shiso mama

I wanted to share these two baby presents that we recently received that are very dear to my heart. It definitely sounds like the hormones are affecting me, doesn’t it?

We became friends with a couple in our childbirthing class when I was pregnant with Otis. We shared rides home from class, and we became very fond of them. Unfortunately, soon after our sons were born, they moved to Massachusetts. However, we have kept in touch through letters and care packages. What is amazing to me is that not only do we receive presents from Takako when she visits her family in Japan, but we also receive the most thoughtful presents from her family as well. Remember this miso cake? It was pretty amazing, and so unusual. We recently received another package, and it included this bib:

As I looked at it more closely, I realized that not only was this bib reversible, but it had all been hand-stitched. By Takako’s sister. Whom I’ve never met before. Who lives in Japan. I felt so touched that someone I’ve never met before would send such a heartfelt gift, and it made me feel a little teary. Not as teary as the time I watched The Notebook on the airplane… but you get the point.

Here’s the other present that I wanted to share with you:

An outfit from one of my favorite designers, Makie. Have you tried that flavor of Kool-Aid yet? It’s quite tasty. This sweater and dress look so small and fine in person, I can barely believe that it’s for a six month old baby. I love how un-baby it looks. In fact, it’s exactly an outfit that I would wear. It’s the kind of outfit that would horrify my family - what???? dress a baby in black and grey???? They would think it a little depressing, but it’s exactly the perfect thing, in my mind. And the best part? This present came with the arrival of some of our closest friends from New York, who have just moved to San Francisco. I appreciate their efforts to coincide their move with my upcoming need for not only a doula but a night-time baby nurse.

Recently someone asked me if I had been stocking up on baby girl clothes and I was surprised to hear myself answer no. I’m not exactly sure why, although it may to do with the fact that the sea of pink whenever I walk into one of the chain stores still gives me vertigo. Last time, I think that buying baby clothes was my way of superficially dealing with impending motherhood because it was the easiest and most immediately gratifying way. In retrospect, it probably would’ve been a better idea to read more books on parenting and childbirth or do more yoga or something. But now, I’ve still mostly just got a dresser full of those little hadagi that my mom brought over from Taiwan. Since you asked, though, I’ll share with you a few of the things I’ve been coveting. You’ll see that I waver between the wildly patterned and the subdued.

My God, please please this dress from Makie.
These little sundresses and rompers from Kit + Lili.
Onesies and cottonsuits from ittikid.
These ridiculously expensive shoes.
And just about anything from Flora and Henri, and Mor Mor Rita.
Oh, and this shirt for Otis.