Kiwi's Santa Hat

I did it!  I got my creative juices flowing and developed a santa hat for Kiwi.  He, of course, was a part of the whole design process - enjoying the yarn craft like a true knitter to be. 

While I knit it he would try it on so I could make sure I was sizing the hat correctly.  I think he kinda looks like my lil elf here.  

I think at one point, if I could have handed him the needles he would have helped me knit.  Many times he would be sitting on my lap while I knit, using his feet to play with the yarn.  He is at the age that he is discovering all his body parts and fascinated by how they work.  He would sit for many minutes trying to manipulate the yarn with his toes and feet.  Occasionally he would wrap his hands around the yarn as well.  All the time cooing and smiling. 


The end result was a hat I was happy with but a pattern that alluded me.  I wish I had written while I knit - but multi-tasking also still alludes me. 

I am now working on a hat for my older daughter so I am tweaking the pattern.  My first real pattern I am kinda proud of.

It was after 0100 when I finally finished the hat, details and all, and kiwi was knocked out.

He modeled without protest but the best picture I could get was these two.  I think he looks like the best Christmas present ever!

He wore it to the One of a Kind show today.  He quickly became the center of attention.  Eventually we took the hat off because it was causing too much attention and waking him up.  He was snuggled in the moby wrap sleeping soundly.  That was soon disrupted and so was our tour of the show.

Regardless - he likes his hat and now I am rushing to get two more done for my girls for our Christmas pictures to go on the Christmas cards I have yet to order. 


Let the Christmas festivities begin!  I am back in my knitting groove. 

Operation Extraction Day One

Hear that sound.... shhhhhh... listen closely......  (tick tick tick tick)

What's that sound?

My maternity leave ticking away!!!!!!

Like sands through the hour glass so are the days left on my maternity leave (oh how I wish I was in the UK).

In heeding  the advice of my dear friends, who have listened to my concerns over returning to work or experiencing my panic attacks with me, I have begun the extraction of my lil man from my 24/7 presence (insert sob here).

I needed to run an errand (a small one - but knew I could get it done quicker than strapping Kiwi in my wrap and walking) and Natalie stepped up and watched Cillian for me.  Of course - she had help from her lil sissy - Rowan. 

Off I went, texting a few times (till she told me to stop all was well she would contact me if needed), and took care of my errand. 

Total time gone - barely an hour - but it seemed like 8 hours. 

I returned home to Kiwi playing with the girls, happy and cooing. 

Funny - when I walked in - lil man took one look in my direction, pouted, and started to cry till I was holding him in my arms (not nursing, just holding). 

It's a good thing - only in the eyes of me.  My friends would say he needs less of me right now or my return to work will be rough for all involved.......

I'm struggling here - but know they are right (and praying fervently that God will give me strength!)

Running again.... it's about time!

I took a few weeks off from running for multiple reasons. 

The weather was stinky - rainy, cold, windy and just plain ick.  Not something I wanted to expose lil man to.

I was also feeling a little run down.  At the advice of my NMW I did more walking with him in the moby wrap and yoga at home with Kiwi.

Today, I was ready to get back into running.

Nat and I started back with week two of C25K program and Kiwi came along.  As you can tell he was dressed for the trip and ready to cheer us on. 

As it turns out, the walk segments he hates.  He will fuss until we start running.  Could it be I have a lil coach just screaming to be heard?

Then again, I did run up till about 28 WGA then walked, maybe he just remembers all the movement and enjoyed it in the jogger??

It feels good to be getting back into the grove of running, hopefully the weather will hold out for us for a few weeks to get into a habit.  Kiwi certainly loves the time out....

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

This year, unlike years before, we traveled to Michigan for Thanksgiving!  We literally packed up our house (kitchen stuff, bed stuff, baby stuff and other stuff) and took the four hour (plus) trek to my hubby's dad.  Not something one should do with a child less than 3 months old (or in reality less than a year) but it was something we needed to do as a family.   

(insert pout from me - but before you judge me - understand it was my idea to travel to Michigan).

My hubby's mom died a year ago and this is his dad's second Thanksgiving alone.  Let alone, there was a new grandson in his life, the need to go home was there.  It was my suggestion since I was on maternity leave and his dad would never travel to Chicago (that's another long story for another time). 

My hubby is ALL ABOUT cooking on Thanksgiving and was not giving that up even by traveling home.  So - the trek was made, the dinner was prepared and family time was had by all. 

I would like to squash my sarcastic stories, pouty moments, frustration and irritation by pointing out what I (we as a family) were thankful for this year (Cause the former was expressed in, text messages to my friends, twitter and facebook - and serves no purpose here.)

This year was a year of God's faithfulness to all that was heavy in our heart as a family.  Natalie had a successful year in 7th grade and ending with straight A's and more confidence in herself.  Rowan grew socially by leaps and bounds and tackled some difficult life decisions well, seeking prayer first (something I need to do a lil more).  My hubby tackled a personal goal and ushered in something very heavy on his heart - a son (such a blessing from God).  I had a wonderfully complication free pregnancy which resulted in a perfect, healthy baby boy (Thank you Jesus) that was such a testament of God's Grace, Mercy and Faithfulness to many of my friends.   All of this occurred stress free (well relatively stress free) during and because of tremendous support from some awesome friends in our life!

From a more worldly point of view - my career advanced (with a raise), my hubby is back at the bike shop working regularly (and happy with this career) and the girls are thriving and striving in Chicago. 

So on this evening of gluttony and football greatness.......

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Wishing upon a star.....

If I could ever get my brain started again - My KnitPicks wish list

5x7 Folded Card

Baby Blocks Boy Birth Announcement

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Congratulations to my man!!!

 It started about nine months ago (hmmmmm) and today came to fruition - my hubby running the Chicago Marathon!!!!!!

Let me start at the beginning - we (as in my hubby and I) pledged to run the marathon TOGETHER as a part of our Church's pledge to support World Vision. 

When it came time to sign up - I was feeling "under the weather" and maybe just maybe thought (hoped) I might be (was) pregnant.  Needless to say - my hubby signed up and I did not (unbeknownst to him - the real reason why I did not).

Norm trained, was encouraged by us and our prayers for an injury free running season, and raised money (many of you supported him - and thank you!)

Today - we as a family - were there to see him through to the finish line!  And when I mean "we" I mean Rowan, Natalie and Kiwi (less than two weeks old mind you - meaning I was less than two weeks post partum.  A miracle in and of itself). 

We waited at various pit stops on the 26.2 mile course - with his favorite at Clark street - to cheer him on with signs, high fives and a hug from me/kiss from Kiwi.




Watching our man progress through the race was so much fun (and tiring)!  We were not alone (crowded it was with other family and friends rooting others along)!

The smile on our face had us pushing on to the next pit stop and eventually to the finish line!