The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe

A long time ago, before Quentin was born, I ordered some hats for him with his name on it.

They come from the Cotton Cupcake Shoppe which is an Etsy shop based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The quality is excellent, the price is very reasonable and the service is impeccable. I ordered them with enough time to have them in the hospital to bring Quentin home wearing one, but little did I know that even though I still received them before he was born, that he’d be born a month early and very tiny. Needles to say, he’s just fitting into the hats now – and it’s the last day of August today and he’s been wearing them for about a week or so. I could have tried it on him earlier, I’m sure he would have been able to wear it for a bit now, but it’s been hot this summer – so no reason to wear a hat.

I love this hat! We have a similar one in chocolate brown too (with green writing).

Quentin loves his hats too. Now that it’s starting to become very chilly – he’ll be getting a lot of use out of these hats. I wonder if he still fits into the other name hat I got him – he wore that for months, starting back in February 2011 until it got too warm to wear. That one was from Maddie’s Bugs.

9 Months Old

Someone is 9 months old today!

Seriously, don't you just want to eat him up? I do!

9 months old. I can't believe it. I love you Quentin!

We’ve Got Teeth

Late July, we spotted pockets in Quentin's mouth. And then, the last week of July, clear lines formed on his bottom gum. From the clear lines - the top of a tooth emerged, first on his right bottom front. (Our left facing him). You can see above, the first tooth edge poked through.

And then we left on our family vacation (and the tooth grew). We actually left on vacation with barely a tooth, and Quentin came home from vacation with two front teeth. (Family vacation photos are still being edited - and once done, a post or two will come).

For a while they were little teeth in his mouth.

And now they're little chompers.

No more toothless grins. (I miss those!) And we've got pockets on the top of his mouth - I see his top teeth coming any day now. However, I do miss sleeping through the night. Just before we left for vacation, Quentin stopped sleeping through the night. We weren't sure if it was teething or growth spurt, because when he would wake up (sometimes once a night, sometimes up to 3 times during the night - every 3 hours or so - like a newborn), he'd demand a bottle - and drink it in full. No wonder he's been gaining weight. (Last weigh in, he was 17 lbs 14.4 oz - which was almost 2 weeks ago - he's well over 18 lbs now for sure). He definitely doesn't need to be eating (rather drinking bottles) every 3 hours at night. And then, just before the weekend and over the weekend, we got 3 nights of full night sleep. Sunday to Monday he woke up again during the night. And (knock on wood), last night, he slept 8 hours - which I'll take! While I'm done with this teething business & not sleeping through the night and can't wait for it to be over with - at the same time, I wish I could freeze time, I don't want my baby to grow up too fast. And I feel like it's going way too fast.

Monday Morning Link Love

- If only I had the space in my closet.
- Love these lego men chocolates. Need to find a lego men mold.
- Make today ridiculously amazing.
- What a fun way to do your nails.
- License plate fun!
- Love these simple bracelets.
- Can you believe this is an actual coffin? (By Paa Joe). That's what I want to be buried in one day.
- I love this quick frame makeover tutorial.
- Tonight will be that time of the day!
- I love this old dresser painted with no drawer fronts and the use of basket. So clean!
- I need to make some of these for the baby's room, his clothes are out of control in his closet.
- This bookcase/table is something I'd love to have.
- Been thinking about giving the nursery a makeover - loving this look.
- Love this for the home.
- LOVE this bowl. Want one. Or two.
- For things like this, I wish I had a daughter.
- Fruit pizza!
- Squishy playdoh recipe. Definitely have to try to make some.
- When I was a little girl, I always wanted bunkbed. Eventually we'll get the older 2 boys either bunkbeds, or raised bed and put desks under the raised bed - because honestly, I don't want fighting over them both wanting the top bunk!
- Great for hiding things under!
- I love this shower curtain. But don't love the price.
- Love this toy organizer!
- Love this granny ripple!
- Drooling over these shoes.
- Love love love love love love love this dress. And I think it would look gorgeous on my body shape too. Too bad it sold.
- Love this headband.
- I love this spice rack and how it was re-purposed.
- So true.
- Lovely table arrangement. (Sad I'm thinking about Xmas in August?)
- Not sure who Taylor Swift is, but love this image/quote.
- I'm not sure if I posted this already, but I just love this knitted hat.

Maximus

As promised, the matching cowl.

SPECS:

Pattern: Maximus by Bonne Marie Burns (My Ravelry Link)
For: Myself for winter! To go with my new hat.
Yarn: 0.93 skein of Brown Sheep Burly Spun in Black
Needle: US 19 - 15.0 mm
Size: N/A
Timeline: August 18 – 21, 2011. Really quick knit, but like any quick knit I do, I have 3 kids, and never can sit down too long to finish a project in one session. It really didn’t take 3 days to knit this.
Modifications & Notes: None, knit as pattern is written.

Interweave Knits Accessories 2009 - SALE!

Interweave Knits is selling the digital edition of their Accessories 2009 magazine for .10 cents. I don't know how long the sale is going to last, but I thought I'd let my knitting readers know. I feel like I have this issue, but for .10 cents, I'll take a digital copy for my iPad. You can buy it here.

Shroom

SPECS:

Pattern: Shroom by Lee Juvan (My Ravelry Link)
For: Myself for winter!
Yarn:0.76 skein of Brown Sheep Burly Spun in Black
Needle: US 11 - 8.0 mm
Size: to fit my head
Timeline: August 17 – 18, 2011. It really is a quick knit. However, I started it late on the 17th and finished it on the 18th in the evening. With 2 toddlers and an infant, I never get to knit during the day while they’re awake (rarely).
Modifications & Notes: Cast on 54 sts instead of 48 after measuring my head and figuring out how many inches I wanted it to be to fit over my ears completely for our cold cold winters.

I’ll be ready for winter – but let’s not think about winter right now, ok? I made a “matching” cowl too. It’s done, except for the 3 needle bind-off. (Tomorrow, tomorrow). Taking a look on Ravelry, my last actual finished object was back in April. Though, I did finish Sean’s Wyatt in June, it’s finally blocking tonight! My knitting usually slows down in the summer, as it’s too hot out. I’m also almost done Quentin’s stroller blanket. I must get on that. And Askew… with all the knitting i put into it, I’m afraid I’m going to have to frog it. I put it on dental floss to see how it would “strech out” off needles, and it’s pathetically tiny. I’m so upset. I’m going to have to go up a needle size or three. I’m also thinking about possibly using a thicker fingering weight yarn. I’m so upset. I’d rather re-start than to just keep adding on increases until I run out of yarn – I think. What would you do? I technically could just keep knitting until I have like 400-500+ stitches… (the pattern ends after 227 stitches are achieved, which is where I’m at now.

Monday Morning Link Love

- Love that there is a website called "What Should I Read Next?"
- Good point!
- Guacamole Bruschetta. 2 yummy things together!
- Stuffed cucumbers! Yum!
- I'm always looking for new salad recipes - this one looks delicious!
- Don't stress.
- Love this knitted hat.
- Love Mitali's 30-minute Camera Strap for kids.
- Love these pasta skewers!
- Camera cookies? Who'd have thought? (Thanks Lynn for the link!)
- Granny Square cookies.. even better!
- Love this dog sweater!
- Knitting love. And even more knitting love.
- These are cute. Not sure what they are for though.
- A nice refreshing way to end summer.
- I'd love to have a family photo like this taken of my own family.
- How to grow 100 lbs of potatoes in 4 sq. ft.
- LOVE these boots. Too bad they're 495$.
- STUNNING shoes! Love them.
- Neat image!
- I need to try this for snack time.
- Math fun!
- Baby room decor.
- I love this Teacher Gift Idea - School Supply Cake. (Variation of a diaper cake!)
- Love these crochet ring flowers.
- The truth about Santa - cute.
- Holy. Crap. Oreo Cheesecake Cupcake. YUM!
- The recipe that Mackenzie will die over... Oreo stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies. Can my diet wait til next Monday? (Also online here).
- I love this button tree.
- What a clever idea for ironing. Saves space!
- I love the idea of the infinite USB.
- What a clever idea for storage in the garage. Too bad my mini van practically wipes out the garage door opener unit because it's almost as tall as our garage height.
- Since I'm the scrabble lover, I'd like to make a frame like this for our house. Adorable. Maybe one for each boy. Maybe a picture of the 5 of us with scrabble letters spelling out our last name. The ideas are infinite. And so is my scrabble letter stash. (Other cute ideas from this on this post).
- What a fun spa party appetizer idea.
- Watermelon fun. Watermelon shapes.
- Fun dessert!
- Cookie Monster Cupcakes - this is just too cute. Future party idea?
- Love this skein of yarn necklace. Looks simple to make. And some ball of yarn earrings? (Thanks Rhoda for sharing the link with me!)

The Perfect Children’s Book

Recently, we came across this book in a pile of books that my kids received from my nephew. He had cleaned up his books, and donated them to the boys. This one has to be the most perfect book. You want to know why?

Yeah, I'd say that were me.

Yep, that's definitely me.

I'd say that was absolutely me.

I think we'll be reading this book often!

Saturday Morning Funnies

Mack: "Daddy, please kill that spider."
Jamie: "I don't want to."
Mack: "But I want."
Jamie: "And I want a million dollars."
Mack: "But I can't get it alone, I can't even drive."

Back in the Game

I'm back in the game. When Mack has his next boo-boo (hopefully not for a while), I can now whip out an Iron Man bandaid thanks my awesome friend Kerry. I had picked up 3 boxes of these bandaids while we were in the USA last summer (Aug 2010) and Mack has gone through all the Iron Man ones - the only ones he'll wear. The last couple of boo-boos, I have had to tell him we don't have any. But now... I'm back in the game - I'm equipped with a ton more. I've got enough Iron Mans to last me the next 60 boo boos. Even I've resorted into wearing the Captain America, Hulk & Wolverine ones. (I think of Hugh Jackman every time I wear the Wolverine bandaid - Mmm!) Thanks again Kerry - you rock!

Monday Morning Link Love

- Love this Tetris mug. I want one!
- I'm a scrabble freak - I have to make these cookies!
- Totally true.
- I wish my laundry room were this neat & organized.
- Inspiring!
- I need to re-organize my desk.
- Very cute homemade get well card!
- I want a secret room!
- These Joseph Elevate Utensils are awesome - they are weighted so they never touch the counter!
- Stunning image!
- This mother must be super-mom. Totally organized. Something I will never ever be. LOL.
- Neat picture frame!
- Homemade Calzones - yum!
- Love this lime slice necklace! So cute.
- Pink umbrellas are awesome. So is this image.
- One reason I'm growing my hair out.
- What a lovely keepsake idea.
- Love this burp cloth tutorial. I don't really need them anymore with Quentin, but it would make a great baby shower gift.
- Love her superhero winged shoes.
- Baby food beef stew recipe.
- For adults (or anyone who has teeth!) Zucchini Ribbon Salad (thanks Caro for the recipe!)
- Crochet ball tutorial. Someone turned those balls into a gorgeous baby mobile.
- Love this origami tree.
- Life is too short.
- Do you know any squirrels that smoke? I don't?
- A great way to teach kids some math.
- Pooh Bear keeps it real.
- Need to print some of these up for the house with my kids stats.
- One day, I'll make it to The Dark Hedges, Antrim, Ireland. And to Bora Bora/French Polynesia.
- I am not a huge fan of carnivals, but this image is awesome.
- This looks like fun! (Inner tubing tour through the canals and tunnels of an old sugar plantation in Hawaii).
- Love this DIY File Folder Car Parking Garage.
- Outlined titles - why hadn't I thought of that?
- Lovely imagery.
- So true!
- So cute!
- So motivating!
- So sweet.
- Damn funny!
- Dinnertool.com - what a genius idea for busy moms (and dads).

Potty Training Fail

Mackenzie, Mackenzie. I don't know what to do about him. He has been using his pull-ups as diapers. To him, it's the same thing. We can't go back into diapers now at this point, as he's moving to the next class September 1st, and he has to be in Pull-ups to be in that class. So, we decided to try something else this weekend since it seems nothing else is working. We left him naked most of this weekend. This morning, I was still sleeping (trying to sleep in since Quentin's been getting up every 3-4 hours all night these days (teething? growth spurt? That's a whole other story these days) and Jamie went into a shower. When he got out of the shower (he likes the main hallways shower so he showers there) and was in our en-suite bathroom putting in his contacts, etc, he heard rustling around in the hallway bathroom. When he got to the other bathroom, he found Mackenzie. Asked Mack what was going on - he said nothing. After a few minutes he figure out what happened. Turns out - Mack pooped in the playroom on the floor. So Mack went to get a baby wipe, cleaned it off the floor and put it in the bathroom garbage.

Sigh. I don't know what to do anymore. He won't go in the toilet. Even pees, which he was doing in the toilet/potty, he's regressed and is using his pull-up even more now for that. I can't believe that he actually pooped while nude on the playroom floor.

At least he cleaned it up himself?

We never had this problem with Sean. That was the first thing that he didn't do in his pull-ups. We had a harder time with pee, but we think for that his bladder just wasn't ready at first, but Sean actually was out of pull-ups in a few weeks and then used pull-ups during nap time at daycare (he never napped at home anymore after age 2) and overnight for the longest time. Sean was 3 and a half when he went into pull-ups and it was quick. Mack just turned 3 in June - not even 2 months ago (Aug 17th will be 2 months after his 3rd birthday - so this Wednesday). Maybe he's a little young? But we have no choice - and Pull-ups to be used as diapers, are expensive.

Have you had a similar experience? What worked for you in the end? I don't know what to do. Bribing doesn't even work on this kid - trust me, I've even tried that - even though I didn't want to.

Last Day of Swim Class

Wednesday was our last day of swim class for this session, and Sean impressed the heck out of me! Enjoy this video! He's really my little fish. (Swims from one table to the next, picks up under water a green ring, and then swims back to the first table). I'm totally proud. If he were 6 years old, he'd have passed to Jr. 1. But because he's under 6... he unfortunately has to stay in the level he's in... (He'll only be 5 at the end of this year).

Ariadne

It's sad to see my fave LYS close it's doors. It's pretty much the only yarn shop in Montreal that I enjoyed visiting. Always friendly faces to greet you when you enter, great selection of yarns, and always was made felt welcome there. Yesterday, I visited MollyAnn to see what was left in store before she closed her doors.

Quentin on the other hand wasn't interested in the yarn, but in one of my best friends gold bracelets. I took the drive down the yarn shop with her, I'm such an enabler.

And of course, I couldn't walk out empty handed, right?

7 skeins of Lamb's Pride Worsted (I'm thinking sweater) in Kiwi.

2 skeins of Lamb's Pride Burly Spun in Kiwi & 2 in Black. Now, I have already 4.5 skeins of the black in my stash. These 2 skeins are bought specifically for a chunky cowl in mind, for winter, and the other 4.5 skeins are reserved for the Cozy Bolero.

I also picked up 2 skeins of Project B (which MollyAnn hand dyes herself, if I am not mistaken) in pink and in red. No actual colorway names on the skeins. I also wanted to try out some Turtlepurl Asian Leaf Turtle Toes in Violent Violet. The dyer is from Gatineau, Quebec, and I've never heard of her before, but the skein is in one of my fave shades of purple.

I also scooped up a copy of St-Denis Issue 3 (Spring 2011) and Interweave Knits Weekend 2011.

Baby Shell

Remember the Baby Shell I knit back in September 2010? (Ravelry link). It's finally made it's appearance out of Quentin's closet and onto Quentin! And today was finally cool enough for him to wear it. This morning I took him to the CLSC to get weighed, and he's 17 lbs 14.4 ounces (That's 8.12 kg) - my growing boy. I have no idea what happened to the tiny little preemie that I delivered. Almost 18 lbs and loves to eat! He's 8 and a half months old now, so we have his 9 month check up at the pediatrician in September.

He looks adorable in this sweater. I totally want to knit another size for fall/winter.

On the Move…

Someone figured out how to crawl yesterday (Finally! He's been trying for a few weeks now). I didn't catch him on video the first time he crawled, but I did catch him the second time. I am so glad to catch these milestones on video. I will cherish them for years to come. Go Quentin! (And now it's time to pull out the baby gates. That reminds me, we have to lower the crib too - now that he knows how to get into sitting position from lying down).

Askew in Progress

I started knitting a shawl as we embarked on our family vacation (Saturday, July 30, 2011). I picked out yarn, wound it into a cake (see above) and packed my knit picks interchangeable needle set.

I cast on, and since Jamie drove both ways (yes, that's right, he drove most of the time in Toronto too - he either enjoys being behind the wheel or hates my driving).

I knit all week long, in evenings, during the day too when I had the chance, as well when I went out with the Mississauga knitting group that I joined one evening while there (blogged about that yesterday).

I even knit on the beach (Sandbanks Provincial Park - more about that in another post).

And this is where I am today. At 203 stitches of the 227 that is required in the pattern before you do the garter stitch border. I probably should have gone up a needle size or two. I’m hoping it’ll block larger than it is knitting up. I might have to add stitches to this shawl than what the pattern requires to make it the width/height I want it to be in the end. Sigh. Great pattern though, and a mindless great knit. I've memorized the pattern, it's so easy.

I even love my yarn choice. (Dream in Color Smooshy in Cocoa Kiss). I'm just praying the rest works itself out. I am thinking though, that I will definitely need to add more increases to make the shawl larger. It’s about the size of a bandanna now. Not what I was hoping for. Definitely would like it a lot larger.