. (357)

R16) ch3, tr in next 7 sts, ch1, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the cluster ch sp, ch1, *tr in the next 8 sts, ch1, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the ch sp, ch1*, repeat ** to the end, ss to close. (255)

R17) ch3, tr in next 7 sts, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the cluster ch sp, *tr in the next 8 sts, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the ch sp*, repeat ** to the end, ss to close. (221)

R18) ch3, *(2tr, ch, 2tr) in the space between the 4th and 5th tr of the previous round – the centre of the fan, ch2, 8tr in the cluster ch sp, ch2*, repeat ** to the end, ss to the first tr to close. Fasten off. (289)

Darn in any ends you have and at this point I would recommend blocking. I just did a quick pin out and steam block with my iron but it made the world of difference to the drape. Now all that is left to do is add a button if you wish. My daughter has two now, one with and one without, I personally prefer it with. The pattern of this bolero is lacy enough that it doesn’t really need a specific buttonhole just use any hole already there!

I hope you enjoy this pattern! If you have any feedback or questions for me just let me know in the comments below 🙂
If you do make a bolero for a little person in your life and use Instagram I would love to see! Please tag me @ourlovelylittlelife and use the hashtag #springtimebolero 😉

Naomi-16

 

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Bloggers Against Poverty #withOxfam

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Do you ever stand in your kitchen look around and think what on earth am I going to cook us all for dinner tonight?

With all the best menu planning intentions this happens often in our house. I browse through my fridge/freezer/kitchen cupboards looking at the various food items, be they tinned, fresh or frozen and sigh… ‘There’s nothing for dinner’. 

Salama and her Son Hama

This week I was invited to join Oxfam in their new bloggers against poverty project. As I read through some of the information I was sent, with half a mind on what meal I was going to pull together for us all that evening, I was handed a reality check.

What if I really had nothing for us all to eat? What if our cupboards where actually bare? What if I couldn’t get my children a drink of water?

Did you know that the country of Niger is prone to chronically high levels of food insecurity, and crisis levels of malnutrition are the norm.

Did you know that malnutrition is aggravated by a lack of clean water? The water collected for everyday use is often a source of water-borne disease such as dysentery, cholera and malaria.

Salama (38) and Hama, her baby boy, 9 months


Salama (38) and Hama, her baby boy (9 months)

I started thinking about Matthew & Emma and how blessed we are to be able to provide so much for them. Not just food but safe water to drink and a clean environment to live in. Both of my babies were brought into this world in a warm and sanitary hospital room where we were all well looked after by midwives and I was able to shower within hours of giving birth. I am sure like many of you, it never occurred to me for it to be any other way, yet it was still such a worrying time.

I simply cannot imagine having a baby without the certain knowledge of even clean water much less a sanitary environment and access to trained medical staff. I cannot fathom the anxiety that must bring.

In our house, Matthews insatiable appetite is a source of amusement. My little boy could already, at 11 months old, eat me out of house and home if I let him. I am blessed enough that his meal times end because I know he has eaten more than enough, it is not a matter of running out of food.

I simply cannot imagine literally not being able to feed my children. To have my babies crying and distraught from hunger that I can do little to nothing about. I cannot imagine the desperation, the guilt, the fear, the overwhelmingness of the situation. I am so sad that so many mothers in the world do have to live this way.

Salama and her Baby Boy Hama

Then I read about Salama and her little boy Hama. Salama gave birth to her son without difficulties, but shortly after his birth she didn’t have enough nutrition to give to him.

Salama’s Story, in her Words

“Hama suffered from a fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. He would have brief periods of health and then get sick again, so I brought him into the clinic.
“He was given paracetamol and rehydration, but 6 months later he was diagnosed with malnutrition. He received treatment and responded well. He’s ok at the moment, is still sick occasionally.
“The availability of the clinic is a great thing for us. Before, we had to get to Agadez town. It was impossibly expensive to travel, then accommodation and food. But now this service is here, it’s much more doable.”
“We are completely delighted to get the water system in our health centre – before it was here we had to go to the neighbouring village to fetch water for going to the treatment centre. It was difficult for the nurse to really look after us. Now, they can wash our babies when they have diarrhea. There’s a laundry system and everything is sanitary.”
“We are really proud of Oxfam because Oxfam helped us women a lot to support our children. We’re really grateful to Oxfam because we’re now really well informed about health issues.” “My great hope is that my baby recovers, grows, studies, and gets a decent job.”

Oxfam are fighting malnutrition by installing water and sanitation facilities in clinics and communities. They are promoting good nutrition and hygiene, helping women to take the best possible care of their babies. Last year, Oxfam helped 11.8 million people, but they can’t do all of this alone.

Sometimes I think it is easy for us to feel a million miles away from problems like those of Salama. Surely we are too far away, too insignificant to make a difference to such awful poverty. But actually we can help, whether it is as little as donating outgrown clothes to the Oxfam shop in town or donating money each month, every action is at least that. It is an act against poverty.

If you would like to donate to Oxfam now you can do so here.

Naomi-16

 

 

 

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