A New Sweater for a New Year

I knit a few things last year, but not very much. This year, I'm making "knit more" an official resolution for 2017. I love to do it, and there's nothing more relaxing or calming to me than sitting down with a ball of wool and needles. So, in theory, it should be easy to reach this goal. Right?

I'm off to a good start though with this sweater I finally finished for Esme. It's Granny's Favorite by Georgie Nicolson (you can get it on Ravelry) and it was fun and easy to knit.

I ended up knitting the pattern's largest size because somehow, and entirely without my permission, Esme has grown up. I look at these images and feel, once again, that familiar push and pull of a mother's heart. I want her to be that wispy haired little kid that couldn't pronounce her 'c' and 'k' words properly and always said titty tat instead of kitty cat. I miss the way she used to curl up on my lap for story time and my heart does flip flops on the rare occasion now that she'll actually hold my hand for a minute or two when we're walking.

But she's also so fun and so intelligent. We have inspiring conversations about books and she started a little book blog of her own a few months ago that I love to read. She recently won the school spelling bee, learned how to sew, and is truly the most helpful kid in the house. I have these glimpses lately of the woman she's growing into and I am amazed at the incredible person she's becoming. I just feel lucky to know her.

Push and pull. So it is.