An Open Love Letter

Dearest Mandi,

I've been working on a little knit sweater for your sweet guy ever since I learned that you were having a boy--I chose the color to match UCLA's baby blue. I had grand ambitions of putting buttons on the shoulder and stitching his initials on it, and maybe knitting a matching hat to go with it. But life got in the way--work, birth, colic, etc.--you know how it is.

But a couple weeks ago I thought long and hard about that half-finished little sweater. I could let it fall by the wayside, another victim of good intentions but poor execution, or I could focus all my limited free time into finally finishing it (without the fancy ambitious extras). And I decided to finish it. Why?

It's just a humble little sweater, but it's my way of saying thank you and I love you (and Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!). Thank you for all your sympathy and compassion, for listening to me whine and moan and cry about reflux, sleepless nights, and feeling inadequate all the time. Thank you for reminding me to ask for the grace to cherish these hard times, and setting an example of how to do just that. Thank you for all the little encouragements and practical help you sent, through snailmail, over the phone, and via the interwebz--they really kept me afloat each time I felt like I was sinking. Thank you for being a friend (cue the Golden Girls theme song).

But seriously, thank you. Thank God for you. You are an awesome new-mom friend. And I'm so glad our boys are only 3 months apart! Can't wait to continue sharing the trials and joys of mom-hood with you.

Here's a pic of Judah modeling the sweater (had to make sure it fits!) and me modeling a cowl-neck scarf I knit for you using the crazy-fun yarn you sent me last year. Hope they get to you guys before you leave for Christmas vacation!


May you wear them always (well, until the sweater doesn't fit anymore) in good cheer and good health.

Love always, Alice

A Tip Top Tam Time

The corporate law gods smiled down on me this weekend and I FINALLY got to hang out with Tammy and do what we had planned to do months ago--eat fried chicken sandwiches at Bakesale Betty's!

The first time we tried, Tammy cancelled cuz she stubbed her toe and broke it!

The second time we tried, I had to cancel to work all Saturday.

The third time we tried, I also had to cancel to work all Saturday.

The fourth time we tried, WE DID IT!!!! And here are the pics to prove it. (Fourth time's the charm?)


Mmmm...it doesn't get better than fried chicken and pickled cole slaw. Tammy came prepared with her own saracha and garlic-infused mayo (which I sadly forgot to try!)--yes, those little containers are from her, not from the restaurant! Notice also, the dee-licious, fresh-squeezed, zingy lemon slush drink.


And of course, we (okay, really, I) had to have dessert. As a preggo, dessert has become mandatory with every meal. Fresh strawberries and whipped cream on buttery, flaky shortcake. Aka, heaven.


And as if fantastic food and great company wasn't enough, I spotted something I've been coveting ever since moving to the east bay--a (really good) knitting store close to where I live!!!!!! Um, I know where I'm going to spend the majority of my maternity leave time.


We spent the whole time rubbing our oily cheeks against their super expensive cashmere and angora yarns--oohing and aahhing. Sorry knit store! But they're so soft. So so so soft. Yeah, we kinda turned into Lenny in Of Mice and Men.

Check out these beautiful natural yarns. Made my hands shake and itch for some size 13 needles.


Love these nubby textures and deep colors. (Just ignore the fact that these kinda look like dreadlocks).


And cute-as-a-button buttons!


The best part is they have classes and free drop-in help. I can FINALLY ask somehow how to finish my half-abandoned projects!

And because it was a beautiful day and we both went to Cal, we just had to take a stroll on campus. We noticed this huge billboard of Cal students and, because we're shallow lookists, spent about a half hour looking for hot guys and girls. Yeah, some things never change.


Btw, Jen, if you're reading this--Is this a pic of your sister Carol?! (The top asian chick, second to the left). But she didn't go to Cal, did she? She has a twin somewhere!

How to Smuggle a Watermelon in Your Shirt

So the belly has finally grown to a point where I'm starting to actually look pregnant (instead of just dumpy).

But what a difference the right, strategically cut, clothing makes! In this outfit here (which I wore to work today) I look exactly the same as when I wasn't pregnant!


But in this outfit, clearly, the jig is up.


Time to diligently rub that stretch cream on daily. Does anyone recommend any good creams? I've been using Mustela cuz I love the smell and someone highly recommended it to me, but it's kind of pricey. I tried Palmer's Cocoa Butter, but it smells too awful.

In other news, I've met the first of several babies recently born to my childhood friends. Here's me and little Isaac, just 2 weeks old, developmentally speaking (he's been out of the womb for at least 7 weeks).


My goal is to knit a special little item for each of my friend's babies. Here's Isaac's little cardigan cuz his mom said she likes the color green.


I don't think there's anything closer to heaven on earth than holding a newborn baby. Even when he was grunting strenuously as he pooped in my arms. So sweet. So stinky, yet so sweet.