Getting Ready

Christmas is almost here and I am getting really exited for the kids. Jake is big enough to really get a kick out of things this year and I can't wait to see the look on his face when he see's what Santa brought him.

I have not been posting because I have been a little busy just keeping up with it all...had a trip up to Orcas Island to visit family and have been knitting like mad to try and finish things up for Christmas.

I got to make candy with my Grandad and had a great time. He has been making this stuff for quite some time and I was happy to get to learn a thing or two from him. I got to make tiger butter wich is probably my favorite of his holiday candies but I also really like the fudge too.

We continued a family tradition of weighing new babies on the bakery scale and Abby came in at 9lbs 12oz or something like that...she has not been having any trouble putting on weight.

We went and saw Santa at the firehouse and as predicted Jake was way more interested in the trucks than in Santa...in fact he was sorta terrified of Santa...Abby did fine though.

Short post but this is valuable knitting time and I want to get my stuff all done...so here are a few pics...

Are You Lurking?

For those of you out there that read my blog...tell me! I know of several people that read like Alexis, Luneray and Lana. However....I have been told by a little birdie that there are family members of mine out there that complain about the lengthy times between new photos of my darling family...I didn't even know you were reading! I don't know if you don't tell me! Soooo...leave me a comment or something (for those that don't know how at the end of an entry is the word 'comments' just click on it and you can leave me a message - just keep in mind the messages are public so don't go talkin' like a sailor k?).

Speaking of family members, lately my daughter has been reminding me a lot of my Aunt Patty...It appears that she is a 'multi-sneezer' I don't think she has sneezed only once since she has been on the planet. Plus she is cute, so you know, there is another similarity.

Today I tried bathing both kids with me...that was not as bad as I thought it would be. Jake did as he always does and just sits in the bottom of the shower and plays with his toys and allows me to shampoo and soap him as long as I let him keep playing. It seems to work for us and he is starting to 'help' with the washing of his hair and tummy now too. Abby sat in a bath chair under a wash cloth (because that was enough to keep her covered she is so little) and was pretty content and even snoozed a bit while I soaped myself and Jake. Got her washed and then wrapped in a towel in the bouncy chair so I could dry me and Jake...It actually worked out pretty well. We'll see how it goes as she gets bigger...of course I don't plan on letting them bathe with me every day, it was simply the most time efficient today.

Harder than I thought was figuring out how to go to the store with both of them in tow...now that was a new adventure. When Jake was tiny I just plopped him, car seat and all on the 'kid seat' of the shopping cart. Now that he sits in the seat I didn't know what to do with Abby since I couldn't put her seat in the cart. I ended up putting her on in the baby sling (I love, love, love my sling it is an 'ultimate baby wrap') and letting Jake sit in his usual spot in the cart. It worked out pretty well and we were only there for a few essentials like diapers so it wasn't too long of an outing (which was good because by the time we had gotten out of the house it was past nap time for Jake).

We stopped at McDonald's on the way home and I tried the McRib because I thought I remembered it being good...it was not. at. all. In fact I would have to describe it as downright gross. The sauce was ok (just their standard bbq) the bun was actually good. The 'meat' had a weird flavor and an indescribable texture that I will never again experience if I can avoid it at all. This must be why they don't keep it on the menu...they bring it back when people have forgotten how awful it is and then it stays long enough for people to try it again (presumably only once) and then it disappears from the menu again for a few years. Yet another reason to avoid this place alltogether.

Nice Weekend

Not much new here lately. We are getting into a routine and settling into life with Abby around and loving every minute of it (even the minutes that I am awake at 3:30 in the morning because I know she is only going to be this little for a minute and I am trying to enjoy every second of it. With Jake too but knowing that unless there is an accident somewhere along the lines, Abby is my last baby and I really want to take it all in as much as I can).
Friday Abby and I went to knit night and got to see the ladies. I brought my knitting but didn't end up even taking it out of the bag. It was nice to get out of the house for a little bit though.
Yesterday was a full day for our little family. We got up and went to breakfast and then headed to the mall to buy Brian some new clothes. First we looked for shoes since the only ones he wears currently are Doc Martin boots (these are the only shoes I have known him to wear in the last ten years except for occasionally he'll wear Converse or golf shoes). No luck at Sears so we headed to JC Penny - no luck there either. Then we trekked down to Payless and actually found some that not only did he like, but they had in his size. On top of that they cost about half of what a similar shoe would at the other joints. By this time Jake was toast and wwwaaayyy past nap time and though Abby was asleep my boobs were about to explode so I know she had to be getting hungry. I LOVE the sling I had her in and I was able to hook her up and nurse her while we walked back to the other end of the mall. Back to Sears we went and found him 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, some socks and a new belt. So he is all decked out. We hit Jack in the Box on the way home and got lunch and a couple of smoothies - I gotta tell ya'll Jack in the Box makes one of the best smoothies I have ever had.
Today is our lazy day for football. Jake and I will take a walk this afternoon and maybe kick the soccer ball in the yard but mostly it's a lazy day for hanging out in jammies (course we are dressed but still that is the 'feeling' of the day). Brian even got Jake out of bed this morning (which he does for me most mornings) but he kept him in the living room so Abby and I could sleep a little longer wich was a very nice treat for me.
Well, the Hawks are on so I am going to go drop some yummy cocounut shrimp into the FryDaddy and watch my boys toss the ball around the field.

Picture Time!

Could you please stop with the flashy thing already?

Sorry this has taken so long for me to get together...Here are a few pics from the last two weeks:Sorta Smiling for ya!

Having a snooze

Daddy's Comfy!

Jake and Mommy snuggling while Abby has a snack.

I think I'll call her 'Sissa'

I like to rock her in the bouncy chair (mom doesn't know how to orient a photo apparently).

Our first outing - we went and preselected our Christmas Tree. Abby enjoyed the sling and Jake loved tromping around in his rubber boots. Daddy took the picture so he wasn't in it :( Oh well, someone's gotta do it.

After tagging the tree we had the customary cup of hot apple cider. Jake likes the 'warm juice.'

And last night just before bed...Abby is having tummy time and Jake and Daddy are keeping her company.

Abby had her 2 week well baby check up yesterday and is doing great! She is still jaundiced but they told me it can take 6 - 8 weeks to go away. She now weighs 7lbs 6oz an is 201/2 inches long - so she is a full inch taller than when she was born!

Still here

Yes we are still here but two are harder to keep up with than one and you know, having a baby does require a bit of recovery time...
Jake is responding well to having another creature living in his house, overall he has been very clingy to Mommy but since that really seems to be all of his 'issues' at the moment I am certainly not complaining. He does seem to really love her too. He gives her lots of kisses and asks to hold her often. He also doesn't like to go anywhere without her (like up to his room or out of his carseat-He always reminds me to bring her with us...it's kinda cute).
Abby is doing well. She was a little jaundiced but nothing to be concerned about. She is eating well and sleeping very well (except for last night but so be it).
I am a very very lucky Momma to have two kids that are this well mannered. I hope it stays this way...then again someone is almost two so we'll see.
I will post more pics later. But since Jake is visiting Grandpa Ron right now, I am going to have a shower by myself (ok..actually Abby needs a bath so I'll probably take her in with me but still, I won't be tripping over rubber duckies and turtles today).

Introducing Abigail

Well, she is finally here. Abigail Elizabeth Labrecque. 6lbs 11oz. 19 1/2 in. Born at 10:57am on Thursday, November 6th.Apparently she was ready too because she came very very fast.

Here is how our Thursday went. Shouldn't be too graphic but if you aren't sure about what you want to know, scan rather than read...

We went to the hospital and got registered at about 7am and then headed up to Labor and Delivery. They got me all settled, checked vitals on me and monitored the baby. When my midwife, Donna, arrived she checked my dilation (I was at 5cm) and broke my water at 8:45am.
They monitored for about 15-20 minutes and then I was free to walk around. It only took about another 10 minutes for contractions to begin on their own. They came in about 5 minute intervals right away and by the 4th or 5th I was definitely in 'real pain' they quickly dropped to 3 minutes apart and then 1 minute apart. I was very uncomfortable and hot. I decided I was at the top of my pain tolerance and knowing that I probably had several hours of labor left decided to ask for the epidural. When the nurse checked me she said that I was already at 7cm and that It would probably be at least an hour before I could get the epidural because there were 3 people ahead of me in 'line' and she didn't think I would have time because of how fast I was moving. I told her ok and asked to get into the birthing tub.

After getting into the water it was a little more bearable to have a contraction but not much. I guess it made it easier for me to relax the rest of my body and let my uterus do all of the work. I only got a few contractions in the tub before the urge to push came. I have never felt something so primal before. There is no force that could have stopped me from pushing. My midwife was not there yet either and it was rather interesting to see how many nursed and other midwife's who were there came out of the woodwork in the span of a few seconds. I guess I had dilated to complete in less than 10 minutes from the time she had checked me last. My midwife ran into the room just as I had another contraction and then it was time to 'let 'er rip' so to speak. I pushed 8 times and Abigail was born. Brian was going to catch her but her shoulder got stuck and Donna had to maneuver her a little but she handed her straight to Brian and I got to cut her cord while Brian held her.

Overall it was the experience I had hoped it would be both with Jacob and then, since I was not able to do things that way with him, I wanted to try with Abigail, and I am very happy I was able to do it. I was not absolutely set on having a natural birth this time because I knew how painful it would be but I wanted to at least try again and go until I knew I was at my maximum pain level - by the time I got there I didn't have a choice and I am kinda glad.

While the nurses cleaned her up I delivered the placenta (harder to get that out than the baby)and got dressed and was given medication to make sure I didn't have the bleeding problems I did last time. Then I got to nurse her and get into a gown. After proving I could pee we got moved to our postpartum room and got to rest for a while (except for the nurses pushing on my belly - that is the worst part of having a baby, let me tell ya.)

By that afternoon we were settled enough for visitors...Jake was wound up like a two dollar watch and pretty much ignored Abby but I did get at least a hug before he was up and running again.

Once everyone left we got dinner and then the three of us just hung out for a while.
Our night went pretty well as far as Abby sleeping and all of that. We did have the standard interruptions from the nurses checking vitals and giving me medication, but for the most part it was a pretty easy night.
On Friday Brian and I had breakfast and pretty much hung out until they discharged me at noon. Here is Brian and Abby having a little rest while I was eating breakfast.
When we got home Jake was very happy to see Mommy and Daddy but still was 'actively ignoring' Abby. I had no problem with that and I want him to warm up to her on his own schedule. And he did, by Saturday morning he decided he wanted to hold her.He has held her a couple of times since then and even got down on the floor to have his diaper changed at the same time she was having hers changed and held her hand when she started to fuss. It was adorable.
We are all doing well and I will post more pics a little later.

The Plan

Tomorrow we go in for induction. I probably won't post again until after we have been home for a little bit. So Thursday baby it is (assuming that L&D has room - if they are full then we get pushed back or told no). I'll post again as soon as I am up to it.
:)

Wow.

I am awed a bit by last night's events. I am pleased to be able to have witnessed this part of our country's history. I am not a very political person at all and my personal political views are not relevant here. I got a bit choked up while thinking about what it means for us as a country to have Barack Obama as our next president and I am proud that we have come far enough for this to be a possibility.
It is the first time since I have been a registered voter and cast my first vote that I have not thought 'well, this guy is better than that one, but nothing is going to change.' Now I obviously can't tell you if things will change for better or worse, but in my gut I know that something will be different this time around. If nothing else it means something to our children. My daughter will be born into a world where even more is possible for her. I know it's not a pleasant thought but when you sit down and tell your child 'you can be anything that you want to be' sometimes that is a lie. Face it, if you have a paralyzed child, it is doubtful that they will ever become an astronaut, if you had a daughter or a black child a hundred years ago, president was not on the list. Now that possibility is there because it has happened. Maybe we will have an astronaut that can't walk someday too.
It is a big change, and I hope it means that more big changes are to come for our country and I hope those changes are only for the better. I know that all people can not be pleased all of the time. If you make one person happy, it's likely that what you did will not sit well with another, it is a true balancing act and I hope that this time we will all be pleasantly wowed.

Ok. I'm officially ready.

This kid can come out now. I have a clean (enough) house. My bag is packed. The carseat is installed. Brian has gotten to go to his football game and have a great day. I think everything I need to get done, or get through is done and over with. So come on out dear child, your eviction notice is posted and you have 3 days to vacate.

Uterine Activity (but still pregnant)

Wow that could be a weird band name or something...
So we saw my midwife yesterday and all is well. She examined me and said I am still at a solid 3cm but very 'stretchy' and reiterated that when I go into labor or my water breaks to get myself to the hospital without delay as she thinks I will have a fast dilation/labor.
She also stripped my membranes (which was not painful for my btw - I have heard stories that it is unbearable) and that caused me to have contractions all afternoon/evening and caused the baby to 'pressure me' in the pelvic region. I was very hopeful, but as the evening wore on the contractions got fewer and farther between. Oh well. They do say that it can take up to 3 days for the stripping of the membranes to cause labor if it does in fact contribute at all (no evidence one way or the other, but some studies indicate if the cervix is ripe -and mine is - that it can help move things along). Maybe today I'll take Alexis' suggestion and go for a long walk (as long as I can without pulling my stupid pelvis out of alignment again). I do need to go to Costco and that always feels like I walk miles when I do that.
My midwife also has given me the option of inducing next week and I think I might take her up on it but I am sorely torn. I would like to experience labor on my own this time but I also know she is going on vacation the week I am due and I really want her to be able to deliver me because I trust her. Then again I also know that just because she is in town doesn't mean that she will be the one to deliver me either - it could depend on the time of day and who is on call. So there you have it. I am waiting for her to call me back so I can get some questions answered (can I still try a water birth/what are the risks of the medication etc.) and go from there on making a decision about whether or not to schedule an induction...
My real hope is that I will go into labor on my own and make this a non-issue all together.

I Can't Believe I Did That

So...imagine you have a piece of truely priceless fabric. Then you draw on it and cut it up. That is what I did yesterday. Seriously no amoung of money could replace this fabric. You see Lana, my friend from my knitting group asked me to make a teddy bear out of one of her father's shirts. Her father passed away a few years ago so I am sure you can imagine how much this shirt means to her. I would absolutely never have agreed to do such a thing if I didn't think I could, it's just I have never been so very nervous cutting into a piece of fabric before. Once I made the first cut there was no going back. No do overs. Thankfully I have a really adorable bear that I hope will mean a whole lot to her. Normally I don't put eyes on the bears to keep them infant friendly but I have a couple of butttons off of the shirt that might be the perfect touch to this one and since it's for an adult it's probably fine. I think I'll hold off though until Knit Night and ask her what she would prefer and just sew them on while I'm there. Oh I could do buttons up his front too...And here is the sock progress since I haven't shown that in a while either:

I got my laundry almost done yesterday...all washed and dried, now I just have to put it away (the part I really hate dealing with, but hey, no one else is going to do it).
Yesterday I also got to treat myself to a pedicure wich was really nice...wanted to have pink toenails for delivery (not that anyone, including me, is going to care when the time comes). And I had my gnarly lip hair waxed away too. My lip is still numb this morning, but hey, what can ya do? Those prenatals really get the hair a growin'. The really nice thing about having my lip waxed (there's a nice thing you say?) is that the wax was chocolate scented! I mean I really wanted to eat it it smelled so good. Much better than that well, wax smell.
So onward today I am not planning any chores other than the standard tyding up and cleaning the fish tank but I am sure a few of those will get done. I am going to either finish the bears I have in progress and/or (more likely an OR since there are only so many hours in a nap...and yes I know how lucky I am that my kid still naps for hours at a time instead of quarter hours) start the bear for my real estate agent (two actually since I couldn't decide on a fabric and let her pick her preference). Then I'll take Jake on over to Grandpa's and head to my appt. with the midwife. I have this wonderful fantasy that she is going to tell me I can't go home because I am in labor and don't know it (Haa haa ha hahahahahahhaaaa) Like I said fantasy. It's still two weeks before my due date, I realize going early is less likely than going late but it is my second so the odds are slightly better in my favor. I do however doubt that it will happen today. We shall see. Maybe I can get her to strip my membranes and see if that gets anything going. I would like to try a water birth this time since that was not an option for me the first time around since I was high risk. Then again I might get in the middle of that wonderful place called full blown labor and decide 'screw it, give me the damn epidural already' I really want to try the natural thing (I know it's not going to make a difference in the end but still) and my Hubby thinks I am insane. I agree, I am insane, but I am kinda like a dog with a bone once I get something in my head. This time more than anything I think I am just going to play it by ear and see how things go. I certainly know one way or the other I will be less of a pain in the ass about my demands/wants/wishes for things.
Ok then. that was quite a bit of rambling...on with my day.

Nesting?

Yesterday I feel like I got a lot done... a bunch of laundry, cleaned the kitchen (at least it was clean until after dinner...but I rinsed all of the dishes so it should be fairly easy to get back to square one this morning) and a bunch of other random chores that I won't continue to bore you with. I think I want to do some baking today...I need bread and I think I want to make brownies or something yummy like that. Alexis has inspired me to clean out my fridge and freezer too (don't think I tackle the chest freezer in the garage, but certainly the freezer in the house could at least use a reorganization). I am almost caught up on the laundry too.
I got some spinning done so I am a few yards closer to a pair of socks that I want to make (assuming I acctually have enough roving to get that much yarn out of it...I guess it will depend on they plying) I would have kept going but the drop spindle is hard on my back and arms, so I ccan only do so much in a sitting. I also got some more done on the 2nd sock for my Uncle Rick.
Oh and I got my first paycheck for my bears...I am so excited to have been able to make money doing something I love. I hope it keeps up. So with some of that money (after I put back into our account a little more than what I was fronted for initial costs of course) I bought a little more fabric for a couple more bears. I found some Curious George fabric so I can make a bear for Jacob and some fabric for a bear my real estate agent requested. Hey Alexis - I still have the Sweet Pea bear if you are interested. So I think durning Jacob's nap today, assuming I don't decide to nap too, I'll get moving on the bear I am making for a friend at knitting and possibly start some new ones ('course I have two or three half made that I still need to finish too).
Sooo yeah, my day looks like a few chores, maybe some sewing, definitely some knitting and possibly some baking. Oh, and with any luck labor.

General Bitchiness

I am there. I am at that point. I want to be aggrivated with everyone and everything. That means I am just beginning the 'I'm done being pregnant' stage...Probably another week or two (or god forbid longer) before whatever powers that trigger labor decide they are ready too. My poor boys. Yesterday is when it began. Neither of them did anything to set me off but I wanted to bite Brian's head off and just give Jake to him and walk away so I didn't have to deal (there was nothing really to 'deal' with). I totally restrained myself (the fact that I was able to do that at all means I am not done with this stage yet I am sure) and bit my tounge when I wanted to yell (again for no real offense - just imagined ones).
We watched football most of the day - a Sunday tradition for us from game day 1 until Super Bowl. For some reason I wanted to yell at Brian to "get off your ass and DO something - like the dishes! Can't you see this house is a disaster?!" (it totally was fine). Then later I was in the bedroom folding a basket of towels and Brian came in to talk to me and I just wanted to scream at him "can't you see I'm folding laundry - why the the hell aren't you helping me?!?" (he is not expected to assist me in this particular chore). Again I just kept folding and didn't say anything. I took a warm bath hoping it would relax me - I just got irritated with soap scum on the tub and the peeling caulking, the shower curtain not being clean enough, etc.
I had come out of it somewhat by the time we went to bed but when I woke up to use the bathroom for the umpteenth time last night (around 4ish) I had a hard time sleeping because I couldn't stop thinking about all of the things that I needed to do around the house (do more laundry, unload the dishwasher, basic routine stuff that always needs to be done). I got up and made the bed before I even hit the bathroom...I made a list of shit to do and now I guess I have to do it. Maybe I'll buy some yarn to make myself feel better (oh wait, we're broke, nevermind...and then there is that box full of yarn in my sewing room upstairs).
Ok. Rant over. Thanks for reading if you're still here.

Better Safe Than Sorry

I really hate it when I make myself feel silly but sometimes it just happens. Yesterday I woke up and immediately noticed that Abby was not being very active at all. I am usually woken up by rib or bladder punches. Had my tea (lots of sugar) and no change. Had a hearty breakfast and no change. Decided to to some kick counts...under the recommended number, so I called the midwife's office. Was instructed to drink 2 large glasses of water and do another count. I did and got lots of movement, Yay! However throughout the day her movements decreased and when she did move it was almost as if she was lethargic. So late afternoon I drank more water and counted again. Barely got to the minimum number but got it none-the-less. A couple of hours later I tried again and 'failed' the test. I just felt off besides that so I decided to call back into the midwife (on-call at this point) and they told me that it was probably nothing but to go ahead and come in and they would do a no stress test and listen to her heart tones. So away we went, got to the hospital and admitted yada yada (really glad I didn't have to wait in the ER waiting room - Labor and Delivery come down and get ya when your preggo). As soon as they hook me up to the machine she starts moving like there's no tomorrow (of course). Needless to say they watched for 20 minutes and said all was good and sent us home. Again better safe than sorry - at the very least it was a little peace of mind that let us sleep. I am glad we were able to get home and in bed by 10 because of Brian's exam today.
Oh and we showed the house again on Thursday too! Hoping we might get something of course, but there are no garuntees. The agent said the house showed well, and since we had showings on back to back days I am hoping the market is picking back up. I guess that means I am going to have to start keeping my house clean again...

Hoping for a Sale!

I haven't really posted because not much has been happening around here. Same ol' same ol' everyday things.
Saw the midwife yesterday and she says I am 'very soft' and a 'solid 3cm' so I have made a little progress as far as my getting ready for labor...still nothing eminent and I could stay pregnant for several weeks. Not that I expected it sooner anyway since I am just full term (37 weeks) today. So now is when I can officially say "I could go at any time" I want to wait until after Brian's exam on Saturday though. She'll come when she's ready I suspect.
Yesterday I decided to take Jake over to Grandpa's earlier in the day rather than just before my appt. and I am glad I did because when I got home I got a call from an agent who wanted to show the house...I don't think I would have been able to pick up the clutter with Jake's 'help' since she only gave me 40 minutes notice. But....I think they liked the house and as usual I am going to be cautiously optimistic.

Closer than you think

No major events in the last few days. Wednesday was pretty much a non-eventful day but at least the house was clean.
Thursday I was in a lot of pain from my pelvis being out of alignment again...I mean I had a hard time walking. But I did get a bunch of laundry done (still have more to do but oh well). Took Jake over to his Grandpa and Grammy's and then headed to my physical therapy appointment (boy I needed it that day!). I felt a little better when I was done but not much. Went straight from there to my weekly appt. with Donna, my midwife. As usual she listened for heart tones (sounding good) and feeling for position, etc. The new stuff this week was I get exams now since I am in my last month. She looked up a little surprised and asked if I had Jake early. I said 'no, we induced, why?' She said 'because you are already at 2 to 3 cm dialated. I don't think we'll need to induce this one and I don't think she'll be too big.' So hopefully that means I will not have to wait until my due date, however I do realize I could walk around dialated this much for weeks too without further progress...we'll see. I would like to stay pregnant at least until I can finish getting my crap together to get ready for the baby (just need to put the carseat in, wash her clothes and get a few diapers). I liked the convienence of the induction last time because everything was nice and scheduled, but I would also like to know what it's like to go into labour on my own and see if a non-induced labour really is less painful than an induced one as I have heard from so many people. All in all I am encouraged because I wasn't expecting to hear that I have made as much progress as that...baby may just be closer to done cooking than I think.
From there Brian and I went and took a tour of the labour and delivery floor of the hospital - just as a bit of a refresher so we could be familiar with our surroundings when the time comes. Then we went and had dinner at the hospital cafeteria (pretty darned good food actually). Got home and relaxed for a while before the Grandparents brought Jake home...already fed...so we got to play for a little, then jammies and bed...It was kindof nice and I really needed it since by the time I went to bed I could barely stand on my own from the pelvic pain.
Friday I woke up with the pain mostly gone but still sore (oh and I got a flu shot too, so my arm was nice and sore too..no biggy but when your ribs are pushed out, your lungs up, your bladder down and your kidneys back any little added discomfort can really be compounded). Took it easy most of the day and went to Knitting at the yarn shop and really got to unwind. Today I have to clean my house because my mom is coming down (she doesn't care, but I do) for the baby shower my mother in law is throwing for me tomorrow.
Oh, and I finished the first sock in the pair of socks I am making for my Uncle for Christmas. I'll post a pic later.

Oh and I have decided that the Halloween bears I have made are for sale too so if you want, let me know...I have the spider web one pictured below and another one in the works (dark blue with jack-o-lanterns, witch hats, etc. on the fabric).

Feast or Famine

Things seem to come in 'clumps' for me. Good and bad. Yesterday was mostly trying rather than bad per-say but it was what it was.

First was our visit to the pediatrician to get our friend the pea out of someone's nose. We get there and get the news that he is due for shots too. I was pretty sure I had him all caught up on his shots at the last visit and if not how come I didn't get a phone call so I could stay on top of this kinda thing? Anyway...after weighing in etc, it took me and 2 nurses to hold the boy down while the RN tried to fish the damn pea out. She couldn't get it but during the process I mentioned that I had tried with a bulb syringe at home and one of the 'holder' nurses said 'oh, lets try that, I am really good with those.' She tried a couple of times and never produced said pea, but during that process Jake had a bit of a gagging, swallowing episode and we think he swallowed the darned thing. Either way we couldn't find it anymore so we just get to watch and wait and make sure he doesn't develop a cough or 'icky snot' that my show the damn thing moved into his sinus. So he was pretty pissed at this point. First he had been screaming 'MOMMY DOWN!!' then he moved onto telling the nurses 'Bye bye' wanting them to go away. He got calmed down enough to be breathing normally when she came in with the shots. So that set him off again. He was doing better by the time we got dressed and out the door (Thank God for the Gerber Graduates yogurt drop samples they had at check out...they made a wonderful 'treat' and really helped calm him down). We went and saw Daddy at work because Jake was upset with Mommy and really needed Daddy for a while...I really love that Brian works so close to home I am going to miss that when we move (someday).

We got home long enough for a diaper change, midmorning snack and for me to pay the bills (it's sooooo much fun watching my bank account go from 3 grand to 120 bucks in the span of 10 minutes). Just had to make sure we'd have enough in the account to pay for an inspection of our van...oh yeah the steering has been binding up on me...not exactly the safest thing so we HAD to get it taken care of. The guy asked if I wanted a shuttle service home or if I wanted to wait...I figured it couldn't take them all that long to LOOK at the damn thing...needless to say we waited for 2 stinking hours before they told us what the problem was...I would have been fine getting it over the phone, I just wish the guy had realized that I had a toddler with me and had told me it could potentially take that long (I miss my damn Toyota...The only service the damn thing EVER needed was oil changes, tire rotations and on one occasion, a new windshield). The fix is going to cost us about 1100 bucks. Joy. Not exactly what we need at a time when we are going to be dropping a crapload of money to pay for labor and delivery sometime in the next (God willing) 4 weeks. We got a shuttle ride home and got some lunch (poor kid had to wait that long but he did really well and they did provide cookies in the waiting room, so that helped even if they aren't exactly nutritious). By the time he went down for his nap it was 3:00 (he usually naps around 11 or 12 at the latest).

I had time to sit down for 1/2 hour before dinner had to go in the oven and I figured since I was up I may as well tidy the living room and kitchen, etc. Brian got home and we chatted while we puttered around the kitchen together when we got a phone call from an agent wanting to show the house (YAY!) we hadn't shown the house in 7 weeks and so my standard of cleanliness has been on a slow decline (well not my standard, but just giving a damn really since no one has been coming anyway)...The big surprise was that they wanted to see the house in 20 minutes!!!! I specifically ask for a minimum of 1hrs notice but I wasn't going to give up the chance to show my house so (thank God again) Brian was home to help me. I can't believe how clean we got the house in 20 minutes (not really dirty, but the clutter piles up ya know...) Now don't get me wrong, we were just shoving shit in drawers and closets, but in the end the basic need was met. Since we couldn't really go anywhere because the van wasn't here (3 of us don't fit so well in Brian's pickup) we just sat on the tailgate while they toured the house. I am really glad I was cooking dinner because our house smelled like turkey and not cat hair (and thankfully not a combination of the two cuz that would have been really bad). Anyway I guess overall showing the house was on the good side of things rather than bad but It meant I didn't get to sit down when I should have yesterday evening. Let's just hope they want to buy our house now.

Hopefully today will be less eventfull (except of course for that couple who saw our house yesterday, I want them to decide they really like it...I can take action if it means selling the house).

Knitterly Pride

I am training my son well. He might just knit someday. Men who knit are cool, not gay, just for the record. I have no problem with gay either, but I am just saying just because a guy knits does not mean he is gay.

Anyway Jacob has decided that all stick shaped things are knitting needles and I think that is just adorable. It started when I was knitting the sweater for Abby (4weeks 4days until my due date for those counting), he wanted to help me...so I set him up with a circular needle and a finished sweater he could poke at. Next came a couple of single needle and a ball of scrap yarn that he could poke at while saying 'knit, knit, knit...' A couple of days ago we aquired a couple of sets of those take out chop sticks and those are his official needles now since they are too dull to do too much damage to himself or the household pets (he still must be sitting if he wants to 'knit') Yesterday on our way from the house to the car he spotted a largish twig on the ground and bent over to pick it up, saying 'knit.' So cute...Here is his current WIP (work in progress). I keep asking him what he is knitting but he wants to keep it a surprise apparently. He answers with something that sounds like 'bubble' but it could be pillow, or football or airplane as those words all sound the same at this point.

In other news here are Da Bears...the first 2 are for sale btw and I am happy to make them custom for anyone interested. Hit me in the comments if you are.

This first guy has an American pride theme:

This little one is a Sweet Pea:Football theme:
Fall/Halloween theme:In other childrearing news...Yesterday was a banner day for Jacob here. First he colored on the walls for the first time. I might actually take a pic before I clean it up just for him to have someday. I didn't catch him in the act so I couldn't effectively scold and redirect, but I did show him we only draw on paper. He's not even 2, I am rather sure I will have more wall washing in my future.
And the crowning moment was as we were finishing dinner I saw him with his finger up his nose...I took a closer look...there was a green pea in his nostril...rather easily I flicked it out with my little finger...only to see another up there...too far to reach well. Sooo I did what the pediatrician reccomended at our last visit (I asked because I was seeing the signs that Jake was heading in this direction)...plug unclogged nostril and blow into his mouth. It was very effective. The offending pea shot right out. but...(there's always a but) there was a THIRD pea in there. I implemented plug and blow again. I got a yummy snotty pea stuck to my cheek for the effort but at least it wasn't still up his nose. The FOURTH one is however still there. Can't reach it, plug and blow doesn't work as it is not blocking enough airflow and bulb syringe is likewise not working. So joy. I called his doc and they said its not really anything to worry about for now. I'll take him in tomorrow to have them pull it out. Mother you may laugh now, but remember that I was not the child of yours that stuck crap in my nose or ears...Karma should wait for Nathan to have kids for this one...(Brian never did it either so there).
Sock pictures another day, I have to go scrub a wall...

New Toys

My Hubby really loves me...
Yesterday we went out and made a bit of an impulse buy but so far I think we are both pretty happy about it...I am sitting here posting from our new Laptop... :)
We also got a second City of Heroes account so we can game together...Yay!
This means we are done with our Christmas shopping for each other too...(yeah I know it's only October and I am a firm hater of all of the Holiday crap that is out before November but we are trying to get all of our Christmas shopping done before the baby shows up).
So, good times!

There has been progress on the socks, and I have decided to rip back the lace I started and use a different pattern. I will however need to get a new set of needles because I almost unbelievably don't have the size I need.

Ok...gonna watch football...Go Hawks!

What I've been up to lately

Sorry Alexis I am not going downstairs to get the damn camera...I'll get to pics on another day...

...I have 5 new bears made up...they are really cute too, don't you just wish you could see them?

And I have made progress on the current socks (well still sock at this point but eventually it will be a pair) and I have been working with my skein of Malabrigo lace yarn but I am not really liking the way the pattern is working out so I may rip it back and start something else. I want to make a shawl and have a neat pattern for one but am told by several other people who have made it that it comes out more like a head shawl than a 'normal' sized shawl. I also have a pattern for a scarf and I just can't decide wich one to use....I guess I'll just sit on it for a while.

On Friday Brian and I went up to Seattle and stayed in a nice hotel, had a fabulous dinner (in a restraunt that doesn't even offer crayons or highchairs) and saw Phantom of the Opera. It was wonderful. It was also the first time since Jacob's birth that I have spent a night away from him so it was a milestone for me. He didn't seem phased by it, and to be honest it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would so I must have been more than ready for it. It was really nice to just be Brian and Rachael again for a while instead of Daddy and Mommy. I enjoyed it and am holding onto that because I am sure it will be a while before we get to do something like that again, especially coming up since the baby is due in 6 weeks and 2 days and then the holidays, etc, etc.

Other than that I have been doing the normal boring stuff like housework, allthough I am excelling at my favorite hobby of late: avoiding laundry. Don't think I can get away with that after today though. Then again, I really should be doing some spinning...or finish the other bears I have in the works...or clean the toilet (really, I would rather do that than laundry...) or..or I guess I could just do the damn laundry and be done with it, until somebody decides they just must be wearing clothes to leave the house...

Just for Alexis

I DID take pics...I just hadn't had time to put them on the 'puter. (I am 7 1/2 mos preggo, running down the stairs to get the camera was not a priority at the time I was posting...read about my hang ups...). Seriously...I am joking with you not whining at ya...here are some pics of the socks, another pair in progress and the bear I just finished...

Happy Happy, Joy Joy

Happy Happy Joy Joy, Happy Happy Joy Joy, Happy Happy Happy Joy Joy Joy!!! The socks are done!!!
Andrew's monster large socks are done (I did some investigating, he does have larger than average feet, so I don't feel so bad about them seeming to take forever). He loves them and since he happened to be here when I finished them he got the choice to have them now and not get anything at Christmas, or wait until Christmas...he wore them home. :) Pics to come later.

Someone Please Buy My House

I am getting to be as big as a house. I have a house on the market for sale. I would like to sell the latter before the former bursts and I have a newborn to drag about with my toddler, husband and all of our worldy possessions. I understand that there are way more houses than buyers right now. But my house is large and reasonably priced for the area it is in. Please, please someone come buy my house. Soon. I only have 8 1/2 weeks until my scheduled due-date. My midwife wants to induce sooner.............sooner is almost always better in terms of getting the baby out (assuming said baby has had ample baking time) but in this case...I dunno. Maybe I can talk my midwife out of inducing too early if we have a reasonable offer that might make it possible for us to move before delivery. Of course there is that whole bit about not having a new place to move into yet, but we won't look until we get at least one offer...Again there is a huge surplus of houses out there right now, we won't have a problem finding anything.

So please, either buy my house or send me someone who will (well wishes are glady accepted too).

Ok I'm done whining now...

Here is a cute pic of my kid:

Hang Ups

We all have our own little quirks and whatnots. I have finally figured out one of my hang ups. For some reason I can't get it out of my head that I can't blog unless I have pictures to post. Now I realize that this is ridiculous but for some reason that has been why I have been putting off posting.

So I am trying to get over it. I'll post pics when I have them and not worry about it in the meantime.

Projects I am working on:

The pukish/black colored socks for Andrew. Trust me the colors are totally him. I will be glad to be done with them because I feel like they are taking forever and I am getting tired of looking at them. He does have some pretty big feet though, so maybe that is why it feels like they are taking so long. Actually, I think I may have a pic of the first one finished...

Just a size refrence in the above photo the foot is 12" from heel to toe. This is not a HUGE foot, but since the only other socks I have made are for newborns and myself it is quite a departure size-wise.Everyone thank the reluctant foot model, my Husband, for posing in socks that make his teeth itch (Don't worry, he isn't the sort to wear handmade socks, or wool at all for that matter, the intended recipient however, is and will love them).

I am also working on a pair of Corsett gloves for Amber for Christmas...pics to come later.

The only other thing I have currently in the works is some handspun yarn...I am proud to say I have finished my first bit of spinning with a drop-spindle. I really really love it. The yarn came out to be about worsted weight, maybe slightly bulkier, is of course a single ply and sort-of a novelty yarn as it goes from thick to thin to thick, etc. (common for beggining spinners). I have hanked, washed and set the twist, now I just need to ball it up for use... Not sure what it will become yet, probably a scarf and/or hat. 120yds was the yield so I am not exactly sure what I can get out of that much yarn...at least a scarf though. I am also working on making some teddy bears...Here is a pic of the first one I made...since then I have gotten some much neater fabric to use: No eyes you say? I want them to be completely infant friendly so no buttons, etc. to be chewed on.

I have recently finished a hat to match the sweater for Abby,
And a pair of newborn sized socks for my neighbor's brand new baby:
Some other things...I am finishing off the roving I used for the blue yarn in a finer thread so I can attempt to teach myself plying and possibly get a pair of socks out of it (we'll see if I have enough...I have tiny feet...it helps).
Also I made a drop-spindle just to see if I could make one that functions and I want a lighter weight spindle for finer yarns:
Ta-Da! It works but the whorl needs to be heavier (stops spinning too soon and rather rapidly reverses direction)...I'll look to see what I can find at the store today that might do the trick, not sure if I'll be able to find what I am looking for as I had a hard enough time as it was finding the one I did (a toy car wheel purchased at a large chain craft store). The construction was easy...drill tiny hole in dowel end, insert tea-cup hook, slide dowel through wheel (the dowel and wheel are a perfect tight fit so there is none of that whorl sliding down business and no glue, etc. involved). Total cost was about $0.80.

In other construction news...I decided that instead of spending $17.00 on a niddy-noddy (for hanking yarn) I would make one:
That's nothin' but pvc pipe folks...5 lengths, two 't-joints' and 4 end-caps. Total cost: about $5.00. The beauty of having one of pvc is that I can set the twist without having to move the yarn off of the niddy noddy. My Darling can not escape the Engineer inside and has already brainstormed a way to put it on a stand so it will spin around as I wrap the yarn (similar to a swift).

Oh and I got some goodies too!

At the fair I got some of this beautiful roving. It is very pretty I think. I am eager to see how it spins up. I don't know enough yet about fiber to tell you anything more than it is wool and I think alpaca.
The other goody I got is some of this beautiful roving that is silk and something I can't remember. I got it at my LYS.That's about it for right now.

Back in action

Just went and spent a week with my parents on Orcas Island in the San Juans and had a great time. Jake got to discover a lot of things he has never seen before, like going for a canoe ride with Granddad and eating blackberries off the vine, dragonflies, ants, blueberries, a riding lawnmower and lots more.
I'll post pictures later today or tomorrow, but I must, I must do laundry now...

The sweater is finished!

After much searching Brian found some really nice grey buttons that compliment the two pinks to complete the sweater for Abby. I like the way it turned out. Now I just need to put it in a safe place that doesn't involve me forgetting where that safe place is once I want to put it on her a year from now.

While finishing the sweater I had a little too much 'help' from Jake...So I gave him a set of (dull, don't worry) circulars and the other sweater I had finished so he could 'knit too.' Maybe I have a future knitter...
And also...what is on the needles now...I am trying the 2-socks-at-once method on circular 'magic loop' needles...we'll see how it goes...this is the current mess I am wading through:

I am a firm believer in just following the directions/pattern and it will all eventually make sense (barring any errors in the pattern of course). I have cast these on 3 times and I think the third time really is the charm...

Toddler Olympics

In the spirit of the Olympic games going on right now I bring you a brief list of events in which my son and I have competed in the last few days:

The 100m Diaper Dash - in which toddler tells mom 'poop' while pointing at diaper (style points awarded for creativity) and then runs away as soon as a fresh diaper is in view. Again, style points for creativity such as running under the kitchen table or making it to the stairs.

Fingernail Fencing - in which mom tries to cut the long, scratchy fingernails of a squirming 19 month old. (rules clarification - if you must use distraction technique like cartoons, points are deducted from overall score).

Hammer Throw - how many toys can we get taken away in a single day for hitting with/throwning them? The bigger the tantrum, the better your score.

Dancing with Mom Decathalon - Dance with your mommy. Hold her hand. Show her how to stop your foot and swing your hips. Spin all around, make her pick you up for a slow song. Better scores are generally awarded to those who can get Daddy involved too.

Yogurt Wrestling - Freestyle - Eat your yogurt. Ask for more. Eat half of it - spread the other half about yourself and your surroudings in the most creative messy way possible. Extra points awarded if mom has to lift you straight into the bathtub from high chair.

Toy Box Relay - Help mom pick up toys and get them into the toybox. Better scores awarded to teams in which the toddler is the one to do the most bending over.

Thwart the Clean Floor Exercises - As mom tries to sweep the floor, take your broom or the dust pan broom and systematically sweep moms pile around the room - winner is the one that makes mom give up and wait until nap time to finish sweeping.

Highchair High Jump - See if you can escape from apparatus while mom is getting the rag to wipe you down. Higher difficulty points if you are a)properly strapped in and b)if you can do it without hurting yourself or any household pets.

And now some photo highlights of these games:

Here is our athlete giving his best pout/tantrum face during the Hammer Throw:

Here we are enjoying Yogurt Wrestling Freestyle - this athlete was awarded 'straight to the tub' points:

Dancing with mom Decathalon - both of our athletes are looking pretty tired, but never the less have put on a stunning performance in front of Dad.

Last but not least after our Little Olympian went to bed I made progress on the sweater. I would have finished but it was just to damn hot to knit last night (crazy I know, but even the smallest amount of wool in my lap made my brain itch).