Confessions of a Yarn Addict: Little Man

Showing posts with label Little Man. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

WIP Wednes........crap.

Happy Wednesday!

I had every intention of partaking in a proper WIP Wednesday this week. I was going to photograph projects on Monday, write yesterday, and get everything ready to post.

And then Sunday afternoon & evening happened.

This is Little Man. That his an ER bed (or A&E, for my non-USian friends). If you read my Year of Projects update, you already know that he got sick on Friday night/Saturday morning and it continued through Saturday and into Sunday. He was spiking nasty fevers (102º+F, which is about 48.9ºC), throwing up, having issues at the other end, not eating, not drinking, severe dehydration.....yeah, the decision was made to haul him in around 5pm on Sunday. I went with him, of course, because Husband can't handle needles and such.

This would have been fine and dandy if I hadn't started throwing up prior to getting to the hospital. Yuuuuuuuup. Turns out I came down with the stomach bug as well. So, in addition to Little Man being hooked up to an IV, I was also hooked up to one (that I had to take with me when I went to the bathroom every 10 minutes). The decision was made to admit him around 9:30pm and by 10pm, we were just getting to his room on the 4th floor when I got a call from Husband: Stormageddon's throwing up everywhere.

Guess who else wound up getting an IV on Sunday night?

And I sat with him. By then, I was off my own IV but I started feeling like crap. Husband drove us back home, then went back to the hospital (we left around 2am to come home).

Little Man came home yesterday afternoon. He had a rough couple of days. His IV blew on Monday, he had a botched blood draw (three times), the IV needed to be moved (after he was sedated because he would not cooperate - he's 6, I expected that), and then someone was incapable of reading and hung the wrong bag for the IV (he was supposed to be getting a D10 bag and higher salinity bag because his sodium was low). So, it was not a pleasant experience, of course. Husband stayed at the hospital with him and I was home with Stormageddon.

So, while I had every intention of a proper WIP Wednesday post, it just didn't happen.

After Little Man got home, Husband and Stormageddon crashed in the chair in the living room while he and I were in the back room.

Remember when I said he had a botched blood draw? Well, in order to get him to cooperate, Husband basically bribed him: he ordered him the Lego Ghostbusters car (the new 2016 movie version - I have the original one and he's been after us for the new one for awhile now). So, while Husband and Stormageddon were napping in the chair, Little Man and I were in the back room putting the Lego set together (he's on the 3rd bag, of 4, and has done most of it himself).

But, today is Wednesday and he's still home from school. ::sigh:: Hopefully tomorrow he can go back. Now he's got my barking cough again.

In the meantime, I've worked a little bit on the following: the Pikachu Hat (I'm almost to the crown decreases) and the Trusty Hat (I'm on the 5th pattern repeat...I think...maybe the end of the 4th...don't remember right now).

I hope you're having a much better Wednesday!

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Y5: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #34

Happy Sunday :)

As the Olympics are ending, so, too, is Ravellenics. Part of me is rather proud of myself and part of me is thinking, "really, that's it?" Oh well. Let's see what I'm talking about.

FOs (Finished Objects)
1. Fire Socks: started April 15, 2015; finished January 6, 2016
2. Nottingham for Stormageddon: started January 12, 2016; finished January 14, 2016
3. Design proposal for Fire Socks: started January 13, 2016; finished January 18, 2016
4. Purple merino/silk spinning (singles): started toward the end of Tour de Fleece (July 4-26, 2015); finished January 29, 2016
5. Nottingham for Little Man: started January 17, 2016; finished February 1, 2016
6. Swirl Hat: started December 16, 2015; finished February 4, 2016
7. Swatch for Marly Bird class at Stitches West: started January 8, 2016; finished February 7, 2016 (no project page)
8. Fire Socks design (the actual pattern writing & photography part): started February 6, 2016; finished February 12, 2016 (link to the preview; pattern went live on Saturday, April 2nd)
9. Mountains Beanie: started February 9, 2016; finished February 17, 2016
10. Rathmore: started February 25, 2016; finished March 4, 2016
11. Dragon's Egg Socks: started September 2, 2013; finished March 9, 2016
12. Creeper for Little Man: started March 4, 2016; finished March 10, 2016
13. Mother Bear Project #1: started February 22, 2016; finished March 12, 2016
14. Asshole Corriedale (spinning project): started March 23, 2016; finished March 24, 2016
15. Pacific Waves: started March 9, 2016; finished March 25, 2016
16. Freeport Vest Frogging: started March 29, 2016; finished March 29, 2016
17. Pacific Waves: started March 31, 2106; finished April 2, 2016
18. Vanilla Latte Socks: started November 19, 2015; finished April 6, 2016
19. Snape's Stockings: started August 20, 2014; finished April 11, 2016
20. Pacific Waves: started April 3, 2016; finished April 15, 2016
21. Creeper Hat: started April 28, 2016; finished May 4, 2016
22: Finn & Suffolk blend (spinning): started April 1, 2016; singles finished May 27, 2016; plied May 31, 2016
23. Gex for Little Man: started April 8, 2016; finished June 5, 2016
24. Bridal Shower Lace Cloth: started June 20, 2016; finished June 27, 2016
25. TdF 1: 25%/25%/50% purple merino/silk & white merino (~ 540 yds; ~ 8 oz; DK/lt. worsted): started during TdF last year and finished the purple singles January 29, 2016; started the white last weekend, plied them on July 4, 2016
26. TdF 2: 25%/25%/50% leftover purple merino/silk & leftover kelly green merino (~ 20 yds; unknown weight; DK/lt. worsted): leftover bits that were plied on July 4, 2016
27. TdF 3: 100% merino, 50% hot pink, 50% grey (~ 50 yds; ~ 1 oz; DK/lt. worsted): started & finished on July 5, 2016
28: TdF 4: 100% merino, 50% rose pink, 50% navy blue (~ 50 yds; ~ 1 oz; DK/lt. worsted): started & finished on July 5, 2016
29. TdF 5: 25%/25%/50% leftover purple merino/silk & leftover hot pink merino (~ 10 yds; unknown weight; DK/lt. worsted): the purple was started during TdF last year and finished January 29, 2016; the hot pink was spun on July 5, 2016; they were plied on July 5, 2016
30. TdF 6: 100% merino, 50% leftover hot pink, 50% leftover navy blue (~ 10 yds; unknown weight; DK/lt. worsted): started & finished on July 5, 2016
31. TdF 7: 100% merino, rainbow gradient (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and white) (~ 220 yds; ~ 4 oz; worsted): started July 5, 2016; finished July 6, 2016
32: TdF 8: 50/50 merino/tencel, Fat Cat Fibers in Razzmatazz (three different skeins: two skeins are three-ply, one is around 245 yds of worsted and the other is around 120 yds, also worsted; one skein is chain plied, probably also a worsted weight, about 25 yds): started July 8, 2016; finished July 12, 2016
33. TdF 9: 100% white merino (~ 446 yds two-ply, probably sport weight; ~ 15 yds Andean Ply, also around a sport weight): started July 15, 2016; finished July 18, 2016
34. TdF 10: Superwash Merino/Bamboo/Nylon from Happy Hands Hand Dyed (~ 166 yds two-ply, probably Aran weight; ~ 14 yds Andean Plied, also Aran weight): started July 15, 2016; finished July 19, 2016
35. TdF 11: 60% BFL/40% Bombyx (Mulberry Silk) from Corgi Hill (~ 298 yds two-ply, probably DK/lt. worsted; ~ 25 yds Andean Plied, also DK/lt. worsted): started July 18, 2016; finished July 20, 2016
36: TdF 12: Unknown BFL, possibly from Yarn Hollow (~ 144 yds two-ply, probably Aran weight): started July 21, 2016; finished July 23, 2016

37. Rainbow Gradient Cowl: started August 5, 2016; finished August 6, 2016
38. Gex for Niece: started June 28, 2016; finished August 19, 2016

I finished up the little Gex sweater on Friday night. The knitting was finished during the day and then I was going to stay up and weave in all the ends, which did happen...but a few mishaps happened in between. More about that in a mo'.

WIPs (Works-In-Progress) - carried over year-to-year
1. Wink: started January 5, 2015
2. Caffe Macchiato Socks: started May 7, 2016
3. Corgi Hill Polwarth/Tussah blend (spinning): started July 21, 2016
4. Oh, She IS a Bad Nut: started August 11, 2016

Because Gex has been finished, most of my focus was on that project. However, I did manage a little bit on the Caffe Macchiato Socks and I finished up the first of the Polwarth/Tussah single.

This is also proof that I do, in fact, knit in public. I was sitting in my therapist's waiting room while I worked on this. The receptionist, who is just lovely, asked me what I was crocheting.

o.O

He got a lesson in the difference in a 100% non-snarky manner. He said that he learned something new and also now understands why all his aunts gave him funny looks when he mentioned their crocheting because they were, in fact, knitting.

In addition to KIP with the socks, I also did it with the Gex sweater.

I took both of those during Little Man's swimming lessons on Thursday. I was on the second sleeve and got to the halfway point on that sleeve while at swimming (yes, I'm anal retentive and counted my rows on the first sleeve and matched the number for the second sleeve).

And, because I already mentioned finishing the first single of the Polwarth/Tussah:

Now that the parts have come for my wheel and Ravellenics is over, I might get back around to finishing up the other half of this fiber. And then I have a bunch more I want to spin. I found so much of my spinning fiber while I went through yarn and fiber bins this past week...sweater quantities worth, in some cases. I think I have something like three pounds of a merino fiber in a bag, for example. That should be enough for a sweater, right?

I may have worked a couple rows on the shawl but Wink is firmly hiding in my WIP bag. I'll get back around to it soon enough.

In my "WTFCRAZYLADYOMGLSGBBQ" lists:

Children's Items
1. George's Vest (for Stormageddon - probably the largest size; YOTH Little Brother from Stitches)
2. House Hat (one each for Stormageddon and Little Man - worsted, two contrasting colors)
3. Arthur the Alien (for Little Man - worsted; any colors)
4. Holiday Countdown Stockings (for the family - Aran/worsted; four colors)
5. Mirkwood (for Little Man - worsted or bulky; any colors)

Items for ME (selfish knitting, FTW!!)
1. Vanillaish Socks (using one of my Harry Potter Yarns)
2. Paradiddle Socks (using a solid or semi-solid sock yarn)
3. Hermione Hearts Ron (sport weight; solid or semi-solid - Plucky Primo in Petunia?)
4. Hermione Hearts Ron Fingerless Mitts (sport weight; solid or semi-solid - Plucky Primo in Petunia?)
5. Classic Silk Mayfaire Camisole (Miss Babs from Stitches Midwest)
6. Stormont (worsted; solid or semi-solid)
7. Sockhead Hat (sock; any colors)
8. Moab Shawl (sock; any colors)
9. Prowl (DK; solid or semi-solid) *need pattern*

Secret Sock Club Bags - Pick a bag at random; do pattern with yarn
1. Scotch & Soda Scarf (using Briar Rose Fibers Wistful, leftover from my Icarus Shawl)
2. Jabberwonky (using KP Felici in Abracadabra)
3. If You Know Where To Go (using KP Felici in Green Veggies)
4. Gardener's Socks (using Malabrigo Sock in Indiacita)

Stranded Knitting
1. University of Wisconsin Ski Hat
2. University of Wisconsin Christmas Stocking
3. University of Wisconsin Button Beanie
4. Xanadu Snowflake Cowl

Christmas/Charity Bin
1. 198 yds. of Heaven (worsted; any colors)
2. Phillip and Mr. Grum (sock yarn; any colors)
3. Comfort Food (Aran; solid)
4. Fine Fella (worsted; solid or semi-solid)
5. November Leaves (Shelter from stash) *need pattern*
6. Skinner Hat (sock; solid or semi-solid) *need pattern*
7. The Shoemaker's Hat (bulky; solid or semi-solid) *need pattern*
8. Roll Out The Barrels (cotton; any colors)
9. Sweeny Todd Scarf (worsted; any colors)
10. The Snowmen Cometh (worsted; any colors)
11. Sunburst Dishcloth (cotton; any colors)
12. Starfish Cloth (cotton; any colors)
13. Seamless Circular Cloth (cotton; any colors)
14. Tombreck (Aran/worsted; solid or semi-solid)
15. Premie Spiral Hat (for hospital donations - sport or DK; any colors)

Designs
1. Ice Somethingsomething (knit prototype and pattern for submission)
2. Susan's Hat (make proper - photos, pattern, etc.; knit new prototype from Babs K2 from Stitches)
3. Little Man's Baby Blanket (make proper - photos, pattern, etc.)
4. Paradiddle Socks (knit prototype - see "Items for ME")
5. Pacific Waves Hat (knit prototypes in various weights/sizes, pattern for submission? self-publish?) *started*
6. Stormageddon's Baby Blanket (design process, knit prototype, etc.)

Spinning
1. Given that TdF happened and I SPUN ALL THE YARNS, I think I'm going to take a break from spinning for a bit...Viktor needs a tune-up anyway. At least my parts have arrived.

Other (for things that are fibery/crafty in nature but not specific to knitting or spinning)
1. Organize my handmade stitch markers
2. Make more stitch markers (to sell? donate? hoard?)
3. Organize my books/magazines/loose patterns. *started*
4. Toss the stash (fiber & yarn). *started*

This week seems to have gone by in a total blur. It's completely understandable, given everything that has happened this week.

So, if you remember, Husband was out of town from Thursday until this past Monday night. His flight home was delayed so he actually didn't get home until 2:30am on Tuesday morning, Not a big deal, other than he was sick. The boys and I were fine while he was gone, which says a lot because they do so often drive me nuts. But, we had things planned and playdates and so on, which helped.

On Tuesday, Husband worked from home (because he was sick and because he got in so late). The doctor's office back in Wisconsin called to tell him that, yes, he did have strep. They were surprised because the rapid and the 24-hour tests both came back negative. They then went on to tell him that the strain he had wasn't common in Wisconsin and is most commonly found in California. ::sigh:: Medication was acquired, and things are fine. Tuesday continued to be a busy day. In addition to doing stuff from Husband's trip (laundry, unpacking, etc.), there was a new parent PTA meeting (which counted toward an hour of our thirty volunteer hours), we found out which teacher Little Man was going to have, I picked up our registration packet, filled out a bunch of forms, bought Little Man some new t-shirts for school, got my fingerprinting done, and, most importantly, ate ice cream. It was a busy day.

Wednesday meant the first day of Kindergarten for Little Man. We were up early, we walked to school, he met some of the other kids in his class, and then I had a coffee date with some of the other moms/dads at the cafe across the street from the school.

Thursday found me requiring a mid-day nap, along with Stormageddon. It appears that he's gotten the summer cold, probably from someone at the school (already?!) so he's had some naps and coughing and snot and ibuprofen, in addition to errands with mama. Friday night, I was about ready to start getting him ready for bed. I was finishing my dinner and I heard a POP and what sounded like running water. This is what I found in the back room:

The above photos are what happens when a 5-gal keg of homemade rootbeer loses a spigot and rootbeer goes spraying everywhere. I did the only thing I could think of: I grabbed the 5-gal bucket the keg was sitting in and threw the entire thing into the shower/tub, tried to wedge the spewing hose into the bucket (to no avail, hence the spray all over the bathroom) and just let it run out. The ceiling, walls, the kegorator & shelving unit, the rug, the tile bathroom floor, the walls in the bathroom.....it was a mess. We had to pull the shelving unit and the kegorator out so I could get the carpet washer out again to wash the carpet. I just did this a couple weeks ago for a similar keg infraction. ::sigh:: But, we caught it and it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Don't get me wrong, it still wasn't fun.

Saturday was a relatively lazy day. Actually, I wound up taking a three-hour nap because I wasn't feeling too well. But, other than that, Husband picked up his car, the boys got haircuts (well, Husband and Little Man), we had a breakfast picnic in the car while Husband was having his haircut, and we spent some time in the pool. Exciting times all around. Or not.

Here are a few photos from this past week, including Little Man's first day of Kindergarten :)

Little Man's first day of Kindergarten :)

Stormageddon found one of Daddy's fancy hats and decided to wear it around the house with his Tardis shit.

One of the things that happens in Montessori education is sewing. But it's not sewing in the traditional sense. It's learning the motions and works on fine motor control. They usually sew pictures of simple outlines. Little Man got a bug in his pants on Thursday and decided he wanted to sew a Tardis. So, he found paper that would work (watercolor paper), he drew the outline, I poked the holes and helped him string the needle (one of my blunt-end tapestry needles that I use to weave in ends and some of my embroidery thread), and he sewed a Tardis. He was very proud of himself.

You know Pokémon Go has taken over when you go to Target and discover one of the red balls out front has been painted to look like a Pokéball. The paint was still wet, though, so the boys couldn't climb on it.

Here are the boys, enjoying their donuts in the trunk of the car yesterday morning. Little Man obviously had his hair cut by this point. Stormageddon's hair is still long and flowing but it's not in his eyes, so I'm not cutting it. Someday.

Short hair and a chocolate face. I call that a success :)

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend! I may not be so vocal this week. If you missed it, this past week, I had my mid-month goals update, one stash enhancement update, one club update, and my blogiversary post :)

Friday, December 5, 2014

FO Friday: Jazzlynn's Christmas Presents

Happy Friday! I finally got enough decent light to partake in another edition of FO Friday! Today's FOs are more Christmas knitting, this time for Cameron's younger sister (who may as well be my niece and, if we were the religious kind, she'd be my goddaughter). Sooooo, let's get to it!

Waiting for Winter Mittens - Jazzlynn (link to Project Page)

Pattern: Waiting for Winter Mittens & Fingerless Mitts by Susan B. Anderson
Time Frame: started November 11, 2014; finished November 17, 2014
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in 1971 Dark Periwinkle (~ 0.48 skeins = ~ 48 g = ~ 105.6 yds)
Needles: US #7 (4.5 mm)
Size: Small
Modifications: None other than sizing the hand and thumb length to Jazzlynn's hand.
Thoughts: This is my fourth pair of these gloves. There's nothing left to be said about them other than they're super easy and adaptable for all sorts of sizes...and I think I've said all this before. Just go buy the pattern and make them already :)

Next up.....

Barley for Jazzlynn (link to Project Page)

Pattern: Barley by tincanknits
Time Frame: started November 17, 2014; finished November 20, 2014
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in 1971 Dark Periwinkle (~ 0.5 skeins = ~ 50 g = ~ 110 yds) - I'm not positive about the amount but it was most of the rest of the skein and I had a teeny little ball leftover.
Needles: US #5 (3.75 mm) and US #8 (5 mm)
Size: Child
Modifications: I used a smaller needle for the ribbing than what the pattern indicated. I also knit until 6.5" before starting the crown decreases. So, it has a very slight slouch to it...or it'll fit Jazzlynn's head. It fits Little Man...
Thoughts: This hat is stupid easy...and yet, I managed to screw up a teeny section of it. If you scrutinize the photos, you can see where the problem is located. I have no idea how it happened other than, apparently, I can't read my stitches as well as I thought I could. Oops. I could easily make it again and not screw it up. It's a lovely pattern and fits well.

And now, here are some outtakes and other photos from our photo session...

I swear Little Man wasn't *that* sick when we did these photos. It was horrible lighting due to rain in the afternoon, and someone would not hold still....so the few good shots were just that: few.

Also.......

Yeah, that happened.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Y3: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #46

Welcome to the insanity that is my life on a Sunday in California...or...something. We all know why we're here (and if you've wandered in by mistake, please pull up a chair and stay for a bit...)...let's get to it!

Fnished Objects (FOs)
1. Windschief: started January 3, 2014; finished January 10, 2014
2. Welcome to the World Newborn Hat: started January 10, 2014; finished January 11, 2014
3. Five Hour Baby Sweater: started January 16, 2014; finished January 29, 2014
4. Baby Surprise Jacket: started May 27, 2013; finished February 2, 2014
5. Welcome to the World Newborn Hat: started February 4, 2014; finished February 4, 2014
6. Milo: started December 25, 2013; finished February 9, 2014
7. Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts: started November 23, 2013; finished February 19, 2014
8. Traveling Vines Socks: started May 31, 2013; finished March 3, 2014
9. Babbeh Hat: started March 3, 2014; finished March 6, 2014
10. Hurricane Hat: started April 22, 2014; finished May 15, 2014
11. Hoo Hat: started May 19, 2014; finished May 20, 2014
12. Hoo Hat: started May 20, 2014; finished May 21, 2014
13. Stormageddon's Stripey Hat: started May 22, 2014; finished May 23, 2014
14. Greyson: started May 29, 2014; finished June 17, 2014
15. Waiting for Winter Mittens: started July 20, 2014; finished July 25, 2014
16. Oreo Socks: started March 8, 2014; finished August 5, 2014
17. Waiting for Winter Mittens: started August 8, 2014; finished August 12, 2014
18. Sacrificial Goat: started July 27, 2014; finished August 16, 2014
19. Swirl Hat: started August 5, 2014; finished August 20, 2014
20. Sacrificial Goat #2: started August 16, 2014; finished August 24, 2014
21. Sacrificial Goat #3: started August 27, 2014; finished September 1, 2014
22. Baby Stormageddon: started after December 17, 2013; arrived 5:04pm on September 2, 2014
23. Waiting for Winter Mittens - Cameron: started October 9, 2014; finished October 24, 2014
24. Graham for Cam: started October 27, 2014; finished November 11, 2014

Well hey, howdy, hey...would you look at that? I finished another project :) That means I'm 1/3 done with my Christmas knitting.

Graham for Cam

This is a horrendous photo but it's what I have for right now. This was taken right after I finished weaving in the ends...which means it's unblocked, unwashed, and it was dark outside. Oh well. I still owe an FO Friday for the mittens so maybe I'll make it a two-fer.

Works-In-Progress (WIPs)
1. Dragon's Egg Socks: started September 2, 2013
2. Pacific Shawl: started June 8, 2014
3. Swatch for The Dude: started July 16, 2014
4. Snape's Stockings: started August 20, 2014
5. Sacrificial Goat #4: started September 25, 2014
6. Waiting for Winter Mittens - Jazzlynn: started November 11, 2014

Upon finishing up the hat pictured above, I started the next portion of my Christmas knitting: mittens and a hat for Cameron's younger sister, Jazzlynn. So far, I've finished the first mitten and started the second. I've also decided what hat I'm going to make, though I haven't started it yet (I could, I just haven't).

The only other thing I spent any time on this week was my swatch. Yeah, the swatch. It's easy 1x1 ribbing but...you know...it's frickin' boring. And, to be honest, I have other things I need to finish first. Buuuuuuuuttttttttttttt........I needed something mindless and, at the time, that was it. So, I've worked a bit on that.

This past Friday, I was able to head across the bay to Alameda for Kid-Friendly Knitting...that helped immensely with the finishing of the hat. I need to get out more often with the boys...to places where I can knit and not have to watch ~~them~~ Little Man like a hawk.

So, aside from finishing the hat, starting the next pair of mittens, and working on a swatch, that's all the knitting I did. I also sold some yarn via my Ravelry Destash. I still need to get to the post office to ship it out but that's another issue. I'll probably do that tomorrow :)

And now, for my "OMGWTFBBQ Knitting Lists"....

Children's Items
1. Elefante
2. Nottingham
3. Shaun
4. Gramps Cardigan (need to purchase - $6)
5. Smaug Hat

Items for Me (Selfish Knitting, FTW!)
1. Hermione Hearts Ron
2. Godric's Hollow Hat
3. Jabberwonky (which might be in the SSCB below but I don't remember) *
4. Gallifrey Fingerless Mitts
5. Weeping Angel Socks *
6. Stormont
7. Drip Drip Drop (which might be in the SSCB below but I don't remember) *

* I'll probably only pick one of these but, you know, choices and all...

Secret Sock Club Bags
(These bags are already set up with pattern and yarn - I just pick one at random and no, I don't remember what I put in there right now...I can go look later, if you're really interested. I really probably should...but, honestly, nah...)

Designs
1. Little Man's Baby Blanket
2. Susan's Hat (adult and child versions)
3. Assorted Dishcloths
4. Traveling Vines projects (adult socks, baby socks, scarf, hat, fingerless mitts, shawl, etc.)
5. Pinwheel Market Bag
6. Anything else that comes along at the right time

In other "real life" news....

Both Little Man and Stormageddon had doctor appointments this week...on the same day...and both got vaccinations...

Little Man, age four years, weighed 39.75 lbs and was 42.25" tall...which translates to the 90th percentile for height and 87th percentile for weight. In other words, he's big for his age. Stormageddon, age ten weeks (at the time), weighed 12 lbs, 12 oz and was 23.5" tall...which translates to the 50th percentile for both height and weight. He's perfectly average for his age.

And then came the vaccinations. Little Man had been begging for his "pokeys" for over a week and a half at that point. Yes, my child wanted to get his shots. And then came the time...and I had to help hold him and he cried and then he was fine. Stormageddon just took it because he didn't know any better. He cried, I cuddled him, put him in the car seat, and he went to sleep. Then I took Little Man out for hot dogs and ice cream. Stormageddon, of course, came along but he slept through it all, which was not unexpected.

Other things that happened this week....cleaning up from Little Man's birthday party and digging in my yarn closet. I did some readjusting and was able to get most of my newer purchases into an actual Rubbermaid bin and out of bags/off the floor. That was exciting. I've been needing to do something in there for awhile and I was able to take a little time to do it.

Ummmmmmm.....what else what else what else......oh, we're caught up on The Blacklist (well, Husband is caught up and I've seen enough of them to have the gist of what's going on). Oh, and I've officially seen three episodes of this season of Doctor Who (the first one and the last two). ::sigh:: The joys of having a small child...

Anyway, I believe I should stop rambling for the moment. I hope you've all had a lovely weekend and week and all that. I really need to get in and do a FO Friday...

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Y3: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #40

Happy Sunday :)

I'm a bit late today (okay, I'm a lot late today). We went out of town for the weekend and got back earlier this afternoon. We stayed in Sacramento, went to the Apple Hills area to pick apples for hard cider, and then we stopped in Dixon for Lambtown...but it was hot so we didn't stay long. I'll probably have a whole separate post about that (if I can get my act together and photograph things).

So......we're here for my Self-Imposed Year of Projects update. Let's get to it!

Fnished Objects (FOs)
1. Windschief: started January 3, 2014; finished January 10, 2014
2. Welcome to the World Newborn Hat: started January 10, 2014; finished January 11, 2014
3. Five Hour Baby Sweater: started January 16, 2014; finished January 29, 2014
4. Baby Surprise Jacket: started May 27, 2013; finished February 2, 2014
5. Welcome to the World Newborn Hat: started February 4, 2014; finished February 4, 2014
6. Milo: started December 25, 2013; finished February 9, 2014
7. Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts: started November 23, 2013; finished February 19, 2014
8. Traveling Vines Socks: started May 31, 2013; finished March 3, 2014
9. Babbeh Hat: started March 3, 2014; finished March 6, 2014
10. Hurricane Hat: started April 22, 2014; finished May 15, 2014
11. Hoo Hat: started May 19, 2014; finished May 20, 2014
12. Hoo Hat: started May 20, 2014; finished May 21, 2014
13. Stormageddon's Stripey Hat: started May 22, 2014; finished May 23, 2014
14. Greyson: started May 29, 2014; finished June 17, 2014
15. Waiting for Winter Mittens: started July 20, 2014; finished July 25, 2014
16. Oreo Socks: started March 8, 2014; finished August 5, 2014
17. Waiting for Winter Mittens: started August 8, 2014; finished August 12, 2014
18. Sacrificial Goat: started July 27, 2014; finished August 16, 2014
19. Swirl Hat: started August 5, 2014; finished August 20, 2014
20. Sacrificial Goat #2: started August 16, 2014; finished August 24, 2014
21. Sacrificial Goat #3: started August 27, 2014; finished September 1, 2014
22. Baby Stormageddon: started after December 17, 2013; arrived 5:04pm on September 2, 2014

I've finished nothing new. Not that we should be surprised...well, I take that back. I did finish up a dishcloth but it's a dishcloth and I'm not counting it.

Works-In-Progress (WIPs)
1. Dragon's Egg Socks: started September 2, 2013
2. Pacific Shawl: started June 8, 2014
3. Swatch for The Dude: started July 16, 2014
4. Snape's Stockings: started August 20, 2014
5. Sacrificial Goat #4: started September 25, 2014

I've not started anything new, other than a dishcloth. I started my heel flap on my Snape's Stockings and those two projects are all I've worked on. There's a good reason for my lack of knitting. I've suspected for a couple weeks that I have something called De Quervain Syndrome. It's common in mothers with newborns, as well as several other occupations or repetitive motions. I've been to the doctor and as a result, I'm basically wearing a soft cast that makes my thumb mostly useless. I have a teensy bit of bending but that's about it. I have to wear this thing for at least two weeks to see if symptoms improve...if not, I'll have to seen an orthopedist, probably for a cortisone shot...and the cast again...and then, if that doesn't help the situation, we can talk surgery. I'd rather not go that route. So, I'm wearing the cast and it sucks but it is what it is.......and it means I can't knit. I mean, I probably could figure out a way but, generally speaking, I can't knit. Or spin. And I'm very grumpy about it. Like I-may-lose-my-sanity grumpy. I won't lie, though...I take it off for certain activities (like dishes, laundry, and maybe internet usage but not really). There are just some things that don't lend well to wearing a cast on your arm.

So, sadly, the next couple weeks will probably be boring...but I should have some stash enhancement coming in the form of Lambtown purchases and some Christmas purchases and such. But I don't know if I'll do those updates on Sundays or not. I'm kind of up in the air and all over with that.

And now, let's all laugh at my remaining lists...

Children's Items
1. Elefante
2. Nottingham
3. Shaun
4. Gramps Cardigan (need to purchase - $6)
5. Smaug Hat

Items for Me (Selfish Knitting, FTW!)
1. Hermione Hearts Ron
2. Godric's Hollow Hat
3. Jabberwonky (which might be in the SSCB below but I don't remember) *
4. Gallifrey Fingerless Mitts
5. Weeping Angel Socks *
6. Stormont
7. Drip Drip Drop (which might be in the SSCB below but I don't remember) *

* I'll probably only pick one of these but, you know, choices and all...

Secret Sock Club Bags
(These bags are already set up with pattern and yarn - I just pick one at random and no, I don't remember what I put in there right now...I can go look later, if you're really interested. I really probably should...but, honestly, nah...)

Designs
1. Little Man's Baby Blanket
2. Susan's Hat (adult and child versions)
3. Assorted Dishcloths
4. Traveling Vines projects (adult socks, baby socks, scarf, hat, fingerless mitts, shawl, etc.)
5. Pinwheel Market Bag
6. Anything else that comes along at the right time

In real life, Little Man is getting used to having Stormageddon around. He's not 100% sold on having a younger brother but he's doing pretty well. His epic tantrums have lessened significantly but he's still having tantrums here and there. The biggest problems arise when he wants me to help him with something while I'm feeding, burping, or rocking Stormageddon. He doesn't like to wait more than five nanoseconds for something so that drives him nuts and he's often found storming out of the room when I tell him that it will be a minute or five or whatever. He usually calms down in a minute or two and comes back to wait patiently.

Stormageddon goes in for his one month appointment tomorrow morning. I expect that he's well over 8lbs (maybe closer to 9 or 9.5, to be honest - he's a chubster). He's holding his head up pretty well and has been trying to roll over. He's managed getting onto his side but that's as far as he's gone. He does not like sleeping in the bassinet at night. If we want any sleep, he has to sleep on me. I'm not a huge fan of this but if I don't get any sleep, I will be useless and will go insane that much more quickly. So, he sleeps on me. I hope we can stop soon.

Anyway....as I'm writing this, Stormageddon has woken up and is throwing a fit for his noms (and probably a diaper)...so I suppose it's time to stop writing and be Mama again :)

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Y3: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #37

Happy Sunday!

I'm going to be completely honest: nothing has changed since last week. No knitting has happened, no spinning has happened, no nothing fiber related has happened...other than my dreaming about it.

::sigh::

We've spent the week trying to get into the groove of the "new normal," whatever that may be. Husband is off work until almost the end of the month so we've been taking care of things that have been....well, not bothering us and not "neglected" but things we've wanted to do but just haven't had the time. For example, Husband and Little Man went on an adventure and picked up some racks that you hang wine glasses from and we attached them to a shelf and now we have a place to properly hang out wine glasses. We also went and bought a battery-operated lawnmower, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, and weed whacker/edger. We're going to start doing our own yard. We took some time to clean out the jungle that was the area by our lemon tree. It was starting to look like....well, a jungle. We've also started doing Amazon Fresh, which is a grocery delivery service available where we live. We'll still go to Costco for milk and a few other things and run to the grocery store if we run out of something we need, but we don't have to run around to the grocery store every couple days...and frankly, I wasn't looking forward to that with two kids in tow.

Stormageddon is growing already. He's got a little chub on him that he didn't have when we came home last weekend. His circumcision has healed. His umbilical nub is almost off (seriously, it's hanging by a teensy little bit and a stronger woman than I would just pull it off but I just can't). He's trying to hold his head up (and doing quite well) and the little stinker is trying to master rolling over. No, I'm not kidding. He's twelve days old and he's been trying to roll over since he was free enough to do so. I'm so not ready for that yet.

Little Man is still trying to adjust to everything that comes with having a baby brother. He's not used to not being the center of attention so we've been dealing with some tantrums, especially when people call for Facetime and want to see Stormageddon, too. He also doesn't like that Stormageddon sleeps in our room. He keeps trying to get us to put him in his crib in his own room. He's still scared of him but is getting better. He will rub his head or try to hold his hand once in awhile. Last night, he even tried to hold him for about thirty seconds. Unfortunately, we didn't get it on the camera but I'm sure he'll do it again...someday.

So, there's a lot going on but, at the same time, nothing going on. It's hard to describe.

I'd share some photos but I haven't even uploaded my photos to iPhoto from my phone so I don't have any :( Perhaps next week!

I hope you're all having a lovely Sunday and I hope I get back to my fibery endeavors soon!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Y2: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #29

Well, Sunday, here we are again.....sometimes, I feel like we're friends and other days, we're enemies. I feel like you just never have enough time in you, though I know you have the same amount as every other day.

Oh well.

It's Sunday and that means it's time for my weekly Self-Imposed Year of Projects update. This is my twenty-ninth update for the year and, the more things change, the more they stay the same...

Finished Objects (FOs)

1. San Francisco Fog Fingerless Mitts: started January 2, 2013; finished January 10, 2013

2. Don't Blink: started January 16, 2013; finished January 16, 2013 (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
3. Dalek Dishcloth: started January 16, 2013; finished January 21, 2013 (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
4. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started February 8, 2013; finished February 11, 2013
5. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010; finished February 14, 2013
6. Little Granite Dishcloth: started February 16, 2013; finished March 2, 2013
7. Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth: started March 4, 2013; finished March 27, 2013
8. Garter Stripe Baby Socks: started March 3, 2013; finished April 4, 2013
9. Petal Dishcloth: started May 21, 2013; finished May 22, 2013

10. Petal Dishcloth: started May 22, 2013; finished May 23, 2013
11. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012; finished May 24, 2013
12. Petal Dishcloth: started May 26, 2013; finished May 29, 2013
13. Mini Petal Dishcloth: started June 6, 2013; finished June 10, 2013
14. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012; finished June 15, 2013
15. Sand Stitch Dishcloth: started June 18, 2013; finished June 20, 2013
16. Roman Stitch (Variation) Dishcloth: started June 21, 2013; finished June 23, 2013

I have finished nothing new. And that's perfectly fine.

Works-in-Progress (WIPs)

1. Freeport Vest: started March 7, 2013
2. Baby Surprise Jacket: started May 27, 2013
3. Traveling Vines Socks (Adult): started May 31, 2013
4. Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth: started June 28, 2013
5. Greyson: started July 5, 2013

I've worked monogamously on Greyson this week....not that I worked on it a lot. I don't think I spent any time knitting until later in the week (translation: Friday and Saturday). But, the good news is that I'm almost done with the body of Greyson. I need to finish up my last burgundy stripe, do the ribbing on the bottom (in grey), finish off the sleeves, pick up and knit the collar, weave in ends, and it'll be done. I'm hoping that I don't run out of yarn at this point. I should be fine but I really hope I don't run out...

That means my remaining lists look like this:

Children's Items

1. "Little 16" Newborn Socks
2. Alvin Sweater
3. Milo

Items for Me (Selfish Knitting FTW!)

1. Rose's Wrist Warmers
2. Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts

Household Items

1. Halloween Creepy Cloths (1)
2. Halloween Creepy Cloths (2)
3. Assorted Harry Potter Cloths
4. Assorted Doctor Who Cloths

Designs (which may or may not be sooper seekrit - obviously the sooper seekrit ones aren't listed)
1. Little Man's Baby Blanket
2. Susan's Hat (4 versions)
3. Assorted dishcloths (set of 12?)
4. Traveling Vines Scarf
5. Traveling Vines Socks (baby and adult-sized as well) - yes, this is a WIP...still working on it...
6. Pinwheel Market Bag
7. Anything else that comes along (I have a notebook or two or seventeen somewhere with potential designs and random ideas)

I hope I can get the photos from our trip to Monterrey off the big camera soon...I expect there are some good photos on there. I'll have to start bugging Husband about finding the cord.

In other random news, Puppy chased a skunk around the yard on Friday night. The skunk ended up spraying but luckily Puppy didn't get any of it and we just closed the windows to keep the smell out. I had to have Husband help me get Puppy into the house/kennel because he was so agitated. I thought for a second that he was getting into a round with a raccoon but after I caught a whiff, I knew what he was after. Silly Puppy.

My stash was enhanced a bit this week. I bought three skeins from a destash (two skeins of Sanguine Gryphon Bugga and a skein of Wollmeise) and Little Man helped me pick out yarn on Friday (three skeins of Anzula - two sock and one laceweight). I also ordered a couple books. I got Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush via Interweave Knits for less than $5 and I pre-ordered the Unofficial Harry Potter Knits magazine. Oops.........too much money on fibery goodness this week. Oh well.

Anyway, here are some photos (and maybe a video) from the last week.....

What? You don't like it?

Cheese! And a haircut!

Cheeeeeeeese!

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend :)

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

WIP Wednesday (with photos!)

Happy Wednesday!

I have a couple of WIPs to show off today...but don't get confused when you see two of them. They're WIPs; they just look like FOs. I promise they're actually WIPs!

Anyway, let's get on with it :)

Little Man's Vest (link to Project Page)

Pattern: Vested Baby Boy by Scarlet Taylor

Yarn: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme in Ecru and Spring Green

Needles: US #8 (5 mm) and US #9 (5.5 mm)

This is the back side of the vest. I'm making it a bit larger than what the pattern dictates because I'm using larger needles and different weight yarn. Right now, it's measuring about 30" across (and the front should measure about the same) so in order to compensate for the width, I'm adding probably 3" to the length. It's about 8" long right now and I'm just getting ready to start the armhole decreases. I was only going to go til 7" before the armhole decreases...but I forgot what I was doing and it wound up being 8" and I'd rather not rip back. I don't think it's going to affect the FO too much.

Mama's Vanilla Socks (link to Project Page)

Pattern: Something up in my head - using the heel flap from Hermione's Everyday Socks, a V Heel, and the Double Gusset Heel Decrease for my decreases

Yarn: htNEVELE Sock in Parrot Fish

Needles: US #1 (2.25 mm)

Don't be fooled. This is not a FO...I know, it looks finished but it's only half a pair so it's still a WIP. I finished the first sock up last week and started the second sock before our Knitting Mama retreat. I worked on it a bit while we were there and I'm probably 3" into the leg of the second sock right now.

Eat Your Monkey Socks (link to Project Page)

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.

Yarn: Sun Valley Fibers MCN Fingering in Eat Your Greens

Needles: US #1.5 (2.25 mm)

Again, don't be fooled! This is still a WIP. I finished the first sock this past Saturday evening while on our Knitting Mama retreat. I had to wait until all the small munchkins were in bed before I could Kitchener the toe but it was worth it. I'm currently in the midst of my first repeat of the pattern on my second sock and it seems to be going much faster than the first one :)

Anyway, I was a moron and only took two photos from the weekend. I'll have to talk to one of the other mamas as she took many more photos (with a better camera). One of the two photos I took, however, was an adorable photo of Little Man....

We took a walk from the house we were staying in to the nearby town. It sounds like it was a long walk through the wilderness but honestly, it was less than a half-mile away. Maybe a little longer. We went down a path and over a walking bridge (over the Russian River) and we were in town.

For more WIP Wednesday fun, you can visit Tami :)