Seven Days

One week old and already it seems he's always been here. He has nearly gotten back up to his birth weight and is doing quite well. I am finally over the birth euphoria and into tired. So today the Mr. took the MIL and Girly to the neighbouring town so Boyo and I could have a day of quiet and rest. It has been just what we needed. I feel so much more peaceful today. I think he does too.

There has been no knitting as I don't have any concentration yet, but we did receive a beautiful crocheted blanket from our potluck Wednesday group. Such beautiful people! Yep, he's sleeping in a laundry basket. I lined it with some blankets and now I have a portable crib that's just right for a tired baby. When it's on the gliding stool that goes with the gliding chair, it's a rocking crib. It worked for his sister too.

The Public Health Nurse dropped by and Girly helped her run Boyo's hearing test. While she was fascinated with the test, she was a little disappointed that the ear pieces weren't big enough to let her try it out. Girly's been holding up really well considering how much time I don't have to spend with her anymore, but she misses her Momma. I miss her too. Soon we'll have settled into a routine and there will be a bit more time. Poor sweet. I'm so glad that she is old enough for me to try to explain that I still love her just as much no matter what. I have a great admiration for those mothers whose children are much closer in age I can't imagine how hard it must be to try to balance siblings who are too young for hot chocolate and a conversation on a little outing with just us girls.

Thank you to all for your well wishes and congrats! Maybe someday there will be knitting content again. I do have a project on the needles I'd like to finish up before the Boyo gets too big.

Hello Boyo.

Momma is awfully glad to see you.

So is Girly.

Daddy is proud and so is Grandpa. They both have their names in there along with Daddy's Grandfather (who has been gone for a good while).

He was in a hurry to come too! I was given a low dose of inducing gel on Friday, April 17 at 12:45pm and before long it was time to go to the hospital. We nearly didn't make it. I got there at 3:40pm and all was said and done by 4:04pm. He missed Daddy's birthday by 4 days and arrived on my oldest sister's Birthday instead.

Rent's been up for Five Days

The kid still hasn't come out yet and there hasn't been much sign of anything happening as yet. Little beggar is trying to stay in long enough for Squatter's Rights to take effect. Too bad there are no such rights in Canada and the docs are going in on Monday if nothing happens before. At least that's the plan thus far. Just in case, I checked back and I gave the kid notice at least 30 days ago so all my bases are covered. No lawsuits!

Easter was a good day here. Except for the still knocked up part. Girly had a blast looking for eggs and the cat followed the basket every where it went. He really wanted that string type stuff at the bottom. Apparently it makes a lovely snack. No worries, he went without, but he gave it the old college try!

It's also been finishing time around here. I finished another Flapper Girl's Twist and a couple of other little hats. I ripped back a couple of old projects too. I just wasn't happy enough with them to finish the knitting.

This is one of the projects that got finished. I like! A simple scarf using the Porcupine Stitch from Barbara Walker's Second Treasury. Reversible and very easy to memorize. The yarn I used is gorgeous! I'm going to have to get another skein just for me.

Here is "Silk Spines".

Materials:

1 Skein: Colinette Yarns Taos - 100% Silk in their Madras shade. Chosen by Girly while at Threads in Time in Thunder Bay.

3.25mm (US 3) needles - also selected by Girly from my needle collection.

Stitch holder or one extra 3.25mm (US 3) needle

Pattern:

Cast on 28 sts.

Row 1: K2 *Yo, K2tog* repeat from *to* to last 2, K2
Row 2: K2, purl to last 2, K2
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Repeat Row 2
Row 5: K2, *S1, K2tog, Psso, K4, Yo, K1, Yo, K4* repeat from *to* to last 2, K2
Row 6: K2, *P3tog, P4, Yo, P1, Yo, P4* repeat *to* to last 2, K2
Row 7: Repeat Row 6
Row 8: Repeat Row 5
Row 9: Repeat Row 6

Repeat these 9 rows for 12 full repeats and end the 13th repeat on Row 2. Set this half aside and cast on 28 sts for the second half.

Repeat the steps for the first half also ending the 13th repeat on Row 2. Graft the two halves together (Knitty Tutorial) then weave in ends and block.

Someone liked. She pretended not to for a bit, but once I threatened to keep for myself, she changed her mind, posthaste.

She wore it the next day too. She decided that it needs to be worn like this since it isn't really a scarf. It's a skinny top.

My little fashionista.

At least something is done-ish around here.

While I do like being pregnant, some of the time, all the scrutiny is starting to get on my nerve. I can't make a few biscuits for dinner without the MIL saying that I'm going to start labour any second now. Apparently if you want something fresh and homemade to eat, its a sign of nesting and labour is imminent. If my stomach twitches, someone is on me like beggars on a coin. If I have an itch or rub my belly, labour! My SIL is phoning nearly everyday all wound up even though we've tried to make it clear that she will be phoned once the baby is born. Promise! I love her, but, she is very excitable and it shows on the phone. Loud, speed talking should be in the Winter Olympics. She'd win for sure.

Sigh. I suppose I shouldn't complain because it is really nice not to have to worry about getting my mother here to stay with Girly while I go off to the hospital once labour does start and my SIL does love us, but still. You know.

Anyway! On to better things.

I managed to finish something I can show you. This is the Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie Knits As you can see, there are no earflaps. In fact other than the star pattern, there isn't much that is the same. Girly loved it. Especially the pompom.

I have to shrink it so it fits her better, but I really love how the colours look together and the pattern was really easy.

My Mods:

I added stripes above and below the stars. I also added a few rows of garter stitch at the top because I like how it makes the pattern stand out more. This meant I had to omit all the plain rows during the crown decreases which made the crown turn out a bit star shaped. That may be fixable though since I have to shrink it a bit and block.

Rather than thread the yarn through the remaining stitches at the top of the crown, I moved them all to one needle, changed to my contrast colour and knit some I-cord. Then I made a two colour pompom and tied it to the end of the I-cord.

Since the hat came out as big as it has, I haven't added the earflaps. Once I shrink it, I'll see where it stands and add them then if needed.

Listen here, Kid!

Me: Time to get out!

The Kid: You said I wasn't going to be born until spring. This doesn't look like spring to me.

Me: Your room is done and sister supervised and approved.

The Kid: Let's see.

Me: The walls are painted and trim is up. Daddy did a pretty good job. He also scraped that popcorn paint crap off the ceiling for you.

Me: You even have a carpet. That's more than your sister has in her room.

Me: See. She got a "new" to her dresser and we re-arranged her furniture, but no carpet.

The Kid: Sorry lady. My rent is paid up to the 10th. I think I'll hang out here until then.

Me: No, come out now!

The Kid: Don't count on it. I'll see once the rent is up. [mutter,mutter]squatter's rights[mutter, mutter...]

Me: Crap. Must have gotten the stubborn from his father.