10.18.10 :: 198 weeks old

Sean is 198 weeks old today.

Today I received some yummy mail. I host 2 swaps on Ravelry, and this is for Fave Things Round 7. I received a novel, a magazine, some tea, a Snickers Bar, a canteen, a homemade silver bookmark with a bead on it, and some yummy yarn: Happy Feet, Spinning Bunny & Araucania Ranco Solid all from my friend Andrea.

I am looking for a copy of this back issue of Yarn Forward Issue 27, from August 2010. Does anyone have a copy I can borrow to read? Or buy off them? Or swap?

Today’s Link Love:
- Love this scarf tutorial.
- Gave in and finally got into CSI Miami. In the middle of Season 1 right now.
- I finished Magnificent Mantle today. Photos & FO Specs to come tomorrow.
- This Can Tab Bracelet is really neat. However, I donate ALL our can tabs to Sean & Mack's daycare. They're doing a fundraiser where the hospital recycles the can tabs for parts for wheel chairs. If you have can tabs you don't know what to do with - please send them my way.

10.17.10 :: 28 months old

Mack is 28 months old today.
He's working on pronouncing some words right now.
My fave, which is sooo cute, is "Yook, mommy, over there". (Yook for Look).
It sounds so sweet coming out of his mouth.

I had a conversation with Mack tonight after his bath that went a little like this:
Mack: "Yook, mommy, dirty." (Pointing to his hands).
Me: "No, Mackie, that's not dirt, that's called wrinkles. It happens when you're hands are in the water too long."
Mack: "Take them away, no like."
Me: "I can't take them away Mackie, they'll go away when your hands dry up."
Mack: "Fast mommy, dry hands".

He's too cute for words.

And then the not so cute right now, is every night before bed, apparently there are scary monsters in his room. He says it, so Sean goes along with it - because they share a room. Every night I karate chop monsters. Every night, I kick monsters down the stairs and out the house. Every night I'm scaring the monsters away. Does anyone have any tricks I can use to "keep" the monsters away, a good story to do with the kids, or something that I can place in the room to pretend the monsters are gone for good? I'm open to suggestions. I get called back to their room a few times each night for monsters. (Amongst other excuses that they come up with). (They're really creative these kids, let me tell you). Smart kids...

Speaking of smart kids... Sean really retains why things are done for certain reason. Like today, while eating leftover popcorn from the Habs game last night, Sean says to me "Mommy, when I'm done eating my popcorn, I'm going to brush my teeth, so I don't get cavities". That's my boy. The lessons we've been teaching him about certain things, like hygiene, are working. You eat junk, you brush your teeth. And then when you're 30 years old like mommy (well... I'm almost 30, shh! Let's not go there, it was just easier to round up), you won't have a single cavity...

Mack is my little gymnast.
He likes doing yoga moves.
I think I might look into a class for him.
He'd love it.

Ah... Sunday afternoon football today.
Just relaxing. Using an extremely large stuffed dog as a pillow.

I have a finished object for you today:

SPECS:
Pattern: Baby 3's Button-Up Baby Wrap
For: A photo prop for after Baby 3 is born
Yarn: 1.76 skeins of Kraemer Yarns Mauch Chunky in Blue Lagoon (Held Double Stranded)
Needles: US 17 - 12.75 mm
Size: for a newborn
Timeline: October 16, 2010 (4 hours approximately)
Modifications: Knit pattern as written. Only used one button instead of 2. Grafted bottom shut with kitchener stitch instead of pulling the yarn through the last few stitches.
I like the look better of it when grafted.
Opinion: I love it. I can’t wait for baby 3 to be born to be photographed in it!

I love the little hand button that I used for this baby cocoon. I have been wanting to knit one in blue, since I did knit one in pink during the summer, when we thought we were having a girl. Well, now, I have one in pink & one in blue and I can use them as photo props if anyone ever wants to have their newborn photographed. I do think I take cute photos of babies... dont you agree? Maybe once life with baby 3 kicks into gear, I'll get some photography side thing into motion and use that professional photography degree that I earned. Photo props are always good to have... I have a few more that I hope to get knitted up soon.

Today was a really nice day. We had one of Sean's best friends from school over with his mom, dad & older brother. We had a huge lunch (actually it was more of brunch) and the kids played very nicely together. I was still so full from lunch that I didn't eat dinner tonight. (Though, now I'm regretting it). I hope our 2 families get together again soon, it was really nice.

This evening Jamie and I caught up on some tv, and I worked on Magnificent Mantle. It was nice to just sit back and relax. I plan to work a bit more on it this evening before bed, and hopefully get it to it's recipient very soon. I am hoping to have another finished object to show you tomorrow.

10.16.10 :: 30 weeks pregnant

30 weeks pregnant.
Down to the last few weeks...!
I can't believe how fast time flies.
I feel like we just found out yesterday we were expecting #3.

Sean had his very first skating lesson today.

There was a few tears shed in the car in the parking lot of the arena, a few "I don't want to go in" and "I don't like skating" (WHAT!? Sean doesn't like skating, that's not him...) but after his lesson was up, he was so excited to go back next week. He did extremely well on the ice, and only had a few wipe outs, that I could count on one hand. I was impressed. Maybe a few more lessons and he'll be able to skate without the bar.

Since I can't bend to tie hockey skates, Jamie was with us this morning (plus, no way he'd miss Sean's skating lessons!) and Mack enjoyed watching Sean too! I am not sure if I'll go every week to his lessons, depending on how the pregnancy goes, but I definitely want to make it out to as many games as possible.

Since the lesson was almost an hour, (I say give or take because the first bit was getting the kids on the ice and organizing the groups as well as off the ice a few minutes earlier for the Zamboni to clean the ice), I still had quite a bit of knitting time, and I managed to get a quick knit started, and I'm just about done. I will probably be able to finish it before heading to bed tonight (that quick of a knit). It's something I've knit this year, but in a non-boy color, and I wanted to re-knit it now that I'm not having a girl, but indeed a boy... stay tuned tomorrow for details!

This afternoon I got the best nap ever. We tried to get the boys to nap, in their beds, but that didn't last very long. They played quietly in the den watching tv, and doing puzzles, while I snoozed on the couch. Much needed nap. I haven't taken a nap in forever. It felt great.

Two things today I discovered I need to replace. I need more Sudocrem (or anything similar - zinc for babies bums) before baby boy gets here. I actually needed some for Mack tonight, and am about to run out. I also will need to get a new bottle brush (this is the one I have been using, but it's icky now - time for a replacing). It's been super hard for me to run errands lately, I don't venture to far, unless someone else is driving. I fear getting cramps in my legs (from the lack of usage in my muscles) while driving. It's also getting very painful and uncomfortable for me to sit/walk/stand/lie down these days. (Almost at D day... let me tell you, I'm counting down!)

Sean went with Daddy tonight to his 2nd Habs game ever. We actually won 4-3 against the Ottawa Senators. I can't wait for them to get home to hear all about it from Sean's perspective. I am sure he had the best time ever.

I have a few free codes for you guys today for those of you whom collect:
Huggies: BGSHB-QLWTG-RKPGB
Pampers: PAMPERS4MOMSOND

10.15.10

This morning I made some more pumpkin spice smoothie. It is sooo delicious (if you like that kind of flavoring). I've only recently been big on pumpkin. I swear, I caught myself singing "there's a party in my tummy... so yummy... so yummy..." (Anyone with kids would probably get this reference).

Here is this morning's progress update on Magnificent Mantle.
Almost done! And lookin' mighty fine...

Yarn diet 2010 is officially over. 9 months, 1 week and 6 days. January 1st - Oct 15th, 2010. I was going to break it this upcoming weekend at Rhinebeck 2010, however with my pregnancy complications I cannot be there this year (had a room reserved and everything but had to sell it (since it was a pre-paid room)). So I decided that I would still break my yarn diet now and treat myself to stuff I've been eying over the almost 10 months. Above, is all from the Etsy Seller Viola and you have, Viola Sock in Controversy, Viola sock in Dark Thistle, and Viola Merino Fingering in North Sea. Yum! (Tara was my enabler on this purchase). I FEEL FREE!!!!!!!!!!!

Dinner tonight was pot luck with some friends that we've been trying to get together with for a year now. We only realized tonight that it had been a year (we've had plans re-arranged twice since the beginning of summer). We were in charge of the actual meal, and I made a pot roast. I almost had a heart attack this afternoon for about a good half hour when we had a power failure. I totally thought dinner was ruined for sure. We were 6 of us, and I had 2 slow cookers going (ours had the same meal as my parents slow cooker, except in my parents slow cooker I made it with onions, as one of our friends who came tonight doesn't eat onions). It was really delicious. It was great to see our friends (and meet one new boyfriend of one of the girls) and catch up.

Today I leave you with this video:

Saw it on someone's blog and just love it.

10.14.10 :: 121 weeks old

Mack is 121 weeks old today!

Recently I received this toy in the mail - I used my pampers.ca reward points and cashed them in for this toy. They had a summer sale on points, and I got it on sale. I had seen this toy after Mackenzie was born, but thought the 15$ish price tag (+ shipping) was ridiculous. I now have it for baby 3, for free! (There was also nothing much else exciting to use my points for).


Did you know that now Amazon Canada will ship you your books (or whatever else they sell) for free, if your cart reaches 25$ or more? It used to be 39$ or more, but they have just lowered the amount to match the US site. Thank you Amazon! (Click on letter above (or here) to open in a new window to read it in full).

I've been doing the solo parenting thing the last couple of nights while Jamie has been working late. While my boys are generally good kids, it's been a tad challenging due to my pregnancy & it's restrictions. I am so happy it's the weekend tomorrow, and I can sit back & relax a bit.

I've made some great progress on Magnificent Mantle, and am hoping to be finished that tomorrow. I'd like to be able to give it to my neighbor in the next couple of days, so I'm hoping to be done. I will post either progress photos tomorrow, or maybe even finished object photos!

I tackled the nursery today. There's progress! There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, but there is definite progress and you can actually walk in now. I finally moved (slid - did NOT lift or carry) the bassinet into our bedroom, into it's permanent spot. I just need to figure out where to put the toy (learning house) that was in it's spot - that the kids still love to play with, and baby 3 will eventually play with it - so I don't want to get rid of it just yet. No idea where to put it though. There is only so much I can re-arrange my bedroom to make the "kids stuff" work in there too. You know?

Today's Link Love:
- I am soooooooooo freakin' happy & excited that I got my hands on a Deluxe Electric Menorah (and at no cost on top of it). I've wanted one for such a long time.
- Tonight I tried a pumpkin spice smoothie - it was..... AWESOME. Must make more tomorrow. I also have all my ingredients to make a pumpkin pie. Just need to get some energy to bake in the kitchen.
- Another 5 point free Huggies Enjoy the Ride Reward Code: BJGGP-DCLDD-PMPGB

I leave you today with this beautiful voice (and he's a bit of a cutie himself). I'm trying to remember how Jon & I crossed paths (I thought it was Camp B'nai Brith in 1996, but after speaking to someone else who was there with me that summer, it wasn't there), but we recently found each other on facebook. He's living out in BC now, makin' music:

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS VIDEO! ENJOY!

10.13.10

I have a thing for numbers.
There's been a bunch of number things this week.
Sunday was 10-10-10.
Today I hit 2222 km in my car.
I like numbers. They're fun.

I picked up some new magazines today (along with some white chocolate - my fave). Just what the doc ordered in the next few days - a sit down with some chocolate & some knitting magazine to read.

I saw my OB today. My placenta moving is good news, I am now at lesser risk for some things, but still not off the hook just yet. I am still not allowed bending or lifting and have to still remain off my feet as much as possible, as I could still bleed with partial praevia. We aren't booking any Csection date just yet, we'll do so after my next Ultrasound in a few weeks to see what my placenta does. My belly measured a little larger than what I should be at - so hopefully baby boy doesn't grow too large - she's going to keep an eye on that. I also gained a tiny bit since my last appointment, so we're not worried anymore about the weight issue (of me not gaining any). Phew! She also explained to me about the pressure I've been feeling and how it's on my "such and such" bone and that the pain won't be getting any better until I deliver. Fun. I've really been in a LOT of pain lately "down there". It's very uncomfortable, and I can't walk far distances anymore. I also stopped driving anywhere too far, because it gets really uncomfortable. I do short distances only, and I think I'll keep it that way just to be safe. Better be safe than sorry. Especially because of my leg cramps too. I really don't want to get a leg cramp and be in the car driving. That will not be good. So short distances is ok.

Baby boy has been VERY active today. He hasn't stopped moving. Some days are really quiet with some active moments here and there. Today, he just has been moving a lot. While I absolutely adore feeling him move inside, I am so done being pregnant. It's the uncomfortableness of being this pregnant. No position is comfortable anymore, especially not sleeping. I'm honestly ready to reclaim my body back. Just a few more weeks...

Here is the last update on the shawl I'm crocheting for my neighbor.

I've made some progress on the shawl since these photos - hopefully it will be done soon, so I can give it to her. I really like the way it is coming out.

Today's Link Love:
- Susan Anderson has a great contest going on, on her blog. To win a copy of the latest KnitCircus, Gift Special Issue (I already have my copy!), go on over here to enter to win.
- I have a new 1 point Huggies Enjoy the Ride Reward Point Code for you: BGRCS-TFRDJ-GRPGB
- Saw Life As We Know It with some new mommy friends today. Very cute movie. I am a huge Josh Duhamel fan. I like Josh Lucas as well. One of the moms I met up with went to my high school (a grade older than me) and the other I've been chatting to on facebook, but met each other today for the first time. We both have 2006, 2008 & 2010 babies (well, she just had her 2010 baby and I'm having mine soon). It's nice to meet some new people (I didn't really know the mom who went to my high school when we were both at the high school). Refreshing. Good for the soul. Just what I needed. A nice afternoon out.

10.12.10

I love this time of the year. Fall is by far my fave season.

Today in my sewing class I made this awesome pleated pouch (tutorial here).
Great easy pattern. Loved learning pleats.

Since I came with all my fabric cut out & ready to go, I came with something else ready to go.

I received this "tea wallet" a bunch of years ago as a gift.
I searched online high & low for a pattern to make some of these.
I could only find variations like this. (I wanted smaller).

So we made our own pattern, and tried it out. This is how it came out (above). I still have a few "kinks" to work out to make it work, (unless someone knows where I can find the pattern online?) and hope to make a bunch of these to go with a few other things I'm making as some holiday gifts for certain people. Trying to go a little more "handmade" this year.

I started a new project a few nights ago. It's this shawl pattern, Magnificent Mantle. I'm making it as a comfort shawl for my neighbor whom will be going through a double mastectomy in a few weeks. This is a really quick project.

I had another ultrasound today.
Baby boy is doing well.
Even some of his measurements were measuring a few days earlier.
Have no idea what you're looking at above?
At first I had no idea either...

Here it is flipped & zoomed in. It's baby boy's face! Total 'alien' shot though! I can't wait to meet him and see what he looks like. Will he have blonde hair & blue eyes like his brothers? Will he have my button nose like both my boys do too?

There is some good news too! My placenta - miraculously - somehow moved a bit. Was totally not expecting this, as where my placenta was sitting previously. They now have me classified as partial placenta praevia - so things are looking brighter. I will know more tomorrow after I see my doctor what this all entails. I guess all that staying off my feet and obeying my doctor actually has paid off. Though, even if my placenta does move completely off my cervix - I have absolutely no interest in Vbac. I've experienced both a natural (with epidural) birth for Sean, and an emergency Csection with Mackenzie, after about 30+ hours of labor each child (for a combined 65 hours of labor). I have absolutely no interest in having another 30+ hour labor to have baby 3. No thanks.

I have a new 50 point Pampers Gifts To Grow Code: 2BEGINEARNING50 - ENJOY!

10.11.10 :: 197 weeks old

Sean is 197 weeks old today.

This morning we went out for brunch for my father-in-law's birthday. It's nice to see family that we don't get to see often. I really enjoyed my meal at this restaurant. They were crazy busy though because of it being Thanksgiving. Luckily we had a reservation.

Mack was content coloring before the food came.

He was so concentrated, he wouldn't even look up to take a picture with Daddy.

Sean practiced writing his name while waiting for the food to come. He's got almost all his name pretty good. He has to work on the direction he's writing it - but he's got the formation of the letters. I am so proud of him. Last week I picked him up some work books to work on writing letters & numbers too. He's already asked me to learn to read & write. I love how smart this kid is.


I am sure it won't be much longer before Mackie is asking to learn to read & write too. He's really picking up on talking fuller sentences these days, and he impresses me by the day as well.


Just before dinner Mack was upstairs watching Caillou in my bedroom. After a while I realized it was WAY too quiet upstairs, and I was sure the episode had ended. To my surprise, Mack was out cold. He's given up his weekend nap lately (not too happy about it) so late afternoon he's beat. Sean doesn't nap, so why should he - he figures. Monkey see, Monkey do. Sean gave up his weekend naps around 2 years old, Mack's almost 2 and a half now. Luckily Mack still naps daily at daycare, and Sean does - on occasion, though he seems to be giving up that too, for the longest time he did nap at daycare, but not so much lately anymore, unfortunately. When did your child give up their nap? What age?

Today's Link Love:
- I love Soule Mama’s library space! I wish I had a space like this in my house!
- Love this spooky graveyard dip recipe!
- Love the book I started last night, Love in Mid-Air by Kim Wright.
- Love this Ring Pincushion Tutorial.
- Love these Woven Button Coasters, but don't think I'd have the patience to make one or any.
- Cute idea - baby shower gift idea?
- Love this photo.
- My reviews are finally up for Two Years, No Rain & Jessica Z.! I will be giving away a copy of Jessica Z. during my blogaversary blow out bash - which the actual date of my blogaversary is October 21st, 2010 - 5 years of blogging daily (minus my 2 hospital stays for the birth of my children, and a one week blog vacation I took this past summer while out of town).

Today is our Canadian Thanksgiving. We actually didn't celebrate Thanksgiving this year as we had too much going on this weekend, so maybe next year. Usually we do Thanksgiving dinner at some point over the long weekend with Jamie's step-family, but every one seemed to be busy this year. Happy Thanksgiving to those of you whom do celebrate!

10.10.10

This is one of the photos I was talking about yesterday, of the family shot.

And the funny shot my mom took of Jamie & I.
Life is no fun without a sense of humor!

This morning/afternoon was a lazy day.
The boys played a game of monopoly.
Their own rules, of course.

I did a bit of sewing.

I now have a little pile for part of Christmas gifts. I'm doing some more crafting and will get a few things to go with this - but so far, I'm on a roll! I'm not going to reveal what everything here is, because a few people who read my blog might just be getting one of these.

Late afternoon we had my friend's son's 2nd birthday party.


It was a local gym type place I'd never been to before.


The kids had a great time at the birthday party.

And Mackie was just too cute with his party hats.

I got to meet up with a friend at this party that I haven't seen in years. Her grandparents used to be friends with my grandparents, years ago. We used to play together as kids. She's 3 months older than I am. She has a 16 month old daughter and actually met my kids last year at the birthday boy's 1st birthday, but I wasn't there as I was at Rhinebeck last year the weekend of the birthday party. We caught up and I learned that she crochets, dabbles a bit in knitting and sews a bit too. My kind of friend! Her daughter is just adorable as well.

Jamie & I unfortunately did not enjoy the party at all. Who does a kid's birthday party from 4:15 to 6:15 pm and DOESN'T serve dinner? Not even for the kids. There was cookies, chips and rice krispy squares and birthday cake. I was expecting there to be dinner. Well, that totally ruined my kids' appetite for dinner. I think I've once before been to a birthday party where it was during dinner time and there was no food served either. It's just not right. Especially with young children. I hadn't eaten since 11 am this morning when we had a huge waffle brunch. I wasn't hungry all afternoon, and didn't even snack. But by 5:30pm... I was famished. So we unfortunately had to leave the birthday party a little earlier than it was ending because I needed to eat.

Since today is 10-10-10, I have an interesting fact about October 2010:

This October, 2010,. has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays, all in 1 month. It happens once in 823 years.

This evening Jamie & I caught up on some TV shows and I started a new project that I wanted to get done very quickly, I will show you some progress on that tomorrow. Stay tuned! I love relaxing evenings on the couch watching TV.

10.09.10 :: 29 weeks pregnant

29 weeks pregnant today.
I'm now starting to feel like I'm carrying around a watermelon or basketball.

Saturday (late) morning cartoons. GLUED to the tv.

This afternoon (into evening) we had a wedding to attend. My in-laws came and babysat my kids, with my step-niece and a relative from Toronto that wanted to see the kids and is staying at my in-laws place. They had quite the slew of babysitters tonight!

The wedding was for a co-worker of Jamie's (whom used to be my co-worker way back when). I've known the groom for a good 14 years, if not more. It was a really lovely small wedding. We had a nice evening.

Jamie and I tonight at the wedding.
I really can't wait to have baby boy, as I'm ready to reclaim my body back as my own.

The strangest thing happened to us just before 9pm. We didn't think anything of it, as the waiters that were there (whom were practically useless anyhow, as it was a buffet style dinner), started to clear EVERYTHING from our table. One of the waiters brought over a plastic cup, and asked Jamie to pour his wine into it, so he could take away the wine glass. WHAT?! For real? He wanted Jamie to drink his wine out of a plastic cup? Jamie gave the guy a piece of his mind, and poured himself more wine into the wine glass. He told the guy, that when he was done, he could have the wine glass. The guy said that he was cleaning up, and as they were packing up. At 9pm? The wedding was no where near over. (We had no intentions of staying late, but we weren't leaving that second). Jamie said that their job was to serve the guests until the wedding was over, and that the wedding was clearly not over. The dancing on the dance floor had JUST begun even. The guy huffed a little and then walked away. About 5 minutes later another waiter came over and asked Jamie to pour his wine glass into the plastic cup so he could take the wine glass away. At this point, I think Jamie was half laughing and half furious! We couldn't believe it! And they were VERY quick to take away your cake plate once you were done your slice. Almost as if they were hunched over you watching and took the plate away before you even put down your fork from the last bite. I took the catering company's card that was on our table as a reminder to NEVER hire them for any which reason. (The waiters and catering company were from the same company).

I think my mom got a really funny photo of Jamie and I from tonight, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get a copy of the digital photo. There was also some family photos taken, but those were on my sister's camera. And a table photo was taken, which apparently will be on the photographer's website soon as well, so I'll post all these as I receive them. Since the groom works for my dad, (since we're in the family business), and my brother & sister work there too - we were all invited to the wedding. Our table tonight consisted of all my immediate family, plus Jamie, my sister's boyfriend and my brother's date, who was fun to sit next to. I've never really talked to her much before, but my brother's known her for years from school.