November 2009 Archives

How far along? 23 weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: My doctor didn't say anything at my last appointment, but I'm estimating about 12 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yep! Some of my maternity pants are still pretty loose, but I got them that way on purpose.

Stretch marks? None yet! (fingers crossed)

Sleep: Waking about about 2 times per night. (Apparently my baby likes to hang out on top of my bladder.)

Best moment this week: Feeling the baby move! We also met our doula last week, and I feel really good about my decision to find a doula to help us during the pregnancy and birth.

Movement: I'm definitely starting to feel the baby move now. It's pretty strange, but good to know he's doing good in there! I've heard people describe the first movements of a baby as feeling like flutters. I would say more like a gentle tap or nudge.

Food cravings: No, but I was very happy to see all that pie at my family's Thanksgiving dinner!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: Beer (Is it bad that I keep mentioning alcohol? I swear I'm not a lush!)

What I am looking forward to: This isn't baby related at all, but I'm really looking forward to Christmas and (mostly) all that comes with it for the next few weeks.

This Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for? (I stole this list of questions from Organizing Your Way - I'd love to hear your answers, too!)

What small blessings?

A knitting group that has formed among my co-workers at lunch time.

Vanilla steamers.

Borrowed maternity clothes from my much-more-stylish sister.

The wonder of technology to help keep in touch with the daily lives of faraway friends and family.

What big blessings?

A baby on the way! I'm not one to talk about this much, but this baby is something that I've hoping for for a long time. I am so happy that we have been blessed in this way.

And even though it didn't seem like it during the construction process, I know this new kitchen will be something that I will be happy about for many years to come.

What surprise blessings?

Sunday night dinners, knitting (and solving the world's problems, of course!) with my favorite knitting friend. 

An endless supply of home-cooked meals from friends as we lived without our kitchen for 10 weeks! 

What trials and hardships?

It sounds crazy to complain about getting a new kitchen, but finding out you have crazy water damage that requires you to gut your kitchen THREE DAYS after finding out you're pregnant is pretty stressful. I just took things day to day, but seriously, there were times that I thought I was going to lose my mind.  However, I know that my husband and I learned to work together to get through all the little (and big) problems that inevitably come up during construction.  He just didn't have to deal with morning sickness at the same time, the lucky dog!

I loved my sister's last comment on my blog:
A. I demand a belly picture
B. I demand finished house pictures!
C. Your sister is very demanding.

I took a belly picture, but the internet connection at my house is messed up so I can't upload. My house isn't quite "finished" (as in, it's currently covered in bits of blue tape marking where the contractors need to come back through and fix things). So, she and my other less-demanding readers will have to be satisfied with a picture of some knitting-in-progress for someone that I'm pretty sure doesn't read this blog.

I've been planning on giving this person a scarf I finished this summer, but we all know that a knitter can't really get into the holiday spirit unless you unreasonably load up on Christmas knitting. (Right?) Anyway, I had plenty of matching yarn left, so I decided I needed to knit a pair of gloves to match the scarf. On Size 1 needles. With decorative beading. Yeah... I'm a genius.

The good news is that I have managed to finish one of these gloves already. So, I just have to finish the other one, along with these other Christmas knitting projects:

A hat
A scarf (or three)
A baby item of some sort
Possibly another pair of gloves? (Probably not, though)

That list doesn't look so bad... I will have to reassess after this wonderful Thanksgiving weekend which is always great for knitting. What do you think, am I crazy or are you in the same boat with your handmade gift list?

Wow - a finished project that has nothing to do with a gift or Christmas!

Project Details:

Pattern: TTL Mystery Sock '09 by Kristen Kapur

Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy, 1 skein

Needle Size: Size 1

Skills needed: cast on, knit, purl, yarn over, slip slip knit, knit 2 together, picking up stitches, cast off

Pattern Modifications: None - this pattern was released one "clue" per week during the month of October.  I just came along for the ride!

Time to knit: October 1-November 5, 2009

Final impressions: Very nice, I don't normally knit socks with extra-fancy cuffs and heels, so this was a bit of a change for me.  I'm still debating whether to keep these socks for myself or give them away from Christmas.

Traditions can start out so innocently sometimes, can't they? Almost 2 years ago, the first couple in my group of friends at church announced they were expecting a baby. It was a very long-awaited baby, without getting into the medical details, so I wanted to do something really special. I decided I would make a baby quilt. Not that I'd ever done such a thing before, but who am I to let a little thing like that stand in my way?

As these things have a tendency to do, one baby in the group has quickly multiplied to several, and we are in the middle of a full-fledged baby boom among the "young marrieds" set at church these days. This cute little pink quilt is the first of several I will be making for babies that will be arriving in January, February, and two in May. (Not to mention whether I will be making one for my own little bug, due in March.)

I'll do a full reveal of Baby O's quilt next month after the baby shower. Until then, you can check out some of the other baby quilts I've made!

Zoe's Quilt

Hunter's Quilt

Ainsley's Quilt

Avery's Quilt

Benjamin's quilt (why yes, my nephew IS the cutest baby ever!)

It's the crafty blogger's annual conundrum: how to continue blogging about my crafty adventures while not revealing holiday presents being made for family members and friends who read the blog? I really hate blogging without pictures, so that makes it even more difficult. This year, I think I'll just post random pretty pictures and some ramblings to distract you from lack of craftiness.

I've got a fairly intimidating list of Christmas gifts I'm planning to make, but I think the fact that I'm already planning out how to get it all done is a positive sign - right? How about you - are you in total denial that Christmas is 6 weeks away? Are you one of those sickening people that already has every present done, wrapped, and stowed away in a specially designated Christmas closet?

Photo credit to novamade via flickr.

How far along? 21 weeks.
Total weight gain/loss: Don't know - haven't been to the doctor in a couple of weeks,
Maternity clothes? Today was officially my last day to attempt wearing regular pants, with a ponytail holder stretched between the button and buttonhole.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Not too shabby.
Best moment this week: I'm feeling great - I went on an awesome 1 1/2 hour hike at the Nature Center last weekend.
Movement: I don't think so, but I think it's supposed to happen any time now
Food cravings: No, but I did fake a taco craving a few days ago to lure my husband to a surprise birthday party at a Mexican restaurant. You can't argue with a pregnant lady's food cravings, right?
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? in
What I miss: Deli sandwiches
What I am looking forward to: Enjoying the rest of my second trimester, before I get too enormous. =)

We're getting close now! Everything but the kitchen should be done sometime next week. Woo hoo!

(That means I get to start thinking about decorating the nursery. Isn't this room the cutest?)

But we do have paint..

And floors...

And the beginning of cabinets!

Kitchen Cabinets - Day 1
Originally uploaded by kerner

The hostess herself was a So You Think You Can Dance performer in a demented Wade Robson routine, but she failed to make it onto the hot tamale train, so she had to dance for her life. It did not go well.

Witches' Brew
Originally uploaded by kerner

Matt and I are incapable of dressing in matching couples costumes, because he likes to be scary on Halloween and I just like be to silly. So, he is a Running-of-the-Bulls zombie (see the horn through his stomach?) and I am Ginger from Gilligan's Island (although I think I kind of look like Betty Rubble in this picture).

An Odd Couple
Originally uploaded by kerner

Happy Halloween! (Now get your extra candy away from me. I cannot resist eating it all.)