Double Rainbow

I have seen a lot of rainbows this week. The first one was on Thursday after some rain. Then last night, on the way to dinner at my in-laws, we saw the most beautiful thing ever. A double rainbow, where one of the rainbows (the clearer one) was a full arc. Unfortunately I couldn’t capture the full rainbow on my iPhone fast enough, from the passenger seat of the car). It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rainbow like that. I just had to share it. Happy Saturday!

3.21.11

Last night Quentin went to bed at 6:30pm. I looked at Jamie around 8:30 pm and said that we're either screwed because he'll sleep through the night now and wake up at 5/6 am, or he'll get up around 10-10:30 and then I might not be able to get him back to sleep for a while. We went to bed and he still hadn't gotten up. I was preparing myself to be woken up in the middle of the night or really early morning. What do you know... Quentin slept in until almost 8:30 am this morning from 6:30pm last night. 14 hours. Wow. I wish I could get sleep like that. I haven't slept like that since I was pregnant with Sean. How I miss sleep like that.

Today we had playgroup. I'm really enjoying this group of people. We were a small group today, 5 boys... there seems to be a lot of boys born! We also had 2 visitors join us today (on top of our 5 boys), someone I hadn't seen since 1992 when I went away to sleep away camp. She just had her 2nd son just over 2 weeks before I had Quentin. It was really nice to see her.

SPECS:

Pattern: Diaper Cover Photography Prop by Kristi Simpson (My Ravelry Link)
For: Photography Prop
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Gray

Hook: 6.0 mm (J)
Size: 0-3 months
Timeline: March 20, 2011
Modifications & Notes: Super quick project, great pattern, easy to follow. Followed instructions for the 0-3 month size. Came out WAY too small even with getting just about gauge going up to a size 6mm (J) hook (pattern calls for 5mm (H). Want to use this as a photography prop, however, I will have to re-try it again, with maybe a worsted yarn (Cashmerino Aran I thought would be thick enough). Modeled by Sean’s Cabbage Patch (boy) doll - which seems to be a perfect fit. Will retry again, to fit a newborn. I'm thinking next time, I'll try a worsted weight yarn... maybe Cascade Superwash or something.

Still can't show you my current design, but it's coming along nicely, and I've got my test knitters working away as well. Luckily I found some people with Tosh Sock in their stash (thank you Ravelry).

Second day of spring today, and we had a snowfall. C'mon Spring... don't let Winter let itself back in... I've already put away my winter boots for the season, I really have no interest in taking them back out.

1.22.11

Tried on the hat on Quentin (which I did finish tonight), however, it just just fits him now.
Details on the FO tomorrow, when I can actually photograph it on Quentin.

Today we just chilled at home (I did leave the house to get some groceries though).
We had all these plans to go for a walk, until we saw the temperature outside.
It might look nice... but it was brutally cold.

So Quentin checked out a new mat he got.

I think he likes it.
Next time, now that he's almost 2 months old, will be tummy time.

Jamie put together Sean's new bike that he got for his birthday, fashioned with lovely training wheels. Now that Sean has a new bike that "goes faster" (which is why he wanted it), he gave his little bike to his brother. Mackie was in heaven that his brother gave him something. We all now long for spring. Sean asked me if we can blow the snow away, so that he can go ride his bike outdoors. Ah, the innocence of children.

Dinner was lovely swordfish. Oh, how I love a GOOD piece of fish. When I told Jamie that it wasn't on sale, and that I'll only buy it once in a while, he reminded me that had we not eaten that and decided to order in, it would have cost us triple the price just to order in. (We are not ordering in at all much anymore, now that we're on our diet - good for the health, excellent on the wallet.)

As I said before, pictures/info on my latest FO coming tomorrow. Other than that, I leave you with...

Today’s Link Love (short & sweet):
- Target is coming to Canada! (But not really until 2013)
- This list of Top 100 Tutorial of 2010.
- Mack's cute love.

1.17.11 :: 31 Months Old

Mack is 31 months old today.

Today was a quiet Monday. It's a tad cold in the house today, as well as freezing outside (-22°C (-7.6°F) today), so we're all bundled up nicely. The only decent rooms are the upstairs bedrooms. That's where we've been hanging out lately when we're home. We still have had no luck getting firewood, as this weather would be awesome to make a fire in the fireplace. All the contacts I've had, have no wood left, and I even tried calling an ad that was in the paper and the guy never called me back. I think for next winter, we'll be more organized and get firewood in advance.

I've been slowly also checking things off my to-do list as I'm able to do them. Now that Quentin's almost 7 weeks old, even though we're a tad sleep deprived over here, we're starting to finally figure out our groove. Today was a good day to tackle the Tupperware drawers. I have 2 drawers, one for the large pieces that I use often, and one drawer for the smaller pieces that I don't use as often. I matched up all lids with their bottoms, except for 6 bottoms & 12 lids that didn't have a match. And those items that I chucked brought me to 505 items de-cluttered from my home. My goal is still to de-clutter 2011 items before the end of 2011. I think I can do it. I'm already 25% complete.

Sean wanted to show you that he learned how to color pretty well in the lines. I'm impressed, I told him. So proud of his accomplishments. And I love that he's proud too.

Today's Loves, and Link Loves:
- Love this Confetti Garland idea.
- Love this free 2011 printable calendar.
- My friend from high school's husband is a very talented singer. Love his voice. ( I think the "voice" is off from the audio on this but I can't find a better video - sorry).
- Love that when you tell Mackenzie that he's "something" he has an answer for it... "Mack, you're being slow as molasses today", (for example), he'll respond "I'm not slow as molasses, I'm Mackenzie". Or, "Mackenzie, you're a real class clown today", he'll respond "I'm not a class clown, I'm Mackenzie". It's too cute for words. I crack up whenever I hear him say that.
- Free 10 point Pampers Gifts to Grow Points: 4WJDHKU4RPP6PT2.
- I am dying to get a yarn bowl. ♥Love ♥.
- My greenway filters came in the mail today. I am so happy to have my water cooler back & working. I felt so lost without it.

10.27.10

21°C (That's 70°F) outside? I was wearing a winter jacket yesterday and was freezing. This weather is really unbelievable. It was so warm today, that I went out without a jacket. Indian Summer?

Saw my OB today. What a useless check-up. We literally didn't do anything. And at first I was even forgotten about. Usually I'm seen right away by a nurse (I get weighed, they check my glucose level, they check my blood pressure, ask any other questions they might have) and then I go back and sit in the waiting room until my doctor has a room free to see me in. Today, after 40 minutes of waiting, I thought something was up, so I went to ask at the reception, and of course they marked I was here, but never pulled my file, so they forgot about me. Frustrating. But once I opened my mouth I was seen quite quickly. I was weighed (I'm officially swollen and retaining water) and she measured my belly. I'm measuring 33 weeks instead of 31 weeks (I'm 31 and a half weeks now). Right now this isn't a concern, we'll see at my next ultrasound if it's excess amniotic fluid or if baby boy is just bigger than what his brothers were at birth.

I got a phone call from the company that gives my warranty on my Sigma lens for my Nikon camera. Turns out that my lens was indeed defective and they are shipping me a brand new lens. Apparently the new lens has been tested and works. Let's hope.

Sean put his hand things he got at the Habs game on his feet, while we were watching a bit of the Habs game tonight before his bedtime (Habs won tonight!) Not even sure what these things are called, but it was too funny that he put them on his feet. Mack & I got a kick out of it!

Don't forget that I'm having a contest to win a ton of awesome prizes! If you want to win, just simply leave a comment anywhere on this blog until midnight, Oct 31st, 2010, as I'll be drawing winners on Monday, November 1st, 2010. Good luck! Please note, even if you are logging into your blogger profile, not all of you have email addresses associated with it. Also - a lot of you have 100% blank blogger profiles. If I don't know who you are, you won't be able to win a prize. So please leave your information. THANKS!

I leave you tonight with this video (Sean wanted to share it with you):

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!

09.30.10 :: 119 weeks old

Mack is 119 weeks old today.

The weather has been really dreary around here lately. It's been raining pretty much all week. The mood has been the same lately too - I find the rain does that. It's nice that it's raining and all - since we barely had any rain all summer long (with restrictions on watering your lawn on top of it), hopefully the rain will end soon though.

I saw my OB today, and while I passed my glucose test on Monday with flying colors, and do not have gestational diabetes (I wasn't worried, I didn't have it with Sean or Mackenzie's pregnancies) but my tests came back with blood in my urine (yet, I still haven't actually bled because of the placenta praevia) and apparently I'm anemic. So now I have to take 2 pills twice a day until I deliver, and then they'll run blood work again and see if I'm still anemic. The anemia totally explains my extreme fatigue. I have to go now every 2 weeks to check in, and we'll shortly be scheduling my Csection. If my placenta doesn't move, (we're confirming that shortly as well) then I'll be having a Csection give or take 37 weeks, (unless I go into pre-term labor) and if it a miracle and moves, then we'll schedule it at 39 weeks, though, we joked that I've not made it past 38 & 37 weeks pregnant with Sean & Mack, so if my placenta does move, I'll probably still be having a baby earlier than 39 weeks, but that scheduling it at 39 weeks is protocol. I'll know more after my next ultrasound, which is coming up. However, from the position my placenta was sitting in last, we're not very optimistic that it will move, unfortunately. The other good but yet bad news is that I didn't gain a single pound since my last appointment a month ago. Good that I didn't gain weight, but does that mean the baby isn't growing? We'll know more at the next ultrasound about that too. If he's not growing, it's a result of my placenta sitting on the bottom, and not getting all the nutrients to help him grow.... I'll be nervously waiting to have my next ultrasound. Just knowing he's okay, will make me feel better, so I can stop worrying for a bit. Gosh, what else is the pregnancy gods going to throw at me? Bring it on. I'm ready. I can handle anything else you throw my way.

I hate my hair. HATE it. I can't do it like the way the girl who cut it styled it before I left the salon. My hair is not cooperating with me. I don't have time to style/manage it, which is why I cut it. But now it's not behaving. I've had short hair-do's before, but she didn't cut it the way I asked her to, she kinda improvised, and now I'm not 100% happy. Ugh. The battle of the hair... What to do?

I picked up a gorgeous bassinet from a friend today. I actually bought it off her. It's gorgeous. It's like a tiny little crib, that can rock, if I want it, or I can level it into place. It's solid dark brown wood, and just gorgeous. It came with a mattress, sheets, and bumper pads too as well as a comforter. I don't think I'll have a problem selling it after baby 3 outgrows it. (We're not planning to have any more kids, I cannot go through another high risk pregnancy. I'm not 25 years old anymore, like I was when pregnant with Sean and don't have the energy to go through this again, I see how this high rick pregnancy is taking it's toll on me).

After she got the bassinet in my van, I headed to the Family Corn Roast at the boys daycare. It was nice to see a few of Sean's friends parents, whom I am friends with. Things have been so busy lately, it was nice to catch up with them. We made some play dates, and Sean can't wait. I don't really know too many of the moms in Mack's class, yet, nor whom he's friends with. Mack is my quiet son. Totally different from Sean. Mack enjoys playing with Sean & his friends, so for now, we're golden. Plus some of Sean's friends have siblings Mack's age. Ran into another mom that I had no idea her daughter started Sept 1st at our daycare, and it was nice to see her too. I never run into her at drop off or pick-up. So odd. I guess we have totally different schedules.

Tonight Jamie had to take care of some work related stuff, so I continued working on those ideas I had for Christmas gifts. Slowly things are coming together. I realized tonight that I want to get a better iron, apparently I have a very basic model, and I want to be able to spray water and steam at the touch of a button. I also want to get my hands on a steamer, so I'm adding it to my Christmas wish list. Jamie's dad is good at finding sales and stuff, so I'll ask him to keep an eye out for me. If we find a really good deal, maybe I won't wait until Christmas.

I have another 10 point Pampers Gifts to Grow code to share with you: PUNTOSPARAMI123

09.03.10

35°C (95°F). Feels like 42°C (108°F) with humidity. IN SEPTEMBER?!
Indian summer?

My hair is certainly NOT loving this weather.
Wispy curls. Not my fave.

I worked today for a bit in the office. I got word that my printer that I shipped off will be replaced by a newer model as it is indeed defective. I am hoping I get my new printer sometime next week, as I feel completely lost without a printer at home. I've been emailing what I need printed to work and doing it there for now. Glad that they are replacing my printer though.

After picking up the boys from daycare on my way home, they refused to get out of the car. I took this picture sitting in our driveway while they were watching Disney Cars. They wanted to stay in "mommy's magical car" as Sean calls it... (Magical because the doors are all automatic. And there are really cool buttons and gadgets. It's amazing what amuses kids!) (You know what? I think my car is pretty magical too...)

Things I'm looking forward to this month:
- Joining Sean's class for apple picking (though I'll be doing nothing but taking pictures).
- My 5th wedding anniversary with Jamie.
- Getting together with family for the Jewish holidays.
- A baby shower I'm attending soon, for a cousin on my husband's side. She's due about 7 or 8 weeks before me with also a baby boy.
- Seeing some of Jamie's ex-coworkers for a dinner. Miss hanging out with them.

What do you have planned for the long weekend? Anything special? We don't have too much planned, not with my complete modified activity. Taking it easy. Spending it with my little family, that sort of things. Couldn't ask for anything better.

Stay tuned, some knitting stuff is coming up soon...!

09.01.10

Wow, September?
Already?
Really?

Since I can barely reach my feet - I got some new shoes.
I like shoes I can slide my feet into.

And along with these cute new shoes, I had to buy shoe liners.
I'd rather not get blisters (which were starting to form) and I'd like to avoid having to chuck them due to possibly getting fungus from foot sweat. No thanks.

I am just about done Roar. I have to sew on the spikes, and then get one of my boys to model it for me, so I'll post final specs very soon. This is sample knit #1, for Knitting with Sandra's yarn shop in Riverside, CA.

Today I went to check out Espace Tricot after having a nice lunch with Kadi. I don't get to see Kadi often, so it was nice to meet up. Mona was working today at Espace Tricot, so I went to visit.

Super nice in there. I recommend you going to check it out. I got to plop myself down on the comfy couch area, and knit a bit. Definitely a relaxing afternoon. Glad there was air conditioning in the store. It was approximately 32°C (89.6°F) for September 1st today! Way too hot for me, if you ask.

I've got yet another new Pampers Gifts to Grow Code that you can add to your account. Head on over to their website and enter this code: 10 point code: SepFacebook2010.

I've also got new Huggies Enjoy The Ride Reward points that you can add to your account. Head on over to their website and enter these 2 point codes: BJNDJSLLMDXJPGB (5 pts) and BGNDNHQCDQBMPGB (1 pt).

I started an audio book in my car yesterday. I've never listened to an Audio book before. I'm listening to Friday Night Knitting Club. So far, I'm enjoying it, and trying to not get distracted or have my mind wander off while listening. It's great, because I work 32 km (20 miles) away from home. I'm already 150 minutes into the audio book. Do you listen to audio books?

Still looking for baby boy names. This has got to be the most difficult thing I've ever done. Naming a 3rd son. Every name that Jamie and I actually agree on there is a reason why we can't actually use it. Either someone in the family is already named that, and we can't use it, amongst other reasons. I'm really upset right now. I hate that he has no name. I hate that we can't use our fave names. My hormones aren't helping either. Why is this so darn difficult?

I stood in line tonight and registered Sean for skating in the fall (Tiny Tots!) He's going to be starting in that, so he can learn to actual skate, before we sign him up for hockey. He's super excited. I couldn't believe the line-up tonight. At least I got to stand in line with one of Sean's buddy's dad, and we chatted and talked about daycare (they're in the same class), though he took a different time slot for his son, than what I registered Sean for. I actually registered Sean for a time slot that a lot of the other kids he's friends with (and parents I am friendly with) are doing. I would like to be able to go to as many lessons as I can, though as I progress in my pregnancy, we'll see how comfortable it is for me to actually attend. Hockey parents are psycho though... Pushing and shoving, cutting in line...! Crazy.

07.17.10 :: 25 months old

Mack is 25 months old today.

This morning Sean had soccer. He’s having a lot of fun. I wasn’t sure how today would go as it’s his first time playing in underwear, instead of in a pull-up (or diaper). The entire hour went fine, even with him drinking plenty of water to keep himself hydrated. Glad it didn’t rain all morning. It actually has been a storm for the most part of the afternoon and early evening. (Hard pouring rain).

We did manage to pick a really huge tomato before it started to rain.

And get homemade kebab’s on the grill.

These kebab’s were a really great idea. I’ve been eyeing them in the grocery store for a while now. For the first part, we had NO barbecue. And then once we actually got the barbecue hooked up, I’d see them again in the grocery store and say to myself that it’s just too expensive to buy pre-made. We finally found the time today to make them from scratch. Much better to feed a family of 4 this way. Saves a lot of money. We made about 12 kebabs with the amount of meat that we got that would have bought us maybe 4 kebab’s in the store. A little yellow & red peppers, and some onion… and we’re set. Oh, and don’t forget the Montréal Steak Spice. That’s the best ingredient. (We used Montréal steak spice on most of our red meat – it’s just THAT good). Dinner was delicious. We had a Caesar salad (which is my current pregnancy craving and a darn good idea that we planted Romaine lettuce in the garden) and everything was just so tasty. Yum!

Tonight I took a self night, as Jamie had hockey. I’ve been trying to catch up and go through the episodes of Oprah that I have on my PVR. Some I’m watching in full, and some I’m skipping through and some I’m not even watching at all (if the subject doesn’t interest me). I had gone from 65 episodes to catch up on, to 43 episodes. Now I’m down to 33. I figure eventually I have to catch up – as her show is ending. I never used to watch Oprah before. I got into watching her show while I was on maternity leave with Sean. Then kept watching it on my maternity leave with Mackenzie. After I went back to work last June, the episodes just kept piling up on my PVR. I’d watch an episode here or there when I had the time, but there’s 5 every week! I’m working, I’m running my household, doing laundry, doing dishes, keeping the boys entertained, knitting, reading, baking, cooking, gardening… when is there time for Oprah? Oh well. I’m trying to catch up as best I can while it’s not tv season (September to May). I’m a TV junkie sometimes. But I can say the same thing about anything I do. I’m a knitting junkie. I’m a book junkie. I’m a gardening junkie… the list can go on forever. Just like the laundry never ends. LOL.

I like Oprah. I like the people she has on (for the most part). I like the topics she discusses. Very interesting stuff. I also always find that I learn new things off Oprah. Tips, advice, you name it. A couple of good books I’ve read were Oprah suggestions. I think I’m going to miss Oprah once her show is off the air after 25 years. But I don’t blame her for wanting to go out with a bang. A very classy way to have an ending.

I’ve been knitting tonight too. I started a 2nd Girl Cap Sleeved Spring Shirt, this time for Zoe. Also in Cascade 220 Superwash, but in another colorway (Strawberry Pink this time). I’ll photograph it’s progress tomorrow. I tried on Bekah’s shirt on Sean today (just for size for length). I have a bit more length to do – maybe an inch to two inches, and then I can bind off. Really, again, I’ll say it – what a great knit. I’m really enjoying this one.

Today’s de-clutter progress is here. Today’s de-clutter was mainly focused in the kitchen. I managed to clean off the counters, as less is best. It’s looking a lot cleaner in the kitchen – which I’m happy about. I still have a bit more work to do – but it’s coming along in there (on the counters). I’m sure I can find more stuff to chuck/donate.

Alright, off to go read more in the book I’m currently reading. I’m getting a lot of ideas on how to live below your means, as I want to start saving more money. It’s really making me think about the way I shop. It’s also really making me think about what I already have, and how I can use the tools I already have. And also – for the stuff I already have – how to utilize it, cost efficiently. Everything in the end is absolutely related. I’m learning a lot – for the better.

07.08.10 :: 107 weeks old

Mack is 107 weeks old today.

Kept Mack home today.
He blew some kisses.
Besides his cough, you’d never think he was sick.

He certainly doesn’t look sick.
One more day he has to be cooped up in the house.
Poor guy.

While out in the yard this early evening, my next door neighbour asks us if we installed a camera on the roof of the house. We couldn’t figure out what on earth she was talking about. Then we saw this. (See to the left of the chimney?) My dad’s missing circular saw. He must have left it up there when he came to fix our gutters…. uhm…. eons ago. Too funny. We all got a good laugh about it. Jamie called my dad right away to let him know we found it! (I actually had no idea it was even missing).

Garden updates:


Green pepper! (We had this one at dinner tonight actually)


Cherry tomatoes slowly turning red.

We finally have snow peas growing.

And stringless beans.

Tonight I picked our first cucumber and our first zucchini.

I love that the only thing NOT from the garden for dinner tonight was the rice & meat. The salad, and grilled zucchini, as well as sliced cucumbers and green pepper were all picked before eating. I love summer. I love my garden. It’s 150% rewarding.

Sean woke up feeling fine today – so he did go to school. I have to keep Mackie home one more day tomorrow. I hope we both survive one more day being cooped up. He just wants to go out and play, and I really don’t want him to. I feel so bad, but I’d rather this cough go away than get worse. Not sure if this heat will affect him any. Plus, it’s way too hot to go out and play. I wouldn’t even want to go sit out in this weather.

The plumber finally came today to install our gaz bbq. We finally have a working BBQ again. So we grilled up our first zucchini (perfect timing for the zuke!) and some meat and dinner was delicious. (I had been chasing the plumber for about 2 weeks now to get them to come. It was either raining (and they couldn’t work outside) or the guy who had our stuff for the job wasn’t on call that day when it finally was nice. Finally it worked out today. Afraid to see the bill that will come in the mail though. Took 5 hours to get it all set up. Damn plumbers and them knowing how to charge up the wazoo…

Jamie had ball tonight, so I was left in charge of bedtime. You see, somehow Jamie’s bad cop and I ended up good cop. So the kids sometimes like to push my buttons. Tonight, somehow I got talked into an extra episode of Caillou before bed, 5 stories instead of 1, and extra milk. And it’s sooooo freakin’ hot out that I just didn’t care to fight or argue with them tonight. I got called back to the boys room a few times after they were supposed to be in bed tonight, and the final time, I found Mack had used the height of his bed to climb out of bed onto his changing table. I had to fight him to put him back into bed. Not sure why neither of them wanted to go to bed tonight. Is it a full moon or something? Or is it just the heat wave we have in Quebec? I have never eaten this many Popsicles in my entire life than I’ve had to keep me cool in the last couple of days. For example, it’s late night now, and it’s still 28°C (82°F) and with the humidex it’s 38°C (100°F). With the sun already set. Night time people. This is insane. They’re “calling” for rain tomorrow. Thunder showers to be precise. I hope so. I want it to cool down. That would be very nice.

If you were a 2 year old, where on earth would you stash your sandals when hiding them? Mack took off his sandals on Tuesday when he got home from work with me, and I can’t find them now. I’ve looked everywhere. I don’t get it. Sandals just don’t go missing. Yesterday when we left to go to the doctor, in this ridiculous heat, I had to put him in socks & his sneakers because I couldn’t find his sandals. It’s driving me nuts that I can't find them. I hope they turn up and I don’t have to turn the house upside down looking for them. Even our cleaning lady couldn’t find them when she was here. Sandals just don’t disappear. Do they?

I’ve been getting into the book I’m currently reading. I am about 100 pages in. (Amazon states there are 304 pages in the hardcover.) So I’m a third in, and I’ve just started it recently. I think it’ll be a fast read. I’m enjoying it so far.

Today’s Link Love:

-Thank you Cynthia for sharing a link to this awesome recipe. I hope to get to make it soon.
- Love this Gift-a-hint site. I know a few people who could use some of these products!
- Totally will have to make Zoe some of these cute pants.
- Love these felt headbands and these felt bracelets.
- Love these photos. They made me smile

Link Dislike today:
- Have you guys seen this? That’s just insane. It’s almost as bad as when a relative of mine’s ex was blog stalking me back when I was pregnant with Sean. No idea if they still read my blog or if they’ve finally moved on and gotten a life. See, articles like that, reassure me why I keep things simple on my blog and generalized. Sometimes I wish I could go more into detail with you guys, my beloved blog readers, but this day in age, you have to be careful. I’ve also stopped writing too personal of things on facebook as well. I keep it generalized and light.

06.23.10

SPECS:
Pattern: Zoe's Button-Up Baby Wrap
For: A photo prop for after Zoe’s born
Yarn: 2 skeins of Adrienne Vittadini Mia (had literally just enough)
Needles: US 17 - 12.75 mm
Size: for a newborn
Timeline: June 22 2010 (4 hours approximately)
Modifications: Knit pattern as written.
Opinion: I love it. I can’t wait to have a little baby to put into it.

Well, as you noticed above, I called my baby by name. Jamie and I finally decided on the spelling of her name, and our daughter will be Zoe Violet. Zoe’s been our girl name since we were pregnant with Sean. It was our girl’s name again when we were pregnant with Mackenzie. After 2 boys, I finally get to use the name. We were going to use Zoey Rose, but then 2 things changed. 1 – Jamie’s cousin had a Hannah-Rose, and calls her Rosie. I don’t want to step on any toes, so we’re not going to use Rose. Also – 2 – we decided to use Zoe instead of Zoey, since we can find name personalized things with Mackenzie & Sean, so it wouldn’t be fair if Zoey can’t get stuff with her name on it. I was thinking also maybe Zoë, but I don’t think Jamie likes that. Why, I don’t know? I think it’s different. I’m totally okay with it just being Zoe Violet without the e with the ë. I’ve liked the name Zoe forever. From as far back as I can remember. I also liked the name Noa, or NoaRaeAnne (I think I invented that one, used to use it as a screen name e-ons ago when I used to post on opendiary.com – when it was free before moving to blogger). Jamie’s late grandmother was Rae, but Zoe is higher up on my girls list for names. The Violet, it’s another flower, in honor of the late Rose. We might use Rose in hebrew (Varda) as Zoe’s hebrew middle name. (Still trying to work out the details of what her hebrew name will be). Oh, and I can paint her room Violet. How about that. My new found obsession with purple (since being pregnant with Mack!) I also love the name Abigail/Abbygail, thinking about using it as a hebrew name. I saw it on the list of hebrew names, but not sure if it’s appropriate. I thought it would be cute, because Zoe & Abby are 2 of the girl characters on Sesame Street. I’m a geek – I know. I have a couple of people I can ask, I’ll toss them an email, because Jamie seems to think that Abbygail is not a hebrew name. This website tells me otherwise. I think Abbygail Varda sounds really nice for a hebrew name.

In other knitting news, I’ve started a new knitting project. It’s the Baby Valentine Sweater. I got to the start of the lace pattern and I stopped working on it tonight as I need to re-read it tomorrow with a well rested mind. (It’s past 10 pm now and my pregnant brain don’t function so well at this hour). I am in love with this color of yarn (Colinette Jitterbug’s Whirly Fig). I just love working with Jitterbug. (To date my fave piece I’ve made is my Ishbel.

I had a good evening out with some knitting friends tonight, and we found somewhere that the service is great, the food is good, and so is the lighting. The place is owned by a family member of mine, and we even have a table reserved for us. Who could ask for anything better? I’m glad I was actually able to eat dinner, because the nausea is just killing me. A friend of mine suggested that maybe it’s the pre-natal vitamins that I am taking that is making me nauseas. (This article is interesting to read). She had that as her problem, so I’m going to see if by not taking them for a few days, if I am feeling better. If that is the case, I will switch and just take folic acid instead of the entire pre-natal vitamin. The only thing I’m loving is my really strong nails. They’re growing beautifully because of the pre-natal vitamins.

I’ve managed to round up a few more pattern prizes for the next giveaway. A lucky winner will win these patterns by Lisa: Sown, Seeded, Charm & Lucky. Don’t you just love these pattern names? I am working on a few other prizes, so I’ll keep you posted this week. Hoping that Tuesday’s final giveaway (I can’t believe it’s almost the end of the month already!) is sent off with a big bang!

We had an earthquake today mid-afternoon. I wasn’t even sure what was going on until it was over. It felt as if there was an 18 wheeler in my garage/driveway, revving. The worst of the damage here, was this toppled over umbrella in our backyard. I checked the house over, just to make sure. When I got back inside, still not sure what happened, I wasn’t the only person updating my facebook status stating “Was there just an earthquake?”… turns out, it was around 5.5 or 5.7 (depending on what source you find) on the Richter scale, originating between the Ontario and Quebec border between Montreal & Ottawa. The earthquake wasn’t scary or anything, but I had no idea what was even going on until after it was finished. I don’t ever think I’ve experienced an earthquake in Montreal.

Today’s Link Love:
- I wish I was more advanced in sewing, I’d love to make these shoes for Zoe.
- I’ve definitely collected plenty of changing pads over time with my 2 boys, but this tutorial is neat.
- Totally making this knitted shirt for one or both of my boys. It’s just too freakin’ cute.
- Loving the ENTIRE new Macy Gray album Sellout. Her voice rocks.

ps- Just a reminder that I'm throwing a contest for this entire month! Details are here.