Silas has an announcement...

He's proud to say that in April he's going to be a

That's right, the Wiebe family is adding to the global population crisis, and sometime in April we will be welcoming a new baby!!!  Yesterday the boys and I went to our midwives, who heard the baby's heartbeat.  I am 14 weeks pregnant, and happy to feel human again. 

Yes, we will be having a home birth.  No, I won't be getting an ultrasound to find out what we're having.  No, I'm not trying for a girl, I will be thrilled with another boy.  And yes, we are all so, so excited!!!

And, in case you were wondering, Eli is equally as proud:

Update on the Wiebes

Hello all.  So sorry it's been so long.  This life of mine has just been a little hectic as of late, and blogging has been last on my list of to-dos. Two years ago I would never have expected to STILL be living in my parent's basement.  And I promise, we've been trying to find our way out.  As of today (ask me again tomorrow) we are actually going to be moving in the next few weeks to the one bedroom basement suite we own.  It is just temporary, until our tenants in our condo move out, but it is time to fly the roost, even if our new roost isn't ideal.  I'm dying to have a permanent abode, to decorate and call my own.  Oh well, another few months and it will be so.

In the mean time, good things are happening.  Just two weeks ago this little guy turned 2!!!

Oh how I love him.  He's such a joy in our family.  He is fearless, never hesitating to follow his older brother and cousins wherever they may go.  He jumps everywhere he goes.  He is talking so well, trying out new words constantly.  He loves his daddy and almost every morning while eating breakfast cries, "Daddy, gone?!"  In the last few weeks we have moved both boys out of our bed and into their own room, and Silas loves it.  While Eli almost certainly crawls into bed with us sometime in the night, Silas usually sleeps a whole 12 hours in his big bed, only crawling in with me in the morning when he wants "mo"!  That's right, he is still nursing, and when I ask him if he wants some "mo" he usually squeals with delight, "Yeah!"  I love it!  He loves dressing up.  He has spent most of the last two weeks dressed as Buzz Lightyear (just like his big brother did at the same age.)  He loves pirates and whenever he sees any pirate paraphernalia he yells "Arggg!" He is strong willed and confident, and I hope those traits will help him grow to be a righteous, obedient boy. Eli says that he loves that "Silas likes to play with me."  Silas is such a blessing in our lives, and we are so grateful to have him around.  Happy birthday, little man!

 Silas is lucky enough to share a birthday with his cousin Charlie.  This year Charlie turned 8, and therefore got baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We spent both their birthdays at the baptism.  I can't think of a thing I'd rather do.  I love that both my boys have cousins that are such good examples of righteousness to them.

 Silas also is just two weeks younger than his cousin Nixon, who came to visit us for a few days this month.  It was so much fun to see them play, and dress up in their new birthday costumes. These two will be a riot in a few more years.  I can't wait to see them!

So that's it. Maybe I will get around to posting a few more of our September adventures.  I've justified not journalling the last few years because of this blog, and recently I haven't even been blogging.  I promise to get on it!

Hi-Ho, The Derry O

The farmer built a fence!

Last weekend we had a work day at the farm.  Jack had a fence, which I didn't take any before pictures of, but which was about the most derelict fence you've ever seen.  You see, for years it was a fence that kept goats in... or rather, a fence which tried to keep goats in.  There were so many pieces of this and that just holding the fence together.  First we tore the old fence down, replaced a few posts, and strung new, clean, sharp wire!  It was a fun day, and the boys were great helpers.

Eli spent most of his time with Jack doing real man's work!

Silas was quite content to hammer.  He wore through his plastic, Home Depot hammer and moved on to a real one. 

And after five hours we had a fresh new fence, just for Jack.  Most of you can't appreciate just how nice it is, but trust me, it's nice.  Here's to no barb wire incidents this month...

31 Years

Let me tell you something, turning 31 is not nearly as awesome as you think.  30, while it meant I was getting older, was kind of novel, kind of cool.  I mean, it had been a whole 10 years since I'd entered into a new decade.  People notice 30, whether they think it's awesome, or feel sorry for you.  31 on the other hand just cements the 30s in, without any of the radness.  When I was 10, my aunt Nancy had New Kids on the Block call me and sing their Happy Birthday song to me. I cried.  Didn't happen on my 31st. 

Still, it wasn't a half bad day.  I got to hang out with my Russell nephews and niece.  We burnt two entire batches of zucchini muffins, which were supposed to be my birthday cake.  I ruined the cream cheese icing, which I went out specifically to buy the ingredients for and ended up getting hit in the parking lot of Safeway in my brand new (to me) minivan.  Still, we ate the muffins, I ignored the dent, and I got sang to, not by the New kids, but by a bunch of kids I love so much more.

In the evening we went to our churches annual "Corn Bust."  I like corn.  I like busting.  It worked out.

And, when we got home, I opened my present from Jared, and couldn't have been happier:

My toes liked turning 31.  I will wear them everywhere.

Labour Day Labour

I was quite determined to get out and get physical with my family this Labour Day.  So, on Monday morning we headed out bright and early for Banff National Park to hike Johnson's Canyon.  We invited the masses, but only Jared's mom and sister Renee and her family came along.  Everyone else missed out, let me tell you, it was a blast!

 Here we are, after the hike.  We wanted to go all the way to the ink pots, but I've been sick as a dog for two weeks and just didn't have the energy, and while Eli was a real trooper, but was pooped by the upper falls.  5.2 km wasn't bad for either of us. Plus, I helped push my niece Rhiannon in her wheelchair most of the way up to the lower falls.

Not sure what face Jared is making here, but Eli is showing where we hiked. He was pretty proud. 

  

It was crazy busy, so we didn't get a chance to get a big group shot, but I did get a few gooders. 

 

 
And afterward, as a reward, we drove out to Lake Louise and got icecream.  The boys couldn't have been happier!

A four year old's hair crisis

If you think you know bad hair day, you don't know Eli's bad hair days.  On Sundays we dress up for church.  We iron our shirts and wear fancy shoes.  We pour over ties for at least five minutes.  And, unlike any other day of the week, we comb our hair.  Lately Eli has been very interested in Sunday hair styles, and this week he had a complete melt down over the state of his hair.  He wanted a mohawk, but his hair is just a little too long to make a stylish, subtle mohawk, so I said no.  Then he wanted it slicked with gel, then he wanted it all spiky.  We just couldn't agree on an appropriate style for church. Finally I gave in and handed over the comb, figuring that I wouldn't be judged too bad on my four year old's hair style.  This is what he came up with, and what he went to church with:

You can see the evidence of his melt down on his cheek.  I thought he looked charming!  By the time it dried he just looked like he'd slept on it, but oh well, he wasn't crying. Love. This. Boy.

And, for some after church photo joy:

PS Yes, I realize that I completely dropped off the face of the earth for the entire summer.  No, I don't promise not to do it again.  Let's not talk about it, okay? Done.

The Duketer

Here you have it folks, my favourite knit design yet!  It could be because it was inspired by my boys (remember Silas's birth announcement?  This pattern came out of that).  It could be because my sister, Chloe, took pictures of the finished product, and it looks so much better than I could ever make it look.  It could even just be that I'm getting better.  In any case, here's another knitting pattern for those interested.  The model is Mindy's new baby, Samuel, who is just about as cute as can be!  If you're looking for more, go to my Tutorial Tab at the top.

The Duketer

My 4 year old dotingly refers to his little brother as “The Duketer.”  This hat is for him. 

SIZE

Newborn, 3 months, 6 months

MATERIALS

Two colours in any worsted weight yarn to make gauge (I used Fleece Artist Africa, which has now been discontinued) Wool and wool blends would be better suited than cotton, as they stretch more.

1 set of 6 mm (US size 10) double-pointed needles (can use a 16” circular needle until decreases make using the DPN necessary)

Stitch Marker

Tapestry Needle

GAUGE

16 sts/22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st

PATTERN NOTES

2x2 Rib (Worked in the round over a multiple of 4 sts):
Round 1: [K2, p2] to end.
Repeat this round for 2x2 Rib.

I-cord  When working an I-cord you do not turn the work.  Instead, you use double pointed needles, slide all the stitches to the other end of the needle, switch the needle back to your left hand, bring the yarn around the back of the work, and start knitting the stitches again, keeping the yarn quite tight. Repeat this row after row to form the I-cord. 

Use the Stationary Joggless Stripe Technique to make the stripes even. 

DIRECTIONS

Newborn (3 months, 6 months)

CO 52 (60, 64) stitiches in A. Divide stitches between needles

Place marker and join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

Work in 2x2 rib for 5(7, 8) rows.

At this point you will knit every round, switching between colour A and colour B.  You can decide when to switch, but here is how I have done it, the numbers representing the number of rows of each colour.   (For the smaller sizes, once you get to the I-cord, stop the sequence and skip to the i-cord rows at the end.)

5 (7, 8) rib, 3, 2, 5, 3, 2, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 5, 3, 2, 2, 3, 4, 2, 3, 6, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 4, 2, 3, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2, 4, 2, 3,  7 i-cord, 8 i-cord

Row 6-23(29, 34) - After the rib, knit for 18(22, 26) rows, switching between colour A and colour B

Row 24(30, 35) – [K 11(13, 14), K2Tog] around

Row 25 (31, 36) (and every other round) – Knit

Row 26 (32, 37) – [K 10(12, 13), K2Tog] around

Row 28(34, 39) – [K 9(11,12), K2Tog] around

Row 30(36, 41) - [K 8(10, 11), K2Tog] around

Row 32(38, 43) - [K 7(9, 10), K2Tog] around

Row 34(40,45) - [K 6(8, 9), K2Tog] around

Newborn size only:

Row 35-42 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 43 - [K 5, K2Tog] around

Row 44-51 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 52 - [K 4, K2Tog] around

Row 53-60 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 61 - [K 3, K2Tog] around

Row 62-69 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 70 - [K 2, K2Tog] around

Row 71-78 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 79 - [K 1, K2Tog] around

Row 80-87 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 88 – K2Tog around

Row 89 - 103 - Knit an I-cord

Row 101 – K2Tog twice, Cast off

Cut cord, leaving enough length to tie on the pom-pom

3 month size only

Row 42 – [K7, K2Tog] around

Row 44 – [K6, K2Tog] around

Row 45-52 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 53 - [K 5, K2Tog] around

Row 54-61 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 62 - [K 4, K2Tog] around

Row 63-70 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 71 - [K 3, K2Tog] around

Row 72-79 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 80 - [K 2, K2Tog] around

Row 81-88 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 89 - [K 1, K2Tog] around

Row 90-97 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 98 – K2Tog around

Row 99 - 113 - Knit an I-cord

Row 114 – K2Tog twice, Cast off

Cut cord, leaving enough length to tie on the pom-pom

6 month size only

Row 47 – [K8, K2Tog] around

Row 49 – [K7, K2Tog] around

Row 51 – [K6, K2Tog] around

Row 52-59 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 60 - [K 5, K2Tog] around

Row 61-68 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 69 - [K 4, K2Tog] around

Row 70-77 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 78 - [K 3, K2Tog] around

Row 79-86 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 87 - [K 2, K2Tog] around

Row 88-95 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 96 - [K 1, K2Tog] around

Row 97-104 – Knit (8 rows)

Row 105 – K2Tog around

Row 106- 120 - Knit an I-cord

Row 121 – K2Tog twice, Cast off

Cut cord, leaving enough length to tie on the pom-pom

FINISHING

Create a large pom-pom using my tutorial or another method with colour A and B.  Sew the pom-pom onto the end of the i-cord.  Sew in ends. 

Find it on Ravelry here!