Lillian Alene Martin

She was born on August 17Th, 2009 at 9:23 pm.She weighed 8 lbs 15 oz. and was 19 and 3/4 inches long.

Labor was nothing like we had planned. Instead of the natural childbirth I was shooting for, we ended up having an emergency C-section. All that mattered is that we were both healthy.

Our first family photo:

Picture of Adam right after Lillie was born:


Lillie and daddy:

What do you think? Does he look like a proud, happy daddy?

Lillie and mommy:

All the things people say are true. I have never felt a love like this, ever. I am at a loss for words trying to express my emotions and share all that has happened in the last four weeks.

I guess to sum it all up. I feel beyond blessed. I feel joy. I am scared shitless I am going to break her. The idea of being a mother is still so surreal to me. Every time someone says "your daughter" it stuns me (in a good way). Oh yeah, and I am exhausted. But the sleep thing is getting better (fingers crossed).

And now,I can't believe my little girl is a month old. Time is going by too fast already. I look forward to all the amazing things she is going to do; her first real smile, first laugh, first word, first step.

But please, oh please God, don't let the time pass too quickly. Let me be able to enjoy and cherish every moment.

And please, don' t let me screw up the mom thing too much. =)

Settling in

Well the baby shower has come and gone. It was so much fun! Adams mom, Pat, did a bang up job. The place was beautiful and so many people came. I swear I was opening presents for well over 2 hours....which reminds me I am very late getting thank you cards out..something else to put on the list.
We attended our birthing class. A whole weekend dedicated to nothing but delivery and baby. I feel a lot better now that I know what to expect, (well as much as possible anyway). And Adam really surprised me...he was the star pupil on the daddy side. I guess that's what leaving the pregnancy books in the bathroom will do for you.
Also, we survived the move. We LOVE our new place. So much more room and light. In a week we have just about everything unpacked. The only things left to do are a few boxes for my desk (I am procrastinating on those), and the babies room.
For some reason I am really overwhelmed by doing the nursery. I thought it would be my reward for getting the rest of the place in order. But every time I walk in there I get flustered and don't know where to start. Pat is coming over on Wednesday to get measurements for curtains, etc. so there is light at the end of that tunnel. I think once we get started it will be fun and I will feel more confident about it all.
Of course there are now other things we would like to get...a dining room table, pictures, a nightstand for Adam, and other little odds and ends..but even without those things, we feel at home. And it's so very, very nice.
With all that, I now feel almost ready for the little beans arrival. Which is a good thing considering she is due August 15Th. I am very anxious to hold her in my arms, but at the same time a little sad that this part is almost over.

And now, with no segue what-so-ever..I will show some knitting. Again, just trying to catch up here. I think I am almost up to date!

Pheasant Run socks (part of the Loopy Ewe sock club from 08?)

Yarn: Claudia's Hand painted
Fun, fast, and love the colors!

Glynis (from Cookie A's sock innovation)
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy "Some summer sky"
Gifted to my sister Wynde
So pretty! I like the end results better then I thought I would, and the pattern was on the easier side for a Cookie pattern.

Oh wow..bad pic. sorry

Baudelaire: Another Cookie A pattern from Knitty
Yarn: Malabrigo sock (My new favorite!)..can't remember the colorway.
These were an absolute dream to knit. If you have not knit with Malabrigo yet, I HIGHLY recommend you start! I don't care what weight you use, they are all fabulous.



Felted Clogs from Fiber trends
Yarn: Cascade 220
Made for Adam
These took absolutely no time to knit. I think I could do a pair in a day if I applied myself. I did not attach a rubber sole, and I think they are better that way.
Adam had surgery on his knee back in May, and the clogs were his footwear of choice during his recuperation. He has loved them so much I think I may have to make another pair soon.

Finally, wow I can't believe I forgot to post this!!!

Ribbons Baby Blanket by FiberTrends.
Yarn: Pattons Decor
Knit for friends new baby girl born March 16th.
Love this pattern as well. It's knit in the round and is made up of knits, purls, and a few yarn overs. Easy, easy, easy. Mom and dad love it so much they have requested one for big brother. I am thinking the spider man blanket would be perfect.

And that's a wrap! I think I just have one more lingering FO to show, and then on to the new stuff. (Yes, I know there are FO's lingering on the sidebar I have not shown yet. That's because they all still need a little something..I'll get there sooner or later).

Busy..Stress..and man am I hot!

I am starting to wonder if I am ever going to get caught up with this blog. I have so many projects finished or almost finished that I have yet to post about..and more that I am working on and want to share..but the blog has become my last priority as of late.

So I am going to take this post and just let it all fly. Forget organization and being coherent, I am just going to get it all out.

First the whole pregger thing:
I am now almost 35 weeks. I am huge, I am hot, I am sore, I am tired. My breasts each have their own zip code. I realize I never understood heartburn until now. And yet, I am thankful for every minute. I know that all too soon this will be over and I will miss it.
We have been busy, our weekends are always full. We were in Idaho for the 4Th of July, this weekend is the baby shower, next weekend we are spending the whole 2 days in baby classes, and the following weekend we are moving.
That's right, you heard me, MOVING! I am happy and excited about having a much bigger place for the three of us. We will finally have a dishwasher, and storage closets, heck we will even have our own laundry room! But most important, I am ecstatic the baby will have her own room. But I think moving at 37 weeks pregnant is cutting it a little too close for comfort. Adam keeps reassuring me that he has everything under control and it will all be fine, but there is just so much to do. And I loathe packing.
As if all that was not enough, I think the fetal specialists I am seeing are sadistic. Earlier in the pregnancy they told me the baby was not big enough..this led me to sobbing on the floor at the local library. After talking with friends, Adam's mom, and especially my mother, I felt better. And now I am told all the measurements are perfect, and she is over 5 pounds. Great news right?
But no, now there is another issue. Now I am told that there is an "abundance" of amniotic fluid. I guess normal levels are between 5 and 25 Cm's. At the previous ultrasound we had 15 cm, but at the last one the tech measured 27 cm and the specialist 30 cm. She is swallowing, she has kidneys, and her intestines look fine. (One of the concerns is that the baby is not ingesting and processing the fluid.) I am told not to worry at this point. The biggest concerns is that I will be bigger and more uncomfortable (who cares, as long as she is safe?), and that even though she is head down right now..she could go into a breech position and I may need a C-section. (Again, I don't care, as long as she is safe and healthy.)
But telling me not to worry? Bullshit.
I came right home got on the Internet and looked up what all this could mean. Pretty scary stuff. Congenital abnormalities? Stillbirth?
And yes, I know I am freaking out. Adam says he is going to ask the Dr.s not to tell me anything anymore, only him. He can't stand seeing me so upset and worried. I am very thankful that he is calm and rational about all of this. And I am feeling better today then yesterday.
But damn if I wasn't up all night thinking about it and today thanking God every time I feel her move.
You know what I hate more then packing? Not having any control over this.

And now I am going to go read or knit or solve world hunger. Anything to get my mind off of this. Heck, maybe I will even pack a couple of boxes.

Oh yeah, I was going to post a hodge-podge of FO's here, but I am just not feeling it right now. Oh well, maybe next time.

The consequences of swallowing Watermelon seeds..

At least, that is what I was told when I asked about pregnant bellies. "Oh that lady sweetie? She swallowed black watermelon seeds and now she has a watermelon growing inside of her."

I don' think there was a child more afraid to swallow a black watermelon seed then me. I always wondered....how did they get it out?

oh yeah...by the way...

Two weeks ago at our Doctor's appointment we found out we are having a GIRL!

And isn't that just the neatest ultra-sound picture you have ever seen? We also have a DVD we record all the ultra-sounds on. Pretty darn cool.

We are 22 weeks and counting tomorrow, (HOLY CRAP!!! that is more then half-way!). I already think she is just the most beautiful thing I have ever seen (and here I promised myself I wouldn't be one of "those" mothers, lol).

And daddy, yeah he is already wrapped around her tiny little pinky. And here I was concerned he would be disappointed if we had a girl. Nope, not at all. Although he does think he is going to raise a little tomboy who loves football, NASCAR, plays softball and wants nothing to do with boys until she is forty. Although, he says Barbies are OK. lol.

I can't wait 'til I catch him playing "dress up tea party" with her. I know it's going to happen, and I will be darned sure I am armed with a camera.

And crazy enough, we are about 95% sure on a name. I mentioned my two favorites, and he loved them both. So unless something else really floors us, or unless our little miss has different plans for her name (it happens, I picked mine). We are thinking of Lillian Makenna Martin, it just seems to fit somehow.

Good Karma

About two weeks ago I received a lovely little package from Kim, my SP13 spoilee (spoiley?). What a sweetheart she is.
Her package contains the first things we have received for the baby:



A sweet little bib and matching cloth, and the cutest green washcloth with lil baby footprints in it! And I love the book, I think after one glance through I had 4 projects planned.

Thank you Kim, you are awesome!

This package spurred a huge influx of baby items, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of others. We (well I literally) have been given an awesome electric breast pump, baby bath, bassinet, baby sling and front baby pack (don't know the real name). One of those baby beds that go on the bed with you, a portable changing bed..WOW! And that is not to mention all the beautiful clothes and toys. Plus, there is a baby swing possibly coming our way.
And I have not even had a shower yet!!!

I can not express everything I feel. Too be honest, things have been really tight financially for us. I have not worked since August, and in this economy being pregnant finding a serving job is pretty much impossible. I am receiving unemployment but it's a ridiculously small amount. So Poor Adam has really taken the brunt of it all.

It's a damper for even the most positive person (which I am not, lol.). And I have been really worried about how we would afford all the things we need for the baby. It has been hard enough to put food on the table, let alone come up with money for a breast pump, etc. We have not really shared our worries with anyone (except my mom, hi mom!), it's not like we expect others to take care of us.

So when friends and family gave us all of this beautiful stuff it was just...amazing. I am speechless, how do I even begin to thank them and let them know how much their love and generosity means to me?

So yes, some things are rough for us right now, but I feel so blessed. I am more happy then I think one person should be allowed.

I have got a little something to share with you....

Making its world debut this August:

I think that is enough excitement for one day, don't you?