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. =)

Juno Regina

I finished another stole back in June.
It was simple and I think the finished results are very elegant.

Pattern: Juno Regina by Miriam Felton
Yarn: knit picks gloss lace in Aegean
needles: size 0


blocking: (true color)
The artsy-fartsy shot: (weird it is so bright when I used no flash and took it outside)
And the classic bathroom mirror shot: With the pregger belly and everything!
It took less then ten dollars to make this and was a nice movie/TV knit. It's light, soft, and provides a surprising amount of warmth.

I gotta say, I love this one.

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.

Sock Madness Wrap Up

The last time I talked about Sock Madness I had just finished the second round. The finale has come and gone but the fun memories remain.

I have to say I was very pleased with all of the patterns this year. In years past there have always been a few rounds that did not "float my boat", but this year the socks just got better and better.

Here are the rest of the pairs in all their glory!

Round 3: Talia's Wings

Round 4: Lucky Diamonds

Round 5: Dimpled Diamonds (The round I got knocked out!)


Round 6: Fire on the Mountain
I love the way this pattern is knitting up! I am on the heels of both pairs now. However, they are on hold while I finish up a couple of other things.

And finally...
Round 7: See You Later!

What? No picture? That is because I have not started them yet. But soon my pretties, very soon. Right after round 6 gets finished. This is by far my favorite pattern of the lot. And I have a special yarn all picked out for it. I can't wait!

And that's it for Sock Madness 3. Time will tell if I join up next year..new mods., new baby, and goodness knows what else may put my competitive knitting on the back burner.

And guess what? I have even more FO's to share. Not to mention what's in the works.

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?

Whatever happened to those shawls I promised?

Yeah, I don't really know what happened either...


Without further ado:

Vernal Equinox Shawl
I knit this shawl as part of a KAL on Ravelry..it was a lot of fun!
Stats:
Started Jan. 2009 Finished April 14, 2009
Yarn: Baruffa Cashwool
Needles: size 2
Thoughts: I love it! I think it is absolutely breathtaking (if I do say so myself).
I gifted this shawl to one of AJ's aunts as a thank you for all the baby stuff she has given us.


Mystic Ice
Yet another shawl in the Mystic series..what can I say? I am addicted to these patterns!

(I know this next pic is sideways..I still need to figure out how to flip it with the new camera/software)

Stats:

Started November 2008 Finished April 16 2009

Yarn: Yarntopia Treasures 10/2 Tencel yarn in "Sharks Tale"

Needles: size 1 (I think)

Thoughts: Although I do really like the shawl, it is not my favorite. All my favorites from this series still need to be finished (some are barely started!!!!).

I can't complain about the cost of the yarn, and it truly is beautiful..I am just not thrilled with the striping...oh well, that's a handpaint for ya. Also, the tencel is a little wierd to work with...it felt a bit like string.
With all that though, I did buy more of this yarn in 2 different colorways.

I may not have been blogging..but I have been knitting!!! Hopefully I will catch up soon with the blogging!