First Day of School

As a month has gone by since our Benjamin was born, I am just now finding time to sit down (without nursing), relax a little, and catch up on some of my more selfish activities like blogging, knitting, and reading.

Most of my days (and nights!) the past month have been filled with nursing children and trying to get them to sleep. Yes, I am tandem nursing right now, but that is a whole other post entirely... Anyway, besides those two activities I've been trying to keep myself fed, showered and rested. It's a mighty feat! I am thankful that I now have the experience to know that this period of sleep deprivation and all-day nursing doesn't last forever. Matthew has grown into a toddler so quickly that I have a daily reminder of how time flies. Despite the difficulties of having a two-year old and a one-month old, I'm trying to cherish each moment.

Today (Tuesday) Matthew started preschool, and I tried my best not to get teary-eyed. He enjoyed himself so much that I know it was the right decision. It's important for me that he gets out of the house, which is often difficult to do with Ben in tow right now, and has some of his own activities. It's only two mornings a week and is a small group, so I think that it will work out well. When he was at preschool this morning, Pat and I went out for breakfast together while Ben slept next to us the whole time. It was really nice having a little date with my husband! :)

Of course, I have to have some bragging pics of my boys. The pictures of Matthew are from this morning at his "First Day of School." (I'm becoming a very cheesy Mama...)

Introducing

Benjamin Daniel
Born Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 5:00 am
8 pounds, 1.5 ounces; 19 inches long

We are enjoying the newest member of our family and already can't imagine life without him.

Knitting the Time Away

What do you do while waiting anxiously for a baby to come? Knit a ton of bibs, of course! Actually, most of these will be gifts, but it has been a fun and calming process.

I have been wanting to make the Petal Bibs from One Skein for quite some time now, but most of my friends/family have been having boys. Finally some little girls are on the way, so I ordered some Knit Picks Cotlin and got started. I ended up knitting three, but my first had so many mistakes that it won't be gifted. I learned quite a bit, though, about short rows, applying an i-cord, and being sure to check my gauge. I knit the first on size 6 needles, and it turned out WAY too big and floppy. The two pictured were knit on size 4 needles, and they're just perfect. The pattern is such a great design, and I will be sure to make more of these in the future.

A couple of weeks ago, when I was thinking that our little one was going to come any day, I started looking for patterns that would be very simple knits. I settled on the Baby Bib O' Love from Mason-Dixon Knitting, but made up my own pattern since I didn't have the book. I used Rowan Handknit Cotton DK, which is a lighter weight yarn than the yarn used in the pattern. The size of these bibs are more appropriate for an infant, and the original Bib O' Love is sized more for a toddler. I also wanted the strap to be adjustable, so here is what I did:
CO 33 stitches
Knit in garter until desired length was reached
WS: knit 7 sts, put on holder. Bind off 19 sts. Work the next 7 stitches in garter for about an inch. Bind off on wrong side.
Reconnect yarn to 7 sts that were on the holder and work for 23 garter RIDGES.
*Buttonhole row (RS): knit 2, knit 2 together, yarnover, knit 3
Work 3 Garter Ridges
Repeat from * 2 more times
Bind off on the WS
Weave in ends and add a button to the "short" strap side

This was also a learning experience for me, and I made improvements on each bib. Although the design is not my own, I enjoyed making adjustments to fit my needs.

So, what now? I've picked up my Wisp that's been hibernating since last summer, and I've also started a blanket for the Linus Project. I checked out some movies at the library today, and the newest issue of Mothering Magazine came in the mail. I am planning on relaxing this weekend and, most importantly, I am at peace with the fact that this little one will come on his own time, even if that means past his due date.

Update

In a nutshell: I'm still pregnant. Both my ultrasound and OB appointments went well on Thursday, so there wasn't any need to induce or have a c-section. Our little guy is quite big (they think about nine pounds!), but he's healthy and the placenta is still supporting him well. We have much to be thankful for. Having said that, I am READY to have him! It's been pretty tough here at the end carrying around nine pounds of baby, plus "high" levels of amniotic fluid, and running after a toddler. Since this will probably be the last time I'm pregnant (but never say never, right?), I'm trying to enjoy and cherish it, but again, I am READY for my sweet boy to come.

In Preparation

I feel as if I'm now as prepared as I'm going to be for the *big* day that will hopefully arrive soon. All of our bags are packed, the house is at least semi-clean (thanks, Mom!), there are some frozen meals in the freezer, and I've finished the last of my baby knitting.

This afternoon I finally sewed the buttons on to the Harvey Kimono that I made for our new arrival. This is actually the second Harvey Kimono I've made (I made one for Matthew shortly after he was born), and even though all of the seaming is a beast, I just think that it's such a sweet pattern. I also love the yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery's Cotton Comfort. It is such a treat to knit with and the perfect yarn for baby garments. I highly recommend it! Underneath the sweater in the photo is a stroller quilt that my very talented friend made. I am very fortunate to have her in my life and be the recipient of such a sweet handmade quilt (thank you!).

A week and a half ago, during one of my ultrasounds, our little guy measured to weigh a little over eight pounds! I am thankful that he's a healthy size, but I have to admit that it scared me just a bit. I thought that for sure I would have had him by now, but here we are, still waiting. I have another ultrasound on Thursday and, based on that, my OB said that we'll "revisit our options." I am afraid that he'll push for either an induction or a c-section, neither of which we would like to do. Of course, we'll do what's best for the health of the baby and my own health, but we really have our hearts set on a natural birth. Please send prayers and thoughts our way for our little guy to come soon, preferably before Thursday. :)

Spring Break

Over the past couple of weeks I have taken a little bit of a break from knitting and have worked on crochet instead. I wanted to make a little something to add to Matthew's Easter basket, and when I found the Birds of a Feather pattern, I knew it would be perfect. Plus, it's free! ;) I decided to do embroidery for the beak and eyes instead of felt or buttons/beads for safety reasons, but other than that, followed the pattern. I used Peaches & Creme for the yellow bird and Knit Picks' Main Line for the purple. If Matthew doesn't like them, then I'll just have to keep them for myself!

I also decided to make a little something for myself. :) I used the Raspberry and Lime purse pattern from Interweave Crochet Spring 2008. It was my first time working with tapestry crochet, and I was pleased with how it turned out. The tapestry crochet also gave the bag some sturdiness. For a decorative touch (and to cover up a little flaw!) I added a crocheted flower with a button center. Doesn't this bag just remind you of spring (which I hope will SOMEDAY come!)?


And finally, a pregnant belly! I am not sure that I'll last three and a half more weeks...(hopefully I'll clean my mirror during my "nesting" stage!)

Dough!

I survived my weekend on my own and perhaps even planned a bit too much. We had so much going on Saturday that we didn't have much time for outside play--something that is a must with an almost-two-year-old boy. Right now it is snowing (and actually sticking!), and we've been having high winds all week. Typical New Mexico spring weather. So, I've been trying to come up with more inside activities, especially because I'd like to have a little arsenal handy for when little brother comes.


Last week we made play-dough using my favorite recipe:

4 cups flour
2 cups salt
4 T cream of tartar
2 T vegetable oil
4 cups water (with food coloring added, if desired)
Mix together and stir over low heat until dough is stiff. Turn over on counter, let cool and knead. Store in an air-tight container.

This recipe keeps very well, although I have heard suggestions of keeping it in the fridge (we haven't, and it's been fine). I like the feel of it so much more than store-bought play-dough, plus I know the ingredients that went into it. Yup, I have a play-dough eater!

I have enjoyed searching the internet lately for activities to do with toddlers. Although I was an elementary teacher, I never took any early childhood classes. I am sure learning a lot now, though! Having a child is definitely the most hands-on, rewarding, practical, and difficult course I've ever had! Anyway, here are just a few of the websites/blogs I've come across:

The Toby Show (Click on the "Cheap and Easy" button)
Chasing Cheerios
The Crafty Crow

I'm sure there are many more out there--please let me know if you have any recommendations!

Update: The snow mentioned above brought about six inches and a snow day--yay! Spring break starts Monday, so this year it's extra long. :) (I care because my husband's a teacher).