Baby Crochet

I finally got a better pic of the blanket, hat, and leg warmers I made. I think I got all the patterns from ravelry, but I honestly can't remember anymore! Also, I interpreted the patterns, so none of them came out exactly as the pattern shows. I couldn't figure out the flower for the hat, so I actually designed my own, which was pretty fun.

Next, I'll post a pic of the headband I made :)

Here is our sweet Juliette. She arrived December 12, a little after noon, weighing 8 lbs, 11 oz. She's a tall little girl, too. She looks skinny because she's so long. Pictured above is the blanket I made, along with the hat and leg warmers. She's a squirmy one, so I'll have to post a pic of my creations later.

Life has been good with my youngest. Laeah points and smiles at the baby. I've been tired, but when wasn't I? Lol. I've actually been getting a lot more done (evidenced by my crocheting). Jules doesn't eat as often as she should, so I'm actually working on getting weight up. I'm also enjoying the sweet smell of my newborn :)

Diaper Stash

This was my delivery today :)  I received it with excitement and apprehension.  The diapers are so adorable and I can't wait to see my little ones in them, but at the same time, I'm afraid of how I'll do with all the laundry.  I bought a "seconds" BumGenius today online (see--addicted!) because they were $11.75.  Brand new: more like $20.  I want to see if the pricier diaper is any better (hope not! lol--hope it's just as good as the others!).  "Seconds" are diapers that are imperfect, but still functional.  So, I now have 9 diapers, 2 expected in the mail, along with the liners, inserts, and wet bag.  I want to get a water proof pillow case and use that as a large wet bag as well. 

Of course because I'm looking forward to taking it easy next semester and only teaching one class, I was offered another section if they can get the time to fit my schedule.  We'll see. I'd love the money, but is it an opportunity or a temptation?  Most of my students kept telling me how wonderful I make their classes--so much more fun--and although they dread writing, my classes often became one of their favorites.  Yes, kissing up is apparently rampant ;-P  But, it doesn't hurt to hear it :D

We had another snow day today, so I didn't get nearly as much done as I'd hoped.  I have a little over one day before my new bundle arrives, and I just now washed the carseat.  I'm hoping it dries quickly!  Happy snow days!

Baby Blanket

This is my latest project. I haven't crocheted for a while--I had attempted a baby hat for a friend last year, but it just wouldn't work out like I had wanted it! 

I'll have to look up the pattern for this blanket later to share.  I found it free on Ravelry and chose it because it seemed the easiet.  However, I still had to look up the main stitches and interpret some of the abreviations. The first couple rows don't look so great, so I may go back and try to fix those later.  I have a real problem with edges, but I think I've gotten the hang of this one now.  I chose these colors because they look so Victorian and feminine, things that will likely match my bundle's name.  I'd like to make a matching hat and leg warmers, but we'll see how much I can get finished over the course of four days! 

Yes, FOUR DAYS!  I only have about 7 more shots to take, but I do have to stop at the hospital so they can do my CBC.  I was told I can say I don't need the tour and that I've already answered all the questions :D  I'm still waiting on the hospital bag I ordered from Kohls to be delivered, so I'm praying it makes it here before we leave. 

Shopping...I'm pretty much addicted to online shopping right now.  I ordered a lot (compared to what I'm used to buying) over Thanksgiving, which included new phones.  S hadn't gotten a new phone in about four years and you could hardly hear him when he called.  He needs it for business and it's a tax write-off, so we finally gave in and joined the Smartphone world.  I'm a bit overwhelmed, but excited I can use my camera on my phone and post directly to say...Blogger.  lol

I also ordered eight more cloth diapers and 10 bamboo inserts, oh, and 100 liners.  Once I get settled into the diapering routine with the next one, I'm going to switch Laeah to cloth.  Then, at about two months, I'll switch the baby to cloth if things are going all right.  I'll only have a total of 10 cloth diapers for a little while, so I'll be doing a lot of laundry, but I plan on buying at least two diapers per month if I'm satisfied.  I was just afraid of buying too many of one kind and then discovering I don't like them or they don't fit Laeah's petite frame.  So, I'm starting with cheapies--Alva, Kawaii, and Apple Blossom (found on Zulily, so they may be just like Alvas). 

Speaking of Laeah.  She once again has a double ear infection and a sinus infection.  Ughh. She doesn't complain nearly as much as other babies, so for that I'm grateful.  I was told if she gets another ear infection soon, though, we'll have to get tubes.  She was cute yesterday because she finally said "Mama" to where I could hear her.  I told her, "It sounded like you just said Mama."  I tell you, it sounded just like she said, "I did."  Little stinker. 

Hope you're having a lovely holiday.  We are blanketed in snow right now and my girls are having fun playing.  I haven't stepped outside, however, and Adallae hasn't gotten to play because she's sick :(  She enjoys looking at it through the window, though :)

Venting and Dumping and Just Being an Emotional Pregnant Woman

I'm sure no one wants to listen to my emotional rants (I'm talking to you, my 8 followers!), but I do need to just type right now...just type...so please excuse my less-than-upbeat report.

My last ob appt. showed an over-7 lb baby girl in my tummy, twisting and kicking and pushing and pulling.  Let's just say, she's pretty big and I can definitely tell.  My c-section date has been set for Dec. 12, so her birthday will be 12/12/13, kinda neat.  They of course scheduled me for "c-section teaching and a tour of the hospital" for Monday, which they always tell me includes blood work.  However, I'm on to them and I know they can't do the blood work more than 24 hrs in advance--that's what they told me last year.  I know where everything is, and they should have everything on file from last year, so i.e., I won't be attending.

In other goings on, I wrote/put together three skits and three poems for Lovely's Thanksgiving Day Luncheon.  Let's just say, I won't be doing that again.  I spent hours making them.  I spent lots of time driving to school and practicing.  However, all the promises her teacher made me were broken--I said I would make copies of all the skits for the kids to know when they spoke, but the teacher said she would do it so I wouldn't feel like I was doing everything.  I was going to have the kids make hats at home, but the teacher said she would do it in class with them.  I was going to have them wear bathrobes for one of the poems and put together a few simple props for them.  The teacher agreed.  None of this happened.  Then, part of my skit was changed because although water was not drunk very often on the Mayflower, we weren't allowed to tell what was, and then the last part of that person's lines was completely taken out, so the end of my skit made no sense.  Yay. I did get a thank you note the following day signed by all the students in my daughter's class, so that made me feel a bit better about all the help.  I think it's just extra difficult right now, feeling as I do with a belly out to yonder, so I'm extra sensitive about everything.

All of the above, added to my experience with Snugglebug's class (I had signed up for a job for her Thanksgiving Feast that another mother just took over without even acknowledging me, so I then opted to do nothing.  Absolutely nothing), has made me very irritated with school.  Along with their horrible math program, common core reading standards, interpersonal relationships of 3rd grade, and...well, let's just say I'm seriously investigating other options for next year.

Then, today I woke up and found S, along with our new vehicle, gone.  I had asked him last night what he was doing today and he told me he didn't know.  Guess he did.  Anyway, I had made plans for washing carseats, which I now can't do, and I haven't the slightest ambition or amount of energy to clean the house like it really needs.  If I was a stay-at-home wife/mother and didn't work as much as I do extra, then I would totally understand him getting away and not helping out today.  However, I do work outside the home and I do take care of all appts, homework, housework, bills, etc. and I just can't take it anymore. Maybe it's the hormones again.  I'm just tired and not sure what to do now.

Anyway, there are only 19 days to go.  Guess I should pack a hospital bag, if only I could find a bag in this mess of a house :/

The Little Things...Add Up Quickly!

Hello!  As of three minutes from now, there should be approximately 23 days left of this pregnancy!  Yipee!  It's not that I don't like being pregnant, it's that, well, I realllly don't like being pregnant!  You know how there are those joyful, can't-wait-for-my-belly-to-become-bigger, lovin' every minute of it kind of pregnant ladies?  (You know who you are!)  Well, I've never, never been one of those.  I was sick a lot with Lovely, but still was able to gain about 34 lbs.  Snugglebug was mean and painful the entire time in my stomach, and once again, I gained about 34 lbs.  Laeah was wonderful--until I developed gestational diabetes and anything bad I even looked at sent my sugar through.the.roof. Also, I could barely eat with her (just never felt I had room), so I only gained 15 lbs.  I also had several infections with her. This one...this one has been the kicker. She has been soooo painful (like Snugglebug), yet I'm practically never full--Seriously, I can have the thought, "Man, I am stuffed!" and two minutes later I feel a hunger pang in my stomach.  I've had a stuffy nose, headache, back-ache, cough for what seems like months now, and I have gestational diabetes.  Let's just say, my body is tired! 

In other news, Laeah stands by herself a lot lately.  She often will take one step...and then tumbles down to her bum.  I've told her she's on a schedule, and it seems she's trying to comply, but it's just not happening as quickly as I would like it to happen.  I know she'll be too heavy for me to lift after the baby comes, so I am worried about that. 

In even stranger news, I bit the bullet and bought two cloth diapers. What?  Yes, I did. I did because I keep seeing the receipts of the disposable pieces of "let's just let all her clothes get wet/stained because we can't handle two hours between changes" diapers.  So, we'll see if I can shell out more money once I try these to see how I like them.

In terrific news, we finally found a new (old) vehicle.  It was in a state away, so it was a nice, long drive, but it's just what we wanted/needed.  My current vehicle seats 7, but not 5 and 2 infant/baby seats.  Laeah is extremely small (still only 18 lbs), so she needs to remain backwards for a while yet, and my current car just can't accommodate.  We bought a Yukon XL that seats 7 but has captain's chairs, so it has an easy pass-through.  I named it Cornelius :D  It has a lot of miles, but they have to be all highway because the interior is in such good condition! 

Lastly, I went yard shopping today and printed a new Ravelry pattern for a baby blanket.  Only one of my students made a blanket for Laeah, so it's up to me to make one for this baby.  I've been missing crocheting, so I hope to have a bit more time to work on it. 

The Extremely Clumsy Emotional Train Wreck

Yes, that is me.  I've reached the stage where I fall, trip, and run into anything and everything, as well as drop anything that goes near my hands (with the exception of Laeah thus far, thankfully!).  I also get easily agitated and then cry over everything.  In other words, I'm likely not the most fun at the party right now :P 

I'm also moving as slowly as a turtle...or possibly slower.  I did move faster than a slug the other night.  I walked into our kitchen and suddenly felt something slimy between my toes...Ewww!  I screamed, and S said, "Awww.  Poor slug; I wouldn't want to be between your toes, either."  That actually made me laugh instead of cry, so I guess I'm not too bad yet.  I did bawl tonight when I realized S had jumped in the shower I was so looking forward to, and because we haven't replaced our hot water heater, I knew it would be another hour before I could take my shower, so then my hair would be wet for bed, and I have a head cold, and...I better stop before my eyes become misty! 

Speaking of kitchens, I tripped last night and almost fell over, but my knuckles caught our dining room chairs.  I had managed to keep swelling down this entire pregnancy, and so I was still able to wear my wedding rings...until last night.  I hit THAT finger.  And it immediately swelled and turned purple.  AND I think I jammed my arm some how because I can only raise it thiiiiiis much.  Oh, the fun! 

Now, as for the new baby.  We're still debating middle names.  In fact, it was only yesterday that I thought, "Man, I am so glad we named Laeah _______.  I REALLY love her name."  Yes, mind you, it only took a year.  So, who knows when I'll really love the next name.  I am a little more calm about not having a space for her.  I bought a used crib that was delivered yesterday, so I have that, although I don't have a place to set it up yet.  I'm really looking forward to having a bigger home one day in which I don't want to leave it. I may just become a hermit.  Eh, I'll save gas that way, right?

Speaking of gas.  We've been looking around at other vehicles because smart me bought the biggest car seats available (Ok, they had the best head/neck support, which won me over), and so the next seat for Laeah really doesn't fit in our 7 passenger car.  Go figure.  I would like a Suburban, but we'd have to get a pretty old one, and I'm afraid of the gas mileage.  Therefore, we've broken down and begun looking at minivans.  However, if I'm going to be stuck with a minivan, I want a nice one.  I've only approved of Honda Odysseys right now, but they're pretty pricey as well.  So, we'll see what the Lord has in store for us. 

In school news, I believe I'll request the teacher who doesn't require a lot from his students for Lovely, and supplement with my own math program at home.  I'm tired of dealing with their math worksheets that never make any sense anyway.  So, I'll give it 1-2 more years, and then we'll likely homeschool through middle school and high school.  Unless I'm moved to take the girls out of school sooner.  Whatever is His perfect will.

Now, I better get off to bed.  Laeah will be one year old on Tuesday, and although I'd love to have a party for her, I just don't know how to do it.  One grandparent is in the hospital, one is in a wheelchair and rarely leaves home, and one doesn't drive in the dark.  Cousins are all a minimum of 10 yrs old or older, and the only close friends I have with children her age live out of state.  Wow.  It really is good I'm having this next baby, or Laeah would have been all alone.  (sigh)  G'nite!