11.16.10

Yesterday, during the power failure I had, I gathered up all the candles I own (which is not many - but a few more than pictured here - as I am not a huge candle fan) and folded laundry by candle light. I wasn't tired just yet to go to bed, so I made use of my time. I really liked this photo I took of the candles I lit. I ended up using my cell phone light as well as my digital camera on "playback mode" to find my way to the kitchen to get the candles & lighter. It's amazing how the laundry just never ends. It's a vicious cycle. I'm kind of worried of how much more laundry it will be once baby 3 arrives... especially during the newborn stages, where it'll be a lot of spit up, drooled on, diaper explosion clothing changes.

I have to finished objects to show you today:

SPECS:
Pattern: Cache Coeur for Baby by Patricia Arrotin (My Ravelry Link)
For: Baby Boy #3 due December 2010
Yarn: 0.39 skeins (175.5 yards) Dream in Color Smooshy in Romeo Blue (07)
Needles: US 3 - 3.25 mm
Size: Newborn.
Timeline: November 5 2010 - November 12 2010
Modifications: Knit pattern as written.
Opinion: Very cute construction, very easy pattern.

I went with the star buttons upon everyone's recommendation. I'll just have to find something else to knit for the duck buttons!

And I also have for you today:

SPECS:
Pattern: Twist Hat by Melissa Goodale (My Ravelry Link)
For: Baby Boy #3 due December 2010
Yarn: 0.17 skeins (54.1 yards) (19g) Colinette Jitterbug in Velvet Damson #118
Needles: US 2 - 2.75 mm & US 3 - 3.25 mm
Size: Newborn.
Timeline: November 13 2010 - November 15 2010
Modifications: Knit pattern as written.
Opinion: So cute. This hat measures 39 cm. I took out both my kids medical record books recently for another project I just knit. My first born, Sean’s head circumference at birth was 33.4 cm. He was 5 lbs 5 oz. at birth. My 2nd son, Mack’s head circumference at birth was 33.5 cm. He was 6 lbs 4 oz. at birth. So this should definitely fit baby #3 - whom they are estimating to be between 5 & 6 lbs at full term ( based on his weight at my last ultrasound & the fact that I have tiny babies). I was worried it was tiny, but I guess I’m forgetting how small newborns are.

I finally gave in to my anxiety today. I had to. I'm over 34 weeks pregnant. If my last 2 labors are any indication, then baby boy will most likely be here sooner, rather than later. (I've never been more than 38 and 37 weeks pregnant). It was about time that I got in there and started to clean up/organize.

This is why I didn't want to go in there...
EVERYTHING baby was brought out of storage into the nursery.
We brought up everything size 2T and under (Mack's in size 3T now and Sean in 4T).
I could barely see the floor, let alone have space to sit in there to work...
(Aren't those Huggies & Pamper boxes awesome for storing baby items!?)

By this evening, after spending numerous hours in there this afternoon and this evening, this is where I was at. I still haven't gotten to the stuff jammed in the crib yet. The boxes on the right hand side each have an age on it (ex. 3 months, 3-6 months, 6 months, 6-9 months, 6-12 months, 9 months, 12 months), and as I'm finding stuff, it's going neatly folded into the appropriate boxes. You see, after I had Sean, and he outgrew stuff, clothing went neatly and organized by size into boxes, labeled, and then stored. I got pregnant with Mack when Sean was only 9 months old. Even though at first, I didn't know I was having a boy, I still put everything away organized, in case I needed it, after Sean outgrew it. And I needed it again. Two boys. Glad I kept everything. After Mack, I had no idea that I was going to have a 3rd boy. Jamie and I had almost decided that we weren't going to have any more children. So I kind of got lazy, and threw stuff that Mack outgrew into boxes, not labeling anything, and with no real order. Pulling everything out now, was a huge disaster.

Upon going through everything, I've already got a small pile of clothing to donate (feels good to get rid of stuff that got neglected by the first two kids, so I don't see myself using it for baby boy). I also found a few items that were worn out or not that wearable, so those got chucked. I am almost done sorting out all the stuff up to size 12 months/1 year size. All preemie and newborn stuff have been washed already. I've also washed all my hooded towels, baby wash cloths, receiving blankets, burp cloths, and they're all folded & put away. I kept some stuff out for the pile that will eventually go into the hospital bag (which I mentioned I am not packing just yet, because of my history of my water breaking the next day upon packing it - with both boys so far). Any clothes that I am not taking to the hospital, in sizes preemie, newborn, 1 month, 0-3 month size, are neatly in his cupboards in his room. Ahhh.... the sense of relief that it's finally coming along.

The Huggie boxes and such on the left hand of the photo, that is all sizes above 12 months, and I will get to that, to organize before putting back into storage.

Ahhhhhhhhh! I feel the anxiety slowly leaving my body... feels damn good.

I managed to catch up on some tv (via my laptop) while organizing in the nursery today too - for background noise. I had to drown out the massive digging going on in my back neighbors yard. I have no idea what on earth they are doing in there, but it was bloody loud the entire day.

Today I finished Knit Two today as an audio book. I already have my next audio book picked out - I just need to transfer it to my car. (I only listen to audio books in the car when I'm alone driving). I've now finished 2 audio books and I'm really enjoying it. I find it stimulates my focus, and it's good. I find it more productive than listening to music. Knit Two was not bad. I wouldn't say it was the greatest but it wasn't horrible either. I really wanted to know what happened next, after listening to The Friday Night Knitting Club.

Does anyone have any experience with taking Primrose Oil at the end of their pregnancy? Curious how long you took it for and if you think it worked? I also picked up Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. (Both are natural labor inductors). Primrose is supposed to help soften the cervix (which I've needed medical intervention in the past after my water breaking) and in non-pregnant women, it's used to cure acne (or so I read). Red Raspberry Leaf tea is to help tone your uterus by helping to "focus" your Braxton Hicks contractions. Think of its job as helping your uterus do more effective exercising while you are pregnant. It does not "cause" contractions and can be safely used throughout pregnancy. Thoughts people?

Alright... I'm beyond beat. I had a very challenging evening tonight with my two handsome toddlers. Jamie had Habs tickets for tonight (we won 3-0 against Philly!) and went with our store manager. (No way I'd be able to sit in those seats right now at 34 and a half weeks pregnant). I started out our bedtime routine as normal, at 7:30 pm. My mom decided to show up at the same time to see the boys since she's been away in Florida until today. They were happy to see her, and she thankfully helped me to put them to bed. Well, finally by 8:20 or so, they were in bed. My mom left a few minutes after, yet the called me back to their room about four hundred million and eight five times, finding EVERY excuse in the book to call out to me. I think the last peep I heard from their room (from Mackenzie who must have fallen asleep 2nd) was at about 9:40 pm. This exhausts me. It means, that on nights when Jamie is not home, I cannot have a friend over to hang out - because they just don't stop. They put on a show for whomever is over & then continue it for a long while. When we first moved Mack into Sean's room, they were golden. They went to bed on time, right away, without a peep. I am hoping this is just a phase. It has to be a phase, right? Do they really need 3 blankets each to cover them and MY slippers at the side of Sean's bed, and some certain book to be specifically placed on an angle on the changing table? Like c'mon. This mama is spent. Exhausted by the time they actually do fall asleep - just from the constant being called back to their room. Luckily there have been no scary monsters lately. The "monster spray" my reader Sandra told me about - totally worked a few weeks back. At least the stuff they're "coming up with" and calling me back to their room for, is quite creative, and keeps me curious to hear what they will think of next.....

august fourteen

Last night Mackenzie decided that he didn't want to sleep. We maybe got 30 minutes of sleep the entire night. Mack cried the entire evening. I am not even sure how Sean slept through it all. I'm completely baffled on that one, since all four of us were sharing the basement and were literally sleeping next to each other. Sean was on the twin size blow up matress on the floor, Jamie & I on the fouton bed next to him, and Mack was supposed to be in his pack'n'play on the floor, but ended up on the double size fouton bed with Jamie and I, we both took turns trying to calm him down. Not sure what was up, but I'm hoping it was just teething. And praying he sleeps through the night tonight. Jamie says if he doesn't tonight, we're packing up the car and heading home on the spot. That he cannot take another night like last night in someone else's home (even if it is his step-brother's home).

I finally managed to get Mack to sleep on me for about 2 hours from 6:30 am until 8:30 am on the couch in the living room while everyone ate their breakfast, etc in the room attached. I maybe got 2 and half hours of sleep the entire night.

On very little sleep, we packed up the kids, packed up the car and headed to Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

We got there just before a show was about to start, and waited for a good 20 minutes. Boy those 20 minutes were long with 2 young kids!

Mack entertained us. Cute as always.

I love his gorgeous blue eyes.

The show finally started.

The dolphins were very entertaining.

After the show we went to pet and feed Beluga Whales. Sean got to go first.

And then it was my turn. Her name is Jubilee.
She was much less slippery than I expected her touch to be.

Mack then took a quick nap.

I took Sean on his very first ride ever. It went high up and spun in circles. I was trying to keep myself from getting sick, but had to keep yelling out encouraging things like "YEY" "GO SEAN!" "WOOHOO", so that he'd stay positive. My sister-in-law was 2 carts in front of us, and saw Sean's face and wasn't sure if he was white as a ghost or just shocked. In the end he said he had a good time, but I'm almost certain he peed in his diaper.

Then the big boys wanted to go on The Scremer. It went high up and then dropped. Back up, and then dropped again, and then one more time back up and dropped again. I stayed at the bottom with both my kids and my in-laws and worked on Clapotis. They were gone a good 30-45 minutes. I had to stop knitting though when Sean decided he wanted to get na.ked right there at the bottom of the entrance to the ride. He literally took off all his clothes and diaper too. (Though he needed a diaper change, so that was done at the same time). Silly kid. Undressing in public. Has your child done this?? Is this normal for a two and a half year old to want to run around... au naturel? He's been going through a phase of wanting to get undressed and dressed by himself. We encourage it 100%. And he's pretty good at both dressing and undressing himself. Though, I don't really encourage him to do this in public.... at an amusement park nonetheless...

Mackie enjoying some chill time under a tree.

Today I got to enjoy my first ice cream in over 6 months. It was freakin' delicious. I'd been wanting a soft vanilla for a while, but was saving it for my vacation. Yum!

Marineland was fun, and we headed back to my step-brother-in-law & his wife's house for supper. It was an hour's drive back to Mississauga. Jamie was keen to drive both ways today, so I got more knitting done in the car... Clapotis is coming along great. I should have a finished object maybe tomorrow! I can't wait to finish it already.

Had a great day today at Marineland. Worked on my tan, and being in the sun all day today I'm ready to crash. Running on no sleep practically. Crossing my fingers that Mack sleeps through the night tonight.

march twenty-five

Are you a plastic, metal or bamboo blocking pin user? I've got all three in my knitting supplies, and I seem to prefer the bamboo! The bamboos are from my shop (though currently out of stock). The metal ones are pretty good too, but the plastic ones, which I believe I picked up on liquidation at Walmart a long time ago, seem to bend when I try to put them into my foam blocking boards. I've chucked a bunch in the garbage because they got ruined from bending. Just curious what your preference is, if you have one??

This morning after I dropped Sean off at daycare I ran to the nutritionists office to get weighed in. I'm not talking about my check-in's this week really because Aunt Flo' is visiting shortly and well, she likes to leave me with some bloating and well, it's normal, but the scale will go up. Though, whatever I'd gained on Monday I've almost lost all of it, so I'm still about the same as a week ago. I'm hoping on Friday there's at least some inches lost.... since this week there won't be any weight loss, I don't think. My nutritionist says that I should be happy that I didn't gain 4lbs + as some girls do the week before their visitor comes. Wow... 4 lbs. That would drive me nuts. Thank goodness my body doesn't behave that way! I need to talk to my nutritionist about Pesach (Passover) and how that will be manageable. Pesach is the 2nd week of April (around the same time as Easter). And what's worse, is that the same week of Pesach (which is Wednesday/Thursday the 8th/9th for 8 days), that weekend is Easter, and we have a huge Easter party at Jamie's step-aunt & step-uncle's house on the Saturday of Easter weekend. The Wednesday night of Passover we're with my parents and Thursday we're actually going to see Jamie's dad's brother's family. Very excited to finally meet little Hannah-Rose, whom I knit the Meathead hat for, as well as Boheme. (She was born mid-November and will be almost 5 months old around Pesach). Anyhow, the week of Pesach & Easter is going to KILL me. I swear, I just have to be über good, and just watch everyone else eat. (And the secretly go home and want (WANT) to shove my face with food. Take out cucumbers from the fridge and pretend they're potato chips or ice cream - how pathetic, I've actually done that)... doesn't really hit the spot, but I love cucumbers. I really do. They're my fave vegetable.

After getting home from the nutritionist, Mack was fast asleep, so I let him sleep in the bucket in the house by the garage door, while I used the treadmill. I can see the landing by the garage door from the treadmill, but Mack was clearly out cold. I quickly showered, just had enough time to hop into a shower before getting picked up by my mother. Mack woke up just as my mother showed up. Talk about good timing.

I went to go see the movie Duplicity with my mom, and as well Jenn was there with her mother (my aunt) & son Henri. The movie was one that you had to really pay attention to, and was enjoyable. My ticket was for free because I had enough Scene points, but if I had to pay for the movie I'd probably have been a little disappointed. Not one of the best. I really do like Julia Roberts though, and Clive Owen is pretty good himself. Though, I don't think I'll watch this movie again. Mack was pretty good today during the movie. Maybe there is a good chance I'll take him again the movies. (It's getting harder as he's getting older).

On our way home from the theater we picked up Sean since it was just easier than going out twice. So today, Sean got pushed down by the tiniest girl in his class. Apparently he was SHOCKED that she did this and was totally confused by it at the same time. I'm hoping *fingers crossed* that this will have taught him a lesson, and he won't push kids around again...? Here's to hoping?? Maybe it took a little girl to push him down.... we'll see how the next few days go at daycare. Can I only dream that his pushing days are over?? Apparently this tiny little girl is one tough cookie....!

Tonight I went out with the West Island Knits/Crochet group to our usual spot. We were a nice sized group tonight. We always have great conversation, and I love getting out of the house once a week for knit night. Tonight I worked on my mother-in-law's Vest. (After some frustration with winding the ball of yarn at the coffee shop - never again - I'll have to remember to do it at home first. But my sister was a lovely sport in helping me - thank you!)

march twenty-three

Mack had a late nap today after we got back home from dropping off Sean at daycare and going to the nutritionist. So we missed out on playgroup today. I definitely want to see if maybe the morning playgroup can be pushed to later on, as a lot of the babies take late morning naps.

I've been wanting to show you my March Sock Club yarn (pattern to follow soon!). It's Tanis Fiber Arts in Baie de Sureau. It's a lovely purple colorway. I think Tanis' yarn is by far one of my fave yarns ever. Her stuff just ROCKS!

And here is the first installment of my Mini Skein of the Month Club (for the Blanket Project). Are they just delicious? I love the mini skeins. They just rock! And the colors are yummy delicious! My club is running March-April-May, and is sold out. I'll let you know if I choose to run it in June-July-August, and when I open up new sign ups.

I hate picking up Sean from daycare these days. All I hear is that he pushed this kid, or threw that toy. It's starting to bother me. I don't know what I'm doing wrong that he's behaving like this. And I have to keep reminding myself that he's a boy and he's only just turned 2. It's hard. I always thought that I would raise these well behaved boys, and then I have Sean who is a very active (hyper?) kid, who doesn't always listen. I'm hoping he outgrows this soon.

This evening I worked on some knitting while watching some TV with Jamie. I've been so tired lately by the time both kids are in bed. It's just exhausting having 2 kids 2 years old and under (even when 1 goes to daycare during the day). Mack's on the go now, and it's now a whole other ballgame.

I've been using the treadmill on a very regular basis. I even started running on it. I want to add on about 15 seconds of runnning every time I use the treadmill, and see how long I can last runnning. Right now, I can do about a minute at 6.5 miles per hour. (I usually speed walk on it at about 5.0-5.5. I've grown up with mild asthma, so I'm trying to train myself slowly. I'll get there!

Some Robyn's Nest news, I have re-stocked the shop with Stitch Savers. I've also got a few April 2009 Sock Club kits left in stock, which I will be doing the dying (Flock of Feathers Sock), so please come by and support me by purchasing a kit. You will NOT regret it! (May's sock club is sold out, so if you want to get your hands on an April kit - please do so before it's sold out as well!) Even my husband who is not a knitter, was pretty darn impressed with April's sock club yarn. Please come support the club! Also, Zen Yarn Garden Bling yarn is currently on sale from 29$ to 21$.