Two

Two, the number of cranky people in the house today.  Two, the age of one of these cranky people.  Two the number of people who probably should have had naps.  Zero, the number of people who actually did.  Two, the number of times E used the potty today.  I can't count the number of times we didn't make it.  Finally, two, the number of sleeves I almost have for my Ravellenics sweater.  I finished the first one today and have been working on churning out the second.  There have been a lot of starts and stops today.  I honestly haven't had any patience today and as much as I love my child I just couldn't deal with her today.  Being pregnant is not fun right now.  I am so uncomfortable and my body is screaming for my yoga practice. I miss working out everyday and I think my mood is a reflection of my ability to cope with being home, uncomfortable and growing more pregnant everyday.  It is hard to go from deep long breaths to shorter shallower breaths because the body is running out of space.  It is hard to go from feeling so strong and free with my movements and body to feeling constantly constricted and unable to move.  The bouts of sciatic pain, which are totally pregnancy related, are driving me insane as is the possible eczema I have developed on my hands that itches like crazy.  Basically I feel like I am falling apart today and I am in a crappy mood from all the horomones and my battle with my body and my guilt about having no patience for my daughter and myself.  Its an off day but I am trying to work through it and I am hoping by tomorrow things will be better.  Maybe tomorrow E and I will both wake up in better moods.  Plus we have a play date tomorrow which I think will be really good for both of us because I make a crappy playmate in comparison to a kid her own age.  I can only accept today as it has been and hope for a better tomorrow.  Acceptance is key and something I struggle with everyday but I think I am getting better and that's all I can hope for.

Madness

I am in the midst of Revellenic madness.  I am working on my Owl sweater which is coming along nicely and rather quickly.  I am at the armpits for the body, its knit in one piece, and I am working on the first sleeve.  I am stuck with the magic loop method for the sleeves which I am honestly not a huge fan of.  I think its more fiddly than dpns but maybe thats just me.  I am really used to dpns for sleeves so maybe that my bias but either way I don't really care for the magic loop method but in the interest of saving money on needles I will continue on.  I would post a picture of the sweater but its not very exciting looking at this point.  This would also require my pulling out my camera and then transferring pictures to my computer and I am too lazy/tired to do that right now.
My daughter is in her bed "napping" or hopefully heading toward nap time.  I am desperately trying to stay awake.  I was very rudely awakened by my alarm at 7 this morning which wouldn't really be a problem except that I woke up every 2hrs last night for god knows what reason and I didn't set my alarm.  Apparently my charming daughter did, she's 2.  She likes to climb on our bed and play with our alarm clocks.  My husband sets his every night, even on weekends which I don't completely understand and definitely don't appreciate especially when it keeps going off and he is not getting out of bed, so that was not a problem for him.  Either way E was up so I had to get up too.  We had fun playing outside this morning.  She rode her bike and drove her cozy coup, meaning I stood behind her and pushed while she steered.  She played in the pool, with the sprinkler, on the slide, in the garage with daddy's tools and then she helped me water the garden and collect vegetables.  If she does not nap I am not sure what I will do with myself...  I plan on watching my class, since I am letting myself fall behind, and then getting some knitting done.  I am off in search of my coffee from the microwave, I'm gonna need it.

Things...

1.  My kid is battling naptime like some kind of dreaded disease leaving me, her pregnant and tired mother ready to lose her mind.
2.  Potty training has hit a new level.  We went in a public restroom for the first time last night and then again this morning at the Y.  This is encouraging.  To slap me back to reality she peed and pooped in 2 separate diapers today right after she told me she didn't have to go potty. (She has to wear a diaper at the Y until she is fully potty trained and I didn't bring any underwear with us for afterward).
3.  Ok I take back number 1 she just grabbed her pacifier and bear and put herself to bed...I think she is trying to make me a liar or just crazy.  Either way I am going with it.
4.  Coffee, I am drinking it and need more, much more.
5.  Ravellenics starts today and I can cast on at 4.  I am now torn between making an effort to finish my BSJ this afternoon (not going to happen even if I try but we will just ignore that part) or just putting it on scrap yarn and on hold until after.  I am a little bored with knitting it even though its beautiful ( I love Noro's colors).
6.  My friend had her baby yesterday.  She is adorable and likes to sleep.  I can now secretly hate her, lol.  Her active labor was like 10mins long and she pushed her daughter out in no time.  Then her infant likes sleeping.  My daughter on the other hand didn't want to come out and when she did she decided that life was too interesting to sleep so she didn't sleep through the night for 1yr.  Kill me now if I have a repeat of my first.  Fingers crossed that life is not that cruel.
7.  It is hotter than hell outside.  I hate summer.  Especially while pregnant.
8.  The new interweave knits and vogue knitting don't have anything that I really want to knit which makes me sad.
9.  My lys is having a huge sale now.  I just have to find projects I want to knit so I can buy lots of yummy yarn (my husband is going to love that part).  So I pretty much have to open up Ravelry and start going through my queue.  I should have like 30 projects set up in no time.
10.  I'm not completely sure why I bother cleaning my house, my 2yo just undoes all my hard work making me die a little on the inside.

I don't have to teach in the morning so I can knit all I want tonight.  I will have progress pictures of my Owls sweater for my next post.  Until then I am off to scrounge Rav for some yarn purchasing ideas...  :)

and I'm back

Yesterday was a rough day all around.  I wrote a blog about it but I didn't post it and maybe its for the best. I am trying to accept all that has happened and go to a better place.  At the end of the day its all small stuff and I find something joyful in each day.  My friend did her big goodbye celebration for her son yesterday and she was amazing.  It was really uplifting even amid the tears and loss the whole family seems to have banded together to find acceptance in the situation.  They don't lay blame or rail against the injustice of a life lost so young and I find that beautiful.  I am blessed to know them.

On to uplifting topics!  I had my 6 month checkup today and it went really well.  Everything seems to be going well with that so far which is wonderful.  So I hope to continue the trend and sally forth.  E as usual has been adorable.  She has been wearing my shoes around the house and dressing up in her pajamas over her outfit for the day.  It is beautiful outside which is a nice change from the insane heat we've been having.  Of course she has wanted to play inside pretty much all day and didn't nap but whatever.  Potty training is going well.  As usual there are the great moments and not so great moments.  I choose to focus on the great moments and let the rest go.  It either dirty underwear or dirty diapers.  I wash both so it is what it is.

BSJ Noro Silk Garden Lite

Making great progress on the Baby Surprise Jacket.  (I'm not sure if I mentioned I am knitting one)  I have no one in particular that I am making it for.  I just really wanted to make it.  I will set it aside for the next time I need a baby gift.  Plus its a way to keep my hands busy while I wait for Ravellenics on friday.

Yarn for Owls Sweater Cascade Eco

What happened to the Apres Surf Hoodie you ask?

Apres Surf Hoodie back

I finished up the back and put it on scrap yarn to hold so I can start the front.  I have not started the front however.  I want to keep the needles free so I can do my Ravellenics knitting and then get back to it.  I also need to start some christmas knitting if I want to be ready by december as by then I will have 2 little nuggets and no time (or sanity).  Next I think I will start working out a pattern for a sweater for a good friend of mine.  My husband and brothers don't have any interest in sweaters so I have to find someone else to receive my first sweater without a pattern.  I love the Knitting Workshop book by EZ.  It's amazing, inspirational and dangerous.  I am going to use her formula and the measurements I procure and hope for the best, lol.  I have always wanted to come up with my own pattern but I never really knew where to start and now I do.  :)  E is being very quiet and if you are a parent you know that means nothing good so I am off to check on her.

The week that wouldn't quit

I'm pretty sure this week is going to be just as crazy as last week.  I couldn't even make it through this week without another tragedy.  My aunt is in critical condition at the hospital, her kidneys and heart are failing.  She has a daughter and her sister and niece live with them.  My heart breaks for them and for her.  I hope she pulls through.  Needless to say this has been a very stressful week.  Zach's funeral will be on Tuesday or Wednesday, they hope to have a date set today.

I hope things turn around, there has been so much tragedy lately, not even just for my family and friends.  

With the bad there always seems to be a little good.  I think this is probably the worlds way of balancing things out.  My friends dog Lucy had 10 healthy little puppies today and it seems like little Bailey might be making her grand entrance into the world really soon.  My friend has been in labor for about a day now, I feel for her.  Being in labor sucks no matter how you look at it (well except for the end product) but being in labor for more than a day is just cruel.  So hopefully it goes swiftly for her from here on out.  

I think I might go meditate a little or just relax with some knitting and send some good vibes out to all those in need.  Then I need to find some nice dessert recipes for Zach's funeral (the yogi's have been commissioned to bake, we really love food).  Spread some love today to the people around you, even if you don't know them, only good can come from a little extra love in the world.  

Life

Its a mysterious thing.  One day everything is going well and then next you are saying goodbye to the ones you love.  My friend's son has passed on today.  They are donating his organs and then taking him off of life support.  He had so much damage to his brain stem, and it was getting worse, that he wouldn't be able to live without life support.  Which is not really living anymore anyway.  So following his wishes they are going to let him go.  Although they, and I, believe that he has already left his body and is in a better place.  I can't imagine what they are going through.  All I can wish them is peace during this time.

Not much else here to report.  E pooped in her potty for the first time 2 nights ago and once yesterday morning.  We were ecstatic to say the least.  I am hopeful it will continue.  I had my first pregnancy massage and facial yesterday.  My loving and wonderful husband bought it as a birthday gift for me.  It was a very different experience for me from my regular massage.  I still enjoyed it, I think my favorite part was lying in a darkly lit room in peace and quiet but maybe I'm just crazy.  The facial wasn't relaxing it was more like a skin consultation in a more brightly lit room.  I was not really a fan.  I think if I get another facial it will be at my regular massage place or at a different one.  The woman meant well I'm sure but she had a lot to say while I was there and I was not really interested in talking...  Oh well it was an experience and I had at least 3hrs to myself which was nice because E didn't nap yesterday.  It appears she is going to be putting in a repeat performance today.  Knitting has been minimal at best but Ravellenics is on its way so I will be knitting up a storm soon.  I was hoping to listen to my class today but without her napping I don't see that happening.  Hopefully I will get some time tonight or tomorrow.  I am a little behind where I would like to be.  I am hoping to be almost done with all my classes and homework by the time I give birth so I hopefully won't have too much left to do after the baby is here.  I know finishing before the baby gets here is just not going to happen, I'm at least realistic about that.

For now I am off to maybe get a little knitting in and to hang out with the little nugget.

My heart is broken

I could write about all the things that are going on here, about knitting, yoga, potty training etc but all I can think about is my friend's son.  She sent an email out saying they are at the point of deciding when to pull life support.  My heart breaks for her and her family.  I can only pray that they find peace at the end of all this.

I want to knit something

Ok so I am already knitting several somethings and I have two more projects waiting in the wings for the Ravellenics but we won't discuss that.  Knitpicks posted something on my facebook wall that had pretty colors and now I really want to start something new.  Something quick and dirty, lol.  I feel like I am channeling the yarn harlot.  I have been reading her blog like crazy lately.  I am still back in 2006 but I have also been reading her more recent posts.  I keep waiting to see if she will finish Joe's gansey its like a suspenseful novel or something that only knitters can truly appreciate or understand.  I also really love looking at her lace, it makes me want to knit a shawl even though I have no use for one.  I really only like to knit things that I will find useful or if I know someone will really appreciate it when its done.  I enjoy the process of new things.  I will probably work on my Apres Surf Hoodie for now but the urge to knit a gansey or something like it is definitely taking hold.  I may even try making something without using a pattern.  Do you see what this woman has done to me?!?!?  Lol, I love it.

 Hoodie's current status

 Estes Vest needs the finishing edging etc.

 My Ravellenics projects in the wings

 My recent knitpicks purchase during the book sale (not including yarn which I have already used but we won't talk about that, lol)

My Leif Slipover that I started a looong while ago.  I am saving it for the WIP event in Ravellenics. 

On to other things.  We went to the waterpark for the morning which actually went on until about 2 this afternoon causing a late nap but better than the no nap trend we have been on.  I love the power the waterpark has over my child.  She plays in the scorching hot sun and then FINALLY passes out.  She's one of those extremely energetic children that around the age of 2 decided she no longer liked or needed naps...I however do not feel the same way.  I would like for naptime to continue until she is 18 and moves out for college but maybe thats just me...So here I sit enjoying my second (possibly a third cup) of coffee.  Yes I know I am pregnant I also know that I am constantly drinking water as well and have a very strong addiction to the brown caffeinated water of the gods.  So back off if you know whats good for you.  Maybe I'll make it a cup of decaf...although I'm not really sure we have that stuff in the house.

I don't have any really new news about my friends son.  He is in the same condition as yesterday just not worsening.  We continue to hope and keep him in our thoughts.  Hopefully he will recover.
The nugget has awoken so I must run to check on her.  :)

Hope

I received some bad news this morning.  My friend's son has been in the ICU since saturday with a traumatic brain injury.  He was stable up until last night.  There was more swelling, bleeding etc so they had to take him to the OR.  He is in critical condition now and worsening.  My heart goes out to her and her family right now.  I can't even fathom what she is going through.  He is only 24.  All that is left is hope, prayers, and positive thoughts.  If you do pray or can spare a positive thought for her son and family they would really appreciate it.  Hug your family today, tell them you love them or let them know how you feel.  Life is short and we should be grateful for each moment with each person.

"Are you ok mama?"

"Yes E, I'm ok.  Are you ok?"  "Yeah I ok."  She is so cute it kills me sometimes.  She napped in her bed today!  This is progress.  She hasn't napped in a couple days so that was awesome.  Potty training is still happening.  We had on and off moments today but for the most part she has done pretty well.  I think it helped we were outside playing in the pool and I didn't have to be on top of her all the time.  She was probably peeing in the pool or in the yard as she ran laps around the garage.

She wanted her dolls to swim too. 

They aren't great swimmers so they sank to the bottom...

I made some progress on the hoodie.  I am on the arm hole decreases!  Yay!  Its a small victory but I take what I can get.  Overall today has been a nice relaxing day.  I finished half of my homework during naptime.  I am hoping to get through the rest tonight.  For now I am off to spend sometime with the hubs.  :)

On and on it goes

The Apres Surf Hoodie has seen a little progress today.  I managed to add a couple of inches to it.  Not quite to the arm hole decreases yet be we are getting there.  This is a picture from this afternoon before I went to the regular knitting group.  I am hoping to start going more often because its nice to sit and talk to new people and hang out.  On the down side I tend to teach on Sunday's so its hard to put aside time before class to do a little knitting.  It was fun though and I made the bulk of my progress there.  I will say its hard to follow the pattern when you are talking.  Not as hard as when you knit like 5 stitches and then have to drop it to chase your toddler but I digress.  

Speaking of the little monster darling.  Potty training has been on and off all day.  I wasn't home or she was playing outside so I wasn't the main potty trainer today.  She managed to earn M&M's once today which was good but other than that we shall see how it continues on.  Obviously I have no intention of giving up, we are seeing this through to the end even if  it kills me I don't want to.  Last night was her first night in her big girl bed.  She was really excited and so was I.  I wanted to sleep on the floor in her room just to be there for it but that might be a little crazy...I'm not sure, lol.  I checked in on her twice and its a good thing too because she was tangled up in the cord for the blinds (not dangerously but I wasn't taking chances) so J cut them off so she can't sleep with them accidentally.  She slept well last night but this not this afternoon.  She has been really bad about napping lately and I think its going to be hard to make it work when she is no longer in a crib.  I will keep trying or at least have a quiet time in her room for an hour in place of naptime.  Just so I have an opportunity to decompress.  

   

She was playing in bed before her bath last night. She loves her new bed. 

Now I am off to either do a little more knitting or watch some of my class online so I can finish the homework.  I am doing an Anatomy class for yoga.  Its a lot of fun.  I am definitely learning a lot which is always good.  :)  

Taking Care of Business

Yesterday was a long and apparently stressful day for me.  I had a mini meltdown on the way to dinner last night, which was special.  Afterward I felt much better and had a fabulous dinner with our friends.  E didn't nap yesterday and we weren't home most of the day so potty training definitely fell by the wayside.  Its all good.  Things happen.  Last night she did use the potty twice earning her the prized M&M reward.  She looks at the bag everytime we go in the bathroom now.  She was not impressed with the thanks for trying good luck next time sticker she has been getting all day today because she can't seem to get to the potty before she wets herself. Oh well I was expecting the process to have a lot of setbacks.  I'm just really happy we are taking the steps now as opposed to later.

Today has been a good day.  I taught my yoga class and E did really well in child watch.  She has been pissed off at odds with being left there while I go to class during the week but I think we have gotten most of it out of her system.  *fingers crossed*  We played outside a bit and J bought her big girl bed.  She is sooo excited.  Another napless day here but I am hopeful it will be ok.  Its already 5:30 so just 2 1/2 more hours and she is going on the next adventure...bedtime not in a crib.  Lord help us.  Our friends are coming over for a cookout so they will have to entertainment of watching us struggle (they have a newborn so their struggle has just begun)  They can laugh and then learn from us (not sure if thats the best idea, lol).

As far as knitting goes.  I worked, briefly, on the Apres Surf Hoodie.  Its a fun knit I just haven't had time to invest in it this weekend/week.  Hopefully I will get something done on it or have it completed (HA) by Ravelllenics (sp?).  Its the knitters version of the Olympics.  Its a lot of fun.  I have a WIP I'd like to finish and then two options either the Owl Sweater or #23 Lace Top (I would turn off the volume it sounds so dumb when they talk about it) from VogueKnitting.  Not sure which will probably be cast on first.  Possibly both, I have never been one for knitting monogamy.  This unfortunately also means that I don't always finish projects either....Oh well.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  I'm off to prep some stuff for grilling.  :)

Ugh

We were doing really well yesterday until J came home and then it all went down hill.  Not that I am blaming him but I am, lol.  Today we are taking a break from potty training apparently.  She is straight up refusing to go and I am too tired today to keep pushing.  We haven't been home most of the day so that does not help things.  She has been wearing diapers all day which definitely affects the whole potty training process.  Oh well we will be back at it tomorrow.  Until then we are just hanging out waiting to leave for dinner.  I am knitting on the Apres Surf Hoodie again because I don't have the needles to do the finishing on the vest.  No pictures today I am too tired.  I hope to make it through dinner and then curl up into a ball and possibly pass out.  Tomorrow looks bright and shiny here's hoping it is.  :)  

These Moments

It is moments like these that make me love my life.  Today my daughter has taken to potty training.  I sit here stunned because as of yesterday I had started to despair that she would even accidentally pee in the potty let alone do it intentionally.  So at the grocery store I bought some M&M's as a reward system.  I have a feeling its going to be pretty effective.  If my daughter is anything like me chocolate is a pretty strong motivator.  We are only on day three and I know its a roller coaster getting through the potty training phase but considering where we have come from I am very optimistic that we will have more forward progress.  :)  


I am currently enjoying nap time, or as I consider it the time I set my daughter in the crib for at least and hour to see if she'll pass out or not.  So far its a no go but I haven't given up yet.  Until then I am enjoying my coffee and reveling in this moment.  


In other news my grocery store has set up a locally grown stand where I can buy all the locally grown produce I want.  Which I am over the moon about.  I would rather buy local if I can.  I am trying to be a more conscientious shopper and buy more produce and meats than boxed foods etc.  I may as well enjoy cooking while I can before number 2 arrives throwing our lives back into fabulous chaos.  :) 


Now what to do with my wonderful naptime hour...knit, work on my class, play a game, clean (bwahahaha yeah right).  

It's time

Yesterday I decided it was time to get serious about this potty training.  My daughter is 2 now and with another little one on the way this year I figured one less diapered person in the house might be nice...  So we bought some training underwear at Target.  She wore it a little yesterday which was interesting.  She peed on my living room floor twice...which is awesome because we have carpet...  I keep trying to get her to go to the bathroom but she keeps turning me down.  The only thing enticing her into the bathroom is the opportunity to wash her hands.  Thats her favorite part of the whole process.  At least she has good hygiene habits...  Our next major step will be buying her bed.  I think I am going to buy it this week while the husband is at work.  Last weekend we decided to check out bunkbeds.  It ended in cranky parents dying in the heat doing something they both hate, shopping.  We decided a twin bed on a metal frame might be the best way to start out and then move onto bunkbeds from there when the baby is old enough.  


On the knitting end of things...  My friend Steph had her baby boy so I made him the Master Charles sweater or as I call it the Master Kellen Sweater:  

I have knit one for little Bailey who is due this month as well but I won't post that until later...
I knit a hat and baby booties for Alivia, my cousins little girl.  She was born at least a month ago and I have yet to send it out...but that will be remedied this week...I hope.  I need to take a picture still but its blessedly raining outside so that will probably have to wait.  I am appreciating the rain and the break in the heat.  Its been ungodly hot outside and when you are 5 months pregnant this means you have stepped into some 7th  dimension of hell.  Needless to say 80 something degrees is a god send especially with the humidity taking a break.  On the needles I am working on my Estes Vest which might become one of my sisters Estes Vest.  

The back of Estes Vest preblocking.  Since this picture I have knit and attached the fronts.

I like it but I don't think its going to fit me very well which sucks...  I should have gone up a size but I am hoping that my post preggo body will be able to fit it better since I'm pretty sure my pre-preggo body would have rocked it...  Oh well.  Off to try and get the kiddo to go potty in the potty today.  Wish me luck or at least lots of wonderful coffee to make up for all the time I will be spending scrubbing my carpet.