Yarn Along January 25

Going to try to at least keep up weekly yarn along posts, with a bit of what I'm up to thrown in. Visit Ginny for lots of other yarn along fun.

Reading: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and Simplicity Parenting
(Contemplating) Knitting: This scarf for me

Last week's knitting project was found to be too big (again!) At least I didn't completely finish it this time! I'm trying to decide whether I can somehow shrink it (I know nothing about blocking, etc.) or if I should just start over in a smaller size. Is there a place on ravelry to get the low down on patterns (like do they run big? etc.)?

I also ran across this scarf on ravelry. Love that. If only I had that exact yarn in my stash... really should not buy more yarn... but what if the scarf used up the whole skein, then it wouldn't add to the stash... This is exactly how my rationalization works:)

I've been on a cinnamon toast kick (for myself). Making it the way my daddy did, yum. Savoring it while reading blogs alone during M's nap, so relaxing, BUT I really need to be working on paperwork/bill paying and sewing!

A first step on working to thrive and not just survive: prioritize to-do list or maybe throw the list away. There needs to be clearance (in my mind) for (sometimes) missing baby's nap and just going or doing what sounds fun. We have so much that needs to be done around the house, but it hasn't been done so far, so why spend time fretting about it? Fretting doesn't get it done, and it doesn't help me thrive. No fretting, okay? 'kay!

Yarn Along January 18

Going to try to at least keep up weekly yarn along posts. With a bit of what I'm up to thrown in. Visit Ginny for lots of other yarn along fun.
Reading: The Paris Wife
Knitting: Earflap Hat from Knitting For Baby by Melanie Falick & Kristin Nicholas

I've now finished The Paris Wife. I really enjoyed it. It was my pick for the book club I belong to. If you enjoy Hemingway's novels, this is an interesting look at his early life before he became renowned. My favorite part of the book? When Hadley knocks on his studio door, he asks, "Who is it?" and she replies, "Your wife!" I could hear the angry vehemence, but also the anguish in her voice as I read it.

Knitting a sweet hat for M, hope to get it done while there's still a need for a warm hat.

We're just busy with life, and I find it's much easier to read blogs than write one. I am concerned that we are surviving and not thriving. I've voiced the concern to my husband, but we are not sure how we go about correcting... Can I blame it on winter? I want to, but I know it's more than that. At least we are thinking on it.

Better go join a sweet boy for breakfast.

Not IRL But IMH

I read a lot of blogs, A LOT, but I don't comment often. Mostly because I'm using my iPhone which makes it a little harder, and I'm busy with three young ones. An Inch of Gray is one I am always checking in on. Anna often makes me laugh, and I can tell she struggles with a lot of things I struggle with myself. She is honest and open and funny.

When I got online Saturday morning, I just happened to see Kate had a post titled "Loss," and I was a little worried. I know Kate's mom has battled cancer. So I clicked over and read the tragic news that Anna's son was gone. First, I felt disbelief, I'd just read about their summer vacation, seen their first day of school pics. Then, the tears came. I told my husband what had happened, and he asked, "Now who is this?" I answered, "Anna, from An Inch of Gray blog, you know her husband in pre-marriage counseling noted that two things he wanted her to know were 1) I like clean counters and 2) I am not the enemy." My husband nodded. We'd laughed about that, it sounded like something he would've said to me.

So, no, I don't know Anna and her family IRL, but I feel that I know them In My Heart. So as Marinka noted in her post, I do not for a second think that the fact that [I] know Anna through “blogging only” diminishes [my mourning for her family] one whit. If you are reading this, please pray for her and her family, send them thoughts of peace.

You may visit Kate's site for a link up of posts for Anna and information about donation.

Outside my window...the sun is shining, but it's not yet warm (they are making big promises for the weekend).

I am thinking... about trying to do a photo shoot of baby girl this weekend, wonder if I can make one of those tutus?

I am thankful for... not having to go anywhere today (besides school pick up).

From the learning rooms... lots of writing this weekend as we get Valentines ready for my kindergartner's class.

From the kitchen... spaghetti tonight, then we can eat leftovers this weekend.

I am wearing... my robe (still, hey at least I got a shower).

I am creating... lots of projects in my head, not much in reality.

I am going... nowhere and I'm glad (see above).

I am reading... The School of Essential Ingredients (re-reading actually, it's my pick for our book club, so I'm trying to take notes and be all bookworm-y).

I am hoping... to get busy on some sewing and knitting.

I am hearing... the dryer, Caillou, and little baby breaths.

Around the house... we are being overrun with mail and paper work! Aargh!

One of my favorite things... finding blogs that are soothing to read. Hope to post about that soon.

Happy weekend!

Not quite a half year

A half year break from blogging that is! I've just been busy living, and if you're still reading this, please don't think I've not been reading your blogs. Trust me, there are plenty of feedings that are great opportunities for reading blogs via iPhone. This is going to be a mish mosh of thoughts and links as I'm short on time a lot these days!

Glad to know that other moms get overwhelmed http://samstermommy.blogspot.com/2011/01/mommy-pills.html I'm not taking any medication, and I think I'll make it without needing something. However, I completely understand what she's saying. Read the comments, too! One of the first comments mentions how most moms today don't have the support that our grandmothers had. I hadn't really thought of that. Amen.

Christy said this:
I've decided/realized that getting out of the house on my own REALLY cheers me up, so I'm having sitters visit us more often, and it's good for everyone.
Amen, again.
You can read more of her wisdom here.

I recently helped host a baby shower and was talking to a gal I've known since before kindergarten. She mentioned that a gal who went to high school with us who has eight (yes, 8) kids said that the hardest transition was from two kids to three. Thank you, I needed to hear that. With so many saying two to three is so much easier than one to two, I thought maybe I was doing something wrong! Don't get the wrong idea. I love having my three. It's hard work though, and there's not a lot of time to do every day things that really need to be done (cleaning and organizing around the house being the biggie for me).

Despite having zero time to sew, I went on a mini-buying spree a couple of weeks ago buying three new patterns (one for a tunic for me:) I keep telling myself that one of these days very soon, I'm going to have a bit of time to sew. When I do, wouldn't these elephants be fun?
I've noticed I have a thing for elephant prints.

So, I'm still here, just having a hard time finding time to blog, clean, sew, and the like :) I'll try not to be a such a stranger around here.

Welcome to the World...

Baby Girl! M joined us two weeks ago.
We just love her.

Sorry it's taken so long to post, but I've been quite busy (diaper changes, breastfeeding, getting ready for H to start kindergarten, breastfeeding, celebrating W's third birthday, breastfeeding).

Quick version of the birth story: I woke at 3:30 AM with contractions, started timing and decided it was time to head to the hospital. Only 4cm when I got there, but contractions were steady every three minutes. After about an hour of pretty strong contractions, the midwife checked me again. I was 8cm!! Time to get ready to push. She arrived a little after 7:00 AM. It was not easy but at least it was fairly quick, and I'm glad I stuck with my natural birth plan. 7 lbs 10 oz! Happily, not too big :)

One more sweet pic.Yes, I am still super-paranoid about pictures of my children on the internet, but I think babies just sort of look like babies, you know?

Waiting...

... for baby girl to be here to snuggle in this cocoon...and pose in a shrug and don some hats.

Less than a month to go, and yes, mommy is feeling it. Below is the first cocoon (deemed not girly enough by me, have I mentioned that this pregnancy has left me so indecisive it's just ridiculous? I have knitted a couple of items, only to decide I don't like them once they are complete). The cocoon is a free pattern get it here.

Below is my second Itty Bitty Baby Dress from Made By Rae (free here). You can see my first attempt here. I've gone back and forth about adding a little something to the top, like an embroidered flower, a friend suggested baby's first initial (um, we don't know that yet, no agreement between me and C, probably won't know until forced to decide by her arrival and even then, I'm thinking it's going to be a tough decision).

An awesome wet bag for cloth diapers (or anything wet, like bathing suits). I did not make this. It's a gift from a friend who (along with Mel and her husband and some posts from Tasha) has really encouraged me to try cloth diapering. Isn't the fabric great?!?

This past week, C and I went to a free cloth diapering class put on by a local store that carries lots of cloth diapering gear as well as breastfeeding supplies and slings, wraps, etc. We purchased a few prefolds and a Snappi, and the same friend who gave me the wet bag has loaned me a few newborn size covers. We are going to give it a try.

So about the waiting...
we are also waiting for...

-me to use up all the regular detergent, so we can "treat" our washing machine to start laundering cloth diapers

-the paint in baby's room to dry, so we can see if any touching up needs to be done

-the painting to be done, so we can put all the *girly* crib bedding on, set up the bed and put the quilt my aunt made on it, move all the shower gifts in, decorate... Aieee!!

-for me to finish her coming home outfit (requires a bit more sewing and a try at freezer paper stenciling... Aieee!!)

Notice a theme here? To top it off, I'm having some contractions as I type this (I've been having them off and on).

Knowing me, the next post will hopefully be all about baby :)