I keep meaning to.

I really keep meaning to post. I think about it, but never get to it. And this will not really be a post. Just a quick cute picture of my ever growing, super fabulous son.



I am continuously overwhelmed with how stinkin' cute I think this kid is. I love his little face!

Wow - Post Number 300

I can't believe I have posted 300 times. So fall is coming on round our part of the country. And for Fresno, it is short and quick. But so nice. We are having days of 70's and 80's. Sun. Wind. Nice!!


Tara and her fam was here and left last Tuesday. It was a really nice visit. Teagan stayed the night at my house a couple of times. Here she is loving on her cousin. She really likes Lowan and wants to spend a lot of time with him. She was so cute and if I was leaving she would say she hadn't spent much time with Lowan and could we stay longer. She is turning into such a mature girl, it amazes and shocks me!


And here are those two sweet boys. This time Aidan didn't roll over and kick Lowan in the face (he did when I took a very similar picture in Alaska over the summer). Besides, Lowan might just grab him back if Aidan did. Lowan has grown so much since the last time they were together that he was equally interested in Aidan. Soon they will be running and playing together. Probably by the next visit.


We took a trip to the local pumpkin patch and corn maze. Unfortunately, we got out kind of late and it was kind of cold. And so we only made it about a quarter of the way through the maze before most of us (mainly my portion of the family: Kyle, Lowan and I) got too tired and needed to go home. It was also pretty cold and windy, Lowan ended up under several blankets. And, we only had one stroller. I guess there was some poor planning going on, but it was a good time any how. I should post pictures of the decorated pumpkins, Teagan did them up!!


So, most mornings I plop Lowan in bed with Kyle after he wakes up (or after I wake him up) and they lay together while I finish getting ready for school or work. They play for awhile, and then Lowan goes back to bed for his first morning nap. We have a kind of weird nap schedule that includes several short naps instead of a couple of long naps. We keep trying to work on it, but Lowan likes to cat nap and he gets fussy if we try to keep him up to consolidate naps. Anyways, on this particular morning, they were playing for awhile. Then I realized it had gotten awfully quiet in the bedroom. I think I was in the living room working on homework before I had to leave. I went back in the bedroom and both boys had fallen back to sleep in the middle of playing. It is kind of hard to tell in this picture, but they are out! I snatched Lowan up, put him in his crib and let them both get their rest.


The above picture and the one below with all the peas are from tonight. Lowan is sitting GREAT! He doesn't need the pillow for support, he needs it to protect his noggan when he tips over. But he will sit for 20 minutes at a time, no problem. He seems to really enjoy it a lot. He is also doing some scooting. He will pull his legs underneath himself, into a sort of crawling position and then he pushes them out from underneath and propels forward a little. It is mostly by accident, but when he sees something he wants, he works towards it. It won't be long and he'll really get moving. I think we are done with the swing, he is kind of too big and is starting to get fussy in it. So Kyle set up this area for Lowan in the kitchen while he was making dinner.


And finally, here is dinner (for Lowan) from tonight. He had peas. It wasn't the first time, but he really enjoyed them tonight. He kept opening up for more and more and more. Feeding Lowan is such a sweet time. He wasn't so fond of chicken and he really likes sweet potato with yogurt. He should love sweet potato, Kyle and I eat a lot of them. Today, Kyle made sweet potato hash browns for the first time. He is experimenting with some ideas. I love Kyle in the kitchen.

On that note, I should go. I'm exhausted.

Crafts-a-comin'

The semester is about a third to half way done (I'm not so sure where we are) and I've got some crafting on the brain. I've been working on a yarn order for awhile. I just can't decide what exactly I want. So here are the projects I'd like to bang out this winter:



I know I've already mentioned Versatility. But I still love it. I am leaning towards using Cadena in grey (mist). Tara's is coming along. She is nearly done and I'm so excited to see it.


I also need a new hat for me. And I've been in love with this pattern for awhile. It is Koolhaas from Interweave Knits a few issues ago. I'm pretty sure I have the pattern, I'll just have to look. This I'm envisioning in Wool of the Andes in the kettle dyed brown (Auburn Kettle).

I've also wanted to try this yarn out. So I'm thinking of getting a ball in their clearance color and making Teagan some mittens. Just went to link and the clearance color is gone. So now I have to decide if I want to try it out at full price... Hmmmm.



Finally, I want to make this cutie for Lowan. His name is Sheldon and his shell comes off. I am thinking in green and brown. I am debating between the yarn used in the picture or some other stuff I really want to try, this yarn here. It is a sock yarn, but has a cool look and has some elastic in it, which is kind of nice.

Alright, enough dreaming, time to get my but in gear, eat breakfast and get ready for work. Oh, and take care of my child.

Rolling

Lowan has begun to really roll. And he rolled under the coffee table today. Where he found a receipt that he promptly began eating. Little stinker!


I was on the computer trying to get some school work done, and he went for a roll. HA-HA. He has become really good at it, really fast. For the longest time he wouldn't roll from stomach to back even though he knew how. But that has changed and since yesterday he has not really stayed where we put him. The crib needs to be lowered too, I worry about my future!

Brioche

It sounds like a type of bread. Hmmm... Maybe it is bread as well as a knit stitch. I have nearly finished Kyle's brioche hat from Weekend Knitting. This has been one long project, mainly due to a nearly six month wait on the ordered yarn. Then when I got the yarn, I didn't want to work on the project because I had dropped a stitch. And um... they are hard to pick up in this crazy brioche business. So this little project, hands down, has the most errors ever. I make errors while knitting, but I pretty much always fix them. This little number is full of them and there was no way I was going to drop any stitch in an attempt to fix them. I would have lost everything. I could barely remember what I was doing. I wouldn't call the brioche hard, but it is confusing to look at. I don't know what is going on well enough with it to fix anything. Those two colors are all intertwined to create that look. But what a look, it comes out really cool.



So Kyle is pretty excited. He didn't think I'd finish this hat, especially not in time for his camping trip in a week and a half, but finish it I did. Well, except for those pesky ends to be woven in. But that is not the irritating problem it used to be. Sorry this picture is not of the finished hat, I have not taken any yet.



Also, today, Lowan is six months old. YEA!! What a cute boy!!

New Poop

The new poop in our lives is actually new poop. Lowan's new food is turning into new business out the other end as well. And because of that and the eating, we are upping the number of baths this little fellow will be getting. We didn't give him all that many, I mean, how dirty could he be getting.


But now, it will be at least every other day (I'm thinking) and soon daily. Anyways, here is some fun we had after his bath the other night. He was loving having the towel dragged across him. He's such a cute boy!! Still not much of a roller, he can flip to him stomach like no body's business, but the reverse... not so much. He did... like a month ago. We know he can do it, but he doesn't seem so inclined to do it often. Maybe we jump in and help too soon.

We go to the Dr. on Tuesday for our six month check up, I can't believe that much time has already passed. I guess that's all I have to say for today. I will try to finish up the ties on Baby Yoda and get some of those pics up soon.

Being a Mother

Being a Mother is the most soul satisfying thing I have ever done. And to think, nearly all women can do it. I have been so happy since the second moment I found out I was pregnant (the first moment was terrifying!). And then Lowan's birth, while also scary (mostly due to his breathing distress) was beautiful and magnificent.

I have days where I miss my non mothering life. Days where I want to lay on the couch and watch tv and nap and live careless. But as soon as Lowan needs me, all those feelings melt away and I am more than happy to care for him. It probably helps that Kyle is an amazing father who takes on many responsibilities, so I am able to have those lazy moments. They just can't last ALL day. Once Lowan needs to eat, I am the only one who will work. But I guess even that isn't true, and it is becoming less true every day. I think when being a mother feels the most stiffiling (what a bad word, but it works) is when we want to both do something, especially at night. We are lucky to have my mom who is really helpful and loves to watch the baby. But Kyle has been having music shows; late, late gigs, that I would kind of like to go to. However, I'm not ready for Lowan to stay at someone elses house, so that means my mom would have to stay here until 12, 1, or 2 in the morning. I don't really even think I could stay up that late. But I'm sad that the option is more limited.

Anyways, more on the positive. It is amazing bringing life to the most adorable, wonderful, sweet little boy. He has so much personality it amazes both Kyle and I. We love to talk about the future things we will get to do with Lowan. Like working in the garden with Kyle, taking bike rides together (both with him in the Chariot and later on his own bike), we talk about when he goes to school, him riding his bike with his dad. These thoughts are so sweet and wonderful. And we love the now moments. The times that are changing so fast and hard to keep hold of. But they are great, we love to see Lowan changing. From the tiny newborn, to the little boy (I know, he's not yet a little boy).

Kyle and I have decided that we will only have one child. And he is very resolute in this decision, but I tell you, I have many, many moments of doubt. I love Lowan so much, with my whole body and so deep inside of me, that I can't imagine doing it all over again. So while Kyle may know for certain... we'll see! Just don't tell him!!!

Dinner

Here's what happened at my house tonight:



We've got some good eats 'round these parts!

Cute Boy Backyard Photo Shoot

Here are some pictures of my cutie from this afternoon.

So Close

It is so close to being done. All the ends are woven in. Both sleeves are done and attached. The collar is complete. All that is left is adding the ties. I can't decide what I want to do though. It calls for I-cords. But that seems bulky to me. Kyle wants rope to complete the yoda-ness of it. I was thinking maybe some thin twine or cord of some type.



The weather is starting to cool, so maybe he'll get to wear it soon. I've got to go, Lowan just woke up so it's time to get this morning rolling.

Knitting Faux Pas

I don't know if this is or isn't but I am going to guess that you really aren't supposed to do this...



But I could not help it. I finished the sleeve and I really wanted to see it on the sweater. So some seaming (while watching Star Wars) and the sleeve is on. And so cute. I know I will regret it when I have a hard time getting the length right on sleeve two.



I need to go, my computer is about to die and I need to get dressed for work.

Baby Yoda

Here Lowan is modeling the sleeve of Baby Yoda. I am a bad mother for letting him play with a sleeve with safety pins in it. But he enjoyed it. I am not going to re-knit the sleeve, but I am going to leave a vent of sorts at the bottom of the sleeve. It will match what I am doing on the bottom sides of the sweater.


Next I "tried" the sweater on Lowan. Then he flashed me (the last photo of three). Look at that cute smile in the center, he knows that the camera is aiming at him and he typically won't look away when I get it out.


On Thursday night, Kyle played an opening show for a park performance of Shakespeare in the Park. It was a beautiful night. We couldn't stay for the play because it started at 8pm and Lowan needed to get home to bed. This is not the best picture, but you can see the passion on everyones face, they were all so happy to be playing.


Lowan at the show. This was before the music got started, but he was having a good time none the less. He is seen here with monkey who we stole from Alaska. Still one of his favorite toys!!


Look at my cute men. I like the second picture that looks like Lowan is running across Kyle's lap. They bring me so much happiness!

Now I need to get to work on the second sleeve.

Stinky Sister

That stinker of a sister of mine has bought yarn and cast on for her very own Versatility. Kyle doesn't understand my annoyance. It is simply because I am jealous and want to make my very own versatility. I'm excited for Tara to make it, but it has been just about all I can think about, so I want to be making it.

Instead when I think about it, I start working on Lowan's sweater. I finished the first sleeve last night. And bummer, I think I don't like the sizing and will have to tear it out and re-knit the whole thing. We'll see, I'll try it on him to see how it works. It just seems really narrow at the wrist, and I want the sweater to fit through this winter at least.

And when I thought I was in the clear as far as projects on my plate before Versatility, Kyle reminded me that he would like his beanie finished. UGH! I dropped some stitches and it is in a very complicated pattern and I have been dreading fixing it. But I will get back to it. It only took about 5 months for my yarn order to come in, so it is only necessary for me to delay the project an equal length of time... right??

So I was going to post some pics. Pictures of the sleeve on Lowan and a picture of the progress on Kyle's hat. But the batteries were dead. Then the day grew long and we were gone for much of it. Now I'm home, Lowan's in bed and I don't feel like getting out the hat and want to go to bed. So this will be a photo-less post that just gripes about Tara. See Ya!

All the ways...

I am in LOVE with this. Knitty came out yesterday and there are some cuties. But this. I love this!! Can't wait to make this. Want to quit knitting everything else and drop out of school to knit this. I am swearing to myself that I will finish Baby Yoda and Cabled Riding Jacket before I begin this. And to boot, Tara wants one too. This is Versatility and can be found here. There are lots of other pictures of the sweater and what you can do with it. Check this hottie out, you won't regret it!

I really think I want to use the exact yarn called for in the same color. Which I never do, but I love this yarn and this color. I have mittens and had a hat (that the dog ate) in this yarn. Good stuff. But I've also been looking into subs. We'll see.