knittens

Day 6

And I still can't believe we did this

and this

and this

amazing.

Our Little Girl

Thaya Rose
April 20, 2007
6 lbs
19.25 in

It was an amazing experience delivering this bundle of joy.  As you can imagine, things are pretty hectic right now (we just got home from the hopsital today after 56 hours of labor - don't worry, 50 of those hours was spent getting me to the point that my OB could break my water), but I promise more pictures and stories will follow shortly.

I do want to say, however, that I pushed her out so quickly, everything wasn't squeezed out of her lungs, so she had a little bit of trouble breathing at first - they took her to the nursery right away for observation and I didn't get to hold her until 4 hours after birth.  I missed her active/alert phase in the first hour of her life, but DH went to the nursery and captured some pictures of her to hold me over.  This was the fist real look I had of her - my little girl jonesin' for a feeding :)

37/38

Thaya is still enjoying her time in Hotel Mom.  I think she really likes the free all-you-can-eat buffet, as well as the included activities (swimming, kick boxing, acrobatics to name a few).  It is also nice and quiet, the perfect place for a good nap.

The big day is Wednesday (or sooner...).  As the day approahes, I'm really feeling a whole huge mix of very big emotions.  Right now, the overwhelming feeling is excitment.  I am excited to hold her, rock her, look into her eyes.  I want to know how much she weighs, if she has chubby cheeks, and if she has a head full of hair.  I can't wait to she'll be born with dark hair, like I was, or if she'll be born with blonde hair, like DH.  I'd love for a shock like a head full of red hair!

I feel like I've been working super hard on this big project that I haven't been able to see, and the big unveiling is on Wednesday.  I'm going to get to see what all the time and energy created, and the best part is, I get to keep it!  I get to come home with a baby!

I've noticed a big change in my physical issues as well.  I feel great until about 4 or 5pm, then I go downhill.  Around that time, my entire urinary track starts to hurt from my kidney to urethra.  It is around that time that I also feel a little discomfort in my ribs, and I have to start being really careful so that i don't pinch them together.  My posture really helps with this, but unfortunatly what feels good on my hips, pelvis, and urinary track is what makes my ribs rub together.  I've also been really amazed to find that I've been sleeping like I had in the first trimester.  Last night I went to sleep around 10:30, and that is about what time I woke up this morning.  Right now, I feel like I could take a nap!  I'm not suprised, but it still amazes me :)

I have 3 finished objects from this past week, but I'm only going to share 2 of them.  They are just missing buttons, so they are finished enough!  First,


Pattern: Ribbon-edged Cardigan from Debbie Bliss's Special Knits
Size: 0 - 3 months
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in Lilac
Needles: US 3
Started April 9, 2007 // Finished April 12, 2007

The only thing that I did differently is I omitted the ribbon on the edge.  I just don't feel like sewing that on, it looks beautiful without it!

Second,

Pattern: Picot dress from Debbie Bliss's Special Knits
Size: 3 - 6 months
Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Sport in Orchid
Needles: US 5
Started March 19, 2007 // Finished April 12, 2007

The only thing I did differently was add an eyelet row right before the seed stitch started at the top so that I could add the ribbon.  I admit, I saw someone else do this and thought that it was so sweet, I did it too.  I'm such a copy-cat :)

The third project is going to end up a gift, so I'm not going to post it until after Mother's Day.  Gee, I wonder who it is for :P

Right now, I've got 2 unfinished baby sweaters and a pair of unfinished baby bell bottoms.  I have to finished embroidering the daisies onto the daisy edged cardigan, and I have to finish the sleeves on the pinwheel sweater.  I have to seam and add the elastic waist to the bell bottoms.  I doubt that I'm going to finish them before the baby comes, but maybe.

My focus has shifted a little, since I've been in baby overload.  I have been working on a simple shawl with the Artyarns' Silk Rhapsody.
It is a very simple pattern... as a matter of fact it is basically the bare bones of shawl knitting.  But, I only have 1 ball in each color so I'm limited in what I can do.  I think I'll use the same pattern for all 3 skeins.

So, on this rainy day, you'll find me sitting on the couch, cozy under blankets and surrounded by pillows and watching TV.  I'm knitting, thinking about the baby, and faithfully drinking my 4L of water :)

Happy Knitting, stay dry!

False Alarm!

So, I was dreaming away this morning when, at 8:30 am, my phone started buzzing like crazy.  I didn't recognize the number, but considering it was the 3rd time calling, I picked up.

"hello?" <-- very groggy.  I didn't sleep well last night.
"Megan?!  Where are you?? Dr. Jones is waiting for you at the hospital!!"
"What?  No."
"What do you mean 'no'?  You are supposed to be induced today.  Get up and get over there! She's waiting!  She is waiting for another patient too, so she won't leave, but get over there, you are having your baby today!!"
"No!  It is next week. I'm only 37 weeks.  I'm supposed to be induced on the 18th, NOT today.  It's too early."
"Oh."
- pause -
"Ok, well I'm at the office right now.  You get up, get ready, and head over there.  I'll call Dr. Jones at the hospital and tell her what you just told me."
"Ok!" (at this point I was getting a little excited).  "So, this could really happen today??"
"Yes, sweet heart, get over there!!"
*click*

So, I call my husband "GET HOME!!", I call my mom "Its today! TODAY!"  jump in the shower, get the rest of the bags packed, and I'm sitting waiting for DH all in about 20 minutes.  Its amazing what a little motivation can do to get you moving!  Next thing I know, the phone is ringing again...

"Heeeelloooo!" (I was very cheery at this point)
"Megan?  It's me." (meanwhile, I still have no idea who I was talking to)
"Oh, hi.  Did you get Dr. Jones?"
"Yea, she said maybe you are right.  Maybe it is next week.  Don't come in. Don't worry, I told her she needs to get her shit together and communicate better with the hospital.  'it's not fair to the patient!' Thats what I told her!  Anyway, when is your next appointment here?"
"Tuesday at 10:30, the day before I'm supposed to be induced"
"Ok, yea. I'll check that and get back to you if there are any problems.  I'm sorry cutie.  You've got another week!  See you Tuesday!"
"Oh. Ok.  Bye"

I know that she needs another week in there to get as big and strong as she can before she comes out.  I'm term now, so I almost feel like I should have kept my big mouth shut and just gone to the hospital and let them induce me.  But it isn't about me.... it's about the baby, and I know another week will only help her.

I'm disappointed, but at the same time, I'm almost happy I'm so disappointed.  I was starting to get nervous - doubt my ability to actually do this.  But with how quick I got ready and how excited and ready I felt, I know that next week will be a breeze.

It was a serious reality check for DH though.  He now realizes that he really needs to get his bag packed!

Knitting updates to follow...

I've been bad...

No baby yet folks.  She's still cooking.  I hope she doesnt get too comfortable in there, her lease is up in 13 days!

I can tell that her quarters are getting cramped.  She doesn't let that stop her from moving, much to my discomfort.  Last night she was very active.  She stretched out her whole body and gave a series of powerful kicks.  DH was watching, and started yelling!  By the look on his face, I bet he was thinking that she was going to kick her way out of my belly.  I wish I knew exactly how she was laying.  I wish I knew what parts of her body push out, I wish I could say, "oh look, a knee!".  But, at the same time, I think not knowing adds to the mystery and will aide in the magic of birth.

Already, I know so much about her, but hardly anything at all.

So, the reason for the title...

I've been bad, very very bad.  I went to Westfield yesterday to visit my mom and dad.  Of course my mom and I had to go to her LYS: Knit-a-Bit. I wanted to get more Manos (of course) to make a gift that I can't talk about for a person I can't mention. 

 

Ok, ok... just a sneak peek :)

I also picked up some Silk Rapsody by Art Yarns while I was there.  Earlier that day I read THIS article and started dreaming about owning a skein for myself. 

As you can see, I ended up with three!  Two were gifts from my mom for me, and one is for me to make something for her.  I am totally ok with that!  Next week for Knitter's Review, Clara is going to post a pattern that calls for one skein of this yarn.  I intend to knit it up, unless I find something I like more in the meantime.

So, in other news, DH and I are just going to take it easy this weekend.  His birthday is on Sunday and all he wants to do is stay in his PJs, watch movies, eat snacks, and play video games.  I am totally ok with that.  We're hunkerin down this weekend and veggin' out.  And, honestly, I think he needs it, especially to help him prepare for the big day.  He has been non-stop go go go and has really stepped up at work, at home, and in our relationship.  The guy needs a break, and he's going to get it!

So, enjoy your weekend!  Stay warm, and happy knitting :)

36/38

My pregnancy will not be going to 40 weeks, only 38.  If I haven't gone by then, two weeks from today I will be...

- Making sure everything is REALLY ready for baby.  I mean, sure I've been doing that for the past 3 months, but this time it will be for real!
- Checking and re-checking my bags to make sure I have everything I need for the baby, myself, and DH for the hospital. 
- Getting my knitting together.  I'll only be getting Pitocin in a "worse case scenerio", and I am confident I'll be able to knit for some of the time during early labor.  I'll be getting Cervadil on that Thursday morning, and I think it takes 12 hours or something.  Man, I could make her a whole wardrobe in that time!
-Trying to mentally prepare myself for the next two days
- Anxious, overwhelmed, excited, overjoyed, scared, relieved, etc.

I am as ready as I'm going to be at this point.  Come on baby, come on!

In other news...

DH birthday is on Sunday.  This past weekend my MIL, FIL, Mom, and Dad came down for some fun.  We spent Saturday in Princeton walking around and had a great time at dinner.

Oh DH is so silly :)  We went to a place called the Alchemist and Barrister.  Ooooh so delicious!  My favorite dish there has to be the A&B Nachos.  I just can't contain myself.  They add chickpeas, jalepenos, olives, and more to every delicious crunchy chip.  MMMMmMmmmMMM SO GOOD!

We'll also be having some fun this weekend, even if it is supposed to be rainy and cold the whole time.  I'm not completely sure what we'll be doing... but whatever, it will still be fun!!!

I've also been knitting and not really mentioning it.  I have 3 unfinished projects right now - the pinwheel sweater, a little picot edged dress, and seed stitch sweater with embroidered flowers.  I have about 10% left on each one... Yea I'll finish them.  But not today. 

Pattern: My So Called Scarf
Size: One Size
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay in Wildflowers (#113)
Needles: US 11
Started April 1, 2007 // Finished April 3, 2007

I know this pattern is "so 3 years ago"  but I really had a fantastic time knitting it.  I LOVE manos.  I love the colors, I love how it feels.  I love how it knits and I love how it wears.  I love it.  Did I mention that I LOVE IT!?  Everytime I get some and knit it up, I am consumed with thoughts of buying more and knitting more.  I get warm and fuzzy and super excited.  I love putting it into balls and I love casting on.  Ok, you get it.  I love it.

And, I'm not the only one who loves it.  This is our Alpha Cat, Chloe.  She is crazy about this yarn.  She burrows into it. She snuggles with it.  She smells it and rubs her face all over it.  I think it is safe to say that she actually likes it more than catnip.  As you can see in this picture, she is sleeping with one eye open.  That is to ensure that I don't pull the scarf away from her.  When I did try to pull it away, she managed to get her mouth over the entire width of the scarf and held on.  Maybe she loves it more than me!

I got the Manos while we were in Princeton at Pins & Needles.  Its a cute little shop.  I also got some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in Periwinkle and Light Green.  Of course I had to cast on right away because I have no self control. 

I decided to make the Ribbon-edged Cardigan from Debbie Bliss' Special Knits book.  I made this 2 years ago for my niece (unfortunatlly the pictures are too much of a hasle to pull up right now.  Just take my word for it...).  I loved knitting it, but I didn't use the yarn it called for.  I used Rown Calmer (in almost the same color!) which knits up more like a DK yarn.  It was a great pattern for the yarn, but of course the sweater ended up larger than the size I knitted.  That's ok, I thought it came out great.  I don't know that my neice ever wore it though.

This time it is going a little slower because its a different gauge, but I'm enjoying it just as much this time.  I'm also planning some other projects for the rest of the yarn... I'm not even going to use half of what I bought for this sweater.  Goodness, I love knitting baby stuff.  So little yarn goes such a long way!

Finally, some more progress on the baby room.  We hung some butterflies over the crib and over the changing table.  They are so pretty, I hope Thaya like them.  I'm sure in the beginning she won't even be able to see them.  But, they are lovely, she'll have to take my word for it.  They are blue, green, and pink.  The green matches the rug and the changing table, the pink matches the walls perfectly, and the blue is actually the first blue in the room.  It is a very nice contrast and I'm thinking about bringing in some more somewhere.  Maybe in pillows or something.

Anyway, hope you are all having a great week, and enjoy the weekend (who knows when I'll post again!).  I know that it is supposed to be cold, but I'm convinced that Spring is here to stay and this is winter's last hurrah.  I'm just going to ignore it and look at my pretty tulips!