Winter Days

We have been keeping busy this past week. I've been working a lot with a couple co-workers out on leave, so I've been missing my boys a lot. Today I am making up another batch of Turkey Breakfast Sausage and last night I made up another pot of Homemade Yogurt. Success again! I think I've figured this yogurt thing out. Today I pulled out a 6oz container of the yogurt to hopefully use as the starter for my next batch.... as long as no one eats it! Here's a picture of my new batch of yogurt and my yogurt-making helper this morning:

The boys and I took ourselves on a nice brisk walk today. The weather here has been dry (strange for the Northwest), but very cold. I decided we had been stuck indoors up long enough and we should brave the weather. Here is Malachi next to his new Big Wheel bike he got for Christmas from Grandma and Papa. He loves it and I do too.... because he can't go quite as fast on it as he's regular bike! He's wearing the Ribbed Knit Hat I made him back in June. =) Love this hat... fits him great and will for a long time - my husband can get it on!

And here's my little Zach - all bundled up in his stroller and happy to be out!

These two guys are so fun. Malachi still adores his brother. The other day I caught Malachi pulling Zach's bouncer thingy into the playroom saying, "What should be play with Baby Zach?" I offered to help (in an attempt to avoid some kind of moving disaster) and Zach ended up next to the train table. Malachi proceeded to play and talk to Zach until bedtime (probably a good 30-45 min) and Zach just had a great time watching and listening!

 

Tomorrow is Baby Day!

I almost can't believe it!
Tomorrow morning I will be arriving at the hospital at 5:30 am (UGH) and my C-Section is scheduled for 7:30 am. Which means by this time tomorrow our new baby boy will be with us!
I'm not sure I'm quite ready!!


Today was my last doctor's appt, where I was able to pick up all my prescriptions for when I come home (I vaguely remember having to leave the hospital last time and then go half-drugged to the pharmacy for those same prescriptions).
I have my bag (mostly) packed for the morning
After all the baby hats I've made for the many, many baby showers I've attended already this spring/summer, I FINALLY last night at work finished up TWO hats for my own baby!

Hat with Pom Pom
Newborn Size   100% Acrylic

(this one turned out a little bit weird shaped... he might need another one. =)

Rolled Brim Colorblock Hat 0-6 Months
Knit Picks Comfy Worsted Yarn - 75% Pima Cotton 25% Acrylic
Colors: Marlin and Whisker

Sooo... I will not be blogging for probably at least a week unless I get motivated to schedule a couple posts! I am excited and nervous about this new journey we're starting on. Mostly I can't believe it's here already - yikes!

And last by not least... it's the end of an era. The last day that it's just me and my Little Guy - soon-to-be big brother!

Project Pinterest #6

It's time for a Pinterest Project update! =) I've gotten quite a few of my pins completed this month. Check out my Things I actually DID! board for more completed pins!

Source: ringaroundtherosies.net via Elsie on Pinterest

Freezer Meals - For more info on my freezer meals, go to this post and this post.

Source: rustsunshine.blogspot.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Ribbed Hat for Malachi - turned out cute. He loves it and I wanted to make him something since the baby is getting things. I was afraid I was going to run out of yarn, so its not as "slouchy" as the original pattern.

Source: family.go.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Cookie Dough Bites - made these for a Crafting Night. Yummy... and EASY!

Source: tastykitchen.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescents - these were a little spicy for me... although I think I put more jalapenos in it than the recipe said. My husband ate all the leftovers the next day though!

1 & 2 - Ribbed Hat 3 - Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescents 

4 - Cookie Dough Bites

I was happy to have completed at least ONE non-food project! I have another in the works for Father's Day... hopefully it turns out. =)

Another Project Finished!

It just seems like everywhere you go these days there are pregnant women! It's like an epidemic! Well, I had a request for one of my super cute Candy Corn Hats and actually got it finished! Whoohoo! Another baby gift completed!

Candy Corn Hat 0-6 months

Knit Picks Swish DK Yarn - Superwash Merino Wool

Colors: Semolina, Orange & White

I used to sell these cuties in my etsy shop, but I get my yarn from KnitPicks and they have since discontinued that perfect yellow color....so unless I want to re-vamp my whole hat and choose new yarns, only family and friends will be receiving these (luckily I stocked up on some extra skeins of yellow before they were gone)!

I finally started on my FIRST baby project for my own little one today! Only about 3 weeks to go until my currently scheduled C-Section! I have a few projects I'd like to have done by then...... =)

More Baby Showers

I'm going to another baby shower tomorrow. I spent this evening making up some of my burp cloths (I think I should work on some of these for my OWN baby!) and putting the finishing touches on my knitted baby hat and washcloth.


These are not the greatest pictures because it's a little dark in here now... it's 10pm!

Flannel/Cloth Diaper Burp Cloths

Knitted Butterfly Washcloth

Knitted Newborn Hat

Project Accomplished!

6 weeks to go!

Mmm... well, considering my title, I should probably have a pregnancy picture today, but I really don't feel like posting one. =) Sooo... we are going to have cute Malachi pictures instead!

This is a super cute sweater that my mom knit for Malachi recently.

It has a hood, which he loves, and a front sweatshirt-type pocket.

Here he is modeling it... isn't he cute? =)

I have six weeks to go before the new baby is due. I'm alternately excited to not be pregnant anymore and terrified that I'm not ready for the baby to be here. I've really been uninspired to do anything for the new baby this time around. Part of that is probably because I thought we'd be moving from this house with in a month or so of having him and so I didn't plan a nursery, get out clothes or really anything. But, circumstances have changed that will allow us to stay here through the end of the year.... so now... all of a sudden I feel like I should be doing something for this baby! That somehow he's gotten the raw end of the deal because I went all out for Malachi and have literally done nothing for this baby - I haven't even knit him a new hat!


So today, I started sorting through Malachi's baby clothes to see what I have and washing it. Malachi had terrible colic and spit-up non-stop for the first 6 months, so, as I feared, all his clothes have turned a hideous yellow around the necks and down the front in the three years they've been sitting in storage. I managed to get most of it out with bleach today though, so I was happy. I also took the cover off the bouncer and washed it along with some blankets people have given us and a play mat. I felt very productive today.


I've also planned out a corner of our bedroom to set up for the new baby. We still won't be here long-term enough for me to really set up a nursery, but I want to get some wall art and set up a changing station for the baby. I have some plans to make wall art, but if all else fails, I'm loving these cute little forest creatures ...

Source: etsy.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com

Sooo... we'll see what happens with that. =)


I think I was a little over-productive today though because I am very sore.... my hips are protesting and I think I'm going to go watch a movie on Netflix and knit on a washcloth that I'm giving as a baby shower gift this weekend!

Lazy Day

Malachi and I are having a lazy day.

We printed off some free Easter coloring pages,

had a friend over for a playdate this morning,

took a little walk outside in the sun,

and played with the camera some. =)

Lastly, I'm finishing up some newborn hats that I need to keep working on due to the numerous amount of people I know having babies this summer! These two pink ones are done except for the pom poms on top.

The brown one will be for Malachi ... he never seems to get a new hat - poor guy!

I will make it from this free pattern that I found in a round-a-bout way through Pinterest.

Baby Showers and Baby Hats

It seems that just about everyone I know is pregnant at the moment.

I honestly know about 6 people who are all due between the months of June and August.

At first this kind of annoyed me, but then I started thinking about how last time I was pregnant, no one else was and so my Little Guy doesn't have too many friends his age who are also MY friends. So I decided maybe it was more fun this way. =)

Anyway... tomorrow I am attending the first of what's bound to be a long succession of baby showers over the next several months. I hunted down my Newborn Baby Hat pattern and used my $5 of $5 or more coupon from Michael's to purchase two skeins of yarn - one in blue/brown and the other in pink/brown. I'm getting prepared, you see?

Here is the first one:

I was told by a friend of mine, who received one of these hats for her first baby, that it was her favorite for her newborn. I was happy to see it on her second one, as well!

So my plan is to start making these up so I'm prepared for the future!

Then maybe I can personalize some burp cloths or something to add to it when the time comes. 

My First Adult Sized Hat

This may be hard to believe, but I don't think I've ever knitted an adult-sized hat...

At least I can't think of any.

For a couple months now, my husband has been complaining that I've never made him a hat.

Now... this is not because he's never gotten a hand-knit hat. 

My mom has made him quite a few over the years.... but apparently it wasn't fair because I had never made him one.

So... I finally got some yarn, tracked down a suitable looking pattern and FINALLY made him one. I'm pretty proud... it was too short the first time I knit it (even though I made it 1/2 longer than the pattern called for), so my mom graciously ripped out the crown so I could re-knit the rest of it and make it longer. I'm hoping it's not too long now!

Here's the finished product:

Yarn:  

City Tweed DK Yarn in Toad by KnitPicks ($4.29/ball)

55% Merino wool, 25% Superfine alpaca, 20% Donegal tweed

Pattern: 

Wasatch Backcountry Hat (free Ravelry download)

So... I'm hoping it fits (he's on a hunting trip for the weekend right now.

But if it's too long I guess that's too bad for him because I'm not re-doing it again.

I have another ball of this yarn and I want to make a matching beanie for the Little Guy! I just have to sit down and figure out how much to reduce the pattern to fit.....

Projects Finished

Seems that I'm surrounded by people having babies lately!

This gift is for a co-worker and his wife who are due any day now.

I've been procrastinating on the burp cloths, and decided I better hurry up

or I was going to miss the BIG DAY!

3 knitted washcloths - made from Shine Sport (KnitPicks.com) 

1 knitted candy corn hat - made from Swish DK (KnitPicks.com)

2 burp cloths - made from two birdseye cloth diapers & leftover flannel

I love these handmade gifts!

Catching Up/ New Crafty Projects

I have been so busy this past week, I can't even believe it! 

My husband woke me up this morning with a: "Aren't you going to get up?"

Me: "Why? Do I have somewhere to go?" (desperately praying "no!")

Him: "Yeah, don't you have Toddler Gym this morning?"

Me: "Oh yeah. Ugh."

I literally had to DRAG myself out of bed. Seems like sometimes there are just periods of time when you get so busy - and you don't even realize how it happened! Normally, I would be having 4 days off in a row now, but this is my one day off today - then I work the next three days again.
Sad.
My Little Guy is very cranky and a little clingy (very unlike him) and I know it's because I've been gone a lot this past week. Makes me feel guilty. =(


On to happier stuff!
I've been working on some projects recently!

Candy Corn Newborn Hat
Planning on making a bunch for my shop for Fall!

Baby Washcloths Set (x2)
Duck, Rocking Horse & Stork Designs

Two Burpcloths

One side flannel
One side cloth diaper

Pretty proud - I got my sewing machine going after the Little Guy was messing with it. I even figured out how to change the needle on my own so I could sew through all these layers! Yay for me!

Anyone have any great projects you've been working on lately?

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Latest Projects - Finished!

I've been working on THIS neck warmer for a few weeks now. I got kind of bogged down because - well - it was kind of boring to knit. But I soldiered on and eventually finished it! =) Here is a picture of the finished item:

Pattern: 

Warmth of Love Neck Warmer from KnitPicks.com ($1.99 download)

Yarn: 

Swish Worsted in Indigo Heather from KnitPicks.com ($3.99/skien)

100% Superwash Merino Wool

Buttons: 

Vintage Mother-of-Pearl from my grandma's house (free!)

Then I used up a tiny leftover ball of yarn from one of my baby hats to make this cute Mug Cozy!

Pattern: 

Quick and Easy Mug Cozy from Ravelry.com (free)

Yarn: 

Swish DK in Semolina ($3.79/skein)

100% Superwash Merino Wool

Button: 

Vintage wooden button from my grandma's house (free)

I joined up with the Hooo's Got Talent Link Party today - check out some other great projects!

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New Project: Neck Warmer

Here's my latest project. It doesn't looks too exciting yet, but it's going to be a pretty neck warmer!

The yarn: Swish Worsted in Indigo Heather from KnitPicks.com
The pattern: Warmth of Love Neck Warmer from KnitPicks.com $1.99 download

Here's what it should look like when I'm done! =)

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