tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400372727772843802024-02-08T06:15:54.465-08:00This Old KnitA blog about my adventures with knitting, my podcast, my husband, my adorable daughter & son, and our fur babies at the timeEenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-6058207868170811922015-04-05T08:14:00.002-07:002015-04-05T08:15:10.481-07:00A quick spring episodeStill so busy! I did have a little bit of time to record another episode of knitting videocast. I'm up to 80 something subscribers!<br />
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I share some of the things I'm working on, but this one is mostly about life. Enjoy!Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-85973196002729015772015-03-14T16:33:00.001-07:002015-03-14T16:33:24.784-07:00Long time no write!Wow, has it really been since December? I have been busy, my wee chickadees! I started a video podcast to discuss knitting and such. I know some of you who are readers of the blog don't care about my crafting, but if you do please feel free to check out the first episode.<br />
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The kids are doing well and both such a joy. They are trouble makers together but it is so great to see how much Maegwin loves her little brother.<br />
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They keep us super busy! I hope all of you are having a lovely spring so far.Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-12254749348458920352014-12-28T05:58:00.000-08:002014-12-28T05:58:15.202-08:00Grown-up Christmas sucks! (And a catch up of goings-on)Hello, gentle readers! I'm right on schedule for my once a month blogging. Maegwin is watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Joshua is hanging out with Daddy so the time is right. To quickly explain the title, this year for Christmas Josh and I bought ourselves brakes and rotors, removal of the dead ash tree near the house, and slate on the roof! Very uninteresting, no? On the bright side our car continues to stop, a tree won't crash on our house and we have more wood for backyard fires, and we are on time with slate maintenance. I really do love having a slate roof so I can't complain there. They are cool! If they are properly maintained it's just $300-$500 a year and then flashings every 30 or so years. Ours was not the best cared for previously but with our tender ministrations it is on the road to recovery. Really other than the worst condition slate and the top of the roof flashing it's all great up there. I know, boring slate roof talk? This isn't what you all came for! Bring on the children!<br />
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Miss Maegwin had a birthday and is now five years old. She is quite proud of this fact. We told her when she was five she could get a real Lego set. We haven't gone to pick one out yet but probably will next month. Just too much crazy during the holiday time. I took my last two days of PTO for the year to make a super long birthday weekend and she got to do whatever she wanted. We got her a doctor outfit with kit which she had tons of fun with. Currently she is saying she wants to be a surgeon so she can help our family doctor when she needs to go home to be with her family and so that they can be best friends. hehe<br />
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She removed a splinter from my hand. Definitely a risky procedure but I pulled through.<br />
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She then switched to being a dentist and used a circular block as her prophy paste. I had to hold it while she polished my teeth. Planck was her assistant but he really just observed.<br />
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Then she did a full costume change and was an explorer. At one point she combined the two outfits and said she was part of Doctors without Borders. She said she was an explorer doctor so we told her there really are explorer doctors who help people in places where there aren't doctors.<br />
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The biggest hit of the day was her easel from Grandma and Grandpa in California. We have since moved it into the dining room because we can already barely move in the living room as it is with all the baby gear plus the Christmas tree. She paints every day with it. She has consistently asked to do paints but we always have to set up a whole station and get out the splat mat but now she can do her own paints. We just have to figure out a brush washing solution but overall it is working out fabulously.<br />
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Per her request we went to Grammy's house for cake and more celebration on the weekend. She chose to wear this beautiful grey dress that we received from my friend Autumn. She sewed it for her daughter but it was too small. I'm so happy that she shared it with us. It is one of Maegwin's favorites now! <br />
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Maegwin helped decorate the giraffe cake that we took to Mom's.<br />
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She's such a goofball! We love our little Maegwin and it is so fun seeing the person she is becoming. She is very sweet and precocious and silly. We had a wonderful birthday weekend together.<br />
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I also got to do a photo shoot with the Christmas sweater I finished for Joshua. We've had the weirdest winter weather ever lately. It's really more like what the Bay Area used to be before the drought. No snow and just rain with cold. I HATE it! People at work are excited about the dearth of snow but I find it disturbing and un-wintery. I've been able to wear what I consider a light spring jacket the entire season so far. It doesn't even have insulation! But I digress....We had a rather sunny morning and I told Josh we were getting the kids out to take pictures. It was only 8 am but it called for rain later.<br />
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Remember that tree I mentioned that we chopped down? Perfect photo props! We especially love this bit of tree because it is two seats together for the kids.<br />
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This picture is hilarious! He looks so stoic! I was so happy with the lighting we got for these too since the sun was just rising.<br />
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Joshua loved that he got to explore a lot of nature whilst we took photos. I just let him crush the grass and leaves.<br />
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This one is one of my favorites. I love how he is brandishing the leaf.<br />
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Maegwin had fun too. She played while we were doing that first set then she sat with him and we got some together. These are the best I think.<br />
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I took a few in the slide as well to mix it up.<br />
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I have to say I am so proud of how these turned out. I've been listening to a knitting and photography podcast which I've mentioned before called <a href="http://www.fiberphotographylife.com/">Knitting Butterflies</a> and it has really helped me use my digital camera better. Check her out because Emily is fabulous!<br />
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For the knitters who are so inclined, the sweater is the Anders pullover. I knit it in conjunction with my friend Autumn who has the blog <a href="http://cottingtonssocrafty.blogspot.com/2014/12/hand-knits-and-two-cute-boys-anders.html">cottington's so crafty</a>. She's a sweetie and we had fun comparing notes and encouraging each other to finish. Hers is adorable as well. Here's the deets:<br />
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Yarn: Malabrigo Arroyo in the Fresco y Seco colorway (dark green) and Miss Babs Yummy 3ply in the Frog Belly colorway (light green)<br />
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Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anders">Anders</a> by Sorren Kerr<br />
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Needles: Size 5, 6, and 7-I had to use tons to get the different gauges between working flat, in the round, and with two colors. Do your swatches, kids!<br />
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For Christmas we went to my mom's house and craziness ensued. We got some good pictures of me with the kids and Mom with the kids but I realized when we got home that we didn't get any with the four of us. Next time we are at Mom's we have to remedy this.<br />
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I will have to write more later about the Christmas party at my work. This post is getting long and it's time for breakfast. Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful gifts and generosity. It is so appreciated. We love and miss you all that we couldn't be with this season. Have a happy New Year!<br />
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<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-75555948672203812692014-11-29T07:13:00.001-08:002014-11-29T07:13:13.764-08:00Mastering the fundamentals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue;">Oh, hi! Joshua here! Today I wanted to talk to you about the fundamentals of eating solids. Mommy and Daddy have told me they like to employ the method known as baby-led weaning. As you can see, I have my trusty food net all loaded and ready to go so let's get started, shall we?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">First, reach for your food net and grasp the ring to bring it up to your mouth.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Hang on a second....</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Pincering! Pincering! I'm going to do the pincering!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Maegwin, no! Can't you see I'm filming here?</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">What you need to do is pick it up like this and hold it out and use your mouth, baby Josh. That's right, Bubby. Do that!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I can't work like this. Can somebody get her out of here? Anyone?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Is this on? Are we back?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">And welcome back!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Now, as I was saying you want to get a good firm grip on the ring portion. See here I grab the side part.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Too slippery, this is not the place to hold this particular food delivery device.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Once you have the ring, bring it up to your mouth. Note that the ring itself contains no nourishment.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Gnaw, bring down, and repeat as many times as necessary.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Now, for your smaller foods you'll need to vary your technique. Here I have some puffs to demonstrate.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Reach out whilst extending your thumb and forefinger for maximum pincer grip.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Make sure not to squeeze the puff too hard or you'll crush it into dust before it reaches your mouth.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Insert the food into your mouth and that is how it's done!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. See you all next time!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-52219593216635927552014-10-11T05:11:00.002-07:002014-10-11T05:11:24.689-07:00Camping time and the livin' is easyWhew, ok if blogging with one child was difficult...two makes it well nigh impossible. I have wanted to, but work has been busy and when I get home I basically nurse Joshua and play a bit with Maegwin and then it's time for bed. Note the lack of mention of housecleaning? Yeah, no time for that. The last few times that Maegwin has dumped out all her toys in the living room though she has put them all back in her baskets so I think we are making real progress. I'm so proud of her! On to the fun!<br />
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Last month, we went camping again and it was our most successful trip yet. Our Prius is definitely at full capacity though. We have the water jug under Maegwin's feet and the area under Joshua's car seat stuffed as well. I have to have both dogs in the front on the floor at my feet because there is nowhere else to put them. Hopefully by next spring we can buy <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/826379/yakima-rocketbox-pro-14-roof-box#specsTab">the pod</a> to go on top of the car. Something like that at least. We basically want to put our chairs and tent into it. That would free up a lot of space in the trunk for other items.<br />
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As soon as we got there, Maegwin found an open dirt area and started giving herself a dirt bath. "Just like the elephants do, Mommy!"<br />
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Needless to say, she spent most of the trip dirty. I did find some waterless soap to use for a sort of bath which was good.
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Those shoes behind her also WERE new tennis shoes. Yeah, not so much anymore. lol! They did help with hiking later though.
Joshua helped keep the tent bags in order while we set up camp and unpacked the car.
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He was so good for it all and had tons of fun just worming around. I love this shot because it looks like he is posing. LOL<br />
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It was cold in the mornings so we made good use of our knitwear and wooly underthings. Even the dogs had a fairly good trip. Last time Planck spent a lot of time coughing but this time his heart murmur didn't seem to bother him. This red hoodie was from when Maegwin was a baby. It barely fits Joshua but it worked. I also knit him a pair of mittens last minute and we used them often.<br />
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Maegwin took charge of her own outfits. She even buttoned her own shirt!<br />
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Josh made some great fires and great food. Yep, my California family, that is how we roll out here in Ohio. Big open fires with no thought whatsoever for sparks or embers. We throw caution to the wind! Some of our wood was so wet that we couldn't get it to take.<br />
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I had also just finished my Ishbel shawl which I threw in my bag at the last minute. I was so glad because as I said, it was chilly! I also threw in the bunting that Mom knit for Maegwin and it is just the right size for Joshua. He slept in it both nights and it kept him toasty warm.<br />
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The second day we went on a hike and it was very fun. The dogs had great stamina all the way through. I hope I get around as well as Planck if I live to be 100. Seriously, he's about the equivalent of that and he charged up some stone stairs that were the same height as he is tall.<br />
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We found some cool fungus that looked a bit like cauliflower.<br />
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These cool roots went all across the path. They were neat to see, but definitely obstacles when walking around with dogs and a baby in the Ergo.<br />
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Josh and Maegwin walked out on the rocky bed of the river to explore. The dogs stayed back with Joshua and I. I didn't want to trip.<br />
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I caught this picture right before Maegwin plunged her foot into a huge puddle.<br />
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We found some wild black-eyed susans.<br />
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These are some of the kinds of rock formations more prevalent in the gorge, but pets aren't allowed on those trails anymore.<br />
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We explored a bit off the path and found a cool tree that we agreed looks like fairies could live there.<br />
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We also found this cool caterpillar. A smaller version of this stowed away in our pillow and found its way out onto our bed. :O He was safely put out in our bushes though.<br />
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Not sure what happened with the lighting on this photo, but proof that I did indeed hike with everyone. That's the leashes all twisted around my legs.<br />
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As soon as we got home, Maegwin set to her Duplo building. This was a berry shooter. Don't know what that means but she was very specific. One was supposed to shoot strawberries and one was for raspberries.<br />
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That's about all I have time for this morning! We are going camping sometime this month for the last one of the season.<br />
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<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-38605504458656893632014-09-05T03:14:00.000-07:002014-09-05T03:14:13.881-07:00Random conversation with my four year oldSo yesterday I was getting ready for work and Maegwin comes into the bathroom from waking up, looking bleary eyed and with tousled hair. She looks at me steadily and says "Mommy, we need to do demolition." I am used to such off the wall comments by this time, but I'm intrigued. I said "What do you mean, Maegwin?" She said "That means when you knock down a building so you can build a new one. You should reuse some of the materials and some new materials to make the building strong." Aha! Now I know she has been watching Bob the Builder and man, does she pick things up! I said "Well, what would we build?" She doesn't miss a beat. "A new house. With double ovens! And four sinks so we can all wash our hands! And four bathrooms so we can have privacy while we wash our hands!"<br />
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That kid is hilarious!<br />
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<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-7323510013686855672014-08-22T02:34:00.002-07:002014-08-22T02:34:33.726-07:00Three monthsYep, again not a ton of time to write anything. I went back to work at the end of July and between that and now two children there just isn't time to sit down and put together blog posts. Fear not though, because there are pictures!<br />
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Joshua is growing very nicely and he's such a laid back and fun little guy. He hasn't laughed yet but he is full of smiles.<br />
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He and Maegwin look alike, which is to be expected. I make consistent children. LOL<br />
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Maegwin just adores him. We often have to tell her to leave him alone when he is napping because she wants so badly to cuddle him or play with him. I think once he can sit up she will enjoy him so much. She is very patient and good with him though and has never been jealous or angry about him. She does sometimes want me to put him down and play with her when I really can't because he is nursing but otherwise I'm very proud of how she's just adapted right away to him being part of our family.<br />
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I believe he is around 15 pounds or so right now but no checkup this month so that is purely from using the bathroom scale. Speaking of bathroom scales, I'm down to needing to lose about 5 pounds to get to my pre-pregnancy weight. I'd like to lose another 5 on top of that to be back in top form but let's not get hasty. I'll take just being the weight I was before being pregnant. Being back at work helps with that because I walk so much going back and forth between our two buildings and going to meetings and going to the mothers' room to pump. I also take the stairs whenever I can (obviously if I'm walking with someone who prefers the elevator I take that).<br />
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Josh has also started the couch to 5k program when I was out on leave still. He is doing very well with it though we think he may have started running intervals a bit too soon. He hurt one of his knees so he went back to a previous week's schedule for now. It is basically a program to build up to running by using intervals of walking and running. He made a path all around the perimeter of our yard and walks that. Maegwin loves it and will walk on the trail with him or he can walk on it with Joshua during the day with an eye out for her playing in the yard. It's been great!<br />
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We also had a bit of tragedy in the family. My stepsister Shelly was killed in a car accident and it was a shock to all of us. My niece, Chelsea, who is 14 will now be coming up to live in Ohio again. We hope to see more of her because she is a sweet girl and I can't imagine how hard it must be to lose your mother so young. It's just such a horrible shame.<br />
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I've done a bit of drop spindling and I'm getting better at it. I need to do more of it. I had figured out how to spin while I had Joshua in the Ergo but then he decided he didn't like being in the Ergo with me. I think maybe he is a bit too long for the infant insert but not quite big enough to do the legs around my torso setting without the pad.<br />
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I will definitely get back to it though because I was having a lot of fun spinning up this fiber and I have some pretty stuff I want to be skilled enough to spin well.<br />
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I finished a shawl! The pattern is Ishbel and Joshua was in love with this yarn. Whenever he was nursing and I was knitting he would grab at it or just stare at it. I bound off the last stitch and held it out to him and he snatched it and curled his head up on his daddy's chest with it. So precious!<br />
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Like, you know this is mine, right?<br />
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And with the magic of lace, it blocked to fit me.<br />
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I also finished a cardigan/coat for Joshua but it won't fit him til at least the winter.<br />
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That's about it. I'm almost done with a pair of socks for me and I'm working on pullovers for Joshua and Maegwin. Josh will get a pair of socks when I'm done with mine. He wants to see what the handknit sock thing is all about and I think they will be great for camping this fall. I also want to get a shawl done for me for camping. A nice big one that I can wrap around the kids and I when we are cuddling by the fire and that is in rugged wool so I don't care about it getting smoky and camp-y.<br />
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First alarm is going off so I need to wrap this up and get ready for work. I leave you all with some fun outside.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/14868224245" title="IMG_6513 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6513" height="300" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14868224245_5456c2fe87_c.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/14845246026" title="IMG_6517 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6517" height="300" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/14845246026_02362a1483_c.jpg" width="400" /></a>Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-6545320704369018542014-07-14T05:30:00.000-07:002014-07-14T05:30:21.600-07:002 Month check inWe recently had the two month check up appointment for Joshua and I realized that I didn't blog the week after like I meant to. Surprise, surprise! You all forgive me, right? Even if you don't, it doesn't really matter...you're stuck with me! Muhaha! Anywho, here's the latest stats we got at the wee munchkin's appointment. He's up to 13 pounds 4 ounces, 23.25 inches long and his head circumference is 16 inches. He is all over the board with percentiles. I think he's low on weight, high on height and his head has sort of plateaued for now. The boy charts are pretty different than the girl ones. Basically it boils down to he gained over 2 pounds since his one month check up and another inch. Crazy! <br />
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He outgrew nearly all of his initial 0-3 month clothing so I packed a lot of that up and sent it home with California family when they were visiting. That brings me to their visit. Nice segue, no?<br />
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Mom and Laura came for just a few days after visiting family in Kansas. They brought with them two huge boxes of stuff from there. Thanks, Therese and Jay! It was like Christmas! Games, books, clothes, mini tents, books on tape (and a tape player which Maegwin now knows how to operate!), pretend camping supplies, practice writing dry erase boards-you get the idea. We need to do another toy culling because our house is pretty tiny and we just don't have capacity for it all. This is hard though now that I know there is another little who will want to play with it all when he gets a bit bigger.<br />
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Maegwin drew pictures and insisted that I take photos of them to send to Grandma from California, her formal title (which Maegwin called her for most of her visit-it made me giggle every time).<br />
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There were cuddles.<br />
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There was reading of books.<br />
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Exploring was done in the yard.<br />
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Note the persimmon tree on the ground in the background of this one. The day before they got here, we had awful storms and we woke up to this being down. We didn't even know it was damaged at all. It came down behind the swingset and the trunks around it seem to be fine. More firewood, though we already have that in spades.<br />
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Here's everyone enjoying some time by the swingset. We tried one day to do a walk, got all suited up and then it started pouring as soon as we left the driveway. Sadly we missed taking them to the butterfly exhibit. Our time zones were just too off. I'm happy to let guests sleep in and relax though. That is what vacations are all about!<br />
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Only one picture with me in it. Josh doesn't really like it, but hey, I so rarely get pictures of me doing anything that I begin to think when my children look back they will think their dad loves them more. I'm behind the lens my poppets, fear not.<br />
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We had a nice relaxed visit and though it was short, Maegwin got tons of time to hang out with Auntie Laura and Grandma from California which was really all we could ask for. Joshua hung out as much as a month and a half old can hang out.<br />
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Since we've moved to our town, I've wanted to check out the thrift store down the street. It is only open during the week and I think they have started being open for a few hours on Saturday so the Friday after everyone went home I packed up Joshua and headed over. Josh and Maegwin went to ComFest at the same time and got glittered up. The little guy went in the Ergo and I looked around. I scored a small glass perfume bottle for Maegwin, a big glass jar for me to put my sock yarn scraps in (for my Beekeeper's Quilt), a wooden recipe box, and a pack of citronella candles all for $10. Sweet! I definitely see more trips in my future.<br />
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I've also been working on a sweater for me which is currently in time out. I don't like how the buttonholes are written. I tried to drop down some stitches to fix them and ended up screwing it up somehow and had to rip back multiple rows that represented about two hours of work. I've decided the stupid button placket is decorative anyway so I'm going without buttonholes and I'll just sew the buttons on top. Here's the color of the yarn though along with a bit of the sleeve you can see.<br />
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I'm pretty sure this little guy is going to have mad knitting skills. He already grabs onto my knitting needles whenever he's awake and he can toe knit!<br />
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I've also worked on my Halloween cross stitch.<br />
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I made some more cards.<br />
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We had friends over for July 4th and we had an awesome time. I think technically it was the 3rd but oh well. The weather was fabulous and we got to be out in the backyard with a fire. Maegwin ran Mike ragged but he was a good sport. They caught fireflies, played crocodile, and ran around. We hung out around the fire and debated and made adult talk. So nice!<br />
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Last week we went camping out at the lake and that was pretty fun. I sadly forgot my camera so no pictures. Joshua was the hit of the campsite. Since we went during the week there were many retired folks out there. One woman, who was traveling with her husband cross-country, heard him crying and actually came over because she loves babies. Most people don't go towards a crying baby. Josh later took him over for a visit and she held him for a bit. She said she needed her baby fix. hehe Apparently all her grandchildren are grown. A nice family from Tennessee camped next to us our last night there and they had a girl who was four years old with them. Maegwin made friends, but got to learn all the joys of introverts. I think that Maegwin's personality just wore her out. There were several times where she said she wanted to be alone and Maegwin came back to camp and cried and asked when her friend would love her. I had to explain that some people like to spend time alone and they are shy and need a while to get to know you before they can like you. I told her this was good practice because there will be many people like that in her life and she needs to learn to adapt the way that she interacts with them. I used to have this issue all the time but now as an adult can successfully navigate it. We had a few issues with behavior on this trip but I think part of that was me not being able to interact with her as much. Joshua had got all his vaccinations at his checkup the day before we went camping and ran a low grade fever. He also spit up a TON on me. By the day that Dad came out to visit, I had no clean shirts. I was wearing my PJ shirt while the others dried in the sun. Things we learned this trip to remember for the next one:<br />
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1. Adapt our food plan to Maegwin's style of eating. I think part of our issue came from her being hungry. We planned on three meals a day and she is a grazer. We also brought no fruit, yogurt, or other munchies which is how she always eats. Not sure what we were thinking.<br />
2. Review our first aid kit. There was nothing for bug bites and I got a doozy on my heel our last night there. It swelled up so much and hurt so badly I had to just lay on the air mattress and elevate it. Luckily we had the tablet so I read my book for a bit but still. I wanted to hang out by the campfire with Josh and I didn't get to do that.<br />
3. Just buy one bundle of wood for our first fire, then forage for the rest right away. The firewood they sell sucks and is smoky. We can find deadfall quickly and easily and it makes a way better fire that we all enjoy more.<br />
4. Make some busy bag activities for Maegwin to do so if she gets bored she can grab something. I've found some good ideas on a few blogs I follow so I need to get those made up before we go next time.<br />
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Overall though, we had a good time and are so happy we put in the money last year to buy our nice tent and stuff we need to enjoy this summer. Our goal is to camp at least once each month for the rest of the camp-able time this year. It's inexpensive and we have fun. We also can bring the dogs with us which saves on kenneling. We only spent about $50 for three days and had a really fun time. It was nice to see Dad also.<br />
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That's about all for this update. I also finished a baby shower gift but I will share it next time. I don't want to spoil the surprise. Two more weeks before I'm back at work! This week I have to go get some clothes. I don't think my one pair of shorts is going to cut it.Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-51513206020448912732014-06-30T05:52:00.000-07:002014-06-30T05:52:01.689-07:00It's about time for a postSo yesterday I attacked a section of the yard that had got completely overgrown with weeds. We lost multiple trees last year, as those who read the blog well know, and in one area we didn't get the limbs cleared away so we couldn't use the mower. I bravely went out with the weed whacker while Josh had the baby in the Ergo and dialed it up to 3 and went to town. Some things to note here:<br />
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<li>My arms are not in the shape that they used to be. Being pregnant and on restrictions of how much weight that I can lift led to serious degradation of my arm muscles.</li>
<li>Our weed whacker packs more of a punch than I was accounting for.</li>
<li>I tend to just focus on a task and go and go til I can't go anymore.</li>
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The above factors contributed to my hands not being able to grip anything for the rest of the night and my forearms stinging like the fire of a thousand suns today. I know it is good exercise for me, but not being able to knit for the rest of the day does not make for a very sane me. I did a few rows on the baby cardigan for my sister-in-law's baby, just to take the edge off. The area does look quite a bit better though and luckily for me the battery for the weed whacker was used up and we didn't have the second one charged. Today we plan to haul away the limbs and then we can do a pass with the riding mower which thankfully does not require arm power. I need to start doing free weights again...it is shameful how weak my arms are. LOL!<br />
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Overall I am super happy with all the flowers this year. Our bee balm and cone flower area is filling in very nicely We had to remove an ash tree there last year and they have nearly surrounded where the stump is. The geranium there is over two feet across and the lungwort has started cropping up down in the stone wall which is kinda fun. Josh suggested removing our stone retaining wall but I pointed out that chipmunks live in it and frankly I love watching the little guys. He agreed this is a good reason to keep the stone wall but we do need to make some repairs. The people who set it up initially did a crappy job and didn't build a wood framework first or do any kind of planning. Kind of the story of anything that was done after it was built. I put some hollyhock seeds in last year and they did almost nothing. Josh thought they were weeds and didn't believe me that they weren't. This year, they did this:<br />
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Josh's exact words were "I'm sorry I thought those were weeds, babe. I didn't know they were totally awesome!" There are plans to put them in other places now. I thought just the pink ones survived (because I got a mix seed packet) but just over the last two weeks red and a deep magenta have bloomed. They are lovely English cottage garden style flowers and I adore them. It is so fun to watch bees crawl in and out of them. I'm hoping the red ones are fun for the hummingbirds. We should start seeing lots of them now that our bee balm are blooming.<br />
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Another thing I keep meaning to blog about but constantly forget every time is that I signed up for a service to have products delivered to us from <a href="https://www.honest.com/">The Honest Company</a>. I think their name is hilarious, but I found them through Zulily and tried their detangler. I was looking for something a bit more in line with the types of products we like to buy than Johnson & Johnson and I totally fell in love with it. It smells freaking amazing, like an orange creamsicle, and it works amazingly well on both my and Maegwin's hair. Having fine hair but a lot of it often means that products weigh my hair down but <a href="https://www.honest.com/bath-and-body/conditioning-detangler">this stuff </a>doesn't. We then moved on to trying their combo body wash and shampoo and their conditioner and I love both of those as well. We do the bundle and I usually get two conditioners and two body washes and their bubble bath each month and that sets us up for personal care products. So nice to not have to go buy those things, plus whenever we went to Target for cleaning products we inevitably bought other stuff that we didn't really need so I think it saves us money that way as well. Something else we got that has been a total hit is the <a href="https://www.honest.com/cleaning/suds-up-dish-brush">dish brush and soap dish</a> combo. Remember how washing dishes used to be fun? No? Just me? Well this set made me almost love washing dishes again...almost. It had the unexpected but totally welcome side effect of making Maegwin want to help wash dishes.<br />
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Things we have tried that I didn't really care for are the dishwasher detergent (it didn't really do a good job of cleaning dishes-we use Seventh Generation and like it better) and the baby bottom wash (we make our own with olive oil, water, tea tree oil, and baby soap and again like it better). Your mileage may, of course, vary.<br />
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I've also been working at some other hand crafts besides knitting. We made a garden stone together with both kids' hand prints. I'd like to do one each year so that I have a path of them as they grow.<br />
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Note to self, one month olds do not like having their hands pressed into quick-crete and they will ball their fists up at inopportune moments. We are just calling it his monster hand. hehe<br />
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I also managed to put together one card during a nap time and snack time combo.<br />
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And this wee bit of cross stitch. This is part of a sampler that counts the days til Christmas. It will eventually be a pillow and either be part of the Advent swap or be a Christmas decoration for our house. This little guy is day 13.<br />
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I'm trying to do more modular things since my crafting time now has to wrap around the needs of two children but since I'm on leave I'm getting a surprising amount done. I've been knitting on a top for me that I will share pictures of soon. I need to get it down to where I can try it on first.<br />
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Kids are up so I leave you with these pictures of my little monkeys and I will blog another time about our California family visit which was short but lovely.<br />
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Hope you all have a lovely week and are enjoying the summer so far!Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-38985546228912365072014-06-06T01:35:00.001-07:002014-06-06T01:35:12.800-07:00One month statsWe had Joshua's one month appointment today and he is growing quite well. He is now 11 pounds and 22.5 inches long. While we were at the doctor, Maegwin was using a book flipped open as her laptop and charting his stats on a sticky note. It was so cute! She had a pretend consultation call with our doctor and pronounced him healthy. :)<br />
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We got a chance to have Maegwin hold Joshua a bit more and I managed to snap some photos. He hasn't had much patience until now with being held the way she can manage it so this was nice.<br />
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I have been listening to the Knitting Butterflies podcast and got some really good photography tips. I played with the white balance on my camera and was able to take some really great pictures. This was with the Tungsten setting which I didn't even know was what it needed to be on for indoor lighting. It made a huge difference! I think these look almost like they were taken in daylight but they definitely were not. The next few below were taken at about 3 am when the little guy decided to wake me up and then have the audacity to zonk back out after nursing. Cheeky monkey!<br />
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I am so happy that Maegwin is doing so well with the addition of her little brother. She declared to me the other day that "being a big sister feels great!" I was a little worried since my own sister didn't greet my addition as welcome and from reports from my parents attempted to poison me by feeding me rock salt at a tender age (though I think I was a toddler). Yep, Missy, I'm lookin' at you! LOL! The biggest problem we've had so far is that we need to curb her enthusiasm for wanting to cuddle him. If she comes upon him napping in his little ZCush sleeping bag (if you have a newborn and don't have one...go look now! They are awesome) she is struck by his cuteness and insists on kissing and hugging him and snuggling near him which sometimes makes him wake up. I can't blame her for loving him though. He's pretty darn irresistible.<br />
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He had a pretty bad diaper rash, probably brought on by the antibiotics that I had to take. We got cream for it today while at the doctor and he is so much improved with just a few applications. He was bright and cheerful which just makes us feel guilty we didn't take him in sooner but why cry over spilled milk. We are glad he is better and even more fun.<br />
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I have been working mostly on my cross stitch this week which I will share some pictures of soon. I also knit several hexipuffs for my never ending blanket. I need to pick a pattern soon to knit for my newly expected nephew due in October. I want to consult my sister-in-law first to see if there is anything she absolutely wouldn't put on him or any colors she loves/hates or any preferred item she would like me to make. I'm thinking maybe a blanket and sweater? I also need to knit something new for my little niece but I don't know what size she is now. My petite, slow growing child has made me not really aware of the size of children her age or younger.<br />
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Hope you are all having a great week!Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-53772297125187960192014-05-30T04:22:00.000-07:002014-05-30T04:24:33.869-07:00Nearly one month in and boy are my wings tired!Hello, gentle readers! I have a moment's reprieve from the chaos and wanted to let you know that we are all doing just fine. Baby is growing, knitting is happening, Maegwin is crazy and fun, Josh is enjoying me being home. I've no idea the state that my house might be in when I go back to work but I think the children and husband will all survive. hehe I warn those who are not knitters that this might be a knit heavy post because I haven't put up anything I've made in a while. First, I shall dispense with the cuteness and those who choose to head off after that can do so with a lighter heart.<br />
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Maegwin is absolutely smitten with her little brother. The problem is more keeping her off of him than getting her to like him. A good problem to have and I think he will make it. Humans have survived this long with older boisterous siblings after all. She does often want to do things with me and always seems to time it when I'm nursing and can't get up. Then she will say "Just put him on the couch. He'll be fine." Yeah, not if I take his milk away, sweetheart. Now that I am feeling mostly physically recovered (I had a bout of mastitis that knocked me for a loop but thanks to modern medicine and antibiotics I'm fine), I am hoping to start doing walks with everyone each day. The weather is still gorgeous and not yet super humid so now is the time.<br />
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Nearly everyday Maegwin goes out and picks some sort of bouquet of wildflowers from our yard. We don't spray anything on our yard and we try not to mow the backyard too low. As a result we have a profusion of wildflowers, bees, and butterflies as well as a host of other creatures. We even have a hawk who frequents our yard which is pretty fun to see. Here is just a sampling of the bouquets I've received:<br />
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Some other floral goodness in our house-my miltonia orchid has bloomed! I bought it last year at the orchid sale at the conservatory and had no idea what color it was. I only knew its type. It turned out to be my favorite color...yellow! and it has a pink center!<br />
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If you will pardon the sad selfie with lighting behind me (bad Nina, bad!), I am so stinking proud of getting two blooms on this thing at the proper time of year. I nursed this guy all year and apparently got it back to health.<br />
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Also, my African violet is going crazy in the same window. I repotted it not too long ago and it seems pleased with its new environment.<br />
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As mentioned previously, the wee man is doing well. He has received some additional gifts from my Itty Bitty Knits group and is making use of them all.<br />
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He has helped me clean the kitchen.<br />
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And even supervised my sock knitting.<br />
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It's hard work being a baby in this house! Oh and he reprised the role of a wizard from Final Fantasy.<br />
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I had my first beer in almost a year and it was everything I thought it could be. Of course it was from the brewery we lived down the street from in Hayward. Accept no substitute for summer beer-ing! Note the crazy amount of crafting going on in the background. Cross stitch, four yarn bowls with projects in them...I call this my nursing anti-boredom station.<br />
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Now for the segue to knitting items, I give you Maegwin as an alien. Pay no attention to the mess behind me and take me to your leader.<br />
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If you are still with me, I can only assume that you enjoy a good hand knit and I have some for you! First off I completed a second pair of socks for Maegwin. I seem to have discovered the secret sauce for getting them to fit her and she's actually wearing them and asking for more. I'm trying to make them in colors that also would work for baby Joshua once he is older so that we get more use out of them. I mean, toddler feet do grow and fast.<br />
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These were made with my leftover Chroma from my cardigan that I made just before I got pregnant. The colorway is Guppy and she really loves them. They have felted a little bit on the bottom already but I expected that since it is a single ply yarn. Still, I think they will be warm for winter and they fit well into her hiking boots.<br />
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Next up, a pair of vanilla socks for me. These were done in Blueberry Pie Studios yarn-Cupcake with Sprinkles colorway. It was my first time using this yarn and I will definitely use it again. I have enough leftover for socks for Maegwin and maybe a hat for Joshua or mittens for either of them.<br />
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Not a great photo, but I had just finished nursing him and couldn't get up.<br />
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Finally I just finished a pair of Lilybet socks out of some mystery yarn I bought at Knitters Connection in 2009 on clearance. It has gold sparkles in it too. I tried to knit this into no less than four pair of socks and ended up ripping them all out. Apparently it was waiting to become these beauties.<br />
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I love everything about them although I forgot how much longer knitting a patterned sock takes! I actually knit them in about two weeks but this is the most knitting time that I've had in ages. I'm glad I finally found a use for this beautiful yarn and the leftovers will probably go into hexipuffs for my Beekeepers Quilt. Still making those also. Still a few years from a blanket I think but I'm enjoying making them here and there.<br />
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Whew! So that's it of things that I have finished but for me that is quite a bit. I'm also working on my Once Upon a Time cross stitch and I'm about to finish up April's square. I've got May partially done and June's comes out tomorrow. Can't wait to see what story it is. Maegwin was looking at it with me last night and naming all of the stories. As long as somewhere in there we get Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast we will be all good. Those are her favorites besides Snow White which we already have as January's block.<br />
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Hope you all are having a lovely spring so far!<br />
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<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-51225418527666000212014-05-09T04:49:00.000-07:002014-05-09T04:49:07.134-07:00The Storkman ComethThe big day finally arrived! On Sunday, May 4th I woke up at about 5 am with some contractions...nothing too out of the ordinary and about 30 minutes apart. By about 6 am they were 15 minutes apart and getting stronger. I woke up Josh and he started prepping the house for heading to the hospital, just in case. We called Mom and put her on the alert at about 7 am. By 8:30 they were five minutes apart and quite strong so we got in the car with Maegwin and told Mom to just meet us at the hospital because there was no way she was getting here in time. Maegwin was a little scared that we were going to leave her so I was trying to reassure her between contractions I could barely breathe through. We managed the hand off and the limp inside (thank goodness for pre-registration! I feel like even with it there were an inordinate amount of people asking me questions while I was trying to focus on breathing). We headed up to labor and delivery and were the only patients on the floor. They checked me and even though my contractions were regular and four minutes apart, I was only dilated 2.5 cm said the nurse so we were sent off to walk. That was agonizing! Seriously I played the most horrid game of musical chairs that one could possibly imagine. It was shamble, sit, contract, repeat. After about three contraction cycles of that (she had told us an hour...seriously) I said screw this, I'm going back. We did and I was already dilated enough to admit me.<br />
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Once we were back in the room, we told them to numb my hand prior to putting the IV in. Luckily this time we had a really great set of nurses that agreed to it. They gave me lidocaine then proceeded to take both of them poking around in my hand three times before calling the anesthesiologist. He had to lidocaine and stick me twice before finding a vein, but he did in my right wrist. Not a fun place to have an IV, but hey it worked. They got me started on saline right away-again lesson learned from last time-and antibiotics since I had a positive strep B test. I labored for a little bit til the OB on call came in. He was awesome and good humored by the way and totally our style. If I ever had another baby I would love to have him deliver it. He broke my water and then I got my epidural. Same anesthesiologist came in and seriously, this dude deserves a medal or candy or something. I told him last time that I had a hot spot in my left leg and he said he was going to try to get me all the way numb. I leaned over and he got into the space and I felt a shooting pain down my left leg. Knowing from last time to give feedback I told him and he kept shifting right until I didn't feel it. Apparently I have a HUGE nerve bundle that he had to get past and he said most likely the last doctor didn't know that and didn't do it. That epidural was AMAZING!!! After that, labor was comfortable and we just let things take their natural course as little Joshua moved down. They gave me some oxygen since his heart rate dropped just a bit briefly but afterwards was fine. At about 4 pm I started pushing. I had allergies acting up and kept coughing and apparently that was pushing him out too. LOL I shall henceforth not hate the cottonwood so much. (tell this to me in a month when it looks like it snowed in my yard) The doctor knew that Maegwin had shoulder dystocia so we tried a different position with this little guy and it worked out well.<br />
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At 4:42 pm, baby Joshua entered the world!<br />
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Weight: 9 lbs 8.5 oz<br />
Length: 21.5 inches<br />
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He beat his sister by 5 ounces! The baby hats they had wouldn't fit on his head but I was prepared, although this stripey hat barely fit him. What is better than instant wrapping in hand knits, I ask you? They put him on my chest after getting his airway cleaned out and all the checks and within 30 minutes I got him to latch and nurse a bit.<br />
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We stayed for two days in the hospital.<br />
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On the second day, Maegwin came out to meet him. She was smitten but was so excited that we had to keep reminding her of his delicateness (she wants to tickle and poke him-I love her enthusiasm).<br />
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We are all adjusting to the new addition but I think it is going well. Josh and I are making an effort to spend special time with Maegwin whenever the baby is sleeping. She really loves her brother and desperately wants to give him a bottle. I ordered some new nipples for ours and they should be here Sunday. Yesterday I pumped a few ounces so the freezer stashing has begun. As with Maegwin, I seem to already be over producing on the milk.<br />
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We just love our little guy! Maegwin said "I love that we are a family now!" which I thought was so cute since we were a family before.<br />
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Love to all and to the mothers and grandmothers in my life-your Mothers' Day gifts/cards may be a bit late but no less filled with love. We're just a bit busy. heheheEenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-85986697652150913102014-04-25T11:45:00.001-07:002014-04-25T11:45:12.544-07:00The Waiting GameSo we are playing the waiting game and I have to admit to not doing it very well. I am crampy, not walking around well, and just testy today. I think the rain and greyness is not helping the situation. I decided to work from home today because the thought of getting dressed up and limping around to get to the bathroom as well as the long walks around the building just had no charm for me.<br />
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We had an ultrasound for size on Tuesday and they estimate baby J is about 8 lbs 13 oz right now-though they can be off by as much as 10% with the late term ultrasounds so he might be smaller...or bigger. He was head down at least but free floating and apparently happy as a clam to stay in there. I have to say, ultrasounds of babies at this point look really weird. Josh said he looked like Slimer from Ghostbusters but they told us he was smooshing up his own face and he was perfectly fine. I do admit I had a nightmare that night about taking a dose of cold medicine before realizing it had an ingredient in it I wasn't supposed to take and that I was so sad I made our baby not cute. Pregnancy hormones are weird! So anyway, the doctor said for now we wait and recheck on Tuesday to see if there is any dilating at all and if so we can help things along. Otherwise, we are looking at a scheduled induction on May 5th at the latest.<br />
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Anyway, as I said I'm cranky about it-so on to better subjects! We had a visit from Grandpa Kevin and Maegwin had a blast! She helped with cleaning in anticipation of his arrival:<br />
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And had so much fun playing while he was here. I didn't get a lot of pictures because honestly I was kind of enjoying the break. My energy level just hasn't been up to it which makes me sad sometimes but I hope she understands.<br />
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Josh also found a Dad's group in the area and we've gone to a few things with them. Hoping that pans out-they all seem very nice. The first thing we did is they had a family day where they went to the butterfly exhibit at the conservatory. We have gone each year for three years now and Maegwin loves it. She instantly took to one of the little girls and grabbed her hand and led her all around.<br />
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This was my favorite picture that I took that day. The lighting turned out just right.<br />
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It was nice to see the orchids on display still too. They have a retired orchid sale every year that I go to but this year we went the weekend before so they were still out. We went back on the following Saturday just to get orchids and picked up a ton. Our house is a little bit plant crazy right now. I volunteered with my work at the conservatory on Friday and they were having me and two other people put together new felt display walls. They were just going to have us compost the anthurium, bird's nest ferns, and some other tropical plants. I asked if I could take them home because all of the plants were still so healthy and they said sure. So we have a ton of them but I love having plants in the house again. Also, my miltonia orchid that I got last year has a bud on it. I'm looking forward to seeing it bloom. Since I have no idea what color it is, it will be a fun surprise.<br />
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The ladies in my Ravelry group Itty Bitty Knits got together and organized a virtual baby shower and gifts have been arriving here and there in the mail. It's so fun to see them and I am blown away by the generosity and creativity of the group. They are all so sweet!<br />
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Just a sampling above, but see what I mean?<br />
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I've also finished up some knitting lately. For my friend Mary I made a pair of socks to thank her for letting me use her maternity clothes. That was so amazing of her and I'd have had to spend so much to make up for donating mine without her generosity.<br />
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She said they fit well. I texted her husband to get her shoe size and favorite color so I could surprise her. :)<br />
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I also did a pair of socks for Maegwin. They were going to be pink and purple but she insisted they needed yellow also.<br />
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She put them in the bag we packed for when she goes to stay with Mom while we are in the hospital. She said "just in case I have a sock emergency, I will need socks." That's my girl! She loved them so much she wore just the one around the house for a day (that's why it is noticeably dustier) and as soon as I cast the second off she wore the pair to bed.<br />
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Another item I finished was this shawl for my swap partner in the Rainbow theme swap from my Itty Bitty Knits group.<br />
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I made one of these for Josh's grandma at Christmas and liked the pattern so I knit this with a heavier weight yarn to go a bit faster. It was some yarn I got in a stash dive from my mom's knitting group. I still have I think enough skeins to do a summer top for me out of it.<br />
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My last item I finished this morning at about 4:30 am. Not sleeping well-again the crankiness...<br />
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This is the first knitted item I've completed for baby Josh. I told him that he can come out now. I promise him awesome stuff if he does. Bribery is not winning so far. More updates to come as we find out next week!Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-72587737270919545842014-03-16T04:13:00.002-07:002014-03-16T04:20:36.206-07:00Shades of lavenderI was struggling for a title for this one, but for some reason the project I'm currently working on and the next one up are both in shades of lavender so I figured I would throw that on there. Little known fact, I'm allergic to lavender (the flower not the color lol). We've had a good couple of weeks since I last blogged and there are definite signs of spring. We are having a true March that swings back and forth though. I am really enjoying the ferocity of the seasons...I know, I know, people think I'm crazy. I love bundling up in the handknits and I love the soft springy weather that still has some crispness to the air. Autumn and spring are my favorite seasons and often spring around here is far too short. It's like winter just becomes summer with no reprieve. I think the gentle temps where one can have the windows open and smell the lilac bushes (we have a few outside our living room window) and have coolness for sleeping are just magical and wonderful. <br />
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I'm really looking forward to being off with the family at the tail end of spring and early summer. It will be so nice to go outside instead of being shut up with a newborn. I think we will have a lot of fun-hoping to do some zoo trips, walks, maybe a bit of flower gardening. We are scaling back the veggie garden this year just knowing we will have a new baby. I think probably just cover cropping most of the beds and buying a few tomato plants, potatoes, and onions. Those are the things we eat the most and I can't let a whole season go by without growing any food-it just seems irresponsible since we have all that space and it does save us money. We shall see how it goes, but those are all pretty low maintenance crops.<br />
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In the crafting world, I've been pretty busy! I am working on a secret project for someone so I can't share that but I'm about 50% of the way there and I love how it is turning out so far. I hope they like it as well. I finished a pair of socks out of the Patons Kroy Blue Ragg sock yarn I've seen everybody using lately. Nothing special, it's just from JoAnns but I really loved the stripes.<br />
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I finished these super early in the morning on a day it was still super cold and was lamenting that all my socks were in the wash and then remembered I had a brand new pair. I popped them on as soon as I got out of the shower. I got more of this to make sleeves for a sweater for the new baby. I was thinking stripey sleeves with a solid navy body and maybe some fun buttons that match with the stripes...might even use the fun science buttons that I got in a swap from my Itty Bitty Knits group. They make me think of the Big Bang Theory show-which if you haven't seen it you really should. It's hilarious!<br />
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Yesterday, we made some new bunny crayons. We did this two years ago I believe and I've been saving all of Maegwin's broken crayon bits when I find them on the dining room floor. It was to the point where I had a quart size bag of them so as part of the cleaning process we did yesterday I decided it was time to make those into something useful. We peeled and sorted so we had mostly tonal or single color ones and there were a few rainbow ones that she wanted to make. Popped them into the oven at 225 for 15 minutes and bam we had new crayons. She colored a picture or two but had a lot of fun just stacking and arranging them.<br />
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She was talking about making a mousetrap and was using some playdough, some appetizer toothpicks (for a clothes stick for them to hang their clothes on, she said), and these bunny crayons arranged in a circle.<br />
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Some sort of druidic mouse ritual? Who knows? She might just be building a better mousetrap.<br />
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Note the princess dress-she pretty much alternates between the two that we have until we make her peel it off. She goes exploring in them with jeans underneath. We were keeping them down in the basement to make her wear other clothes but then I thought "Hey, she's only going to be this age once and who am I to keep her from being a princess if she wants to be?" so we just let it be and let her have fun. She literally asks to change out of her pajamas as soon as she gets up and finds some shoes to put on. She LOVES shoes. Not sure where that came from. I have some shoes and I certainly appreciate a good pair of shoes but I also repair mine until they can't be worn anymore. I have some shoes that are 10-12 years old. She likes to put on my shoes or her little mary janes, or boots, you get the idea.<br />
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Recently I've also won a few prizes on Ravelry! It's been so fun since I don't often win things. I participated in a worsted sock knit along and won a really pretty bag and mug for finishing and having my name randomly picked.<br />
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The yarn inside wasn't part of the prize but it fit five skeins in there so it's a nice little box bag. That is one of the lavender yarns that I was talking about that I'm going to use to knit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cinnamon-5">Cinnamon</a> for Maegwin. I think it will be a pretty transitional sweater for spring. (I hope you all can see the link-Ravelry says no account needed to see pattern pages).<br />
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I also won a prize package for finishing up the slippers I shared that were for Josh's mom for her birthday. It came all the way from New Zealand!<br />
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Two skeins of yarn I have never knit with, a little ruler bookmark, a silk notions pouch, and a sheepy luggage tag. Maegwin has her eye on that luggage tag so it might go on her backpack for a bit.<br />
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Finally, I won a copy of the ebook <a href="https://www.cooperativepress.com/products-page/books/accessories-knitting/head-to-toe/">Head to Toe: Kids Knit Accessories</a> from Cooperative Press. This was a prize from the Homespun podcast which is one of my favorites. I was so excited about this one because it has such beautiful stuff in it and I can make things for Maegwin and for next winter for both kids. Really looking forward to working some things out of this book. I think my first project might be one of the pair of handwarmers because Maegwin almost wore hers out wearing them constantly when she went out to explore in the yard and they are too small for her now. She definitely needs some new ones. I love when she goes rummaging through our warm things basket to find stuff to gear up for going outside.<br />
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That's really all the news that I have. We are heading out to Mom's today for her birthday lunch. I made a pistachio bundt cake which Maegwin is referring to as the big green donut cake. She says she wants one just like it for her birthday but it needs to be pink...and rainbow...and have ponies. So really nothing like it. lolEenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-8550705499985384672014-03-02T04:57:00.002-08:002014-03-02T05:12:17.636-08:00Making it up to you MarchSorry I totally missed posting in February...not sure how the month got away from me. Well, I do know and I will just blame it on pregnancy and choosing to spend time with family and crafting instead of blogging. We have had sooo much snow this winter, as I am sure you are all aware. I think it will make for a gorgeous spring with tons of flowers since we've had a lovely protective snow blanket on everything for most of the winter. I actually don't mind snow and am enjoying having a real winter like the ones I remember from childhood. You know, when snowsuits were a good investment? This year I even contemplated getting one for Maegwin but of course by that time the stores already had spring clothes. Seriously people, stock the season...none of us are wearing shorts anytime soon. But I digress. Josh made a sledding ramp on the far side of the house for Maegwin and she loved it.<br />
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We also went on multiple "snow hikes" where we'd put her in the sled and just walk around the yard looking at various tracks and guessing at which animals made them. Squirrels, groundhogs, bunnies, and deer are the usual denizens of our yard. Probably mice too since we've caught several this winter when the polar vortex got quite bad and it was super cold.<br />
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Here she is also wearing an earflap hat and the fox cowl that I made for her. It's a hood/cowl combo. With those frigid temps we really bundled up.</div>
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We have got tons of use out of our handknits this year. It makes me glad to be a knitter because honestly you can't beat good ol' wool for warmth. I made a pair of mittens for Maegwin and she never complains about her hands being cold. One day Josh took her out and put a pair of store bought cotton mittens on her hands thinking they were handknit and that is the one day that she said her fingers were too cold about 15 minutes into playing. I need to whip up another pair though for layering or for when her others are wet and she wants to go back outside. Her hands are so tiny that I can usually use scraps from my projects so she gets some pretty luxurious stuff. hehe<br />
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I finished knitting another pair of socks and these are my favorites so far that I have knit this year. I listen to a podcast called Just One More Row and the ladies on there started what is called the Clean Slate Challenge for the first few months of the year. The idea was to knit all from yarn that had been in stash for more than six months and to clean off the needles of anything that had been sitting on them. The yarn I used for these socks was from a yarn shop that closed at least a few years ago-A Tangled Tale. It's Pagewood Farms Elias in the Forest Camo colorway. I used the My Cup of Tea pattern which is free on Ravelry.<br />
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It is handwash only and my first time knitting with Blue Faced Leicester wool. I have to say I'm totally smitten. They are so warm and soft! Even sticking my feet in the snow like this for the photo (hey, I suffer for my art) they kept my feet very warm. I am wearing them at least once a week.<br />
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A friend on Ravelry had asked me how I organized my sock drawer so for those who follow my Flickr and wondered why the heck this picture was on there, now you know.<br />
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I got the honeycomb divider from a sale on Zulily and I really love it. This isn't all my handknit socks but it's a lot of them. I don't ever wear store-bought socks anymore. The yellow ones in the lower left corner were a Christmas gift from my mom. They are the first handknit socks I've received as a gift. So fun!<br />
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I'm working on a hood/scarf combo for Josh that has this fun basketweave pattern but I've run into issues on the hood so it's in a bit of a time out. The scarf is about 50" long and has a neat leather clasp closure so it makes it like a cowl that can be double wrapped to cover the neck and face then the hood goes up. He wanted the hood to come down low over his forehead which I didn't understand when I started knitting it so I need to rip back and modify to add increases. Still noodling that one over so I haven't done it yet. It's almost done though.<br />
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I also finished up these fun slippers for my mother-in-law in California. I promised them for her birthday and finally got over to Mom's to get them felted. I had to wait on the yarn because I stupidly ordered it around Christmas and it took a bit. I like how they turned out and hope they fit her. I can't try them on because my feet are bigger than hers. One didn't felt quite as much as the other so I'm hoping if that one is a little too big she can throw them in the wash for a few and get it to a good size. I want a pair for me now!<br />
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I'm working on a pair of stripey socks now so I will share those once they are done. I'm finished with the first sock and on the leg of the second. Just making up a plain sock pattern. I figure I've knit enough pair that I should be able to knit a simple no frills pattern. Going well so far!<br />
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Finally I'm working on the Once Upon a Time sampler from Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. I get a square a month and they are all fairy tale themed. I'm going to hang it in Maegwin's bedroom when I'm done. It's been fun doing some cross-stitch again. I tend to do it in the morning when she's not up yet or at work during lunch. Bonus, the little thread labels make great witch nails!<br />
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She loves the picture so far and said the other day "Mommy, how bout we hang it up right now. I don't mind that it isn't all done" So sweet!<br />
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Here is Maegwin's latest creation. She built a house for her animals and people. I love how intricate it is.<br />
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She made an area for vehicles, some towers, in the back there's a bedroom with beds and a little star blanket. There's a tiny rabbit hutch in the front. I enjoy seeing her being so creative and this was all her own ideas. We didn't prompt or help at all.<br />
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The bedroom is the back area with the two clock towers. Those are alarm clocks according to her so they know when to wake up. There's also a snack table for them if they get hungry and a domino to play with. Thanks to everyone who got her Duplos for her birthday and Christmas. She literally plays with them every day. They are the most used toy in the entire house. Only the play kitchen comes close-that one is a daily item as well.<br />
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Things are going well at work-trying to wrap up loose ends before I'm out on maternity leave but honestly my team is great and very self sufficient. I'm more worried about accomplishing goals for the year prior to being out. I want a good review! The pregnancy is also going well though I feel way bigger this time around than with Maegwin. The doctor says it is all just second pregnancy-stomach muscles being looser and all that. I am measuring essentially the same. Only about two months to go. We are very excited to meet the little guy. I really haven't done any knitting for him. Since he will be a summer baby I am pretty sure he is going to live in onesies and diapers. Once I have a better idea of size for him I will knit some sweaters and stuff for fall and winter. I might make him one outfit for the hospital photo shoot-not sure on that yet.<br />
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We got our new bed (a king size-yay!) which I intended to use Christmas money for but somehow I miscalculated how many exemptions I could take on my W-9 so we owe taxes this year. I'm kind of kicking myself about that one since we've had a very expensive couple of months of 2014 so far (pipes freezing/bursting, ice in the dishwasher, Honda needing repairs, blah blah blah). I had really hoped to have a nice bit of savings put aside for hospital bills and such but we will just have to make it work. grr!<br />
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That's about it-we are all healthy and doing well. It's snowing outside right now and we are expected to get 3-5 more inches of snow. I'm glad it melted for a bit and yesterday it was almost 60 degrees so we let Maegwin go out and explore the yard. I wanted to get pictures but I was having Braxton Hicks contractions so I basically just sat in my chair trying to breathe through them. She brought me a dried hydrangea flower from the back of the yard though which was so sweet. I leave you with a picture of the snuggling buddies.<br />
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<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-4881409240369412712014-01-27T09:56:00.003-08:002014-01-27T09:56:48.934-08:00Finishing madness and insomniac dogCordova has taken to getting up at 4 am to go potty and then ask to eat breakfast. It annoys me to no end but I've stopped fighting it. I'd rather that than she have an accident in the house. I am a light sleeper and once I'm up I usually can't get back to sleep. I have just started accepting this on the weekend and once she is up I go brew some coffee and sit down for about five hours of knitting time before the rest of the family is stirring. I watch podcasts, snuggle with Planck on my lap (who does not enjoy getting up that early), and knit away. On the bright side I get to enjoy hot coffee and relative quiet and I can concentrate on charted or more complicated items. So far this year I've finished the second sock of two pair that had been sitting mateless for about three years.<br />
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First up-<a href="http://ravel.me/Eenae/is">Impressionnisme socks</a> knit out of some lovely Patons Stretch Socks gifted to me by my friend Gwen back in 2011. I promptly knit up the first sock and then I don't know what happened. Maegwin became more mobile? I got bored with the pattern? Who knows, but I love them now.<br />
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Second-a <a href="http://ravel.me/Eenae/tk">test knit pair</a> by my friend Gwen. She dyed the yarn and I think it was meant to be a different color but turned out pastel blue, pink, and white. I still have a skein and a half and might make something for the new baby with it. Not sure yet. I liked the socks, although I laid them down long enough that I think I worked the second heel differently. I had lost my notes. These are shorter socks, more like 3-4" cuff.</div>
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I'm now working on another pair of socks with some yarn I've had in my stash for a few years. Sense a theme? I'm part of a challenge on Ravelry to work on some of the beautiful stash yarn (nothing newer than 6 months old) and knit it up as well as clean out old works-in-progress that have been languishing. I still have to knit some slippers for CA Mom (I didn't forget!) but they will only take a few hours and I need to felt them which I can't do until I go to my mom's house, probably in a few weeks. I'm also doing a sweater, just a cardigan that buttons at the top and is short sleeved, using some bulky yarn. I figure it can fit now with the belly sticking out and then after the baby comes also.</div>
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That's about it, just a quick update. We are trying to stay warm. Maegwin has been enjoying sledding down the little hill we have next to our house. I will try to put up some video we took later this week. Til then, here's a pic of when we gave her some flour to "bake with". Ignore the Duplo mess in the background-we've given up trying to keep them put away but for those who gave some to her for Christmas, she LOVES them and plays with them everyday.</div>
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<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-71146232445983332992014-01-12T11:29:00.000-08:002014-01-12T11:29:31.781-08:00Happy Wooliversary to me!So this year we are celebrating our 7 year wedding anniversary and I am cranking out the knitting projects! I just finished a hat with yarn that I bought the year that we got married. It was a gorgeous skein of Blue Sky Alpacas suri merino in Cranberry and I loved and petted it but had no idea what it wanted to be. Finally I found the pattern for <a href="https://botanicalknits.com/pattern.php?id=forest_floor">Forest Floor</a> calling for exactly this yarn and knew that is what it was destined for. Now, I won't promise to look as sophisticated as the model in it but I think I do look nice in berets. (Yes, Josh, I think I do muhahaha). I started knitting it on Jan 9th and I cast off today and gave it a good soak. It is now blocking on a soccer ball so hopefully it will be nice and slouchy. I admit to being a bit worried when I was knitting it. Pre-block it looked like it would fit Maegwin, but I had to keep reminding myself that alpaca stretches so it was going to be fine.<br />
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The other lately finished object was a set of fingerless mitts in some also old stash yarn, Madelinetosh sock in Tart. I bought this in 2012, so not as old, but still happy to find the right thing for it. I love the mitts and they are just the right amount of warmth. The color is a bear to photograph properly but they are gorgeous.<br />
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Not sure what is going on with Blogger and Flickr but the html is not behaving so for now the pictures are kinda small and irritating. Technical difficulties-I really hate the new Flickr. I'm sure it was designed to work on a phone or tablet but that is not how I do my stuff so it is just too streamlined for me. Anywho, I digress.<br />
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I also finished a fun little shawlette for Josh's grandma. I got it done on Christmas eve but wanted to make sure it was dry before I bundled it off to California. I did get a picture of it blocking though!<br />
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I also made a pair of super soft fingerless gloves for my youngest sister-in-law Laura with some yummy alpaca/merino blend yarn. I had only one skein and again had been struggling to find a pattern. I really love how they turned out.<br />
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The last Christmas knit I did was a striped cowl and hat in neon colors for my niece, Sarah. I'm trying to just do knits for a select group of people for holidays. Less stress that way and I think people will get better stuff. Fear not, other family members, at some point you will be the alternate recipient!<br />
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The orange on that literally hurt my eyes to knit. They were watering like crazy! It was nice and warm though. I think I didn't get a pic of the hat but it was a basic beanie with matching stripes.<br />
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Next up is the second of a pair of socks that have been a single plus a leg for a really long time. I think the picture I have of the first is when Maegwin was two!<br />
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Things are going well with the pregnancy although I've had some very weird symptoms this time around. The little guy doesn't make me break out like Maegwin did so I'm happy about that. On the flip side I am way more tired, feel more crampy, and I had a really odd rash on my stomach for several days. I'm ready to meet the little guy and be done having another human dependent on what is going on with my own body. lol!<br />
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I leave you with Maegwin's "ghost hair". Scary isn't it?<br />
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Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-22362681017666786352014-01-01T04:55:00.002-08:002014-01-01T04:55:42.586-08:002013-the year in reviewWhew, what a year it was! We are now expecting baby 2, a boy! Both of us are thrilled that we will have one of each, though Maegwin was holding out for a sister. She seems to be warming to the idea though. I also got my promotion at work in June and that has been going very well. I now have a fully staffed team as of December and all the confidence in the world that they will be just fine while I am out on maternity leave. Maegwin has grown like a little weed but is still petite (it is increasingly likely she will be small like me). My sister graduated from nursing school and has her first job as an RN as of December. Yay, Missy!<br />
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In sadder news, we lost our little Einstein in October. He was 15 years old and we still talk about him a lot. He was Maegwin's favorite but she took it well. We miss you, Booboo.<br />
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So to start off, I thought I'd do a year of pictures in review because I always like seeing them.<br />
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January<br />
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February<br />
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March<br />
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April<br />
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May<br />
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June<br />
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July<br />
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August<br />
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September<br />
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October<br />
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November<br />
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December<br />
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Happy new year to all of you and may 2014 be more wonderful and filled with family, friends, and fun than 2013 was!Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-4233946273066094682013-11-28T18:10:00.001-08:002013-11-28T18:10:43.874-08:00Happy Thanksgiving-NOT grey ThursdayLet me first say that the whole concept of having stores open on Thanksgiving makes me sad, disheartened and just a wee bit sick to my stomach. If it is truly a national holiday, then we should all have the day to be able to celebrate and spend time with our families. We shouldn't be out expecting to find the next best bargain.<br />
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Anyway, not time for too long of a post since Maegwin is wanting me to play blocks with her but I promise I'm not gone for good. Most of you know the reason for my many months of absence, but for those who don't it is all thanks to this little being:<br />
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We find out next week the gender of the little thing and then we can stop referring to it as "it" which to me is terribly dehumanizing. All is good otherwise though this pregnancy has been much more physically challenging. Knitting has started to happen again. My first trimester I literally had no strength to knit and for those who know me, that should impart the gravity of it. I did read some books, lots of books, and slept a lot.<br />
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Maegwin is excited to be a big sister!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/10680885623/" title="IMG_5477 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5477" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/10680885623_54944c9a43.jpg" width="500" /></a>Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-52120070806180555492013-07-20T03:05:00.001-07:002013-07-20T03:05:31.363-07:00It's like a heatwave!I am always shocked when I realize how long it has been since I posted. I don't mean to stay away so long, I really don't. For those who wait with bated breath for my posts (who am I kidding...there really isn't anyone who does-LOL), I sincerely apologize. Things are going fairly well at work. We wound down the fiscal year and I had to put in some extra hours since my team isn't fully staffed up yet but still nothing like in my old department so I am happy. If I didn't live so darned far away it wouldn't matter as much. Sometimes the prospect of a 35-40 minute commute after working late just adds that extra touch of soul sucking doom to a day. I know, I've gone soft. I used to commute that long everyday but I rode BART. I could knit...and knitting as you all know is really what keeps me from flipping out. It is my anchor to calm. On that note, I have a few things to share!<br />
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I whipped up this wee strawberry hat for my friend Angie who is due any day now. She was thrilled! Her first baby I made a hat but missed getting it to her by mere days. By the time I saw her, baby Jack's noggin was already too large. This time around I wisely made a 0-6 month size so I hope she gets more use out of it than as a nursery decoration.<br />
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Next up, not necessarily a knitted thing but a knitting friend. Jessica, the lovely Monkeybuttbabies on Ravelry and designer of the <a href="http://www.petitepurls.com/2013/14/p_14_bananas.html">Go Bananas hoodie</a> and tons of other cute stuff, came out to TNNA and I got the chance to meet her after years of knowing her from Ravelry. She was just as sweet in person and we had a lovely time.<br />
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Mom and Maegwin went with me and Maegwin called it "ladies who lunch" and kept asking "Is this ladies who lunch?" It was so cute! She had tons of energy and pretended to be a bunny while we waited for our table. We made it there just in time before the Pride parade finished up and the restaurants got inundated. Our wait would have been crazy long!<br />
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This fabulous Dalek washcloth went to my friend Mel in Australia. She can use it to EX-FOLI-ATE. hehehe Sorry, nerd humor<br />
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We had a spring flowers theme swap on my Itty Bitty Knitters board on Ravelry and I sent out this little package with a hand knit grape hyacinth and one of my cards I made. I was rather proud of how the flower turned out though it was a huge pain in the rear. I hate bobbles. Let me repeat that-I HATE BOBBLES. They hurt my hands and are always a bit askew which rankles my perfectionist sensibilities. I did think the result here was pretty fabulous though.<br />
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I think that's about it. The knitting on my stripey sweater continues though I ripped it ALL out and restarted with a new pattern because the one I was using was only written in one size and that size was not mine. I tried to do some math but it just wasn't working out so I took the easy way out and found one with better sizing. It is <a href="http://www.janerichmond.blogspot.ca/2008/08/georgia.html">Georgia</a> for those so inclined to go look. Just imagine it in cream colored angora and lovely self striping yarn of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/images/detailed/21/tmp_perooH.jpg">this color</a>. I'm down past the sleeves again but doing a row takes me 15 minutes or so. To those who have seen me knit you know this means there are a ton of stitches across. Darn you fingering weight sweaters! If you didn't look so good I would swear you off forever.<br />
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I'm going to keep this one short and sweet since I've been up for several hours now and it's only six a.m. I can't say that my brain is functioning at its height of verbosity.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/9294978773/" title="IMG_5361 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5361" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/9294978773_43d55b1228.jpg" width="500" /></a>Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-30313115931086701332013-06-16T16:32:00.002-07:002013-06-16T16:32:49.625-07:00This one's for the fellasNot really-I'm just having trouble coming up with a title and it's Fathers' Day so...happy birthday Dads! Hope you all have a lovely day. :D I would apologize for not writing but really, let's not fool ourselves, that is pretty much my modus operandi. If I manage more than one post a month THAT is when you should be shocked. First off, a bit of good news. I got promoted! I applied for a management position in a group that worked with mine under the same director. They didn't think that was a good fit but it so happens that my current manager was moving into another opportunity in that other group so I got promoted to the manager spot of my current group instead! I was super excited because honestly that was the best way things could have worked out. I know and have worked with my new boss because he was already my director. (Those who know me know that I have some management change apprehension with good reason). I get to provide continuity for my group and there's some potential opportunity for others with my old position. <br />
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So with this news we have been dipping our tentative toes back into the real estate market just to see what is out there. We weren't sure that my current company was going to be the long term place for me but since it seems like new opportunities have opened up, we now know the center of our search radius. I, like any true Bay Area commuter, am willing to accept up to a 40 minute commute and that gives us quite a few possibilities. We made a document over the last several years with must have, nice to have, and other categories (honestly does this shock anyone? We are planners!) and we sent that to our agent. He can put in a search radius and we can't and he came up with some intriguing stuff. Basically this just made us feel better that we don't have to be in any huge hurry because there were several that had many of the things we wanted. So this year we are going to work on some things we need to do to this house-boxing in the ductwork, removing dead trees, refinishing the wood floors, fixing some light fixtures, etc-and then we will see about listing it. Our agent feels like what we want to get is reasonable so fingers crossed.<br />
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Our garden is coming along well. We have the largest cabbages we have ever had to date. <br />
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Everything seems to be going well but we have seen a small groundhog in there a few times. We keep going out to scare him so we are hoping that he will seek greener pastures. The deer have stayed away-the scarecrows seem to be working on them. I planned to share some photos but of course it is raining right now so I don't want to go out. On the bright side, we planted some petunias, yarrow, and coneflowers yesterday so now we won't have to water them.<br />
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Ok-I waited to post so I could share. I put in the cabbage photo above and here are a few of the overall garden. We need to do some major weeding, but nothing is big enough to hinder the plants' growth.<br />
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I added some handy labels so the layout would be more obvious. The big empty spot was supposed to be a second ring of green beans but we didn't have very good germination. This year has been really great for eggplant. We have never got them to grow beyond seedlings but this year they are almost as tall as the tomato plants.<br />
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Our tomatoes are coming along nicely also. We planted ten and are hoping to get enough to can some this year. We at least want to work on making our own stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce.<br />
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All of the red-edged leaves in this photo are cimmaron lettuce. It's a kind of romaine. We have had many salads from it and are amazed it is still trucking along this way well into June. It's tasty and more than we can eat.<br />
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Hopefully you can all recognize carrot leaves amongst the bed here. We planted red, white, yellow, and red carrots. We have left the clover to help keep the moisture in the soil.<br />
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We planted three types of potatoes this year also-blue, red, and white. So far the plants are looking good. There are some small holes but we are thinking they are snake holes. There are no mounds that would show if it were moles and the plants aren't spontaneously dying (which they would if their roots were eaten off).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/9062940136/" title="IMG_5285 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5285" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/9062940136_eb546f7a90.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Here are some peas I picked this morning. Maegwin loves opening them and eating them out of the pod. In fact, we really haven't eaten many because she scarfs them down but I'm happy to see her enjoying them so much.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/9060713699/" title="IMG_5284 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5284" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/9060713699_591ba83d62.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I was ripping up pizza boxes to go in the compost and Maegwin found this little container with potting soil in it. She had a fun time and had dirt everywhere-even in her hair by the time I noticed!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/9060678679/" title="IMG_5280 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5280" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/9060678679_7d0c26e58c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This post is getting long so I'll do a knitting catch up post another time. Maegwin is getting pretty clingy right now so I'll sign off.Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-80023326354619159702013-05-19T05:25:00.001-07:002013-05-19T05:25:54.950-07:00April showers bring May...vegetables?Getting started on this blog post has been a bit of a challenge. I just haven't had the time to sit down and write lately. Things are getting busy at work as we approach the end of the fiscal year and when I'm home I'm either cleaning, gardening, playing with Maegwin or taking just a wee bit of time to knit. I sort of need the knitting to help relax so sadly the blog suffers. <br />
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Since I last blogged, we went to my sister's graduation. She was going for nursing and like me her college has been a loooong slog. (I think she has me beat for number of years it took to get her degree-I took seven). It's the sad fact of having to work full time while getting a degree. This is the reason that we won't have more kids until we are sure we can provide for each to go to college. Sorry, everyone, you won't convince us otherwise. hehehe But, I digress. Missy couldn't get enough tickets for her graduation so we went to her pinning ceremony. My impression is that it is more meaningful for nurses anyway and honestly I don't think Maegwin could have sat through an entire graduation. As it was, the beginning was going great. We got there and the girls wandered around outside.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8752855751/" title="IMG_5190 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5190" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/8752855751_eb5099b1c0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8753981390/" title="IMG_5189 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5189" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/8753981390_45169f47ce.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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She and Sarah sat together, she played with some empty seats beside me, then as a hush came over the crowd...she started shouting "BOO!" <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8753974360/" title="IMG_5201 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5201" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2815/8753974360_e6944c67a2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Now, she meant it as scaring people and trying to get a laugh but geez the crowd reacted in a really awful way. People were glaring at her and saying "What? Oh my goodness? What's wrong with you?" etc. which only freaked her out more so she kept trying to get people to laugh. Josh had to take her out sobbing that she couldn't stay at the "party for Aunt Missy". Everyone kept glaring back all around me like I was the worst parent in the universe. Seriously-she's three! Graduations are boring even for adults. Had I less self control I'd probably want to stand up and scream in pent up rage and boredom myself. Not to mention it was late in the evening so at this point she would have been winding down for bed. So for everyone out there, maybe a bit lower expectations of three-year-old comportment mmkay?<br />
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I got some pictures of people filing in and I think they were sitting in alpha order. I'm glad I took a picture when I did because by the time it had filled in you couldn't see my sister at all. We short women of my family get eclipsed easily. Some don't know quite how short I am because at work I'm never without heels.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8753976760/" title="IMG_5197 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5197" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/8753976760_56b514035a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We got through it though and now Missy just has to take her state test and done.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8752857383/" title="IMG_5206 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5206" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/8752857383_28d298f2ee.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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That same weekend Mom, Missy, and Sarah came out and took Maegwin to see the butterflies again and Josh and I worked all day to get the rest of our garden in. We planted onions, corn, black & green beans, cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, and weeded around what was already out (radishes, beets, carrots, lettuce, spinach, peas). It was a long day but it all looks good. We need to get our scarecrows out though because I saw deer in the back of our lawn this morning. They weren't inside the garden but we need to deter them. I read that we can also run a string up at chest height along the fence to keep them from jumping in so that's probably on the agenda for this morning once everyone wakes up.<br />
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On the knitting front, I'm currently working on a Spring Garden Tee for myself. I picked up the same yarn I made Maegwin's in last year but a different color. It was on sale so I also got enough for another in a larger size for her. Might take a break between them though because the plain stockinette in the body is boring the daylights out of me.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8688532011/" title="IMG_5183 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5183" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/8688532011_c39c118fe9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I'm trying to make the sizing match the shirt underneath which is one of my favorites from Gap. I've had it for at least seven years now and it's beginning to be a bit worn. For anyone who doesn't know, I keep my clothes for a ridiculously long time. I have shirts from 2001, shoes from 1998...you get the idea. If I can repair it myself or get it repaired in the case of shoes I do. I see no reason to replace something that is perfectly serviceable. It's one of the reasons I love knitting. I can continually darn my own handknit socks.<br />
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I also made a cowl for California mom for Mother's Day.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8752890379/" title="mother's day cowl by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="mother's day cowl" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/8752890379_62eaf69f8f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I really love how it turned out. The pattern called for more repeats of the pattern but it already went up past my chin so I figured it was perfect. The yarn was originally intended as something to match my grey coat but honestly I might have to replace it this winter (see comment above-the lining is shredded and parts of it are wearing thin) and I thought this was a better use for the yarn making a lovely present. For my mom I got the <a href="https://botanicalknits.com/index.php">Botanical Knits book</a>. We are planning to do a knit along with each other once we get our books. I'm excited!<br />
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I also knit a Dalek washcloth for my friend Mel in Australia. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8752882453/" title="IMG_5245 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5245" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/8752882453_2d342264bf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We are doing a mini skein swap that is continual and goes all over the world. It is so fun. Each time we include some little goodies for the next lady in line to enjoy. We joke that we are keeping the US postal service in business with yarn swap packages. Here's what I got as goodies in the last one.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8754006802/" title="IMG_5235 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5235" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/8754006802_73b4266e2f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I love the wooden buttons and want to use them to put on my <a href="http://www.coastalknits.com/pattern_gnarled_oak.php">Gnarled Oak cardigan</a> whenever I get around to it. I have a deep wine colored yarn to make mine in.<br />
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I think that is all for now. I leave you with a self portrait of Maegwin:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8754013892/" title="self portrait by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="self portrait" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8408/8754013892_986aed4fbc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
and Survivalist Maegwin:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8754008070/" title="survivalist by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="survivalist" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8269/8754008070_6f75963e53.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-7802571407388388052013-04-27T07:15:00.000-07:002013-04-28T08:31:34.337-07:00Butterfly kissesToday is tilling day so I don't have too long to write. I'm trying to sneak something in while breakfast is cooking and Maegwin is running around. Last weekend we went to the conservatory and it was wonderful! I've been wanting to go to the butterfly exhibit since I heard about it three years ago but just never took the time. My parents-at-work group did a playdate there so it was a great opportunity to force myself to do it. This year they have Brazilian butterflies and going into the exhibit was like descending into the jungle.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665616277/" title="IMG_5121 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5121" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8665616277_4dbe7e493b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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It was humid in there with a brook running through it and waterfalls. We immediately started spotting butterflies! Here are a few of my favorite shots:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666719136/" title="IMG_5119 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5119" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8666719136_82685d91f3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665619017/" title="IMG_5117 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5117" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8665619017_1511be9feb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665614013/" title="IMG_5123 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5123" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8665614013_8586f6ca09.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We all loved this camo butterfly. It was so hard to see.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666714122/" title="IMG_5130 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5130" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8666714122_dc6425a2f4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This one had the most amazing blue wings on the inside but the outside of them were so interesting as well.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665612333/" title="IMG_5131 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5131" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8665612333_d4a90477d6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We found a koi pond at the base of the exhibit.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665609313/" title="IMG_5135 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5135" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8665609313_ec1c78f8d5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Maegwin wanted to go in and swim with the fishes but we persuaded her that wasn't a good idea.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665608193/" title="IMG_5136 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5136" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8665608193_ab856b5be0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We tried to get all the kids together for a picture, but Maegwin and Carson did not appreciate it.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665606465/" title="IMG_5138 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5138" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/8665606465_4b7d70109a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Next we checked out the orchids area. They had a whole fairy tale village with a train running through it.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665604405/" title="IMG_5140 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5140" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8665604405_59fe76b2c0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Josh spotted a cocoa pod but it was up too high to really check it out. This is on 15x zoom. That tree was tall!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666690702/" title="IMG_5153 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5153" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8666690702_518962d607.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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They happened to be having their retired plants sale which is all the plants they take out of their exhibits as they change them out so I bought a miltonia orchid similar to this one.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666687288/" title="IMG_5156 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8666687288_a1e8a73c68.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
No idea what color the flowers will be on mine but it is so healthy!<br />
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Anyone who knows me knows that I am a total sucker for orchids so I really enjoyed this biome in the conservatory. So I don't bore you all with orchid pictures, I will just share a few of my favs. I took a LOT of pictures. LOL<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666686506/" title="IMG_5157 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5157" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8666686506_a6d8faa820.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666682982/" title="IMG_5160 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5160" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8666682982_4d5ae6a807.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665581233/" title="IMG_5161 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5161" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8665581233_d46fbdddef.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Maegwin pointed out these red "spears". She really wanted one but we managed to keep her from picking almost everything. More on that in a minute.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665592243/" title="IMG_5151 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5151" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8665592243_99c6bcae9b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Next was the desert biome which of course was Josh's favorite because it was dry. Just as hot as the orchid exhibit but no humidity. He doesn't do well with <strike>humility</strike>, I mean humidity. The plants were very unique.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665583419/" title="IMG_5159 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5159" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8665583419_8153f6f3cb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The roots on this tree were fascinating.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665598343/" title="IMG_5146 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5146" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8665598343_5f901ffb7e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666697786/" title="IMG_5147 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5147" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8666697786_478bbd08be.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This succulent had gorgeous flowers.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666695522/" title="IMG_5149 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5149" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8666695522_3121713f83.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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There was an educational area that explained all about how butterflies see. It had several pair of eyes to look through and also showed how they saw light.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665580309/" title="Trying butterfly eyes by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="Trying butterfly eyes" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8665580309_977379755a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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So eventually, Maegwin picked a lantana. At least it wasn't a big orchid or anything. She wanted to go back to the butterflies and get one to "land on her skin". She took off her jacket in order to offer them better perch choices.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666680270/" title="purloined lantanas by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="purloined lantanas" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8666680270_a7eff7d30c.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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We spotted a close and relatively serene butterfly so we offered it the purloined posies.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666678170/" title="IMG_5165 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5165" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8666678170_27d05d9a57.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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It mulled the offer over.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665576367/" title="IMG_5166 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5166" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8665576367_66f78daa54.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Then voted for my hand as the most beneficent of the bunch.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665574687/" title="IMG_5168 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5168" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8665574687_1f454245af.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We could even see his proboscis so we got a mini science lesson.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665572957/" title="IMG_5171 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5171" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8665572957_86f179ba02.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666670588/" title="IMG_5175 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5175" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8666670588_c3eaf1c601.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Josh was amused by all the butterflies by the windows longing for freedom. (Keep in mind it was about 32 degrees outside so they would not have lasted long)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666666610/" title="IMG_5179 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5179" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8666666610_5cc5dc4789.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I got a bit of video too so you can hear the water rushing and see the flitting around.<br />
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Here's my favorite photo of the day. Just so perfect and serene. It was a fun day! If anyone comes to visit us this is definitely on the agenda.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665566867/" title="IMG_5178 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5178" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8665566867_39eb6257fd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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All the walking tired us out. I even wanted a nap!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8666665868/" title="IMG_5180 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5180" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8666665868_1b5c1193ca.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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See you all next time!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8665617205/" title="IMG_5120 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5120" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8665617205_3009fdf229.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-5420800850873592912013-04-14T06:31:00.003-07:002013-04-14T06:31:59.446-07:00The babe is growingWe had a bit of a rough night last night so while I intended to blog, it just didn't happen. We lost track of time and realized Maegwin was still awake (and without a nap too) at nearly 10:30! I don't know how she just goes and goes but by that point she was over tired and just trying to wrestle her into a diaper for bedtime was too much for us. We managed tooth brushing and a lot of crying. She is doing really well on potty training and most days doesn't need diapers and even sleeps overnight dry just fine but in the morning she is in no mood to use the potty. Like her father, she needs time to ease into the day. I can easily imagine her as a coffee drinking adult and one for whom flex time will be a must. hehe<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8611333093/" title="IMG_5082 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5082" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8611333093_b3951cc9d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We've had a very good month and she has been getting so much more mature. We went to her first official birthday party with a friend and she had a blast! It was at a bounce house place full of bounce houses and slides. She went down the slides still with me but climbed up to all of them herself. The handholds are basically just glorified nubs and the slides are really high up so I was impressed. I even felt a bit squeamish about the tallest one-mostly for fear that in going down it with her I would squish her into the bumper at the bottom. I knit a little fairy and a flower purse for it for Maegwin's friend and it was a huge hit. Maegwin was even good about giving it away but was very excited to show Gabby all of its "features".<br />
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She tucked her in:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8599455434/" title="all tucked in by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="all tucked in" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8599455434_fdb5015724.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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We made her a hair a little punk rock! I had to tie each of those pieces individually into the head. It took a LOOOONG time but so worth it:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8599454494/" title="fairy hair by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="fairy hair" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8507/8599454494_df7a7db079.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I think her face turned out especially cute. Gabby named her Tinkerbell:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8598354149/" title="printer fairy by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="printer fairy" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8598354149_c2f3ccbbfa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I always enjoy seeing my knitted creations well loved and her mom is a co-worker of mine so she understands the time that knitting takes. Maegwin told Gabby without me prompting "Thanks for inviting me Gabby! This is the best birthday ever!" I was so proud. :)<br />
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This Easter we continued the tradition of having Easter at a restaurant. It just worked out with Mom still recovering from surgery and my sister working. No mess and we get to meet halfway. It was very nice to hang out with everyone and Maegwin even ate calamari like a champ. She also ate a good dose of eggplant parmigiana.<br />
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We put on lipgloss together:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8611329937/" title="IMG_5085 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5085" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8611329937_6dc218e914.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Glamour shot time!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8612435198/" title="IMG_5086 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5086" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8612435198_56e5e9ee1e.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Family hugs:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8611331935/" title="IMG_5083 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5083" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8611331935_cd4b580371.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Semi serious faces-it's funny that her expression is like mine in this one.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8612434076/" title="IMG_5088 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5088" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8612434076_3831b4abd5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Now the silly:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8611326269/" title="IMG_5089 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5089" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8611326269_cbb8011e05.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Not sure where Sarah is looking in this one but Maegwin looks like she is plotting something...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8611320467/" title="IMG_5094 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5094" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8611320467_ab758e80a1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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With the grandparents but sadly we caught her on the downside of a laugh. She does this silly giggle where she covers her mouth partway. So funny.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8612428940/" title="IMG_5092 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5092" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8612428940_8d8c884f29.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Now, from this Easter day came the Great Ducky Sucker incident. Maegwin got a cute marshmallow-y ducky sucker from Mom and she loved it but not the way that one would think. She proclaimed that they were going to be best friends.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8612441236/" title="IMG_5080 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8612441236_fbfca8fe57.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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She carefully tucked him into her carseat straps with her and spent most of the day mothering him (i.e. giving bottles, tucking in, etc.) The next day I headed out for work and Josh was calling our financial planner to roll over his 401k from his last employer. To set Maegwin up to be occupied during the call, she had been saying she wanted to eat the sucker. Now, Josh anticipated the minefield this might become and asked if she was sure. What follows is an excerpt of said conversation:<br />
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Maegwin: "Daddy, I want to open him."<br />
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Daddy: "Now Maegwin, you understand if we open his package that you might eat him and then you won't have a ducky."<br />
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Maegwin: "Yes...I want to eat him"<br />
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Daddy: "Are you sure?"<br />
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Maegwin: "Yes, Daddy. I'm sure."<br />
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Daddy-holding the scissors against the package: "I'm going to cut the package open now."<br />
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Maegwin: .... (says nothing-has stopped responding and is fixated on the ducky)<br />
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Josh cuts the package, hands her the sucker, and she runs off happily. He dials the phone and starts talking to Brent. All is well until they both get on hold with the 401k company at which point a soft crying issues from another room.<br />
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Daddy: "Is everything ok, Maegwin?"<br />
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Maegwin: "Daddy, I ate his soft yellow hair...." sniffle sniffle<br />
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Daddy: "Well, I told you this would happen. Why don't you put him away and I will see if I can fix him when I get off the phone."<br />
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Maegwin: "I want to eat his googley eyes"<br />
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Daddy-now sensing that this is a problem but unable to do any serious negotiating because he is on the phone: "I don't think that is a good idea."<br />
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Maegwin runs off again. Time passes and then shrieks issue from the other room and uncontrollable sobbing. Josh tells Brent to hold on. Brent has two children of his own, one of which is Maegwin's age so he understands.<br />
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Maegwin: "We were gonna be best friends, Ducky, but now we can't be because you....don't....have....EYES." followed by incoherent sobbing.<br />
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Daddy: "It's ok, Mommy will fix him when she gets home from work. Let's put him somewhere safe." He spends some time at this negotiation but finally gets her to give him the sucker which he wraps in a paper towel and stuffs in the fridge. I was laughing so hard when he told me this story. I'm pretty sure that makes me a bad mommy but I could just picture it all in my head so clearly. After much searching between Mom and I we located another ducky (and a spare) which I intend to shellac or modpodge so his wanton sugary goodness does not tempt his friend.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8612425516/" title="IMG_5097 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5097" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8612425516_5e8f9d9ce9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I can only imagine the mental conversation that Maegwin had with herself. "I want to eat the ducky...but he is my friend. I love playing with him....but he looks so delicious."<br />
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I'm going to need to write another post later as this one is getting long and there is gardening and housework to be done today. Next up-garden updates and knitting finished object. <br />
<br />Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840037272777284380.post-89443110917544541132013-02-23T05:18:00.000-08:002013-02-23T05:18:10.639-08:00February FolliesNot really, just realized I haven't posted in about a month and I try to at least do that often. We've been rather busy with both moms having surgery-one a gastrointestinal procedure, the other a back procedure. Both seem to be getting on well and we are happy. I drove out to the hospital Mom was at for her GI procedure and hung out for the day. I was glad as it gave my stepdad a chance to go home and take care of the dogs and I could help with telling the nurse that Mom was in pain and they needed to up her meds and to feed her ice chips. One wouldn't think ice chips sound that appealing but I can attest after going through labor that they were like bringing water to a man in a desert. I also remembered having crazy chapped lips so I provided some good 'ole Burt's Bees for her. Love ya, Mom! Whilst waiting to hear from the surgeon I chatted with a lovely older woman who was waiting for her husband's procedure. She was knitting a blanket and I was knitting my Beekeeper Quilt hexipuffs. I continually find it amazing that I run into knitters wherever I go and that they generally seem to be a lovely lot of people who share a common language and passion. Knitters unite! I'm sure if we ever got a president and congress who knitted the U.S. would indeed be a force for good to be reckoned with. LOL! Anyway, here's my progress on hexipuffs so far.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8498302373/" title="IMG_4965 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4965" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8498302373_437703d5cf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Someday I'll have enough to tie together and make a quilt. They are a nice way to pass the time though. I also knit Maegwin a cute little fox hood but haven't put the ears on yet. Here it is before all ends were worked in.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8489722727/" title="IMG_4943 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4943" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8489722727_ea3e2619d0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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It keeps her very warm! The <a href="http://thevelvetacorn.com/">designer</a> has such beautiful and whimsical designs for kids and most of them are knit in bulky yarn and go up to adult sizes. I've finished a few dishcloths-a Hello Kitty one for Maegwin and a flower one for an upcoming mini swap. I have to say I don't know how people can knit tons of these. After two my hands felt awful. I just hate the feel of dishcloth cotton! I love knitted cloths though..they are all I use for washing my face. I also finished up a quick pair of mittens for Maegwin. It was so cold and her cotton ones from Target just weren't cutting it. Why don't we use wool anymore? Seriously, cotton doesn't do crap in the winter.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8444057077/" title="IMG_4892 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4892" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8444057077_09d87e55ec.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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A belated thank you to Grandma & Grandpa & Auntie Laura for the lovely cookie bouquet from Valentine's day. We are all still eating through them and Maegwin was ecstatic!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8490826542/" title="IMG_4952 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4952" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8490826542_59d438b10d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I'm working on some toe up socks which I've never been successful at (except for my sister). They are a bit further along than this photo. We shall see how they progress.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8490823984/" title="IMG_4958 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4958" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8490823984_c6ccbf1f64.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Maegwin continues to grow and be silly and fun. The other night she made the classic kid move of putting olives on all her fingers. She was slowly shaking them off into the dogs' mouths at the foot of her high chair. So crazy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23125834@N05/8498301441/" title="IMG_4963 by Eenae, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4963" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8498301441_efd3a49925.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We have some lovely cabbage seedlings growing which we hope to put out in our cold frame before too much longer. We also will plant some lettuce and spinach soon outside. Eggplant and onions are planted but not yet sprouted. That's about it for us. Hope all is well with everyone out there! Oh, I've been listening to <u>Jane Eyre</u> (look, I've not forgotten my schooling) and it's pretty fun. There's a podcast called <a href="http://crafting-a-life.com/craftlit/">Craftlit</a> and I think she also does a version without all the crafty talk called Just the Books so if you're a non-knitter don't let that stop you. It is fabulous and includes a lot of history around the books as well as terms, interesting links, etc.Eenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00672247889634603730noreply@blogger.com0