This is K when she was about 2. I had made this suspender dress from this book and was thinking about making it again so I unearthed these images. I was then pummeled with nostalgia. Do you see those curls? I loved her curls. Shortly after this photo was taken, her hair started to grow out straighter, pushing the spiral tendrils toward the bottom – business on top, party on the bottom. At age three, we cut off the last remnants of curls and I still mourn that day.
Don’t get me wrong, she still has gorgeous (albeit rat’s nest-esque) hair but I felt like the loss of curls was symbolic of a major transition. From toddlerhood to little-girl-hood, maybe.
We went ice skating this past weekend, something we hadn’t done in a few years. Back when she was barely out of waddling stage, she held on to me for dear life and I returned the death grip. But this time at age six, she asserted herself and didn’t want me to coddle her. She would constantly slip her hands out of mine, though she lamented loudly that she wasn’t good at ice skating and kept falling over and over. But she got up each time, screwing up her face in concentration, clinging to the side of the rink. I felt that same mourning – of a letting go.
At each stage of K’s life, I think “this is the best.” Well, except maybe when she was three-and-a-half. The terrible twos were nothing compared to the terrifying threes. Six, though, is kind of a magical age.
There are many reasons I make clothes for K: the creative outlet, the sewing practice it affords me, the sheer joy of it. But mainly it makes me slow down, pay attention to how much she’s growing and changing, think about who she is and who she will become. It’s awesome.
P.S. That radiator never worked so K was not in any danger. Just in case you were wondering. And those boots are rockin’, no?
Eesh… terrifying threes?!? I’m in the terrible twos… I hope she gets it out of her system before three. 😉 I feel the exact same why I sew for the girls.
Oh Venus, I feel for you! I always marveled at how much force could be contained in such little bodies..,
You totally need to make this again, it’s such a great outfit! Making things for our loved ones is so rewarding… She will love that you did this when she’s grown. Some of my most cherished possessions are the few remaining handmade ornaments my mom made for me when I was little.
Handmade ornaments are the best! My husband’s grandmother knitted a hilarious baseball player ornament complete with a removable glove when he was a kid. We love putting it on our tree every year.
I’m the most sentimental sap around, so totally get the bittersweetness that came along with cutting her curls, watching her refuse help while skating, etc. It’s in the little things that you notice them growing up, and your heart aches just a bit because we want to hang onto each precious moment. But each new stage is so fun too:)
And I just have to say – your daughter is so very beautiful. Those curls, obviously, would make anyone green with envy, but also those deep brown eyes! Gorgeous!
It really is about the little things, isn’t it? K looks very much like her Daddy in these images – on several occasions people asked me if I was her nanny!
beautiful dress, gorgeous K – and i hear the pain (and the pride) in the letting go.
it starts with potty training + then it’s downhill all the way 🙂
a new phase superimposes on the last, it’s thrilling
but you don’t want to let go of that last one, or the one before that . . .
So true, so true, xenia.