Thursday, June 12, 2008

The mural


The mural
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
This is not my original artwork- I saw this mural online and fell in love
with it. Here's the link-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mstultz/1450116155/in/pool-modernnursery

I simplified it a little by not outlining it in a contrasting color. It was
hard enough to paint it on our plaster walls. I free-hand sketched it, then
used latex wall paint to paint it on. It took like five different work
sessions to complete. I did it over the course of a week. I am quite happy
with how it turned out. I just have to fill in the bird's eye and it will be
completely done.

Changing table


Changing table
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
See- we are ready for you baby Noah!

The closet


The closet
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.

My favorite part of the room


My favorite part of the room
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
DH put up the shelves. They are from IKEA. Then I got to decorate. We are
going for a theme of birds and nests. It was so fun to decorate his room!

The crib


The crib
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.

Back fabric


Back fabric
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Dh helped me find this in the store. I think it is just perfect.

Up-close on embroidery


Up-close on embroidery
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Once it was all knitted and sewn together with the flannel and piping it was
time for the embroidery. It wasn't too hard to do all the running stitch,
but some of my French knots wanted to hide in the knitted fabric. Or else my
yarn decided to tangle up on the backside of the blanket.

Baby blanket for our baby on the way

Here it is, all done! It's been done for a few weeks. It's waiting for our
baby to come just like we are!

Tulip socks


Tulip socks
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
I joined a sock yarn club that sends out a new yarn every 2 months with a
pattern. This is the first installment knit up. I think it is called Hill
Country sock club or something like that. I heard about it on my favorite
knitting podcast, Lime n' Violet. It knit up pretty fast since the yarn was
thicker than typical sock yarn.

Knitted reusable shopping bag


Knitted reusable shopping bag
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
This was the Yarnery's free pattern with purchase for Earth Day. I bought
yarn to knit it there. I haven't actually used it yet but I think it is
pretty.

Belly 39 1/2 weeks!


Belly 39 1/2 weeks!
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Come quickly little baby!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Belly pic at 33 1/2 weeks


Belly pic at 33 1/2 weeks
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Wow, am I really going to keep on growing!?

Nursery curtains


Nursery curtains
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
My Aunt sewed these for us, using a flannel receiving blanket, brown cotton
fabric, and some great ribbon she found at Walmart. They are so cute!

Embroidery on baby blanket


Embroidery on baby blanket
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
I had to change the colors from the pattern since I had ran out of some of
them. I have been doing french knots and running stitch on the blanket to
secure the back to the front quilt-style.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

31 week belly!


31 week belly!
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Here's my 31 week belly- it just keeps growing. I know that is what it is
supposed to do, but still amazing how it all works.
I had my appt. with the midwife on Monday, heartbeat was in the 140's, and
my blood pressure was great, she said it looked like I still had energy-
which is good- and he was head down. She said most of the time if they are
head down now, they stay that way. He was head down last time 2 weeks ago
too, and I asked him to stay that way. It was our shortest appt. ever- like
20 min. Oh, and I gained one pound in the last two weeks! Awesome! If I can
just keep that up till the end...

src="http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev166pr___.png" alt="pregnancy"
border="0" />

Wild stripes baby blanket- done knitting and steeked and split

Oh- totally unrelated- but happy Earth Day today. The Yarnery is giving away
a free re-usuable knittable shopping bag pattern with a purchase. It's on my
to-do list to go there today or tomorrow and get one.

I have finished the knitting and cut the blanket down the seam middles and
blocked it. Yesterday my Aunt helped sew it onto the flannel fabric backing
with the piping. I am very happy with how it is turning out. More pics
later.

Coping skills yarn


Coping skills yarn
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Last week I nearly gave up on completing all this really important paperwork
towards my licensure. I need one more set of paperwork from a supervisor-
and it was proving almost impossible to get ahold of him/it. I drove to S
Mpls, then Eagan, and back and forth between the 2 Argosy buildings- and
finally located him 2 min before his class started- and about 1 min before I
was ready to collapse in a fit of tears and desperation, and by this point a
few expletives. Then, from Eagan to Mpls again, this time a different part
of it, and turned the paperwork in 1 hour before my extended deadline. Way
too much stress for me!
In turn, I decided I needed to pull out "the big guns" of my coping skills-
this was no time for "going to my happy place" or deep breathing, or
redirection with calming music, or even chatting with a friend. It was time
to self-indulge with luxury yarn. So I went to Borealis Yarn on my way home,
and my eyes locked onto this yummy skein of Cherry Tree Hill yarn. This
wasn't a day for Online, or Regia, either, it had to be one of the more
expensive yarns (or my coping skill wouldn't have worked quite so well). So
these were the 2 skeins that made their way home with me. The Trekking
Bamboo is for socks from the Interweave Socks book I got for Christmas from
my bro- I finally was able to buy solid colored sock yarn to show off lacey
patterns, and the other is for an undecided pair of socks. When I came home
from the store I was much happier, albeit too tired to do much but hold and
oggle my yarn. But at least my paperwork was in.
This week I am supposed to find out when next month I will be taking this
big oral test- it should be mid-month of May- pre-baby.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Changing table


Changing table
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
I have registered for brown baskets at Target to put under the changing
table to hold things down there. We bought a pack of diapers because they
were on sale. We are getting ready here!

FW: We do have more clothes than this!

------ Forwarded Message

More modern nursery pics


More modern nursery pics
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
I fell in love with this bedding set from walmart of all places. It was
about $80- lots cheaper than most bedding sets.

Baby's nursery


Baby's nursery
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Dh and I were working on this on Tuesday night. I have to say a big thank
you to my Aunt, Uncle, and Mom who painted the room and steam-cleaned the
carpet in there. We are getting more and more excited!

While I was decorating the nursery and Genevieve was wandering out probably
thinking we are designing a room for her, I couldn't help but reflect on
what a wild concept it is to have a baby. It grows in your belly for so
long, then comes out, and is then a permanent part of your family and life.
All we were doing was preparing a room, just like when we have company- but
we were preparing it for our very own child. Amazing!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

terrible, no good, very bad day- with a good ending

On Monday I had my glucose/gestational diabetes screening test. I didn't pass it, so had to return for a 3 hour test, instead of the 1 hour test. I was told they would do the finger prick thing like they had done the first time. I was already dreading 4 finger pricks. When I showed up at the clinic the nurse said no, it was a blood draw test, since they had to send in the results to the lab. I tried to convince her to just do the finger pricks-but to no avail.

The nurse poked me 3 times and decided to send me to the hospital lab since I have tricky veins.

So, I went to St. Joe's. DH met me there, and came along, still sick, for moral support. While I waited for the first blood test, he became faint, and the nurse had to take him to the ER for his own medical needs. I needed to fast for 12 hours, and by now it had been 13 or so (I stopped by to pick up a huge bottle 1.5 L of water, and drank half of it before getting to the hospital in hopes that it would plump up my veins). After blood test #1, I was sent to the surgery waiting room and a nurse promised to get me an hour later (after I had drank the 100g glucose drink) . She didn't come, and I waited and waited, till it was nearly 20 min past and then was scolded for having been late for blood #2.
Fortunately, they let it slide, and so about 30 min later I came back for #3. Then, an hour later #4. Have I mentioned I hate needles, and had been losing sleep over this blood test for the past 2 nights?

Well, in my waiting time, I visited DH, who had his own bloodwork done, and he had an IV. So we were both a really sad pair. Neither one of us really feeling well or good enough to support the other, yet both worried about the other. What a day. He was fighting off a virus that I had just a week before. It was an achey body thing, with runny nose, and some coughing. When I got it, I thought it was just pregnancy body aches since I had just started my third trimester the day before I got sick.

Had the blood test at the clinic worked, I would have been done at 11:30, instead, we left the hospital shortly before 2pm. I did get a "complimentary" cafeteria meal, for my first post-fasting for 15 plus hours. I pretended the hospital spaghetti was Buca food- but I couldn't fool myself.

And yes, I passed the glucose test. I do not have gestational diabetes. Yay!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

28 weeks, 3 days belly


28 weeks, 3 days belly
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
My baby belly has been growing. Until last week Monday I had been pretty
healthy al pregnancy. Then, I woke up one day into my third trimester and
felt horrible. I thought it was all pregnancy related killer body pain until
DH woke up feeling much the same way, also on Monday, but minus the
pregnancy part. Now, I am back to feeling good, but DH is still resting
lots. We had really achey bodies followed by runny noses and a bit of a
cough. Blah. Being sick is no fun!

Roman shades


Roman shades
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
My Aunt helped me to make these for our bedroom. The fabric on the top was
from Hawaii. Yes, we have a pink wall in the bedroom, and three mango yellow
walls. And no, DH does not mind the pink wall. :)

Home cooked meal


Home cooked meal
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Gourmet meal- Rachel Ray's chicken and brie. I made it inside crescent rolls
because Super Target was out of puff pastry. It was super tasty.

DSCN1915.JPG


DSCN1915.JPG
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
DH spied this Bald Eagle right alongside the road in WI.

DSCN1916.JPG


DSCN1916.JPG
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Knitting baby blanket from Knitty, wild stripes, and my belly

Friday, February 15, 2008

So cold, wooly hedgie needs a hat!


close-up


close-up
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.

Scarf for mom


Scarf for mom
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Seafoam lace pattern courtesy of Borealis Yarns. Made of Cherry Tree
Hill handpainted supersock superwash merino. Luscious.

sweater knit in weekend sweater knitting class

No, I did not finish it in a weekend, it took me a few more days beyond
that. Then about 1 or 2 months to get motivated to weave in the tails.
Then, I put it on, and the sleeves seemed to have shortened to bracelet
length. It was a very cold weekend when I was wearing it, and my wrists
were so cold! I knew I needed to lengthen the sleeves then, and decided
to lengthen the body too, and use up the rest of my warm. It is now
super warm and cozy. Pattern, Knitting Pure and Simple, Weekend
pullover. yarn by Plymouth- 100% wool.

socks for Elizabethan


socks for Elizabethan
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
She's allergic to wool, so I had to be creative. This is Shelly Kang's
pattern for Cascade Fixation, the stretchy yarn. I think they look like
candy.

sweater knit for Guideposts (charity knitting)

I had forgotten about this, but lately I have been going through all
my knitting things and came across the front half, and decided I had
better knit the back and seam it up, and mail it off. It is a relief to
have done because I do not enjoy knitting with acrylic yarn. I used
acrylic to use it up and get it out of my stash. Have I mentioned I am
so happy this is done and sent off!?

Right in the middle is his gender indicator

All boy! This pic to me makes me think of frog legs, but really, it's
baby legs.

baby from the side


baby from the side
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Left is his skinny little leg, and then his belly, then his head and
face with his little nose

fist


fist
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.

this is baby's nose and mouth- he was drinking amniotic fluid in this pic

We got to watch his little mouth open and close

Thursday, January 31, 2008

the knitting nesting bug

As I workout on the elliptical I face my yarn store wall. It beckons me each and every day, come hither, and I will once again enchant you with my awesome powers. "What will you make with me?" begs a colorful handpainted sock yarn. "Or with me?" cries a solid worsted wool. "Surely I deserve to be destined for greatness!" shouts the yarn nestled in a felted buttonhole bag, waiting somewhat patiently. Yarn that will become Dh's next sweater, most likely IK's Cobblestone Pullover, but only after the IK's Tilted Duster is completed.

And then, whispers quietly, the stowed away, and abandoned UFO's, "what about me?"

But recently life has been rebirthed into some few lucky UFO's, the magic fairy wand of knitting has graced their presence. Springing to life have been a new hat for DH from "start to finish" ala Rachael Ray's 30 min meals, in addition to a new hat for Hollywood and a scarf too in progress, a completed Seafoam lace Cherry Tree Hill Supersock merino scarf for my mom, and the tails have once again been woven into my bulky green Knitting Pure and Simple Weekend pullover. This one saw a lengthening in the arms, followed by a lengthening in the body such that as much yarn as could be used, was indeed used in the knitting on of its bottom hem. And today this cozy sweater will hug my pregnant body, keeping both I and baby BOY?GIRL toasty warm.

Indeed today, it may come to pass, Lord and baby-willing that my 20w5 day baby will have its gender unveiled for us to see. Pray this happens at 2 pm today! Until then I will keep knitting on, ellipticalling strong, and using Microsoft Word to update my private practice documents.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

This puzzle took forever to do!


This puzzle took forever to do!
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
1,000 pieces, lots of whites and browns. I am going to glue it together
and hang it in the art room downstairs.

Same day, but "like normal"


Same day, but "like normal"
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.

Belly at 19 w 3 days


Belly at 19 w 3 days
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
I *heart* these jeans from GAP maternity. They are even long enough for
my long legs.

view from above


view from above
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Me, looking down at my chest and belly.

Lace leaf socks completed!


Lace leaf socks completed!
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
This happened at the end of December.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Merry Christmas, from our house to yours

Last night we decorated our Charlie Brown tree. I realized its really
hard to get ribbons to look just right on a sparsely branched tree. We
bought it all bundled up at Menards. I have been a lot less picky about
some things like trees, while pregnant. Usually I would look them all
over and pick. This year I looked around and said, Hmm, let's get that
one, and get out of here, and be done shopping! Merry Kitschmas.

Hot Chocolate and Brioche donuts at Hot Chocolate Restaurant, Bucktown, Damen St. Chicago

DSCN1762.JPG

"The bean" in Millenium park, Chicago

DSCN1746.JPG

opening scene in the coral reef


opening scene in the coral reef
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
sorry its blurry.

up close texture shot


up close texture shot
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.

Thursday night, 15 weeks 6 days


Thursday night, 15 weeks 6 days
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
Thanks BFF for the fabulous skirt and sweater for my Christmas present!
I love it and am wearing it now on my real birthday.

Today's my b-day!

And baby is officially 15 weeks on the dot. Week 16 starts today. Last week DH planned me a special b-day getaway- he put it on my pda a few months ago so I wouldn't schedule any appts. on that Friday. I only knew we were going on a plane, then driving somewhere, and the temp would be the same there as here.
I fantasized about what we were doing, and then I firmly decided that we were going to stay in a Motel 6 in Hopkins and see a High School play. I had to tell myself something. Even though I was pretty sure the plan would be grander than that I didn't want my imagination to run away from me, as it is prone to do.
Well, we woke up at 5am Friday to fly to Chicago. There DH had his first intro to the Windy City, and to Giordano's stuffed pizza. MMM. We ended up winging the day's other activities and stumbled upon a "Crocheted Coral Reef" exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center. We also ended up in Bucktown at night, at Hot Chocolate and ate warm Brioche donuts with hot chocolate sauce, and I drank a Mexican cocoa with yummy homeade marshmallows. I had wanted to go to Bucktown for a few years since the Keyboard Biologist had blogged about it's trendy boutiques. We found a trendy boutique and I had to buy 2 little books for our baby, "Urban Babies Wear Black" (don't worry I am not about to have a goth baby that wears skull clothes- nasty) but baby's mommy may be found pushing the jogging stroller with a latte in its cupholder. The other book was "Mommy Loves". It has all kinds of baby animals with their mommies as well as the proper names for all the animal kin. Like baby hedgehogs are called hoglets.
The next day we drove to Cincinnati, OH to see our fave band, Over the Rhine do their big annual Christmas show. This had been a dream I had to see it one day- and then we did. DH did an awesome job orchestrating the whole plan in secret, and it was a wonderful memorable birthday event.
Today, weather permitting, as I typically say on my birthday, we will go out to eat with my fam, and my bro is flying in at this moment from D.C. I usually pick a trendy Mpls restaurant with lots of atmosphere (like Zelo, last year) but this year I chose Fasika in St. Paul. Supposedly it has good food, with no atmosphere. I want to eat beef wat! I also have to get to Caribou for my free b-day drink, and to Borealis for some yarn for an heirloom baby sweater. I was going to knit it out of washable acrylic, but the thought of it, and the feel of it in my hands was enough to make me cringe. So I think I will be returning it to the store soon. Yarn snob? Yes I am.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Side profile


Side profile
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.

Been busy and tired


Been busy and tired
Originally uploaded by CorgiMom.
So, this is what I've been up to. Sleeping for 12 hours a night,
resting lots in between. Other than that, I haven't been up to too
much. Just letting the baby do what the baby wants to do. Today I had a
fun day of shopping for maternity clothes and a stroller with my mother
in law, and my pregnant sister in law, who is due in February. I found
a pair of brown dress pants, and this dress/shirt, and five or so other
shirts, and a puffer vest with faux fur trim at Gap. I am due in June.
Can you believe I am at the start of 14 weeks-? Hmm...am I showing yet?

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

going crazy!

So, today I drove for a LONG TIME in the snow. I was driving a drive that should have taken 30-45 min. on a good day, 1 hour on a snowy day. Instead it took a maddening 3 hours!!!
Yes, it is past 7pm and I haven't had dinner yet. I had some yummy fudge for the third time today, but not dinner. Seems our little grocery store doesn't have Buitoni tortellini- they have some pasta kitchen kind. It had better be good is all I can say.

Three hours! At what point am I permitted to completely lose my cool? Because watchout, I am far past my boiling point.

My solace is- that soon- within a month and a half I will no longer being trampling all over the cities and 'burbs- since I am opening my own practice. And baby, it's time!