V-Day

February 14, 2008 By

Yesterday afternoon I spent about 15-20 minutes on my hands and knees trying to decide if I was in labor or not. Clearly I wasn’t. Last night I kept dreaming that my water broke. Over and over it seemed. I’ve come to believe that pregnancy definitely comes full circle. At the beginning you’re paranoid about every twitch and cramp because you think it might be the end, and now, I’m paranoid about every twitch and cramp because OH MY GOD! It might be the END!

Then, this morning, I threw up.

But still, I’m not ready for it to be over. I find myself feeling a bit crampy here and there and suddenly I’m making deals with the baby. Don’t come out, PLEASE, don’t come out until X is done. Then you can come out anytime you like. Of course, the days continue to drag at a god awful slow pace, but yet the projects keep piling up and nothing seems to get done. Of course, I can’t work as hard as I’d like. I’m in the middle of going through all these boxes of papers that need to be piled and filed and after about an hour I have to get up and lay on the couch for like two hours. Then I can go back and work for another hour. Then I have to rest for THREE hours. So you see why nothing is getting done.

The pediatrician was great – we felt a very good vibe. She was excited for us and I just know she’ll be loving toward our kid. Philosophy wise we meshed well and the office was friendly and big and I’m confident. Also, at least one of their offices is open 365 days a year. Very nice.

The other day my mom told me she really wanted to see my nephews and niece on Thursday and I was like what’s Thursday? Valentine’s Day! It’s such NOT a big deal in our house. Kind of the way we feel about Thanksgiving – like if you need a day to remind yourself to thank all the people around you – that’s kind of lame. Same thing with love. I’d like to think that my husband and family and friends know how much I love them because I tell them and show them all the time, not because I gave them lots of candy on a particular day in February.

That said, when I got home from taking my husband to the train station this morning I found the sweetest box of Curious George chocolates on my desk chair. The box said, “I’m bananas for you!” I totally burst into tears. Many of you may think it about your own mates, but I KNOW I’m the luckiest girl in the world. My guy has taken such unbelievable care of me and our baby – there aren’t words to describe my gratitude. Not that I didn’t think he would, but he’s stepped up in ways that I couldn’t even imagine. Thank you my love! Thank you!

I started a new pair of socks. I wanted another pair of monkeys because garter stitch and monkeys are about all I can handle these days and I wanted to go in a different direction with the yarn. So far all of my monkeys have been heavily variegated, but I sort of fell in love with Claudia’s Chocolate Monkeys and I wanted to try more of a semi-solid. Then I decided that I wanted them to be red. And that they should be my going home from the hospital socks. My baby will be head to toe in red so why shouldn’t my feet be clad in red? (Of course, the way my luck is going it will be 90 degrees that day, but still!) So life-affirming. And seemingly a good color for labor, you know? Placenta socks, if you will. 😉

I went through my STR stash and pulled out all the semi-solid reds I had on hand. There were a lot of them, surprisingly and it was kind of hard to decide. Then I found this skein:


Mystery Monkeys

The only thing about this skein? I have no idea is what it is. I’m 99.9% sure it’s STR – it feels the same and looks the same and was in with all my other STR (yes, I do keep the STR separate from all the other sock yarns!) But there is no label. Or at least none that I could find. And I compared it to all the other red STRs and it’s definitely different. So don’t ask me the colorway, or if it’s available or anything because I have no idea. Mystery Monkeys. I’m thinking the yarn was some kind of stash gift and destined to be my birthing socks. [ETA: I’m fairly certain it’s not Ruby Slippers. I made a pair of jaywalkers from Ruby Slippers and the repeats are very long. The repeats in the mystery yarn are much shorter and there are more color variations.]

I’ve barely started them, but I’ll have some train time tomorrow as I’m going down to Philly for the weekend. This will most likely be my last trip down there before the baby comes and changes everything. We’re doing a belly cast this weekend! I’ve done one for my sister for all three of her kids, so it’s pay back. Pictures next week hopefully! Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Baby? OH BABY!, Monkey Socks

Bright Spot!

February 12, 2008 By

Guess what?! We got some good news today! They won’t be starting the construction on our apartment line until Sept 08!!!!!! WHOO HOO!!! They are, though, still going ahead with construction on the apartment line next door to us, so it’s not like we’ll have peace and quiet until September (who are we kidding? We’ll have a BABY!) but it is the absolute best news in a bad situation! Sure, it will be VERY loud in the apartment, but hopefully not totally unbearably so. We have seriously been considering a hotel. I’m hoping the absolute worst of it will only be about a week or two and our bedroom is the farthest point from the drilling, so maybe, just maybe, we can stay at home! I’m not sure I can tell you what a tremendous relief this is.

Tonight is supposed to be our last childbirth class, but the weather is pretty crappy. I hope it doesn’t get postponed because I’d really like to be done with it. Also, tomorrow we’re going for a prenatal pediatrician appointment. When I called to make the appointment they asked me the baby’s last name. Can I tell you? I totally hesitated! It’s not that I don’t know what the baby’s last name will be but more like OH MY GOD THIS KID IS REAL WITH A LAST NAME AND EVERYTHING!! So exciting! And scary! And wonderful! All you parents out there: what’s the one thing you wish you had asked your pediatrician that you never did? Just curious!

Thank you for all of your good wishes! I can’t tell you how much we all (the three of us!) appreciate them!

Filed Under: Life

Tiger Beat

February 9, 2008 By

Some people think they have the Tiger Beat set covered. I beg to differ!

This song came up on our cable music. Baby and I were rocking out! Who else remembers taking the plastic cover off the Tickle deodorant bottles and using it as a microphone? Not to mention my brother on the (flash) lights while my sister and I choreographed our dances. Ahh the 70s!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Cover Me

February 8, 2008 By

I’m not having the best day. Yesterday and today I was awakened by drilling. 8:22AM and 8:12AM respectively. Now, that’s not so early, I know, but when you’re very pregnant and you finally find a comfortable position you do NOT want to be woken up. You know how they say that you shouldn’t EVER wake a sleeping baby? Well, I think that goes double for a third trimester pregnant woman. PISSED doesn’t even start to cover it.

And then, a couple hours later, I threw up.

I haven’t thrown up in a few weeks. I don’t know really how long it’s been, but it seems like a long time ago. Throwing up when you’re almost 34 weeks pregnant is AWFUL. Way more awful than throwing up when you’re 9 weeks. Or 12 weeks. Or even 25 weeks. Throwing up when you’re 34 weeks pregnant just about did me in for the day. I am EXHAUSTED! I saw stars. I had contractions (BHs – no biggie.) I pissed myself. And then I collapsed into bed barely able to move. (Before I get a million emails telling me all the horrible things throwing up might portend, I could still probably throw up every day. Usually I can let out a few small burps to contain things but today, after bending over a lot and taking pictures (see below) I think I just stirred things up too much and instead of little burps there was a big burp and when I decided I should head to the bathroom just in case – well – once I was in there – all bets were off. I have no other signs or symptoms of anything other than late stage pregnancy. It’s all good. Or tolerable at best.)

Also, while I’m bitching, the last couple of weeks have gone by SO SLOWLY! It seemed everything was on hyper speed for a while and now I’m like moving in slow motion. It’s very strange. And also slow. Not that I want to have the baby tomorrow (I’m SO NOT READY!) but still.

Okay. Let’s get to the good stuff. What else you gonna do when you’re super pregnant? Knit a blanket!

Yes. I’ve started a log cabin blanket. For the FAMILY. Anyone found to be calling this a BABY blanket will hereby be banished from the blog. This blanket is for the FAMILY. NOT the baby. Got it? Good. Anyway, a while back Elann had all of their Den-M-Nit colors back in stock and I took advantage, buying 20 balls of each color (except the white.) Don’t ask. I just did it.

At first, I thought I would do something similar to the Verde Log Cabin – only with red as the center patch for each square. And then I changed my mind. Now I’m going to do something like this:

Right now, I just want something easy. And colorful. And FAMILY oriented. 😉 For the colors, I’m using Rowan Handknit Cotton. I tried to choose really bright brights.

Of course, there are no blues, because I’ve got the blues well covered!

There will be nine squares total and I’ve got one down, one in progress and seven to go. Who knows when I’ll get it done – but I’m enjoying myself!

ETA!
I’m not worried about the denim bleeding into the colored yarn or the shrinkage factor. Or I was, but now I’m not. I consulted my denim guru and she gave me tips. First off, I’ll be washing all of the squares BEFORE I seam them. This way, if there is some bleeding, I can decide how to handle it. Also, I will be washing the blanket in COLD water – which will eliminate some bleeding and also the shrinking thing (although I’ve heard that the handknit cotton and the denim shrink at the same rates.) I will also be using a dye magnet, like Shout Color Catcher. I’m fully aware at how messy FAMILIES can be. This blanket will be washable.

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Denim Log Cabin

A Prince of A Monkey

February 5, 2008 By

Even with all the excitement during the big game on Sunday, I managed to finish my Purple Rain monkey socks. I love them. ‘Natch.

For all of you who’ve been living under a rock, through no fault of your own I’m sure, I’ll give you the particulars. The pattern is Monkey by the genius that is Cookie A. All the credit for the Picot Edge mod should go to Margene because she’s the one who did it first. Wizard Woman Tina dyed the yarn – STR. Purple Rain colorway. Don’t ask me if it’s available. If it’s not on the website, it probably means the colorway’s not in the rotation at this time. Don’t hate me because I have a large stash of the stuff.

I am definitely NOT sick of this pattern yet. In fact, yesterday I cast on for a new pair, but I’m not loving the harmony between the colorway and the sock. I may go a completely different direction in colorways on the next pair. I have to go through my stash again and make some decisions.

Thanks for all the kind comments on Oblique – and on my belly! This pregnancy thing is so weird. All of a sudden, sort of like, you’re this completely different person. Not just mentally and emotionally – but PHYSICALLY! What happened to me? I don’t remember what it felt like to NOT be pregnant.

The drilling today is driving me nuts. BONKERS. C-A-R-A-Z-Y! So I think I’m going to eat some breakfast (or MORE breakfast) and take a walk in the fog wearing my new cozy sweater and new socks. My polling place is pretty close by so I think I can make it there and back without too many breaks. If you live in a primary state, I could care less who you vote for – that’s your personal business and just like I don’t think anyone should tell you who you should (or shouldn’t) marry or which god you should worship – I don’t think anyone should tell you how to vote. You should vote the way YOU believe is right for you and your family. But you should definitely VOTE.

That’s my public service message for the day. Have a good one!

Filed Under: Monkey Socks, Socks

Like A HOUSE!

February 4, 2008 By

Seriously – I completely peed in my pants jumping off the sofa after THE CATCH. We were taping the game and watching it on tape so we were a couple of minutes behind and I told G to pause it so I could clean myself up – best pants pee of the entire pregnancy! – and when we started the game up again we could hear the people upstairs screaming and yelling. So we knew they scored the touchdown. It was the only bummer in an all around thoroughly enjoyable game! The baby was STOKED! I swear to god – when the Pats scored their touchdown to go ahead 14-10 the baby kicked me so hard and so violently there were tears in my eyes. When the Giants won? Only lovely rolls of contentment. This baby knows where it’s AT!

Anyway – enough of football. There’s knitting to talk about!







Before I talk about the sweater, can we just discuss how FREAKING HUGE I am?! I must have popped or something because people keep (or kept) telling me how little I am belly-wise, but I don’t think I look little in these pictures! JEEZ!

The other night I was trying to fall asleep and I kept getting this itchy tingling electric sensation along the top of my belly. I’d scratch it and tickle it and it’d go away and then just as I was falling asleep it would come back. For like an HOUR. Ann said it was my skin stretching. (Apparently “skin” is an okay word.) Anyway – so here I am. Huge. And 33 weeks.

The sweater! It looks HUGE too. Somehow it doesn’t seem as big on as it looks in the pictures. I lightly blocked it by rolling it up in wet towels and laying it out hoping it wouldn’t grow too much. The only thing that really changed were the sleeves and they seem to have gotten longer. I need buttons for it still. But otherwise, I really like the sweater!


Oblique
Pattern: from Knitty, by Veronik Avery.
Yarn: Beaverslide, Catbird, 90% Wool/10% Kid Mohair. I used about 6 3/4 skeins. FABULOUS YARN! ABSOLUTELY one of my favorites. I can’t wait to use it again – and I will.
Needles: Addi Turbo, US size 9 (5.5 mm) and 10 (6.0 mm).
Pictures: By Georgie. I’m not sure why he puts up with my and my photographer ways. It’s so hard to relinquish control!

What did I change? Well, for one thing, I did the bottom ribbing on size 10s per Emily’s comments here. I used ThatLaurie’s modification for the sleeves – knit them with provisional cast ons and went back and added ribbing at the end. They still turned out too long, but oh well. I made the body a bit longer and definitely made a size larger than I normally would have. (I made the 46″ chest version. I most likely would’ve made the size smaller if I wasn’t as big as a HOUSE.)

I can say nothing bad about this pattern (very well written!), the yarn (one of my all time favorites) or the sweater! SUCCESS all around!

Tomorrow – SOCKS! Or maybe the new project. No, most likely SOCKS! I have a finished pair! YAY!
Thanks for reading!
L, C

PS – Lest anyone think we’ve been holding out, the word her was italicized in the poem I posted on February 2nd because the poet herself italicized it – not because I’m sending out any secret sex signals. We do NOT know the baby’s sex. Thank you for speculating though.

Filed Under: Oblique

If it’s a boy…

February 3, 2008 By

his name shall be PLAXICO. But only because we already have an ELI in the family.

YAY GIANTS!!!

I totally pissed my pants on the play before the final touchdown. And I finished a pair of socks! What a night!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

GO BIG BLUE!

February 3, 2008 By

Incidentally, I started a new project. 😉

Have a SUPER Sunday!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Third Annual Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading

February 2, 2008 By

The first year I posted a poem about infertility. This year things are different.

First Birth

I had thought so little, really, of her,
inside me, all the time, not breathing–
intelligent, maybe curious,
her eyes closed. When the vagina opened,
slowly, from within, from the top, my eyes
rounded in shock and awe, it was like being
entered for the first time, but entered
from the inside, the child coming in
from the other world. Enormous, stately,
she was pressed through the channel, she turned, and rose,
they held her up by a very small ankle,
she dangled indigo and scarlet, and spread
her arms out in this world. Each thing
I did, then, I did for the first
time, touched the flesh of our flesh,
brought the tiny mouth to my breast,
she drew the avalanche of milk
down off the mountain, I felt as if
I was nothing, no one, I was everything to her, I was hers.

Sharon Olds. The Wellspring, 1996

For more information about the Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading, celebrated each year on February 2, go here.

Filed Under: blogging stuff, Life

Leap Year

February 1, 2008 By

I can’t believe it’s already fucking FEBRUARY! Thank god I have an extra day in this short month because, um, my baby will be born in MARCH. How is this possible?

I’m feeling pretty miserable these days – not that things have changed much – but I’m beginning to totally understand when women tell you that pregnancy is so uncomfortable at the end for a reason. So that you will BEG for the baby to come out! Right now fear and uncertainty still outweigh the discomfort but every day the scales tip a bit more. And I’m not even that big. Seriously – everyone tells me how small I am for how far along I am (which bothers me a little bit to be honest. Not sure why, but it does. I’ve suffered from belly envy the whole pregnancy) which I guess is a good thing – the bigger I am the more uncomfortable, right? At least I’ve slept well the last few nights. Sometimes I don’t even get up to pee! YAY KEGELS!

Things are behind in the house, for a change, and now, as I’ve mentioned, they started drilling closer to my apartment. Right now they’re on the 08 line and I’m on the 12 line – so two doors down. That’s not so bad – I can kind of forget about it and they’re not jackhammering all day long continuously, but Georgie left the apartment the other day and exited on the OTHER side of the building where they’re doing work as well. He called me soon after and asked me to go look out the window to see what floor they were drilling on. I have a direct view and could see that they were drilling the balcony directly above my floor (they’re repairing the outer walls and giving us new balconies – so they have to drill off the old ones.) It was the overhang on my apartment balcony (not MY apartment – but the same floor.) He kind of went crazy when I told him that because he said the noise, FROM THE HALLWAY (not even IN the apartment) was so horrific he thought his head was going to explode. He starts talking about hotels and where are we going to live and all I can think about is bringing home this baby to such horrible noise and trying to get used to breastfeeding and baby care and recuperating and I burst into tears. I can’t think about these things! I don’t want to live in a hotel! I want to be in my own home, where I’m most comfortable!

Of course, I called the management office for some kind of timetable (which I’ve been doing for months) and of course, they haven’t called me back. We’ve lived in this building for 16 years and like all buildings, it’s got it’s issues. My apartment is still very nice and all that, I just hate to leave and god forbid anything goes wrong. We will be moving, eventually, but we can’t find a house in the next six weeks and honestly I don’t even want to and I’m trying VERY hard to not stress about all this. ETA: The Board in my building is utterly useless. Every election is another chance at backbiting and blame and it all gets quite nasty. There are over 500 apartments in my building – it’s like a little city – so you can imagine the bureaucracy and power struggles. I can’t wait to move!

So, of course, I turn to my knitting. Oh how I miss Oblique. There’s nothing better than being in the middle of a project – especially a project that’s going well. Every night or every time you sit down to knit you just plop down on your corner of the sofa and pick up where you left off. You don’t have to think about what your going to knit today. Don’t have to think about anything really – just dive right back in. I love that. I miss that. Last night I turned the heel and knit the gusset on my second Monkey sock but somehow socks don’t count. I mean, they count, but they’re too fast. I want something I can sink my teeth into. BUT it can’t be too complicated. My brain can’t handle that. I have a few ideas that I hope work out in the next week or so, but in the meantime I’m feeling a little lost.

I still haven’t blocked Oblique. I have to do that today. So hopefully on Monday I’ll have Oblique FO photos AND a new pair of socks to show off. Wouldn’t that be fantastic?

Today, though, I must get back to cleaning. No more rest for the nest. Have a great weekend everyone!

PS – If you think I talk about my pregnancy too much on the blog, you should be glad you’re not Ann. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Nipple!

Filed Under: Life
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