Fuzzy Noodle

The New Fuzzy Noodle Knits

2012-02-29T14:49:00.000-06:00

Happy Leap Year friends! I hope none of you have birthdays today, or are birthing any kids today...what an awkward date to have a birthday!

I just finished off an adorable pair of little longies, they are so wee! I do NOT remember CJ being this little! In fact, last night when Chuck was give CJ hugs and kisses at night night time, I was struck by how large CJ looked in his arms...he isn't a baby anymore, he's a kid! That makes me both happy and sad.

Anyhow, back to the longies!

Pattern: Sheepy Pants by Mandie Harrington
Materials: Malabrigo Worsted in "Charrua"; US Size 5 and 7 needles
Finished: February 25, 2012

These were knit purely to create stock in my new store! Yep, I'm at it again. Since I am no longer spinning due to aforementioned toddler, I am knitting up a storm in my free time, and have fallen in love with knitting soakers, longies, skirties, and other woollens for cloth diapered babies. It's fun, fast, and very creative. In fact, I plan to dye my own yarns so that I can make completely custom and unique woolies! This will be really cool for people who want woolies to match favorite t-shirts, favorite diapers, school colors, etc. I am really excited about this creative venture, and I feel it really hits the nail on the head of what I've been searching for to satisfy my artistic whims.

I have decided to run my shop via Hyena Cart. While most people think Etsy when they thing handmade, Hyena Cart is where the cloth diapering people hang out, so that's where I want to be. Hyena Cart also has a much nicer fee structure too! There is another cart option out there, Big Cartel, but that is stand alone, and there isn't a community of other makers to browse via Big Cartel, so I would be 100% responsible for marketing the shop. I am no where near that. Maybe someday if I get a following I can move over there since the set up is very custom, but not yet.

My little cart is here. In the next few weeks, I plan to forward my fuzzynoodleknits domain over to that cart. If your bookmarks point to fuzzynoodleknits, please change them to fuzzynoodlelife. If your RSS reader follows the blogger URL, you don't need to change a thing! I just want to separate out the personal blog from the store.

I am currently working on a custom pair of shorties for a little lad in Florida! I can't wait to make shorties for my little shorty...we just need some warm weather up in here!

So, This is Happening.

2012-02-23T07:53:00.002-06:00

We are in trouble now.

Mr. Carson Longies

2012-02-22T08:47:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Sheepy Pants by Mandie Harrington
Materials: Three Irish Girls Carys BFL in "Carson" (hence the Downton Abbey Mr. Carson reference); US size 4 and 6 needles
Finished: February 13, 2012
Ravelry project page here.

Carys BFL is more of a DK weight yarn in my opinion, so I really had to mess with gauge and math to get the correct size. The nice thing about the Sheepy Pants pattern is that it offers a plug-and-play option for custom sizing with a gauge different than the suggested pattern. These pants are very drapey, so I made an I-cord tie to keep his pants up. There will be no saggy pants in my house!!

I am now in love with BFL for longies. These are so very soft, and seem to wear like iron! CJ wore these all day on Sunday, and even after lots of running with his truck, crawling on the carpet, and many diaper changes, these pants look like the day they came off the needles. I think I may be a convert to BFL for longies.

However, I don't think I will use this particular BFL base again. Even though I did a heavy lanolin treatment on them, after about 2 hours in a fitted diaper, I did notice the crotch was damp, and Chuck was mentioning he could smell pee. I just don't think this base is thick enough to wear with fitteds. I will certainly put him in these again...and often, but only with diapers that have a cover already, like our pickets, AI2s, and AIOs.

In other news, all of us got haircuts this weekend. I chopped all mine off! I've had basically the same cut for the last 5 years, and in a fit of boredom, off it went! I like it a lot...still getting used to it though. I really have to up the makeup and girly clothes to pull it off though. I'll post a pic once a good one is taken. CJ got a new 'do too! He needed a cut badly, because no matter how much product, cowashing, detangler, and daily combing I do, the back and sides of his hair tangle so badly. After his last cut, in which the barber practically scalped him, I realized that his hair on top is much thinner than on the side and back. This time, we went to a new barber shop and had a much better experience. Since he's thinner up on top, the barber basically did a fade on him, and left all the length he had up top. I LOVE IT! He looks like a combination of old school Will Smith from the Fresh Prince days and Kid n' Play. Since the late 80's and early 90's are coming back, my kid is on the cutting edge of fashion!

Olive Ewe!

2012-02-14T08:00:00.001-06:00

Here's a sweet little knit for my baby boy on this Valentine's Day!

Pattern: Evie Pants All-in-One by Marilyn Porter
Materials: Malabrigo Worsted in "Olive"; US Size 5 and 7 needles
Finished: January 30, 2012

I decided to try out this pattern since I've become pretty hooked on longies. There were a couple of additions this pattern had as opposed to the Sheppy Pants pattern, like a few quick short rows right after the ribbing on the butt to get the waistband up and over the diaper, but for the most part, I didn't find this pattern as versatile as Sheepy Pants. The recommended gauge was odd too...a 4.5 on a 7 with worsted.

So, I'm pretty convinced that Sheepy Pants are my go-to for longies. I actually finished yet another pair last night, and am just finishing up an I-cord for the waist tie.

I'm so excited to be ccelebrating our second Valentine's Day as a family of three! We celebrated by attending our first ECFE event at a local middle school (the one that Lindsey Vonn attended!), and it was so much fun! Now that CJ is getting bigger we can do more of these events, and play dates too. This is SUCH a fun age!

CJ and I wish you a very happy Valentine's Day!

Is it ok to ask if someone's kids are adopted?

2012-02-10T08:18:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite mom/adoption blogs answers a really good question today...is it ok to ask if someone's kids are adopted? Go read it now and come back.

So, basically, what she said. And also let me add my thoughts. Often when I am out with CJ, people think he is my biological child because his ethnic makeup is a bit ambiguous...he could be biracial, African American, or a blend of many different ethnic backgrounds. But when the three of us are out in pubic, we get many looks and stares. For the most part, I am ok with it and understand the curiosity. I also understand that this comes with the territory of being a transracial adoptive family. Chuck and I spent a lot of time research and educating ourselves on transracial adoption issues, and we continue to do so...it will be a life-long journey for the three of us. But to others, we are a point of curiosity.

Since Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding suburbs are home to one of the largest transracial adoption communities in the US (thanks to high rates of adoption from China and domestic interstate adoption), most people "in the wild" see us and understand what we are. But sometimes people approach us and ask questions. And for the most part, I am willing to talk with them about adoption. I am a total extrovert, so I'll chat with anyone. But what I WON'T do is share my son's story with others, especially strangers, no matter how hard people pry. Because it is not my story to share. I will also not discuss "what he's mixed with" (got that one at Target), nor will I have the pro-life "you saved a child" conversation (also at Target, seriously Target shoppers, mind your P's and Q's). It infuriates me to no end the judgement that is placed on to birth mothers, and Target is NO place for me to be educating you on the emotional complexities of placing a child that you love so dearly that you choose him to be parented by others.

All I really ask of others who are curious about our family is to be respectful. Don't make judgement calls based on what you see, and keep your mind open about adoption and transracial family issues. Every child came to their families under very different circumstances, and it isn't your business to know all the details. But what you should know is that our children are loved so very, very dearly. Parenting an adopted child is different than parenting a biological child, but the love is very much the same.

Guest Blogger at Bloggers for Hope

2012-02-08T09:30:00.000-06:00

I wrote another post over at Bloggers for Hope this week. The post, entitled IVF 101 or, You're Gonna do WHAT to my Lady Parts?! is a quick overview of the IVF process, and I don't hold much back. If you our someone you know is currently or has gone though IVF, I think it's worth the read. Infertility is such taboo stuff, and the more people understand the process the less mystery and fear there will be. Make sure to check out the comments, I answer some additional questions there.

12 Months!

2012-02-06T09:59:00.000-06:00

12 months and two weeks to be exact, but who's counting? We're a bit behind on these photos, partly because we've been busy, and mostly because we knew it'd be a fight to get them. Little Sir wants nothing to do with posing for pictures anymore. If we can't get a pic of him on the fly, then it's not going to happen!

12 months! I can't believe we're here! There has certainly been a lot of change in the last few weeks. Most importantly (to us, I think!), you are now on whole milk!! WOOOOOOOOO! $3 a gallon for a week, versus $15 for a tub of formula that lasted 4 days! This is a great change! You took to it like it was no big deal...I think that's because you have always had formula room temp or cold. You are also now fully transitioned to people food. You have your three meals a day plus snacks, and take sippy cups of milk at those times. We'll give you milk after naps as well, but we have reached that milestone where milk is not your source of nutrition anymore. It's a bit bittersweet...formula and bottle feeding was so easy. Now we begin the next stage of trying to get you to eat and try new foods. The other night you would cry when I would put a green bean in your mouth. You wouldn't refuse it, just cry. SO. FUNNY. I am most anxious about this stage...the food wars. I've heard a lot of my friends battle with this, so I'm nervous. I just have to remember what your pediatrician said..."it's your job to offer him a balanced meal, but it's his job to eat it".

At your 12 month check-up, you were 23 pounds exactly (the nurse had me guess, and I nailed it), 29 inches long, with a head circumference of 18.5 inches. You are still 50th percentile for weight, but dropped down to 25th percentile in height. Since you've kept on the 50th percentile curve since you were 2 months old, the doctor thinks you are going to have a growth spurt soon and shoot up a few inches. We just had your feet measured again for new shoes, and you wear a 5 wide.

You are incredible mobile, and are minutes away from walking. When we are out and about, you like to push your own stroller. You manhandle your infant walkers, making them go the direction YOU want! You are standing on your own quite a bit, and like to have us hold your hand while you walk around the house. We're just waiting for you to break away and toddle off on your own! You are communicating with us more and more. You are also using more signs lately, which is very helpful! And...you're developing a bit of a temper...woe be to us in a few months!

We've also reached another milestone...you are in the process of moving into a new room at school. This week you will spend half of your day "visiting" the next room, and then you move over there permanently on the 13th. You have some buddies over there already, but if you don't start walking by the end of the week, you'll be the only non-walker over there. I'm a bit nervous about that, but I've observed you and how you interact with others, and I have no doubt that you can handle yourself just fine. I'll miss your infant room teachers so much though...they love you so much.

And with that, we are at the end of the monthly updates. What a beautiful year this has been. What an honor it is to be your mom and to watch you grow up into this delightful little boy!

Brown Sheepies for CJ

2012-02-01T09:11:00.000-06:00

Yep, more longies for CJ! These are so very addicting, and I am having fun playing around with the patterns, finding the best fit, and even doing some embellishment (you should see that pair that came off the needles last night)! In fact, I love making these so much, that I bought a cottage license to make Sheepy Pants to sell, so that might be something coming soon! This kid can only have so many pairs of pants. ;)

Pattern: Sheepy Pants by Mandie Harrington
Materials: Dream in Color Classy "November Muse"; US Size 5 and 7 needle
Finished: January 22, 2012
Ravelry page here.

I was originally planning to do a stranded knit motif of owls at the cuff to match a particular shirt, but after I did the knitting and did the cuff, the fabric was so thick at the bottom that I felt it was too dense to get over a squirmy baby's foot. So I cut off the cuff, picked up the stitches, and just did a hemmed cuff instead. I like how nice it hangs. I had some gauge issues with Classy...more like, I didn't do a gauge swatch, so these are a wee bit snug. There also isn't enough rise in the back to fully go over a cloth diaper, so these will only be used with diapers with built-in covers, like All-In-Ones, All-In-Twos, and pockets. I'm working on a concept that will add more rise in the back, but not to the front...he doesn't need to be wearing wool up to his baby moobs!

I feel like I'm making some progress understanding the fit and geometry issues needed in making wooly covers for cloth diapered babies. There's a lot of "behind the scenes" stuff going on in order to get a really good fit. I'm also trying to balance good fit now, versus making something that we might get some wear out of next fall. This is why I'm having fun with longies...the adjustment and modification is never ending, so you're not just making the same thing over and over.

Oh, and I'm really tempted to get the dye pots going again and dye my own yarns for longies! Why I'm getting my creative juices flowing again from baby pants, I do not know...

Another Anemone Hat!

2012-01-30T08:30:00.000-06:00

This one's not for CJ though! I'm a member of the January 2011 Moms group on Ravelry, and we decided to have a handknits swap for the babies first birthdays! We got matched up with our child's "birthday twin", and we made a one skein knit item for that baby. What child in this world could go without an Anemone Hat??!?

Pattern: Anemone Hat by Cat Bordhi
Materials: Malabrigo Rios "Teal Feather"; US Size 7 and 8 Needle
Finished: December 28, 2011

I'm just revealing it now because it was a surprise, and the box had to travel across the pond to England. It has been opened and happily received (and it fits!), so now the hat can make it's blog debut.

Thinks to my favorite male model for showing off the hat. Anyone else thinks he might have a career in modeling? ;) It's be a great way to save for college...

CJ's First Birthday Party!

2012-01-26T13:37:00.001-06:00

Last Saturday we celebrated CJ's first birthday with a lovely party! Close friends and family joined us at our home and shared good food, conversation, and cake with our little boy. A good time was had by all...including a sick little birthday boy who just can't seem to kick a doozy of a cold. After the party he took a four hour nap!

The theme of the party was "Winter Wonderland". I had originally wanted to do Legos, but friends told me to save that theme until he was older and could appreciate it. Since CJ has a late January birthday, I thought a winter theme would be fun. And Mother Nature cooperated and gave us an inch of snow the day before. We had a little issue with our catering, but everything worked out in the end, and it was a wonderful, fun, emotional (at least for momma!) day!

More photos after the jump!

The Wall of Sweets...2 cakes, cake balls (thanks Auntie Amber!), cookies, and peppermints!

Photos from month one though eleven

The cake for the adults

The Smash Cake (I only gave him 1/4 of it though)

Explaining the new train set from Grandma and Grandpa Lantz

Taking his new wheels from Grandma and Grandpa Ward for a spin

The cake was a hit, can you tell?

Happy Birthday baby boy! You are loved by so many people, and it is such a joy to watch you grow!

Happy First Birthday, CJ!!

2012-01-20T10:56:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe my sweet little baby is one year old today! I did not believe people when they told me that time moves so quickly when your children are little, but now I understand what they meant. It seems like yesterday that we were in Las Vegas and I was witness to this perfect little child's entrance into this world. What a great honor it has been to watch you grow up my darling boy!

Day 1, Day 365

I have been really emotional this morning. This is a milestone that I never thought I'd be able to participate in as a parent. To be celebrating my own child's first birthday and to be planning tomorrow's celebration sometimes feels like a dream. I often times feel like I need to pinch myself to see if this is all real.

And it is! Thanks to the beautiful woman who brought you into this world and chose us to parent you. Without her, none of this would be possible.

I love you sweet baby CJ...probably more than you will ever know. You have made this year the best one of my life.

Sheepy Pants for CJ

2012-01-18T14:17:00.000-06:00

I knit. I live in Minnesota. It is Winter. I have a baby. What do these four statements add up to? I AM KNITTING MAH BABY SOME PANTZ!!! Yeuup, momma has a new knitting obsession, and it is called Baby Longies!

So, before I get to the adorable pictures of CJ wearing handknit pants, let me tell you WHY I am knitting him pants. First off, knit pants are quite common in the cloth diapering world for two main reasons. 1) you can build as much ease in the booty as you want...great for those who find that ready-made pants don't fit over a fluffy cloth diaper butt; and 2) wool has magical waterproofing properties, regulates temperature, and also provides lots of air flow for babies who are sensitive to wetness. I primarily use cloth diapers that have waterproof barriers, but the occasional leak (now very occasional now that CJ is on table food) happens, and wool longies soak them right up! Most importantly though, knit pants are cozy and warm, perfect for a Minnesota winter...when winter finally decides to show up. Which is has, in a BIG way...I heard it will be -30F when I take CJ to school tomorrow. Now do you want a pair of wool pants too?

Pattern: Sheepy Pants by Mandie Harrington
Materials: Malabrigo Worsted in Vermilion and Blue Surf; US Size 5 and 7 needles
Finished: January 13, 2012
Ravelry project page here.

Malabrigo Worsted pants...could anything be warmer/softer/awesomer?! I would totally make myself a pair if it didn't cost so much money to buy the yarn for my size! I love the Sheepy Pants pattern quite a bit, it really allowed for quite a bit of customization and was one of the best written and assembles patterns I have used.

The red and blue yarn match his CJ's Birthday shirt that he will wear for his big day on Saturday! I decided to do asymmetrical stripes because I thought it would be more playful.

The one thing about the pattern I didn't care for is the short row shaping, or more specifically, how you bridge the gap between the short rows and the regular knitting. I am going to try a few different techniques in the next pairs I make. Yep, there are more pants to come!

The next time I write, I will be the very proud mother of a one year-old. I have no idea where this time has gone, but it has been the very best year of my life, and I am just SO THANKFUL to be the mother of that beautiful, wool pants wearing little boy up there!

Guest Blogger at Bloggers for Hope

2012-01-17T09:13:00.000-06:00

Late last year I was asked to be a contributing author for a blogging project to support Chance to Hope. Chance to Hope is a non-profit organization whose mission is to give financial assistance and support to those pursuing family-building through medical treatment or adoption.

As many of you may know, my husband and I went though years of assisted reproductive treatment, including IVF, to grow our family. And as you new blog readers probably have figured out by now, we because parents though domestic infant adoption.

Eventhough our path to parenthood was though adoption, I still carry the physical and emmortional scars of IVF. But now that I have some distance from it, I hope to be able to provide some insight, research, and hope on the topic. I am the contributing author in IVF at Bloggers for Hope, and my introduction post went live today.

Piggle for Mea!

2012-01-12T11:06:00.000-06:00

One of my fellow adoptive mamma friends (Hi Kelly!) was mentioning on Twitter a month or so ago about how she was having a hard time finding a hat that would work with her daughter's Afro-puff pig tails. I told her that I could help her with that problem, and voila! Mea's piggies can now fly free!

Pattern: Piggle by Rebecca Dovi from Winter 2006 Knitty.com
Materials: Jojoland Tonic in Colorway AW116, bits of Berroco Comfort DK for the flower, US Size 2 needle
Finished: January 2, 2012
Ravelry page here.

I made the hat a wee bit longer so that it would be sure to cover Mea's ears. They live in the Midwest too, so our winters can be a bit chilly...need those ears covered! The hat is one size fits all, so it should grow with her, and pink should be a hit at least though adolescence, right?
I love kitting for others! It totally warms my heart!

Guest Blogger on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer

2012-01-09T08:22:00.000-06:00

I'm the guest blogger today over at the Cloth Diaper Whisperer talking about one of my favorite diaper brands, Hiney Lineys! Head on over and check it out.

Getting Ready for the Big Day

2012-01-08T13:12:00.000-06:00

CJ will be one (!!) in less than two weeks, so the preparations are now in full force! Along with getting the decorations figured out, getting the cakes ordered, and figuring our catering (yeah, this isn't going to be low-key like I thought), I also decided I needed to knit him stuff. Cuz I have ALL this free time on my hands...

First up is the icing on the cake...literally!

Pattern: Birthday Cake Hat from Itty Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson
Materials: Jojoland Tonic in AW100 (white) and AW244 (blue), bits of Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label Cashmere Sock in Orange Blossom (held doubled) for the flame; US Size 5 and 7 needles
Finished: January 8, 2012

I think this is required knitting for all children of knitters! It was a fun little project, and I'm quite pleased that the candle turned out well...I was nervous about that.

Next up is some longies (knit pants that cloth dipering parents use on their kiddos) to match his birthday shirt!

Have to run, someone just woke up fro the shortest nap ever...sigh. ;)

CJ's New Digs

2012-01-04T10:48:00.001-06:00

As you probably saw in the video I posted yesterday, CJ has some new digs! Our Christmas gift to CJ was the gift of a PLAY ROOM! We had to think about this one for a while. Even though we have a 4 bedroom house, all rooms are being used and couldn't be converted into a playroom. The only room in our house that we aren't using on a daily basis is our dining room. In 8 years of being in this house, we have never had a meal in the dining room. We have a great room-style family room, informal dining, and kitchen with wood flooring, so why in the world would we eat in a room with carpet, especially now with added child action??

So, while we were on vacation last week, and while CJ was at school, Chuck and I began the process of converting a fully furnished dining room into a fun times play room! We put on the finishing touches on the room on Friday, and when CJ came home from school that day, he was in for a big surprise!

He loves it! It was like an epiphany for him. He started playing and walking with his toys, and pulling himself up his new toy organizers (he hadn't even pulled up to the coffee table yet!).

All of his toys are now easily accessable to him, and we put down a mat for him to practice his walking and "controlled falling". The thing that surprised Chuck and me is how 3 days in his play room really accelerated his physical development. He wasn't pulling himself up much on Friday, and by Monday was a pro. He wasn't using push toys on Friday, and is now a master. He even plays with his toys differently now that he has SPACE.

We have a large gate that will keep him safe so that I can step away and cook diner, or do other crazy things like go to the bathroom. He loves it, we love it. Best use of a dining room EVER.

We look forward to years of fun in CJ's World!!

11 Months!

2012-01-03T08:47:00.000-06:00

We're a little late with the monthly update again, but the Holidays were so busy, we hope you won't mind!

This month has been all about your gross motor skills catching up with your cognitive development. It has been fascinating to watch you figure out things, like pulling yourself up, and mastering the technique all in one weekend! You went from pulling yourself up to your knees, which you've been doing for months, to figuring out how to get your feet underneath you, to cruising around the house with one of your push toys. As you run off down the room, your giggle and squeals of joy follow you!

After 3 months on "teething pause", you finally cut your third tooth. It's the upper left tooth, can you see it in the picture? That one cause lots of drama and tears...hurry up second front tooth so we can get this over with! You are in the process of self weaning, you aren't taking many bottles anymore. You want table food instead, but have been a little bit picky lately. Hopefully you'll get over that once your gums stop hurting from teething. Since you're taking less fluids, your "output" is lower, so I have been able to take out the 2nd inserts in your pocket cloth diapers, which means a trimmer butt for walking for you, and less laundry for mamma!

You don't sit still EVER anymore, even when you want to snuggle, you keep on moving. Woe be to us for trying to do crazy things, like put you in your highchair or in your car seat. Silly parents!

You are very clearly recognizing words and images. Last night Daddy and you were "reading" an animal book together, and when Daddy asked you where Kitty was, you pointed to it! You're so smart!!

We expect this month to be crazy...we are planning your first birthday party, and you are planning to walk! What an exciting month this will be. It is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a couple of weeks, and I think it is really important for us to make a tradition of celebrating MLK Day by doing a service project (later when you're bigger) or attend an event. I think it is really neat that you and MLK share a birthday in the same week...our little family is TOTALLY living his dream!

While I am a bit sad that you are growing up so fast, I will be secretly relieved to be done taking your monthly photos. You have not been cooperative as of late, and I think you've had it sitting for these photo shoots too!

Milanese Loop

2011-12-31T17:27:00.000-06:00

Time to reveal the one Christmas knitting project!

Pattern: Milanese Loop by tante ehm
Materials: madelinetosh pashmina in Chambray; US Size 4 needle
Finished: December 22, 2011

My step-mom, who loves to wear my handknits as much as I do, was the recipient of this infinity scarf. I wasn't planning to knit for this Christmas, but when she mentioned she wanted on at Thanksgiving, I just had to make it! Pashmina is just as lovely as it sounds...I can't wait to make something for myself with it. This pattern and yarn provide a great drape, so it can be worn as a long scarf or wrapped around the neck without any bulk.

In other news, CJ's first Christmas was wonderful! It was very, very busy, and he seemed to really enjoy everything. It was fun to have him a bit older for the Holiday, I think he probably had more fun that way. We're still in the process of gathering photos, but this one really sums up the 24 hour period...non-stop baby!

Happy New Years Eve! Have fun, and be safe!!

The Holidays are a Coming!

2011-12-21T09:58:00.000-06:00

It's just kind of dawning on me that Christmas is this weekend!! To our little family, Christmas is two days...the IL's do their big celebration on Christmas Eve, and my folks do Christmas day. We are done shopping, but there is a lot of wrapping to be done, and I still have 11 rows left to knit on the one and only handknit gift for this year. I am also taking this Friday though January 2nd off of work, so I am very busy getting end-of-year things done at work. I do a lot of website writing/editing, an there are quite a bit of updates to be made prior to January 1.

That said, I'm putting my little "Greening Your Life" blogging challenge on hold for about a week. There is just a wee bit too much happening right now for me to carve out time to write (see: Christmas knitting).

Also, CJ turned 11 months yesterday!!! We plan to take his pics on Friday. Wow, I can't believe that we'll have a 1 year-old in a month. That is the craziest thing I've ever heard of. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd ever be planning a 1st birthday party.

I'll leave you with a picture of CJ's newest "trick"! He's been pulling himself up to his knees for month, but finally figured out how to get his feet underneath him this weekend.

He is quite proud of himself...can you tell?

Greening Up Your Life: Day 3, Cloth Wipes

2011-12-19T11:23:00.000-06:00

I’ve probably beat the cloth diapering horse to death here on my blog, so I won’t cover them in my little series here. But there is something that most non-cloth diapering parents don’t know about, and that is cloth wiping. You don’t have to be a cloth diaperer to use cloth for wipes. We weren’t at first. Under the recommendation of some friends, I started out CJ on cloth wipes with his disposable diapers. The reasoning is that the chemicals in disposable wipes are really harsh, plus there’s also soap in them, which is terribly drying on skin of color and newborn skin.

So, once we returned home, I dutifully did what I had been told was the only (not true) way to do cloth wipes. I was told to get a cloth wipes warmer, and pre-saturate wipes and roll them into little ready-to-use rolls every day. This lasted about a month, and then I said screw it. It was just too much work to manage. Between the everyday prepping and washing, I had had it. Fast forward 4 months, and we started cloth diapering CJ. During my research, I found that most people do not actually use a wipes warmer. They just mix their wipes solution in a spray bottle, then spray the wipe prior to use. Toss in the wetbag with the cloth diapers, and that’s it. Once I realized how easy this method was, I made the switch. Again.

Here are my top choices for wipes solution. Again, the whole point is to limit detergents and chemicals while providing enough moisture to get the sticky stuff off, and some slip so that you aren’t wiping off half of baby’s bum skin when wiping. If you feel adventurous, you can play with your own recipe.

Here’s my favorite:

2 cups Water

¼ cup Aloe Vera gel (for slip and as a soothing agent)

2 drops Tea Tree Oil (antiseptic and healing agent)

2 drops Lavender Oil (antiseptic, pain reliever, relaxing)

If you don’t want to play around with making your own potions, there are many companies that make wipe “bits” or “drops”. It is concentrated wipe solution that melts in warm water. I have used Ruby Moon Wipe Bits and quite like them…they use goat soap, oatmeal milk, and honey in their product, very soothing and healing. Ali&Swan is an Etsy seller out of Wisconsin (howdy, neighbor!), and I really like her wipes “stars”. They have a bunch of soothing oils, soy bean protein (slip) and you can choose to add an essential oil for fragrance. She even has a hemp-based star for those allergic to soy. You just add these to 8 oz of water, and you are set! If you cloth diaper, make sure your wipe solution is safe to be washed with your cloth diapers. You don’t want to contribute to build up on the diapers. All solutions listed are cloth diaper safe.

For the wipes themselves, I currently use mostly flannel. I have a hodge-podge of some other varieties, but I bought a large pack of double sided flannel wipes off of Etsy before CJ’s arrival. I currently am waiting for an order of Tickety Bu bamboo velour wipes to arrive. I hear they are MEGA soft! As for “disposal”…once used, I just drop them in the wet bag with my cloth diapers, and wash them as I normally do with the diapers. Some people rinse them out with their diaper sprayer, but I have NO desire to do that…spraying out the diaper is bad enough.

Confession time: I am not a cloth wipes purest. I keep a container of disposable wipes at the changing table for really bad diapers and “stealth” poos…when you open up a diaper and have a surprise. CJ did one of those in his overnight diaper this morning, and I didn’t have time to pre-wet some wipes before CJ wanted to investigate what was going on down below. Oh well, I’m not 100% green, but if I can keep some wipes out of the landfill, then that’s something, right?

Greening Up Your Life: Day 2, Stain Removers

2011-12-17T07:45:00.000-06:00

I live in a house with one man, one baby, and two cats. All of whom are masters at stain making. Whether it's dumping over a bottle of orange soda (the man), puking all over the carpet, (the baby and the cats), or spilling tomato sauce yourself (that'd be me), I have become a stain fighter.

You could go to the grocery store and buy a bunch of different products that all are only formulated to remove one kind of stain, or...you could buy one product without a ton of chemicals that takes care of them all!

Biokleen's Bac-Out stain and odor eliminator is a multipurpose cleaner that is all-natural. It uses live enzyme-producing cultures to attack organic stains, digesting them until they are gone. Lime peel is the cleansing ingredient, and it leaves a nice, natural scent after cleaning.

I was introduced to this product by the cloth diapering world because many parents use it to remove tough poo stains. For this and other laundry purposes, you can use it in two ways. You could spray it on the stain directly (I put Bac-Out in a spray bottle and dilute it with some water), or you can put a glug of it in the pre-wash section of your washing machine. The other major purpose I use it for is cat barf stain removal. Bailey and Sam are Persians, meaning we get a lot of hair balls around this house. Additionally, Bailey has chronic issues with inflammatory bowel and pancreatitis, so he's more prone to bile-like yukes. I have tried a gazillion different kinds of carpet cleaners to try to get rid of these stains, and never really found anything that did the trick. The first time I tried Bac-Out, it was gone in minutes. And I feel so much better using this product on the carpets now that CJ is crawling and playing on the floor. Recently, CJ had a nasty stomach flu, and vomited over the edge of the crib and on to the floor in between his crib and the side table, and I didn't see it for a few days. I just sprayed on some Bac-Out, worked in, and away the stain went!

This product is available at most local co-ops, along with the whole Bio-kleen line of cleansers. I get mine at my local baby store, Peapods. It is pretty concentrated as is, so you can experiment with the strength by cutting it with some water...and by doing that, you also extend your buck. Natural and thrifty...sounds good to me!

Greening up your Life-7 Days of Green Routines that are Better than Mainstream Products

2011-12-16T08:30:00.000-06:00

I'm going to try something a little different around these here parts! There are a lot of "blogger challenges" out there, challenges to get a blogger writing everyday and to work out those creative juices. Some of you may know that I am an editor and communications specialist by day, but I haven't had much time to write lately as I'm in the middle of end-of-year website updating. So, I thought I'd get wordy on my own blog and write about something that really interests me.

Those who know me well really wouldn't call me "Green". Yes, I recycle, but that's because the new single sort systems that waste companies are now providing make it so easy. Yes, I cloth diaper my baby, but that's mostly because it's much better for his skin and it is a significant savings over disposable diapers. And yes, I bring reusable bags to the grocery store...when I remember to bring them. I do my part when I can, but I don't go very far out of my way to be green...I have an 10 month-old, for crying out loud! I have, literally, 45 minutes to myself a day.

However, though my life's journey, I have stumbled upon products and systems that are very, very natural/sustainable/green, and seem to perform MUCH better than their mainstream counter part. So, in an effort to squelch my guilt about not being natural/sustainable/green enough (no, I do not compost. So sue me.), I bring to you my top 7 list of green routines/products that have changed my life. And because I literally have only 45 minutes to myself a day, this will be a daily series for the next week.

Today's product is something that we all have to use everyday, lest we be looked down upon by our partners and office mates. Deodorant. We all stink. If you think you don't stink, then you're crazy. One of the first lessons of puberty is how to use a deodorant stick. Every morning we break out the stick of name-brand antiperspirant/deodorant, slather it on our pits, and go along our way. But recently, there have been some studies that the aluminum in antiperspirants has been linked to Alzheimer's and possibly breast cancer in women. For the most part, the studies about these chemicals causing cancer have been debunked by the National Institute of Health and the American Cancer Society, but this got me thinking...we are putting chemicals and metals on our skin every day, for many many decades. What lasting effect might this have? We all know that our skin is our largest organ and does absorb what we put on it. Is there a way I can be nicer to my skin and keep my exposure to chemicals to a low roar?

I've tried a few kinds of natural deodorants, Trader Joe's, Tom's, that funky crystal stuff, but nothing really cut the eau de body odor. But a couple of years ago, a friend introduced me to the product that would change my armpit's life!

Image from Oyin Handmade

Oyin Handmade is line of body and haircare handmade products out of Baltimore, MD, and they have a product called Funk Butter that is the best thing in personal grooming since the invention of the blow dryer! Funk Butter is a cream-to-powder formulation that uses baking soda, microfine vegetable powders, and Kaolin clay to absorb moisture and odor. You dig out a pea-sized amount out of the tin, rub it into your pits, and off you go. It is also moisturizing, so it'll keep your pits happy after a shave. They have an unscented version for those who have sensitivities to essential oils, and two scented versions, Coco Mango and Black Cedar Fig (my fave) for those who like a little waft of good smells coming from their underarms during the day. I LOVE this product, and I hope you do too...and at at $5, it's worth giving a try.

Speaking of Oyin Handmade, I use a lot of their products on myself and CJ. CJ gets lathered up in Whipped Shea Butter every day, and I use Frank Juice on his hair and scalp every morning. When we are away from home, I have a little bottle of Frank Juice that travels with us, and I throw of stick of Body Butter Bar in his bag for mess-free motorization. And you won't catch me dead without a HoneyStick in my purse or pocket!

What natural deodorants do you use? Have you had success with other brands?

Anemone Hat for CJ

2011-12-12T11:33:00.001-06:00

Whew, it's been a little while since I posted! We've been dealing with not one, but TWO illness plagues at the house these last two weeks. Both CJ and Chuck had pretty epic stomach flus last week...that doesn't ever need to happen again. Ever.

Somewhere in between all that sickness, I made a pretty flipping adorable hat for CJ!

Pattern: Anemone Hat by Cat Bordhi

Materials: Malabrigo Rios in Cumparsita, US size 7 and 8 needles

Finished: November 28, 2011

Have you died of cute yet? Yeah, me too. It's a super fun and fast pattern, and all you knitters know how I feel about Malabrigo Rios! I think it totally looks like that hat the ZZtop guy wears...now I have my own little rocker!

Our Adventures in Cloth Diapering: CJ's Top 5

2011-11-30T11:36:00.000-06:00

We've been doing this cloth diapering thing for just over 5 months now...half of CJ's life! I would call it a smashing success! CJ hasn't had a rash or major redness since our switch to cloth, his booty skin is much healthier now that those gel beads aren't sucking every but of moisture out of it, he's not sitting in chemicals all day, and last but certainly not least, our contribution to the landfill has been reduced significantly.

Now that I've had a chance to play with pretty much every brand and kind of cloth diaper, I am in the process of thinning out our stash to my Top 5 favorite systems.

1) GroVia: Products used- All-In-2 shell, BioSoakers, and Organic Cotton Soaker Pads.

GroVia diapers are the Monday-Friday diaper. Daycare won't allow cloth, but we can use these shells with the disposable Biosoaker inserts! There are no chemicals in the inserts, and they are labeled biodegradable, but I've seen how they're disposed (wrapped up in plastic gloves), so I doubt these will disintegrate, but hey, it's better than a full diaper leeching dioxins, right? The Biosoaker can handle just about anything, and I am very pleased with their absorbency. I "pre-load" 5 diapers every night for school the next day, then the teachers put the empty shell back in a wet bag, and we continue the routine for the next day. Sometimes they get soiled, then I just throw them in the home wetbag to be washed. I tend to prefer the Aplix shells, as I think it's easier for the daycare staff to wrap their brains around how they work. I also keep a couple shells, a couple biosoakers, and a couple cotton soaker pads (I use cloth whenever I can) in the diaper bag. These are trim diapers, even with the cloth, so there's more room in the diaper bag for the important things, like Cheerios's and toys. :)

Lately, CJ has been having some really loose stool from adjusting to table foods, so we've been using the shells and Biosoakers when we travel. I do NOT want to have to deal with poo-sploded cloth without my diaper sprayer! With the Biosoaker, you can just toss the mess and be done with it. If I were forced to choose one brand of diaper, I think it'd be the GroVias. They are just SO adjustable, plus they can go to daycare. The only drawback is that they don't work for night time, but their cute patterns and colors make up for it!

2) FuzziBunz: Products used- One-Size Diaper, Perfect Size Diapers

FuzziBunz are our favorite pocket diaper. Everything fits perfectly...the legs, the snap configuration, the waist. I've read a lot that this diaper can be hit-or-miss for some babies, but I think that the FuzziBunz cut is made for average-built babies...and CJ fits that at 50th percentile for both height and weight. The things I like best about the one-size diapers is the endless possibilities for adjustment because of the way the lag and back elastics are designed. The fleece is lovely and soft, and I love the color selection (we have all the non-girly ones!). They even seem to be funk-free after many months of use, and have never needed to be stripped. The Perfect Fit diapers are even more trim, but I find that they don't fit quite as well...and I think they run big. CJ wore the size small long past the weight limit.

With both diapers, I do have to double stuff them as CJ is a heavy wetter, and that adds a lot of fluff to the booty, so they aren't as trim as they say they are. I have not tried these overnight.

There is a new version of the One Size diaper, the Elite Diaper. I have two of these, and I don't think they're a huge improvement for us. I like that the buttons for adjustment are now under the fleece and not against baby's skin, but that was never an issue with CJ. I preferred the cut of the regular One Size. What I DO love about these is the minky insert!!! In fact, I think I'm going to slowly replace all our OS diapers with the minky. Easier on the hands (microfiber sucks the moisture out of my hands while stuffing), it doesn't hold to funk smell, and they are trimmer. Gotta get more of these!

3) bumGenius: Products used- One Size 4.0 Aplix closure

After trying EVERYTHING, I finally landed on this pocket diaper as our nighttime diaper. It is a big diaper, has full coverage, and the smooth front plus Aplix closure lets me get a good seal across CJ's tummy, which I found was key in dealing with a boy stomach sleeper. I have to triple stuff this diaper to work...it gets the two bumGenius microfiber inserts, plus a FuzziBunz contoured hemp insert. This is the only combination that I have found that consistently prevented leaks. I think it has only leaked once, and that was when there was an OMGWTFBBQ 2am blowout that I'm still recovering from. :)

It's totally fine as a daily use diaper, but I prefer the FuzziBunz...I think they fit better under pants. The bumGeniuses are pretty fluffy! "Baby Got Back" comes to mind when he wears them under clothes...

4) GoGreen Diapers: Products used- Champ 2.0, wetbags

I primarily use the Champ 2.0 diapers when I'm expecting a poo from CJ, usually right off in the morning. I use these for two reasons...1) the Champs have a dual gusset system that does a pretty great containment job, and 2) these are a duo diaper, meaning that there is an opening in the front and back to stuff in the liner. A duo diaper insert will agitate right out in the wash, which means that after I spray out a noxious diaper, I can just drop it right into the wetbag, no need to try to fish out an insert from the mess...wooo! Champs are a well made yet inexpensive diaper, so I don't worry if these get stained, which that have not yet.

I would also like to share that I think GoGreen has the best medium sized wetbag. It has two zip compartments, and is full water-proof PUL, unlike some other 2 compartment bags. This allows me to sort our soiled cloths from soiled diapers if we have an accident while out and about. Our diaper bag will always have a GoGreen wetbag in it!

2) Hiney Lineys: Products used-Versa Cover, Liney

Earlier this fall, I received two Versa covers with Lineys in a Diaperswappers swap. I kind of forgot about them, and recently picked them back up. The first time I used them I thought, "where have you been all my life?!?". The Hiney Lineys system is so unique, and so incredibly versatile! Here's the gist of the system.

1) Cover. Theirs is called the Versa system, and comes in Aplix or side snaps. Unlike most one sized diapers, there are only two snap settings, but I think the way the cover is cut and the snaps are placed, that should work for most babies. CJ is in the size 2...all snaps undone.
2) Insert. for the All-In-3 set up, you use whatever insert you want. I currently use newborn sized prefolds that I got for cheap. You can also use flats, microfiber, hemp...pretty much anything! This allows you great customization for your child. Hanging around the house? I just use a prefold. Going to the mall? I add an additional microfiber insert. Totally customizable.
3) Liney. The Liney then snaps into the cover, OVER your insert of choice. The Liney is made of stay-dry micro suede, so baby doesn't feel the wet from your cotton insert, or has hemp or microfiber against their skin.

Here's where the magic begins. When you change a diaper, you just dump your insert into the wetbag, unsnap the Liney and also put it into the wetbag, and snap in a new Liney, put in a new insert, reuse the same cover! since I have 2 covers, I always have one prepped and ready to go, and then you can get the old shell ready for it's next go. Now, if you have a poopsplosion, you can just hose it off, and dump the WHOLE thing in the wetbag...Liney still snapped in, insert under that. No touching anything nasty. The insert agitates out, the Liney stays snapped in place, but gets cleaned. Even if my cover seems clean, I still like to wash it after a poo...that stuff likes to find nooks and crannies!

This system is our new addition to the diaper bag. A couple of Lineys and prefolds, and extra shell, and we're set! Hiney Lineys also has a All-In-2 Liney...a Liney with an insert attached. I have not tried these yet, but I found a killer Cyber Monday sale, so 4 covers, extra Lineys, and some AI2 Lineys are currently in route to us.

I wish I had know about this system at the beginning of our cloth diapering. I think I would have just started with this system because it can pretty much be any kind of diaper you want, pocket, AI2, AI3. Heck, you could even stick in a GroVia Biosoaker into the shell! If you are diapering on a budget and don't want to do just the ole' prefold, Snappi, and cover, start here!

So that's what we're using! All of these products are marketed as "birth to potty training", so we'll be using them for quite a while. Since it usually takes boys longer to potty learn, I expect we still have another year-and-a-half of cloth diapering ahead of us. I have fit cloth diapering and its laundry routine easily into my life, and that's saying a lot since I work, take care of a baby, knit, take care of a husband, clean a house, grocery shop...whew!! If I can do it, you can too!

Arshile Sweater for CJ

2011-11-28T08:16:00.000-06:00

Another sweater for CJ! Man, is it nice to have someone small to knit for! ;)

Pattern: Arshile from Berroco #303, Berroco Remix Booklet

Materials: Berroco Remix in Smoke; US size 6 and 7 needle

Finished: November 22, 2011

Ravelry project page here.

This was a quick little knit made for our family photo shoot, which was done the day after Thanksgiving. The plans were put together rather quickly, so I whipped this one out fast! Remix is a great yarn of cotton, nylon, acrylic, and silk, giving it a great tweedy texture and a woolen look, but being easy care and great for a baby! CJ wore this sweater all day, and there was no pilling like wool, and no stretching out like cotton. I used about 2.25 balls of the Remix, so it goes a long way! I have a bunch more Remix in my stash, so I am sure there will be more CJ sweaters out of it...the color and the texture are very versitile. The pattern support for this yarn is great too. Book #303 has all sorts of great patterns for adults and kids...many of them very aran and gansey looking, which are favorite styles of mine!

CJ will get a lot of wear out of this sweater!

10 Months!

2011-11-22T12:11:00.000-06:00

Since I just did the 9 month post a few weeks ago, there haven't been too many changes, but it's still fun to track all the new things happening!

-Most obviously, you got your 2nd hair cut! This time you weren't as into it, but that's mostly because it was during your nap time. Momma will file that one away a something you don't do.

-We have caught you a few times helf pulled-up in your crib. We immediatly dropped the mattress down so you don't flip yourself over the rails!

-You're vocalizing up a storm, and we swear we hear new words from you all the time, but that just might be us reading into your little squeals. I did hear you say "it's kitty" on your 10 month birthday, so I guess we can count that as your first sentence!

-Still only two teeth!

-You are totally loving your table food! You are eating off the menu at daycare now, and have added waffles, french toast sticks, and eggs into your list of favorites. I guess you are going to be a breakfast guy. One thing you do NOT like....bananas! You'll eat it in a puree, but not the actual thing. Silly kid!

-You're going through a odd sleep regression stage right now, much to my dismay. Come on kiddo, sleep more than 4 hours at once, will ya?!

-You are really into sensory activities at school. I get reports daily about how you love to observe adults, and figure out your world though touch. And the clapping, dude, you LOVE TO CLAP!

-I get asked a lot if you are a Momma's Boy, and I think the answer is no! Daddy and I each have a purpose. I am comfort, nuture, and needs-meeting. Daddy is all about fun. I'm so glad that you have such a special relationship with your Daddy, it really means so much to me that I don't get offended when you bail on me so Daddy can hold you. You even applaud Daddy's arrival home from work every night. That is DARN CUTE.

We are really looking forward to your first Thanksgiving on Thursday! This will be a very special one for us...we are SO thankful to be your parents, and we are greatful to be witness to your blossoming life!

Soliton Cowl

2011-11-19T08:17:00.000-06:00

I whipped up a fun cowl last week while I was in the midst of running huge, 4,000 person events. When I had downtime, I knit the stress away!

Pattern: Soliton Cowl by Laura Chau of Cosmicpluto Knits
Materials: 1 skein of Malabrigo Rios in "Purpuras"; US Size 10 needle
Finished: November 9, 2011
Ravelry project page here.

You'll have to excuse the "hipster" photos...I had to take some self photos due to the lack of my regular photographer' absence as he was busy at work. In order to make them even publishable, I needed to filter and photoshop the heck out of them. ;)

Again, I profess my love for Rios! It's probably the softest yarn ever, and it's only a SWM! I have a bunch of this color, and it failed as a sweater since the skeins are dyed just SO differently than each other...even alternating skeins didn't work. So, the Purpuras has been relegated to single skein projects, and it was a perfect complement for this pattern. The pattern stitch is a little bit tricksy...easy enough to do, but you have to pay attention, because tinking this stitch really isn't an option.

In other news, CJ got a hair cut this week, which you will see in his 10 month photos that we'll take tomorrow. 10 MONTHS!!! Double digits...how'd that happen? I got some new specs, which are super cool and are faux wood! But most importantly, we celebrated the 1 year anniversary of "The Call" on Thursday! I can't believe it's been a year since we found out CJ was joining our family. It was such an emotional day. It feels like yesterday...it feels like 20 years ago. I just cannot imagine CJ not being here. It is the highlight of my day to see his first smile and hear his first babbles in the morning. What a gift it is to have him in our hearts for a year now!

Stripe Study Shawl

2011-11-07T15:25:00.000-06:00

I started this shawl back in March when I was still on leave with CJ...but it got lost in the knitting doldrums known as a Very Hot Summer. Now that chilly weather has brought back the knitting bug, I decided to get it off the needles quickly! And just in time...we're supposed to get our first "wintery weather" mix tomorrow!

Pattern: Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Välimäki
Materials: The Sanguine Gyrphon Skinny Bugga! in Orchid Mantis (light orange) and Sea Urchin (pink-orange); US size 6 needls
Finished: November 2, 2011
Ravelry project page here

This shawl has a very interesting construction! It is constructed in short rows, giving a severly asymetrical look. I didn't capture the uniqueness of the shawl in photos very well, but believe me, it is pretty cool!

I am a big fan of The Sanguine Gryphon yarns, and love the Bugga bases...and am very sad to hear the dyeing partnership is going their separate ways. Fortunately I still have a few precious skeins of their yarn in my stash.
My verdict on this shawl? A must-knit! It's a bit of slog with all the garter stitch, but it blocks out to a beautiful size that is perfect to wrap up in or wear around the neck when the chill starts getting in your bones.

The Strip Study Shawl has a fraternal twin in the Different Lines shawl...and there just happens to be two gorgious colors of Bugga! in my stash, waiting to be another stripey shawl. ;)

9 Months!

2011-11-06T20:24:00.001-06:00

This post is about 2 weeks late...oops! We've been so busy with Autumn fun activities, and trying to keep up with CJ, we only just got the chance to take his 9 months photos. I'm glad we did wait a bit, because I got a good pic of TWO new teeth!

Our sweet little boy is now 9 months old, and WHAT a month this has been! The last 3-4 weeks in particular have been an explosion in developmental milestones being reached. We think these last few weeks have seen the most changes than any other period of time in CJ's life. So...here's the rundown!

-You had your 9 month appointment, and are 20 lbs, 9oz and 28.5" long. You are still 50th percentile...perfectly average, and that's awesome! You are wearing 6-12 month or 12 month clothes. 9 month pj's were getting too tight...you clearly have the feet and limbs of a toddler. Your ears are looking great too...what a relief after this summer.
-You have two teeth! Your first one started cutting when we were in Michigan (of course) over the weekend of October 7th. Your second one cut on Halloween. Now you can begin to nom on all the things!

-With your new-found teeth, you have taken a strong liking to table food. Baby food is for babies! Your current favorites are chicken, toast, mac and cheese, and Cherrios. You are a serious chicken fiend...you go "mmmm" and get excited when you eat it.
-You are Army-man crawling, and it's the funniest thing ever! You drag a leg behind you like it's broken, and use your elbows as pivot points. You're getting pretty good at it, and fast! I'm thinking of strapping cleaning cloths to you so you can clean the floors while you're chasing me around the kitchen. You are also getting comfortable with standing for long periods of time. We put you at the coffee table (upholstered leather with round corners!), and you love to play with your toys and stand. You're not pulling yourself up yet, but you can crawl into our laps.

-Your language skills have exploded. You've always been an early vocalizer and talker...in fact, your teacher says your about 2 months ahead of schedule for talking. With your Daddy and me as your parents, I don't think anyone's too surprised about that. :) In addition to Mamma and Dadda, you now say "kitty" (kee-eeeh), "yeah", "hi", and we have independent verification that you've also said "music"(thank you, Primrose School!). We've heard you say "frog" when Daddy and I were talking about where you hid your frog friend (see above). Your Auntie Amber has even taught you how to say her name..."Bim-ber".
-Your cognitive development is also on warp speed ahead! You are developing great hand-eye coordination, and only just this week started self-feeding. You like to take your pointer finger and touch things. You are starting to understand context...we ask you a question, and you answer. Sometimes with grunts and squeals, but more often with a "yeah". Books are now catching your attention. The words you are saying are also in context to what's happening...you see a cat, and you say Kitty. Daddy comes home from work and you say Dadda over and over. You like to help turn pages of your board books. You are mimicking us a lot...we say things with a certain intonation, and you mimic it back. In fact, today I taught you how to click your tongue. School is going to love that tomorrow!

What a month this has been! We are now on the count-down to the Holidays, anniversaries of adoption milestones (the 1 year anniversary of "The Call" is coming up soon), and.....your first birthday in 2.5 months! WOW!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:29:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween from the cutest dinosaur in all the land!

Busy, busy!

2011-10-17T13:02:00.001-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! I'm slammed at work, we went on a trip, and little Mister decided to start cutting ALL THE TEETHS and to also start talking. Yeah.

Oh, and then there's this:

Lord help us and our cats.

Orange Baby Slouch Hat

2011-10-02T09:17:00.002-05:00

Check it out! Two finished objects in one week?? I am on a serious roll!

Pattern: Baby Slouch Hat by Susan B. Anderson
Materials: Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label in Orange Blossom; US Size 3 Needle
Finished: September 30, 2011

As I've documented with photos here, CJ doesn't mind wearing hats, so I figured I'd make a bunch of them for him since they're small and fast. This pattern is a take on the hipster slouch hat, and I thought it'd not only be cute, but great for all his hair. His winter bunting has an orange binding on it, and this yarn matches perfectly! I made the 12 month size, but I think next time I'd make the 18 month size, this just barely fits his head right now.

More details are on it's project page on Ravelry.

Next up on the needles is another sweater, and probably another hat!

Hooded Gansey Vest for Baby!

2011-09-28T17:40:00.002-05:00

Hey look!! I finally finished something! CJ's got some new duds!

Pattern: Hooded Gansey Vest by Marie Grace Smith; Summer 2011 Knitcircus
Materials: Debbie Bliss Rialto, color 23037, US Size 3 and 5 needles
Finished: September 26, 2011
Modifications: I knit the 12 month size, but did the 18 month length so that it would last him though the Winter (hopefully).

CJ will get a lot of wear out of this. It is perfect outerwear for mild temps, and will be great layered under his fleece bunting when it's really chilly. The pattern was fun and quick to knit. Quick being relative...B.C.J. (Before CJ) I could have whipped this out in 2 weeks. I wan't enthralled with the yarn as the plys were a little funky, but it's soft and warm, and should last a season.

See more photos and errata at the Ravelry project page here.

Last Week in iPhone Photos 9.19-9.25

2011-09-26T09:00:00.005-05:00

Lat week's photos are brought to you by the letter S....as in SLEEP! CJ is still getting over his illness, so he was caught sleeping on the job a lot last week!

Ok, so this photo wasn't taken with my iPhone, but I downloaded it on my iPhone, so that counts, right? This photo was emailed to me from CJ's school, where he decided to take a nap ON the o-ball. Right in the middle of playing. Apparently the word went out to the other teachers to come LOL at him, because I've heard about how funny it was all week!

And then the next day he fell asleep right in the middle of a bounce in the his classroom's exersaucer. Another photo from school!

He fell asleep in the car on the way home from school on Friday, and decided he was done for the day. I laid him down on his Boppy with Frog #1...which is getting a little worn, so we got Frog 2.0*. Somehow CJ got Frog 2.0 on him while sleeping. So, he was double fisting his frogs.

And then he took a bunch of naps over the weekend, including many on Dad. Apparently Dad is comfy.

In one of the few moments CJ was awake, he was happy and giggly! I took this iPhone video during once of his giggle fits on Sunday: He was laughing at Bailey. That cat just has no idea how funny he is!

*R.I.P. Frog 2.0 (2011-2011). Forever lost at Southdale Mall.

Eight Months!

2011-09-25T14:04:00.002-05:00

CJ is now eight months! We are loving this age...it's so much fun!

This Month...
-You are taking up a storm. and we're pretty sure you have intent behind some of your babbles now! You say "Momma" and "Dada", and we think you're talking about us!! You especially like Dada, and ask for your Dada a lot too, so adorable!
-You have all the elements of crawling, but just haven't tied it all together yet. We are just waiting for that "ah ha" moment to hit...then we're in trouble!

-You are learning to pull yourself up. You are working on this skill with larger, heavier toys on the ground. You grab hold of the toy and pull yourself up to a squat.
-You love knots! One of your favorite things is to sit between your Daddy's feet while he has his sneakers on (double tied!), and you patiently pick out the knots and un-tie his shoes. You are going to be very handy when I have knots in my skeins of yarn!

-You are eating about 30 oz of formula a day, and about 7 oz of baby food, a packet at lunch, and a packet at dinner. You love nomming on your puffs too!
-You have no teeth yet, and nothing on the horizon...you are the toothless wonder.
-You had ear tubes put in on August 23rd. We are still dealing with some issues with your left ear, and have now become good friends with your ENT and audiologist.

-You are happy, you are snuggly, and you are such a sweetheart. All the teachers at school love to shower you with attention and give you snuggles. I might be biased, but I think you're their favorite. :)

-You have really discovered Bailey, who is now the awesomest, funniest thing EVER to you! Every time you see him, you break out in giggles. It is the most hilarious thing! Bailey is not as amused. He tolerates you, mostly because he sees the potential in you for attention. Any pets is good pets to him.

We love you tons, little man. Life is truly sweet with you in our family!

Last Week in iPhone Photos 9.12-9.18

2011-09-21T08:40:00.003-05:00

I'm late with this post...again. I have a good excuse though...you'll read about it at the end.

Last week, I participated in Missoni for Target Madness, and the only thing left on the clothing rack fit me! WIN!

We Started to get come cool days. so CJ started hanging out in baby leggings...because keeping pants on a boy is hard work actually. I made these using this great tutorial!

We also got to break out some cute hats! CJ doesn't mind wearing hats, so I put one on him at every opportunity.

Aaaaand this is why I was late with this post. CJ got a NASTY bug, and has been sick since Friday morning. It started out with vomiting and high fever, then morphed into a wicked chest cold with fever. He was sick as a dog on Friday and Saturday, felt better on Sunday, was OK during the day on Monday, and then got sick again Monday night and Tuesday. Poor baby.

Sick baby is unhappy. :(

Feeling better on Sunday, so we got dressed up in our Purple Pride and went to Costco. And that was pretty much all we did that day. We are wild and crazy people!

Last Week in iPhone Photos 9.6-9.11

2011-09-13T07:53:00.004-05:00

I'm already slacking at taking photos, but I'm keeping my promise of doing these weekly!

This week...

I went to the rededication of my favorite building at the University of Minnesota. Folwell Hall is on the national registry of historic places, and just underwent a year-long renovation. I pretty much lived in this hall for two years straight...my language was on the bottom floor, and my major was on the top floor.

We had a lazy Saturday, and CJ had some fun Daddy time. (No, we do not feed our child Mountain Dew...he just likes to play with the bottle.)

Later on in the day, Daddy went to Surly Fest with some buddies, and Momma and CJ went to hang with "Auntie" Amber (momma's BFF) at her new house! CJ loves his Auntie Amber...she's got the magic baby touch! (Again,we do not feed our baby soda...he just likes to play with the can.) (Ok, about 5 minutes after this pic was taken, he dumped a bunch in his mouth and down his front. I don't think he'll do that again.)

Momma, CJ, and Auntie Amber went to an oldy-timey drive in, and CJ got his first driving lesson.

We visited with September 11th memorial at the Mall of America. Momma and Daddy will never forget. We hope that CJ will grow up in a world that has learned from this horrible page in history, and begins to treat each other better.

Cutie in Cloth

2011-09-09T09:19:00.002-05:00

Our grand experiment in cloth diapering has been quite a success! I have found a wash routine and detergent that work well for us, and CJ doesn't seem to mind the extra fluffy butt at all! It's also kind of fun to match his diapers to his clothes...hey, it's the only fun I get dressing up a boy!

One of our favorite brands is FuzziBunz, which is an adjustable pocket diaper, but I also have a little bit of everything in our stash. It seems each kind of diaper has it's purpose. Some are more trim and perfect for wearing under jeans, some have double gussets perfect of poo retention, and some are great for overnights.

The biggest reason I'm glad I switched to cloth is that I really have noticed the difference in CJ's booty skin. CJ has fairly dry skin, and I expect it will become drier in the Winter. I usually have to put 100% shea butter on him after a bath, and I only bathe him about twice a week, more frequently when needed...he is on solids now! When he was in disposable diapers, I noticed that his booty skin was very, very dry, almost scaly. Disposable diapers have lots of chemicals to be mega-absorbing and still be thin and trim. I think these chemicals were sucking all the moisture out of his skin. Now that we've switched to cloth, only fuzzy microfleece or soft organic cotton touches his rump. Since the switch, he's had no rash or irritation, even during the two months he pretty much spent on antibiotics.

And of course there's the money/waste issue. Instead of hashing out the details myself, here is a GREAT blog post about the cost savings and greenness of switching to cloth. WOW. 5,600 disposable diapers on average, replaced with about 40 cloth diapers. Even if you're not a Tree Hugger, that is still something you can get behind! All in all, this has been something really fun for me (the cloth diapering community is awesome, it's nice to meet some like-minded moms!), and most of all, it's so much healthier for this sweet little boy.

Last Week in iPhone Photos 8.29-9.5

2011-09-06T07:56:00.010-05:00

There's this philosophy that the best camera is the one that you have on you...and for us, that would certainly be our iPhone cameras. It seems 90% of the photos taken of CJ are taken with our iPhones, and sometimes I worry that it's a bad thing since they are much lower res than my DSLR. But on the flip side, if I had to hunt down my camera bag, fish out the camera, turn it on, and start futzing with settings, I'm going to miss a lot of sweet moments.

I'm going to start a (hopefully) weekly post of "Last Week in iPhone Photos" so I can share those great moments. It's also a chance for me to play with these images a bit, turning a low res camera photo into a work of art.

This weekend we got dressed up like a hipster and went to Midtown Global Market for lunch.

We also got dressed up in our Maroon and Gold and cheered the University of Minnesota Gophers Football to a not so humiliating 17-19 defeat by USC.

We discovered boxes are really fun.

Really, REALLY fun!

We got our first big blinky toy. We were a bit overwhelmed at first (there might have been tears).

We went swinging for the first time. Wheeeeeee!

It was so much fun, we protested when it was time to go home. Harsh baby language might have been said.

We had a lovely Labor Day weekend hanging around home, and we hope you did too!

Blogger from iPhone

2011-09-03T05:40:00.002-05:00

I'm just playing with a new blogging app for my iPhone! Since I bailed on Typepad, I haven't tried mobile blogging, and Blogger doesn't have an official app. I'm writing this with Blogpress, and used Camera+ for the photo editing...THAT is a great app!

Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend to my US peeps!

Oh Hai, Knitting!

2011-08-29T09:28:00.003-05:00

Now that CJ is feeling better after getting tubes in his ears, I am finding myself with a little bit more free time! I could pick up toys or clean the house, but I decided with winter fast approaching (this is Minnesota...it could be here next week!), CJ needs some woollens to keep him worm during what John Moe lovingly refers to as "Ice Murder" season.

I decided to start with a piece that would be a good multi-season sweater...something he can start wearing in the fall. The Hooded Gansey Vest from Summer 2011 Knitcircus Magazine is just up my alley! It's basically a hooded, sleeveless cardigan. Perfect for my little guy who tends to be a little hot body.

I started this last week, and I have the back almost completed...I 'll finish it off today for sure. I'm using Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, a very sproingy merino.

Sigh...I love ganseys. The combination of cables and knit/purl details make my fingers all happy. I wish there were more kiddie gansey pattern out there. I know I could design my own, but there is just NO time in my life for designing anything right now. Sleep deprivation has seriously effected my math skills, that's for sure!

It's nice having knitting back in my hands. I find that with knitting back in my life, I have more patience and calm to handle whatever life (or the baby) throws at me!

Seven Months!

2011-08-22T08:52:00.012-05:00

Another month has flown by, and CJ is now seven months old! Seriously...I want the name and number of the person who's letting my baby grow up so fast...he/she's going to get a stern talking to!

This month:
-We finalized your adoption! Oh happy day!

-We spent a lot of time with extending family members...grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. We even road tripped out to Chicago for Grandpa Ward's 90th birthday festivities and you got to meet even more family members.

-You are an active little guy already...lots of sitting up, reaching for things, bailing out of your sit, tyring so hard to crawl. Your back legs have it down, but your front hasn't figured out things yet.

-You are LOUD and are making some incredible noises! Blowing raspberries is your new favorite, but you are making some "pukey" noises now that are making your Daddy and me laugh!

-At least twice a week, I get a note on your daily report from school about how observant you are. You like to soak in everything. People, animals, and your new favorite, cars! You also want all the things, as evidenced by this great little photo set:

-The biggest issue we've been dealing with is the continued drama with your ears. After your 4th ear infection, I demanded an ENT referral. It turns out you have a significant amount of fluid in both ears that won't drain. You also have very small ear canals. The fluid is so bad that you have almost complete hearing loss in your left ear, and mild loss in your right ear. The good news is that we can fix you...you are getting ear tube tomorrow! While I'm not excited about you having surgery tomorrow, I am excited for you to feel all better again. You've been so miserable the last few weeks...I swear each day has been getting worse and worse. I know you'll feel like you old, happy-go-lucky self once you have the surgery.
Here's to a much better month for you sweet, chatty, and LOUD baby boy! I love you with all my heart!

Adoption Day!

2011-08-17T07:56:00.006-05:00

My apologies for the tardiness of this post! August has gotten away from me, and it's all I can do to hold on to this crazy summer!

On August 4th, we finally became a Forever Family. We finalized CJ's adoption in our county court here in Minnesota. We woke up bright and early on a Thursday morning, and met up with our family at the courthouse.

CJ was well dressed for the occasion...all he was missing was his rocking chair and a glass of ice tea.

We were the second family to finalize that morning. We met a lovely couple who was finalizing their adoption for their 7 month-old adopted from Iowa. They were just as giddy and excited as we were! We were in the family court section of the courthouse...and the rest of the people hanging around were not as happy and excited as were were. Eek.

Court was called to session, and out judge was just fantastic. He said that this was the best part of his job...creating life-long families. We were place under oath and asked a bunch of basic questions, but then he started to get personal. When he asked, "will you love him and hug him on the bad days like you would the good days?", I lost my composure. Of course I will!

And just like that, it was over! We took lots of pictures, and CJ cooperated for most of them!

The whole Lantz family was in attendance as my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, toddler nephew Will and baby niece Grace just happened to be visiting from Michigan that week! It was such an honor to have them witness to this special occasion. My bestie Amber was there too, and it meant so much to have her support, as she was the person who was my shoulder to cry on during the infertility and adoption process. She was also the person who kicked my butt into getting CJ's room transformed from my cluttered studio to beautiful and cozy baby room. Sadly, my folks were not there as they were on a long-scheduled vacation, and we were only given 2 weeks notice for the hearing.

We then enjoyed a family meal at a local restaurant, some cake, and then a wonderful afternoon at the Minnesota Zoo. It was a beautiful day that I will remember and cherish always. I can't wait to tell this story to CJ some day soon.

Baptism Day!

2011-08-01T18:19:00.002-05:00

Sunday was CJ's Baptism Day! We planned his baptism around the visit of Chuck's brother, sister-in-law, and our toddler nephew Will and NEW baby niece Grace! We wanted to share CJ's special day with all of our family!
CJ was baptized at the Methodist Church in our home town. This is the church that both our parents attend and the church that we were married in...we couldn't imagine a better place to have his service. It was lovely and simple, and CJ was a perfect angel! He was a hit with all the elderly folk in the congregation...and soaked up the adoration!

After the service my in-laws hosted a casual luncheon in CJ's honor. It was so much fun to watch him really interact with family. The best part though was watching him play with big cousin Will! He was also really into watching cousin Grace...CJ loves to watch little babies!
But the fun's not over yet!! We'll all get together again on Thursday for CJ's adoption finalization (!!!) and also on Sunday, when we celebrate Baby Grace with a family shower! Yay, family!

A Little Fun With Photos

2011-07-25T09:01:00.003-05:00

I just had to make a little mosaic of CJ's month 1-6 photos! I am a bit surprised at the hige chance in him between month 3 and 4...that 4 month growth spurt is totally for real!

Six Months!

2011-07-23T16:24:00.007-05:00

How can this be??? How is my little baby half a year old now? Aye...time is flying way too fast for this mama!

-This is been a great month for motor development! You went from thinking about sitting to being a master sitter in about 2 weeks. We can now take you to restaurants and put you in high chairs. We also retired your Snap n' Go car seat stroller and brought out your robot umbrella stroller, and you are liking that much better. Sitting is totally where it's at now!

-You are really into grabbing, and are working on your fine motor skills at school. You are getting to be pretty good and wielding a marker and paint brush!

-You are finally eating purees after many failed attempts. The trick is to let you eat off the spoon yourself. You seem to pretty much eat anything, although a particular blend of applesauce, carrots, and parsnips is your favorite. You don't like Gerber and will only eat the expensive organic stuff in pouches. Thanks kiddo.

-You're 6 month check-up isn't until next week, but I know you weigh about 17 lbs, which is still in the 50% percentile. Unfortunately for you, this month has seen 2 ear infections. You haven't been real happy about that, nor the way the antibiotics are treating your belly. Poor little guy.

-Other than the ear infections, you are such a happy, giggly, fun little guy! We love to make you laugh!

Something special is happening in this next month. We are becoming a Forever Family on August 4th. Your adoption finalization is that last step in this journey to become a family of three. We've been waiting for this day for a long time, and we are so blessed to be your parents!

My, How Time Flies

2011-07-20T08:36:00.002-05:00

CJ is 6 months old today. I haven't done his "official" photos yet and don't want to do the milestone recap post with out them, but I just felt I needed to mark this day. I cannot believe 6 months ago we were in Las Vegas witnessing his entry into this world. That seems like a whole lifetime ago, but it also seems like yesterday.

We fought for so long to have the privledge to become parents, and now that we are, I feel time is moving way too quickly. I want time to slow down just a bit, so I can hold my baby just a little longer. So much has happened in just the last two weeks...he's sitting up, loving purees, and has yet another ear infection. Before I know it, he'll be walking, talking, borrowing the keys to the car, and going off to college.

So, on my baby's half birthday, I'm just going to embrace the change, and celebrate the beautiful little guy I have the honor of calling my son.

Not Gonna Happen

2011-07-10T07:39:00.003-05:00

So, that cute little romper and pretty shawl I was planning to knit for CJ for his baptism on July 31? Yeah, not going to happen. CJ is in the stage between being a bump on a log, and being able to play independently. This gives me zero time for making dinner, doing laundry, going to the bathroom...let alone knitting. I've pretty much packed up all my WIPs in a bag and stashed them in the guest bedroom closet. I have a pair of plain socks in my purse, and that's about it.

Yesterday I tried sewing some bloomers and pants designed to fit over cloth diapers, but I realized that I cut out two of the same leg on the pants (thanks, sleep deprivation). I started to sew the bloomers, and CJ had a meltdown that lasted hours. Poor dude has unhappy intestines from all the antibiotics, and seems to still be recovering from the ear infection and cold.

I'm going to try to make some soakers at least. Maybe they can be my "purse project". I have learned my lesson now. Do nothing of importance for a deadline, ever. Or at least for the next 18 years.

Happy Belated 4th of July!

2011-07-05T08:20:00.006-05:00

We hope you had a very happy 4th of July! We had a wonderful 3rd of July and the lake home of my friend Amber. CJ went on his first boat ride...and was none too pleased about it.

We then spent yesterday at the local urgent care clinic, as CJ has another ear infection. Poor kiddo. He's been in a bit of pain, but I got a good snap of him all decked out for the 4th of July (which only the nurse and doctor had a chance to see.)

(CJ wearing a KaWaii Bamboo diaper)

CJ also "got" eating solids yesterday. We've offered cereal and purees for a while now, but he's had no interest. I backed off for a while, and just held him on my lap while eating meals, hoping that he'd get the idea that food is for winners! It finally clicked for him!

(CJ wearing a Happy Heinys pocket diaper)

You'd think that he didn't do well eating since he's wearing a lot of cereal, but a TON of it ended up in his belly too! In fact, he started lunging for the spoon! So cute!

Have a great week everyone!

Taa DA!

2011-06-30T21:32:00.000-05:00

Here she is, the new design! Thanks again to Suzy of Blogs by Suzy for the beautiful redesign!

We're still sticking with Fuzzy Noodle Knits as the blog URL because someone else is sitting on the .com, and some other person had the Blogger page for "fuzzynoodle" but hasn't posted since 2006. So, FNK I remain!

You'll notice some odd formatting issues with older posts...the Typepad to Blogger conversion wasn't without a hitch, but at least I have my 8 years of ramblings.

Have a great Holiday weekend if you're in the U.S.!

Five Months!

2011-06-25T03:36:00.000-05:00

What a fun month this has been! You have been so enjoyable, silly, loud, loving!

-You got your first hair cut this month! Now that mamma has been living with it for a few weeks, she likes it a bunch.
-You have totally mastered the whole grab toy, put in mouth thing. You have also figured out how to slap you toys on hard surfaces to make noise.
-You had your first double ear infection, poor baby. You are such a trooper though, and didn't let it get you down. At the doctor's appointment, you weighed 15lbs, 12oz, which is a gain of one pound in a month.

-You're still working on that teething thing, but nothing cutting yet. Hurry up teeth!
-You really have no interest in rolling over. That's for babies, apparently. Instead, you have this scootching all over the place down. It's so funny to watch!
-You flirt and play footsie with the girls at school. We are so in trouble in about 15 years.
-You like to be face forward in your big stroller and see the world. The world also likes to see you too...we often get stopped so people and oohh and aaah over how cute and engaging you are. We are so in trouble in about 15 years.
-You signed "milk" for your teachers at school! You haven't signed it for us yet, but when we sign it for you, you know chow is coming soon!

This has been another fabulous month!! There's lots more adventures in the upcoming weeks, and can't wait to see you discover more things!

Cloth Diapering for Dummies

2011-06-24T10:51:00.000-05:00

Cloth diapering is something that has always appealed to me. I'm not a bleeding-heart environmentalist, but I do have issues with creating waste. We pride ourselves for recycling way more than we throw in the garbage...our single sort recycling bin is always overflowing, and we usually only have a bag or two in our garbage bin. Enter baby CJ. Holy disposable diapers, Batman. The ammount of garbage our house has put out has probably tripled thanks to his butt.

So, what's an average, environmentally conscious mom to do? Cloth diaper. However, when you have 6 weeks to get your life ready for a baby, you don't have time to really devote to researching cloth diapering. And doods...the cloth diapering world is like, mega confusing! There is A LOT you need to know before you even begin purchasing.

Now that we are five months in to this parenting thing (5 month pics coming soon!), I think we can begin to tackle cloth diapering. I've had time to research the options, and now that I know our routine, how much free time I have for laundering, and CJ's "potty habits", I think we can do this. However...we have really gotten used to the ease of disposables, and feel a bit hesitant adding more work into our lives.

Enter "hybrid" systems, or as I like to call them, "Cloth Diapers for Dummies" (being me). Hybrid systems let you have both the cost savings and environmental friendliness of cloth diapers, but also the convenience and quickness of disposable. They are a cloth shell, and you can either put in cloth inserts, or disposable inserts. The cool part is that the disposable inserts are flushable and biodegradable, so there's a lot less waste with them!

We are starting with two systems...GroVia and gDiapers.

First up, my thoughts on GroVia!

(Awesome robot quilt handmade for CJ by the lovely Denise! Thanks again, lady!)

GroVia diapers have a nylon shell with snaps, lined with mesh. It has nice elastic around the legs and back. The cloth inserts are double thick organic cotton, and snap into the shell in two places. The "BioSoaker" almost looks like sanitary napkins, and stick into the shell at two places. It is thin, and has a gusset at the leg. There are also cloth boosters for overnights, and shells that use Velcro closures.

I have not yet used the cloth inserts yet as they are still in the laundry (cloth diaper parts need to be washed about 6 times prior to using to maximize absorption). I have had really great experiences with the BioSoakers already! I was out and about today with CJ, and never got a chance to change him. He was in the diaper for 6 hours, and never leaked! The nylon in the shell was damp, but it can easily be washed while I use another cover. I'm still trying to figure out how loose or tight I make the snaps though...I did notice that CJ had snap imprints on his tummy when I changed him. I'm thinking that I might augment the stash with the Velcro covers instead of the snaps. So far, these are really fantastic diape

On to gDiapers!

gDiapers has a similar concept as the GroVias, but are just a little different. The shell (gPants) is cotton and Spandex, and they velcro in the back (which I like because CJ has figured out how to un-Velcro diapers!!). There is a waterproof liner that snaps into the gPants, and that is where the liners fit into. There are cloth inserts, which are also still in the laundry. The gRefills, or disposable liner are thick and rectangular. gDiaper gRefills are really touted as being flushable. I have not flushed yet because I am waiting for the "swish stick" to arrive, which I ordered from Diapers.com. We have low-flow Toto toilets, so I want to make sure I have the proper tools for flushing before I do it! I feel ok tossing both the BioSoaker and the gRefill though, as they both biodegrade quickly.

I really, really like gDiapers. I have used them mostly at night, but a few times during the day too. I will first say that CJ has been leaking though his Huggies every night for a week, leaving a puddle in his crib and soaking his pjs. The first night I used gDiapers, he did leak a little bit, however...the cover absorbed the leak, and his pjs were just the tiniest bit wet. The next night, I layered a prefold cloth diaper on top of the gRefill, and have had not a single leak since. So, he's just a heavy wetter, and I have to booster his overnight diapers. I have read that gDiapers are very good overnight diapers, so I think I'll stick with them for night time. I don't have a problem getting this diaper on CJ, or fastening the Velcro. I already adore these diapers.

Along with these systems, I have also acquired some prefolds for layering, hemp booster lineer and the GroVia booster for overnights, and Bummis Bio-Soft flushable diaper liners for when I begin to use the cloth inserts. Poo sticks to them, so you can just peel them off the cloth and flush. No poop mess in the wet bag, no having to use a sprayer.

Our daycare center is checking in with the state licensing board to see if we can use the shells with the disposable liners. I really hope we can...I feel better about our environmental impact, and I really feel good about keeping the chemicals off my kiddo's skin.

So there you go! Do you cloth diaper? What do you use?

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T13:06:00.000-05:00

CJ is music to his Daddy's ears!

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy a little boy could have! Love you both tons!

CJ's First Hair Cut!

2011-06-11T10:51:00.000-05:00

While our little dude is only 4.5 months old, he's rocking more hair than most adult men. It's a full, thick head of hair...except for the bald spots he recently made. CJ likes to pet his hair for comfort, but the 3 inches of curls have been snagging around his fingers, and he's accidentally pulled out most of the hair on the back and side of his head. So, we made a decision to get a hair cut so that he's not pulling out anymore hair (that can't be comfortable) and to even out the stuff he still has.

We found a barber shop in south Minneapolis that seemed to do a lot of work with children. I called the owner the day before to check to see if he's cut a baby...he said that he'd give it a go, but had never done a cut on a baby that young before.

We showed up at 11am this morning, and CJ was in a great mood!

The "before" shot.

CJ was transfixed by the huge mirror and all the things to look at.

The usual baby bald spot merges with the two patches he plucked out.

CJ sat for his hair cut like a champ. Mom had to hold his head a few times, but for the most part, he was sitting up on his own! There were no screams, tears (from CJ), or uncooperativeness....just a really relaxed and chill little dude getting a hair cut.

CJ had fun hanging out with Dad for his first hair cut!

The "after" shot! He gained 5 years in age in about 10 minutes. He looks like such a little boy now...and we can really start to see the kid he is going to grow into. I was perfectly fine while CJ was getting his hair cut, but I will admit there were tears later at lunch. I'm just not ready for him to grow up yet, but I do want him to be comfortable and not pull out his hair anymore.

I'm sure this will grow out quickly...in 4 short months he grew the 'fro you see in the first picture. I'll admit...it will be so much easier to care for the short 'do, but I secretly can't wait for his hair to grow back.

I Suck at This Parenting Thing Already

2011-06-06T05:48:00.000-05:00

First major fail as a new mom...apparently I've been calculating CJ's age all wrong. I've been counting it by weeks, so for example, he'll be 20 weeks old this Thursday, so 5 months-old. Right? WRONG. I have been corrected by the mommy masses. Months-old is calculated by the day of the month, so CJ won't actually be 5 months-old for 2 weeks.

I hope I haven't scarred him already by expecting him to be more developmentally advanced because I thought he was two weeks older than he really is! LOL!

Spring is Finally Springing

2011-05-31T05:34:00.000-05:00

After what seemed like the world's longest early Spring (the rainy, cold part of spring), it looks like we are finally getting some warm weather. We've started taking CJ out on walks with him positioned face forward in his stroller (as opposed to being in the car seat). It is if we opened a new world to him! He's loving every new sensation (wind!) and new thing to look at (animals at the zoo, people on walking trails, etc). It's hilarious to watch him and see what he's drawn to...such a fun little guy!

We started cereal a week ago, and it's going very well. The doctor suggested we start it in a bottle, and CJ just sucks it down. When he's better at sitting up, we'll introduce it with a spoon. His doctor did say we could introduce any other level 1 baby foods when we felt like it, so we tried purees this weekend.

Yeah, that didn't go very well. It all ended up on his chin. So, we'll come back to that in a few more weeks. It did make for good entertainment and great photos though!

There has been virtually no knitting in the house lately. CJ is at the "hold me and entertain me all of the time" stage of babyhood, and while I adore this stage, it's a bit exhausting! We are trying to work with him at independent play, but it only seems to work when he's in his Bumbo seat. I'm guessing when he has the whole rolling over (both directions) thing down, that will help. I do have two very important projects coming up that NEED to get made...CJ's baptism outfit and blankie! It's been my knitting dream ever since we started TTC'ing to make the baptism outfit for our baby. The date has been set for July 31st, and the yarn has been ordered! Since it will be in the dead of summer and likely hot and humid, I've opted to knit a one-piece cable and lace outfit out of white cotton with short sleeves and short legs. The pattern is here (but dig in the projects tab for better pictures). That should be a "quick" knit (quick is a relative term these days). His blanket will be a circular shawl pattern by WendyKnits using Dream in Color Baby in Beach Fog. I wanted a little color in his ensemble...because we aren't the most conventional of families!

Will I actually finish these projects? We'll see!

Four Months!

2011-05-18T06:28:00.000-05:00

Holy Moly, look who's four months-old!

What a month this has been, little buddy!

-It all started out with me going back to work, and you starting daycare! It took you a good three weeks to get used to everything, but you have a really great time there with all your buddies and your teachers who adore you and love to pet your hair! In fact, you're a school favorite...all the other teachers come up to me and tell me how they like to hold and snuggle you when they are on break. Lord help us in 14 years.

-You had not one, but two illnesses this month. You started daycare with a pretty nasty cold, then ended the month with your first bout of gastric illness. Lets hope this is good training for your immune system!

-About a week ago and right after your tummy illness, you decided it was time to eat us out of house and home. At first I thought it was you just trying to catch up from being sick and having your lovely, hard fought schedule reset (you were down to just one bottle a night...it was heaven!), but no. I think you are on one hell of a growth spurt, or you have decided that eating is for winners. Either way, you are freaking everyone out by eating 5-6oz bottles, EVERY TWO HOURS, even at night! That's about 42 oz on average...that's what a kid twice your size eats! We have your 4 month well baby check up this Saturday, and I fully expect your doctor to suggest we start you on cereal.

-When we went to the doctor for your tummy illness, you weighed in at 13 lbs, 5oz. That's in the 30th percentile, so you're moving up the chart! I'm pretty sure you lost weight with your tummy bug, but all this eating surely has put that back on, and then some. We'll see on Saturday!

-You have found your voice. And by finding your voice, I mean you talk and shout and giggle all the time! Pretty much every day I get a comment on your school daily report about how loud you are. Gee, I wonder who you're taking after with that one! You also have this crazy sounding laugh...part hacking, part "kaaaa". It is distinctive and hilarious. You have become much more insistent about feedings...you are really telling us what you want now. You're also starting to get a bit more..."difficult". We're having a bit harder time getting you to take naps, and when you're hungry, you go from 0-60 in no seconds flat. Gone are my days of 10 minutes of heads-up before you need to be fed.

-You're starting to get the hang of grasping things and putting them in your mouth. We also think you're starting to think about teething. And you really want to sit up badly, but just aren't quite there yet. I think you are getting a lot of peer pressure from your school buddies since you're the youngest and the only one not sitting up yet.

-We see your personality really starting to emerge! You are thinking, and trying so hard, and always observing...I can't wait to see what you pull off next!

Our First Mother's Day

2011-05-08T16:05:00.000-05:00

What a weekend...CJ came down with a wicked stomach bug with fever on Thursday, spent the weekend on a diet of Pedialyte and snuggles, and pretty much blew out every diaper that went on him. I made a mistake last week boasting that CJ had never had a diaper blowout. I paid for that...and so has my washing machine.

We had plans with my parents and in-laws today, but we had to cancel. Instead, we packed up the diaper bag with extra diapers and changes of clothes, and went to lunch at a local restaurant, then strolled around the mall a mile from our house. It was as low-key of a day as you'll ever find, but it was perfect. Even though it wasn't the First Mother's Day I had dreamed of (something involving spa day, unicorns, rainbows, and sleep), it was still special and I will always remember it. And I plan to embarrass CJ plenty with stories of a crappy (literally) 1st Mother's Day.

I am also thinking of CJ's birth mom today. Without her sacrifice, I wouldn't be a mom today. Without her gift, I would not know what complete, absolute unconditional love would feel like. CJ is my heart, and I am the luckiest gal in the world to be chosen to be his Momma.

It was about 8:30pm that I burst into tears realizing that we didn't get a photo of our first Mother's Day...I was a bit busy with diapers and rash cream, you know. Chuck broke out the camera anyway. These photos are awful, but a pretty good representation of our day, and how I feel about the little guy.

Spring Knitting and Easter Baby

2011-04-26T04:42:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Insignia Shawl by Cecily Glowik MacDonald from Knitscene Summer 2011

Materials: Berroco "Weekend" in color 5958; US size 7 and 10.5 needles

Finshed: April 21, 2011

This shawl and this yarn will make a perfect Minnesota Spring/Summer shawl for the cool mornings and over A/C’d offices! This is an extremely wearable shawl! Weekend gives it such great drape. I’m quite shocked at how much I love this yarn. I’ll admit to being a huge acrylic snob, but Berroco nailed it with this yarn. It’s a bit splitty, so in order to keep the ends from unravelling before I weave them in, I make knots at the end, then just cut them off, and thread up a needle for weaving in. I’ll certainly make something else with Weekend!

Well, we are now in week 2 of work/daycare! The first week was hard...CJ had a bad cold, Daddy had a bad cold (with fever, which turned into a sinus infection) AND was working 16 hour days, and I had to take care of them, work, get adjusted to our new pick up/drop off/diaper bag packing routine, and pretty much take care of everything else around the house. Phew. We all vegged on Saturday, including CJ who was so exhausted from his first week at daycare, he didn't want to play with toys, sit in his bouncy seat, or play on his mat. All he wanted to do was lay on his Boppy and suck on his pacifier. It was rather funny! Every evening he came home so tired that he fell asleep the moment I put him in the car seat at daycare, and would stir a bit for his 6pm and 9pm bottle, but pretty much slept from the end of daycare to the beginning the next day. I didn't get much baby lovin', which made me wonder the purpose of this whole process. But, he seems to be much better now, and had a "normal" day at daycare yesterday.

We had a lovely Easter at my parents house. My folks invited the in-laws over, which was perfect. Since we've had grandparents pass on both sides, and my BIL and SIL live in Michigan and can't get to MN for some holidays, our two families have been coming together for Holidays since we are both small families. This is perfect, especially now that CJ is here...he can be with both sets of grandparents on Holidays! CJ LOVED spending time with family...he was all happy and smiley and adorable!

Wow, that's a big kitty!

And I'm pretty sure the grandparents enjoyed spending the day with him too! This was also CJ's first trip out to my parent's house. He's now to the point that he can make it though the car drive down to Rochester (my parents are in rural Rochester) without too much difficulty.

CJ seems to really love daycare, and they do so much activities with them! The do story-time, sign language, art projects, and music time, along with free time for play. CJ already has a BFF, and that makes me SO happy...he's beginning to explore and engage with other babies! While I'm back to the grind of my job, I know he's having fun and is well taken care of and adored, and that's all I could ask for!

Three Months!

2011-04-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

Three months, a quarter, 12 weeks! CJ has hit that first milestone birthday...the end of his newborn-ness, the "fourth trimester", and is now entering infant-hood. I'm really going to miss the newborn baby stage, really. I could do that for another three months. But, babies grow up, so I'm happy to move on to this next stage with him, because it's going to be a LOT of fun!

-You REALLY got smiley and giggly these last four weeks! Just looking at you can usually elicit at least a smile from you. You seem to be ticklish on your face, so we get giggles that way. You also like your nose touched, lots of excited smiles then! My favorite smiles though are when you are feeding, and you look me straight in the eye and smile and give me this delicious coo...it brings tears to my eyes every time.

-You are also super chatty! This is new within the last 2 weeks. You are always hooting and hollering at your toys when playing. When you are getting hungry, you "yell" at me instead of crying. I swear I have heard you say "Maam" and "no" during those hollers, but I'm just going to chalk that up to random noises and me reading things into it.

-You are playing! You are reaching out for things, but don't quite have the hang of grabbing stuff yet. You like to batt at your toys, and have become enamored with a few certain toys...mostly the ones your Auntie Lindsey, Uncle Andy, and Cousin Will have given you. They've got good taste! ;)

-You've gotten on a pretty good schedule at night. Bottles at 1am and 4am, up for the day between 6-7am. That will be really helpful when I go back to work on Monday. This past week you went to two half-days of daycare, and got so tuckered out, that you dropped off a feeding each subsequent night! I am cautiously optimistic that that will become a regular occurrence once you are in full daycare.

-You're usually eating 4-5 oz a bottle about every 3.5 hours, but this month you've been a lot more erratic about your eating. You'll tank up one day, and eat like a bird the next. Someone once told me that once you have a baby figured out, they'll change the game on you. You are totally changing the feeding game on me big time!

Well my son, we have come to the end of our glorious three months tied at the hip. I am so very grateful to have had this time with you. I have horribly mixed feelings about going back to work on Monday, and I think I figured out the root of them. While you and I attached early on, we are now just starting to bond. You interact with me, communicate with me, and respond to my presence. I see the little kid that you are becoming now. I see that you are going to be such an optimistic, happy, fun-loving, and inquisitive (read: future trouble maker!) little guy. And it really sucks that just as you are starting to emerge from you little newborn cocoon, I go back to work, and you are off to daycare. I'm having a lot of guilt about that, but I know what a benefit daycare will be to you in the long run educationally and socially.

And so begins our next chapter as a family of three! On to the next quarter!

Tidewater Cowl

2011-04-11T02:25:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Tidewater Cowl by Marnie MacLean

Materials: Briar Rose "Sea Pearl" (each skein is a unique color); US Size 6 needle

Finished: April 5, 2011

This cowl pretty much knit itself! It was a very fast knit, and I made it in a week while CJ napped. It is lovely and drapey, and the 50/50 Tencel/Merino content will make it a great cowl to wear in the Spring and Fall!

Well, this is my last week on parental leave. I have very mixed feelings about going back to work. CJ is going to an amazing school, and I know he'll have better socialization and developmental opportunities there than what I could provide him if I stayed home...but still. I don't want to miss those special moments and "firsts" he might have at school, his giggles when I smile at him, his look of adoration when I feed him...and to put it simply, I'm jealous that someone else gets to have fun with him without me!

However...I really need to get back into a routine. I need adult conversation and critical thinking. I need to go to work for 8 hours, then be SO EXCITED to come home and spend the night with my boys. I need our regular life to begin. These past three months have been amazing, but I feel like our day-to-day routines and rituals have been put on hold. I am a creature of habit (but I don't mind change!) and I want to get back into a groove.

We have quite a busy week ahead of us. Daddy is away for the week at a conference, so it's just CJ and me. Today is the only day we don't have anything scheduled, so I think I'll do some laundry, and do a Target run. CJ will go into school for two half days, we'll take a trip down to Rochester for CJ to meet some more family, and we'll spend some time with friends. CJ also turns 3 months-old on Thursday, so I'll have to take pictures and celebrate his first quarter of life with a cupcake! :)

And of course, this wouldn't be the "new" FNK blog without a baby picture!

WIN TWINS!!

Knit Happening

2011-03-27T04:28:00.000-05:00

I had all these grandiose plans to knit tons of things and quilt beautiful quilts while on my parental leave. I have three weeks left, and not a whole lot to show for it. Oh yeah, except for a delightful 9 week-old baby! I get precious little time to sit and relax, and I decided that I needed to knit OR spin OR quilt. Not all three. I decided that knitting is the most baby friendly as I can easily put down knitting (not so much quilting or spinning). I'm not getting a whole lot of time in for my projects, but have gotten a few things done.

These are some plain vanilla socks I knit for the hubby out of Crazy Zauberball in color 02. Chuck loves them...even more than fancier yarn/patterned socks that I've made him previously. Well, that's easy then!

I also whipped up a little drool bib for CJ.

Pattern: Baby Bandana Bib by Kate Blackburn

Materials: Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton in "Azul"; US Size 6 needle

This was a left over ball from my Liesel sweater, and it makes perfect little bib! The pattern is super fast, and very wearable for baby. CJ is starting to get drooly, and I want to keep a bib on him, but many of his bibs kinda get in his way. This style doesn't seem to be a problem for him. I have a few more colors of this yarn, so I might make more bibs. We'll see how this one washes and dries...if it doesn't survive a trip through the washer and dryer, then I won't make more bibs out if this yarn. I'm thinking Knit Picks Shine Worsted might also make good yarn for this bib.

Have you seen the Stripe Study shawl take over Ravelry? It's a simple and cool pattern utilizing garter stitch and short rows to make an asymmetrical shawl. I of course, just had to make one!

I've done 7 of 12 stripes, and it's fun! It's also pretty brainless, which is perfect for this sleep depraved knitter! The yarn is Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga. It's pretty darn bright, but should be a good shawl for spring and summer.

I also have two pairs of brainless socks on the needles...one using a novelty fuzzy yarn that'll make those stretchy-super soft socks, and the other pair which really isn't a pair. I'm trying out the Totally Tubular Sock Pattern, which has you pretty much knit a long tube, then cut it in half and do afterthought heels and toes. This is my "purse knitting" project, which is prefect since I can just mindlessly knit 26" of stockinette stitch.

So, that's what I'm up to! That, and feedings, diapers, laundry, bath times, baby giggles, etc, etc. :)

Two Months!

2011-03-19T12:54:00.000-05:00

CJ is two-months-old! My, how time flies...I guess I should start getting used to it, eh? This month has been a big one for development, and we are really seeing his personality really emerge. It's so much fun!

-At your two month check up, you weighed 10 lbs, 5 oz, and were 22" long. Your head circumference was 15.5". You are still in the 25th percentile, but still perfectly proportioned. The doctor was really pleased with your progress, and said that you were ahead of the curve developmentally. You had 4 shots and an oral vaccine. You cried during your shots, but the minute I picked you up, you stopped crying and were your normal, happy self. You didn't have any fever or soreness afterwards...yay!

-You pretty much had complete control over your head. When you get tired you get a little floppy, but even from a laying position, you have good head control. I think it's because you are SO observant...you wanted to get neck strength built up fast so you can look everywhere!

-At about 6 weeks, you really started to get smiley! Daddy can usually tickle the smiles out of you, and I get smiles when I feed you! Your cheeks have gotten a little fatter, so your smiles are especially delicious. You also gave us a big giggle on the day of your 8 week birthday.

-You are also beginning to realize what your hands are, and that you are in control of them.

-When we stand you up and put your feet on our legs, you "stand" on us! You have very strong legs and back, and can stand and look around for quite a while!

-Your hair is really curly now! It is so soft and fluffy, and we just love rubbing your little head!

-Around week 4 and 5, you developed acid reflux and possible lactose intolerance. You had a very unhappy tummy for a while, and would projectile spit-up many times a day. You also had green poo...and lots of it. The doctor prescribed you baby Zantac, and we changed your formula to Similac Sensitive. You are much happier now, and eat about 3-4 ounces every 3 hours.

-On an normal night, you sleep 3-3.5 hours between each bottle, and have dropped off a night-time feeding. You take your last bottle around 10pm, then have one around 1:30, and 4:30am. You are a morning person, and are ready to start your day at 6:30-7am! This will come in handy when Mommy goes back to work and you go to day care.

-Last but not least, you had your first cold this month. Actually, you still have it a bit (hence any boogers in your photos). It was mostly an upper respiratory cold, but you did have some chest congestion for a few days. You bounced back pretty quickly, but not before you gave it to Mommy, who really got sick from it. Thanks buddy. ;)

"Aaaaaahhh CHOO"

You are such an amazing, happy, inquisitive, and active little guy, and these past two months have been the joy of my life. I'm lucky to have one more month with you at home before I go back to work. I hope to make every little moment count! Love ya, Baby Bear!

Back on the Craft Wagon

2011-02-27T10:53:00.000-06:00

I've been feeling the need to make things again lately, and CJ has been letting me have some time to play with textiles! Just before we left for Las Vegas, I started a pair of basic fingerless mittens. I might be the only knitter in Minnesota without a pair of handknit fingerless mittens! I completed one of them the day before CJ was born, and finished the second one this week, just in time for a cold snap!

Pattern: Radius by Berroco Design Team (heavily modified)

Materials: Handmaiden Fine Yarn Casbah Sock (colorway not indicated); US Size 2 Needles

Finished: February 22, 2011

Ravelry Project Page Here

I couldn't resist getting some project pictures with my little baby doll...he's a great prop! :)

Speaking of the little dude, he's not been feeling his best lately. A trip to the pediatrician this week gave him the diagnosis of acid reflux and lactose intolerance. CJ is now on baby Zantac, and had been switched to the sensitive version of his formula. So far, so good. He's still spitting up, but not the epic and projectile amounts like before. We've also put a wedge in his crib to prop him when he sleeps.

I've been feeling the itch to sew again, so the first thing I decided to make was some spit-up cloths. Not "burp cloths"...CJ's kicking up way more than those dinky small cloths can handle! I went to the fabric store and bought 3/8" yard of 6 flannels, squared up the edges, and simply sewed them up and top stitched them.

It was nice to sew again! It got me itching to make some more things for CJ. Some of you may know that before knitting, I was an avid quilter. I sort of stopped when we moved into our current house about 8 years ago...knitting took center stage. Over the last couple of years I've made a quilt or two, mostly to finish up tops I made back in the day.

Back then, I saved baby and kids quilts patterns for that day I'd have a baby. I never made anything for a future baby though, and I pitched those patterns years ago out of frustration. Now that I have a baby, I want to make some quilts for him, so I'm sort of starting over from scratch. I found a pattern online for a stacked coin quilt, and I think that's where I'm going to start. Pretty easy, something I can step away from easily when CJ needs me. I'm going to use exclusively stash fabric for this quilt. I have a bunch of Amy Butler that would be perfect for this, and I even have some yardage of an Amy Butler solid that would be perfect for the sashing.

Hopefully I can get started on it this week! I'm also working on the 2nd sock of a pair for Chuck. Plain vanilla socks seem to be a good gateway back into knitting for me. Easy, methodical, and I can put them down easily.

Have a great week! Happy almost-March!

Stating the Obvious

2011-02-22T01:45:00.000-06:00

One Month!

2011-02-17T07:37:00.000-06:00

Today CJ is one month old! It's hard to believe that he joined our family only four short weeks ago...it feels like he's always been in our lives!

I'd like to start a little tradition where I list off some things about this time in his life, so I have something to remember this stage by, and so CJ has a little journal of his first year to look back on!

CJ at Four Weeks:

-At four weeks, you are getting a very strong neck. When you are sitting up, we don't need to support it much anymore.

-I guesimate you weigh in the upper 7 lbs to 8 lbs. We won't know a weight on you until your 8 week well baby appointment. You still fit in newborn clothes, but your legs are getting a bit long for the sleepers. You still wear newborn diapers. You're a peanut still...at your first doctor's appointment two weeks ago, you were in the 25% percentile for height, weight, and head size, but the doctor was just fine with it since you were consistent across the measurements.

-You are still only sleeping about 2.5 hours between feedings at night, but you go right back to bed when you are done eating (thank you!). You are consistently eating 3 oz of formula.

-You are such a peaceful little dude. You communicate by grunting and some vocalization, but we listen to your body language to know what you need. You get a little whiny when you have gas, but who wouldn't be! You seldom cry (thank you again!).

-You get "googly-eyed" (Daddy's term) when your hear our voices and see our face...especially Daddy's. You see me all day, but when Daddy comes home, you get very excited. The cats and you seem to be blissfully unaware of each other. The only time Bailey really pays attention to you is when you get a bath and scream bloody murder. He then seems very concerned about your well being. Last week he jumped in the tub after I took you out to see what the problem was...he quickly learn that the problem was water!

-You take a pacifier, but are not dependent on it. You really like your Classic Pooh rattle, and a toy robot that was given to you by one of my co-workers.

-We love you so much! The past four weeks have been amazing, and you bring such joy into our lives!

Hitting Our Stride

2011-02-13T03:27:00.000-06:00

We've been home for two weeks now (CJ will be a month old on Thursday, gasp!), and we really seem to be hitting our stride. He has a pretty distinct schedule, and is still a very content little guy. Chuck and I are figuring our our life and relationship with this new addition, and I think things are going pretty well! I thought I'd share a few more pictures with ya'll!

This was taken earlier this week...CJ is a fan of Classic Pooh (this one's from Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Andy, and cousin Will!), and likes to snuggle this toy and a Classic Pooh rattle. Very cute.

These pictures were taken when CJ was 5 days old by our dear friends, Marz and Amanda Pacheco. Together they are Roaring Bear Photography, and if you ever need photography work done in the Las Vegas area, look them up. They're the best!

That's Chuck's hand in the shot...I think that this picture is just so beautiful!

And this is my most favorite picture of all time. It pretty much sums up our feelings for that little guy in the middle!

Alas, with all the baby-lovin' that's going around here, there's been little knitting, and no spinning. I have been told that soon that will change, and as he sleeps better I will get back into my groove. I hope so...I do miss it a bit, but I'm taking full advantage of my baby time. We're not sure we will be able to do this again (emotionally and financially), so I am soaking in every moment, and loving it all!

Two Weeks!

2011-02-03T03:47:00.000-06:00

CJ is two weeks old today! It seems just like yesterday that he was placed in our arms...but yet it feels like he's always been a member of our family.

Sorry I have not posted since his arrival...as you can imagine, things have been a little busy! We spent the first three days in the hospital with him until the relinquishment was done, and we could take him "home". "Home" was a hotel room...a nice one at that with a separate bedroom and living area, but living in a hotel with a newborn was quite a challenge. We made it work, and were given permission to travel home with him last Friday. We booked a flight for Sunday, and due to delays, we arrived home at 2am on Monday. CJ was a champ on the plane...me, not so much. Not sure I've ever been so uncomfortable in my life! I was in the middle seat between Chuck (who needs aisle due to his back), and the most fidgety man in the world. I had CJ on my lap so he wouldn't get bumped into from people walking on the aisle. I've never felt claustrophobic before...but I certainly did for those 3 hours!

Now we are home and finding our routine. He is a very content baby, and rarely cries. He conveys his needs though a series of grunts. We've pretty much figured out hungry grunts from dirty diaper grunts. CJ is also obsessed with his hands...he came out of the womb sucking his hand, and he's already discovered thumb sucking! He takes a pacifier, but isn't addicted to it. He likes textiles, and likes the feeling of flannel and his soft toys rubbed along his lips. He has a soft vintage Winnie the Pooh rattle that he loves...he especially loves sucking its ear.

CJ is doing a great job of sleeping at night. He has night feedings around 9pm, 12am, and 3am...and goes right back to sleep after them. He's in his alert stage in the mornings and evenings. It's so much fun to interact with him doing those times. He eats great...he'll take a cold bottle, a room temp bottle, a warm bottle. You got milk? He'll take it! So far, we've had no problems with regular formula, and are using Similac without any problems. No colic, no sensitivity. Thank God for that!! I have already been mommy baptized by projectile spit up, flying poo, and fountains of pee. And I LOVE every moment of it!

He had his first doctor appointment on Tuesday, and tipped the scales at 7 lbs 3 oz! :) He grew 2 inches, and is now 20 inches long. He's a little peanut who still swims a bit in newborn sized clothes, but I'm guessing that will change soon! Right now I'm enjoying snuggling with my little peanut while I can.

The cats have been great so far! They notice him, but are not freaked out by him, nor do they bother him. They sometimes smell his head, then just walk away. However, they LOVE to be in his room, and Bailey has figured out how to get into the crib, so we have to monitor that situation. Sam loves to sit right under the bedskirt of the crib and reach our and paw at me with I take CJ out of his crib for a feeding!

So far, so great. I couldn't imagine things going better. CJ is the love of our lives, and we don't think we could have made a baby more beautiful and sweet. This has been an amazing journey for us, and can't wait to see where this path goes!

CJ is Here!!

2011-01-20T12:56:00.000-06:00

Our baby boy was born at 11:02am PST, weighing in at 7 lbs 2 oz, and 18" long! He's rockin' a full head of silky hair, and has a pronounced dimple on his chin.

We are madly in love.

Cilantro Shawl

2011-01-17T07:29:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Cilantro Shawl by Amy Swenson

Materials: Malabrigo Rios "Solis"; US Size 10 Needles

Finished: January 16, 2011

Ravelry Project Page

Another Malabrigo Crack, er, I mean Rios shawl! The minute I saw Amy's pattern, I new I had to have it. I'm a wee bit obsessed with worsted weight shawls at the moment, and this one is perfect! I love that it only take two skeins of yarn to make, and it's quite versatile. I would have modeled all the various ways to wear it, but I'm a bit under the weather, tummy-wise if you catch my drift. I ate something yesterday that did NOT agree with me at all, and now I'm trying to rest up before we jump on a plane tomorrow!

With that said, this is probably my last post before I become a Mom! I'll try to put together a quick post with a picture from my iPhone on Thursday. I'm not bringing my laptop with me, so all my e-communications will be done via iPhone.

Have a great week!

Hawthorne Shawl

2011-01-15T03:48:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Hawthorne Shawl by Susanna IC

Materials: Malabrigo Rios "Teal Feather"; US Size 9 needle

Finished: January 13, 2011

Ravelry Project Page

This was an obsessive little knit! I could not stop working on this...seriously, I was like a crackhead for this shawl. I'm not sure if it was the amazing pattern, or the Malabrigo Rios (this stuff feels more like cashmere than merino), but I whipped this sucker out in like, 4 days. I LOVE the length and drape on this shawl...it is just about perfect. I am certain there will be more of these in my future!

(And for those curious of you wanting a baby update...it'll be this Thursday!!)

Sweater for a January Baby

2011-01-13T04:44:00.000-06:00

Pattern: February Baby Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Materials: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight in "Moirae", US size 4 needles

Finished: January 2, 2011

Ravelry Project Page

This one's been done for a bit, it just took me a while to get the buttons on and photograph it! It's the same yarn as the baby blanket I made for him a few weeks back, and I love how sweet it looks!

Tour of CJ's Room!

2011-01-04T03:06:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd share some photos of CJ's room, before it gets trashed with baby things! :)

A Robot on the door welcomes you in for a visit!

The view from the door into his room. The far wall is nearly all window!

CJ's crib and robot friends. We found the rug at Target, and it magically matched the two wall colors AND the robots. It was meant to be.

The robot friends are just about the darned cutest thing ever! They are from Stephen Edward Graphic.

The crib wall and glider. My parents gave us the glider...thanks Dad and Julie!

I had this book case in this room before when it was my studio, and it worked perfectly in it as a baby's room! There's lots of robot geekery on the shelves. Many of the items are things I had gifted Chuck, and now they are sort of "coming home" to roost in the baby's room.

The view from the glider back at the door into the room. This is a great shot of the paint color! Huge props to my girl Amber who not only did a majority of the paint job, but supplied the tan color. She says that the room looks like a cozy teddy bear...I couldn't agree more!

The changing table area. This robot is from Deco Mod Walls, and even has CJ's initials on it! It's such a happy robot!

That's the room! This is the cleanest it will ever be! This is the "before" picture of the room:

What a big change, hunh? It was a little bittersweet to lose my studio, but very, very worth it!

Holiday Knitting Revealed

2011-01-03T03:21:00.000-06:00

I just totally realized that I never shared the two secret knits I whipped up for Holiday gifts!

Pattern: Dad's Saker Ribbed Scarf (improvised by me)

Materials: Squoosh Fiberarts Silky DK in "Glade"; US Size 6 needle

Finished: November 27, 2010

This was actually the first knit thing I've ever made for my Dad! He really loved it, and it goes with all his coats! Here's the recipe for the pattern:

Cast on 35 stitches

Begin Shaker Rib (link to video), slipping the first stitch in the row as if to kit.

Work until length desired!

Super simple, but very effective. One tip...this stitch pattern will really lengthen out with blocking...by like, 15% I would say. Take that into account when figuring out desired length.

(image courtesy of Yenhen)

Pattern: Super Cupcake Hat by Bonne Marie Burns

Materials: Two if By Hand Organic Merino handspun in "Restless"; US Size 7 and 8 needles

Finished: December 4, 2010

Ravelry Project Page

This was the handspun project I made for the Snobby Spinners Holiday Swap! I did a horrible job documenting this knit. I have no pics of the handspun yarn, and I never got a photo of the finished project, so my swap recipient so nicely let me use hers! I love this hat...I wear my own all the time, so I thought it would be a great gift to give. The handspun was a worsted weight single from this fiber:

The gift box to my partner included some of my hand dyed marino/bamboo, and a bunch of spinning related paper goods (note cards, project tags, etc). The reason is worked so quickly though this project (and forgot to get pictures), was that the boxes were actually due to be sent out on 12/31 and I was so worried about the baby coming early and me not being able to fulfill my swap. I finished everything early, and got my box out early. No stress now!

Traveling Woman

2011-01-02T03:17:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Traveling Woman by Liz Abinante

Materials: Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label Cashmere Sock in "Sunset", US Size 6 needle

Finished: December 30, 2010

Ravelry Project Page

This is the shawl that we will be giving to CJ's birth mother in honor of his birth. I chose the yarn because of its garnet color, which is the birth stone for January. It is soft and snuggly, and I hope she feels the love and gratitude I put into every stitch when she wears it.

"Cradle Me" for CJ

2010-12-30T01:07:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Cradle Me by Anne Hanson (smallest size)

Materials: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight in "Moirae", US 5 and 6 needles

Finished: December 28, 2010

Ravelry Project Page

I finished CJ's blankie, which means he can come any time now! :) Actually, his c-section date just got moved up yesterday, so he'll be here sooner than we thought. Right now, he's scheduled to come three weeks from today, but we're not holding our breath on the date as this is the 4th time it's changed (and the 2nd time it's been scheduled for the 20th). We need to start booking flights and hotels, so hopefully this is the last time the date changes.

This blanket was such a joy to knit! The pattern is easy yet not boring, BMFA is always a pleasure to work with, and knowing that it was going to be wrapped around my baby made me want to fly though it! I love the garter stitch boarder...I think little fingers will love the way it feels.

The baby's room is almost done, we're just putting on a few finishing touches. As you can tell from the first picture, we're going with a robot theme! Nearly everything "robot" in the room (minus a stuffed 'bot and a steel clock) is hand made by an indie artist, and sourced locally or on Etsy. Would you expect anything less form me?! Once I'm done with the room (or mostly done), I'll take some pics and post them.

(Yes, he has a stuffed lamb already. It's required by Spinner Law.)

I'm now frantically trying to finish a shawl I'm making for CJ's birth mom. It's part of a gift for her when she has the baby. After that, I think I'll whip out a February Baby Sweater out of the left over yarn from the blankie...and maybe some booties too!

Have a great New Year's Eve! We'll be getting freezing rain and a foot of snow, so we'll be at home for the evening!

Waiting is Hard to Do!

2010-12-16T05:44:00.000-06:00

You'd think after five years of infertility, waiting a few weeks for our baby would be easy. Nope, not one bit. To make matters worse, the c-section date keeps moving around...apparently the OB/GYN is a very busy doctor. So, what started out as a due date of January 27th, has become due dates of the 13th, 20th, and now the 24th. Sigh. We (birth mom, social worker, Chuck and I) are all a little nervous about the latest push back of the date. Since the birth mom wants me in with her during the c-section, by pushing the date back again risks her going into labor before we can get out there. Oh well...babies have their own schedules, and you just have to roll with them I guess!

Meanwhile, I continue to work away on his baby blanket:

I'm officially moved out of my studio now, and still haven't quite figured out my photography setup, so my pics have been coming out not true to color. This blanket is much less yellow. It's a fun knit, and I only have about 5 repeats left.

This weekend we paint the baby's room, then I can start to move in and assemble the baby furniture. We are waiting until after Christmas to buy the crib, so that will be the last piece in. I am looking forward to having the furniture in because I have bins of baby clothes and toys in my living room that need homes!

I took the day off of work yesterday and toured daycare centers/schools. I fell head over heels in love with Primrose School in Lakeville (about 2 miles south of our house). I spent two hours there, talking with teachers, parents, the cook, and the kids! It was so awesome, I have decided that if I ever get laid off, I will become a full-time preschool student. I'm shopping for my carpet square now.

A Sneak Peek at Baby!

2010-12-07T02:40:00.000-06:00

I came home from a rather discouraging day at work yesterday, and found a very anticipated envelope in my mail box....ULTRASOUND PICTURES!!!

Without further adieu, here's the first peek of Baby CJ, taken at his 20w visit (he's about 34w now):

He's beautiful! And yes, I know he looks like every 20w baby...and yes, I know he looks like an alien, but he's MY alien! :)

Hello world!

It's a boy!!! we think the angle on this shot is so funny...he's already learning to moon the camera!

Wee Little Topper

2010-12-06T02:38:00.000-06:00

All the gift knitting is complete...huzzah! Now it's on to baby things!

I whipped up a little newborn hat this weekend:

Pattern: Shadow Stripes Hat by Patti Pierce Stone

Materials: Lana Grossa "Pashmina" in colorway 5746; US Size 4 needle

Finished: December 5, 2010

Mmmmmm, Pashmina, the softest, lightest yarn on earth! I bought a bunch of this yarn eleventybillion years ago, and so far it's only ever become a cowl. I'd like to think it was waiting to be knit up for a wee little boy. I have two skeins left...will likely make some booties, possibly a sweater too.

We've made no progress on his room after the initial clean-out last month. I'm doing one last round of destash, and then we are hitting things into high gear this weekend. I want the room cleaned out of my stuff by the 18th so we can paint that weekend. I am on furlough during Christmas and New Years (Happy Holidays! Here's a smaller paycheck!), and that's when I want to assemble furniture, decorate, and get the closet/clothes situation in order. I want to be ready by the first week in January, because we are getting our baby boy earlier than we had thought. Two weeks (at least) early! Due to some complications the birth mother is having, they'll likely do a c-section around January 13th, but could go sooner depending on how mom is doing. We'll know more this Friday when she has another appointment. While I'm excited to have him sooner than planned, I also want hit to cook as long as he can!

Baby's First Knits

2010-11-28T12:34:00.000-06:00

The realization that we have two months until our baby is born is becoming more real to me. We are really quite lucky to get two months to prepare for him...but it's going to be the longest two months of my life! I decided that starting some knitting for baby might be a good way to pass the time and get even more excited about him (if that's possible). First up is a delightful pair of knee high baby booties!

Pattern: Knee High Booties (vintage pattern)

Materials: Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label Cashmere Sock in "Lemongrass", US size 1 needle

Finished: November 25, 2010

Aren't these the cutest things??!? Can you imagine that ribbing band around some chubby thighs?? They are totally adorbs, and I cannot wait to make more! These are "newborn" size (because I used a US 1), but there's a lot of stretch due to the garter stitch. The pattern was written for knitting it flat then seaming...and it would have been nice to have done it in the round, but I think that in between the sort row shaping at the knees, and the gusset pick-up at the foot, that flat is probably best. I have a bunch more of this yarn, and I plan to knit a little garter stitch kimono to match. I'm imagining our little guy wearing just the kimono and these booties...CUTE!

I'm working on his blanket and have about 2 repeats on it. I have one more gift knit I need to do, but once that's done, it's all baby things, all of the time! I have nine months of knitting to do in two months!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2010-11-25T02:11:00.000-06:00

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for this year...friends, family, good health, a job...but this year I am most thankful for the woman who is giving us the greatest gift in the world. She has truly made this the best Thanksgiving of my life.

Thrummed Mittens

2010-11-23T02:40:00.000-06:00

It's beginning to get really cold here in Minnesota...like, 11F degrees this morning. And we still have one whole month until it's actually winter. Yikes. A few months back, my step-mom asked me to make her some mittens to match a hat that I made for her eons ago (in the time before blogging and digital cameras). She adores that hat and wears it all the time...so how could I refuse a request like that! I was going to make her the mittens as a Christmas gift, but I had a feeling we would have a brutal winter this year. There has to be some sort of cosmic payback for the warmest year in history, right? I decided to whip these up quick so I'd have them ready for her by Thanksgiving!

Pattern: "Thrummed Mittens" by Jennifer L. Appleby (Interweave Knits, Winter 2006)

Materials: Classic Elite "Waterlily" in colorway 1979 (2 balls); Pigeonroof Fibers Polwarth fiber in "Calla"; US size 6 and 7 needle

Finished: November 20, 2010

These are delightfully warm, and knit up so fast! I need a pair for myself too! And Polwarth...could there be a yummier wool? I really hope she likes these...they will definitely do the trick with the cold and wind!

Thank You!

2010-11-22T04:33:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you for your nice comments! I'd love to get back to each and every one of you, but that would take a while, and I only have 2 months to get ready for this little guy! Eeek, we are so excited!

With that said, we are trying to restrain our emotions a tiny bit too. While the birth mother is 100% sure about placing this baby, things can always change. In Nevada, the birth mother cannot sign anything until 72 hours after delivery. After that, when she signs, her rights are irrevocable. So, until then nothing is set in stone. It's a bit emotionally tricky...we have to plan and get ready for him, but we need to keep in the back of our mind that we might not get him. This messes with our minds quite a bit, and I think it keeps us from being as joyful as we want to be, but this is the nature of adoption, and this is what we signed up for.

My knitting friends have been asking me what I'm going to make for him. I have spent the past five years planning on what I was going to make when I had a baby. I have spent the last five years planning the nursery...colors, what I'd make for it (ALL the bedding!), etc, etc. The moment I got The Call, all that went out the window. I could care less about that stuff now! It's so funny how your priorities can change in a moment. Right now I am focused on the health and comfort of our birth mother...I am focused on CJ's development and that he "cooks" as long as possible...I am focused on getting all the legal ducks-in-a-row. Making things for him is at the bottom of the priority list.

However...I am fully aware that this kid is going to born in the middle of winter...and will be coming home to Minnesota when he's about 10-14 days old. I am fully aware that Minnesota is DAMN cold in February! So, I am planning a couple of things to keep the Minnesota Winter from getting this kid. I HAVE to make is blankie of course...and cast on for Cradle Me by Anne Hanson yesterday, using BMFA Socks that Rock Medium weight. There will also be a hat, mitten, booties set in some Pashmina yarn, and I am going to make this car seat bunting out of Malabrigo Rios in Teal Feather. I've been told that it's not worth buying a snow suit for newborn babies, since they'll be warm enough with blankets and layers of clothes. This bunting is pretty much an over-sized sweater, so that should be enough for him. I'll likely make a matching hat, mittens, and booties for it too. I had the Malabrigo Rios in a stash for a sweater for me...but who cares about me now!! :)

We are excited for Thanksgiving this year...there is much to be truly thankful for! Have a great week!

Dreams Do Come True!

2010-11-18T02:39:00.000-06:00

I have been waiting nearly six years to be able to say this out loud...to the world and to myself.

I am going to be a mom!

We got "the call" yesterday! We will be welcoming a baby boy into our hearts at the end of January! We were caught a little off guard because we had been notified two weeks ago about this baby, but had not heard anything, so we thought we'd been passed over and someone simply forgot to give us a call. But no...at 9:30am yesterday morning, I got the happiest phone call of my life. It was so unexpected, and I just cried (like, serious ugly crying) for such a long time, that my boss (I use that term loosely as we are also really good friends) had to call Chuck and tell him the news. All he could say was, "Wow! Really?? WOW!!".

Our son (I can't believe I'm saying that) will be born in Nevada around January 27th. That gives us about two months to prepare for him. We are lucky to have two months, as the average time between "the call" and delivery is about 2-4 weeks...but on the flip side, we only have two months!! EEK!

This is going to be the longest two months of my life...waiting for him will be like waiting for Christmas, the Prom, my wedding day....all wrapped into one glorious package. Fortunately, we have the Holidays in bwtween then and now, so lots of parties, events, and family to bide our time.

Speaking of family, it was one of the best moments of my life to be able to tell my Dad that he is going to be a Grampa. He did such an amazing job as a single father, and I know he is going to be an amazing Gramps. My step-mom is so excited, and that makes me SO very happy! My child will be very blessed to have her in his life. Chuck's family is also over-the-moon! Toddler-nephew Will will soon have a little cousin to play with, and I can't wait to see those two together! Chuck's mother said that we will have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and she is so right.

It's so hard to put into words how I feel about the woman who is giving us this amazing gift. I love her already...I respect her so much too. It is a very brave and selfless thing to make this choice for her baby, and for that she will always have a place in our hearts. There aren't enough "thank you's" in the world to tell her how appreciative we are. It is quite simply the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for us.

Little Charles Jeffrey ("CJ" for short!) will be the joy of our lives. We have wanted nothing more than to provide an amazing life to a beautiful soul, and now we've been given that opportunity.

We are so happy and so grateful.

World's Greatest Fiber Fair!

2010-11-11T03:58:00.000-06:00

Hey Minnesota/Western Wisconsin Folks!!! Make sure the stop by the Textile Center this weekend and partake in the excellent Fiber Fair, hosted by the Weavers Guild of Minnesota!

I helped check in items last night, and tonight I'll help merchandise the sales floor. There is EVERYTHING, from knit and woven garments, to woven rugs, to needle felted wall hangings, home dec items, fiber-related jewelry, greeting cards, woven, knit and crocheted accessories.....and lots and lots of yarn and fiber!!

I took this picture of ONE of the yarn tables last night...

The yarn is piled high, and we still got tons more in after this! You should SEE the fiber selection...swoon! Everything from indie dyed top, to beautiful batts, to straight from the farm fleece! I'll take some more pics tonight of the yarn and fiber once everything is nicely arranged. I'll post them tomorrow morning to wet your appetite!

All proceeds go back to the artists, so you are supporting your indie arts community when you shop with us! Come knock out your Holiday list in one fell swoop!

Knitting Again

2010-11-08T08:46:00.000-06:00

I picked up needles again after a long break for spinning and carding for the Weavers Guild of MN Fiber Fair this weekend. I made a bunch of new yarns, batts, art yarn kits (batts plus add-ins), and am even submitting some dyed top! What doesn't sell will go in my Etsy shop next week.

I'm working on some Holiday gifts, so I can't share any of those for fear of ruining surprises, but I am making progress on a new sweater. I'm making yet another Norah Gaughan design (LOVE her!), this time it's a fairly basic cardigan design with a fun texture. It's called Mayer, and I'm using Malabrigo Rios in Purpuras.

I finished the back this weekend:

Unfortunatly, you can see where I started a new ball of yarn. Are you lovin' that strip across my butt or what! Sigh...hopefully no one in real-life will notice. After I realized how significant the color change was, I began alternating skeins. I've never had to alternate with Malabrigo before, but I think Rios takes color differently, as all the skeins of this varigated colorway look really different.

The texture is very cool...all the ladies at my spinning/knitting retreat couldn't keep their hands off of the sweater. Between the texture and the softness of Rios, it is the best feeling fabric ever!

And now here is the part where I tell you Malabrigo Rios is heaven on earth. You all know how I feel about Malabrigo Worsted...Rios is even better!!! It's an amazingly soft superwash plied merino...a PERFECT sweater yarn. I may or may not have have 3 more sweaters worth in my stash. Ahem. My only defense is that I have to stock up before kiddo comes!

Making Room!

2010-11-02T08:53:00.000-05:00

Well, the adoption stuff is heating up! We've already been profiled for 2 babies (didn't get them), and expect to be profiled twice more this week...and that's only from one agency...and we've only been homestudy approved for 2.5 weeks!! So, we are kicking the baby prep into high gear! We changed our minds about rooms...the baby is now going into the room that was once my studio. This means I have SO. MUCH. destashing to do. I have more stuff than a yarn shop!

If you are intersted in doing a little stash aquisition, my Ravelry yarn/fiber destash page is here. What's left of my book list is here. If you are interested in something, please PM me though Ravelry! And thanks for looking!

Secret Sock Knitting Revealed

2010-10-25T06:07:00.000-05:00

Last year I had the pleasure of sample knitting a sock pattern for Cookie A's newest book, Knit.Sock.Love, and now all the deets have been released on the book, so I can share the socks with you!

Ravelry links: Knit.Sock.Love and these socks, Wedge.

Wedge is a completely new pattern released in this book, which is a compilation of new and older patterns (older patterns have been re-sized and "cleaned up" a bit).

There's a funny little story about these...when you are asked to sample knit for Cookie A, you have to disclose your comfort level with techniques. I put down that I was comfortable with everything, but in my head I was thinking, "no short rows, no short rows..." (because of the way I throw, I get holes on one side of stockinette stitch sort row shaping). And...guess what I was assigned? A sock pattern ONLY done in short rows!! LOL! I think they turned out great, but man, I was sweating every time I picked up my short rows!

Due to the timeline on these socks, I never got a picture of the two socks together, but you can see them partnered up in the book!

For you Cookie A. fans, you can now pre-order the book from her website...and if you do, you can buy the pdf version for $5.95!! So, you can starting knitting your socks now, instead of waiting another month!

Pinksplosion Handspun Socks

2010-10-19T04:07:00.000-05:00

As one of my favorite dyers pointed out to me, I have an unwavering devotion to pink. I love pink so much, I am willing to burn out my retinas spinning and knitting up some of the brightest pinks in the world. Behold, the Pinksplosion Socks:

Pattern: Handspun Show-off Socks by Yours Truly

Materials:Alchemy Fibre Arts Superwash Merino, handspun navajo-ply fingering weight; US size 1 needle

Finished: October 16, 2010

This sock started out it's life as this fiber:

And then became this yarn:

And now it just needs to get cool enough so I can wear them!! I do not like this warm autumn! <<humpf, pout>> Really, it's putting quite the crimp in my handknit-wearing plans. I heard that this has been the warmest year on record for the state of Minnesota (and for that nation too). If this keeps up, I am SO moving to the Yukon Territory.

Progress

2010-10-16T06:14:00.000-05:00

Happy mid-October...where the heck has Fall gone?! We've had nothing but warm, beautiful weather here in Minnesota, so I'm a little nervous that we are going to skip over true autumn weather and end up in Winter!

I haven't been able to post much lately because my work schedule is so hectic. October is my busiest month of the year as I do a lot of communications work for the health-benefits program at the U. November is Open Enrollment, hence the crazy-bananas schedule!

I do have some good news to share...we were homestudy approved for our adoption on Thursday! This is a huge hurdle to leap! We've been slogging away on paperwork, background checks, home visits, essays (32 pages of writing!!), and putting together our profile...and we are finally at the next step.

So, the easiest way to explain the program that we are doing is to liken it to buying a home (really, bad analogy I know, but stay with me). We are being represented by our agency, Crossroads Adoption Services in Minnesota (our "buyer's agency"). Our potential birth mothers are being represented by various agencies all over the US (the "seller's agencies"). At this step, our case worker sends our our homestudy and profiles out to these agencies. Some of these agencies we actually have to fill out applications for and conduct conference call interviews. All this work is currently in progress. Once our applications and profiles are received, then we are in the waiting period. When the "seller's agencies" have a birth mother ready to select the adoptive parents of her child, then she will review the profiles based on the situation surrounding her child. As potential adoptive parents, we had to indicate our "preferences" for a child...gender, race, medical situation, and whether or not we'd accept an alcohol or drug affected child. Obviously we are open to any gender or race, and since we were originally considering a special needs child from China, we are also open to a lot of special needs requirements. We are on a "case by case" basis for drug affliction, and are a firm no on alcohol (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has no cure and no real way to treat it, however many drugs like coke and heroin don't leave too many lasting effects on development). So, we are about as accommodating as adoptive parents as we can be, so we hope we get pulled for profiling frequently, and get selected for a match quickly.

After we are selected, we'll have no more that a month's notice that we'll become parents. Agencies usually don't like to match any sooner than that because situations can change quickly. Our agency said that after a match, the average wait time is 2 weeks, but they have been seeing a lot of birth moms wait until delivery and then choose the adoptive parents. So, we could have a much as a month to prepare, or could get a call in the middle of the night and be on a plane in a few hours.

The bottom line is that we have to be super, super flexible. Of course, we have been all along our infertility and adoption process, but even more so now that we are in this phase. So, we need to begin to prepare for this addition to our family. This means getting a room ready. This is no small task since we have been in our home for over 7 years and have taken over every one of our four bedrooms. We decided after much discussion that we will put the baby in my husband's office, then move his office into my studio. My drafing table will stay in my (former) studio, and my cubby wall of yarn and fiber will move into the guest bedroom, but I am going to be losing my dedicated space for my stuff. Pretty much everything I keep will have to fit into the cubbies...books, yarn, fiber. That means I need to destash like crazy. I know I'm going to cull my books pretty significantly. The yarn and fiber will be harder. Pretty much everything I have left is stuff I want to keep. I am pulling a lot of my fiber stash to spin up and sell, so that should help. My poor husband has to destash a lot of his hardware and stuff too, so at least I'm not alone! We likely will not decorate the former office, now baby's room until after the little one comes home. I don't think either of us could emotionally deal with a lonely and empty baby room in our house. We'll empty it, maybe buy a pack-n-play, a box a diapers, and that's it.

We are going to price out baby stuff today, just to get an idea of what we are in for! We also need to get a car seat at some point too, but not sure if we will do that here, or when we travel to get the kid. This is one of the hard things about adoption...you really can't prepare much before getting the child. No showers, no registry. Just the hope that some day your dream of being a parent will be realized.

With that said, I am going into full-tilt destash and spin mode. I am selling handspun at the Weaver's Guild of Minnesota's Annual Fiber Fair on November 12, 13, and 14th. If you are in the Twin Cities area you should stop by the Textile Center for that sale...I've seen a sneak peak at all the wonderful items that will be included. It it amazing the amount of talent we have in our membership! From woven and knit items, to yarn and fiber, and plently of other fibery things, there will be something for everyone there! What items of mine do not sell there will go up on my Etsy shop, which I will continue to stock until we get our match.

I also have a list of Holiday knitting, and a few baby knits I'd like to make up before we get matched (mostly a blankie, maybe some socks). Between the spinning and destashing and moving, I'm not sure when the knitting will happen, but I've got the time now, and will need to keep my brain busy so the wait doesn't kill me!

So, that's the scoop! We are trying to live our lives like normal, but it's hard having this big, life changing event hanging over our heads, ready to drop at any moment. I just keep working away on the little things...like some handspun socks I'll be finishing up today. Hopefully the time will fly quickly.

Bubble Pullover

2010-10-03T14:53:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Bubble Pullover by Norah Gaughan from Knitting Nature

Materials: 8 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted in "Purple Mystery", US Size 7 and 8 needles

Finished: October 1, 2010

This is my second project from this book...Norah Gaughan is simply brilliant! Who would have thought that putting 8 hexagons together to make a sweater would work??

Malabrigo is such a wonderful yarn, and is well suited for this sweater. This color is also particularly awesome...I don't own anything in this particular shade of blue, but I will certainly be adding lots more of this color to my wardrobe!

Look at the lines on the shoulder...the sleeve cap makes another hexagon! Brilliant! Such a clever pattern. This sweater is a bit more fitted than I think the pattern intended...I played around with gauge because I didn't like the fabric made with the suggested needle and gauge. I don't mind the fit though, most of my sweaters are much more oversized. This one is a bit more flattering!

More photos and modification details on the Ravelry project page here.

Cupcake Handspun Hat

2010-09-21T05:41:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Super Cupcake Hat by Bonne Marie Burns

Materials: FLUFF Fiber Arts South African Fine Merino handspun in "Amandla", US size 7 and 8 needles

Finished: September 15, 2010

This was a fun and fast little knit! I've always wanted to learn Shaker Rib, and now I'm addicted to it! The hat was a perfect project for a skein of handspun worsted singles...it used up nearly all of this skein that I made during Tour de Fleece:

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I want to give a shout-out to Allison who wrote up a lovely review of my Etsy shop! Thank you so much for doing that, it is really appriciated! Now if I could just get caught up on all my custom requests so I could spin some more lovelies for the shop!

Sweater Weather

2010-09-15T04:47:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how quickly September is flying by! And, as if on cue (or most likely due to Mother Nature now owning a celendar), Fall is here! Actually, it arrived on the day after Labor Day...crazy, eh? Now, all I can think about is knitting and wearing snuggly, warm sweaters! I have my queue (and stash...eeek!) loaded up with sweaters, but I am making myself finish up the Bubble Pullover I started last Fall first!! I have to remind myself that I looked forward to this sweater so much last year, and that I shouldn't be tempted by all the other sweater hussies out there in Ravelry land!

I finished up the body about a week ago, and immediately ran up to my studio and threw it on my dress from to see if it fit! After making 8 hexagons somehow magically fit together into some semblance of a garment, I had no idea if it's even fit.

And...it does! Huzzah!! Actually, my dress from is a bit bigger than my current measurements, so it should be a little larger on me. Norah Gaughan's brain continues to amaze me...who'd have thought that hexagons would make such a cool sweater?

There's some gapiness in the back (due to the lack of...um...boobs), but hopefully that will block out. I'm currently 3/4 of the way though the first sleeve, then it's the 2nd sleeve, the collar, and the waist band...then done! I'd like to have this done before my knitting/spinning 4 day retreat in October so I can use that time to make a dent on a new sweater!

And finally, I'd love to take a minute to talk about my crazy obsession with Malabrigo Worsted. This will be my third sweater out of this yarn. Yes, they pill like crazy...and yeah, the pits on the two sweaters are felting. BUT...they are the softest, loftiest, most comfortable sweaters I've ever made, and because of that, I wear them. And that is a monumental thing for me...I used to not wear my sweaters because they were either too itchy, not comfy, or I was too afraid I'd wreck them. My Malabrigo sweaters beg me to wear them, and so I do, even if that means that I have to do a lot of maintenance on them after they are made (I've been de-pilling and washing my sweaters this week...boy, that is a TON of work!). Afterall...we knitters want our knits to be worn and loved. The highest complement I can receive is when someone wears out a sock, or the elbows on a sweater get thread bare. It means the time, attention, and love I put into creating the garment is appreciated.

(confession: I have another sweater's worth of Malabrigo in my stash)

Handspun Ginger Leaves Shawlette

2010-09-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Ginger Leaves Shawlette by Christina Wall

Materials: Pepper Pants Silky Cashmerino fiber in "Fruits of the Loom", spun 3-ply light fingering weight; US size 5 needles; 3 buttons

Finished: September 3, 2010

Ravelry link to project

What a fun little knit! This pattern showed off the handspun beautifully and it will be delightful to wear when the chill of fall sets in permanently (it's teasing us right now...but I see a couple more hot days in our future)!

Happy Handspun

2010-08-31T03:41:00.000-05:00

I just wrapped up two handspun projects that make me very happy! The colors are my favorite, the fibers are my favorite...and the pictures are just so bright and fun!

First up is a custom order...1,005 yards of superwash merino/silk dyed by FLUFF Fiber Arts!

Look familiar? It's the same colorway that I spun up earlier this year for my Ishbel. Someone saw it on Ravelry and wanted her very own! Jeanette from FLUFF dyed up the top for her, sent it to me, and and it's on its way to the UK!

Next up is another FLUFF treat for me! This is silky cashmerino...my favorite luxe fiber...and man, do I have a lot of it in the stash! 250 yards of light fingering 2-ply.

I've been doing a little bit of knitting too...I'm working again on my Malabrigo Bubble Pullover, and I started a lovely little kerchief/shawlette lace project, Ginger Leaves Shawlette, with this handspun.

I'm quite pleasantly surprised that the yarn is striping event though it is 3-ply! I love it!

The rest of this week we are hosting some friends from Las Vegas! They have been touring the MN North Shore since Friday, and come to stay with us tonight though Sunday. We plan to go to the State Fair, take them on an art crawl (Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, Walker, Weisman Art Museum), then then on Saturday I want to take them on a Mississippi River drive, stopping at all my old hang-outs along the way!

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

"Knitting it Old School" is Here!

2010-08-27T08:29:00.000-05:00

It's out!! Well, the actual publishing date is Monday, but all the Amazon pre-order people are getting their books as we speak! After 3 years and 4 months from when I wrote this post (gah, that's an emotional one to read too), I can FINALLY reveal that secret knitting project!

(pictures courtesy of Denise Seigel /Wiley Publishing)

This is "Speedway", a sweater inspired by the hot rod jackets of the 1960's. Knit with Louet Gems Sport Weight, this sweater was designed to give great drape and a flattering fit to the dudes in our lives. I designed and knit this thing (on size 2 needles, mind you) in 3 weeks. I sacrificed Easter and my 29th Birthday to this sweater, so it is really gratifying to finally see it in print.

All the patterns are up on Ravelry here. There is also a women's version, Lady Speedway (reminds me of Lady Speedstick, but I digress). I was asked to design it, but did not. I think I was in the middle of an IVF cycle or something during that time, and couldn't give it the time it needed (another sweater in 3 weeks during IVF??I don't think so!). I'm glad Amy Herzog could do it...I totally love her style!

Happy throw-back knitting!

New Pattern! Gray Gardens Cowl

2010-08-20T04:39:00.000-05:00

Taa-daa! My new cowl pattern is now available!

Gray Gardens Cowl was designed especially for handspun yarns! The lace pattern shows off the texture and color interplay that are the hallmark of handspun. Keep cozy and snug in a lovely cowl showing off beautiful yarn.

This pattern is flexible for any gauge or yardage.

Both written and charted instructions provided, tech edited and sample knit.

Materials: 160-180 yards of 2-ply worsted weight yarn, about 10-12 w.p.i.; US Size 8 needle

Want one for yourself! Here's the link to the pattern in Ravelry, or you can download it now for $3!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Three New Batts

2010-08-17T01:53:00.000-05:00

There are three new spinning batts in the shop!

Autumn Afternoon - Merino, Romney, Silk Hankie, Mohair. Theres' all sorts of lovely wools in this batt, but no shimmer! Some people aren't as excited by shimmer, so I wanted to provide a batt where the colors spoke for themselves.

Zhaan - Merino, BFL, mohair, various other wools, silk noil, Angelina. This batt explodes with mohair! This will spin up into a super lofty yarn in great tones of pink, purple, to blue.

40 Below - Romney, Merino, Silk, Angelina. The base fiber for this batt is an amazing undyed Romney fleece! I carded it up with opalescent Angelina, so it shimmers like snow when it's below zero. This is going to be gorgeous spun up.

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