Newborn size hat that I knitted for our Babe! I'm digging this knitting thing!
End of 34 weeks... big belly and feeling tired.
Beautiful cake that T made for a coed baby shower in August! It was amazing!
Opening gifts at the coed shower.
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Sunday, September 07, 2008
pictures and a few words
Newborn size hat that I knitted for our Babe! I'm digging this knitting thing!
End of 34 weeks... big belly and feeling tired.
Beautiful cake that T made for a coed baby shower in August! It was amazing!
Opening gifts at the coed shower.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Top Secret Knit Project Revealed!
You may recall that I've been re-learning knitting (ever so slowly) and even posted a picture of the beginnings of my repeat performance of the first project that was top secret.
The first project was a gift for my lovely friend J who is expecting her first babe in September. The gift has been safely delivered by my own personal cross country couriers (thanks S & I!) to BC and I can now post pictures without spoiling the surprise! I'm a bit shocked that I don't have pics of J's blanket (how could I have overlooked recording my first-again knit project?), but here is a shot of the repeat performance that I am making for my babe:
(Hi, Hubby!)
I must give credit to S from SnB at Knitomatic for giving me the idea for this design. I procured her yarn choice (Mission Falls 1824) and the stripe idea, but made it my own. Instead of uniform stripes I decided to do a spontaneous pattern of thin and fat bars and I chose different colours as well. I also decided against fringe.
The garter stitch without a set pattern for the striping makes this a perfect portable project. No pattern to check or rows to count. It's easy to pick up and put down as time and tingly pregnant hands allow. (J was just telling me on the phone this morning that she hasn't been able to pick up a crochet hook for some time due to the pregnancy hand ache! Sorrow!)
Here is a picture of J having her first crochet lesson last summer when she was in town:
Baby update: We just heard from the genetic counsellor that my DNA is negative for retinoblastoma (the childhood cancer that made me a 2D Girl at 14 months of age)! Yippee! This means my cancer was a wild card and I won't pass it on to our babe. I was 99.9% sure it wasn't hereditary, but the genetic counsellor explained things in a way that convinced us to get the testing done.
The results came back just a few weeks before I would have to begin extra ultrasounds to check Babe's eyes, as an early detection method. Less trips to the ultrasound lab at Mount Sinai is music to my ears. The folks at Mount Sinai are lovely, but the lab is super busy and often backed up. Have you ever been in a waiting room with a bunch of pregnant women who may be waiting for over an hour for their appointment?! It can get ugly.
Our hypnobirthing class starts in a couple of weeks. I haven't been practicing the relaxation every night. Probably something I should be a bit more dedicated to if I really want the hypnobirthing to work for me. I'm almost finished the book and will pass it on to Hubby by Monday night.
Do you remember my crochet/Xbox debate with Hubby? Well, this morning Hubby shyly (ie. asking permission voice) told me he has a chance to 'babysit' an Xbox unit for a week. He also has the week off from his writers' room. I was so dumb struck this morning that I couldn't respond. Talk about a rush of mixed emotions. There is so much to get done before Babe arrives. So much to do that I doubt we'll get it all done if we work non-stop for the next ten weeks. I wisely thought it best to keep my mouth shut until my brain had a chance to think things through.
This afternoon I shared my thoughts with Hubby: permission granted, with the understanding that he balance his week between writing, domestic stuff, and the addictive Xbox. I do not want to be known on the street as the crazy 7 month pregnant woman who threw the borrowed Xbox onto the driveway in the middle of a thunderstorm. Not to mention that we'd have to buy Hubby's friend another Xbox. (I am very, very sensitive to the idea of being some voracious nag who denies her Hubby most of the things that make his life fun and boy-like. I feel a one-week loaner Xbox is a decent compromise from the 'over-my-dead-body' statements of the past.) Fingers crossed that it will be a win-win compromise.
The first project was a gift for my lovely friend J who is expecting her first babe in September. The gift has been safely delivered by my own personal cross country couriers (thanks S & I!) to BC and I can now post pictures without spoiling the surprise! I'm a bit shocked that I don't have pics of J's blanket (how could I have overlooked recording my first-again knit project?), but here is a shot of the repeat performance that I am making for my babe:
(Hi, Hubby!)
I must give credit to S from SnB at Knitomatic for giving me the idea for this design. I procured her yarn choice (Mission Falls 1824) and the stripe idea, but made it my own. Instead of uniform stripes I decided to do a spontaneous pattern of thin and fat bars and I chose different colours as well. I also decided against fringe.
The garter stitch without a set pattern for the striping makes this a perfect portable project. No pattern to check or rows to count. It's easy to pick up and put down as time and tingly pregnant hands allow. (J was just telling me on the phone this morning that she hasn't been able to pick up a crochet hook for some time due to the pregnancy hand ache! Sorrow!)
Here is a picture of J having her first crochet lesson last summer when she was in town:
Baby update: We just heard from the genetic counsellor that my DNA is negative for retinoblastoma (the childhood cancer that made me a 2D Girl at 14 months of age)! Yippee! This means my cancer was a wild card and I won't pass it on to our babe. I was 99.9% sure it wasn't hereditary, but the genetic counsellor explained things in a way that convinced us to get the testing done.
The results came back just a few weeks before I would have to begin extra ultrasounds to check Babe's eyes, as an early detection method. Less trips to the ultrasound lab at Mount Sinai is music to my ears. The folks at Mount Sinai are lovely, but the lab is super busy and often backed up. Have you ever been in a waiting room with a bunch of pregnant women who may be waiting for over an hour for their appointment?! It can get ugly.
Our hypnobirthing class starts in a couple of weeks. I haven't been practicing the relaxation every night. Probably something I should be a bit more dedicated to if I really want the hypnobirthing to work for me. I'm almost finished the book and will pass it on to Hubby by Monday night.
Do you remember my crochet/Xbox debate with Hubby? Well, this morning Hubby shyly (ie. asking permission voice) told me he has a chance to 'babysit' an Xbox unit for a week. He also has the week off from his writers' room. I was so dumb struck this morning that I couldn't respond. Talk about a rush of mixed emotions. There is so much to get done before Babe arrives. So much to do that I doubt we'll get it all done if we work non-stop for the next ten weeks. I wisely thought it best to keep my mouth shut until my brain had a chance to think things through.
This afternoon I shared my thoughts with Hubby: permission granted, with the understanding that he balance his week between writing, domestic stuff, and the addictive Xbox. I do not want to be known on the street as the crazy 7 month pregnant woman who threw the borrowed Xbox onto the driveway in the middle of a thunderstorm. Not to mention that we'd have to buy Hubby's friend another Xbox. (I am very, very sensitive to the idea of being some voracious nag who denies her Hubby most of the things that make his life fun and boy-like. I feel a one-week loaner Xbox is a decent compromise from the 'over-my-dead-body' statements of the past.) Fingers crossed that it will be a win-win compromise.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
body pillow plans, yoga flop, belly & project updates
I think I need a body pillow. The multiple pillow arrangement I have been using is not quite cutting it. Plus I wake up Hubby every time I roll over and rearrange myself. I'll be trudging over to the ever crowded Dufferin Mall later today to check out what they have at Babies 'r Us. Sans Hubby. He loathes the Duff Mall, especially on weekends. Going solo is okay with me, as it will give me time to browse cutesy baby things on my own.
I'll also try to find a basket type thing to bungie to the back of my bike, as I am getting tired of lugging around bags on my body while I am riding. Yes, I am still riding when weather permits! So, in the last two weeks that hasn't been often. I did use the bike to jaunt over to my pre-natal yoga class yesterday.
That class was a flop. I've been once before.(I also try to catch a Monday night hatha yoga class that is easily adaptable for pregnant moi). I arrived yesterday all psyched for some preggo talk and good stretching, only to find that there is a substitute teacher. 'No problem', I think. I arrange my mat and make small talk with the sub. She asks me about my yoga experience and she tells me she does Kundalini yoga. Means nothing to me. She says it involves a lot of breath work.
No other students arrive. Hmmmm... great! A personalized class! We begin.
I realize almost immediately that this Kundalini thing might be too woo-woo for me. Extra chanting at the beginning and she tells me there will be a song at the end. A song! Uh-oh! I can't sing! And, excuse me, what happened to a little check-in talk about how my body feels and what I'd like to focus on in class?! No check-in. No pregnancy chit-chat and tips. I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this 'pre-natal' class with the 'non-natal' sub.
As the class progresses, I uncomfortably discover that Kundalini yoga is ALL about breathing and has very little to do with good stretching for pregnant bodies. Sub Teacher leads me in a few limited stretches that she does not adapt for my pregnant belly. I adapt them myself. We sit in a so-called Easy Position for most of the class. My left foot falls asleep and starts to ache at the ankle. My ass starts to hurt more than its usual pregnant stiff hurt. I eventually give up on 'easy position'. I tried not to hyperventilate with all the short, fast nostril breathing.
I almost lost it when we got to the block-a-nostril-and-breathe-quickly-through-the-other-nostril exercise. My allergy irritated sinuses did not cooperate. I imagine that Sub Teacher could sense my frustration because she then launched into the Patience Pose. Sit in 'easy position' with arms lifted straight out to the sides at shoulder height, palms up. Flex your middle finger up and down quickly. Breathe in and out synchronized with finger flexing. Do this for 3 minutes. Try not hyperventilate or faint. Be patient. Patience Pose will end eventually.
Be patient again while singing begins and goes on and on.
Look forward to Hatha Yoga on Monday night for a corrective experience.
Here's updated belly photos for week 23:
These don't look much different than week 15 or 18 pics, but in real life it sure looks bigger. My uterus has grown beyond my belly button already.
I am working on finishing up a couple of baby crochet projects, but no photos yet. I'm thinking of a summer cutesy dress for our Babe to wear next summer. I'm also going to start a summer shrug for myself. In a week I leave for a cottage with my sewing machine in tow - baby curtains will be made under the watchful eye of experienced sewing friend, T!
Here's a photo of the beginnings of my second knit project. (I still can't reveal a photo of the first completed top secret knit project, as it has not be delivered to my friend yet).
I'll also try to find a basket type thing to bungie to the back of my bike, as I am getting tired of lugging around bags on my body while I am riding. Yes, I am still riding when weather permits! So, in the last two weeks that hasn't been often. I did use the bike to jaunt over to my pre-natal yoga class yesterday.
That class was a flop. I've been once before.(I also try to catch a Monday night hatha yoga class that is easily adaptable for pregnant moi). I arrived yesterday all psyched for some preggo talk and good stretching, only to find that there is a substitute teacher. 'No problem', I think. I arrange my mat and make small talk with the sub. She asks me about my yoga experience and she tells me she does Kundalini yoga. Means nothing to me. She says it involves a lot of breath work.
No other students arrive. Hmmmm... great! A personalized class! We begin.
I realize almost immediately that this Kundalini thing might be too woo-woo for me. Extra chanting at the beginning and she tells me there will be a song at the end. A song! Uh-oh! I can't sing! And, excuse me, what happened to a little check-in talk about how my body feels and what I'd like to focus on in class?! No check-in. No pregnancy chit-chat and tips. I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this 'pre-natal' class with the 'non-natal' sub.
As the class progresses, I uncomfortably discover that Kundalini yoga is ALL about breathing and has very little to do with good stretching for pregnant bodies. Sub Teacher leads me in a few limited stretches that she does not adapt for my pregnant belly. I adapt them myself. We sit in a so-called Easy Position for most of the class. My left foot falls asleep and starts to ache at the ankle. My ass starts to hurt more than its usual pregnant stiff hurt. I eventually give up on 'easy position'. I tried not to hyperventilate with all the short, fast nostril breathing.
I almost lost it when we got to the block-a-nostril-and-breathe-quickly-through-the-other-nostril exercise. My allergy irritated sinuses did not cooperate. I imagine that Sub Teacher could sense my frustration because she then launched into the Patience Pose. Sit in 'easy position' with arms lifted straight out to the sides at shoulder height, palms up. Flex your middle finger up and down quickly. Breathe in and out synchronized with finger flexing. Do this for 3 minutes. Try not hyperventilate or faint. Be patient. Patience Pose will end eventually.
Be patient again while singing begins and goes on and on.
Look forward to Hatha Yoga on Monday night for a corrective experience.
Here's updated belly photos for week 23:
These don't look much different than week 15 or 18 pics, but in real life it sure looks bigger. My uterus has grown beyond my belly button already.
I am working on finishing up a couple of baby crochet projects, but no photos yet. I'm thinking of a summer cutesy dress for our Babe to wear next summer. I'm also going to start a summer shrug for myself. In a week I leave for a cottage with my sewing machine in tow - baby curtains will be made under the watchful eye of experienced sewing friend, T!
Here's a photo of the beginnings of my second knit project. (I still can't reveal a photo of the first completed top secret knit project, as it has not be delivered to my friend yet).
Monday, May 12, 2008
Another listy post
It's been almost half a month since I've posted. I've been busy I suppose, but I am not too inspired to recap it in detail. One of my popular lists will have to do:
narrowed down colour options for baby's room (final decision this week)
picked up a copy of 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' at a garage sale (loving it!)
saw preview of The Stone Angel (it was ok)
volunteered at AIDWYC's annual fundraiser (fun & felt good to do good)
cleaned up renovation garbage & mess
made a brilliant lemon poppyseed cake (simple & delicious!)
finished knitting top secret project (learning casting off tomorrow from co-worker)
started on a cute gender neutral baby vest (light blue with white trim)
made delicious beans & rice tonight, with side of roasted cauliflower! Yum!
traveled to Mom & Dad's for Dad's 70th! (Nice family time & did Mother's Day a week early)
Enjoyed two episodes of House
started a Monday night yoga class that I missed tonight (long story related to renovation hell)
I'm too lazy to take pics of the baby vest tonight. Watch for photos of that and the top secret project in a week or two. I'll likely have an updated photo of the baby belly too - week 18 this week!
narrowed down colour options for baby's room (final decision this week)
picked up a copy of 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' at a garage sale (loving it!)
saw preview of The Stone Angel (it was ok)
volunteered at AIDWYC's annual fundraiser (fun & felt good to do good)
cleaned up renovation garbage & mess
made a brilliant lemon poppyseed cake (simple & delicious!)
finished knitting top secret project (learning casting off tomorrow from co-worker)
started on a cute gender neutral baby vest (light blue with white trim)
made delicious beans & rice tonight, with side of roasted cauliflower! Yum!
traveled to Mom & Dad's for Dad's 70th! (Nice family time & did Mother's Day a week early)
Enjoyed two episodes of House
started a Monday night yoga class that I missed tonight (long story related to renovation hell)
I'm too lazy to take pics of the baby vest tonight. Watch for photos of that and the top secret project in a week or two. I'll likely have an updated photo of the baby belly too - week 18 this week!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Tired post
I am tired. I think I am learning slowly that I cannot maintain my previous level of activity. This sucks because I like to get things done in order to 'earn' my down time. Now that I have recorded this possibly twisted sense (theory?) of responsibility and productivity on my blog I am wondering if it warrants a tune-up with my lovely therapist (it's been years since I last saw her). I digress.
I find I have to lay down more often than I would like. Immediately following this post, I am headed for the couch. My ribs hurt. I can feel ligaments stretching under my belly. My toochis muscles are stiff! I feel sort of pooped in general.
I think I did a lot this weekend. Here is a list of the stuff I can actually remember:
bundled and bagged renovation garbage ready for Tuesday morning (my porch looks a lot better now!)
road my bike with Hubby to/from Kensington Market for our beloved market shop
laundry, laundry, laundry
changed the sheets on the bed
hand washing
cleaned the damn tub (this required more stretching than I am comfortable with)
dishes, dishes, dishes (no dishwasher)
walked over 3 miles with Hubby last night (this was enjoyable and tiring)
tidied up the dining room post-tax hell (it was a hellish mess)
scraped and swept old leaves and renovation mess off our driveway
wrote six long over due letters (snail mail!)
caught up on emails & phone calls
found 2006 tax info needed to apply for day care (That's right! We are getting on wait lists now because nos amis avec les enfants have warned us not to wait. Fingers crossed for the day care across the street.)
Things I still want to do:
bake cookies
sand door frame
finish laundry
make my own dinner (Hubby's at poker)
It is likely all about the second trimester and my deep rooted characteristics coming through, but I am finding it a bit more challenging to deal with clutter and disorganization. Hubby and I have very different levels of tolerance in this area. I have relaxed A LOT in this area over the past five years, but I notice myself fantasizing about how the renovations (mostly related to storage issues) are going to make my home a beautiful & well organized place to live.
On a warmer, fiber related topic, I am re-learning to knit! I can't show you my progress since I am working on a top secret project (ie. gift for a regular blog reader). The gals that have seen it have given me very positive feedback.
I am off to the couch.
I find I have to lay down more often than I would like. Immediately following this post, I am headed for the couch. My ribs hurt. I can feel ligaments stretching under my belly. My toochis muscles are stiff! I feel sort of pooped in general.
I think I did a lot this weekend. Here is a list of the stuff I can actually remember:
bundled and bagged renovation garbage ready for Tuesday morning (my porch looks a lot better now!)
road my bike with Hubby to/from Kensington Market for our beloved market shop
laundry, laundry, laundry
changed the sheets on the bed
hand washing
cleaned the damn tub (this required more stretching than I am comfortable with)
dishes, dishes, dishes (no dishwasher)
walked over 3 miles with Hubby last night (this was enjoyable and tiring)
tidied up the dining room post-tax hell (it was a hellish mess)
scraped and swept old leaves and renovation mess off our driveway
wrote six long over due letters (snail mail!)
caught up on emails & phone calls
found 2006 tax info needed to apply for day care (That's right! We are getting on wait lists now because nos amis avec les enfants have warned us not to wait. Fingers crossed for the day care across the street.)
Things I still want to do:
bake cookies
sand door frame
finish laundry
make my own dinner (Hubby's at poker)
It is likely all about the second trimester and my deep rooted characteristics coming through, but I am finding it a bit more challenging to deal with clutter and disorganization. Hubby and I have very different levels of tolerance in this area. I have relaxed A LOT in this area over the past five years, but I notice myself fantasizing about how the renovations (mostly related to storage issues) are going to make my home a beautiful & well organized place to live.
On a warmer, fiber related topic, I am re-learning to knit! I can't show you my progress since I am working on a top secret project (ie. gift for a regular blog reader). The gals that have seen it have given me very positive feedback.
I am off to the couch.
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