Two...

I was scolded last night at Knit Nite for not being more prompt in posting some two week photos of little miss. I may have created a monster here with my promise of weekly photos. But yesterday was a busy day for all of us. Doctor's appt. in the morning and then we decided to see how a shopping trip to Bridgewater (approx. 30 min drive away) would go. It went well. We wrapped up our errands just as she was getting hungry and cranky, so there was only a few minutes of screaming until we got back on the highway. Overall, Miss Bean is a well behaved little social butterfly. In this last week, she's been to her first social get together, her first Knit Nite and can now include Shoppers Drug Mart and WalMart in her litany of Marts that she's visited.

Onesie courtesy of Carrie @ Carrie's Work Basket. CBC logo...that girl totally gets me (well, CBC Kids logo...same diff). See Heddy? She does have eyes. And they do open from time to time.

Blogging temporarily interrupted by thoroughly horrifying dirty diaper. I had no idea just how psychologically scarring those could be.

Yes, my wee one seems to enjoy being in a crowd. Just sleeps the whole time, totally content amongst the chatter and the noise and being passed about. Only problem with that seems to be when we get home, where it's apparently TOO quiet for her liking and she's up and cranky when her parents would like to be settling down for the night. C'est la vie. That's the whole parenting gig I suppose.

So, things I've learned over the last two weeks;

-I'm not ready to give up elasticized waist band pants just yet. And I'm not even sure that is possible at this point. The landscape of my belly is now so foreign to me, and I'm totally befuddled as to where to go next in the clothing department. I suspect that there may be a market for a post-partum shop, much like maternity wear. I can't conceive of any regular pant on the market that would a) be comfortable in my current state or b) be at all flattering.

-This may be in direct relation to the previous point, but I think I might be enjoying spending most of the day in my robe a little too much.

-I'm learning to really not mind (perhaps bordering on even enjoy) the taste of cold coffee.

-I had no inkling that baby poop could be that colour. I'm guessing that this is because she is a formula fed baby (can't nurse, long story...okay, not so long but just don't feel like telling it...no judging please).

-She's a very easy going baby who sleeps like ninety-nine percent of the time and I'm still exhausted. Hats off to you parents out there who stick it out through colic. Jebus.

-That it is entirely possible to be absolutely desperate to and yet not give a rat's ass about cleaning one's house, all at that same time. How does that work?

-That two seemingly well-adjusted adults can be reduced to blithering idiots any time their offspring does something remotely cute or indicative of intelligence.

-One of the side effects of giving birth that they don't tell you about is that you will, under no control of your own, add a 'Y' sound to all words concerning the baby. Example; Diaper = diapey; spit-up = spitty.

Anyway...it's an adventure. Occasionally I find a few minutes to knit. Actually, I was never one to really enjoy car knitting (little bit of motion sickness) but the last few trips of any length have yielded quite a bit of progress. Behold...


Blackrose by Suzi Anvin from Knitty Winter 2008; Fleece Artist somethingorother...it was a gift.

I wasn't really digging on this pattern for the longest time, but for some reason, when I started on the foot, it all kinda came together for me. I think this is the right foot. With this pattern, the lace motif falls on opposite sides of the leg, so there is a definite right and left foot. Which is kinda cool.

Alrighty, bloggy time is over. Someone is awake and cranky. Until later...

One Week...

Okay, so I'm totally taking Carrie's idea here, but it's a good idea, so hopefully she won't mind.

Sorta surreal that it's been a whole week already. It feels like yesterday and a million years all at the same time. She's delightful and a very easy baby to take care of at the moment, which is a blessing as it's affording me lots of time to rest. Plus I'm very lucky to have her daddy here while he's on parental leave. We're so fortunate to be able to take advantage of that.



So, knitting content. I haven't any recollection of when exactly I started this little hat (Bunny hat, Susan B. Anderson), but I did finish it in the hospital whilst waiting for little miss' arrival. All it needs is a few pink ribbons around the ears and then it's done. I brought this and a sock with me to work on as part of my 'labour knitting'. HA. In the words of the immortal Wayne Campbell...shyea...right. Like I had any inclination to knit. But whatever. Don't have a pic, but since being home, I've worked on the sock a bit. Pattern? Hmmm...is it Black Rose? I don't remember. I'll post about it when it's a little further along.

And that's all she wrote on the knitting front. I suppose that it's inevitable that the blog will morph a bit into the 'mommy blogging' arena. But just a little bit. Today we all ventured out into the world for a bit a normal day. First doctors visit (did very well...didn't fuss, gained some weight, yahoo), first trip to the grocery store, first show-off visit to daddy's office. Slept through pretty much all of it. Takin' it pretty easy on her old mom so far.

I'm off now to finish sipping away on my glass of cabernet sauvignon. Oh sweet nectar...how I've missed thee. Until later...

Hellooooooooooooooooo Gorgeous...

We're working on the jazz hands.

Hey everybody :) I'm back. We're home now with baby making three (well, four...we mustn't forget Hank in all of this). Please allow me to proudly introduce the lean, mean Pinta Bean...or as we might call her from time to time, Avery Sophia. She did indeed make her way into the world at 8:56 am on Wed. March 25, 2009. Weighing in at a whopping 10 lbs., 2 oz., (no, that is NOT a typo) it was a very long, awful, harrowing ordeal that all started with attempts at induction way back a million years ago, last Friday. I won't go into every gory little detail, but lets just say by 7:30 am Wed. morning, with labour having started for realz late Monday night and both of us having given it the old college try on our own, I pulled rank and opted for a c-section and that was that. When they announced what she weighed at the time of birth, I knew right then and there it was the correct decision. She was facing the wrong way anyway, face up and all that. It just wasn't happening. And there was very little left of me in terms of energy or sanity at that point. (PS: Her daddy bought her that sheep. It was a big hit among the hospital staff. He's calling her his little ram, on account of the fact that she's frickin' huge and also an Aries. He's so getting on board with this sheep thing. Also, get a load of all that hair. It totally cracks me up).



See, I'm so crafty I make quilts and sweaters and people too.

So here's the dainty little cashmere kimono I made, stretched to it's limit on those linebacker shoulders. Don't care. Still adorable. I mean really...who doesn't look lady-like in a bonnet? Anyhow, Avery as you can well imagine is as healthy as a little horse and spoiling me rotten with all of this seemingly non-stop sleeping. Only stirring every four hours to chug back a bottle and then off to la-la land again. I can't speak for her, but I for one have never been so happy to be home in my whole life. The staff at the hospital were above and beyond exceptional in terms of their level of support and care. I can't thank them enough for everything that they did for us. And of course they fussed and fawned over the wee one so much that I left there thinking that I have the best baby ever. But no matter what, there's no place like home. I'm still dealing with some wonky high blood pressure and of course the post-op stuff, but overall, I gotta say, I feel pretty good. Exhausted, but good.



For someone who's pretty reluctant to post their pic online under the best of circumstances, I'm quite surprised that I'm opting to post this one at all. Must be the drugs. But as I said, it was a long hard battle and while I didn't believe anyone at the time, it was so totally worth it. Like all brand new parents I'm sure, the constable and I are just in another dimension, one where all you do is sit and watch a sleeping baby and comment on how genius she is for figuring out that whole breathing thing.

Super huge thanks to my bestest BF Carrie for blogsitting and keeping you all updated and entertained at the same time. She's always got my back. Thanks to all of you out there who left lovely comments of support and congratulations. It's heartwarming to know that people are so excited, despite the fact that many of us have never met. Awesome.

Clearly no one won the date portion of the contest, but I'll have to review the list again and see if someone made or came close in the weight category. Still reeling a bit from that one myself. I mean, I had given up quite some time ago that she'd be the delicate little seven pounder I was hoping for. But good grief Charlie Brown, ten pounds? The OB had trouble getting her shoulders out...during a c-section. Yowseh.

Anyway...I'm slowly slipping into my Tylenol 3 nap now, so I'll leave it here. Just wanted to fill in the blanks and brag a bit about my newest little creation. Let the parade of knitwear begin...hehehe.

Until later...

Jubilation! Yeah! Celebrate! Hugs!

SHE DID IT, SHE DID IT, SHE DID IT! YEAH! Miss Pinta is here! Mom and babe are safe and doing well. Marti will tell you the particulars herself when she gets home.

In the meantime let me take this opportunity to say how proud I am of our brand new mom - she totally kicks ass! What a trooper! Oh words fail me right now, I am just sooo excited for her!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Ok, Ok, I'm sure Marti wouldn't mind if I shared one detail - Miss Pinta has sandy brown hair!

Soft & Sqwishy

No baby news folks, but everyone is OK. In the meantime let me share some cuties with you:




Available at http://www.squishable.com/s/

Wild and Woolly 2009

Sorry, no baby news just yet. So while we wait a post I'm hoping will at least be of interest to the yarnies among you.



Science enthusiasts (COPUS) have declared 2009 to be the year of science, the Chinese calendar has declared this to be the year of the Ox and of particular interest to knitters the United Nations has declared 2009 to be the Year of Natural Fibres.

There is even an event in Liverpool, NS called the First Annual Maritime Fibre Arts Retreat on April 3-5.

Keep the Fleece is also marking the Year of Natural Fibres with a number of activities including a unique fundraiser where groups can simultaneously contribute to the world's longest scarf and help buy sheep for farmers in developing nations.


How awesome is that?

Yipee!

Gotcha! You probably thought that cry of joy was baby related, but alas it is not. That is the sound that I guest blogger extraordinare, Carrie from Carrie's Workbasket made when Marti said I could blog-sit for her. I know, not very sensitive of me, but I am just so thrilled about playing in someone else's backyard for a few days that I decided my first post would selfishly be just about that.

While here it is my goal to:

a - keep you briefed on baby related going ons (We are still on baby watch)
b - keep on with the crafty goodness Marti is so well known for (But of course in my own fashion)

Calling on St. Patrick...

We...have found evidence...just today...that in our home...there is the distinct possibility...that...we...have...a rat. Not a mob informant, like Rizzo from the Muppets...only not at all cute.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

Freakin' gross. Seriously, the irony (is irony correct?) of finding such evidence on today of all days is just a little much. Since I don't play the flute, I settled for my classical guitar (#987 on the list of things that are difficult to do when nine, nay, ten months pregnant) and hope that it scared it away (it's been a seriously long time since I've practised). I have to say, the two of us are positively befuddled and totally put off by the fact that there might be a RAT, ARRRRRRG, in our house. And of course we discover this only minutes after the hardware store has closed, negating any possibility of picking up a rat trap tonight.

A rat...a freakin' rat. I didn't even know there were rats in NS. Is this possible? At least I hope it's a rat. As opposed to some other kind of woodland creature or something. Or a freakin' huge mouse. The constable is the one who did the internet search...he seems convinced it's a rat anyway. I, however, am on bed rest at the moment, so I'm taking his word for it. Freaking out, but taking his word for it.

Oh yeah, the bed rest thing. Well, I'm having blood pressure issues and so am confined to bed (I'm taking liberties and including couch as well) for today at least. I have to go back for another assessment tomorrow to see where I stand. Fun fun. Thankfully I've got my hubby here for four days while he's got regular time off so depending on how things go tomorrow, we may be looking at induction sometime this week still. I'm taking full advantage of being waited on, and am now wishing they had put me on bed rest like a week ago. It's kinda sa-weet...hehehe. All that is missing is a little bell.



Anyway...I meant to show these the other day. My ma sent another package for the babe and these were inside. The bouquets are made up of little onesie outfits. Aren't they adorable? I hate to take them apart.



And while serving my bed rest, I finished a pair of duck feet from Zoe Mellor's 50 Baby Booties To Knit. Ya know, in case this kid decides to show up by Easter at least. Tonight I plan to start a bunny hat. So I've got all my bases covered.

Also, a couple people asked about the bags and dresses in my last post. I can be quite lax about posting my sources for patterns etc. Anyhow, again, I don't have the exact info, but the bag pattern was a Sewing For Dummies one. Sorry I don't have more than that. That would require me going upstairs, and we all know that's against the rules...hehehe. As for the pillowcase dresses, I used this website as my guide.

That's about it. Hope y'all had a nice, rat free St. Paddy's Day. Until later...

Multiplicity...

No baby yet.

This is my 304th post. That's insane. I've filled 304 blog posts with not a whole lot to say about yarn and fabric and occasionally, my dog. Or the weather. And yet still you read. Bless you.



Still doing a little sewing to keep myself entertained. I've been on a bag jag the last little while. I inherited a bunch of quilting fabric from the constables grandmother a while back, when she was clearing out and downsizing. Nice stuff, but some of it...well, I wasn't sure what I would do with it. I like to quilt, but they are the kind of 'few and far between' projects. Anyhow, I'm continuing my efforts to de-stash a bit and lighten my load, at least with respect to craft room if nothing else. And it's been really fun to turn inward and challenge myself to making stuff from materials I already have...this is what I keep telling myself when the reality is I can't manage to be upright for more than five minutes at a time, so going out and procuring said materials is, like, a righteous pain in the ass. Anyhow, four bags so far and yesterday I found a few more remnants that might do well for this particular pattern. These make nice little knitting project bags so who knows...some lucky knitters out there might be in possession of one at some point.



On one of my Frenchy's sprees, I picked up a couple of pillowcases, intending to try out the whole pillowcase dress thing, and seeing as it's simple and fast, I managed to bang out three of them. The faded blue paisley one was from a set of my own sheets, ones that I loved dearly (strange how you get attached to stupid things) and for some reason, I hung onto the pillowcase. Anyhow, it was my tester. It is the 12 mos. size, the orangey-ish one, 18 mos. and the one with the blue roses, 2T. I was thinking these would make really great beach cover ups or just bumming around in the sandbox kind of wear. Things that I'm not going to get too fussy over if they get incredibly dirty. They really are quite cute. There was enough pillowcase left over that I was thinking of making little draw-string bags. Ya know...for shell collecting or the like.

No knitting to speak of really as I've sorta lost my mojo. But I did wake up this morning feeling the urge to cast on a new project, which was a delightful change of pace. So who knows. Two projects that I had started have bitten the dust. A grey (what was I thinking?) sweater I started for my nephew is now in the circular file and a pair of socks that I started for myself just weren't doing it for me, and have since been frogged and re-caked. I feel very good about these decisions. Sometimes deconstruction is as satisfying as the construction.

It's a beautiful day and of course I'd love to be able to take the Hankster for a nice long walk. Alas, we are cloistered. What did they used to call it? Confinement. Yeah, they kinda weren't kidding. He's been such a good boy for the most part. He tolerates all the napping very well. Thankfully it's staying lighter much longer and the hubs can get him out a bit if he's home from work early enough. I just keep telling Hank that pretty soon, things will get better for him and I promise to get him out more often. That first walk with the stroller and a freaked out, holy-snappin'-crap-Lou-I-haven't-been-for-a-walk-since-summer-of-'08 German Shepherd should be interesting. Poor guy.

Anyhow, that is all. Until later...

Still Here...

Just in case you were wondering.

No...

...no baby yet.

Just Keep Sewing...

Yep, still here. No baby yet. 39 weeks and 1 day pregnant.

I feel like Dory, the forgetful fish from Finding Nemo wherein I keep chanting to myself, 'Just keep sewing, just keep sewing...' (instead of swimming obviously). So I have been. Here's s'more stuff I've made.



Finally got around to making the dust ruffle for the crib. I thought since the matress was at the highest level that a dust ruffle might look goofy, so I wasn't in too much of a hurry to get it done (obviously, since I left it this long) but I think it looks rather sharp. You'd think at 39 weeks + 1 day pregnant I wouldn't have any disillusions about the contraints of my body, but it really is facinating how much in denial one can be, even at this point. It was quite a chore trying to get this damn duster ruffle on the crib at all. I still need the constable to straighten it out on the back side. It's all bunchy. Anyhow, I'm quite content now that the crib set is complete. Again, not something I had anticipated getting finished, but am pleased that it's done.



Here's a remnant of the animal panel so that you can see it more closely, cuz, well, it's uber cute. See the theme? An alligator wearing argyle carrying apples; an elephant in earmuffs eating...well, something, can't quite make it out. Anyhow, you get the idea.



Also made a hat for the little sunsuit. It's too big, but whatever. It's also cute.



Eons ago, fellow knitter and fabric enthusiast Heddy and I were out and about doing some fabric shopping and she stumbled upon a whole heap of Mountie themed fabric, which I promptly cleaned the store out of. The intention all along was to make a crib sheet and matching receiving blanket, shown above, and I still have enough of this particular one to make at least a little pair of toddler pajama pants.

And I've started a little sweater for my new nephew Nolan (say that three times fast) which I neglected to photograph. Just picture grey garter stitch. No really, it'll be cute when it's done.

So yeah...I'm running out of things to craft. This kid better show up soon or I'll be forced to start on the window dressings I've been saying I'm going to get to for nearly a year now.

I'm off to nap now. Until later...

Quilt Guilt...

...has been exercised from my system. Granted, the actual quilting part has yet to take place, but it is all put together and could be put into use if need be. It's one of those quick turning type quilts, where you sew the top and back together with the batting sandwiched inside out and flip it, if that makes any sense. I forgot to note the pattern info, but I'm pretty sure it's a Simplicity pattern called something to the effect of Aunt Edna's Pinwheel Baby Quilt.



Close up. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I love this pattern and as I mentioned in the previous post, have used it a number of times before. I think the end result (really wish it showed up as bright and cheerful as it is in real life, but it's a dull day and the flash made it look too yellowy) is sweet and springy and for me anyhow, surprisingly traditional. In terms of fabric choice anyway. All of the fabric came from fat quarters I had in my stash, which I've collected over the years thinking, 'these would make a sweet little baby quilt someday.' And so they've fulfilled their quilty destiny.



Back. I've been carrying the backing fabric around with me for years and years and years as well. It came from my mom who never got around to using it. When I done growed up, I inherited all of her sewing apparati like the sewing machine, serger, sewing scissors (Henckels no less...ma didn't mess around with her tools) sewing box etc., only ever misplacing her pinking shears which makes me sad, cuz they were a really great pair. She wasn't a huge crafter when I was growing up, certainly not to the scale of obsession that I've taken it, but I distinctly remember her pulling out the old machine (back then, an ancient brown and cream Singer that weighed about as much as an anvil) at Christmas time and going to town. She was no slouce. She was good at what she did, and was all about the details.

I have this memory of standing beside her at the kitchen table while she made little felt doves that I was allowed to help put glitter on. Even at that tender age, I remember thinking 'I wish I knew how to do that'. She used to let me just rifle through her sewing box, which I would do over and over and over again and I would look at everything and touch it all as though it was great and important treasure. Badges and labels and appliques; beads and buttons and pins; thread on wooden spools, a hook for rug hooking, tailors chalk. Now when I open up the sewing box, I still see these things and it brings about a wave of nostalgia. When I finished the quilt this morning and was sewing up the opening I used to flip it right side out, I thought of these little treasures.



I guess the 'Mom' would be me now.

Until later...

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...

31...

My BIL once said, upon turning 31 himself, that 30 was one thing. But now he was into his thirties. I'd say that's pretty accurate. Still doesn't bother me though. Just still seems rather shocking or surprising that I could actually be advancing in age when most days I feel about twelve. Same with this whole impending parenthood gig. Some days I'm like, 'They're going to just let me have a baby??? But I'm 12. 12 yr. olds shouldn't have babies.'

Anyway...it's my birthday. And it's not dismal or blustery or blizzarding outside. It's sunny and bright and not at all harshly cold. I woke up feeling refreshed rather than dragged out. In fact, I slept the whole night through pretty much, except for the requisite middle of the night trips to the loo. My hubby's present to me (well, one of them anyway) was one of those wedgie pillows for pregnant bellies. I didn't say anything, just thank you, but secretly I thought to myself, 'Um...something other than a baby item would've been nice.' Now however, after trying it out and waking up feeling half way normal, I worship him. He is the smartest and most compassionate human being I know. I had resisted this purchase myself for the last while since a) I wasn't convinced I really needed it and b) money was needed to be spent elsewhere for baby. But I suppose the tossing and turning, waking up with sore hips, cranky morning demeanour, middle of the day fatigue and retreating to the pull-out couch when all else had failed may have convinced him. Not that his sleep was ever disturbed. Like that line from Christmas Vacation, my husband could sleep through 'a dump truck driving through a nitro-glycerin plant.' He just felt pretty badly for me and wanted to help. I'm one lucky chickadee.

His other gift is a yarn swift, to be picked up at my leisure. I spied one in Mahone Bay the last time I was there, and really, just should've grabbed it then. I kept buying skeins of yarn only to get home and realize that they were just squishy, colourful, decorative twists of fibre that I could only admire until one of my comrades in yarns took pity on me and allowed me to use theirs. Which is sorta silly. I'm a serious enough yarn consumer now to justify owning a swift.

So no real plans to speak of. A massage this afternoon, dinner later this evening. Should try and get Hank out for a play. It's been a few days and he's starting to get a little squirrelly. When the weather is bad or we're busy and we can't get him out for a proper run, he eventually gets what we lovingly refer to as 'Crazy Eyes'. The next stage after Crazy Eyes is maniacal running around the coffee table in the living room until he tires himself out a bit. This is not unusual dog behavior. The Jack Russell who lives in Ontario is quite fond of this activity himself. But he's fifteen pounds. It works really well for him and there is little or no risk of grievous bodily harm either to himself or any object in his path. Hank is a different story. He's 95 pounds. He's half way around the table before he even gets going. I'm just pleased the tv hasn't toppled over yet.

Anyhoo, until later. Off to enjoy the rest of my day.

Sunny Days...

Modified Drops Eyelet Baby Cardigan by Jennifer Little knit with Tanis Fiber Arts 'Buttercup'; started Jan. 12/09, finished Jan. 24/09.


The yarn was meant for the pattern, the pattern was meant for the buttons (in the stash...awesome) and the sweater is meant for miss Pinta. I had more than enough in one skein for the sweater. I might just have enough for a simple pair of booties. Only mods I made to the pattern were plain sleeves instead of lacy ones. I like lace, but I tire of it very quickly.

Anyhow, I enjoyed this knit. I think it's a sweet, sunny little sweater. Looks to me like a 6 month or so size, which will be perfect for cool late summer/early autumn nights.

Until later...

A Little Something Extra...

Debbie Bliss Pompom Beret, Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in Navy and White, started and finished Jan. 18/09.

The vest needed a beret. It's very wee. Way more wee than I had anticipated. I don't know when or if it will fit but I don't care. It's adorable.

Hoarding...

I watched this rather disturbing documentary last night about this Swiss film maker and his brother who had to contend with the contents of their mother's apartment after she had passed away. She ended up being a hoarder in her later life, and long story short, it took 7 dumpsters and four weeks just to clear out and clean up her flat. After that was finished, they had the vacation home in Greece to contend with, not to mention the 20-some odd cats that were congregated there as well. Then there were two storage lockers filled to brim. Yikes. Anyhow, it got me motivated to finally face the growing number of boxes that have migrated from the garage into my craft room that I told the constable that I would 'deal with later.' I don't want to end up being crazy cat/ 7 dumpster lady.

It was a sit down and plunk away at it kinda job, which is perfect for me in my present condition. The first garbage bag I filled was easy peasy...all stuff that I instantly knew I didn't want or need. Just accumulated stuff. The daunting part of the task was the first of two purple totes that I've been avoiding for not just months, but years. Years and years and years. I had carefully packed it's contents and thought to myself, 'There. I'll deal with that when I'm old.' Letters from friends long phased out of my life, notes passed in various school hallways, love letters from childhood sweethearts. This part was a little more difficult. These were all parts of me, parts of my life at one time. To keep or not to keep? That is the question.

But I found as I perused the seemingly endless pages of kindly written (and some, not so kindly) words was that, more than anything, I needed to make space. These things that I had been holding onto were good and great and wonderful in and of their time. Which has passed. So I winnowed. Considerably. That which is still relevant stayed. All else did not.

I think the funniest thing I re-discovered about my adolescent self was that I
wrote...a lot. I desperately wanted to be a writer back then. Somehow that just slipped quietly away. But there are volumes of random thoughts, (very deep ones mind you...wink) bad poetry and false starts at short stories. Some of it wasn't all that horrible either.

All of this was in my highschool notebooks. Gives you an indication as to how studious I was. I flipped through each trying to sift out any kernel or nugget worth keeping. I did end up keeping most of it. My most favourite find by far was the following.

Ya know when you're young and you're thinking about someone, you tend to write their name down? I was hurriedly flipping through one of my history notebooks looking to see if there was anything other than notes on medieval feudalism and my current last name happened to flash by. Which was a bit unusual, as I didn't posses it back in 1995. So I found the page. The date in the top right hand corner was Dec. 6, '95. Below that, written in large letters, was my first name, my middle initial, my maiden name. Below that, in equally large letters and a much fancier font was my husbands first name, middle initial, surname. We went to highschool together, but we never dated. Well, we had one sorta date, which I think was later than '95. We traveled in different circles. But on Dec. 6, I must've been thinking about him. Must've had a little crush, even back then. I had to show him. He thought that was pretty amusing. He strutted around for the rest of the afternoon. I don't even know how I knew his middle name back then. Anyway, it was fated I guess.


Debbie Bliss Cabled Tank Top in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in navy and white, sized 6 months-ish Started Jan. 5/09, finished Jan. 12/09.


Enough of the jibber-jabber. I finished another one of these DB Cabled Tanks, this time for miss Pinta and it's as cute the second time around as it was the first. I love this little thing. It's so adorable.



And here's what I might do with it...hehehe. Needs pants though.



What I am currently working on. Not so bad so far. I wanted to use my Tanis Buttercup for something baby, and this seemed like a good choice. I think the pattern calls for almost 400 yrds., which is what the yarn label states, so hopefully I'll have enough. It's nice and sunny and looking like a 6-9 month size or so. May I rave about the yarn again? It's wonderfully soft and stretchy. Great for baby knits methinks.

That's about it. Until later...

Disgruntled...

WARNING: This post contails course language and zero knitting content. This post contails the angry musings of a pregnant woman. Reader discretion is strongly advised.

An Open Letter to the Asshole who Soaked Me with Slush While I was Patiently Standing at my Rural Mailbox, Waiting for you to Pass so that I Could Safely Waddle Across the Road;

You, sir, are and asshole. And clearly driving too fast.

And since I've started the ball rolling...

An Open Letter to the Old Man Who Told Me to 'Smile' in the Grocery Store Parking Lot;

I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt and try to be reasonable when blogging about how much you pissed me off, but then I got slushed, so all bets are off.

I don't find it necessary to walk around in my every day life with a dumb ass grin on my face, do you? What you interpreted as perhaps an angry face was the intent concentration of an 8 month along pregnant woman walking, and not comfortably mind you, on wet pavement, making sure that with every step she didn't fall.

How about this for the next time you encounter someone who you feel might need some encouragement to lighten up; try smiling at them and giving them a standard greeting such as 'Hello, how are you today? Lovely day, isn't it? My, what a pretty hand-knit hat. Did you make that yourself?' Barking orders to 'SMILE' from 20 feet away just ain't gonna cut it, mister.

Now if you were someone that I know but didn't recognize, which is unlikely, but is sometimes the case, then, hey, my bad. Try referring to me by name next time and I'll be less likely to give you such a dirty look.

Continuing in this vein (this feels kinda good);

An Open Letter to the Superstore;

You never have what I want or what I'm looking for. Why is this? You're a grocery store. As a quick example, here's three options for bananas that I can look forward to upon entering your establishment. Which one on what day is a complete mystery. Part of the intrigue perhaps?

--Violent green bananas
--Diseased mostly brown bananas
--No bananas. Yes, we have no bananas today...apparently.

What happened to small jars of salsa? Why don't you carry peameal bacon? Why do people who want to chat congregate at the end of isles? Why are chicken breasts ten bloody dollars? Why do I spend twice as much money on groceries nowadays and get a quarter or what I used to in my cart? Why were the little pink baby pea coats on sale and not the little navy baby pea coats? I would've bought a navy one ya know.

*sigh*...now my dog just about bit me for trying to reprimand his barking. This day sucks.

Until later...

Giggle Worthy...

Whale of a Tail #103 Cabin Fever pattern, size 1-3 yrs., knit out of Patons Classic Merino, started Jan. 3/09: finished Jan. 4/09.

Hehehehehehe...

I had originally planned to give this to my neice but I'm pretty sure it'd be too small at this point. I should've knit one size larger. Good news is that I might know someone who could use a whale tail hat in about a year or so. *wink*

With Great Difficulty...

**Thank you to everyone for your comments and best wishes on the Jeep rollover post. You're a thoughtful bunch, you are. I passed along your thoughts to the constable and he was quite appreciative.**

That phrase would best describe my ability to engage in most activites of late. Particularly knitting. I seem to have developed pregnancy related carpal tunnel, and in addition to my hands swelling at times (mostly in the morning) my fingertips tend to go numb and my finger joints won't co-operate. It doesn't stop me from knitting entirely, but it does hold up the process quite a bit. Especially when I still have quite a few things I'd like to finish before Pinta Bean arrives. Ah well.


Classic Cardigan from Top Down for Toddlers by Linda and Deb Gemmell, Bernat Jr. Jacquards in Big Deal Teal size 1 year.

I did finish the top down cardigan though. I think it's sweet. I spent most of the day yesterday hunting down a sleeve of white buttons that I knew I had but could not find. It drove me nuts. Finally found them and there were only four instead of the five I needed and thought I had. Thankfully, I had these pink ones in my button stash. Kismit.



In addition to the yarn for the cardi, this is the sum total of my knitty Chritmas booty. The Yarn Harlot book was a gift from the constable and he had intended to include the Never Not Knitting page-a-day calendar, which was in stock when he ordered it. Then he was informed by the almighty Amazon that they wouldn't be able to send it with his order. Huh? Anyhow, there isn't one to be found online as of this morning. Weird. Cool that it's sold out, but sucky for me. I picked up the pattern guides myself after cashing in some Sears points for an Amazon gift cert. The yarn, buttons and the Jean Greenhowe Christmas pattern book were also a gift from me to me picked up at Have a Yarn the day after the constable's rollover. It was the calm me down purchase...hehehe. More Tanis there, this time in Buttercup. Not sure what I'll do with it, but I've been covetting it for a while now. I think I'm well on my way to amassing the entire collection.



And what I'm working on now. Another Cabin Fever pattern, this time the Whale of a Tail hat in Patons Classic Wool. Not sure who it's going to be for yet.

That's about it. The Jeep situation has been resolved and now the negotiations (between the two of us and then the dealerships) begin over if, when or what kind of new vehicle might be in our future. Meh. Not my most favourite thing to spend money on.

Until later...