Shape It Up! Get It Straight
We are devo.
Oh, THERE you are.
Um. Hi. Sorry it's been soooooooooooooo long. I almost gave it up entirely, this blogging thing, but then, well.
It's just been so insane around here. The HEB is FIFTEEN months old, can you believe it? And he knows a snake says "Sssss" and a sheep says "baaa" and a cow says "dooo" (close enough).
He's almost walking and says like 15 things and signs and knows like 200+ words. He just said "mama" yesterday. He is the most beautiful thing and I love him so!
He keeps me busy though, and when I'm not at work I really like to be with him, and I have no time to blog. I barely have time to knit, although I am doing some of that.
And, I have to admit, I feel really lame about it, but there it is. I feel ridiculous when blog friends have say, TWINS, or MORE and still blog. How do they do it? You guys are amazing! All of you moms and working people and working Moms (and Dads).
I keep telling myself things to feel better. Like, I can't blog at work, or even read blogs at work. I almost never can surf around, because I am too busy.
And I choose to knit when I can, or see the HEB or HE Johnny, or my Mom or Dad or MIL who are all close, or watch Lost or American Idol.
And I have work to do outside of work hours that is keeping me busy.
Oh, and the HEB doesn't sleep always. So I'm super tired.
But anyway, I'm not complaining, I swear, just explaining. I want to blog, but can't keep up.
And then I had an idea.
I then realized that part of the problem was it takes me TOO LONG to blog. It's not worth a lengthy explanation, but I was having to make all my pictures small, so as not to waste bandwidth/space, so I'd put them in iPhoto, then graphic converter to make small but high quality, then upload to MT, (one picture at a time, so so slow...)
I hear you snoring.
And then, I love Ravelry, and my pictures go to Flickr, and it's so fast, blah blah blah.
But I figured out how to link my pics to Flickr, which will be faster. Much faster, cause to upload to it from iPhoto is much much quicker. So hopefully this will be easier.
I'm not saying the blogworld can't live without me. I just miss you guys!
Ow-ool
So, to knitting, I am making the HEB an Owl, because he loves owls, and can say "Ow-ool" or "OHL" (depends how he feels). He recognizes them everywhere. I think the eye is okay.
The Ravelry link is here, and the awesome Hansi with her patterns is here.
You better believe I'm making the Biologist HE Johnny a squid.
So where does that leave us?
So, my dad's socks are finally done, and I'm knitting several fewer things at one time than before, and I am making the delectable somewhat cowl as well:
That Alpaca Silk is really yummy and the yarn store ladies convinced me to knit with brown. I've never made a brown sweater. I always figured I could buy a brown sweater. Ha! Then Ruth at the store said, "you can buy a blue sweater, too."
I could not argue with this. QED.
Well, folks, hope to chat again soon. Working out the picture thing, etc. This certainly seemed faster, so we shall see. Good to talk to you, anyway.
Also, I have a new blog email: high.energy.jenny (at) gmail (dot) com (Just FYI)
Also: my comments don't appear to be working all the time ;-( I'll talk to the techie. So sorry if it won't let you in.
*Oh, and someone commented when this post first went up before I could work on it, and I deleted you by accident. SO SO Sorry!
I wanna be sedated...
Hello again. I have some knitting to show! It's not that exciting, but it is knitting. Hooray!
My dad's socks are almost halfway there. I ended up doing them in garter stitch rib (GREAT IDEA, Liz!). I just have the toe left now, then of course, the other one. Elspeth, fair warning, there are toes in this picture.
No, those are not my dad's toes.
High-Grade Ha'
Last year, our dear friend Rachel in CA made The Bean this hat:
which we LOVED. Now, it looks like a yarmulke. So he needed a new one. I went to my local supahfly shop and got some Rowan Country...
...And proceeded to knit it super tightly to match the other hat's gauge, so that it was STIFF. Needless to say, the yarn store gals and I had a good laugh. Stephanie and Darilee said, "Well, it will sure be waterproof!"
I can't convey in a picture how funny this was when it was knitted so tightly. It really was stiff! So, I did it over of course.
Mmmm. Addi Turbos.
Yay! It fits!
I promise that's not the only shirt he has...
Wish us luck.
The HEB has minor surgery tomorrow. Probably no big deal, just an unhappy baby for a couple of days. But think good thoughts anyway, will you? It never hurts.
Update: We are home and the HEB is doing great and taking a much needed nap. Thanks!
Woo!
Well hello there. I should have used CSN&Y's lyrics: "Well it's been a long time coming... It's going to be a lo-ong time gonnneee."
So sorry for the long absence. I really really miss you guys, I miss blogging, I miss ravelry, I miss knitting!!! But I love my son, and I work full time. And thus, and so, you see where that leaves me. Covered in avocado, being climbed like a tree, and that's just at work - ba dum ching!
Moms who can blog alot AMAZE ME. Blue Blog Alison mystifies me. She knits AND blogs, and she has a little baby and TWO TWIN boys. For the love of Pete, are there five of her???
But I digress. I wanted to tell you all kinds of things, but this was too funny not to share:
This dear old sweet man...
...now has "the sugar" as they say here in the South. Or Dia-BEE-tees. So, and sorry to complain, and we love the old man, but as if we need more to do, we are now giving Fisher special (READ: EXPENSIVE) food and insulin twice a day.
This has led to THIS:
Yes. His head is submerged in a bag of Barbarito's corn chips.*
First he tried to eat some sugar cookies. Now, it's chips. Look at him. Just look at him after procuring said chip.
This was not staged. The cat is stealing chips and cookies. We had to take it away, of course. Poor diabetic man. But he is doing much better and we hope he will continue to live awhile with us. He will be 15 in October, and we love him greatly.
SONGS! MUSIC!
So of course all this sugar talk made me think of all the songs I could with "sugar" in them:
The song from the entry title - Brown Sugar by the Stones
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard
Sugar Walls - Sheena Easton - that naughty vixen
Sugar Magnolia - the Dead. What a yummy song
Sugar on my Tongue - Talking Heads. I love David Byrne.
Sugar Sugar - the Archies
Any sugary songs you like? Or sweet? Or Candy? OOH! Like "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil Young. Or "Sweet Child O Mine". Or "Sick of Myself" by Matthew SWEET. I could go on forever!
But I won't.
Knitting.
Well, I wish there was some. But! it's okay. I have nearly all of one of my dad's socks done, and 3/4 of a secret project done, and for fun I did this:
Entrelac! It's kind of fun! Followed Eunny's directions in IK. It will hopefully someday be a dishtowel for my Mother-in-law. In 2013. Carolyn, you'll have to dry your dishes with something else for awhile. ;-) I'm going to keep on it little bits at a time, though...
And because I am addicted to him.
The HEB. He's so cute I can't STAND IT!
Nine months on the 9th. Sitting. Pulling up to stand. Two bottom teeth. Squealing. He's an amazing little dude.
* Or perhaps corn chips ARE a place for a mighty warrior.
Oh baby refrain from breaking my heart...
If I go away for over two months, the least I can do is start with Erasure.
I MISS YOU GUYS!
And look at THIS:
and this:
and this:
I mean, have you ever? My best girlfriends MADE IT. The top has the moon and his name on it. How cute are those animals? I LOVE IT. The Bug will love it. Thank you, thank you Alison, Courtney, MJ, Jenny, Steph, Petey, and Schmoo McGee. I love you peeps. You all are the best!
AND!
Courtney also gave the HEB this adorable book and this adorable soft bunny to go with it! Awwww!
Or so you think:
Little Bunny, you are tasty.
All baby all the time.
So, in the two+ month absence, the Bug has grown and grown. Lord, I'm in love with my kid. It's kind of embarrassing. I miss him every minute when I'm gone. He's so much fun. He laughs and laughs. He smells good (most of the time). I just truly enJOY him. It's so WEIRD. I never thought I could love anyone with the intensity I love High Energy Johnny, but there it is.
For you new mommies, those first few months are really hard. And if you have a colicky refluxy preemie, they might be even harder and are certainly longer. But I can tell you with total conviction, it's all worth it. It's the best thing ever. I am so lucky to have my little family.
Enough schmaltz! More baby pictures! You know you want them!
Hey!
Working... on... our... thumbs...
Shhhh. I'm a Sheep.
I might be asleep. You don't know, cause I'm so cool.
Mason Dixon Bib!!
Alrighty then. You have indulged my mommyness once again. I have been knitting a bit here and there, some sewing, and some Ravelry. I miss all the crafty goodness, but I know it won't be forever.
We are taking the bug to California next week, so I'll be gone again, but shorter this time. I have some little things to show for next time. See you then!
Lapping currents lay your boat to ground...
Lost is back. Oh my goodness. Even a new mommy has made time to watch it. In 20 minute increments, but watch it I did. I love that show.
Scroll down for knitting!
Rough Waters.
We had a ROUGH week here at HEK. The Bug had a really rough week. His acid reflux was acting up and his medical mommy was too stupid to realize his med dosing needed adjusting until he had symptoms again. So sorry, Bug. I will try to be a smarter mommy in the future.
The HE MIL came to our aid and stayed three days and helped SO MUCH. Thank you, Carolyn. You rawk.
Things are (dare I type) a little better and the Bug seems to be much more comfortable and sleeping and eating better. Thank goodness. I hated seeing him so miserable.
This boy is feeling better.
Another FO! WOO WEE!
It took 9 weeks to sew in a sleeve. But! Sew it in I did. The husband swecker is done!
Of course he insisted on action shots.
So the only standing still shot is the back:
I am pretty pleased overall with it. I am still wanting to tweak the neck a bit, but otherwise I'm happy. Of course, had I re-read Becky's post, I would have seen how she tweaked the neck. Blast!
Yarn: Phildar Pegase
Needles: US 7
Inspiration? Fluffa! She knit the same one for her hubby.
In the process of making it, I did have to make an alteration. Initially, when putting it together, it produced what my husband deemed "man boobs":
To fix this "unsightly" gynecomastia, I added underarm gussets. What I did was to open the underarm seams to create a diamond shape:
Then, I knitted a diamond shape to match, and sewed it in:
I'm pretty pleased with the results! I also, as I always do, modified the length and sleeve lengths to suit the hubby. I used a sweater he had that fit him well as a model. Hooray!
Givin' me the courage and the strength I need...
Please belieeeeeeeve... that it's true... Babe I love you...
Oh Lord. You'd think that I'd break out the Styx for a loving tribute to our son?
Well, I might. But actually that's a reference to the fact that two nights ago he decided to be inconsolable for 4 hours from 6:30pm to 10:30pm.
So, like all parents we tried all sorts of things. He was fed, and refed, and clean, and dry, and hated all options (you know, bouncy chair, swing, swaddled, unswaddled, held, put down, dark, light, etc.)
So we put on Styx's Greatest Hits. And his dad danced him around the front room.
Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto.
It worked as well as about anything else.
He did eventually conk out. And I have evidence he does sleep:
Actually, since then, he has gone down pretty easy and we have a new routine that is working for him. So keep yer fingers crossed!
The Bug is the new Baby now.*
I should also tell you that we don't actually call him the HEB around the house. We call him Bug.
Or The Bug. Or Buglet. Or Bugaboo. But mostly Bug.
So I will likely refer to him as such and didn't want anyone to get confused. ;-)
I have to add this disclaimer: I may complain about lack of sleep and all that newborn crap, but we love this kid so much. We feel so lucky to have him in our lives. Suddenly I can't imagine my life without him. Even when he cries for four hours. He's just the best.
So thanks again to all of you for your support during our fertility woes and pregnancy issues! We are a happy crew.
*I am here to tell you. There is a song for EVERYTHING. The HE Mom taught me that. My Mom can come up with a song for like any phrase/idea. It's AMAZING.
The "bug is the new baby" quote is from the Flaming Lips off of their Zaireeka album. How funny is that!
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
Just a quick update, cause I only have a second! The HEB is keeping us BUSY. But he's doing so well, we just can't complain!
He had his one month birthday yesterday. Can you believe it? And he came home at 4 lbs 15 ounces, and weighed in yesterday at 6 lbs 9 oz! What a chunk!
Here he is, with my sister's old gloworm for scale:
He looks like a larva when he's all swaddled. Love the swaddle. Very important for soothing the HE Beast.
There has been a little bit of knitting! But, it's a secret, so I can't show you until it's done. Which hopefully will be very soon.
I then will try to finish seaming the husband sweaker - the Phildar one that is almost done. Here's where we were before the HEB:
Actually, it's past that, because I have both sleeves done. I need to sew in the other sleeve, and it will be done! Of course, it's been extremely warm in Georgia, so it's not as if he could really wear it anyway. So I don't feel so bad. ;-)
A bit of advice, please.
First, a huge shout-out to my buddies Karma and Rachel who have helped me so much by email when things have been really hard with the HEB.
Second, the question. The HEB hates his sling which is a Hotsling. HATES it. He only marginally likes his Baby Björn. Any mom's out there have slings to recommend?
He's little, so it has to be something he can fit in safely, and preferably something that won't kill my back. I could just really use something that he will like and either hang out or sleep in so I can use my hands part of the day. Thanks!
Home Sweet Home...
Once again, thank you all so much for your comments and sweet emails about my little HEB! Your support is amazing, thank you all! I'm sorry I haven't been able to write back individually, I really am. Things have been super busy, because:
Look who's home!
No, that's not a Clapotis. But it kind of looks like one.
And that's one of his proud Grandmas.
He turned in to a real little boy!
Today we weighed him and he has regained past his birth weight, he was 5 lbs 1 ounce.
I have to say, this is the hardest most overwhelming thing I have ever done. I thought residency was bad. But it was nothing like this.
Breastfeeding and caring for this little boy is so HARD! How do people do this? How do SINGLE mom's or dad's do this? Or how do you do it with other children??? Wow.
I don't know. But I am doing this best I can. We just want to give him the best. He has surpassed all physical expectations for his gestational age - we are so happy. He would have been 36 weeks old tomorrow if he hadn't been born yet...
Please forgive the lack of posts and knitting for the next little while. We're gonna rest up on this end, but you know we'll be back. You can't keep the High Energy's down...
What a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy...
Oh my goodness. You all truly are so awesome. A heartfelt thank you from our High Energy Family to all of you. I truly believe your thoughts and prayers have/will make a difference. I'm sorry I can't thank all of you individually right now, but know that we love each and every one of you.
And speaking of our High Energy Family - here he is!!! In this corner, High Energy Baby, weighing in at a fighting weight of 5 pounds even! 17.5 inches! 34 weeks 3 days!
Hello. I have just been born.
This is my "I look a bit like a troll doll" face. So Squinchy. What just happened to me?
So, I started labor about 6 am Saturday am with the help of some pitocin, which I quickly didn't need. I delivered the tiny man at 12:24 pm. I got at epidural at about 8 cm dilated, and it was a GOOD idea.
At first, HEB cried really strongly and looked pink. But, he did quickly get tired and got a little blue and worked hard to breathe. So up the NICU (Neonatal ICU) he went with dad.
There he got a bunch of tubes and wires, is on CPAP, which is a way to help him breathe. It's more than just some oxygen, but it's better than being intubated, which he hopefully will not need.
He is getting stronger all the time, and looking better and better. He won't get to eat until he is off the CPAP, which we hope will be a few days. We can touch him and talk to him and changed his diaper today. So we feel like parents a little bit more all the time. And hopefully we can hold him soon!
He will probably need a few weeks in the NICU, because babies this little often have trouble learning how to eat - sucking, swallowing and breathing are hard for them to coordinate. But if he is doing well once he can eat and is gaining weight he can come home!
Here's a progress shot from today:
I look like a boxer!
Poor smashed up face. The CPAP does that but it will all even out. We think he's beautiful and we love him so much. He's our little fighter. He has already pulled out his orogastric tube THREE FOUR times, and he is only 33 35 hours old!
We'll update soon. I go home tomorrow, and I hate that it's without him, but we are so lucky to live five minutes from the hospital, and our NICU is state of the art. He could not be in better hands.
Thanks again, you all. Love, the HEJs and HEB.
Mississippi moon won't you keep on shinin' on me...
Well. There were sweaters to finish that are SO. CLOSE. And there were posts to post about all kinds of things to entertain you.
But then today, the HEB decided time was up. The buzzer went off. And my water broke.
SIGH.
I would be joyous, but I am 34 weeks and 2 days. And that's early, especially for a caucasian male baby.
He won't get to go home with us. He will probably be intubated, and I can't breast feed him, I'll pump and hope they can feed it to him.
And we just hope he will be okay. Please Lord let him be okay.
We are in Labor and Delivery now in our high tech room with wi-fi, and as I can't sleep I'm blogging.
No pics yet, sorry. But please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We'll likely have birthed us a teeny person by sometime Saturday...
I think it might just work out this time...*
SO MUCH to tell you people. I feel I just blogged, but it's been two weeks! How can that happen? Time just goes, I guess.
1) First, I am sorry to have to add it, but there is a random number you must type in when you comment. Sorry for the pain-in-the-assness. But I am getting royally spammed and it has to stop.
2) We have an induction date. If I haven't delivered by January 8, 2006, we will go in and hopefully have a High Energy Baby that day. OMG it's so close!
3) There is a small person living in my abdomen. Do you people know how crazy that is??? I am just starting to really realize it. He's in there. And he's BUSY.
4) I HAVE been reading all of your blogs. Honest. I just haven't been commenting, I've been lame.
No more meeting minutes. Knitting, please.
SO. I have one half of Bridie's band done.
And. I have most of the husband's sweaker done. There was some tweaking, of which there will be pictures soon.
And. I have made a hat, and some baby socks. Let's take a look!
Hi Grade Ha'
This was made for our friend/contractor, who is a giant man. Picture NBA type. 6'5", 230 pounds, maybe? Big guy. He has been so good to us and done such a great job with the house that we wanted to get him somepin'.
I think it will fit, as you can see it is big on me. Project specs are HERE.
I enjoyed knitting it. It is in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, which is super soft. I hope it will keep his head warm this winter while he is working. We picked red because he is a Georgia fan.
Baby socks!
One of my partners' wife is being induced tomorrow for their third baby, this time a girl. So I whipped these out right quick!
I have to tell you.
I loved making these little socks. I had more fun and am happier with the outcome than with many things I have made lately. Maybe because it's been so long since I've had a finished object. Or maybe I just liked the yarn, or the pattern kept me interested, I don't know. But it made knitting fun again.
Spec's are HERE. I used STASH yarn - gasp! Some Debbie Bliss Wool Cotton I got from a store in NC where my parents live. It's discontinued. I love this yarn, too bad she doesn't make it anymore...
The socks are knit FLAT and seamed, so that was interesting. I wouldn't ever do that for an ambulatory person, but for a baby who won't walk in them they should be fine.
And, because I'm proud of her:
This is my friend Sabrina, who ripped out a store bought sweater and dyed it a beautiful fun green! It was a very eighties sage before. Yay Sabrina!
When we come back to HEK, I'll update you on the other projects, and show you around Jodi's studio, where she makes her awesome art. FUN!
*Christopher Cross, "All Right." You KNOW I get most of my music from what's being played overhead at the Kroger.
Await by the car and we'll go, we'll go...
We have been listening to the new Decemberists album over and over. It's sooooo goood.
SHOWER FUN TIMES!
I am so lucky. I can't tell you.
I never had girlfriends, really. I grew up friends with boys almost exclusively. I had no use for most girls. They didn't understand me, I didn't understand them. They seemed to all want to get married and all that stuff, and I wanted a career.
Then, in my professional training, I had a few girlfriends, but there was a lot of competition, and I still connected more with men.
A few years ago, I developed my first real girlfriends, and it was because of knitting. It sounds so cliché now, on a knit blog, but it's for real. By the time I moved here to Georgia, because of knitblogs, I had already met Carrie, AM, and MJ. I have been so lucky since to have met many more girlfriends, and in fact have very few male friends here. Don't get me wrong, I have loved my guy buddies, but it's so nice to have my girls here.
Those girls threw me an awesome baby shower. It was just what I wanted. A bunch of girls, hanging out, lots of food, fun times. I can't thank them enough.
Here are the domestic goddesses in question:
They cooked all day, seriously. And that food was so good. They had little pumpkin and pecan pies that HE John later dubbed, "pielettes." He ate several.
And they got me the best cake:
Note that it's in the High Energy Palette of colors.
And here we all are!
Fun times!
Knitting Goodies!!!
And of course, I got so many good presents for the HE Baby - lots of super cute clothes and very useful presents. For this blog, though, I know what you want.
You want the handknits.
One of my favorite unit secretaries, Astrid, crochetted the softest blanket:
And here's a close-up:
And the most awesome Jodi made STR baby socks.
SO. CUTE.
And my friend Rachel - who I didn't even know knitted!! - made this adorable baby cardi with airplane buttons. Awwww!
In other knitting news:
1) I am reknitting the band for Bridie. You knew I would.
2) I am SO CLOSE to the front neckband on hubbie's swecker.
3) I am making a hat for a 6'5" ~220 pound African American man. It's a substantial hat, alright.
Updates soon!
Scaramouch, Scaramouch will you do the fandango...
First, thank you all SO MUCH for your kind words and advice about the Bridie buttonband. I have decided to take Julia's advice and frog it, and try to knit it without sewing it on as I go. I think she is right about me stressing and wonking out my own stitches because it's so close to the seam, and because I'm anxious about it.
High Energy Contractions.
I will try to thank each of you personally, but we had a little High Energy Baby scare so it might not happen... and if so I'm sorry.
The bottom line of the story is that everything appears to be okay.
Wednesday I woke up with weird low abdomen/groin pain. I was having some Braxton Hicks type contractions but wasn't worried about them. But the pain bothered me all day and I wasn't sure what to make of it. Being a medical type I tend to not get too bent out of shape about these things.
I had a massage, a dentist appointment (I blame my dentist - ha!), and knitted with the girls after a short nap. After knitting I went to the grocery store, but while walking around I had more and more discomfort. Since the Kroger is next to the hospital I work at I stopped in, and called my OB.
She wanted me to get checked, so we then went to Labor and Delivery where I got IV fluids, drank more fluids, and was on the fetal and uterine monitors.
They did a test new to me since I finished training, a fetal fibronectin test, which when negative is a pretty good predictor that a person will not go into labor for the next two weeks. Mine was fortunately negative.
This is good, because I was definitely having contractions on the monitor, and my cervix is 1 cm dilated which is a little unusual. (Sorry, High Energy Dad, for too much information). Anyway, even though those things are so, my OB felt confident I could go home. But, they think I was dehydrated, so I have to really keep up with my fluids. I had been doing well with them, but I do know I hadn't had tons of water the last few days. (Dehydration often causes preterm contractions.)
And, I have to keep my feet up when I'm not at work. But at least I can go to work.
So, let's all say a collective little prayer the High Energy Baby will stay put for at least 5 - 6 more weeks. Stay baby stay!
Poor HE John had to hang out with me until about 2:30am. I was fine, but I'm sure he's exhausted. Poor guy.
And of course there was knitting.
So while HE John and I hung out in the hospital, I knit on his Phildar sweater. He said, "You can't knit with that IV in your wrist! Can you?" I just gave him the look we'd all give him, and commenced knitting. Pul-lease.
The phildar sweater has reached monstrous proportions - because I decided to seam one side before finishing the front.
So THIS:
...is what I'm lugging around. At least it's warm in my lap...
Here' s a close-up of the seam. No wonkiness here!
Thanks again, you all, for the pep talk. Especially my kid sister, who rocks.
With a burning love inside...
That Spinner's song was playing in the Dunkin' Donuts where I recently had a cheese and sausage biscuit! YUM. In fact, I had two. One for the High Energy Fetus.
WARNING. Lot going on in this post. Just scroll fast to see pictures. ;-)
Preggers Update
Well, all seems well so far. I think I felt the baby move, it was a weird motion like something swimming in my belly. Maybe I made it up. I'm waiting for the real thing.
I get pretty tired easily these days. I cleaned the house tonight and only got halfway through before I was exhausted. This was WITH High Energy John's help. I just finished, and now I want to sleep for 14 hours...
I had a minor fender bender too, (all is fine with the baby, family, don't freak out) just when I had thought, "I'm so glad I haven't had a car wreck while I'm pregnant."
Other than that, all seems well. Here's an 18 week ultrasound shot - just a baby foot. Awwww....
SO. MUCH. ELSE.
Alot is going on around here otherwise. I finished all the squares for a quilt for my niece. It's only taken THREE YEARS. Oh Lord. They are butterflies.
Excuse the post-its. It was hard enough to get on the floor to put them on.
Also, I swatched for Bridie, about which I am VERY excited.
My stitch gauge is on, my row gauge as usual is off, but the pattern looks like it will be okay row-gauge wise. We shall see.
Overall it drives me crazy when I use the yarn the pattern calls for, and the stitch gauge is right, but my row gauge is off. But it happens ALL THE TIME. So now I just work around it. I'd like a good explanation for why this is so, someday.
Elspeth!!!
And I have finished Elspeth!
But first, go look at my buddy Elspeth's AMAZING gorgeous Rowan Butterfly dress. Go look, I'll wait.
Wow.
And now, here's my Elspeth, finally. Pictures by the fabulous Carrie.
And the back:
And a close-up:
Pattern Notes
Rowan Calmer, 4 skeins even though it called for 5. I modified the sleeves by doing the short rows, then knitting an inch, then continuing on, because I wanted them longer.
Also, I used Nona's excellent Left Slanted decrease on the sleeves and am very happy with it. I wish I had found that post for the body and fronts, but at least the sleeves benefitted.
What else? I had to re-crochet the picot edge only once. I had read on other blogs that it was easy to be too loose, and it flared. So after the first time, I would skip a dc each time in the picot and it was much better. Email me if you want this specifically explained.
Lastly, a ridiculous 19 1/2 week belly shot:
Hi. I'm ridiculous.
ALRIGHTY THEN! I'm off to the land of Bon Jovi and Bruce, to hang out with someone much cooler (even than Bruce). ;-) See you after!
Fun weekend.
We had fun times around here this weekend. Sunday was my 34th birthday, and High Energy Mom's birthday was Tuesday. So we went home for the weekend for festivities.
Our initial plan was to camp, but as you can see...
the weather was not so good. A few minutes later...
it really was not so good.
So we went to Mexican restaurant where, conveniently, they had already decorated for someone's birthday...
...and we pretended it was for me.
Here's a gratuitious 16 week belly shot, while in the car.
The next day we went to the arboretum in Asheville, NC and had a fun walk.
That evening, after cake and presents:
we went to see the Asheville Tourists, a Colorado Rockies farm team!
It was very much fun times. Complete with frozen t-shirt contest and the chicken dance. And the Tourists won!!!
While at the game, I ate a lemon-lime frozen ice - YUM - and it turned my lips GREEN.
And I finished another Elspeth front:
and the first sleeve!
And afterwards there was a really cool fireworks show.
We had to come home in the afternoon which was sad times, but HE Johnny took me to Indian restaurant dinner and to see Talladega Nights, which was very silly and funny.
All in all, good birthday fun! And Elspeth is blocking with one sleeve to go...
You talk as if you care...*
Boy have I been BLABBY lately. Chatt-Y. I don't know what has come over me. I have always had a lot of bloggy knitting things to say, but sometimes I just don't get it together. Now, you're being subjected.
Look how fat you are!
Scroll down if'n you only want knitting...
So, pregnancy has been such a weird experience, so far. And don't take any of this to mean I'm not delighted to pregnant. You all know what it took, and I'm VERY happy. But during it, it is a bit weird.
What's most strange is dealing with the weight gain issues, and moreover, what other people have to say on the subject. It's like when you're pregnant people think they have the right to say whatever they want, and it's okay.
Since moving into my second trimester, I've had so many work people say things like:
"You're getting chubby!"
"You thought your ass was big before, wait till your third trimester!"
"Can you still fit through a door?"
The latter from my PARTNER. I've gained 7.5 pounds. I think I can still fit through a DOOR, you *%^*!.
The hardest thing is, people don't seem to realize that it's hard on me mentally to gain weight. Of course I want to, I know it's SUPPOSED to happen, but when you spend your whole life fighting the scale, desperately wanting the numbers to go down, it's depressing a bit to watch them go up... up... up...
Some smartypants out there help me come up with some snappy funny comebacks for those comments. I sure could use them...
AND! DRUMROLL....... FINALLY!!!!
A finished Vintage Knits Ribbed Sweater!!!!
Yes, it's done. Finally. Modeled by the lovely Carrie.
There was a lot of pain involved - click here to read all about it. I'll summarize for you things I learned:
1) To fix the edge stitch problems, where they were terribly uneven, I did this:
"Knit the first stitch of the row, but don't tighten it. Put your finger on it to hold it in place, and then pull up with the needle on that stitch to tighten the row below it. THEN tighten the stitch."
This fix is from The Knitting Answer Book. I love this book. And I now do this routinely when knitting back and forth. Makes a HUGE difference.
2) To fix the uneven ribbing problem, I would knit 2, then purl the next stitch by wrapping the yarn the opposite way (clockwise), then purl the next normally. On the next row, that backward-wrapped purl stitch would be knit tbl to reorient the loop back to normal.
This FINALLY fixed my uneven ribbing. Try it if you are having problems with the second knit stitch of your k2 p2 being too wide/loose.
3) I made 3/4 sleeves - if I hadn't I'd have run out of yarn - and I made the medium which called for 9 skeins. I used just almost all of those 9 skeins and full length sleeves wouldn't have made it.
4) I did backstitch seams for the first time for the set-in sleeves, and they worked pretty well.
Ok, off to work tomorrow. 8 am again. The PAIN of 8 am. In my world all my shifts would start at 4pm. ;-)
*10,000 Maniacs, anyone?
That my life would depend on the morning sun...
SO MUCH to tell you. Look out, pictures a 'coming your way.
I'm FLOORED.
LOOK what the punster sent me! I mean, look at how cute this is! I'm so touched, I can't wait for Tiny McGoo to wear it! Thank you, Elspeth. Gorgeous knitting, too.
She gets it from her mother.
You know what's more exciting than a new tennis ball? And also more anxiety-producing?
Having NEW people PAINT in your own HOUSE. Fun + anxious = pacing. all. day.
We had an exciting day, let me tell you. Watching all the new people do things with ladders, which make us VERY NERVOUS, makes us exhausted:
Best to respond by napping.
Oh, yeah. I finished Loll.
LOOKIE!
Unfortunately, I can't model it for you, although usually I really like to get a picture of a sweater on a person, because I think it shows it better. But, uh, there is no fitting. I do feel decent that the sleeves still fit, and the back fits, with the side seams at my real sides. It's just the front bit - the belly and boobs bit - that's a NO GO. No way no how. Ain't gonna happen.
Gotta get it to the shop, though, it's a store sample and long overdue. So you'll have to do with the hanger shots.
You can see lots about Loll here - including the very important PATTERN MISTAKES. Click it if you knit it.
Update: Just for fun, here's two close-up pictures for you:
Paul, we need a little mailbag music: Andrea (blogless, I think) sent a picture of her Loll!
She used Cascade Pima Melange to make it. Thanks, Andrea! We should have a mailbag entry everyday around here!
To love you with the sweetest of devotion...
WELL. I wanted to tell you.
You people HAVE to know I wanted to tell you. But, really, I couldn't, we just couldn't, before now.
And honestly, I am having huge anxiety that in the telling I will jinx it.
But, THIS embryo:
Has become THIS 13-week-old fetus. Miracle of miracles. Hi, High Energy Fetus!
The top one is his face in profile, the bottom his body in profile.
And yes, according to the embryo biopsy we had initially, it's a boy.
We almost can't believe it. I can't believe it. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. Now I just hope we can be good parents, and that the rest of this pregnancy will go without incident. It's hard not to worry when you are finally pregnant after being infertile. It's so different than for those women who just get pregnant without incident. The worry factor is TREMENDOUS.
In Knitting News...
Since Loll is near completion, thank God, I figured I'd show you what I'll knit next.
Elspeth, from Rowan 37, in Calmer, color Coral (476):
And Bridie, from the fantabulous Anna, in Karabella Margrite.
And here's both yarns. FUN.
I haven't been able to start anything new for a really long time, since I have been desperate to finish current projects. With that in mind, if all goes well, I'll have Loll done this week, and maybe even the Vintage Knits Ribbed Sweater I've been slaving over for some time now.
Of course, I won't be able to wear it till next year. But I'm not complaining. ;-)
The waiiiiting is the hardest part*
OK PEOPLE. Listen up. There's a lot to tell. A lot that's random. I'm just going to go with it. You should pee, and get yourself a beverage. You may be here awhile.
High Energy Embryo.
So, all the active IVF poking and prodding is done for now, except the aforementioned shots. Now, we wait. And wait. Maybe there's an embryo implanting. Maybe not. No way to tell yet. Just lots of waiting.
There's a lot of chance it just won't take. Even if it does, it could only take a little and then I'd have a period. Or I could miscarry. Or, maybe it'll stick.
I don't say this to be negative. I'm feeling quite positive, actually. But we infertile types get used to failure, to having our hopes dashed with each period every 4 weeks (or 3 in my case. EXCELLENT.) So, it's best for us to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. All your thoughts and prayers mean everything to me. Thank you. We'll wait together.
Random thing number one.
Mostly for the fam, a picture of our new deck furniture and newly stained deck. Which my dog has already covered in mud. Because she's bad.
The knitting on the table - it's a secret. Shhh.
Dientes mas blancas.
I am getting my teeth bleached. They make these cool molds of your teeth so the plastic things fit exactly, like so:
Not so attractive. Not very tasty bleach gel. Moving On.
You think she's dancing now...
Here's some math for you:
9 girls + slightly used wedding gown + engaged girl = weddin' jig.
REALLY High Energy Johnny...
...is taking a welding class. How cute is this picture?
Best. Man. Ever. Wants to build bicycles. Lord don't let him burn down the house.**
Random Pirate Attack!
Look what I got from the dear HibiscuitsGirl at The Black Stitch! Yo Ho Ho!
Note the "Ahoy Matey" sticker. I love this woman.
Knitting? A swatch. Anything.
I have joined the "Green Gable Knit-a-long" because I could not help myself. Here's a swatch. Boring, but it's all you get folks.
Yarrrrrrrrrrn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in "New Age Teal". Ooooh. Goody.
Alright, kids. I'm exhausted. I actually have to go back to work Friday. Oh, WORK. I forgot about that bit. I was enjoying this stay-at-home situation...
*Kudos to Karma, whose song suggestion was perfect.
** WATCH OUT. You might get what you're after...
Sweet Child, Where do we go now...
Thanks to all of you for your well wishes and prayers. You all are the best.
We have some embryos a-growin', so we'll see what happens. They will take over the world. This I know for sure. Bwah-ha-ha-ha!
Have you finished ANYTHING?
Yes.
The Sockapaloooza socks are done.
Click here for a detail shot. Oh, yeah.
And, here's the specs, if'n you want 'em.
Gratuitous Pet Shot:
Ouch.
Now that I have passed the egg retrieval stage, I am taking intramuscular shots of progesterone nightly. Thank God I work with nurses. Take a look at the size of this needle:
Ow. Quit it. Ow. Quit it.
Actually, and truly, they aren't that bad. Didn't really hurt much. Or maybe I'm just numb from all the other shots I gave myself over the last 10 days or so. Hmmm.
Sleeve therapy.
To distract myself from such medical therapies, I finished the Vintage Knits Ribbed Sweater Sleeve No. 1. Or, Bob, for short.
Bob needs to be sewn on to see how it's all going to go together. I have true fear that I am going to run out of yarn. I think I can maybe get the other sleeve done, but there's no way there's enough for the neckband. CRAP. The yarn gods are not smiling. Anybody out there have any Rowan Cotton Glace in color 787, Hyacinth??? We can talk dye lots, people. I can trade or pay. But you can't have our firstborn (if there is one). ;-)
I'm out of time... but I'm out of my head when you're not around...
Hello there. Some Hall and Oates for you. Sorry we have been away from around here, but things have been so busy in the HE Household.
First and foremost - High Energy John and Jenny are in the midst of a crazy fertility-test-tube-hopefully-not-alien-baby-making situation. Wish us luck for tomorrow, as the crazyness starts to go down in the am. We'll keep you posted.
Unless you're giving birth to knitting we don't care.
In that case, here is one finished Sockapaloooza sock. ROCK ON.
Click here to biggiesize it.
These are Mountain Colors Bearfoot, in color "Obsidian", and the pattern is "Openwork Rib" from Sensational Knitted Socks.
People, I have all but ONE TOE left. If I didn't have to get up early, they'd be done. They will be finished before the deadline. All of you can breathe a sigh of relief. You know you need to. You were worried, just a little bit. Admit it.
Whatever.
And here's the back of Loll:
Looks about the same. Not too exciting, my dears. But I do have that back bound off now, and I have also began the left front. For the SECOND TIME.
Why did I have to start over? Because I forgot the fringe is on size 8's and the rest on size 10s. The fringe looks too open and floppy on the bigger size. Frogging that fringe was no picnic. Loll has been set aside, just briefly, so it can think about what it has done. It can come out when it realizes it's error.
Sad bit here.
Also, as we are approaching Maryland Sheep and Wool, I must tell you that I will not be going. I am really sad about this, as it was so much fun last year, and since then I've met even more people I want to meet in person! And I will miss seeing the new friends I met in 2005.
But, in order to be off work for fertility treatments, I have to work the weekend of the 6th and 7th of May. Bummer. You guys, fondle some fiber for me, okay?
To keep my mind off missing you all, I have recently treated myself to sock yarn:
The plant is a Shamrock that belonged to my late father-in-law, Richard. I of-the-black-thumb am very proud it is doing so well. Richard would be pleased.
The two most lefthand yarns are from Spunky Eclectic, the middle and next to the right are from Dicentra Designs, and the bright yellow goodness is from the fabulous Mama-E. Handpainted, every one. Be still my heart.