Olly

kids

I'm going to make time tomorrow to take photos of all the FO I have lying around here. But until then I leave you with some new photos of the chitlins in their growin' glory.

still here, still knitting

i haven't fallen off the edge of the earth. i haven't even stopped knitting. just stopped writting about it.

my knitting mojo has been really off lately. after crochetting the potholders for the swap, i haven't been able to get another project together. I even picked up a pair of socks that i cast on for 3 years ago. They're just basic 2x2 toe up socks. Cotton/wool yarn. Blah colorway. They'll be good summer socks, so I'm finally going to finish them up.

What I really want to do is knit up some of this stash yarn that I recieved through Swapbot ages ago. I'll try to post photos and see if any one has some ideas of what to do with it. If anyone reads this other than my mother, at this point.

Few and far between

my posting has been more than sporadic lately. I just haven't been able to get my head around writing about knitting. I use what time i have to actually try to knit. And taking photos. well that's not always easy.

Here's a pic of the patootie with a baby cap. I used acrylic baby soft i had on hand from a project that never materialized.

I also made another one out of debbie bliss baby cashmerino, but there are no photos yet.

Here are some recent photos of the monkeys

3 months old

Seven in her BSJ

Saarje's booties

august, baby

for lack of a better title. we've been spending our days at the park. morning and afternoon. there's been little crafting going on because i've come to realize that jack and i are much happier and have a better understanding when we're not cooped up in our 750 sq. foot apartment.

yesterday was crazy, we had a play-dough (homemade) party and it ended up being all boys. 5 boys aged 2-3. It was something else. Jack had a great time and there wasn't too much fighting.

on thursday i got the kids astrological charts done, by a mama friend. she was saying how from birth to age 7 kids don't really have an emotional filter up, so you get 100% of their feelings. the good, the bad and the ugly. we focused on the kids' moon sign, which is the base of emotions. it was pretty interesting to find out aabout the 2 monkeys.

Jack: moon in libra:
Moon in Libra
A child with Libra Moon sees the world through the eyes of an artist and has a special sensibility for all things beautiful. Peaceful surroundings will encourage feelings of security, and color has a special impact for this child.
Baby may be more sensitive than parents first realize, since Libra Moon can be
easily irritated in harsh surroundings or by rough surfaces. Fussiness can arise when baby is simply in an awkward position or if too much light is streaming through the window. However, Libra Moon confers a sweet and charming quality, and you may notice that this child has a very gentle nature.
Being around other people is important, too, since the drive from Libra Moon is to relate – even before he has mastered the ability to speak. Reaching out and feeling connected is one of the most powerful motivators for this child. Playtime and toys that incorporate artistic self-expression will be most enjoyable. Always keep crayons and art supplies on hand, but remember that this child might also enjoy music, any type of design (including dressing up all the bears and dolls in the house), and will want to participate in decorating his room at an age that may surprise you.

Seven:moon in sagitarius

“Let’s get moving!” may be the message you get from a child with Sagittarius Moon. Even as a baby,motion feels great, and going somewhere can rank high on the list of favorite things to do. As soon as she learns to crawl, you’ll realize that there’s an adventurer in the house. Playpens will not be appreciated, since feeling fenced in runs against his nature. This child may be a giggler, since laughter is likely to become one of his trademarks.
The drives and needs from Sagittarius Moon prompt a child to be game for just about anything,
although learning about limits can be tough. Parents may wonder if this kid understands the word, “No.” Of course he does. He just may not accept it! In fact, limits, focus and discipline might be most easily taught through sports, games and stories. This child has a natural optimism, and may be willing to try again while others are stuck or held back by fear of failure. In school, mental discipline and concentration can be problematic, particularly if the subjects have lost their luster. Since Sagittarius Moon views Mother as the quintessential teacher, she can become his best inspiration to strive to do better or to learn more. Mom also needs to understand that the platitudes she speaks are considered ultimate truths to this child – until the world proves otherwise, that is! Expect this child to ask questions.
In other words, buy that encyclopedia or reference software as soon as he is talking. You’ll be glad you did!


I definately see some of these characteristics emerging, even in seven. It's all really interesting to me.

Rainy this morning, so we're playing with play dough. yeah!

etsy!!!!

i finally got my etsy shop up. it's still a bit rough around the edges and there's not much in it, but it's a start.



trying to find time to sew has been a challenge. it's a crazy endeavour to undertake when the wee one is still so WEE. And the Jack needs to go to the park at least once a day, preferable twice.



Well see how it goes. I really need to find my niche. the clothes are fun and i enjoy making them, mainly because of seven and jack, but there are so many other people doing the same thing. I want to do something more original. i've got a couple of ideas i'd like to work on. we'll see what comes of it.

tootie

this is the nickname i've given my girl. and no, i'm not referring to the character on the 80's sitcom (the facts of life). i'm refering to her flatulence. i love her, but she's stinky!!!

things are going well in our little family. jack love's his sis--wakes up in the morning comes into the room saying "hi mama. Seven?" then he loves and kisses on her. it's really very sweet.

he gets pretty upset when she's upset, which isn't very fun for me. but i do understand it.

our days lately consist of ...

wake up, nurse seven, try to feed jack (all he wants to eat these days is fruit), am park run, nap from noon to 3 pm ( this is where i try to sneak in some sewing time around nursing the babe), wake up from nap, try to feed jack (fruit?), pm park run, dinner (ha ha ha), bath and bed.

oh yeah and seven goes to sleep around 11 pm and jack wakes up at 5 am, so you do the math = not alot of sleep for mama (or daddy either some nights).

mark's taken over the nighttime jack stuff, and the early morning stuff. which i don't know what i would do without.

my mama's group has been making us dinner for the last 2 and a half weeks, and tonight is the last night. crap is all i can say. it's been an immeasurable help. and overall the foods been pretty good. tonight's mama brought us a huge vat of haagen daas chocolate ice cream. i love it, but don't love the fact that it's not going to help with the baby pudge. oh well.

here are some more photos.

One Month Old

seven just turned 1 month on saturday. it's gone by amazingly fast. with jack i had alot more time to just sit around and watch movies and relax. it's near impossible to do that now, with a 2 year old that needs to get out of the house.

these photos are from when my dad was here. sleeping with the baby. see the family resemblance?!

for sale

i haven't been doing much knitting, but i have been doing lots of sewing. trying to get an etsy store together. making some baby clothes. the store is set up i just need to finish up a few more pieces and get them listed. it's just been hard to squeeze any uninterrupted time in, but i take what i can get. the process is taking a bit longer, but i still feel productive. as for pics of all this... no time yet. but maybe soon.

photos only

here are some photos. a proper post with some knitting pics too, to come soon.

la familia

thursday may 22, 2008

big brother and lil peanut

friday may 23, 2008

Snuggles

Lil Peanut

Here's the lil peanut. Almost 3 weeks early, but healthy and lovely.

She was in a bit of a hurry to get here and decided to come early. Shbe did take her time coming out though.

Date of birth: Wednesday May 21, 2008 at 8:39 pm.

Weight: 6lbs 13.1oz

Length: 19 in

Mama and baby are doing well, as are big bro and daddy.

Jack did get alot of daddy time while i was in labor and recovery.

That's all for now. I'm going to take advantage of both babes being down for a nap and take one myself. Birth story will be coming shortly. As will more photos.

xoxo

buddha belly

the Buddha belly is forever immortalized

37 weeks

this was less of a pain to do than i anticipated. i started doing it by myself and then mark help me finish up. the plaster was starting to dry and i didn't want to wreck the sides by moving around.

the only question now is: What do i do with it? Make it all artsy and hand it on the wall, or leave it in a box?

she hasn't come yet and the contractions have subsided and now we're basically ready. all the major things are done. now i just have the little things that i wanted to do before she arrives, i.e. fininsh jack's photo album, some sewing, etc.

the time is now!

Or at least pretty soon. I think the babe might be showing up sooner rather than later. things are moving and contractions are getting somewhat uncomfortable, even though they are still irregular. I have been doing a lot these last couple of days, so i'm sure that has something to do with it. i've also dreamt about going into labor the last two nights.

i called the midwife and she told me to have a drink of water and relax for a bit. that kind of made things less painful, but it didn't stop the contractions all together. i'm going to bed after this, just to get a full night in.

the yard sale went well. there's still a few things i want to get rid of.

i can't for the life of me find the hardware for the co-sleeper. i'll have to look some more tomorrow. tomorrow is house cleaning day and time to re-evaluate the things i want to get done before babelicious arrives. her bag is packed. just a couple of options of things to wear on the way home from the hospital. My bag is still undone, but the camera is charged and the laptop is ready to go at a moments notice. I'm going to finish that up tomorrow.

on the knitting front, i did start a swallowtail shawl (ravelry link) with the sundara aran silky merino from the seasons yarn club. i love this yarn. the color (ruby port) the feel of it. it's all so beautiful. i can't wait to finish it. i'm bringing it as my hospital knitting. not sure if i'll actually do any, but at least i'll have something there that i'm really into it it comes up.

if i get around to some photos tomorrow i'll post some wip pics of the shawl.

goodnite

jaywalkers

here are the finished jaywalkers for my mom. i sent them off today. so mom, if you're reading this, here's to spoiling the surprise...

Pattern: Jaywalkers by Grumperina
Materials: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Bucks Bar, 2 skeins

Needles: US 1

Started: April 5, 2008
Finished: May 12,2008

the last leg of the race

the final 4 weeks are upon us. the house is a shambles. I'm trying to get a yard sale together for this weekend, finish cushion covers, reupholster the futon, see the doula.... the list is long. and this is what i have to carry around

35 weeks 2 days

not to mention the 26lbs of love that is Jack!! Factor in three flights of stairs up to the apartment= tired mama! it's good though. it's keeping me in shape.

my doula is coming today to meet me. i really want to do the natural childbirth thing this time. with jack i was just too tired in the end and just wanted to get some sleep so i went with the epidural. supposedly second children are supposed to come in half the time, so that sounds promising.

non-knitting post

uncomfort zone....

this is the phase of my pregnancy i'm entering. the time when every position sitting or laying down is uncomfortable. i can barely sit long enough to knit.

i have been working on a couple of different things, some socks and a shawl, but progress is slow. i'm trying to get things done for when the new babe comes.

unlike when jack was born, i'm must more laid back about this one. still need to install the infant seat. not getting a double stroller. i''ll just wear her at the beginning i think. and if i do end up using the infant seat when i go to a restaurant or something, jack can just walk in while i carry the lil one.

i'm considering using the cloth diapers i got then jack was born and just see how much of a pain it is to bring them to the laundry mat. or try to sell them again.

one great thing is that we decided not to move. just remembering moving when jack was 3 weeks old makes me sick to my stomach. i think we'll just stay in this apt. until we find something to buy. it's small but comfortable. and i just can't get my head around moving again.

my aunt and cousin came down at the beginning of the week. she took some photos of the belly and some great ones of jack.

34 weeks

He looks so much like Mark in this photo

You can see what he's going to look like as a man in the first picture. my little monkey love.

loose ends part 2

i've been kind of lost on the knitting front. have cast on for a couple of different things only to find guage off or it's just something i'm never going to wear so why continue. so i'm kind of stuck right now.

i did just get a copy of Victorian Lace Today and that really has my head going. sacking my stash looking for the yarn i could use to start one of the dozens of lovely patterns in that book. but night time comes along and i'm just too tired to get around to anything complex. so i've been putting that off abit as well.

i do have some FO photos to share.

this is leo the lion. he's a hybrid of a couple of the humanoids from this book. i like how he turned out. hope his new friend likes him too. little leo turned one last week.

and then of course there's Elijah by Ysolda Teague. i made him out of some satin acrylic for ease of care and really like how soft he is. perfect for baby. another friend gift, this one is yet to be born.

i added a little tail (sorry it's side ways) that wasn't in the original pattern, because, you know, elephants have tails!! it was just a quick braid out of six strands of yarn, with a little fringe left on the end.

loose ends pt. 1

i haven't posted in ages, but that doesn't mean i haven't been knitting. i really just haven't felt like writting about knitting, or much else for that matter. but here's part one of a finished object parade. i'm currently finishing off a few different projects and they'll get photographed later today or tomorrow.

First off is a photo of some things i received from one of my swaps. a sock yarn swap. the yarn is lovely, black with yello pink and red. aptly named black butterfly. some delicious chocolate that took me about 3 days to eat. (i'm pregnant is my excuse)

i've also finished the nut muffins' baby blanket. i love how it turned out. the i-cord trim was fun to do, even though it was time consuming. but it really gives the blanket a tailored look.

Pattern: Baby Blanket by Elizabeth Zimmerman

Materials: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted, Periwinkle, 4 skeins and a little bit

Jaegger Worsted, Cranberry, <>

Needles: US 7 for blanket, US 6 bamboo dpns for i-cord

Started: December 2007

Finished: February 2008

this blanket had some issues at the beginning. i'd origanally planned to knit the large motif garter blanket from the Opinionated Knitter. but laziness settled in and i didn't want to join all those pieces together so i frogged an almost completed blanket and started over. this is the story of my knitting life. ask my man and he'll tell you how many times he's seen me completely start over from the beginning. i'm glad i did it this way.

hope the little one likes it. it's super soft after washing too. and unlike j's koigu blanket, it's machine washable. yeah!!! because this blanket is quite a bit larger than his. almost crib size i'd say, but i haven't measured it.

oh yeah and here's an update of my belly.

28 weeks

it's a bit dark, but all you need to see is the growing profile anyway. i'm definately feeling pregnant lately. short of breath. can't sleep on my stomach or my back anymore. i'm still finding some comfortable positions to sleep in and i haven't had to break out the body pillow, but my days are numbered.

march of time

i know february's a short month, but where the hell did it go? went to visit mom and dad last week. bought my first NORO and PANDA SILK. i was going to make a striped scarf out of the NORO Kureyon, instead it became some fingerless mitts. more details with photos-- to come as soon as the weather starts cooperating.



i'm also due for some belly pix, which will be taken when jack goes down for his nap. i've been feeling huge lately and there's still 14 weeks left. i'm just starting to feel the weight of it all. can't sleep on my stomach anymore and back sleeping is gettin uncomfortable too. but i still do it. i slept on my back a lot with jack, even at the end because side sleeping sucked too.