I've got a nest, now to nest!

Seriously, at 33 weeks pregnant I should have this undeniable urge to deep clean, shouldn't I? Well, I am so tired and unmotivated, that I am seriously worried that this nest of mine is going to remain in total disarray forever.  Today I made myself dig out my newborn diapers to wash. I even emptied a drawer in my dresser to fill with the clean diapers. 

I've looked at my clothes bins, but not gone through them to find the newborn clothes and wash them.  I have a whole box of receiving blankets and baby wraps that also need to find their way to the laundry.  And that's totally ignoring the load of clothes from the four of us on the outside that remain unwashed. 

In three weeks I have a home visit with my midwives, where I'm supposed to have a whole list of things ready for them to go through for our homebirth.  I've looked at my birth bins numerous times, but have yet to crack them open.  Since I've yet to actually have a homebirth, and so therefore have used very little of my homebirth supplies, I'm pretty sure I'm stocked. 

But, my baseboards are dirty.  I need to clean my baseboards.  And I'd like to do some dehydrating and food prep for after the baby is born.  I've still got a handful of baby things I want to sew/knit/make.  I haven't seen my horses in weeks, even though I promised myself to keep up riding until the end (last time I rode my belly kept hitting the horn and it wasn't very comfortable.) 

So, where is it?  The nesting instinct that I'm supposed to be overcome with?  The burst of energy to get all this stuff done?  Luckily Jared is the best husband in the entire world and has done a lot of the stuff I don't have the energy for.  This weekend he installed hooks and shelves in our otherwise storage-less bathrooms. He set up a shelf in the basement for all our linens which have been siting in a corner of our bedroom since we moved in.  He didn't even complain when I took over a little more of his closet space.   So, here I sit waiting for the elusive nesting instinct to kick in.  If anyone else is feeling it, feel free to come over.

Busy Bag Bonanza

So, in an attempt to get some crafty things done (besides knitting) before this baby comes, I am hosting a Busy Bag Bonanza in a few weeks.  Basically, every person comes with enough supplies to make one of the same busy bag for each of the other guests.  That way each momma will leave with as many different busy bags as there are people at the party.  I already have 11 people confirmed coming, so I should be stocked!  I figure busy bags will be perfect in those weeks after the bean within is born.

I've been asked what a busy bag is, and basically it is a small craft/activity contained in a bag, ready to be brought out to entertain kids at a moment's notice.  I think it will be great to have one or two in my diaper bag, and bring a few to church each week.  I'm excited to see what other mommas come up with, but as I've been searching, here are a bunch that I think are fantastic:

There are seriously so many more out there, but these are a few that are inspiring me. I could go on, and on, and on. Here's a link to my ever growing board on Pinterest devoted just to busy bags.  I'm liking the more educational ones: colour matching, counting, letter matching, etc. I also, no surprise, like anything made with felt.  I love felt.

So, here's to the Busy Bag Bonanza!  If you live near me, and you'd like to partake, join us on facebook:
Busy Bag Bonanza!

To Whom it May Concern:

Actually, To the male shop owner of the yarn store, the checkout girl at the grocery store, the random woman walking her dog, and various others who need this:

I am 32 weeks pregnant.  I still have 8 weeks to go before I even begin expecting this little one growing inside of me to make his or her way out, and I'm willing to take that to 10 weeks.  I am measuring right on track. No one is concerned about my size, my weight gain, or my ability to hold my baby in my womb while shopping for milk and eggs. I do not, while I am buying my yarn, my groceries, or anything else, need to hear any of the following comments:

1. You must really be counting down the days?!?  8 weeks?!  Well....
2. April?  When you walked in here I thought, "Wow, she's going to give birth in the store!"
3. Twins?
4. You aren't due until April?  Holy crap!  Well, I guess it's almost the end of February, so only 5 weeks away.  I would have thought you were about to pop. 
5. How uncomfortable you must be...?

First of all, let's discuss the term, "about to pop."   Has anyone ever witnessed the "popping" of a pregnant woman?  I've seen a lot of births. I've been through two of my own.  I can assure you there is nothing "popping" about bringing a baby into this world.  Secondly, no pregnant woman, no matter how confident or assured she is, wants to be told how huge she is.  Every time I bite my tongue so I don't retort with, "Well, I'm growing a healthy baby inside me, what's your excuse?!"  At times I am dying to explain to random people, who obviously know nothing about pregnancy and birth, the nitty gritty of what's going on inside my body, and just why saying such things is so rude. 


On the other hand, I've got a letter for another group of people as well:

To the sweet girl in my homeschool speech arts class, the woman shopping at the antique store, my friend (who happens to be a midwife) in Idaho who didn't even know I was pregnant and so many others:

Thank you for the following comments which make me feel beautiful, empowered, respected and excited about my upcoming birthing:

1. Do you mind if I touch your belly, I just love to see pregnant women!
2. You look amazing, how much longer do you have?
3. Is baby kicking?  Isn't that the most amazing feeling?  Not much longer until he'll be kicking on the outside.
4. You are almost there and are going to do amazing.  I can't wait to hear the story.


And, To all those who don't know what to say:

Remember Thumper's dad who said, "If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all."  You don't actually have to say anything. Feel free to treat all pregnant women like normal people.  On the other hand, every pregnant woman loves to hear how great they look.  Most don't even mind answering questions.  But, check your response to the answers and try just answering with a "Well, you look fantastic!"  It will make her day, I promise. 

Crocheted Camera Strap Sleeve - Pattern

I promised you two patterns soon, and this is not one of them.  Sorry.  It is, still, a pattern, but not one of the two I promised. You will have to keep waiting for those.  My friend Laura asked me to knit her a camera strap.  I didn't, I crocheted her one instead.  It's super easy, and with the chunky (washable!) yarn, it is so squishy and nice.  I want one around my neck. It is basically a knit tube that you just slide over your existing strap.  You can embellish it however you like.  I made this flower but you add some buttons, another flower, or just leave it plain. 

So, here it is.  This pattern has not been tested, so please let me know if it needs some tweaking!

Crocheted Camera Strap Sleeve

SIZE

One-Size

MATERIALS

Berroco Vintage Chunky (Bulky / 12 ply, 50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon, 130 yards / 100 grams )

Crochet Hook US H/5 mm

Tapestry needle

PATTERN NOTES
dc = double crochet

sc = single crochet

DIRECTIONS

Row 1: Chain 15

Row 2: Sc in second chain from hook and sc across -14 sts
Row 3: Ch 1, (2 sc in next sc) twice, sc 10 across, (2 sc in next sc) twice - 18 sts

At this point you are going to join to crochet in the round and continue this way until the piece measures 26 inches (or the length of your camera strap.)

Round 1: Sc in the third sc from the opposite end of the piece (creates a tab, used later for a button) - 16 sts

Round 2 and beyond: alternate between sc row sections and dc row sections of varying lengths for 26 inches total, always alternating at the "back" of the camera strap (hold the strap so that the flap at the beginning is at the middle front to determine where the back would be).

Decreasing round: Once you have reached 26 inches you will need to taper the end to hold the strap snug.  To do this do two rounds of crocheting 2 stitches together at either side of the strap: 

Round 1: From the center back sc 3, sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, sc 3 - 14 sts 

Round 2: Sc around

Round 3: Sc 2, sc2tog, sc 4, sc2 tog, sc2.  

Break ends, pull through and weave in end.

Finishing: go back to the beginning and sew on a button under the button flap.  You will slide the sleeve over your strap from this end and use the button to secure it (the tapering at the other end will do the trick there.)

Embellish your strap as you wish with a flower, buttons, etc.

You can find the pattern page on Ravelry and upload your own projects there!

The Posts in my Head

Rude that none of you have been commenting on all the posts I haven't posted.  I know my blogging has been dismal of late, but I've got other things on my mind: growing a baby to be exact.  Not surprisingly, pregnancy thoughts, birth thoughts, and baby thoughts are dominating my every moment these days. 

I've continued to knit/crochet like crazy.  Today I have two little gift sweaters for other pregnant mommies to finish up.  I'm desperately trying to finish the blessing gown that I started when I was pregnant with Eli.  If this is a girl, she'll need one when Jared blesses her in church. It happens to be the most boring crochet project on the face of this planet, although the results are nice.  I'm giving myself two weeks of steady work, and then it will be complete. I'd love to get my bedroom organized, the garage cleaned, and a few other final "moving in" things done before the baby comes, because I'm well aware it won't happen any time soon after the baby is here.  I've still got to buy a car seat, diapers, a birth tub among other things. I've actually gone through my girl clothes and pulled out the few newborn girl things I've bought on sale through the years.  It is sitting out so that if this bump happens to be a girl bump we can throw it in the wash and she can have something dainty to wear.

The boys are getting into this whole baby thing. This morning, when Silas and I woke up (my early riser), the first thing he did was touch my stomach and say, "Hi Baby, it wake up time!"  Eli is thoroughly interested in the exit of babies. I've told him how he came out (via cesarean section), compared to how Silas entered the world, and how I plan on this baby coming. He constantly asks questions about it: "What kind of animal are penguins?  How do they have babies?  What about snakes, do their babies have to be cut out?  And cows, do their babies get cut out?"  I try to keep my stories of his birth positive and let him know that even though I want my other babies to come out differently than he did, being "cut out" was a good thing for him and something I'm happy exists so that he could come to me safely.  I'm excited to have my boys there for my birth to see how peaceful and wonderful welcoming a baby into the world can be. I know that's not for everyone, but I'm thrilled to be having a homebirth so that it can be for me.

In other news, we have officially decided to not put Eli in Kindergarten next year. We will begin homeschooling him.  All the reasons why will surely fill a whole other blog post, but know that I am excited and glad I don't have to send him out every day just yet.

Call it what you want, baby.

Some may call it an obsession, but I call it a healthy hobby.  I have been knitting like mad lately.  Mad, I tell you.  I've had several custom orders, a few test knits to do, never mind the list of things I want to make for my own little bump within.  I don't have pictures of them all, but to prove my time is well spent, here's a few of the projects I've been working on:

 Okay, can you believe how cute this one is?!?!  I love it!  I may make about a hundred of them. The pattern is called ZoZo Pixie Cables, and I'm in love.  What a great way to bust some stash, and a perfect baby gift to boot.  For those wanting to make it, I would suggest using a size or two smaller needle for the first CC band, because it splays a little.  Still, very cute!

The pattern is called Morpheus, and it's so cute.  I've done two of the designer's patterns, and love them.  However, I've found they run pretty small, so if in doubt, size up.  Also, on this one, I only did the mesh pattern on the front of the sweater, not the back, as the pattern instructs.  I love the colours.

This little Pinafore is one I've made before, and a great stash buster.  The pattern is only for 0-3 months, but I just size it up by using a bigger hook and thicker yarn.  Isn't Marigold a sweetheart.  She melts me.

These two are possibly the easiest headband pattern out there. A great way to use the end of a skein after a project.  The purple flower is this one, and the yellow flower is this one.

And this little shrug is so beautiful.  The yarn is a silk blend, and when the lace is stretched out it is just gorgeous.  My intention, if I have a boy, is to give away all the girl things I've knit, but I might have to hold onto this one for future children.  Love.

So, if you wonder why I'm mum, it's because I've been knitting.  All. Day. Long.  If you're on Ravelry, check out my other FOs here.

And, for those here looking at patterns, I've got two (or three) great ones coming in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!