"What Is This?" Sunday

In good old tradition we hereby proceed to the well beloved feature...

What Is This?

I am certain you should have no problem with this, and I also think I should pick trickier stuff.
Last week it was, of course, a tea bag. Jhadur, Fame and Honor to you!

Today is a very exciting day for me. Family from the USA is coming to visit, for 2 weeks and I can't wait for them to finally get here. Richard is picking them up from the airport, and of course he could not help himself and had to take Elijah with. They haven't seen him since he was 7 months, and they are going to be so amazed to see how much he grew and how much he learned. He now walks, semi talks and eats anything he can get his little hands on. And then there is the firm believe that he is a mountaineer, nothing is to high for him to climb on. (A new set of challenges, diving head first of the bed did not do him all that good. The bruise is slowly getting better though...) But we do practice, and it is quite a blast to see him walk now.

Elijah's Easy-On Preview

May I present: Elijah's Easy-On. It is a vest, but on the left side it is open and can be buttoned if the designated wearer prefers to be dressed in an alternate way. My baby does...
This was a pretty quick knit. If other projects had not taken up so much time in between I might have finished this in a few days. The size is generous, but hey, they grow fast and I rather have him look funny for a month than have me do all the work for nothing.
The yarn used is Rowan Wool Cotton, and I do like it for this project even though it is a rather heavy, drapery stuff and it will stretch a bit, so after the fist wash you probably gain 1" in lenght. That is not bad but good to know.
This pattern should be ready to be published this month, but due to a short visit in hospital (again) I am feeling a bit tired, I need to rest a lot and so I am behind in quite a few duties and likes.

On to a different subject: I did receive this book in the mail, send to me by Natalie (from the Yarn Yard in case I did not mention it before, go look at her beautiful stuff!) and she got it for me at the I-Knit in London early September. I did ask if she could bring me something because I am no longer allowed to travel, and it was awfully nice of her to do so. The Yarn Harlot was there, and this book is signed! I don't get very excited about autographed items, but this is very neat. So: Thank you Natalie!

Having Fun Today

I have discovered how much I enjoy spinning! It took almost a decade for me to sit down and try, but now I am experimenting with a Louet Spinning wheel that a wonderful Lady from the local Historical Society has borrowed me (for an indefinite lenght of time). I am also using a drop spindle and seem to have more fun with it, although both options are very enjoyable. And slowly I am having more success, the yarn looks and feels smoother, and plying two strands works without having too much twist. I'm hooked!

I have also started to knit a couple of things I had been planning for some time, as they are patterns and I am not famous for following them. This time (I promised myself) I would not 'just change this' or 'adjust that', but go by the book, letter by letter. We shall see.
Right now I'm holding up well, and enjoy the chance to learn more tricks and techniques from the respective designers, one has to take any chance one gets!

On Baby news: he turned one year old, my Precious! Considering the tough year we had I am absolutely excited! And of course, he had no clue what was going on. But he did notice that this day meant a lot of attention for him, he was playing Casper for us. In the end he had the tummy full with fruit pie, and he ended up hitting his head in all the excitement. But he is fine, and we will party a bit longer today. The candle you see there was decorated by my husband and I. It's a family tradition, every year on your birthday one get's a candle with some relevant stuff from the previous year.

And no, it's not going to be lit. This one is for the treasure chest.

Nachholbedarf

I am posting again, there is just so much catching up to do and I really enjoy this right now. The German word "Nachholbedarf" sums it up perfectly. It includes an air of time lost.

First let me show you the pictures of my Heart Cardigan. I love the wool I got to use, Frangipani's stuff is good to knit with and I noticed that the wool softens with each wash. (Yep, this Cardigan has been done for just a little while...and well used.)
I thought of this shape when I looked at the book Knitting in the Old Way where so much information can be found. The wide collar and the simple cut just was most appealing to me, and now I can also say that it wears very comfortable.
The pattern was an easy thought too: I like seed stitch very much, I need healthy hearts and the design in between symbolizes the waves of my beloved North Sea and the winds up here. The buttons by the way are some vintage glass ones that I managed to get from my Mom. She used to have this gigiantic button jar, and one day she decided to donate the buttons. And I got to sift and pick first.
So I am happy with this project. It is very dangerous to just knit on and I did not even do a swatch. (Children, don't do this at home, swatches save projects!)

Now to the next topic, the kindness of people. No, I really have to say I am amazed how much presents I got while in hospital. Granted, I only had someone visit once a week as the hospital is so $@&$!# far away, but still...
The first one I got was a wonderful surprise. I had signed up for a swap but then I got worse and knew I would not be able to participate after all. (To this day I have never been able to be part of a swap!) So I did the proper thing and let the organizers know, so that my swap-partner would not wait in vain.
A couple of weeks later this thick envelope appeared. It was from the swap partner that I would have had, and she wrote me a wonderful letter as well as sending me some neat things. One of which is adorning Mr. Sheep here. Ute, thank you, I can only say you made my week.
Another envelope was waiting for me when I got home. A friend that you also got to know as Mr. Transformer's Mittens had knitted a absolutely fantastic jacket for Kamikazee Kid. It's still a bit big, but at the current rate he'll fit in it perfectly in about 48 hours. (Just kidding, give it 4 weeks or so.) There was also an very thoughtful letter, I was really touched. Well and Baby is happy about something that's soft and snugly.

And of course there are many more to tell about, but they don't read my blog. I'll just hope they are happy with the (most sincere) thanks they got.

Kamikazee Kid

The challenges one faces with a little kid are endless. Looking at my almost 1 year old son, or Kamikazee Kid as I like to call him at this present time, I am just amazed how much one day can change. All the sudden he sits on his own. And I barely turn around and he's crawling.
Seconds later he earns his new "name" by matching each tables corner with his forehead. He's now standing, and -beware!- he'll be running for the stairs any second now. Good that we are putting up gates that only open with a retina-scan!
Yet there is nothing one would want different. How fiercely one can love a human being! And he makes my day with just one little smile.

Oh, and sorry Dad, I am out of touch with time and entirely forgot fathers day. But the card your mom send was very nice, so that has to do for me too, and I'll splurge on a nice round of Italian ice cream next weekend....

To Jump Over The Own Shadow

The Baby Cardigan is finished, in record time if one considers my former dislike for knitting these tiny baby things. Yes, former dislike, I had so much fun knitting this that I am already thinking of an adult version for myself, and also a few more baby items to have handy for those times where everybody seems to have a baby born all the sudden.

I still struggle to knit for Elijah though. I think that he can’t wear knitted things so well up here, we have so much wind at the coast and it just does not keep warm enough. Actually it probably does better than anything else, just worn underneath something, but I think I’ll wait until he does not grow 2” a weeks and then we both will have more fun. Yea, people have called me heartless and cold because my Baby is not well stocked but I just don’t want too…

Knitting this jacked I did try a couple of things new. I knitted bobbles, which I did before, but not as many in one spot and I tried to cast off with bobbles so the edging is pretty neat. And I stitched a little flower on the right arm, also something I’d like to do more often but I just need to practice more. But all in all this was a nice, fast project where I was able to do exactly what I liked, for example the arms are kept pretty short and the body is a bit longer. But normal rules don’t quite apply to babies; they do have short extremities and a bigger rump.

In the news: I returned from my hospital appointment, and I am still improving a bit. It does not change my status and I still can’t function very well, but it means that I will be stronger for any surgery that is heading my way. Hey, the baby is getting heavier all the time, gotta keep up…

Preview...

Here it is, the first glimpse of the Baby jacket that I personally thought would never happen. And I need to confess that I am actually having fun! I never thought I would, even my own Son has no knitted items of mine maybe that will change now.

I like to knit Bobbles, but I tend to take a real shortcut. I am not sure where I heard of this, I think it was someone’s blog and I do remember that person got it from someone else as well and then I messed with it some more. (As there is always this hot topic Copyrights..... )

To make a Bobble:

-Pick up the thread between 2 stitches. Knit, purl, knit, and purl on it so you have 4 stitches.

-Slip the stitches back on the left needle, and knit again.

-Slip the stitches back on the left needle a second time and knit again.

-Now slip the stitches back on the left needle knit 2 stitches together through the back of the loop, and knit 2 stitches together.

-Now you still have 2 extra stitches, since you picked up between your counted stitches. I usually finish the row, and on the way back (or next row if you knit in the round) I slip the stitch before the first bobble stitch, and then that first bobble stitch, and knit them together through the back of the loop. Then I knit together the second bobble stitch and the following stitch. (Gosh, I hope this makes sense!)

Well, I hope this helps.

On a different note: my Son has discovered that bars keep him in. He wants’ out. And it's funny, because he tries to pull himself through the bars, up on the bars, or gen

erally against the bars. It's funny. Not much longer and he'll sit up on his own.

About me: I think that all in all I'm doing fine. Considering things. But on Thursday (the coming one) I have a Cardiology Ambulant Assessment because I am still not officially on the transplant list. Over the last 4 weeks since my last visit in the Clinic I have not improved, and some new issues emerged, but I hope that they are related to the medications I'm taking. But that would not be good either, so I got to just think of that as the lesser evil.

Well, they always tell you to bring a packed bag... So I might be gone for a while. Wish me luck.

How To Know When He Is Hungry...

(Imagine following scene. Your beloved Baby is laying in his playpen, content and playing. He had a good night, and his tummy is taking the carrot-potato try from yesterday well. So all is good.)

Baby: Gwaaaaa, grrrrlll, hwwwwwwt....
Mom: Hello Little One you sound like you are having fun...
Baby: Grrrrraaaaaaaaa....hmmmmm
Mom: Oh, oh, hmmm.... what's wrong, do you need your toy back? Here.
Baby: Gwaaaaa, hwwwwwwt, groooooblblblb.....
Mom: Ah, that was it, you sound happy again.

10 minutes later:

Baby: Groooblblbl, hmmmmm.... hhhhmmmmmmmmm....... hhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
Mom: Uh, everythign OK? Do you want to cuddle for a bit? Come here, we'll play "tickle the Baby" on the couch.

Mom is picking up the Baby, proceeds to the couch and tickles Baby's tummy until Baby laughs out loud...

Baby: Heeeeheeeeewwlll, heheheheeeeee, squeal, squeal, hhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
Mom: Hhhmmmmm? But we where having fun.... let me see your cute little face....
Baby: Waaaaahhh.....
Mom: Oh, the corners of your mouth are moving downwards..... the lower lip is quivering....
Baby: Wahhhhh, wahhhh, wahhhhh, hhhhmmmmmm, whaaaa! Daaaabbbaaaa wahhhh!
Mom: Are you hungry? Darn, how long ago was the last bottle?
Baby: Wahhhhhhhhhhh, wahhhhhhhhh!

At this particular point tears start to flow. He's hungry, and nothing and nobody but a fast room service can save the situation now. Mom is putting Baby in the playpen and runs for the kitchen. The angry screams get desperate.... but the bottle is still too warm.... precious seconds are lost.

Baby: Wahhhhhh, hhhmmmmm, sniff blagg, hmmmmmmm....
Mom: Here little guy, hold still so that I can put the nunny in your mouth... no, hold still you can't eat with your nose!
Baby: Waaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... mhmhmhmhmh

Silence, mid scream. Only the sucking and occasional mh mh is left, the situation is resolved.

Awwwww.....

There he is. Asleep, for a change. (Now where I am 6 months old I don't need to sleep anymore...) He is teething, and that comes with spitting and fever, and the doctor congratulated me on an especially stubborn child. Great. How many teeth is he getting again?

But what can I say? I just love this kid so much I don't mind overtime...

Happy New Year!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, count your blessings, cherish the people you love and enjoy more what you have instead of worrying about what you might not have. Live every day to the fullest, enjoy the quiet moments and the chaotic ones. Whatever you might believe in, right now you only have this life and it is to precious to be wasted on little issues. Share what you have so others can enjoy it or even just live their lives better.

My plans for 2008? To follow my own advice, to knit a lot, to remember my Blog anniversary this time and to be healthy enough to keep up with my son and husband. Not much, really. And you?

At least this little one had no need for a late night to declare his promises and wishes, all he wanted was a nice warm bottle and a cuddle after some firecrackers woke him.

Back To Life, For Now

Oh yes, I am back! I have been offline for 3 months now and I have to catch up. I have pictures to show and I have news to tell. Today we start with some pictures...

I still had no opportunity to show the nice presents I got from my friends in Edinburgh. So I will do that first, even though Elijah is no longer fitting all of the clothes, the Surprise Baby Jacket was to small first but he really liked it because he had his hands free and the material is extremely soft. (I did wash it by hand...) And in the red jacket he looks like some kind of Gartenzwerg, really cute. For the distinguished look he prefers the nice white Cable Jacket, and for the relaxing times he will wear a pullover. Well, he is growing out of the pullovers. He grows out of everything and that fast.

He also got a wonderful blanket that a friend of mine made for him. He loves to sleep on it, and at the present time he loves to chew on the corners. But then he does chew on everything. He is getting the first teeth, and he does feel the pain.

And there is the Elephant. He really likes it, but as he really is eating and chewing everything at the time it is safer with me, and he gets to hold it once in a while for photo shoots... As you can see he is wearing a Chicago Bears shirt, that is where his Grandpa's loyalties lay. I decided that any kind of sport that involves running into each other is no good for my little one...

On other news: we do live in Germany now, my husband was able to find work with the same company. Me and Elijah are home at my mom's place, as I do need care now. We had to move here because I did not recover from my heart problems, at this time we are not sure what might be necessary to keep me around for a long time.
But it is nice to be with family, and I am getting specialist care. The Baby Boy is doing well and a joy. And I got my knitting groove back! And so I will present my knitted works (not that many, but some at least...) in the next post that I will be able to write as I now have the Internet again. Finally.

Oh, and here you can learn more about the Elephant who is actually named Elijah himself... http://ysolda.com/wordpress/2007/10/14/elijah/

Ha, Just For Good Measure....

Yawn...

We Did It!

Oh I know I promised knitting photos, and you shall get them soon... but first things first: welcome Elijah! After a very dramatic return to hospital and an emergency C-Shection on July 21st he was delivered at 18:13 PM, at 4 pounds, 15 ounces and 18". Or 2.24 kg, 47 cm. He was born at 36.1 weeks, and had to spend 6 days in Neonatal Care. I was not very well myself, but it was very hard to be separated from Elijah and when we finally got home yesterday evening bliss just took over.... And the 3 hourly feedings. But knitting will not be forgotten.

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments and wellwishes. I will find time to write everyone soon... I hope.

Home, for now...

Well I am home for now, after a couple of very intense weeks in hospital (I almost had a C-Section on July 9th...) I have been allowed back to bed rest at home. I need to bring my overnight bag to all appointments just in case. So just wish me and Baby just about 2 more weeks of this body sharing experience...
But the good news right now is that the Baby grows well and is moving like there is nothing to do but exercise. Very important.

Knitting. I did knit, some... I did not get to knit as much as I wanted too, I was too exhausted to do much but sleep. But I made some progress and shall duly post pictures tomorrow. Or so. Promise.

And a huge thank you to the wonderful person that has been e-mailing me almost every day, you kept me a bit saner than I might have otherwise been. You know who you are. (You should...)

Forced To Take A Break

For now I have done all my practicing. I have sorted all the stuff we already have. I have been eating like mad so I won't starve. My Husband has been spoiling me as much as humanly possible.
And now I don't have a choice, I am forced to take a break. Saturday morning I am checking myself back into hospital, following Doctors orders. There will be knitting, there will be sleeping, but there will be no blogging for at least 2 weeks. Worse, it might be quiet on this front until the Baby is born...
So wish me luck, and keep your fingers crossed. I shall return...

Short Visit...

Yes. Another entry without knitting... I will catch up on that as well. Maybe tomorrow...?

But let me explain: As it so happens I have been in and out of the hospital during the last 3 weeks, mostly just in triage but admitted twice, once for 3 days and now for 5 days. Today I was released for 4 days to spend time with my husband as this might be the last days we have alone without baby. I seem to be unable to keep my heart rate at a healthy pace, and although there is no real worry for my safety and the baby is doing well and grows like wild I am being monitored, now officially on bed rest and with medication to keep me 'straight'. My 'due date' has been moved up and I think the baby is going to be extracted in week 37, I am now in week 32. So on Saturday I get to go back to the ward, and get to remain for at least 10 days for monitoring and safekeeping while my husband has to spend some time in Germany for a conference he just can't miss. (I do hope he will have some fun though. He has never been to Cologne!) And there is this possibility that I do not get to go home until the baby is born, I shall go crazy...

I do have some plans this week:
-Snuggle, snuggle, snuggle!
-Snuggle some more.
-Visit my City Knitty's on Wednesday, the doctor gave permission for me to go out as my Dear is driving me there...
-Organize some baby stuff and pack properly for any case.
-Balance my check book... Argh....
-Order yarn. Just cause.
-Catch up on blogging. I can read e-mail, but using the internet for anything else is a pain in that (any) hospital.
-Eat in advance. They seem to think pregnant women can live of 3 not too big meals a day. Nuts.

We'll see how much I get to do. I am on bed rest after all...

Oh, and thank you for the nice comments on my recent entries! I try to reply but of course it does not work as planned. Please keep them coming!

More Knitting In Progress...

Now where I seem to have more time on my hands (as I am supposed to take it easy, way easy) I seem to start a lot of knitting projects. Please feast your eyes on the vibrant colors to your left, my swatch (yes, I knitted a swatch!) for another baby blanket is just brimming with acrylic magic. That's what you get when you let your husband choose the yarn, but I should have known... See exhibit A... the socks he wanted me to knit him last year. He just has a thing for very bright color choices, and I am loving it as I would never ever knit that for myself, ever... He does have to wear a suit all day which does make for some bland work day color choices... So imagine him being rebellious: he sits down in his meeting, wearing a nice pin stripe dark blue suit, a nice white shirt and an appropriate tie. Shoes polished, but oh, what's that?! The socks, look at the socks... (He does this. Really. People love it.)

I have been up to more than just reminiscing though. I started a pair of socks for myself, with more of that famous Yarn Yard Yarn, and the pattern is from here although I am knitting the body of the sock (one at a time!) toe up again so I can practice some more. (By the way: the first pair of toe up socks was happily received by my Doc, mensch was he happy!)

Otherwise I am doing well, baby is actually very well. We had our 28 week appointment today, and the midwife and the doctor are happy but just keep telling me again to take it easy, of course I am more than happy to oblige as the alternative would be bed rest. Not good knitting then, I am only envisioning a very, very grumpy me if bed rest really happens. Wish me luck.

Odds (New) and Ends (Old)

So here is the picture of my first (let me emphasize that... #1) pair of toe up socks. I am quite pleased, and on Wednesday they will be delivered to my Doctor, he'll be happy... I just wish he did not have such long feet.
It feels good to know how to do this, I will probably knit a lot more socks toe up. The heel is nice but I will also teach myself the Dutch Heel for this, and I am still looking for a nice bind off at the top. Maybe a nice sewn one? Elizabeth Zimmerman explains how to in her book "Knitting Without Tears" if I am not mistaken. (Please feel free to correct me...)

Since I am having this baby in about 10-12 short weeks I decided I should get going on some stuff.

So I started a baby blanket, as my Mom has been telling me all these horror stories about babies needing gazillions... apparently I was one of those who always wanted to share my meals as a newborn. (Yes, I do know about the cheap receiving blankets one should really use for that... I'll have plenty.)

Since we're at it: me and the baby are doing well. I am amazed that one can enjoy pain so much, after all this little one is getting strong and kicks a lot, preferably in my kidneys and my lower abdomen. But I have been told my my diligent team of doctors that taking it really easy is the way to go. I am not on bed rest, but the next best thing.
Wish me sanity. I can't even sit still through a movie.

Totally Knitting Unrelated...

I know. This has nothing to do with knitting. At all. I promised myself when I started this blog that I would keep my personal life out of it, and if I had to stray from that I would tie it to knitting or at least fiber-related somethings. (Or sneak in comments, hiding them in nice clean knitting related entries...)

Somehow life has a tendency to totally change. And this is proof at it's best, a picture of my beautiful growing 26 week old baby, just rudely woken up by a nice ultrasound technician and her prodding device. We do not know if it is a girl, or a boy, and I suppose it will remain a total surprise to us. Like we care... We just want a healthy, happy baby, and yes we are right on schedule so far, textbook growth and all. Junior(ette) is already taking over my life, it's a miracle I'm knitting at all right now considering what a space head I have become.
Now I know I 'incorporated' the news of my impending motherhood previously, however I suppose starting today there might just be more 'totally knitting unrelated' posts to be found.
No worry, it's still a knitting blog.