The Guessing Game...

People have been asking me what I think the baby might weigh, and I have no idea, so lets have a little fun with these last few days of torture, er, I mean um, blissful pregnancy.


Edited Mar. 1/09 to add my latest belly photo. Feel free to amend your guess if you've already made one.

Leave a comment at the end of this post with your projected due date (the one I was given is March 11/09 with March 25/09 being 42 wks, the latest I'm assuming I could go) and what you think the baby might weigh. Whomever gets closest might win something...no hard and fast promises on this one as we won't know the results until after the baby is born and well, as people are wont to keep reminding me, there will be no time for normal life as I've known it. But should I have a nano-second to form a thought, I will come up with a nice little sumthin-sumthin. For a knitter, likely some yarn from my stash (at present, I'm thinking of the sock variety as I have lots and have become somewhat disenchanted with some of it). If ye be a non-knitter, I'll send you yarn anyway in an attempt to get you hooked. Of course I kid. Maybe chocolate. Who doesn't like chocolate?

Anyhow, that's all I've got for today. The van is in the shop being tuned up and detailed and then likely installed with a car seat later, depending on when it comes home I guess. I should really take a second look at that thing, see if I can figure out how it works. In any case, I have nowhere to be and no way to get there anyway.

Miss Pinta's room is pretty much all set to go now too. Only took me, uh, a week and a half to get all the shower gifts put away? :) We also received a HUGE box of hand-me-downs from Pinta's cousin K. and that has taken me a long while to go through and organize. You should see this childs closet and dresser now. It's insane. She'll be outfitted for the next year with everything combined.



Here's a photo of Pinta's flock. I tried not to go all themey with the room, but as you can clearly see...



...one sorta snuck in anyway. But really...sheep. It was inevitable.

Until later...

Loves me some Picot...

Helena is finished. Still needs a good blocking, but I couldn't wait for it to dry to take photos. I'm not sure why, but I thought this would take me longer to finish than it did, and now I'm at a loss as to what to start next. Another baby project? Something for me? I do still need to finish a little hoodie I started a while back, but I dunno...it's kinda meh to me now.



Alrighty, mods I made; none other than doing a picot edging around the front/neck edge instead of the garter stitch that the pattern called for (I'd seen some others do the same in Ravelry and thought it looked more appropriate than the garter). Loves me some picot. It's just so sweet. Also, I did some I-cord ties, two of them, both 8 inches long and sewn on the inside of the front edging. I just can't help but sit and admire my handiwork with this one. Usually by the time I'm done a project, I cast off, block, photo shoot, do a little admiring and then away it goes and onto the next thing. But I've been carrying this little sweater around the house with me and just keep looking at it and smoothing it out and futzing with the edges. Maybe it's the colour, maybe it's the pattern, maybe it's the fact that the two go so well together. And when put together with the little dress, it's just, well, a-freaking-dorable.

I'm loving this little girl crafting gig. The only thing I truly regret is that I never got around to making her a little baby quilt. I have a sweet little pattern that I used to make a few for other babies in my life and every time I made one I was all bummed out that I had no legitimate excuse to keep it. And it's so easy to make too...just squares really. I had all intentions of knitting or crocheting my own baby blanket to go with the colours in the baby's room too, but that never panned out either. I'm pleased with what I have accumulated thus far in terms of hand made projects, but still...this quilt thing is bothering me. Maybe I'll truck up to the craft room and see if I can't make a start at least. I'd like to bring her home with it, but who knows if that will happen. Although, at my appt. yesterday, the lovely nurse (she truly is, couldn't be nicer) kindly reminded me that I could have as much as four weeks left to wait. Now, as much as I like her and as lovely as she is, I think that's just a cruel thing to say to such a hugely pregnant woman as myself. I am measuring 40 cm at 38 wks. That should count for something, shouldn't it? Please? Throw me a bone here people.

Anyhow, now that I've brought it up, I've got the sewing itch today. And there are more bloody flurries out there so the trip to the post office will have to wait another day. Until later...

Overwhelmed...

We now have a new laundry category at our house. There's whites, darks, colours and now, pink. Man I hope the UC Baby ultrasound tech didn't screw this one up and the baby ends up coming out a boy, cuz, well, it'll be one pinkly-dressed little man.

Seriously, the generosity of people just overwhelms me sometimes. I took this last night to send to my mom, the sum total of both of my baby showers and I thought I would share it with you guys. What a lucky little baby.

Wednesday night my Knit Nite ladies threw me the loveliest little potluck supper and shower. The pink tulips you see in the photo were courtesy of my host, Nova Knitter. I can't stop admiring them, as they bring a much needed burst of spring into this never ending winter (tenth snow storm of the season hit yesterday and stupid me didn't go out the day before for groceries. Made the constable come with me in the driving snow and rain yesterday. I think he might hate me just the tiniest bit).



Since this is primarily a knitting blog, here is just the knitted items I received. And since I also take fairly lousy pics, check out their blogs individually for better photos and descriptions; Heddy, Nova Knitter and Lexa (can't seem to isolate specific posts, but the most current one has the little purple tunic/dress...she also knit me a lovely baby blanket which I'm she'll get around to posting about as well :) )



And from the blog-free among our little group. I won't mention their names since I'm not sure if they want to be talked about online, but the felted booties came from one, the bolero and washcloths another and the little lovey toy and pink hat a third fellow Knitterpudlian.

Really, I'm rendered quite speechless. I'm in love with every single thing and seriously can't wait to use or play with or dress my little Pinta in her stuff :) I seemed to be on a bit of a high yesterday after the orgy of gift receiving and when at the Superstore, had a bit of a falling down at the bargain bin of shoes. I'd show a pic of that but the camera done died last night after the photo shoot and the battery needs charging. But lets see, I did acquire, um, five new pairs of shoes and one pair of slippers (not to mention four pair of mitts/gloves that won't fit her for YEARS). Everything was a dollar to two dollars. See, I'm really saving money in the long run. Thinking ahead. Okay, way ahead.

Anyhow, I'm very blessed to have such thoughtful people in my life. Today I'm hoping to get everything organized and put away in little miss' room, which will also be lots of fun for me. I love just being in there puttering around.

By the way, if anyone is in need of a gift bag or tissue paper for a baby girl's baby shower, look no further. I can totally hook you up.

Until later...

FO Round-up...

So I have been finishing a few things.



First up, socks. Pour moi & bebe. Not sure when they'll fit her, probably not until six months or older. Tanis 'Sweetheart' colourway. Appropriate. Pattern of my own devising I suppose (just cast on and keep knitting). Love the colour.


Flame On Baby Hat by Jessy Henderson; Lana Wool Gatto in orange and brown, started and finished on Feb. 7/09 or thereabouts.

Second up, a wee little hat for our impending nephew. I'm told that Pinta needs one as well, and I'm not opposed, although I think I'll do hers in orange and white. Too cute. And easy.


Helena by Alison Green Will; Tanis 'Spearmint'.

Third up, a WIP. Not finished yet, but getting there. I'm thinking this will be one of those mythical baby sweaters that upon it's finishing, the baby will arrive and not one minute sooner (or so says the Harlot I think). This is the little sweater to go with the little sun suit I made. I'm pleased with how it's turning out.

That's about it so far.

One thing I wish I'd done more of during this pregnancy; played more music for miss Pinta in-utero. I've got my iTunes rockin' right now with the speakers right at belly level and boy did someone wake up in a hurry. She was digging on Billy Bragg and Wilco earlier and bless her little heart, seems to be a big fan of The Tragically Hip. Kicky-kick, bumpity-bump, and this may be totally wishful thinking, but I could've sworn for a brief nano-second, she was actually keeping time. So it's decided; no tv for her, just a steady diet of rock n' roll.

Until later...

Warm Fuzzies...

Is it really Tuesday already? I'm totally losing track of the days over here.

So Sunday night I was ambushed by the lovliest bunch of ladies. I walked rather unkwowingly into my sorta surprise baby shower. I say sorta cuz I knew two of my good friends were planning on hosting one for me, but I wasn't sure when. Under the guise of a potluck couples supper, they roped me in and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.

When talk of the supper started, I volunteered to make a main dish, lasagna. To their credit, my friends tried to steer me in the direction of dessert, which is my usual choice for potlucks. But lasagna it was. All week I've been hamstrung by a lousy cold, which of course I can't take anything for, and waffled on whether or not I was going to be able to go at all. But I managed to feel alright by the time Sunday rolled around and made the aforementioned lasagna.

The constable came home a little early from work to drive me and the lasagna down the road to supper. As we approached, I noticed a lot more cars in and around the driveway than I was expecting. I said to him, 'How many people were invited to supper? I didn't make enough lasagna to feed all these people.' He played dumb of course and it wasn't until we were fully in the driveway and I could see in the window that I realized it was a baby shower for moi.

I was a truly lovely and heartwarming surprise, although I felt so sheepish as I hadn't put myself together as much as I would've liked. I was dressed in my comfies, just jeans and a gigantic hoodie and my face was all red and blotchy from my cold as I figured make-up was futile if one has to keep blowing one's nose. But no one cared.

It really was quite wonderful to be in the company of everyone who arrived and surrounded by so many who were truly excited and happy for myself and the bump. And the constable too. I received so many wonderful items, all of which are much needed and appreciated. I'd post a pic, but that would mean I'd have to take one, which would mean I have to get up and I'm sorry to admit that the cold has me beaten down once again.

But the story isn't over. I have yet ANOTHER event to attend. My yarny compatriots have conspired to throw me a shin-dig tomorrow night as well, during our Knit Nite get together. I'm one lucky little (not so much) pregnant lady I tell you. So many good people.

For now though, I'm going to crawl back into bed, see if I can't shake this bug. I'm hoping it doesn't stick around too much longer. Only 22 days or less at this point, and I'd rather only concentrate on being labour or having a cold...not both at the same time.

Until later...

Retail and Fabric Therapy...

First up, the retail therapy.

Saturday I decided to venture to that little travelled place called 'outside' and made my way to Mahone Bay with birthday money in hand. I'm glad I picked a day that was warm and sunny, although I anticipated that my little lone excursion would be way more fun that it actually was. Turns out that I am just way too pregnant for anything to be tonnes of fun at this point. I couldn't stand for long, I certainly couldn't get down to some of the yarn and oh my stars (to borrow an expression) was I warm :) Have a Yarn is warm on the best of days. Throw in nine months of pregnant, a winter coat and sun streaming in the windows and you have a nuclear meltdown on your hands. I had hoped to avoid wearing my coat in, but I couldn't park quite close enough for that.

Anyhow, I managed to do a fair amount of damage anyway. Behold...(ignoring the mess in the background)



I now have a swift. I've been wanting one forever and yet when I finally did purchase it, I thought it kind of silly since my yarn buying may be slowing down considerably in the next little while. Meh...ah well. It's purdy. That is some Fleece Artist mill end, sock weight I think. It didn't have a tag. It was on sale. Whee.



What would a yarn shopping trip be without more Tanis? This time in the Spearmint colourway. Well on my way to having the whole collection. And so nice to be able to cake it up and use it right away now.

Which is where the fabric therapy came in today.

I was reading Chicken Betty's blog yesterday and she was playing with fabric that was just so pretty and fresh and, well, springy. Made me realize that when wanting for spring and cooped up (no pun intended I swear) cuz of the cold, a little infusion of colour can be a wonderful thing. So off to the fabric stash I went. Well, to be honest, I had visited it a little prior to my yarn shopping trip and here's why...



It may be kind of hard to make out, but the greeny-blue yarn matches the greeny-blue fabric bang on. That came out of the stash. The yellow fabric I picked up on the way home from yarn shopping (sheesh, almost forgot about that). The purpose? Pinta needs dresses. We're hoping to make a trip home to Ontario in the oppressive (a word I do not use for dramatic effect in the least) heat and humidity of late summer where central air reigns supreme. Solution for small babies? Light cotton sun suits with lightweight little sweaters, that's what I think.



Ta-da :) (I have to use smileys instead of exclamation points...while I've discovered another avenue for a 1, there has not been a similar solution for the exclamation point on my broken laptop keyboard...arg). Having a fabric stash is a good thing. Didn't quite have enough for the bloomers so I used a co-ordinating fabric for those, as well as the ruffle on the back of the top.



See? Too freakin' cute. And easy. I made a couple of these for my niece way back when she was a wee babe (all of two years ago) and heard that they went over well in the humidity of Florida on vacation, which, honestly, is comparable to my hometown in August. I get the biggest kick out of pattern sizing too. That is the 'newborn' size there and it looks to me like it would fit a six month old or older. So I think I'm good. I plan to start the little sweater tonight sometime (no, not taking my own 'stop knitting' advice...I'm too fidgety without the knitting, sore hands be damned) and hopefully get the yellow dress sewn up tomorrow. I petered out around mid afternoon and lay down for a nap, thinking I'd only been out an hour or so, only to wake and discover three hours had disappeared (and that my husband had the same idea and conked out on the couch downstairs...with the dog. My no couch rule undermined yet again).

I feel much refreshed after my little fabric therapy. I'll likely be rummaging through the stash again to see what else I can come up with. Until later...

A Dog and his Dog...

Just thought I would inject a little cute into your day. Until later...

Done Like Dinner...

35 wks. along and only 35 days left...huh.


Seamless Baby Kimono by Jacki Kelly; Lana Gatto Prestige cashmere in soft pink; started Jan. 28/09, finished Feb. 1/09: Baby Bonnet made of the same yarn...heavily improvised from a bonnet pattern I have on hand, started and finished Feb. 2/09.

Well, I think I may have finally done it. I may have knit myself completely out of commission. I was quite enjoying working on this little kimono and so knit on it steadily. Then became obsessed with the bonnet and pretty much knit it in one sitting. My hands have been paying the price ever since. They're screaming, day and night. I didn't knit a stitch yesterday, hoping it might calm them down but no such luck. They're actually so sore and numb that they are waking me up at night now. So this little outfit may very well be the last baby item I knit before miss Pinta arrives. Which, to be truthful, is okay by me. Sure, there are lots of lovely little things I have planned, but I think this sweet set is the one I'll bring her home in, so if I must stop, then this seems like a good place to do so.

I really wanted to wait and blog about them once the bonnet was blocked and trimmed with a pretty ribbon tie, but yesterday was the pits weather wise and I honestly don't see myself making my way out there today either to get what I need. I seem to be having a hard enough time navigating my own kitchen at times, forever tripping on the dog's rawhide which magically appears right under my feet, no matter where I seem to step. Seems as though I can't even see Roscoe anymore, Hanks large-enough-not-to-miss stuffed buddy. I miss seeing my feet, I really do.

I am also working on a little hooded cardi as well, which is at the sleeves but was abandoned in favour of knitting with cashmere, as the cardi is acrylic. It's okay for a while, then I just need to play with some natural fibre. If my hands feel any better in a day or so, I might pick that back up again and give it a go. But for now, even typing is irritating so I'll take my leave. Until later...