Knitty Bitch...when needles attack...

Really? Already?

2011-07-19T22:17:00.001-04:00

I can't believe that we are at the middle of July already. Where the hell did time go? Seriously? I mean, I clearly remember talking to my daddy in February and discussing when he was coming to visit. And voila! They will be here this weekend. What. The. Heck.

I recently finished a pair of abso-adorable ballet sockies for my sitter's soon to be little girl nugget. :) They were super fun and easy to do. Will post pics as soon as I have the camera up and running. Hopefully that will be very very soon (as in tomorrow??).

Anywho, hope all is well with everyone.

ttfn,
me

And voila!

2011-06-26T13:28:00.002-04:00

EWell, it is done. I discovered this morning when I wet it, the blue bleeds. My fingertips are a wonderful shade...lol.

Anywho, it is my boss' birthday this weekend coming up, so I will likely take it in tomorrow. With the upcoming long weekend, you can never really predict when purple will be around.

enjoy!

Fate is just an Energetic Child with a Short Attention Span

2011-05-16T21:34:00.004-04:00

Today I headed out on the town (a work related assignment to be sure) with one of my boss ladies. Nothing special, but at this moment in time, anything that is outside of the areas that I already know is exciting. It still makes me happy. These are thing little things that make me feel like a local. So when others say “oh, you know where place xyz is” I can say “oh yeah, I’ve been down that way”.

So in my journey, I discovered that it was wholly unnecessary for me to be there, but I did find a mall. One that one day, when I have a little money, I would love to go and see again. For the moment, a quick stop at the drugstore there will have to suffice.

I am about 14 inches into the shawl now. It is coming along really nicely. I forgot just how much I like the feel of bamboo. It is infinitely soft and glorious to the touch. And I realize that I don’t need it until july, but I would rather have it done sooner than later. And the fact of the matter is that I just really like this yarn.

Plus my other boss lady’s birthday is in August. So 4 weeks after this one is given, I have something else due. I know, logically, that they aren’t “due” per se, but the fact of the matter is that I like making things for people. It gives a birthday gift that extra oomph. (I say that knowing full well that I HATE making this for people when I feel I have to, or they feel I should. Go get your own talent!)

And every time that you see a person wearing something that you lovingly and/or painstakingly spent hours creating, there is a simple and pure beauty to that that cannot be described.

In other news, I just recently finished reading A Nameless Witch. Awesome read. With some really intelligent and humourous quotes (such as the title of this post).

And my super squee of the day: The Neil Gaiman written Doctor Who was the one that played this weekend past. I haven't seen it yet, but I have it PVR'd...wOOt!! So excited for that.

Anywho, is that magical time of the day when my bed starts calling for me.

ttfn
k.

It's a Shawl Kinda Day

2011-05-14T12:19:00.005-04:00

Well, I guess it is more turning into a shawl sort of week.

I finished this puppy a few weeks back (I took the lace pattern from a shirt that I had done once before, and just altered it enough to make it flow nicely). It was boring, and black, and acrylic, but I am fairly pleased with the end product.

I would have preferred a nicer yarn to work with, but I didn’t really have a choice. The girl this was for is allergic to many materials, and specifically asked that I make it in acrylic. And she doesn’t do colour. At all. So it was black, blue or white. All of which are colours I like and wear a lot…but they are not the most exciting colours in the universe.

Sadly, with this acrylic, the pattern doesn't show overly well:

Anywho, I am thinking this has started my current love of lace. It is fun to do, and I love watching the patterns appear out of a hole. Beauty from chaos. One of my favourite things ever!

I have since started on this (which is to one day be a shawl for one of my bosses). She inadvertently picked it out herself. She is a bit of a fashionista, and so when I was looking at various patterns to do for her, I figured, hey, what the heck...sent her several and asked her opinion. She knows that I have family coming out to visit me in July, so believes it is a birthday gift for one of them. :)

I am sure that she has some inkling this might be for her, but really, who is going to be crass enough to ask someone if they are making something for them? She is a classy and refined kinda gal, so I can't imagine that she would ever think to ask me outright.

The yarn for it is from Yarntopia Treasures (Bacon, I love eBay). It is a 100% bamboo yarn, so has a wonderfully soft and silky feel. It's just in its baby stages (I did it originally on size 3.25, as called for, and found it to be a little too small for my liking. There wasn't the drape and hand that I knew this pattern and yarn could do.

So anywho, here she is so far:

The yarn is called "he loves me not"...which is a really nice blend of red, pink, blue and purple, and all the multitude of shades in between.

I thought that I would try to bring some colour to her wardrobe. Like many professional women, she has fallen into the "black and gray and all the shades in between" style.

Anyway, that is all that is going on for the moment. Will update when my life becomes more exciting, or I start making progress on the Tongue of Fire and want to show it off. hehe

ttfn
k

Zybannaculus?

2011-05-13T15:25:00.000-04:00

Well, today was my first day on Zyban. At the moment, I am okay. I have set my quit date (May 27th). I have been warned about the side effects of bad dreams and all that jazz, but I’m still willing. It is time, I think. Stress is still there, but hopefully I can keep it to a minimum which I think will help me in being successful. This is the first time that I am choosing to quit. Last time, it was because I was stuck in the hospital, with stress up the wazoo. With more and more stress added daily. And soooooo much uncertainty.

So I am hoping that this time, I can do it. I realize that we just finished a very cold and crusty winter, which would have, in theory, been the ideal time for me to quit…but I didn’t think about that. There was too much going on. Too much to be done. Too much doing.

Wish me luck.

ttfn
k.

He's How Old???

2011-03-14T20:57:00.003-04:00

Well, in honour of the first hot love of my life turning 50, I dedicate this post to Ken.

He was always such a suave guy...easily making the transition from business casual to beach ready to stalker hot:

And yet sadly, he was stuck up on that plastic bitch. He even went so far as plugs (I tried to shield him from the truth of how they looked, but I think the running and screaming *might* have tipped him off):

But alas...for every blue, effeminate ascot (I am guessing this is where my love of knitting started), I was there to make him cool again. In my childhood world of make believe, back when I still had an imagination all my own, he was the super coolest of the cool. Once, he was a paratrooper flying in to some foreign land I once heard of called USSR (take that reading program!!! I remember...) where he fought monkeys and boulders to free barbie's little sister (why was I bought the little sister for a present, but not the barbie 'vette like I wanted???? Lest you wonder why she was kidnapped by the evil monkeys and boulders). Many times he was a mountain climber who befell some horrible accident (note: I was called for lunch) only to struggle his way back up the mountain (note: dresser) to safety with only one arm and one leg (note: we had a very bad dog). But he did it.

So here's to you, Ken. I've said it before, and I will say it again, stop going for her. She is a narcissistic bitch with multiple personality disorder and severe feet issues. Find someone better. You deserve it.

ttfn
k

OMG, OMG, OMG

2011-02-08T18:23:00.001-05:00

Happiness:

Suranne Jones will play a character called Idris in an episode written by bestselling sci-fi and fantasy author Neil Gaiman. She plays someone who is beautiful and who bites “and who might just turn out to be an old acquaintance with a new face”.

Gaiman has teased on the internet that he’d taken up a “…plot point from an old episode called ‘The War Games‘. The episode begins “in void-space, with something – or someone – we have not seen since The War Games and a knock on the TARDIS door.”

The TARDIS breaks down on an alien junkyard world. “Although Idris is preparing for death as the story begins, she doesn’t actually die. By the time the Doctor and friends meet her she’s gone mad and ends up biting the Time Lord …”. Who is she? Romana? A Human Tardis, the Rani? Idris sounds a bit like Tardis.

The last story of the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) was called 'War Games' and it featured SIDRATs. 'SIDRAT' were proto-TARDIS’ (Space and Inter-Dimensional Robot All-purpose Transporter) that were used by the War Lords to abduct human soldiers from history to take part in the war games. So perhaps SIDRAT’s make a return in his episode.

Neil Gaiman has said his episode was originally titled The House of Nothing. Filming was in August 2010. Suranne Jones has previously appeared on the Doctor Who spinoff The Sarah Jane Adventures as an evil incarnation of the Mona Lisa.

Yes, it appears that Neil Gaiman has written an episode of the Doctor. Oh how this makes my little wee heart swell with happiness. :)

P.S. I have finished one of the two socks for my first pay it forward. I rock. Woot!!

ttfn
k.

It's Not Like You Are Going to Wear It!?!

2011-01-20T18:04:00.002-05:00

Well, I am pleased to say that I am rockin' it out as far as knitting is concerned. So far this year (a measley 20 days in) I have completed my tunic (such an awesome thing and I have already worn it to work a few times), a baby blanket (will post pictures soon), and 2 hats. I am also planning out an "I just had surgery and this is my ruby slipper" sock for my dear sweet Frannie. :)

AND, I am over half way through Season 2 of Merlin. Love it! Good thing I am not a die hard Authurian or I am sure I would hate it...but as it is, young Merlin is totally up there with bacon.

But now for my happiest thing. I am getting my deep freezer this weekend!!! Yes, I am that much of a geek that I am super excited about that. I just hate that there are often times these great sales on roasts and other such frozen animal bits, and I can't really "stock up" because we only have the little freezer on the top of our fridge. So I am stuck with only grabbing one or two, and lamenting the fact that I could have gotten 8 or 9 for about $20. And that is soon to be no more.

I love kijiji for the simple fact that you can find some things on there that you wouldn't have ever thought about. I mean, a chest freezer just didn't really occur to me before. I don't know why. We have friends out here with them. But it just didn't occur to me. And then one day, we were at Canadian Tire (there was a coffee maker tragedy in our house...all better now, but it was a rough and scary couple of days), and I saw the little mini freezers (about 3 cubic feet). But good lord...$200. So the one that I found is less than half that price, and 3 times the size. Wee!! And when I was telling the husbeast about the dimensions of it, one of his comments was "but it only comes up to just about my thigh". Um, seriously? Are you planning on wearing the damn thing?

Anywho, I am getting my freezer. Then I am going to start shopping around at the local butchers for the best meat for price deal. :p

Wee!!!

ttfn
k.

And then there was one...

2011-01-09T11:01:00.003-05:00

The last few months have been a little rough. Some days harder than others, but on a whole, not exactly the easiest things to get through. And yes, I have been through harder. But it is hard to keep that perspective when you are going through something that, at the time, feels like the hardest thing on earth.

But things are getting better now. Lighter.

There are still hard patches, and I don't imagine life is all rainbows and sunshine and unicorns. But it's getting there.

And that, my dears, is life.

On the knitting front, hella busy. There's been sweaters and sockies and blankies and toys. So very many things. And I can't seem to locate where the pictures have all gone at the moment. But, this is my coffee tunic, finished just last week:

And I have already worn it. I love this. It was a relatively easy knit (especially given that I worked Christmas Eve day with nothing to do but sit around knitting), and it looks awesome.

I am currently working on a blanket for my boss's soon to be nephew. Just a simple basketweave pattern. Nothing earth shattering. And such a quick knit.

And I am participating in something a friend of mine posted (I can't really say "started" since she didn't...but she was the starter for this year for me)...Pay it forward 2011. I have my 5 people who I am going to make something handmade for...and once the blanket is done, I will start on that.

I am super in love with my new bosses. They are very cool and down to earth people. They keep me busy, which I love, without being crazy insane busy...and are appreciative of all that I do. Don't get me wrong...I am not someone who needs praise for every little thing that I do (especially when it is called my job), but I love that they acknowledge when I have busted ass for them...or when I have done something that is outside of the realm of my "job description". :)

Well kiddies, I am off to watch the rest of the Merlin marathon and knit for a bit (the little guy is down for a nap, so this is prime knitting time). Hope everyone finds their own measure of peace this year.

ttfn
k.

Christmas knitting already?

2010-10-06T06:49:00.001-04:00

Yeah, I guess it is that time already. So yes, I have started.

But I have been more concerned with getting some hats done. Both my little ones need new ones, and the boybot needed a new one for work. Plain black. Boring as sin, but at least it was quick to whip up. Just adding the hair to a mohawk hat. And a button to a new, plus size aviator hat for the great big little man. Also trying to sneak in a sweater dess for yours truly.

Might have to put that one off for a bit, but I keep trying to squeeze it in.

Well, that's all that's going on.

Ttfn
K
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

And we are back, folks!

2010-09-23T22:25:00.002-04:00

So, the move went well...but the computer died on the trip. And quite frankly, we had other things to put our money towards. Sorry, not that I don't adore my fans, but we just couldn't afford a new computer on the heals of a cross country move.

But, I did end up doing something I never thought I would do in my lifetime. I BUILT MY OWN COMPUTER. Yeah, i am kinda impressed with myself. I built it. And it works (touch wood). And it is good and happy and quiet and pretty and lights up in red and blue. :D And it is an energy saver/green machine/thingy.

And in the interim, I have done a heck of a lot of knitting.

I finished a few sweaters, have started on the 5th one (this one for a child like creature), and I have even started on some of my christmas knitting. WOOOHOOO!

Well, it is late here, and I have had such an adventuresome day...I am going to get heading. I will update with pictures once I have them all downloaded on to the computer (there is a hell of a lot of them over the course of the last few months...lol).

ttfn
k.

My Shiny New Kobo

2010-07-25T22:44:00.003-04:00

After packing several boxes of books (and donating several more boxes to the library), I sucked it up today and got a Kobo eReader. Not that I need to be fancy. Or that I liked spending money. Especially in the inevitable face of our move. But as a parting gift, I had several friends gift me with cards from Chapters. All tolled, I ended up with $125 in gift cards. So that put the cost of the device at $43. AND, since it has the ability to support ePUB files, and I can easily convert the thousand and one lit files that I never have time for into ePUB files, it seemed like a good investment.

And so far, I am loving it.

Plus, it is something nice and small that I can make a knitting project for myself for...to tide me over until I have all my knitting utensils back at hand.

Bah...I hate moving.

ttfn
k.

Today My Hair Looks Marvelous!

2010-07-21T12:00:00.002-04:00

Not really, it does!

And while I do rock like Christmas in July, I am not just being conceited.

The reason why my hair looks so divine today? Because I am chopping it all off. My hair is pretty sick and twisted. It spends the majority of it's time being all angry and large and in the way...so I usually just tie it back and try to minimize the shame it is attempting to foist upon me. Eventually, I realize that no matter how much I try to bribe it with fancy haircare products and tempting offers of oil treatments and leave in conditioners, it just ain't going to work with me.

So yesterday I called my hair guy. We have an appointment for 6:30 tonight. He's taking away the dead, the decietful, the angry largeness, and replacing it with a manageable, loving, healthy 'do that will accentuate my stunning features and bring a loving light to my eyes.

And what does my hair do? It decides that it will try to buy itself more time. I wake up this morning and it is all pretty pretty. The curls look wonderful instead of frizzy and sleep deprived. It is doing exactly what I want. It isn't subverting the clips meant to hold it back from stabbing me in the eyes repeatedly. In fact, it is staying away from the general face area without any outside help at all. You see, it knows. It knows that it's time can be counted in hours. It is trying to stop the inevitable. It is making me feel sexy and all RAWR-y. Go get 'em, Tiger, is what it is secretly whispering in my ear.

And if I bought into it's lies? I would wake up tomorrow looking like a q-tip.

Sometimes, I hate the double-life leading hair I have.

ttfn
k.

How I Am Teaching My Daughter To Challenge The Way Society Thinks

2010-07-15T18:54:00.001-04:00

So Princess asked what's for dinner tonight. It's hot and I'm lazy and I have an appointment at 730, so pizza it is. Our conversation went like this:

Me: pizza (pronounced p-ee-za).
Princess: mommy, it's pizza (pronounced p-eet-za)
Me: but there's no "t" in pizza.
Princess: :/ (at this point she just wandered away)

Yes, I am teaching her early on that it's ok to challenge things.
~the gang
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Things I Think When No One Else Is Watching

2010-07-15T10:41:00.002-04:00

Lately, many of my strange and crazy thoughts have been given free reign. Unfortunately, the BoyBot and I have not been seeing much of each other lately due to work schedules and being so damn busy with organizing our move...so there is no one to reign in the twister of insanity which swirls inside my head, planting little ideas like poor little cowsies in an Illinois field (this is what I imagine the aftermath of a twister involves).

Like today. Today's big concern: My Not So Public Public Bathroom.

I cannot use a public bathroom unless there is an absolute emergency which would result in me having to change my pants when no pants are around to change in to. So, in light of the fact that I burn up 8 hours of every day in my florescent cubical of happiness, I have convinced myself that the potties here are NOT public. I mean, I need to have a security card with my picture (duly taken well after the "3" count so I look like I am in perpetual pain) to get on to the floor and get to them. I don't even need a security card to use the one at home. Pfff...if that doesn't say "Private Bathroom", I just don't know what does.

Yet this illusion of privacy sometimes back fires. There are times when I have been in there taking care of my business (I have heard that this is a much less offensive way of saying "piddling" - KB, now with 20% less offense) and there are some horrible noises coming from a stall nearby. Now I know, on a very basic level, that these are not things that can necessarily be controlled. And if it weren't for these bodily functions, we would likely explode (which would be much ickier). But I can't help feeling somewhat embarassed for that individual.

And then, of course, when I run into them at the sink (oh please, oh please...cuz if they don't go to the sink, they obviously didn't bother reading the sign about the proper way to wash your hands), I just can't bear to look them in the eye. I look at my hands, intensely paying attention to washing in between each finger, making sure every crease and groove is sparkling in hand washing glory. I check out my own reflection, making sure I am not trailing toilet paper or the sticky tabs on feminine napkins which have somehow missed the giant target that is the bin taking up 1/3 of retail space in the stall. I duck my head and run out, hoping they don't follow. And I feel this shame on their part for the rest of the day.

And then, of course, I go home and tell my children it is all a natural part of life and "if ya gotta go, ya gotta go".

But I swear I'm not a hypocrite.

This is what happens to my mind when I have 7 days of work left, and no BoyBot to calm me down. :(

ttfn
kb

Not Much To Report

2010-07-14T18:14:00.003-04:00

Life has been so busy lately with doctor's appointments and follow ups (Riley is doing great, as far as his 12 month neonatal appointment), packing and culling, organizing and, well, more organizing. It's been a busy last few weeks. :S

But, I am sure that that will all be over with soon. (7 days left of work!!! WOOOHOOO!!!)

I have just barely started using my Halloween-y yarn. I am not yet sure if I want to make a pair of sockies or a much more visible pair of wrist warmers. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

So, in light of the fact that I don't have much to write, I leave you with:

BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN. Is there nothing that bacon can't do? (I do not mean to abuse the delicate sensibilities of any non-bacon/pork/piggy eating creatures with explicit visions of chicken being violated in such a manner, but I love bacon...it is great and good and so yummy. Besides, I think the chicken likes it.)

Just Me Playing Around

2010-06-24T23:45:00.000-04:00

So in addition to all the other changes going on in my life, I felt it was time to get a new phone.
The old one was having issues, and the boybot and I tend to depend on text messaging (it's just so damn handy..."honey, please pick up milk"..."I'm off work early and will pick you up at the train station"..."I think my pancreas is angry with me"...so many important things). I guess phones will only take being dropped, stepped on, chewed on, etc. so much before they decide to strike back at their abusers in the form of showing only half the screen, randomly shutting off and, my personal favorite, setting off non-existent alarms at 3 a.m.
Yep. Time to go. And since boybot is on his 3rd phone this year, I am feeling good about scoping out a new one on eBay.
But alas...I let myself be drawn in by powers as great as any the devil has...I got a crackberry. AND I LOVE IT!!
So that is where this post comes in. I have discovered that I can post from my phone. I could have with my old phone had it not hated me. But, well, there was the whole "it hated me" thing. Kinda defeats the purpose.
And I guess that is all there is to it. Now let's see what happens when I hit send...
Ttfn
K
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

For Many Happy Feeties

2010-06-21T22:03:00.007-04:00

I don't know why, but lately I have been on a little bit of a sock kick. hehehe...wow, that wasn't even intentional.

I am not entirely sure why, but socks have been a bit of an obsession lately. Mayhaps it is because they are so wee. I finished the baby blankie for one of my co-workers a few weeks back (and, as a side note, she gave birth to a beautiful little boy last saturday afternoon). I was really happy with how it turned out:

But good lord did it take much more thought than I had hoped (damn lacy bits followed by damn cable-y bits).

I also finished up a couple of scarves (yes, when it is 30 degrees outside, this is the perfect time to knit scarves, dammit).

And then the sock rampage began:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pattern for these baby socks. (Ok, 18 mo - 2 years...close enough to baby.) They took about 2 days on my daily commute to do. So great. Thinking I will have to make up a few pairs before the colder weather hits. (Yes, I am cruel and evil and already considering the colder weather...fak off.)

Anywho, I am now deciding what I want to do with the lovely halloween-y yarn that I picked up on my honeymoon. I am thinking maybe monkey. I don't know yet.

For those who haven't seen Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog...see it. SEEEIIITTTT!!!! I have a great big, fat and juicy hard on for NPH - come on, how can you not love this:

Now go...waste away your life watching internet shows...go, do it....do it now...

I, however, am off to knit.

Oh, and maybe pack a little. :S Maybe.

ttfn
kb

Random Things I've Noticed

2010-05-20T13:02:00.001-04:00

Grown men should not eat bananas in public. There is no way to see this and NOT think something of a perverse and sexual nature.

Seeming to be on the ball...

2010-05-20T09:39:00.004-04:00

Yes, it really seems like I am. Or rather, that we are. There are definite changes going on...everything from the supremely non-family friendly truck being sold (YAH!!!) to having a doctor lined up to take over our care.

I am so happy that things are going smoothly (touch wood...and then touch it again for good measure). It feels as if our lives for the past year have been one giant game of snakes and ladders...we get a little bit ahead, only to slide back past where we were in the first place. But it seems like it is all working out with this. I mean, yes, we have had a few hiccups along the way, but all in all, it seems to be going along great.

We have our appointment now for getting our family picture done. I am excited about this. I have never had a family portrait done...well, at least not since I was a kid. But nothing that has my family in it.

Yesterday was a super productive day. But man, are my legs sore. I walked so very, very much. And then walked some more. I suppose that I should get used to that, since that is going to be my life from here on out. But still, made for some very sore me. Nothing that a long soak in the tub couldn't fix, though.

And I did manage to get some work done on a scarf that is now overdue. (Ok, I realize that winter is still months away...but it is overdue in the sense that it was a birthday gift, and that birthday has passed.)

Anywho, I suppose I must get back to this work type of stuff that I am expected to do.

ttfn
k

Yep...I Made It

2010-04-30T09:23:00.002-04:00

Well, it is the end of my first week back at work. Yes, technically it hasn't been a full week...but close enough. I made it to a Friday. That is what counts.

We had a little trauma and stress my first day. Ok, I was a bundle of nerves. Everything that I have done for so long without thought was suddenly so surreal. Waiting for the train was an experience in itself. I forgot the number of people...and how pushy they are. I forgot that the proper way to wait on the GO Transit platform is to find a position right on the edge of the yellow line, spread both legs shoulder width apart, and transfer all weight to your lower body in an effort to keep back any and all persons who may attemtpt to usurp your position in line for charging the doors upon their opening.

Sheesh! I guess I am used to the slower paced now. You know, the "quieter" life. I want it back. *sniff*

I am, however, going to be teaching a few of my co-workers and other miscellaneous people down here how to knit. I have had a few express interest, and since the nicer weather is starting to come upon us, I figure we can head outside, and whoever wants to join, joins.

That is really all that is going on. As I said, I survived the first week. Go me!

ttfn
k

Bits and Bobs and OMG, I have to go back

2010-04-17T08:35:00.002-04:00

Seriously, I have a week and one day left of my leave. (Technically, I have been off of mat leave since the 1st, but I don't go back until next Tuesday.) I'm hating the impending doom of working 9-5 again. I know, I have done it for many years now, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with. And as much as I would love to just quit and stay home with the little ones, I can't. We have plans. We have plans that need me to have a steady income in order to achieve. (Moving ain't cheap, ya know.)

So with one week left, you would almost assume that I would be able to take the week to relax. Almost. But that would be wrong. I can't. We have 3 doctor appointments and one O/T appointment crammed into this week, in addition to a big school event on Thursday night. :S Just no rest for the wicked, I suppose.

It's eerie, too. In the last few weeks, Riley has become much more mobile. He's finally learned to lift his bum, and we are full on crawling...everywhere. We've barricaded the livingroom off so that he has a great big playpen, but that doesn't mean that he wants to stay there. No, no. He wants to roam farther than that. Always farther than what he has been given. And it is hard to say no, since we want him to develop and work the motor skills that he has fought so hard to develop. He is such a little scam artist, and will lay face down on the ground right in front of the pillow barricade crying...like he has no room to play...every time.

On an upbeat note, we stopped by at the new sitter's place earlier this week, and I was delighted to find out that one of her children was actually a preemie (not to the degree that Riley was, but she understands the "corrected age" thing, and gets that he is over a year, but functions at a 9 month old level). That put me very much at ease. I like that I don't have to explain all of that, and try to make someone understand that he isn't slow, he is just working at the pace that he should be. I had interviewed one sitter, and she flat out stated "he seems to be a little on the slow side...shouldn't he be standing and trying to walk now?" Um, no. Did you not hear me say that he was a corrected age of 8 months...and that his development was a little behind? Making the mother and father feel like they have done something wrong, and that their child is slow and behind is not particularly the way to enamor yourself to them.

Anywho, that is besides the point. I like the girl we have. She is very nice, and was asking a thousand and one questions about both the kids. She watches two other girls that Am is in school with, so that is nice too. She will have others to play with. And she is completely cool with the cloth diapers. For some reason, they still freak some people out.

And, because of the time crunch with me going back to work, I am also going to lose some of my precious knitting time. *Sniff* I am desperately trying to finish off some of the loose end projects that I have. I am currently designing a sweater for myself. I love the vintage sweaters (something akin to this), so am working up a pattern for myself. I found some absolutely fabulous wool at the thrift shop the last time I was there, so I am working with that (it is gloriously soft and feel divine next to the skin). Not sure how it will turn out, but will post pictures when I have made some headway (currently, I have just a little of the back done, and a whole lot of numbers written out...lol...and I am not an artist in any way, shape, or form).

Well, that is all that is really going on. So far, on the moving front, everything seems to be coming together quite nicely (touch wood). So hopefully there will only be a few more months, and we will be off for greener pastures. :)

ttfn,
k

1st Birthdays are Fun!

2010-04-07T15:45:00.004-04:00

Yes, the little man is 1. I can honestly say that I am so very happy to celebrate the first birthday. I know that for many, it represents a lot of negatives...your baby is no longer a little baby, you have to leave said baby to return to work, they are starting to become so much of their own little person. Personally, after everything that he went through, everything that we all dealt with, I think I was near tears of happiness celebrating this birthday.

And, of course, Riley loved his first taste of chocolate:

Ammy had such a good time, too. But I think that is more because she knew Riley couldn't quite open gifts on his own...so who got to sneak in to help out? Well yes, big sisters are good for that sort of thing:

The weather was great...not too warm, not too cold... All in all, it was a really great time. To those who came to celebrate, thank you!

ttfn
k

I Love Moving

2010-03-26T14:16:00.003-04:00

Ok, I don't necessarily like moving itself, but I like the decluttering and clearing out that you can do only when you have to take absolutely everything off the shelf, out of the cupboard, etc., etc.

And hopefully, with the upcoming move (hope, hope, hope...keeping my fingers, toes and any other appendages crossed), I will be able to cull back on a lot of the stuff that I seem to find as being important and "must have"...really have to work on what is or will be needed. Hmmm...

Just don't expect the yarn stash to become any smaller...lol...that just won't happen. But, I did promise the hubby that until we know for certain what is going on and where we are going to be going, that I would refrain from buying anything new to add to the collection. See...compromise.

ttfn
k

Almost There

2010-03-09T07:47:00.003-05:00

Wow...I kind of got caught off guard last night when I realized...my little boy is almost a year old. Seriously, at this time last year, I was on strict bedrest, fighting with my body to keep him inside.

I look back at the pictures of him when he was first born, the pictures in which I thought he was the most beautiful thing in the universe, and can't help but cry. So many wires and tubes. So tiny. Such delicate skin.

I don't know how we did it...I don't know how we handled it.

But in 23 days, he will be a year old. We still have battles. I know that. But looking back, he has come along so much. Grown so much. Is so much more than I ever could have imagined.

Now, at 8 months corrected age, he is 20 lbs 9 oz. 18 lbs more than he was at his birth. 18 lbs!

And I can now appreciate the small things so much more. Like being affronted at the fact that I didn't get the chance to sit around knitting him some absolutely adorable (but positively bribe inducing when he is older) things, because I was too busy going to the hospital to see him.

But such is life. And I got something so much more important than that!

But that doesn't stop me from buying baby books. I have a lot of friends who are currently expecting, or have recently just had babies. So I was tickled pink yesterday when I went to my thrift store across the road, and found 3 vintage knitting pattern books (circa 1960s). Two of them are baby ones, and so very, very cute. I plan on having a great deal of fun with them all, eventually...like when I am done some of my current projects.

ttfn
k

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

2010-03-03T08:00:00.009-05:00

Holy delay batman! Sorry, this past week has been one of catch up. But all I gotta say is wow. Just wow. We had such an amazing weekend. Our little person is, of course, the one who took up the most room for the trip to Granny and Grampa's, but such is to be expected, I suppose.

We arrived just in time for check in (4:00 p.m.), and it was beautiful. There was snow on the ground, but it was relatively warm. The cabin was so picturesque:

And this is what greeted us in our room:

The place was so amazingly beautiful. So quiet. We had birds on our deck...even in the snow. From our deck, we overlooked the water. Complete with an ice rink, an igloo (impromptu memento from kidlings who had been up the week before) and an ice fishing hut. The weather was amazing, too. Absolutely everything was amazing about the place. (Yes, I need a thesaurus.)

The hardest part of the cabin to leave:

And I got to go snow shoeing!!!! It was amazingly fun. I thought that we had only been out for about 20-30 minutes...we had been out for 1.5 hours! It was great. And there were so many stars! I was in heaven. But damn did my legs hurt afterwards. And that is why I loved coming back to a jacuzzi tub. So nice. And probably saved my legs (and the rest of me, for that matter). Here's one of the only pictures of the two of us out together...lol...and of course, it was after we both made snow angels after dropping while shoeing:

Saturday we had a pretty relaxed day...went out for a walk, skated (I hadn't been in about 14 years...and it didn't help my nerves any that some lady had fallen the night before, so there was a hefty patch of blood on the ice), went to a small yarn shop (yes, my hubby knows me so damn well) and went out ice fishing. That evening, after a nap (a NAP!!!), we went tubing. That was great. It was pure ice. And since it was, there were very few people there. In the course of 2 hours, we went down at least 30-40 times. And fast. The manager clocked us at 80 kms. Weeee! (To those interested, yes, my tailbone was bruised and swollen from hitting the ice...apparently I am light and the guys there were physically lifting me up to spin me down the hill.)

Sunday we were greeted with our much missed little ones (who barely registered that we were gone) and a nice family meal. It seems that they were bigger when we got back:
...and one just wouldn't stay still.

All in all, the weekend was phenomenal.

So, what is new in the world of knitting, you may ask (or you may not, in which case, I am going to tell you anyway)?

Well, this is the wonderful sock yarn that I picked up while up north:

It's like halloween in yarn form!

I'm still working on my Zelda, but I did manage to get some work done on it:

My current addiction, Midsomer Murders, is helping with getting some of my knitting done (I am doing a few smaller things that require little to no thought...and only one colour at a time), so poor Zelda keeps moving to the back burner. :(

Well, hope everyone is doing well...

ttfn
k

Drumroll Please

2010-02-23T07:52:00.004-05:00

That's right...two more medals for little KB.

I also have finished all the knitting for my long neglected cardigan. The sleeves are currently drying and I will be sewing them on later today. Then...dare I say it...the cardi will be complete. (I already bought these sweet wood buttons from, of all places, the convenience store across the road.)

I am thinking, since I now only have left the OpArt blanket left (seriously, only one WIP...what is that???), I am going to start the designing of Riley's sweater. That should be a fun one.

For all the knit-like-type-people out there, you may find this interesting. My nan and I are pretty close. We talk at least once a week (she is a snowbird). The other day, I got a call from her completely out of the blue (usually we talk Sunday afternoons). Her first (and only) question when I answered the phone: "What gauge do you get when you knit Riley a sweater in yarn that's a 4?" She had just casted on a sweater and it seemed a little off. So she asks me the average gauge that I use on a sweater for Riley, and we had this long conversation with me converting her gauge based on other items I have made for Riley. Definitely one of our more interesting conversations.

In other news, I finally got my new stroller. Ever since Riley has grown out of his car seat (which was a long while back), I have had a huge hate on for our stroller. It is big, bulky, awkward, and I have to split in two pieces to get it to fit in the trunk, where it then takes up all the space in the trunk. HATE. IT. So I have been looking around for a new one. Wanted a good one, with a basket and cup holder for me, and 5 point harness and reclining for Riley. Those were really my only requirements. I looked around, read opinions, etc., etc. I finally found one the other day that I really liked. I like the colour (red), I liked the look of it, I loved how easily it maneuvered. It was wonderful. (For those who are interested, it is the Bily Kingston Stroller - oddly I couldn't really find anything about it, despite looking high and low, except that Bily stands for Because I Love You.)

It was a fair price ($70, on sale from $110 - go Zellers go), and folds up pretty compactly. It feels very sturdy, and Riley loved the one I put him in at the store. The assembly was pretty easy (the wheels and brakes...that's all...just the wheels and brakes), so it took no time at all, relatively speaking.

Then I noticed this:

Does anyone else notice the phallic nature of the handles? I mean, ok, I understand they were going for a cute "antennae" sort of handle, but come on! Did no one notice this during production? (and yes, I am going to have to knit some ribbed handles...lol...)
ttfn
k

Sweet Success

2010-02-20T08:06:00.006-05:00

It is amazing how much more I can get accomplished when I have some sort of preconceived deadline. Well, sometimes. But the ravelympics have definitely put me in a "let's get this finished" mood.
My jacket (yes, I still need to get buttons...I guess a trip to Walmart is in order):

My little girl's socks:

I'm thinking that I am going to finally be able to finish the cardigan that has been hanging out on my side there (the brown one that has been just a sad little vest for the last, what, 4 months). I started the sleeves last night. WooHoo!!!
And my medals:

I should be getting the ones for the Sock Hockey event and the Sweaterboard Cross event shortly, considering both were finished yesterday. Just wanna get the one for at least one WIP-dancing, and I will be a happy, happy girl. :)
Not much else going on right now. I went for my ultrasound the other day, and have an appointment with my doctor on Wednesday to see what that revealed. And the end of this week, of course, is my honeymoon. WEEEE!!! I am super stoked about that. 3 days and nights childless with my hubby. And a real wood fire. And a whirlpool bath. And a log cabin.
I can't wait! (Thankfully, Ammy is super excited about getting to spend some time with Granny and Grampa, so she is doing the countdown, too.) Just gotta make it through the cleaning and packing of this week, now...
ttfn,
k

Ravelympics 2010

2010-02-16T12:47:00.005-05:00

Well, with the start of the Olympics last week, so begins the start of Ravelympics. I have actually been making damn good progress with the items I am doing for my team (GO TEAM BKG!). So far, I have finished one toy (Toadstool Rattle for Riley):

My coat is coming along really well (thanks to an unhealthy dose of insomnia):

I have also gotten one sock done for Ammy (to be entered in the Sock Hockey category), and the second one is even cast on already, too!!!

Plus, I have somehow managed to find time to finish off one of the behbeh sweaters I am doing for a friend. I still have to sew it, but it is done and waiting for that.

Woohoo...busy, busy, busy. :) And loving every moment of it. (Yes, I know that I am going to crash soon...but after a nice 10-12 hour nap, I should be fine again...lol)

ttfn
k.

Stones...and not the rolling kind

2010-02-11T10:13:00.002-05:00

So it seems that Riley, cute as he may be, will continue with his one step forward, two steps back...at least for a little while.

At his urology follow up at Sick Kids, they ran a new ultrasound on him with respect to his kidney reflux. That is fine. It is being well managed with the medication that he is on, so they are not concerned. We go for another follow up in 6 months, but for the moment, they are positive that he can stay on the medication until he is around potty training age, and will be fine. HOWEVER (there is always a however, it seems), during the course of the ultrasound, they discovered that he has kidney stones. Kidney stones! In a 10 month (or 7 month, depending on if you want to use corrected age) child!

They are guessing that he has developed renal stone disease, which I was diagnosed with about 4 years ago. They aren't sure how, though, since his body *technically* shouldn't have excess minerals and vitamins needed to create a single stone, let alone the many of them that they discovered.

So, in the course of this, they are hoping to use me as a guinea pig. I go for a follow up ultrasound on Wednesday to see if there are any "live" stones currently in my kidneys (which there should be, since there almost always is) and, from what was guessed by my family doctor, they will likely do a retrieval of one of my stones to find out the exact breakdown and hopefully be able to give both Riley and I something to break them down without having to wait for them to pass.

Fun, fun, fun.

At least I have my vacation to look forward to before having to deal with all this ickyness.

And I finally went and got myself a set of the puzzle boards from the dollar store across from us. I think I mentioned this before, but the place across from us has the 10 packs of the foam puzzle boards for $3-4 dollars. Now, I bought a set for Riley to play on, and just bought another set for myself, since they would be perfect for blocking (in fact, they sell in most places for $20-$25 as "blocking mats"). Yep, I'll take em for $3, thank you very much. And hope the cats will leave the blocking items alone.

ttfn
k

I Wonder If Winter Looks Different From the Treetops

2010-02-09T09:56:00.002-05:00

So the hubby and I have decided to celebrate the fact that *if* February had 29 days this year, we would be celebrating our 6 month anniversary. How have we decided to celebrate? By taking our honeymoon. Yes, that is right. 3 days and 3 nights with just the two of us. We've actually decided that we are going to go up north. I know, I know, why not do the Niagara Falls thing, since that would be just as close and hotels often have the "Romantic Getaway" packages which include a bottle of wine and one dinner. Well, quite frankly, if we wanted loudness and people and more people and all that jazz, we would save ourselves the money and just stay home. Plus, if you factor in the $50-$80 that most things in Niagara cost to do, we'd be spending a whole boatload, or end up staying in our hotel room, never venturing out the whole time.

We wanted something more than that. We wanted something to be remembered (and not in the 9 months later sort of way).

So we are heading up north. We are renting a cabin at one of the all year round places. I'm not one for much outdoors stuff, especially during the winter, but we have decided on a few things that we would like to do. We are going to hit up this sweet Treetop Adventures place on the way up there. They actually take you through this giant trail 40 feet up in the trees. It is all connected by bridges and ziplines. I'm super excited about that. We also plan on going night tubing at one of the places that have the snow tube runs nearby where we are staying.

The cabin that we are staying in has not only a jacuzzi tub but a hot tub on the deck! Plus, they have a huge games room (with pool tables, ping pong tables and an arcade), and they have snowshoe trails that you can go on all around the place (I have always wanted to go snowshoeing...I don't know why, just always have). And three square meals a day are included with the package.

So yes, I may not be a big one for winter and cold, but the hot tub/jacuzzi tub will make up for that. And if all else fails, the cabin has a real wood fireplace that we can snuggle up in front of.

In other news, I have finally got all the yarn that I need for the breeders I know. I have one sweater done already (red one akin to the sweater I made for Riley in green), and plan to do one more blue and one more pink. That should cover everyone expecting during the month. I swear, May was a popular month for copulation. :S

Tis all.
ttfn
k

Why doesn't my meatloaf look like the picture?

2010-01-16T17:50:00.008-05:00

Seriously, why does my food never look like it does in the cookbook? I guess that is a mystery for the ages.

Anywho, this past week Am started swimming on a weeknight (gotta say, I love it...she is nice and tired and easy to get to bed that night). It is a repeat of the Swimmer 1, but she still has issues with jumping in the water, and with getting her face wet. She is doing better, since she is starting to cup water to her face in the bath, so I am hoping that we won't see as much of the resistance to certain activities this time around that we saw in the fall program. She is also super excited that her sweater is almost all done. At every stage of it, she has wanted to try it on, even when it was in pieces. Here it is looking almost completely like a sweater:

Only thing left to do is put the buttons on. And block it. I usually leave blocking until the very end, as I find there to be no point in blocking it while it is still in pieces. Shapes change when the seaming is done. Meh...is my opinion.

I've also gotten about halfway done the red version of the cabled sweater for Riley. This picture was taken a few days ago, but I love how bright the red is. So much brighter than what it seems all wound up in a ball:

The Ravolympics start in a few weeks time, and I think I have figured out what I plan on making for that. Wanna do my BKG team proud. :) So, the militia coat that I have been talking about for a while is what I plan on entering. The rules are that you can't start until the torch is lit. I have swatched (which is allowed), and have everything ready to go. Now just to figure out what I will do until then. I mean, I have been doing really good with the finishing up UFOs lately, and only really have one or two small things left, i.e., the match to this (which is at the heel now):

In non-knitting related news, I have to say that I still find it very amusing that everyone seems to get differing advice and on differing degrees. As Riley is a preemie, I find myself often reading the blogs of other preemie mothers (not that I am saying those preemies don't have dads, but I haven't ever seen a blog by a preemie father in which they discuss the challenges and such of dealing with a preemie). And it endlessly amuses me, and would endlessly confuse me if I took everything everyone's doctor said to heart, that everyone seems to get different feedback about similar or even identical things. For sure, there are things that are baby specific. For example, I know many preemie parents who don't have to deal with the breathing and lung issues, or the kidney issue, or any issues at all. I know others who deal with brain bleeds and heart problems. It is a smorgasbord of health issues.

But I find it interesting that certain specialists that preemie parents all see (i.e. the neonatalogists at the follow ups), ones that you would figure would all agree on things, don't. I was reading through various blogs today, and in the course of reading 4 different ones, I came across the following opinions respecting exersaucers, bumbo chairs and bath chairs:

- Our doctor says they are fine in moderation, as they help our daughter with stretching and reaching;
- Our neonatalogist would kick our ass if we dared to put our daughter in an exersaucer, but she is fine with the bumbo chair;
- The people at the follow up said not to put him in any of those types of contraptions, at all;

and our follow up, we got the "all of these things are bad and horrible and will stunt him in learning to walk and/or hold himself up". This wasn't just their theory with Riley, but with all children, preterm or not. Now, personally speaking *only*, I used the exersaucer with my daughter. She didn't want anything at all to do with the bouncy chairs. She loved the exersaucer, and it was wonderful for me to actually be able to get things done (i.e. I could put her in it with me while I was in the kitchen doing dishes...she was happy and amused, and I got to eat off clean dishes for another few days). And the other day, just since I desperately needed to get in and organize Riley's room, I stuck him in the one that I have for him. Well, lo and behold, he loved it. There are objects above him, so he was actually reaching up to play with them. He was interacting with the music pieces, and was actually holding himself up (meaning that he had his feet flat on the bottom of it and was actively turning himself around AND holding his body weight up to the degree that those items allow them to). With Riley's torso muscle issues, he already has issues with holding himself up, and even if we are there to support him, he still finds it difficult, especially if you try to get him to grab at things or interact with anything at all. Truthfully, he was only in it for maybe an hour, but in that hour, he did more of his OT therapies than I can usually get him through in an hour on our mats.

Now I am very much an "if they are happy, there is nothing wrong with what you are doing" type of parent, so I am thinking that so long as he is happy and it is working him (meaning he is still doing all the stretching and reaching and he is actively placing his feet on the ground instead of letting the seat hold him up 100%), I am giving up on the various reports that I see/hear/read. If he wants his exersaucer and to use it too, he can. No, he won't live in it, and yes, we will still get down and do the OT exercises, but it is a nice sub, especially since I am terrified that he will bounce himself over in the chair (which he seems to hate with a passion now and bounces that thing to the point that it actually comes off the ground...yep, no more bouncy chair for you, little man).

Tis all.
ttfn
k.

Well, um, Happy New Year (less 8 days)

2010-01-08T12:10:00.012-05:00

Yeah, I am a bit behind in the new year wishes. But I don't mind. (If you do, so sorry to hear.)

It really and truly has been such a busy past few weeks. My little angel, yet again, broke a pair of glasses on the last day of school. What wonderful luck 2009 had for us! I can honestly say that I am not unhappy to see it go in the least. While it did give me much to be thankful for, I think I would prefer to have a quiet, dull, uneventful year this time.

Our little critters had a blast on Christmas. Am loved all the goodies Santa bestowed upon her:

And Riley, well, he enjoyed the paper...and the boxes:

We actually (somehow) had a relaxing holiday break. Not overly sure how the heck we pulled that one off, but it was great.

Other than that, things have just been motoring along as per the norm. We picked up Am's new glasses yesterday. They are cute as all sin. Little pink wire frames. She no longer looks completely like my clone, but I think I will survive.

And in the world of needles and yarn, I have been having a blast going through my stash. In the last few weeks, I made four staggered rib scarves for the men in my life. Five non-scarf scarves for the ladies in my life. A coffee mug cozie. A matching sleeve to fit my Timmies cups (extra large...I'm a pansy and always find that the cup is too hot).
A second mexican wrestling mask (Brian has been bugging me for one ever since I finished Tony's - and yes, that is Brian in it):

A few hats and booties for my local hospital's preemie group. This sweater which I am now completely and utterly in love with (and not just because of the handsome young man in it):

Who'da thunk he could pull off lime green? I am thinking that I will likely have to make a few more of these, since it took all of about 2 days to make this up, and less than 2 balls of yarn (Bernat Softee Chunky - on sale at Walmart - for those who are interested).

I am currently working on a super sweet sweater for Am (pink and purple...what a shock), which I haven't yet taken any pictures of, and cannot seem to find a link for anywhere. It's just a simple cardi, anywho, with a few zippered pockets.

I also decided that with all this "other person" knitting I have been doing lately, I am finally going to start something for myself. So, hopefully, later today I will be casting on the Militia Coat. Wee...I love something big for myself. (I admit, I haven't been completely altruistic lately...there was a hat for myself, and the coffee related stuff.)

Anywho, little man is calling. Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday time.

ttfn
k.

16 Days to Christmas...

2009-12-09T17:30:00.005-05:00

Wow...that seems odd. What happened to November? Where did it go? I could swear there used to be a month between October and December...but alas, it doesn't appear to be the case this year.

Actually, I am sitting in a pretty ok position right now as far as making and getting all the gifties in order. I have finished all the scarves for the girlies in my life, and have finished almost 3 of the scarves for the boys in my life (I have about 2 more repeats of the pattern to finish the third scarf). The kidlings are all taken care of, and even wrapped (of course, I had no choice but to wrap them the same day that we got them, since certain little persons are nosy and would likely have stumbled upon the gifts, thus ruining the surprise)! The other kidlings (nieces and nephews) are all finished, too. They were done the same time as mine own. Gawd, I love Samko Miko. That place is a godsend for anyone with children or children like persons to buy for. We walked out of there with gifts for 14 kids for less than $200. And I know, it is very tacky to mention money, but seriously, dude, that is less than I spent on the gifts when there were only 6 kids to buy for.

In other news, I am sure that we have all seen the various "make your own decoration" things. They're everywhere. And I have to admit, I am intrigued by this: a yarn-wrapped wreath. Sadly, I know myself well enough to know that I would want to unwrap it and start knitting...or would buy the yarn and immediately hide it so that it did not end up being used for a wreath. Especially if it were green. I love green. (I am very much an autumn person...green, yellow, orange (not blindingly bright), deep reds, browns...yeah, I love those colours.) I am very weak when it comes to those hues. I wonder if it would look tacky in rainbow brights?

I have also been getting back into the sewing. A lot. I think that after this Christmas, with all the yarny goodness that is going on, I just need to have that little creative break. I am currently working on an apron for myself, but have just recently finished doing a bedspread and sheet for my daughter's teacher (for her daughter for Christmas). I've also become the "go to" gal for shortening pants.

Am has also done an amazing job on her first report card (seriously...there are 3 terms in grade 1...who knew this??). One C (which at this level means she is doing good, but slightly below the provincial guideline) in writing, but other than that, everything was As and Bs. Woohoo.

And little mister is doing great, too. We have started his OT appointments, but he is starting to show improvement. I think he just likes having someone other than mom or dad mention that he should be doing certain things that he is not. I mean, 2 weeks ago he couldn't roll over. Even if we pushed his bum. Now, he is doing it on his own. Same with the feet. Didn't know he had them...never once seemed interested in them or playing with them. Now he constantly rolls himself up to get them. And he is starting to use the right side more. He actually managed to pass one of his toys left to right! WEEEE!!! Our OT believes that he will catch himself up by the time that he reaches his 8 month follow up. I hope so.

Anywho, I am outta here for now. I have a scarf that needs finishing, and a bath that needs someone to soak in it...I guess I can suck it up and suffer...you know, for the sake of the bath.

ttfn
k

Madness, I Say

2009-11-18T10:27:00.007-05:00

Yeah, that is sort of how the last week or so has felt. Unfortunately, both my daughter and I got the flu last week. What a write off! I was horrible, but in typical motherly fashion, recovered after about 2 days of being completely useless. Thankfully, Riley managed not to get it (both Ammy and I avoided him like the plague during the first few days, and after that, I wore a mask and made sure to wash my hands about every 5 minutes or so). So, needless to say, my birthday went by very quietly. I spent the day and night at home with my little ones, catching up on some Christmas knitting.

So far, I have these done:

They are my little non-scarf scarves (Fourteen, by name). I am in lourve with this thing. Not only is it a quick knit, but it is really warm and comfy.

I also got around to doing/finishing a few other things while I had nowhere to go and nothing else to do:
Sheldon (the cutest little turtle):

New hat:

There are a few other odds and sods, but I haven't really gotten around to completely finishing them (i.e. they still need the ends weaved in...lawd how I hate weaving in ends).

Oh, and in very exciting news, last Tuesday, Riley's belly button fell off!!! Yes, this was a super exciting thing (7+ months in the making). It also means that he won't have to go for surgery for the urachal sinus, since it is no longer causing any problems. We are still waiting for urology to get back to us, as well as the infant development centre, but at the moment, things are looking up (touch wood). And we are now down to a somewhat normal regime of appointments. We have monthly RSV clinic from now until April, and our regular family doctor appointments (yes, we got him switched over), but other than that, I don't think we have any more crazy 6 appointments in 8 days type of weeks any time soon.

Well, off to make Christmas shopping lists (we are heading out to the samko meiko warehouse thing this weekend). Wish us luck with that. :S

ttfn

Oh My

2009-10-30T18:16:00.002-04:00

Well, it has been an eventful week, if nothing else.

Monday afternoon, I finally went for a very much overdo root canal. It wasn't fun. I didn't enjoy it. But, I can actually bite down now without pain or fear of food getting caught in there and disturbing the nerve. Amazing how nice of a feeling that is. Absolutely amazing. I love our new family dentist. He has done more with our family in the last month than the previous one ever did. Not that she didn't recommend referring us to specialists for routine items for EVERYTHING (with the exception of cleaning...but seriously, sending my child to a specialist for a cavity??? why???).

Anywho, so there was that. Then, on Tuesday, we went for Riley's VCUG (voiding cysto-urethrogram). A VCUG is a test that uses an x-ray and contrast medium to show what happens when a person urinates. Our surgeon requested this test in order to ascertain whether the umbilical tube which is currently connected to his bladder is filling with fluid, or whether it is clear. Well, the tube is clear. It appears to be sealed off from his bladder. HOWEVER, in the course of this test, we discovered that after flushing fluid into the bladder, his kidneys are refilling with urine from the bladder. I don't know the full extent of this, but for the moment it appears to be something that is manageable. He doesn't appear to be in any pain, and it certainly doesn't seem to affect how many wet bottoms he has. We are adding a urology team to the group of doctors that Riley is collecting. :S

On Wednesday, we had our follow up with the Immunology Department at Sick Kids. They took a lot of blood, both from Riley and I, and took a whole lotta notes. We go back in March, since some of the tests they are running take a long while to develop. And, since there has been so much back and forth with respect to the H1N1, and since I can't get a hold of my pediatrician to save my life, I kinda figured that they would likely be the best qualified to answer whether it was right for my family, given our situations, medically speaking. And they want us all to get it. Mainly, they want Riley and I to. But, since we are getting it, figured that getting it for Ammy and the man wouldn`t hurt. Plus, with the number of things currently going around Ammy`s school, I feel comfortable with her getting it. (Especially considering that 7 days before symptoms show, those infected are contagious - two of my nieces who I don`t see often have it, and this is what their doctor informed them of.)

And here is where I am in a bit of a bind. So I got home and called our pediatrician...every 15 minutes...for 3 hours. No answer. No voicemail where I could leave a message and be contacted back. Nothing. Again yesterday - from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (with the exception of the answering machine I reached at 12:10 informing me that they were on lunch and the machine could not take messages)...and again no answer. I finally got pissed off and called our family doctor. They have no problem in giving us the shots, so we go in first thing on Monday for them. Even though my son is not their patient. Yeah, I am thinking that I am going to transfer him over, too. I understand the whole wanting someone who is experienced with children thing. I seriously do. But Riley has a huge team of specialists for everything that is going on. He is no longer on oxygen. Hell, our pediatrician refused to take any responsibility regarding Riley`s oxygen. So in short, we go there, he weighs him, measures him, gives him shots. We book the next appt., and that is it. And apparently, if this last week is any indication, if he gets sick before his next scheduled appointment, I am up poop creek without a paddle because no one answers the damn phone there.

Ok, venting done. Sorry, but that does bother me. What would happen if my son was sick with something (like any sort of virus at the moment, of which all viruses are huge red flags waving over him in the eyes of the Immunology Dept., since his immune status is completely unknown)...what then...call for a month until our next appointment comes around (and no, I am not stupid enough to leave my child sick because they won`t answer their phone).

Okay kidlings, that is all. Hope you all have a safe, happy and wonderful Halloween.

ttfn
k

To Keep Myself Occupied

2009-10-21T08:02:00.001-04:00

Well, I have found some wonderful things that I can do while I am sitting at home on mat leave right now. My daughter's teacher is big on reading (which I personally think all teachers of lower grade levels should be, but that is neither here nor there). Her and I got talking about knitting one day, and I mentioned that I do knit so she has asked me if I can make her some "props" for some of the books that she reads repeatedly.

At the moment, I am working on an oversized mitten for The Mitten. Her teacher has little fisher price animals that are all in the book, so she plans on using those for putting in the mitten. I will also be doing a regular sized one so that the kids can see the size difference before and after the animals move in, and can discuss why the mitten grew. :)

I found an amazing site that actually deals with this type of stuff (Children's Lit n' Knit). There are a few other books that she has asked me to work props for, if I have the time and inclination. I am sure that it will be fun (since she would like to have them to share with the other lower grade teachers at Ammy's school).

Also of note, I have finished Tony's muves. They look and fit him great! Seriously, they rock. I am thinking that I may have to look into a pair for myself. The only real "christmas knitting" that I am planning on doing this year is a pair of socks and a hat. Other than that, nothing. Both of those shouldn't take too long (so long as I try to remember that they are a gift, and therefore 1 sock is not an option).

That is all, really. Family is doing great. Currently I am just enjoying the calm before the storm that starts next week...

ttfn
k

Love These Things

2009-10-10T23:10:00.005-04:00

So, it may just be a honeymoon phase, but I am super duper in love with these cloth diapers. We have also ordered a bunch of the KaWaii brand AIO pocket diapers which should arrive beginning of next week. Our total so far for all our diapers (which is - including the ones to arrive next week - 18 diapers and 40 inserts) is less than $300.

Beyond that, though, I love the feel and leak stoppageness of these things. Not only are they super cute, but they really do their job. They fit Riley wonderfully. And doubling the insert overnight has worked perfectly. So far (touch wood) we haven't had any leaks...at all.

And let me tell you, the softness of the microfleece lining is amazing. I am thinking I may have to start putting a microfleece lining in all my underwear! Damn kid is lucky as all sin to have that up against his little bottom all day. And it really does pull the moisture away from him and on to the insert.

Well, that is it for my raving. But check him out, being all happy with them:

I have also finished one of the glove/mittens for the hubby. (You know, the strange mittens with the first finger as a glove? Ya, those.) Ammy has been proudly sporting hers, and another little girl that I made them for has been declining to touch any one or thing with hers on, so I am guessing so far, so good. Oddly, I haven't even thought of making myself any. I am working on the sleeve for my cardigan (pictured below), and I guess I will make a pair for myself when that is done.

I also had a wonderful time hitting up the thrift shops this week. Riley is growing like a weed (is actually in 6 month clothing now), and Ammy seems to be in a new size every week. I bought her a pair of boots for winter (oddly enough, they are the "Riley" boot from walmart), and ended up getting the size 13. 13!!! Seriously? My main intent when I hit up the ValuVillage and local TS was to try to find a snow suit for Ammy (I don't want to spend $50 on something that will only last 1 season) and some warm winter sleepers for Riley. Ended up with several warm winter sleepers for Riley (the thick fleecey ones) for $2 each, and a few really cute outfits that I just couldn't resist (they were on sale at VV, and worked out to be about $3 each, so I can't complain in the least). I also got Am several pairs of pants, since we seem to have hit flood season. Couldn't find a snowsuit (apparently thrift shops understand that Christmas and Halloween stuff shouldn't be out at the same time) nor any pjs, but will likely go on another expedition in a few weeks time.

That is really all that is new and exciting, boys and girls.

ttfn
k.

Side Note: Most people don't realize this, and I know that I never noticed this before, but on the disposable diapers there is a notation that all fecal matter should be dumped into the toilet and flushed prior to throwing the diaper away. Do you do that? Do you know anyone who does?

Mittens Already?

2009-10-03T10:11:00.008-04:00

Yeah, I broke and made a pair of mittens for Ammy already. But damn it is getting cold up here in the mornings. Seriously cold. I hate it. So, I have made the first pair of mittens of the season. I am sure that there will be more, many more, as the school has a "mitten tree" which I will be making several mittens for.

I'm also currently working on a new hat for Riley, since the ones that I have already made for him no longer fit his fat little head. (We are fifteen pounds now...just a side note.)

I'm also making great headway on the cropped cardigan I am making for myself. See:

I am hoping that I can get this finished sometime this week. The only things left, really, are the sleeves (and the collar, but that will be done when it is all put together so that I can judge it myself as to how big I want it).

And this, boys and girls, i why you shouldn't drink and drive:

(dont worry, no one was hurt). My sister and I were outside at my uncle`s place last weekend for the birthday party we held for all the nieces, and watched this happen. Buddy in the van took off down the road, until he realized that I was chasing him down the middle of it, and another girl was following from further up the road. Then he decided to come back, where he proceeded to fall over and claim that he couldn`t get any traction (though it had rained earlier in the day, everything was mostly dry by this point). Amazingly, when I took off, I threw the coffee cup I had in the middle of my uncle`s lawn, and somehow it didn`t break.

Well, that is really all that is new and wonderful in my world. Kinda slow, but that is okay. I am sure that it will get hectic soon enough. After much debating back and forth on the topic, we have decided that we are going to switch to cloth diapers for Riley. For starters, we are getting a trial package of 6 of them with 12 inserts, just to get us used to them, and will probably get another 6-10 of them as we see fit once we are used to them and ready to make the switch permanently. The cost for 12-16 in total with extra inserts will end up being about $350/400, which may seem like a lot, but while I was at my doctor's the other day, I found out that the average cost for diapers for a child until they are two and a half is $2,300. $2,300!!!! And that doesn't include pull up type of things. That is just purely diapers. Shocking, eh? Yeah, I think that I am okay with the extra effort and $350 vs. less effort and over $2,000. When I was younger, I babysat for a lady who had cloth diapers for her son. I remember what it was like with them. The ones that we are getting are super cute (Fuzzi Bunz, for those who are interested) and come with a pretty kick ass reputation.

I will likely update everyone on what an experience it is. :)

Until then, ttfn
k.

RIP Childhood Crush

2009-09-14T21:16:00.002-04:00

Well, my first girlhood crush past today. I know, I know. He'd been sick for a while. (I still can't believe that the National Enquirer was right with their article about him being diagnosed with cancer last year.)

But I was just reading that it was announced that Patrick Swayze died this morning after his long battle with cancer from an actual new source.

So sad!

And, of course, "She's Like the Wind" is on a continual mental repeat play. I am thinking I will have to have a Swayze day tomorrow...Ghost, Dirty Dancing, Roadhouse...

ttfn
k

Changes and Other Events

2009-09-05T10:19:00.005-04:00

Well, the wedding went great. Ok, our JP thought it was at 4, so didn't show up until 3:30 (the wedding was supposed to be at 3). BUT, the weather turned out to be great...not too hot, not too cold, and not a raincloud in the sky (after 1:00 p.m.).

Both the children were wonderful! Ammy looked adorable:

As did Riley:

And I realized that that was 2 weeks ago. But good lawd it has been a very busy two weeks.

After the wedding, we ended up staying down at the Royal York (won a free room from a 680 prize pack that my husband won). And we had room service. It was awesome. Sadly, though, my fries were undercooked and unedible. Really, that was extremely sad, given where we were. But the Alberta Steak Sandwich we had was amazing. As was the french onion soup (I love me some french onion soup).

Riley ended up being off his oxygen from the Wednesday before the wedding to the Tuesday after. We put him back on since we didn't want to get into any trouble with our RT about how long he'd been off (and he did awesome the entire time...especially with all the man-handling he was subjected to the night of the wedding). And then, to boot, our RT didn't come by...she called instead. I told her about Riley and how long he'd been off and that the only reason we put him back on was to avoid getting in trouble with her. She decided that we should give him a break for 24 hours, and take him back off for a week, if we were comfortable. So we left him on until Wednesday morning, and promptly took him back off. Which is how he still is right now. Off his oxygen, and rocking it.

And, of course, Ammy started Grade 1 on Tuesday. That was a little bit of a heartbreaker for me. She couldn't have cared less. But thankfully she remembered to turn and wave at me while she disappeared through the doors that would carry her on to her future. *sniff**sniff*

I discovered that, while I always just thought that it was normal with her, since we read a lot and all, she is "very advanced and ahead of all the other children" in her class given that she has the ability to read on her own. And not just "Dick and Jane" type books, but actual books. We got to the library at least once every 2 weeks and take out a bunch of books. Ones that she reads. Usually ones like the Little Miss books, and Dora books. She likes books. But hey, bonus if that makes her advanced. At least I know that she won't be struggling with it (touch wood).

Today we start jazz. Yes, jazz. I decided that she is now old enough to handle more than one weekend activity, and since I am still in the SAHM phase, I have the time and energy too. So I signed her up for Beginner Jazz at Futures Gymnastics (about 5 minutes up the road). I spoke with the lady who works there about which dance would be best for her, since she is high energy, but easily distracted, so I was thinking that ballet *might* not be the best choice for her (what, with the discipline and slow, repetitive movements), and we talked about jazz. She told me that it will likely be ideal for her, since it is a very high energy genre, but that at this stage, it wouldn't matter overmuch. Still, jazz it is.

My daughter's school also does the typical "we are looking for parent volunteers" thing. I was looking into it since, well, I do have time. Well, they sent home a notice about it the other day, and apparently I would have to pay for one of the long form criminal record checks in order to apply (I understand why they want them, but if I am reading this correctly, these are the ones that are, like, $55...seriously, I am a SAHM...where am I going to come up with the $55 just so I can volunteer to help them out??).

Also, Peel Region (I understand it is the entire region, and not just our school) has swtiched to a "two nutrition breaks" thing instead of a morning and afternoon recess and a lunch hour. I hate this. I really do. And it seems like there are so many conflicting reasons floating around about why. First off, I hate that they are given these 2 40 minute breaks. One is at 10:30 a.m. and the other is at 12:55 p.m. 10:30 a.m. is too early for a full lunch, and by 12:55 p.m., my daughter is starving. She is confused by this completely, as am I. One of the apparent reasons for the change is that "kids learn better when they eat periodically through the day". Um, so getting rid of the 2 different snacking times that are evenly spaced through the day is the way to achieve this??? Yes, I plan on finding out from the region what the basis was for this change and if they are only doing it as a trial. I personally think it is beyond asinine. Seriously...show me the work place where you get 2 lunch hours. If school is supposed to be about prepping kids for the future, show me the work place that does that, please.

Anywho, that is about all. I have to go get my little dancer fed, cleaned and dressed.

ttfn
k

Soon to be with 100% More Husband

2009-08-29T00:32:00.001-04:00

Yes, I know...it has been a while. I have been slacking off on updating over the last few weeks. But come on, I am fully justified. Look at the wedding countdown clock beside this...seriously...check that out. Depending on when you are reading this, I am a few hours away from my wedding. I think I am allowed a little bit of time away from the big event.

So yes, that is really all that is new.

I have finished my socks for the wedding. I will post pictures when I can, cuz I just haven't even bothered to load them up on the computer yet.

Also, we got a new monitor for Riley. So far (touch wood) he is doing wonderful with the trial off oxygen. Seriously...really good!

Well, that is really all I have the thought control to write. I am suffering from a touch of ADD at the moment. I guess eventually I need to sleep (especially given that I will be up at about 5:30 with the little man for feeding...and have to stay up since the day is going to start very early tomorrow morning).

ttfn
k

6 Year Anniversary of the Ontario/New York Black Out

2009-08-14T09:27:00.002-04:00

Yes, yes it is. How do I know this so certainly, you may be asking? Well, my little girl is 6 today. I know exactly where I was the day of the blackout. Do you remember where you were and what you were doing?

6...wow...where did the time go. She is going to be starting grade 1 in a few weeks. What the heck is that? I don't know if I am prepared for that yet. But, whether we are prepared for it or not, life tends to move forward.

We finally got Riley's monitor in yesterday. What fun. The thing doesn't particularly like to hold a signal too long, but it was like that in the hospital too. Once the baby moves, even the slightest, you tend to lose the signal. But, he has been doing great on it. High (and I mean 97-99) saturation. So, 4 p.m. today, we will get to remove the horrible prongs and tape and tubing from his little wee face...that will be so nice.

Wish us luck.

ttfn
k

Oh Whoa

2009-08-12T08:37:00.002-04:00

So, this morning we have our first of many specialist follow ups down at Sick Kids hospital. Fun fun fun. And what makes it more fun, you may be asking yourself, since the drive down to Toronto through horrible traffic for someone who hates downtown driving might not be enough for you? Well, there is the fact that right on our referral form it clearly states "please be prepared to wait at least 2 hours". Um? What? Why not just book me an appointment 2 hours later than the one that I have been given, and actually, I don't know, let me in at that time?

I suppose that would be too easy.

Anywho, we are off to the immunology clinic today. They want to check him out before we meet with the surgeon next week to make sure that the urachal sinus hasn't caused him any additional problems or been the cause of any additional problems. So I suppose it is a necessary evil.

This month is just going to be one of too much. I have that appointment today; Ammy's 6th birthday on Friday (6...when the hell did that happen???); her birthday party on Saturday; Monday is our meeting with the reception hall director and cook; Tuesday Tony is heading down to Buffalo for a prize pack thing that he won which includes him going to the Bills training camp for the day while I take Riley to his surgery clinic appointment; the following Monday is Ammy's annual physical with Riley's pediatric follow up on the Tuesday; that Friday the out-laws fly in; and, of course, the wedding on Saturday. Yeah, it's going to be a little busy.

There are still a thousand and one things that need to be done for the wedding which is, as you can see from the countdown, 16 days away...and I have no clue when I will be able to get to them all. I finally finished the favors, but still need the tags for them. I also still need to get the centrepieces and all the flowers. :S I think I should make a list.

Anywho, off to my waiting period. :)

ttfn
k.

For Times Like These

2009-07-29T01:09:00.004-04:00

So in the update section of this blog, Riley is doing grand. We had his ped appointment yesterday. He is doing wonderful. 10 lbs 10 oz. Such chubby little goodness. He's been home for almost 3 weeks now. And life is so much better for it. I will admit that I was scared poopless being on my own and taking both kids plus Riley's oxygen tank out of the house. Terrifying. But I did it. Ammy is such a wonderful ball of goodness and such a great big sister.

I can honestly say that I don't mind having the extra worry about the sleep/breathing thing. I mean, all parents worry when their infants are sleeping so completely and totally soundly that you are not entirely sure if they are still breathing. For us, it is a little more so, given that he is prone to pulling his nasal prongs off his face. But, we have adjusted (I have found that I can function pretty darn well with about 3-4 hours sleep per day - of course, I feel very full body stoned most of the time, and good lord you don't want to see me if I haven't chucked at least one coffee in me, but still...). Next week, when our RT (Lesley), whom I adore by the by, comes for his weekly check up, she will be bringing a sat monitor with her. Tuesday will be spent monitoring Riley with it, and Wednesday we get to do a 48 hour trial with him completely off the oxygen. No more juggling him and his oxygen tank! Woohoo!

He's such a wide eyed and alert little guy. Seriously. And the head control. I mean, I know that I am supposed to treat him as if he were a 4 week old, but it is damn difficult to do when he is able to do all these wonderful things.

Another perfect example of his "no way that I can treat him as a 4 week old" thing is that he actually holds his bottle. To explain, Riley does wonderful with breast feeding. But, his latch is so damn strong. Unfortunately, my poor nipples are cracked and have been seeping occasionally. I have had to start pumping and bottling him, since the pump (sadly) is more gentle to my nipples than he is. Hopefully they will heal up within the next few days, and I can let him back on, but as it is right now, I physically can't. But, as I mentioned, when I make him a bottle, he will hold it himself. Needs help, but has his hands wrapped right around it. Seriously, what 4 week old could do that?

In knitting (and plain other) news, I have started working on a shawl for the wedding. I know, I know...I started making stockings. But I kinda realized that wool stockings for an August wedding was just not the best use of my skills. I have almost done the stockings. Just need to cuff them. But I have decided to interrupt that project by making a shawl which I will actually use at the wedding. It's coming along great. I, unfortunately, don't have any pictures of it just yet, but will do so shortly.

And, as I mentioned in a previous post, I bought myself a drop spindle. Ta da:

I am thinking I will use the varigated yarn for a nice thick pair of mittens for myself. Just cuz.

I also purchased the following beauty:

I really enjoyed making the yarn. It was fun and interesting and I love that I am going to be making something for myself with yarn I made myself. So, since I found this on craigslist, and it is at a steal of a price, I figured "what the hell". :)

In other wedding news, the boys parents are going to be able to make it. There was some question as to whether they would be able to make it out here for it, and I know that much as he was being all "I understand, you know, the cost and time and so on", he was really kinda upset that they weren't going to be there. I mean, come on...the entire reason we aren't eloping is because he wanted his parents there.

Anywho, that is about all.

ttfn

Riley's Shorts

2009-07-19T00:08:00.002-04:00

Riley's shorts are done:

I made these to fit a 16" waist. Depending on the yarn and needles you use, you can alter this size, but I have found that 16" gives a good bit of give, but not so much that they are falling off his little behind. I have also measured these to fit around a size 1 diaper. As promised, here is the pattern:

Materials:

Loops and Threads Baby Sport (less than 1/2 a ball)
4mm circular needles (16")
Buttons (optional)

Directions:

Cast on 92 stitches. Work 7 rows in stockinette stitch.

Set up for drawstring waist:
At this point, I was able to connect the two sides on the circular needle without a problem. So, join in the round and k one round. Work 2 rounds in stockinette stitch.

K26 st, cast off 2 st, k to end.
K26 st, cast on 2 st, k to end.

K 2 rounds.

Pattern on front of shorts:
K26 st, p20 st, k27 st
Repeat this round for 2 inches (or however long, depending on how far you want the pattern to go - or you can choose to completely leave off the purling if you want something plain and simple).

Work in st st until piece measures 5.5" from the turning round.
K36 st. (You may wish to place a marker after this stitch.)
Kfb, K44 st, kfb. Place sts to marker on holder. (These make up the legs.)
P row.
Kfb first st, k to second last stitch, kfb.
P row.
Repeat the above pattern to 62 st.
Work 8 rows in st st.
Work 6 rows in garter st.
Bind off.

Pick up 46 sts from holder and repeat leg same as other.

Make Icord (I chose to make mine with 2 stitches cast on.)

Sew crotch seams together (increases along legs). Sew leg seams together. Sew split before turning row together. Fold over and sew drawstring in place.

Affix any decorations (i.e. buttons at corners of pattern).

Voila!

Feel free to ask/comment/etc., if you have any questions.

Busy Beaver Says...

2009-07-14T12:34:00.007-04:00

So Riley had his first pediatrician appointment yesterday. Everything went well. He gained 2 oz. over the weekend since he has been home, so no worries on that front. Everything else seems AOK with his health, other than the oxygen, of course. And, since I have been playing around with the new photo thingy on the computer, I thought I would yet again insert loverly pictures of my little man (all prepped out):

In two weeks, my two week old will be going for his four month old shots. Yeah, that sounds really messed up. It was really interesting to hear our pediatrician trying to explain to someone who is shadowing him that although Riley is two weeks old corrected, he was born in April, and is therefore three and half months old.

Ammy came home from a super fun filled weekend with Granny and Gramps.

These are both from the petting zoo...baby piglet and camel...sweet! (They had a llama, but alas, she did not even get me any llama hair to make into wool...some people!)

Swimming like a superstar:

In other news, my shoes died. Ok, maybe fell apart and died a disgraceful death would be more appropriate. They soles of them have been falling apart for a while (damn rain puddles), and the straps no longer velcroed together...and now the tongue completely came out AND the small strip of sole that kept the water from poring in has come out. So, sneaking around on eBay, I found these:

They are slip ons (see the small back part on the heel??), and they appear super comfy. I have heard some good things about volatile, with the exception that they tend to size a little small, so I got one size larger. These ones were actually on clearance in one of the eBay stores, so even after conversion and shipping, they cost me less than $20.00. Perfect. Cheap, comfy, slip ons. What more could I ask for?

And since I get bored without things to do, and love trying new things (plus the fact that I cannot ever seem to just pop on to eBay for just one thing without looking around and ogling a thousand other things), I got myself this:

For those of you who know what this is, kudos, and I am sure that you will delight in reading my loverly upcoming frustrations in connection with it. For those who don't, this is a drop spindle and fibre. I am going to teach myself how to spin wool. :) I love the colour combo of the "pumpkin patch" bag, which is what this is. I don't know, there is just something awesome about greens and oranges and browns and yellows.

Anywho, that is about all. Currently working on my PLAR portfolio, which will help me to obtain credits for personal life experience, as I am planning on returning to school next year (hopefully).

Tis all, and till next time.
ttfn
k

Stress Relief is an Amazing Thing

2009-07-12T17:49:00.002-04:00

Wow...hard to believe just how much better I am feeling with the hospital stress all gone.

Spoke with our primary nurse from Mount Sinai yesterday to give her an update on Riley. She was super excited to hear that he was doing so well, and she was very happy that we were able to transfer him out of MS to somewhere with more flexibility.

But, on the topic of being calmer, I have started designing my own pair of pants for Riley. Will post the pattern when I have completed them, but so far, they are coming along ok.

Also, I spent a good chunk of the day doing something I haven't done in ages...planting. I know, I am slightly behind in the season for it, but I don't care. It was nice to get my hands in the dirt. We now have a few sunflowers, beans and tomatos. I am thinking I may also nip back and grab some cukes. I love veggies grown by my own hands. Haven't had them in about 5 years, but they are the best.

Anywho, the little man (who, I might add, has established himself in a lovely pattern of bed around midnight, up around 5...how awesome is that??? 5 full hours of sleep!!!) is up and snuffling (and smelling like the wrong side of a horse) so...

ttfn
k

Home, Home on the Range

2009-07-10T15:31:00.004-04:00

So, we started our day off with the visit from the oxygen people. Got our 3 tanks, and were shown how to work them. Good lord but they are super sensitive.

And, since the only issue *might* have been if he didn't gain weight without the fortifier, I called in to find out how his weigh in went. He gained 66 grams! Awesome, awesome...then I hear "but". What? No, no buts! I refuse.

Apparently the little bugger decided to have a bit of a spell, so they had to increase him from 10ccs to 50ccs in less than a 2 hour span. Not good. Our doctor decided that if he stayed stable, we could take him home after his 6 p.m. feeding. If not, then he would be there at least over the weekend.

So we decided to go up for the noon feed, and to get him dressed in his going home clothes and bring up the portable oxygen tank, believing wholeheartedly that he would be good for the 6 p.m. take home.

Look at how irresistible he is:

And here he is all strapped in with a very, very proud papa:

I wish I could sleep on a dime like this...seriously, doesn't this look so very far from comfortable?:

His first nap AT HOME (he is currently just to my right right now):

Needless to say, when we got to the hospital for his feed, he was back to 10ccs. We asked the nurse if this meant we could take him home today, and she told us that as soon as he was done with his feed, we could take him. Right then. No waiting until evening.

So all the running around we were planning on doing before we got to the hospital to pick him up...yeah, I have sent the other half out to do...

Well, I am off to ogle my boy.

ttfn
k

Amazing What Occurs to You When You Can Actually Relax

2009-07-09T04:00:00.010-04:00

For starters, just because, umlaut, umlaut, umlaut! (Sorry, this word got stuck in my head earlier today for no apparent reason. Just thought I would share. And for those of you who don't know what that is, check here.)

Second, now that the stress of when I will be getting my boy home is gone, I feel much relieved. I mean, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I was barely keeping it together there for a while. I don't shirk away from that one. But I was stressed. And come on...seriously, how many people do you know could sanely handle 14.5 weeks of having a child they couldn't hold when they wanted to, change when he needed it, feed on demand, smell and sniff and play and double check that there are 10 little fingers and 10 little toes? Right. There is your slice of perception for the day.

Our first cuddles with great-nanny (who, I might add, was tickled pink with getting to see him...we wouldn't allow people to force the game of "you come down to toronto at such and such a time so I can see the baby"):

And on that note, if we skip back 14.5 weeks:

This was my first glimpse of Riley (after the initial red, screaming thing that just fought his way into the world before being whisked away to be saran wrapped). Kinda terrifying. Kinda completely terrifying.

Then we were blue...and I mean that quite literally.

One of the first holds...

my boob is bigger than his head...and pretty much all of him (yes, this will scar him when he is older).

Finally looking human...with the exception of that horrible machine which I hope to never have to name again:

Rolling along nicely...

Behind bars:

Finally off the obnoxious machine:

Look...even he is cheering.

Chilling in our bouncy chair (this was on his due date...June 28, 2009):

And now...and 98 days old...

For those of you doing the math, Riley will be coming home on his 101 day of post-uterus living. :)

I'm heading in to the hospital today to give him some loving and cuddles, a bath, and to pick up the rest of his swag that is there (the bouncy chair, the clothes, the bathtub).

A part of me is still thinking this can't be real yet. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.

ttfn
k

Best Friday Ever!

2009-07-08T01:55:00.002-04:00

This morning (well, technically yesterday morning, I suppose), we were advised that Riley will be coming home on Friday!!! Yes, I still am almost in tears every time I think of that. He is coming home. Like to our house. To stay. No more hospitals. No more baring my breasts in the middle of a nursery because he cannot leave the bedside or oxygen that he is connected to. No more listening to "code blue; front lobby"; "code yellow; please log on to staff site for description"; and so forth. No more.

Yes, he will be coming home on oxygen. But I am okay with that. We will have a respiratory team out on Friday morning to set everything up, and then we just have to go pick the little guy up.

My parents will be taking Ammy from Thursday night until Monday, as they want us to have a few days to adjust to him being here, and to learn how to move around and operate normally with Riley's oxygen. They are wonderful peoples.

I need sleep now. I know that I need sleep. I just don't know how it is going to come. I am still completely spun.

ttfn
k.

40+3

2009-06-30T03:23:00.006-04:00

Well, today we are three days overdue, and Riley is 3 months old. Interesting that, eh?

Anywho, I spent a loverly weekend at the hospital (and yes, for those of you who have asked and who are wondering, Mount Sinai WAS under quarantine for H1N1...there was an exposure to both the NICU and Level II nurseries due to a visitor with H1N1). Last week, we were still battling with the doctors telling us that Riley could not handle oral feeds. This came about when one of the nurses we got stuck with...and yes, I mean "got stuck with"...gave him a bottle too quickly, and he immediately vomiting almost the entire feed back up. Now, prior to this, Riley had taken maybe 8 bottles...and all of them had been paced. I called in last week to hear "well, he took his bottle too quickly and threw it all back up". Um, first off, the kid is 12 weeks old. He didn't take anything too quickly, you gave it to him too quickly. Second off, please tell me for the love of christ that you didn't chart it that way, as I have spent the last 2 weeks battling for them to provide him with bottles when I am not there to breast feed, since that is the only thing keeping them from sending him home on oxygen.

Well, sure enough, the damn RN had charted it, and Riley's feeds were changed back to 1 bottle per shift; breast feeding on demand ad lib when mom in. Meaning, in short, that if I wasn't there to breast feed him, he would be allowed to do one bottle, and other than that, it would all go through his feeding tube. So yes, I freaked out and forced them to see that he can handle it. I booked myself into their care by parent room, and spent the entire weekend in the damn level II showing them that he could do it. I hate that it had to come to that. That the level of credit he is being given is completely negligible unless I am taking it into my own hands. But, the up side of it is that the feeding tube is completely gone now, and is not going to be going back in. He is now on bottle or breast, period end of story.

Of course, it helps that he is no longer at Mount Sinai.

That's right. No more 6 doctor panel in order to change things. No more nurses agreeing that things should be different, but doctor on call not wanting to stir the pot by changing anything. No more "your son can't do this, but we aren't going to bother setting up any sort of a plan to get him to". How freaking awesome is that?!?

While I was rooming in at MS, I spoke with one of the doctors (after they grudgingly admitted that he was able to handle all oral feeds) about starting the process to transfer him out to Credit Valley, if they had space, and home on oxygen, if they didn't. He stated CV had no spaces, but that he could certainly put in the request to start the home on oxygen process...which would take about 3 weeks! 3 weeks?!? "If we rush it, we may be able to get it through in 10 - 14 days." Okay, I don't even want to have him here under your "care" for another day let alone another 2 weeks. Then, of course, this was mentioned to one of the nurses, who completely contradicted him in his timeline (saying that it only took a few days for the process and approval to go through). Followed by another doctor contradicting both of their timelines. Yeah, it was time for us to get out of that place.

However, one of our nurses was a gem and called CV (where she also works) about a bed space for him since he was born there. They had one, and were willing to hold it for Riley until the clearance regarding H1N1 was given. Great! Wonderful! Phenom! Until they decided that there was another baby in the level 2 who had been on the list to transfer to CV (who was born at Mount Sinai) that they decided they would let have that bed space. Um, first off, Riley was born there. He has top priority to go back. Second off, the baby in question who essentially stole our bed space has been having issues and even the other nurses have flat out said that he shouldn't be transferred anytime soon. But yeah, sure, you go ahead and give our damn spot to that baby. Can't say as how I could expect any less.

I am sure that if I wasn't dealing with constant negativity (such as being told that Riley going from "he can't survive off his CPAP" to 50-80 ccs of oxygen in a little less than 2 weeks being considered "not very good" and "virtually no progress"), I may have been a little more understanding. As it is, not really. I am no longer in the mood to play nice with that place.

So, Riley has moved to Trillium. I went over his first night to visit him (around 1:30 a.m.). He was settled and great. He is already making progress on what he was when he was at MS. He is down to 75ccs of oxygen at 50%, which is a big step up from the 80-100 ccs of oxygen at 100% that they kept sticking him on at MS. And he only has one doctor who will decide upon his care based on him. Hmmm...taking things on a baby by baby basis? What an interesting concept.

I also love that he is allowed to have all the little knitted things I made for him (such as his hats and his booties and his blanket). AND, best of all, my daughter is so very happy that she can finally touch him, and hold his hand, and rub his back. She was almost in tears over the fact that she couldn't do any of that.

His doctor (the only one that he has) has decided that she wants to monitor him for a few days, and will decide on Monday if sending him home on oxygen would be the best bet. If she believes so, we will have the RTs in that morning, and hopefully have him home a few days after that. If she thinks that he is doing good and making some real progress, to the point that in a few weeks, she thinks he can shake the need for the oxygen all together, she will let us know, and they will keep him in for those few weeks.

Either way, it takes me 15 minutes to drive over there in heavy-ish traffic. I can go up and feed him, come home and eat and play with my daughter, go back for his next feed (almost have a normal life. And I don't have to battle people for my son to get an inch of credit. That is probably one of the nicest things.

ttfn
k

Please Sir, I Want Off This Ride

2009-06-24T09:34:00.007-04:00

Well, it has been a rough ride, and still it is going. :( I hate that. Most of the people who we started our NICU journey with are home now. A few who we knew that had preterms after us are prepping to go home (the last of whom will be home this Saturday). We, however, can't even get moved closer to home.

Many of the friends we made while at the NICU have gone home now. The last of them left yesterday. Most of them were born after Riley (both gestational and actual). And still we are looking at July or August to get him home. And, as they have already discussed him coming home on oxygen, that is likely going to be the case. I hate this. I really and truly hate this. It is beyond frustrating and I hate that I feel like some hormonally charged, angst ridden teenager. It has been 12 weeks. Our due date is Sunday. And still we do not have a clue when our son is coming home.

Riley's breathing issues are getting better, slowly...very slowly. He is now down to low-flow 24/7. But that doesn't mean sweet jack at the moment, since he is still down in Toronto in the Annex, and still requiring enough oxygen that they haven't even bothered to discuss discharging him with us.

He makes these baby steps, that most of the preemies made weeks before him, gestationally speaking, and even though I get very excited about it because he is doing things better, or without intervention, to say the least, it is still a baby step that should have been taken weeks ago. Seriously, can I even call him a preemie anymore? I mean, he is past being "full term". He is over 8.5 lbs.

And I hate having to explain to people that yes, I did have a baby, but no, he is not home. Yes, I know I was due this month. No, I did not go full term. No, it is not a freaking vacation having a full term child who is not able to be home with us, so please stop making it seem like a dream that I don't have to wake up to screaming and dirty diapers several times over the course of the night.

I don't know when he started smiling. When did he learn this one? (I hate that I cannot just appreciate the smile, as my first thought AFTER "OMG, look how cute he is" was "I bet one of the nurses here was the first to see this miracle".)

I'm frustrated. Seriously frustrated. And, as before, there is not a damn thing that I can do about it. I can suck it up, drive down to Toronto to spend a few hours with him (because with another child at home, I don't have the luxury of spending 24/7 with him down there), come back home, clean and cook and go through the motions of everyday, ordinary life, pump, and cry myself to sleep; only to repeat it all over again the next day. Just like I have the last 85 days.

A part of me cannot stand going down to that hospital anymore. There is nothing wrong with the hospital itself. Don't think that in the least. This is not like my experience with Women's where I despised the place because of the people I was dealing with and the "care" I received. I just can't stand going down there anymore and knowing that I have to leave that part of my heart there every night. And as much as I don't want to do this anymore, as much as I cannot stand even thinking of heading down there again, I know that I will, because I cannot stand to not go down to see him and be with him.

This is the blanket I mentioned in my previous post. I am about 1/2 way done now, but have become so lackadaisical in continuing it, because it seems to have become a bit symbolic in the downward spiral pattern. That is how this is starting to feel...and that is, sadly, the only thing that I can think of whenever I pick it up. (Yes, great big fie on the friend who pointed that one out to me.)

I won't apologize for the sullenness of this post. (You read it and no one forced you.) I got set off this morning when I received yet another "they are sending my son home on Saturday...I am no where near ready. Are you guys?" text message. Yes, I am freaking ready. I am more than ready...yes, we have all our furniture and all the accoutrements that babies come with and likely will never need.

Bah!

The Post In Which KnittyBitch Tries to See the Bright Side

2009-06-08T20:22:00.005-04:00

Well dear readers, as you know, my son's breathing has been an uphill issue with the hubby and I. Earlier this week, after questioning if it might be related to the fact that I have an immune system disorder (my body fails to respond when I have a simple infection, and often times does not respond to infection in the "ordinary" course), or other medical problems which have occurred on both hubby's side of the family and mine, as well as questioning what I might have done wrong (if you are or know a preterm mother, the guilt is a common, though illogical, thing), we finally received a straight answer, of sorts. My son has been diagnosed with a chronic lung disease. It is gestationally related (he is over 36 weeks and still requires a fair amount of outside help with breathing), and sadly there is nothing that anyone can do to facilitate his recovery from it. This type of lung disease does not have any hard and fast rules for what can be done to make the child breath. Some things work for some children, some things work for others. But, there is nothing that is constant with any child, beyond time. So, at this moment in time, we are looking at "at least" another 3-4 weeks in the NICU. Because of how badly he responds to low-flow (i.e. the last time they tried him on it, he was at 600 oxygen on low-flow, and destated to 49% in less than 10 minutes), they want to give him more time before trying again. This has hit the point of frustration that is well beyond having anything left to say.

So the above was actually written last weekend. On Tuesday just past, we had our family meeting with the staff neonatalogist and the nurses, as well as the NICU coordinator and social worker at the hospital. At that meeting, we were advised that we were looking at at least 6-8 weeks of Riley remaining in the hospital, before they would look at sending him home on oxygen. They decided that they weren't going to even consider trying him on the low-flow again for another week. He just didn't get it. Both of us expressed our frustration at the fact that we honestly believe that he can do these things, but that he isn't being given a chance to try in circumstances that are optimal for success (i.e. every time that he was apparently tried on low-flow, we were never there for it, despite calling in to tell them when we would be). So on Wednesday, we arrive to be told that they are putting him on one hour low-flow during breastfeeding, and will keep him on the 9 hours of high flow as well. What? What happened to the statements of "he can't handle it, so we aren't even going to try"? Apparently our nurse for the day, who was one who had been there for many years, decided she also believed he could do it, so screw it, she was trying. The RTs agreed with her. So it was done. And he did amazing! They put him at 400, and for the entire hour, WHILE BREASTFEEDING, the lowest his saturation went was 96%. This is, I should mention, much better than he ever does on the CPAP. So the nurse charted how well he did, and decided that she would tell the Drs that he could handle the hour without issue. Thursday, same thing. One hour LF...they had to turn it down to 100 just to stop him from setting off his "over saturating" alarm. All this while breastfeeding. Amazing!

That evening, they moved Riley to the annex (which is a step between NICU and Level 2). It was agreed there that they would increase his breastfeeds and his low flow, since he appeared to be doing great with it. Since they are still operating under the assumption that he can't do it, though, they only increased it to 6 hours and completely got rid of the high flow, but what can you do. So, we are now doing 6 hours of low flow and 2 sessions of breastfeeding a day. Hopefully, since the nurses in the Annex are awesome and have seen how well he is doing and read his past charts (often times asking me "um, why is he still on the CPAP? I don't want to put him back on it, he hates it"), I am hoping that on Monday they will increase his low-flow time.

I must say, though, that I hate (and I mean deep down hate) that the doctors keep telling us that our son can't do things, and that he is not able to handle these things that we know he can, and finally agreeing with us. I have stopped attending the rounds for this reason. They piss me off. I know that they "have the child's best interest" at heart, but I am sick to death of fighting them, and it doesn't amount to anything, so...

In other news, I have started the OpArt blanket for Riley. Not too far into it, but after only a few rounds, you can already see the illusionary effect of it. I have also completely finished his sweater, and several more of the aviatrix hats.

I will post with pictures later, but for the moment, check out the chunky monkey:

Since I am Getting Married Soon

2009-06-02T15:32:00.001-04:00

Just thought I would share this, since it is probably one of the best answers ever (leave it to Grover, man)!

June...Already...

2009-06-02T10:01:00.002-04:00

Yeah, I can't believe that. I am still sort of stunned by the fact that my little man turned 2 months old yesterday, however isn't due for another 26 days. That is, all things considered, really very freaky.

However, on the topic of my little man, he is doing good. They have upped his high flow to 6 hours daily. WEEEE!!!! Hoping it means that we will start to hear the word "low flow" being tossed around soon. Seriously...it has been over 2 months now. I hate that when I go in to visit him at the NICU, babies who have been there for 2 weeks who were born at a younger gestation than him are chilling out on the low flow and looking to be transferred down to level 2 while they are still within their first month of life.

I know, I know. You can't compare babies. But still, it is bloody frustrating. I mean, I had the lovely shots in my hips which were supposed to mature his lungs...most of these ladies didn't. Riley didn't have to be resuscitated...most of these babies did. Riley is 63 days old...most of these babies are under 30. Why the hell can't he get rid of this CPAP?

Yesterday, he did amazing on the 6 hours of high flow. Rocked it out at 35% for the entire 6 hours...and stayed in the mid to high 90s the entire time. Then they flipped him back to CPAP...at 40%...because he kept desating at anything lower. Seriously? Seriously...what the hell is that?

Anywho, rant over now. I am still happy that he is doing so well, and that he is starting to make progress, and that he is doing good with the breastfeeding. I am just very disappointed with seeing every other baby around us move from intubation to biphasic CPAP to CPAP at room pressure while my little guy is going ass backwards and keeps going up in necessary oxygen on the bloody CPAP.

I guess the worse part is that there is nothing that can be done, and no reason that can be found for this. His lungs appear to be fine and very well developed. He just doesn't seem to have the ability to keep his saturation levels up. And I am getting really, REALLY sick of hearing "well, he will do it on his own at his own time". I know this. I realize that I won't have a twelve year old still sitting around in the NICU. But that doesn't mean that all the false hope of him moving to a level 2 and being home before his due date that I was filled with from the comments of how wonderful he was doing and how healthy and strong he was (all things being considered) doesn't affect me every waking hour. And the fact of the matter is that if I were to have had him today, he would be coming home with me tomorrow.

ttfn
k

Finally seeing some progress

2009-05-31T01:32:00.007-04:00

Such a good last few days. Seriously, very happy with myself for all that has been accomplished over the last few...and how much others (note: Riley) have accomplished.

So, in the most important of the news's, Riley is still doing great on the high flow. He has been on it for handlings for the last 5 days in a row, and each time they have weened his oxygen down, and he has continued to rock it like a superstar. As of today's hold, he was down to 37/38% and kept himself around 94/95% saturation. Our nurse (our primary) was on today, so she has put in a request that he go to "as long as he can handle" for the high flow. Both yesterday and today, they put him on the high flow before the handlings, so he was on it for longer than just the "one hour during handles" that is currently written in his charts. Today was a busy day for him, too. While he should have had his shots (he is 60 days old already...seriously, how did that happen???), there was no prescription ordered for it, so he will be getting that tomorrow. However, when I got there, Andrea had him flipped to high flow, and we had a bath. He is too big to fit in the salad bowl any more, so they are going to have to move over one of the baths from Level 2 for him. But it was wonderful for me. And look:

Mad Scientist Hair!!!

And while we did our cuddles today, once again we did the NNS. Each time, he has been really good with handling swallowing the milk that releases when he first latches. And today, he actually got about 3-4 good size mouthfuls swallowed. I was so very happy about that (of course, that was in addition to his feed of 58 mls). And the results after 4 swallows and 20 minutes:

He spent the rest of our cuddling time like that...out cold and using his former snack provider as a pillow.

So, the other day my daughter and I went out to the store by our place, and crossed the path of the local thrift shop. It is a small, hole in the wall place, with "Bibles for Missions" written in HUGE letters on the front window. Needless to say, being agnostic, and having had a bad experience of an overly pushy devout woman last time I was in a thrift shop with a religious connection, I was a little iffy, but thought they might have a comfy chair that I could pick up cheap.
Well, I didn't find a chair, but check out the other goodies I stumbled upon (for a total of $9.00):

I plan on making myself a chunky vest with the red. With the other colours (the Sirdar balls), I am planning on making a bunch of hats/booties/mittens for Riley. One of the balls has a purple mixed in, and I am going to make Ammy a new winter hat with that (thinking I might just alter the Aviatrix pattern to fit her head). Speaking of the Aviatrix hat:

Yes, I have finished the second of these hats, and have started on the matching booties.
Tis all...it's late and I have to pump then hit the sack.

ttfn
Kel

We are cleared for take off

2009-05-27T23:26:00.003-04:00

So last night, I set Riley's new sweater to block, and was kinda wasting time, being very reluctant to work on the second sock for my hubby since I hate doing a second sock (yes, I suffer greatly from one sock-itis), when I stumbled upon the aviatrix baby hat which I saved on Ravelry eons ago. I LOVE THIS HAT. Seriously. I started it last night during my 1:30 a.m. pump, and look...this was it this afternoon:

So adorable (yes, I will be making more and in a multitude of colours), and such a quick knit. I think I have a new favorite for gifties for friends who are expecting.

I have also realized that I horrendously over estimated the size of Riley's sweater, and have enough of the blue wool left over to make a matching pair of pants. Yes sir, I think I will. Am thinking I will alter the pattern to have a sailor's bib, since there is nothing cuter than a baby boy in sailor's pants. :)

On the topic of my little man, we started NNS yesterday. They put him on high flow (which he rocked out at 97-99% saturation the entire time) and let me have at it (or him...hmm...not sure which that would be). Anywho, I was super impressed with our little rockstar, since he got a little bit of milk (it was bound to happen), and didn't freak out or choke, but calmly swallowed and continued on breathing...no desat, no cough, nothing. Just swallowed and kept on breathing. And good lord does the boy have a good latch. He fell asleep after about 20 minutes, but if I tried to move him away from the nipple, he would immediately start sucking again just so he could stay...then would promptly fall back asleep.

AND, since he did so well on the high flow, they are going to start putting him on it at least 2 times per day for one hour periods, just to get him used to it. From there, they will try to change it up and get him on low flow for one holding, and high flow for the other. Right now, they are happy that he is able to handle it without the constant pressure provided by the CPAP.

ttfn
k

Frustrations and General Crud

2009-05-23T14:40:00.017-04:00

What an interesting last little while. For starters, I still hate EI and their inability to process an application even AFTER they have given themselves a 10 day grace period. Seriously...we are now on day 46 of the 28 day processing period. Fun, eh? I suppose different areas of the government will always remain a part of the government and I shouldn't expect overmuch with them. Side note, really interesting article that I think everyone should read here. There is a lot about this proposed HST that most people are completely unaware of...like the fact that services we don't currently pay the PST on (i.e. gas, home heating fuel, water, hydro, used cars, government and city services, real estate fees and many other professional services) will now have the 8% PST tacked on by default under the 13% HST. Yes, this bothers me. I am not one to discuss politics or the government, as I honestly believe that they are all as bad as one another (seriously, if I am raising my children not to lie and steal and cheat, why the hell would I support any entity or group of persons who have such a long history of lying, stealing and cheating - "better health care"; "shorter wait times"; "more support for families" - any of these ring a bell??), but I think that everyone should be made aware of these goings on, as we do have a tendency to bend over and take it when the government announces some new tax, or any sort of cut to services, because we feel we can't do anything to change it.

Sorry, now that that rant is over, let's move on to nicer things (and some not so nice things). In the world of Riley, this has been one of the more frustrating weeks. Our little man is a lazy boy. I fully acknowledge that. If you read this blog regularly, you know that he was listed as being biphasic dependent for ages before our primary nurse decided that she didn't care if he sent his saturation bells and whistles off, he could handle it, and was being lazy and just not wanting to. She shut his biphasic off, and yes, he complained and alarmed for a day before settling himself when no one would provide him with the part of the CPAP that would breath for him. The last two weeks, the o2 on his CPAP has remained between 30 and 35. None of the nurses would give him a chance to do anything lower than what he had been on the day before, even if he was saturating high on what they had him at. And he wasn't being allowed to try the low flow again, since the RN we had one day decided to try him on it while no one was around (he sats higher when being held) and he didn't do so well...which also put a minimum 2 day lapse on his next try, which put us into the weekend when no RT was around. The boy should have started NNS already, which he can't do on CPAP.

And we kept being told he was "supposed" to be at 34, 35, etc. Well, where the hell did this "supposed to" come from? No one could answer. And it became even more frustrating when we came in on Tuesday and his RN was changing the bedding and had accidentally knocked the o2 down to 24. I didn't say anything, as he was holding his own at that level. After about 10 minutes, the other half came in and commented about him being down to 24. Of course, the nurse immediately jacked him up to 35 because he was "supposed to be at that level". When I asked what she meant by he was supposed to be at that level, she just kept repeating it, and telling me he couldn't handle any lower. Um, I just stood here for 10 minutes watching him handle 24%, so don't tell me he can't handle it. But fine, whatever. I am not going to get into an argument with yet another new nurse this week. Then, as I am sitting there thumbing through his charts to see what is going on and if the results have come in from his follow up head ultrasound, I noticed that the drs have listed him as being "CPAP dependent". Um, why? Because the nurses don't know him (he had a new one every day for the last 7 days at that point in time), so they just kept him on what he had been on, and didn't give him any time to recover before turning the o2 up? Also noticed that along with the head ultrasound, they did an abdominal one, and he would have to see a surgeon after discharge for a urachal remnant. What?? I didn't even know that he was getting an abdominal ultrasound.

So, of course, I did what any parent in the NICU would have done. I asked to speak with a dr. Unfortunately, they were all in recess. So, we asked that a note be left for them to call us, as we wanted to speak with one ASAP. When we called in later that evening, no note had been left. And, of course, Riley had started to desat, so he was now up to 35% o2. I ended up going in the following morning first thing, and had a long, long talk with our dr. He explained the urachal remnant that Riley had (which was something he had never even heard of...not the U.R. itself, but the type of one that Riley has developed...a failure of one of the tubes attached to the umbilicus to dissolve so it is still supplying blood to the outer belly button - which is why his belly button hasn't fallen off yet) and that the surgeon was just a precaution...they want to see if it will dry up on its own, but if not, they may have to operate on his belly button to remove the tube. His brain bleeds, though, seem to have been reabsorbed into his brain, with trace amounts of blood in his occipital lobe. Then we got to the breathing issue.

Thankfully, as he is Riley's actual dr, he knows what he is like. He completely agreed that if he is holding his own, there is no reason for the nurses to bump his o2 up, and he would mention that at rounds and to the other fellows in case we ever argued with the nurses regarding protocol vs. what our son is like. He also agreed that since the window for the time that Riley should be starting the NNS is coming near its end, getting him onto something other than the CPAP so that he can start doing that is a necessity...even if it means flipping him to high flow as opposed to low flow. So, starting Monday, I will be able to start the NNS. :)

Here is the latest picture of our little tank (2600 grams...an 85 gram gain from yesterday - approximately 5 lbs 10 ounces):

In other news, and on the topic of the little ones, my daughter recently wanted to chop her hair off, since she cannot stand getting it brushed (she has very curly hair, and it gets knotted very easily) and it often ends up in tears, even with a half a bottle of detangler. The final result (here's a before and after):

FABULOUS!!

And, in the world of knitting, I am almost done the second sock for the big man. I can't believe that it didn't take me months this time...lol...(last pair of socks I made him started in August of last year and finished about a month ago...yeah, I am bad like that). Anywho, here is the updated in progress picture (which will hopefully become a finished product by the end of the week):

I've also started making some headway on Riley's sweater (the skull sweater is not going to fit him when he finally gets out of hospital at the rate he is growing...guess I will have to make another one):

That is really all that is new and exciting. It is damn early, as I was up with the yellow beastie (my lovely medela pump, that is) at 5 this morning. Definitely time for coffee (oh, that reminds me...last picture...this is what happens to concrete when Timmies is spilled on it:

On that delicious note, ttfn
k.

Cuz this is how we roll

2009-05-14T07:35:00.004-04:00

We have rolls! Sorry, I personally think that for a kid that was born weighing 2 lbs 9 oz., being up to 4 lbs 9 oz. is awesome. Especially since he hasn't gotten much longer, so the fat is just collecting. :) And, this weight gain (which puts him at 2070 grams) makes him eligible for a crib. We put in the request last night. So, as soon as one is available (the NICUs only have a limited number of them, which is understandable considering that most of the babies in there are required to be in isolets), he will be moved over into one. He is also being tested on the low flow. He is not doing overly great with it yet, but 15 minutes is 15 minutes. They are going to try changing him to that when he is handling, which usually he tends to saturate high during that time, so I am hoping that will ease him into it. Going to be heading up to the hospital shortly and they will try that today (we have a long day, since we also have the CPR course tonight from 6-9).

I guess in a way, with him still being in the isolet, it is a good thing that he is still on the CPAP, though, as good lord does the boy have gas. Seriously, I don't know how such a smell can come out of such a cute and tiny little bottom. Seriously dude, it is enough to fell a horse at 60 paces. When you can smell it through a big, insulated, plastic box, it is bad.

I have also discovered that we are not immune to having some very dim nurses. We had one call last week to tell us that we needed to bring more milk in. Fine, we did, only to discover that she apparently failed to actually look in the freezer, as there was already a very large bag filled with my milk. But whatever, they just have extra (as our primary nurse said "well, at least you don't have to bring milk in again...ever"). So on Monday, this same nurse calls around 11:30 a.m. telling me that I have to bring in milk, as they only have 3 bottles left. The conversation went as follows:

RN: We have no milk. When are you coming in?
Me: Well, we aren't coming in until later on this evening, for the 6 o clock handling. But there is about a 3 month supply of milk down there already. We brought more in last week when you told us, only to find out that there was a full supply already there.
RN: Then I need your permission to give him formula.
Me: No, you don't have my permission. There is more than enough milk there.
RN: There are only 3 bottles, so I will be giving him formula.
Me: No, no you aren't. You don't have my permission to give him formula. I will call in and speak with the doctor and let them know that no permission has been given, if that is what it takes. Please go look in the freezer.
RN: We don't have any, but I will go check again and call you back to get your permission to give him formula.
Me: Yes, please do that.

****20 minutes later****

RN: I found the milk, but it was in a different compartment. You have too much milk here.
Me: Yes, I am aware, but was told that it was fine; just means that I don't have to bring anymore in at all.
RN: But you are taking up two compartments.
Me: I am aware of that as well, but you told me last week you had none, so more was brought in.
RN: What if someone else needs that space?
Me: Not my problem. I was told to bring in more, I brought in more. This is why the freezers are supposed to be checked before someone is told to bring in more milk.
RN: Maybe you should take some back home?
Me: No, but while I have you on the line, how did the eye exam go?
RN: They found a spot on his eye and would like to follow up in 2 weeks.
Me: What do you mean spot? What sort of a spot? What does that mean?
RN: I don't know. Nothing serious.
Me: Ok, is this a normal, standard follow up?
RN: No, I told you, they found a spot on his eye.
Me: Well what kind of a spot?
RN: It's nothing serious.
Me: Ok, but if they want to follow up on it, it must mean something.
RN: Yes, but I don't know what.

I hung up at that point. Really, not very helpful, especially with the telling me to bring in more milk, then telling me there is too much there. Grrrr! So, it turns out that there is nothing at all wrong with his eyes. I am guessing she looked at the little picture that they drew, and figured since they drew a mark on the eye on the form to indicate where his veins are, she took that to mean that he has a mark there on his actual eyeball. I don't know, and gave up trying to figure it out. These are the days that I miss our primary nurse when she is away.

On other gripes, I have learned to hate the protesters. If you live in Ontario, you know the ones I am talking about. Seriously, you wanna walk and protest a cause, go for it. But don't do it in front of the freaking hospitals...don't block the four main hospitals in Toronto...especially when 2 of those hospitals deal with many children. Do you seriously think blocking people from seeing their ill and, in some cases, terminal children is the way to go about garnering support? Do you think that I will support or at this point even listen to anything you have to say when you are causing what should be a 20-25 minute drive to take almost 2 freaking hours? I just want to see my son, and your group is deciding that standing in the middle of a highway is the appropriate protocol, or blocking all major streets in the downtown core that lead to the hospital is a great way to get attention? Well yes, you are getting attention. But I can guarantee that as far as I am concerned, it is definitely not the kind of attention that you would want. I mean, I look at you now with contempt for keeping me from seeing my infant son. I fear every time we head down because I don't know where you are going to be and in what way you are going to screw my visit with him. And I hate that due to the fact that it is peaceful and only disrupting the lives of anyone trying to get in or out of the city, or trying to get to one of those 4 hospitals, that there is nothing the police can do but assist you in your inane parades. Seriously, if you are stupid enough to stand on a freaking highway, you should not be provided with police intervention blocking said highway. If I was dumb enough to do that, rather than thinking I was making a point, I would expect to get hit, or arrested, or both. And then, after making a drive into the city an absolute nightmare because you have blocked rush hour traffic out of the city, you expect that I am going to gladly take the pamphlet you are trying to hand me through the car window? No. Seriously dude, no.

And then it makes me bitter and turns my thoughts elsewhere. Like do these people not have jobs? I can guarantee that if I took off as much time as this group seems to to stand around and march and block others who are trying to get in and out of the city, most presumably to their jobs, that I would not have my own job for very much longer. And I get most upset at this, as I am sure that there are many of them who, like the rest of this country, have been laid off. And in those circumstances, they are likely collecting EI, for which I filed almost 6 weeks ago, and still no decision has been reached. And I hate thinking like that, but seriously...why the hell are any of them receiving EI to stand around and make life pretty freaking difficult for everyone else, while I am battling with EI for my claim to go through because I simply want to be able to see my son and spend time with him without going completely broke?

Honest, this is not racially motivated anger. I would feel this way at this point in time no matter who the hell it was shutting down the damn city and putting everyone on edge (not to mention making those outside the city fear what they are going to be dealing with if they have to actually come in to Toronto). And I am sure that they have brought up issues that could be taken into consideration at some point (like when they blocked Front Street right in front of Union at rush hour a few months back), but at this point, after all the trouble that it has caused not only me, but others who are trying to get in and out of the downtown core to visit family members, children, etc., I really don't give a flying f*ck at a rolling donut what their damn point was.

Ok, rant over. (Yes, I realize that it will not make a difference and likely this weekend while I try to head down to spend some time with my son, they will screw my drive in over and I should plan to leave here at 6 a.m. to make it down for 3 p.m.)

ttfn
k

Big Steps, Little Steps

2009-05-06T22:32:00.003-04:00

Well, Riley is doing wonderful in the weight gaining department. As of last night, he was up to 3 pounds 14 ounces. His feeds are now up to 35 ml/3 hours. So very happy with that.

Since the infection that Riley went through a few weeks back, his breathing hasn't gotten back to what it was. It is a hard thing to see, especially since he was doing so well with that portion of his development during the first week and a bit of his life. But that damn infection just knocked him back so much. And I know that there is nothing that could have been done for it in any way, shape or form, but that doesn't mean that I don't hate it. Unfortunately, there is no one to rage and rant at for it. It is what it is. He went from being down to low flow to being back on bi-phasic CPAP (this means that it keeps his pressures, and in essence, if they aren't up to what the machine dictates, it gives him an extra breath). His pressures on the bi-phasic have been maxed (which is 10%/7%), and his oxygen has constantly been at 32% (room pressure, what we breath, is 21%). This has been a constant for the last 2 weeks. They have attempted to bring these numbers down, but to no avail. One nurse attempted to bring his oxygen down to 29%, to which he began spelling every 10 minutes. Not good. They had no choice but to bring it back up again. It is just hard, given that he has made virtually no progress as far as that is concerned.

Our primary nurse was in today, and I asked her about this - if the doctors would order another xray to see if there was something impeding his improvement of his lungs. We discussed that, and the fact that nothing has changed at all in the last 2 weeks, which was worrying me very much since the last change was just after the infection - dropping the oxygen from 42% to 32%. So she decided to dropped his pressures, despite the doctor having said that they didn't want to because of the number of spells he was having, purely because she thought he was ready, and she is the one that has to watch over him. He seemed to be doing good on the lower pressures. The numbers are still high (8%/5%), but at least we are finally seeing some movement.

We got the results of his second follow up ultrasound. He still has the grade two intercranial bleed, however it appears to be slightly smaller. They will do another follow up in two weeks time.

He also has his eye exam scheduled for Monday (it should have been last Monday, but someone forgot to put it on the list). His poor little eyes are all puffy still from the CPAP (the CPAP causes their eyes to swell, I would assume due to the pressure constantly being pushed into their sinus cavity along with the lungs). :(

They also requested a physio consult for him, which was performed today. Both Tony and I noticed a while ago that his left foot was sitting a little wonky. I know that it is normal for babies, especially preterms, to have much more flexibility in their extremities, but it has hit a point that it no longer seems normal, and with his spelling, they are not able to position him differently as often as they are with other babies, so he seems to have developed a preference to being frog legged. The physio therapist would like him moved more, even if it is just to his back with towels or blankets at his hips to bring them in a little more. She is also going to start coming in daily at 9 a.m. to work with his legs - doing stretching and such - so that they are no longer showing resistance to the movements.

In other news, it appears that I am a trend setter, but not necessarily in a good way. 4 weeks after I announced I was expecting at work, one of the girls who worked around the corner from my desk announced she was too...4 weeks from my due date (obvious to some, but not necessarily everyone). 2 weeks later, another one. Well, the one who was due 4 weeks after me gave birth last Friday to her son. He was 2 lbs 12 (great weight) and was born at 28 weeks 1. He is, so far, doing great. Got the very last bed space available in all of Ontario (they began shipping babies to Buffalo on Friday as they had no space in our NICUs). She is doing great (got to go see her son for the first time on Monday just past), despite the pain of the c-section. But, of course, they are now watching the one due 6 weeks after me like a hawk. Oddly, she was the one who told me about the other birth. I`ve told her already that she is not allowed to follow suit. That her son has to stay inside her until at least 37 weeks.

Anywho, that is really all. Still sitting around waiting for EI, as my file is still currently under review...there is a backlog, shockingly enough. Not sure when I will actually see anything, but at this moment in time, we have gone through most of our savings (and with our wedding being a few months off, that is not particularly a good thing) and have had to pull our daughter from school-daycare. Flip side to the saving money in that respect is that I can no longer go down to the hospital to spend my days with Riley, and have to find some way of being content with seeing him in the evenings and on the weekends. It is hard, and I spend much of the time calling up to them to see how he is, but, again, it is what it is.

Oh, and on knitting related news, I finally finished the socks for Tony...you know, the ones I started back in August of last year. :) Finally done. And I am almost finished the first of his guitarman socks. Feeling so productive some times. (I have found that I can balance the pumping bottles on my legs and work on socks without a problem - yeah, I am talented like that.)

ttfn
k

I'd Update More, but I have better things to do right now

2009-04-22T23:36:00.004-04:00

Wow...does that sound mean or what? It's not. But I do have better things. My time right now is somehow split between spending the days with my boy down at the hospital, spending my evenings with my girl at home, spending my nights with the big boy at home, spending the wee hours of the morning waking to subject myself to the horrible yellow monster known as my medela, and somehow fitting in a nap every so often.

I actually have been able to get some knitting done too. I am about 3/4s of the way done my lilian top (wee!!! can't wait for the weather to be nice enough that I can actually wear it, too). I am planning on making a bunting bag with car seat space (for the seatbelt to fit into) next. Can you guess who this is for???

I'm currently working on a cross stitch birth announcement for my boy, too. I did one for my darling daughter when she was born, and haven't really done one in a few years, but thankfully it is one of those easy things that once you know what you are doing, you are set.

I will post some pictures of both of these when I have the time to take a picture that is half decent (currently they are not turning out so well...thinking I might need to try to get a few more of those nap things mentioned before in order to function in a normal manner...just a thought).

So, on to one part of the "better things to do", Riley is doing great. He has really started to root now whenever we hold him (he has no discretion...goes after the other half's nipples just as often as he goes after mine). Whenever I do kangaroo care with him, he fights and fusses and sets off his saturation alarms until I acquiesce and let him go into a position of his choosing...often being using my boobie as a pillow, and sprawling sideways. But, hey, if he is comfy and settled and not setting off alarms, it is good by me.

Here we are after today's fit...it just takes all the energy out of him to move the few inches to the left or right:

His current weight is sitting at 1350 grams (11 grams to 3 lbs). They redid the ultrasound on his head this morning, too. And, due to the grade 2 bleed still being present at the last follow up, they are expecting to get the results back to us tomorrow morning. Our primary nurse is also going to see about starting him on the non-nurtitive nursing this weekend, as he is obviously ready given the rooting. Their only concern is the CPAP. Usually they like for a baby to be off of it. But, since he has done well with the low flow before (and given that his caffeine has been upped, as well as the RT upping his pressure while lowering his oxygen), she is hoping they may agree to putting him on the low flow for those. We shall see. And besides, if not, it is not like my poor nipples aren't receiving enough abuse as it is. (Good lord, I miss the days of having a child attached to them, as opposed to an unforgiving machine...my body seems to be on the 3 hour schedule, so the upside is that I don't leak at the sound of a crying child; the downside is that I do leak every time it hits over 3 hours since my last pumping.)

The big little one is doing wonderfully as well. I think we have decided her "it is all about me" day that we are planning on doing with her (since she has been so wonderful in understanding why we all go down to the hospital on the weekends, and why mommy isn't working, but still drops her off at school/daycare and so forth) is going to be spent at the science centre. Damn but the girl is smart. She is completely reading on her own now (although she still does like for us to read to her every once in a while)! She is also starting to understand how to tie her own shoes!

Well, that is about all that is new and exciting in our world. I'm for bed now (just popped on while I had the bottles/shields/etc. sterilizing...if you are expecting, I highly recommend getting one of those microwave sterilizers...they are a godsend).

ttfn
k

The Ups and Downs

2009-04-13T18:48:00.003-04:00

As a parent of a preemie, especially one in a level 3 nursery, you prepare yourself for the worst, even if they are doing great. You are warned time and time again that pre-term infants are likely to slide back on the progress scale. That every big step forward can mean a big step back as well. And sadly that appeared to happen yesterday.

I called in to the hospital to see how he was doing yesterday morning, and was told that he had had a few apnea episodes through the evening, so they put him back on the biphasic CPAP (the one that provides him with a breath periodically). Ok, I can live with that. A little disappointing, but considering that he should still be spending another 8-10 weeks inside of me, I can deal with that. His lungs are, after all, still very immature and he is still learning to breath.

Well, when I get there last night, after spending the day caring for an over stimulated 5 year old (she got into the Easter candy while I was in the other room) and a sick husband, I find out that in addition to the set back with his breathing that occurred overnight, they are now thinking that they will have to re-intabate him (put the breathing tube back in). They also told me that he was very lethargic that morning, so they took some blood to test for infection - both viral and bacterial - as well as having performed a lumbar puncture. His tummy was all distended and hard for no reason, so they stopped feeding him and conducted x-rays on his chest and belly. They are thinking that he may be septic.

And cue tears.

No, this is not a pity post. It is just very disheartening when he has been doing so well. I know that we were prepared for all the bad things that can happen. We have been made aware of all the things that can go wrong and backward stepping we may have to do. But that doesn't make it hurt any less. That doesn't mean that seeing him looking more fragile than before, and knowing that he is now on 3 different antibiotics, possibly septic, had to go through an LP, has to go for the head scan now not only for the bleed but also because they need to make sure that there is no viral infection in the fluid in his brain, and is no longer being fed because they are not sure what has caused the distending of the belly isn't a horrible thing to stand there and see. Especially when he has been doing so very very good.

He is doing better today. He was good through the night and remained on the biphasic CPAP. His belly had softened as well. They are not sure if it was just him having a bad day yesterday or whether he was reacting to the antibiotics (meaning that there is an infection somewhere in that little body). Either way, they won't have the results from any of the blood work until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. They started feeding him again this afternoon - half of what he had gotten up to (so 6 ml/2 hours).

Yesterday truly did feel like a slap in the face. Yes, I know that it is all about him. But it is very heartbreaking to know that there is nothing I can do for him anymore. At least a few weeks ago, sitting around and following doctor`s orders was good enough for him. Making sure I was eating right was good for him. Drinking lots of water was good for him. Now there is nothing I can do to protect him from these things that should not affect him...things that he should be inside of me still using my body to fight, create, etc. And for those who wonder why some of us feel guilt...this is why. Our bodies are supposed to protect these little angels. Our bodies are supposed to be the ones helping them to create antibodies, and learn to breath, and mature and develop to the point that they know and can without any sort of medical intervention. Somewhere along the line, my body decided it didn`t or couldn`t do so. Somewhere along the line, my baby boy realized that he was in just as much danger inside of me as out. And yes, there is the part of my brain that tells me I am an idiot for feeling this way. But guilt does not care about logic.

ttfn
k

Welcome to the Kilo Club

2009-04-10T20:56:00.004-04:00

Yep, we are officially members of the kilo club. See:

For those who have been through the NICU, you know what this means. And why it would make us so very happy. For those who don't, essentially it means that our little guy is over a kilo, and they are expecting that he will remain that way (their weigh fluctuates during the first few weeks of life...all baby's weight does...but for those who are near or under the kilo mark, making it to one kilo is a huge thing).

Yesterday, I spent the entire day at the hospital with Riley. Tony and Am came by in the evening. We got to spend some great family time...with Ammy asking a thousand and one questions about how he was doing and when she could touch and when he could come home. Of course, after about 30 minutes, this quickly became "when are we going to my cousins?" Meh...can't expect too much, I guess.

Riley was supposed to have his second ultrasound, the follow up regarding the bleeds in his brain, yesterday, however, it was written down as being scheduled for today...which is a holiday. Not sure when it will be done now, but today we were told it wouldn't be until Tuesday. :( I am trying not to worry about that one, but it is hard.

The umbilical line has come out today, too. This will be much more comfortable for him, I imagine, and at the very least, his belly button can heal and he can be placed on his stomach more (which is better for their breathing and digestion and a whole slew of other things).

They have decided that Riley will be put on low flow when being held, and will continue for as long as he is tolerating it well. Today, he was on the low flow for just over 2 hours! Unfortunately, he had two episodes with the heart rate (not the saturation levels - which is a great thing in and of itself), so they decided not to stress him out and put him back on CPAP. But, for being only 10 days old, over 2 hours on the low flow is awesome.

And, since it is only fair, here is proud papa with his little man:

Well, that is all for now. Hopefully things will continue to progress as well as they have been. His feeding is now up to 10 ml/2 hours...only 6 more til he is at the level they want...and with him being upped every 8 hours, and with how well he is tolerating it, I can't see it being a problem to get him up there.

In art related news, I have picked up the sweater I started prior to his birth. I haven't had the energy or mental fortitude to take it up since then. But, today, I finally started doing it again. WEE!!! I was somewhat surprised that my fingers haven't forgotten what to do.

I also started working on a birth record cross stitch for Riley. We bought it a while back, but I hadn't started it, as he wasn't expected until June. So, I have decided to start that...(I did one for Ammy too when she was born). Should be something to keep me occupied when waiting for family visits (on the weekends, when the other half is done work, we all head down for about an hour or 2...but since there are only so many times that I can rearrange his room, and everything else is fairly clean, there isn't much to do here except go crazy).

ttfn
k

My little angel

2009-04-07T18:29:00.001-04:00

026
Originally uploaded by knittybitch

Today they let me hold my little boy. I was so over joyed at that. He is doing great, too. They started feeding him 2 days ago (1 ml/6 hours). He had gained 30 grams at his weighing yesterday evening (after losing an initial 240 grams), so this was great to hear. And to boot, they have upped his feeding to 2 ml every 2 hours. They are thinking that it might be upped to 3 ml every 2 hours if he continues to respond so well to the feeding.

And I love that the nurses and doctors have decided to let us become much more involved. We are able to change him and clean him, provide him with a soother if he is upset, and, of course, hold him for limited periods of time. We are also now able to help with his feeding.

The only thing that we have hit that *might* be a problem is that he does have 2 small bleeds in his brain. Bleeds are very common, and he has one grade one and one grade two. They are not overly concerned about the grade one, however the grade two may cause an issue. Often times, it is reabsorbed into the brain, however they will be completing another scan on Friday to see if it is getting better, or if they will have to look into putting a shunt into the ventrical.

Otherwise, he is doing great. Did great on the low flow today, and is finally gaining weight.

ttfn
k

I swear it is not an April Fool's joke

2009-04-02T23:57:00.002-04:00

yes, both my hubby and I have twisted senses of humor, but no, we are not that mean.

This is what we had to say many times over the course of yesterday.

Riley Russell Naugle made his debut yesterday morning at 7:50 a.m. weighing in at 2 lbs 9 oz. A little on the early side (27 weeks 3 days), but everything appears to be going good at this moment.

Will update more detailedly when I have a few.

ttfn
k.

Busy Beaver

2009-03-27T12:15:00.003-04:00

First and foremost, at the moment, I am home. Have been for a week (didn't want to jinx it). So very much happy to have my "house arrest" commuted back to my own home. When I first got put on this restrictive bed rest, I hated it...with a passion. But, after spending a few weeks in the hospital...a strange bed, with strange noises and strange people coming in and out all the time...I have to admit that being home in my own bed, in my own place, is a pretty sweet deal. There is still minimal bleeding going on, and still getting contractions and cramping a fair amount, but we have 8 days until my baby boy hits 28 weeks, which is when a lot of the complications begin to dissipate and he has a survival rate of over 80%. And yes, this is a great relief.

I have also been very busy, in a knitting and catching up on TV sort of way. I did several preemie hats for the NICU while I was at the hospital, however without access to a camera, failed to capture any photos. :( Pity, but I am sure that I will make a few more, since it is likely that I will need them.

Also have finished the following for my little angel:

Am currently working on a tank top for myself, post-baby belly. Not very far into it, so really not that exciting...but hopefully won't take too long. Still have a bunch of things that I need to finish, but baby stuff, and kiddie stuff, is just too much fun. (Plus, I love sitting outside right now, as we bought my daughter a two-wheeler bike on the weekend, so the hubby takes her out back, where I can watch too!)

Oh, and speaking of baby belly, this is what 9 lbs. looks like:

On TV catch up news, I have found an excessively interesting show (if you like odd shows like confessions of a call girl) on HBO...Cathouse. Killed myself laffing at it the other day. Of course, even stranger that I followed it up with ZOS, which is pretty much kill kill kill, fight fight fight. :S

Have a wonderful weekend planned of breaking out the teaching skills...having another session of let's teach batgirl to cook and knit. (One of my good friends, who I have named batgirl, doesn't know how to cook...or knit. The knitting, understandable...but how the hell do you make it 26 years and not know how to cook? Especially when you have a small child??? So, the last few times that she has come over, I have prepped food (i.e. defrosted and gotten the ingredients and so forth), but made her cook - with supervision. Going to have her make a crock pot stew this time, I am thinking. Easy, we have the ingredients here, and I can supervise with minimal effort from the couch. Plus, it is super easy, and she thinks she was given a crock pot once, so she *might* be able to make it at home if she tries.)

Also get to see my mononica...lurve that girl. She is coming over some time this weekend to keep me company and to put me to work doing the door prize things for my shower. WEEE...I like feeling useful.

ttfn
k

Update on the Saga

2009-03-17T10:10:00.005-04:00

So here I am, now located at Women's College Hospital High Risk Unit. Yesterday, we underwent a new ultrasound:

Everything appears to be fine, and it seems that the pieces that were falling out, the bits of placenta, have caused enough damage to render me no longer previa. So natural birth might be an option now. (This is wonderful news since I really didn't want to go through a c-section.)
Sadly, though, despite the bleeding having pretty much stopped now, the one OB specialist here doesn't want to send me home without finding out what is causing the bleeding to continue. And what is causing the cramping. So, until he has the answers to this, or I am beyond 32 weeks, he doesn't want me to leave. Yes, I think I will end up leaving AMA. Not because I am a bitch, but simply because I want to go home. If I am going to sit around doing nothing with nothing happening, I would rather be in my own bed, surrounded by my family.
I just want to go home.

ttfn
k

Where I've Been

2009-03-11T23:27:00.003-04:00

So, some of you may have noticed that I have been a little AWOL from, well, everything over the last little while. Sadly, I have been experiencing some problems with this pregnancy.

In the beginning of February, shortly after discovering that we are expecting a little boy, I was informed I had complete placenta previa, which is what was causing minimal bleeds to occur randomly. Was told to take it easy for a few days, but that I was ok to return to work. That lasted about 2 days. On February 13, I suffered a fairly strong bleed, and ended up being admitted for observation at the hospital. I was released the following day, with orders that I was on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was also informed at that time that my placenta had moved slightly, so the likelihood of my needing to have a c-section was minimal. GREAT! I wasn't particularly looking forward to a c-section.

Everything was fine...for a few weeks. The last week of February, the 26th to be exact, I awoke with another bleed. Stayed calm, got my daughter off to school, and got myself up to the hospital. The OB that was here that day requested another ultrasound, which showed that the assessment of placental movement was incorrect. Still complete previa. And the little guy's movements were causing the bleeding. However, since it seemed that it had slowed, and we had a reason for the bleeding, I was released to home bedrest.

2 days later...

This time, I was kept at the hospital for several days. Due to the bleeding, my iron was very low. They got me stabilized, and on March 4, I was released again, with an appointment to see the high risk specialist the following Monday.

Monday's appointment never came. Not even 24 hours later, and I suffered another bleed. I have been a resident of the hospital since then.

The original plan was to keep me until Sunday, when I could be given celestone (sp?), which is a steroid to mature the baby's lungs. After both doses (it is a 2 dose, 24 hours apart medication), they would contact critical care to have me placed in a level 3 high risk centre until I hit 28-30 weeks, when they would be better able to aide the baby here. My dr. granted me a day pass for the Saturday, so that I could spend time with my family. Unfortunately, I awoke on Saturday around 5 a.m. to massive bleeding. There was great fear that for my own health and safety, they may have had to deliver that day. Thankfully, the bleeding settled. And the other half brought my daughter to spend time with me.

My drs are not expecting the pregnancy to last much further than 30 weeks (which puts it around the same time of our original wedding date). Only about 5 and a half weeks to go. That also puts it approximately 10 weeks early.

The level 3 centres are currently very busy and do not have a bed available. Since we are currently (touch wood) ok, I don't mind staying here...closer to home. At least I can see my friends and family. And most importantly, I can regularly see my daughter. She has been so very wonderful through all of this. Obviously, she doesn't know the ins and outs of what is going on, but understands that Mommy is sick, and Mommy and the baby are staying with drs. to get better.

Each day, the little one is getting stronger. We are currently 24 weeks and 3 days. His current chances of being born with no major problems is 20-40%. These problems include blindness, respiratory problems, digestive problems, etc. When he hits 25 weeks, that percentage rises about double. 28 to 30 weeks is about when the risks for major problems lowers, and the baby's size becomes the more prevalent issue.

Well, that is all. Yes, that is more than enough. But there you have it.

Hope all is well.

ttfn
k.

Sometimes, you need a good laff

2009-01-19T11:57:00.005-05:00

So I recently found out about this lovely blog (rose-kim knits), and good lord some of her things made me laff so hard I am sure that the people I work with thought I had gone a little more insane. Sadly, though, there are some items that make their appearance there that I really, really like.

Kinda like with this gem:

"You're going to love my nuts!!!"

Wow...golden. Of course, in actuality, I want one. This thing looks super cook...and no more crying dicing up onions...

So anywho, in other, completely unrelated news, I have finished the Christmas sweater! Wee!!! Will post pictures later, but yes, it is all done. So happy about that. Finally have my stitch holders back and can finish the sweater for sprodling.

We also went out and got a crib set this weekend. It was on sale for 50% off...couldn't say no. So cute, and non-gendered, so will work either way, once we know what it is.

That is really all (work is calling me back to it).

ttfn
k.

Catching Up

2009-01-11T00:43:00.008-05:00

Woohoo! The first post of the year (and yes, I realize that the year started over a week ago...but this is when I am posting). Good lord is it going to be a busy year. Just as the end of last was crazy busy too.

First and foremost, I hope that everyone had an awesome Christmas. We sure did. So many things that brought such a lovely glow to my little ones face. She got spoiled, which I knew I ended up doing, but it is her last Christmas being an only child, so...

Secondly, tada! We are healthy and growing well.We are now 16 weeks along, and have our next scheduled u/s (the one where we can find out if it is a female sprodling or a male sprodling...WEEE). Only 24 more weeks to go...lol

The wedding is now 97 days away. All dresses are ordered and should arrive in the next few weeks. Despite everything else going on, I am feeling like we have everything under control for the wedding. And I am fairly certain we actually do. Starting to get the RSVPs back from people now, so we are actually getting a guest list together. Nice to know people care. :)

And currently working on (and should have finished by the end of the weekend) the retrofit sweater for my workplace husband (a late christmas gift). Here it is (well, a portion of it anyway) all blocked and waiting for sewing:
I also have the inevitable baby's first tattoo sweater that I am just finishing (I have had to put off finishing the last of the sleeves, as I ran out of stitch holders):
And last but not least, to brighten up the place, my daughter and I picked these up last week. They are all blooming now, which is awesome to see the joy in a 5 year olds face that she made that happen:Well, that is all. I hope that everyone had an amazing christmas and new years!
ttfn
k.

Now that We are Expecting...

2008-12-09T12:13:00.007-05:00

Isn't that neat? How I did that? How I explained something over the course of 2 different headings? (Actually, realized what I wrote on the first one, so it just kinda fell into place, and yes, I am a geek.) And yes, the timing is a little off (although technically speaking, we WILL be married first, by at least a month or two). And, well, we kinda wanted to have a house first. But life happens in mysterious ways.

We go for our "listen to that puppy beat" appointment tonight, then have our second "viewing"...lol...next Monday. (We already had one, due to previous issues that I was having, and them wanting to make sure that incorrect information passed along at the hospital hadn't had a negative effect.) At that viewing, at 8 and a half weeks, everything was good and the sparkly little heart was, well, sparkling.

For the moment, in addition to the name Sprodling, I have also dubbed it "Lord Sparkle Heart of the Uterus". The boy isn't impressed with that name, but while it is in me, I can call it what I want! hehehe

I am liking that I am finally starting to get some energy back. The only down side to that is that with it being SO close to Christmas, I am way behind on various knitted projects that I opted to sleep rather than work on. *sniff**sniff*

Well, I am off to spread my good cheer elsewhere (a.k.a. I need lunch now).

ttfn,
k

What to Expect...

2008-12-01T14:25:00.002-05:00

Wow...going to be a crazy few weeks. Not only do I have the few odds and sods to finish up for the knitting that I am doing myself for Christmas, but I have also volunteered to do some knitting (simple things - hats, mittens, etc.) for my daughter's school's bazaar, as well as some baking for it too.

Nothing major, especially since I had planned on doing a bunch of Christmas baking again this year (remember last year? with all the yummy breads and sweets? yeah, that was good). We are also moving at the end of the month, so have all the packing and such for that.

So much going on. So very much.

But, I have my wedding dress all ordered, so that is one less thing on my plate. All the Christmas gifts that need buying have been bought. Almost everything is taken care of (even the tree is up and decorated)...I think (and hope and pray and will cross my fingers I am right about).

I even have everything for the Naughty Xmas Swap through Ravelry. WEE. Love feeling in control.

ttfn
k

Life, or Something Close To

2008-11-05T15:13:00.003-05:00

This has definitely been an interesting week, if nothing else. I have learned that my body seems stuck in the time of last week...every morning, 5:40 a.m. on the dot, my internal alarm goes off. I have tried to lay back down and sleep the extra twenty minutes that I have before the alarm goes off...but the internal conversation goes something like this:

"ok, going back to sleep now"
"wait, do I have to pee"
"shit, now that I have thought of peeing, I have to pee really badly"

And thus I am awake...wide awake. There is really not much that you can do at 5:45 a.m. with a house full of sleeping people.

In other news, I have c/o'd the match to my hubby's sock. I realized I started getting really sloppy and had HUGE ladders. So, being the perfectionist that I can be some days, I pulled the whole thing out (I realize that technically, I could have only pulled back to where it started, but then I kept finding more things that I disliked about the way I had done it).

I have a ton of things in my queue to start soon, but none so important as the lacy thigh high stockings I recently found in a discounted (yay!!!) book at Chapters. I am planning on doing these for my wedding. They will be my "something slaved over but damn they look pretty". That has to be in the tradition somewhere...right??

Anywho, that's all really. Going out Christmas (no, it is not a bad word) shopping this weekend. Had a blast trick or treating with my princess the weekend past. Nothing much is going on other than that.

ttfn
k.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-30T20:02:00.002-04:00

This is, by far, my favorite holiday. :) Happy Halloween everyone.

And in the knitting world, this is what I made for my munchkin for the holiday (and yes, it glows in the dark):

Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!

ttfn
k.

Holy Sh*t!

2008-10-20T22:09:00.001-04:00

I love when good things happen to good people. We just found out, tonight actually, that good friends of the boy's won $5 million on Friday. And honestly, it really couldn't have happened to nicer people. (Ok, it could have happened to me...lol) I know that they have had some hard times (seriously, though, who hasn't), and he has been off work for about 5 years due to a car accident. They are great people (very warm people when I did finally get to meet them), so it is wonderful. :)

Updates and the Late Birthday Gift

2008-10-08T08:36:00.003-04:00

Well, haven't I just been a busy beaver...lol.

Had an amazing weekend just past. Saturday, spent the day at Bronte Provincial Park with my bud Christina, her son and my daughter. They have this amazing barn for kids to play in...jumping things, and tire swings...just awesome. Sadly, they also have a great big sign posted "Adults Not Permitted" by all the fun stuff. :( Seriously, we need a Dave and Busters up here, stat!

Sunday was a nice quiet day. Sadly, the little one seems to have picked up a cold, so Sunday was spent in pjs and bed watching movies. I, of course, spent the day cooking...made this kick ass apple cinnamon bread....yummy!

This week itself, I am slightly on tenderhooks waiting for all my goodies from eBay to arrive...including my new phone (cuz the one I have is becoming crap), my wedding cake topper (go Jack & Sally go), a new calendar (just because) and needles (which are a gift for a friend of mine...her birthday is only a few weeks away).

Speaking of Mononica's birthday, we had a loverly chat last night. I recently got her into knitting, and she has been enjoying it (even though she does it in some backassward way that I couldn't understand or explain even if I tried...it appears that she goes through the back loops all the time...both knitting and purling). She is very ambitious and has decided (well, decided a while ago...during the weekend of needles) that she wants to make socks. She has been working on the same purse for the last few months, and a dog's sweater (from a library book that she has yet to return) for the last about 3 months. But, I don't doubt that she will eventually make socks. Even though I can see her making one, and being happy and proud of that. (Yeah, I keep telling the boy that if he only had one foot, I would be done his socks by now.) So last night came the discussion of "ok, I know you want yarn for your birthday...what kind and colour? What are you planning on making? What do you want to make that I can supply the yarn for so you have no excuse?" Of course, no straight answer was ever provided...I think I might just take her out with me, and make things easier on myself. I still have a few weeks, so I am not going to worry overmuch...yet.

And last night, lo and behold, I finished the sweater for the boy. The fit is amazing. I still have to do the zipper, but we are going to head out to pick that up tonight.

That is about all...gotta start on the leg warmers for the cheesy ass retro slumber party...really gotta start that soon...I guess the boy's other sock will go back on to the backburner for now...hehe

ttfn
k.

MHS Kitten Adopt-a-thon

2008-10-03T08:34:00.003-04:00

As many of you know, our beloved Ophelia was adopted from the Mississauga Humane Society. I subscribe to their newsletter (because I am good that way), and recently received the following:

We have too many kittens looking for a FOREVER home! We will be holding a KITTEN Adopt-a-thon at Petsmart this comong WEEKEND. There will be lots and lots of adorable kittens up for adoption. If you can give a homeless kitten a home, please come by. Please also help us spread out the word and hopefully we can get all of them adopted!

Date & Time : Saturday, October 4, 2008, 11- 3 pm.
Sunday, October 5, 2008, 11- 3 pm.
Location: PETSMART (not Petcetera!) - Mavis Rd. and Britannia

For any of you who are looking for a kitten (since people seem to want kittens as opposed to cats), I strongly suggest you try to make it out. They truly are one of the few humane societies that I have come in contact with that are actually really good and decent.

ttfn
k.

Go 80s Go

2008-09-25T18:40:00.000-04:00

So, I have decided for no reason in particular, I am going to be throwing a girly ass 80s throw back slumber party. And as such, I will be making myself some leg warmers!!! Cuz nothing says 80s like leg warmers. :) And yes, I will likely make a few extras for others...

WEE!!!

ttfn
k.

Bits and Bobs and

2008-09-12T11:19:00.003-04:00

I want one. This man is an evil genius in the form of a human.

Good lord has it been busy lately. Home and work. And with the little one starting senior kindergarten, I have been having to run interference with her and the learning books I got her. So, when I finally get her all settled down, after reading the 5 or so books that I have weedled her down to, I have barely enough time to knit. But c'est le vie. There are worse hardships in life.

Last night, I finished up the last mitten for kittens (WEE). :) I am going to idiot string them all (so that they don't get lost), but that shouldn't take any more than tonight to do. So, thankfully for the ones they are for, I can ship them out on Monday morning. I am also doing up another pair for one of the gals at work (well, for her son), but I have mastered them now to the point that they literally take me about an hour to complete. The bigger task? Making both the sweater and the vikings helmet for the boy before his birthday (2 weeks away) without him knowing! This weekend should provide me with ample opportunity to get a good chunk of one or both of these done, however, since the boys are all going out to do the tux thing on Sunday, followed by hitting up the bar for football. :)

UPDATE: And as an added bonus, my workplace husband wants me to make him the same sweater (but in different colours) that I am making for the other half, so I have the perfect cover for it over the next few weeks....AWESOMENESS!

It's Jack and Sally Day!!!

2008-08-26T11:50:00.002-04:00

Yes folks. It is Jack and Sally day...WEEEEEE!!! (Can you take a wild guess what I will be tucking in and watching tonight???)

ttfn
k.

5 days and counting

2008-08-25T15:31:00.002-04:00

WEEE!!! Finally booked my tattoo consult. Very excited.

And, as an added bonus, and because I am that damn good, wedding gown + 3 bridesmaid dress = $387....hot damn I am good!

ttfn
k.

Unexpected Hiatus

2008-08-06T20:24:00.001-04:00

Well, time flies. It feels like we just returned yesterday from our vacation, and here I was promising to update this site with all my loverly pictures. Sorry for the delay. :S

Seems sometimes that time just gets away from you. Between work (where we are currently moving offices, so that has been absolutely insane), birthdays (not including planning my little girl's one, there have been 3 since our return), weddings (some ours, some others), time has just gotten away from me.

On the knitting/crochetting side of life: currently working on an afghan for Am (crochet - I admit I am a little scared). It is, of course, pink and purple. Setting a goal of September for that one. Finishing up a few pairs of mittens (got a great book from the local library with tons of patterns...), too. Just waiting for the arrival of my order from KnitPicks. Got a really nice Black silk-wool blend for a sweater I plan on doing for the boy. Also waiting on a Cotton Linen blend so that I can knit up Zelda for myself. Not sure how well that will go, as I have never used a CotLin blend, but we will see.

On the wedding side of things: it would seem that we are making good headway on our own nuptials. Got Ammy's flowergirl dress. I know it really should be her choice, but she is an affable one, and the dress is a great mix of cute and pretty. And most of the big details all taken care of, too. Now it will just be a matter of the small ones. Got my dress all picked out, going out with the girls in a few weeks to get their dresses picked out. Still have to get around to my ma, as she wants me to help her pick a dress and do her hair and makeup and so on...she really is going kinda crazy over it. It is cute. Oh, and we finally decided on our song. :)

Well, that is about all.

ttfn
k.

Back from Vacation

2008-07-17T09:53:00.002-04:00

Hot Damn, had such a good time. It was loverly camping out, meeting everyone, meeting more people, managing to get together with some of the KGs that I have fallen for, seeing the sights, falling in love with the place...
All around, it was an awesome trip. Will definitely have to get some of the wonderful pictures from the trip up, and will do that soon (maybe even tonight).
The downside of it all being that it had to end...*sniff*
ttfn
k.

On Vacation

2008-07-09T11:03:00.001-04:00

WEEE!!! So in a few short hours, we will be on our way....WEEE. Not looking forward to the driving too much, but such is life. And, as an added bonus, I am going to be meeting up with a bunch of the knit girls. Very excited.

KB, over and out....have a great week everyone. :)

ttfn

Longest Three Day Work Week

2008-07-04T14:45:00.002-04:00

Yes, it has been. Not feeling the greatest either. My boss has been in with a cold/flu type thing all week long, and I think that she has past that on to me. :( There is nothing going on here at work, either, so I am dead tired, and would like nothing more than to go to sleep, but alas, sleeping at your desk is frowned upon. le sigh.

On the up side, only a few more days until our vacation...WEE.

And this is what I do with an extra long weekend...

2008-07-02T11:14:00.007-04:00

So, we started the wonderfully extra long weekend by adding to our family. May I introduce Molly:

She is 8 weeks old, and an absolute sweetheart, if a bit of an instigator. O pretty much hated that we brought another cat into her midst. She was disgruntled, and, oddly enough, sucking up to me the entire first day. If Molly came near me, O would have to jump up and cuddle. If the boy was home, she would make sure she was on my lap and giving him the cold shoulder. We have managed to go several days in a row without O attacking me. What a good influence Molly is. (They are finally getting along now, which is such a relief.)

I have also set myself some pretty interesting goals for the next week. We leave for NS next Wednesday, and so, of course, being the procrastinator that I am, as of Sunday, I still had not started anything that I was planning on making for the folks we are going to be out there visiting. But never fear...

My buddy Tina has been asking me to make her mittens since we first found each other. So yes, I looked like a tool sitting around at the park in the gorgeous weather we had going on, knitting mittens.

I am also making 3 of the Letter Have It purses from Stitch n' Bitch Nation for 2 of Tina's daughters, as well as my own little wonder. I have one of them almost completely done (finished both sides and just working on the garter stitch centre piece, which really shouldn't take very long at all). I am thinking that, if I have time, I might create some sort of a small toy for them all, but that will remain to be seen.

So it seems that my goals will be done, and I can take something fresh with me for the drive.

That is about all that is going on.
ttfn
k.

it is a 4 coffee morning, sir

2008-06-27T08:43:00.004-04:00

so this morning, after about 3.5 hours of sleep because my body just wouldn't settle down no matter what I did, I discover a parking ticket on my windshield...in our underground parking...directly overtop of my parking permit...for parking on private property.

Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you start a morning off on the wrong foot.

ttfn.
k.

Time Flies for an Anal Retentive Person Such as Myself

2008-06-26T20:59:00.002-04:00

So I have recently learned a lot about myself. For instance, I am horrendously anal retentive. Much more so than I actually thought I was. I mean, I was fully aware that I had A.R. tendencies, but wow. In the few weeks that we have been engaged, I have already picked my dress out (not ordered, which would be much worse, but picked out), have the ceremony booked and deposit down on it, have the reception hall booked and the deposit down on it, have the invitations done (but no, will not be mailing them for some time), have the bridal party decided and asked (and have our first outing booked), have a dj, decided on a menu....lol...I could go on, but it is almost sad. For those who find themselves suffering from A.R., I highly recommend Frugal Bride. Enough lists to make the most detail oriented person happy. :)

I am also much girlier than I thought. I am okay with that, and even I am finding the humor in it. But it is kinda odd. :S

I found out yesterday that, despite my thoughts to the contrary, our work has given us both Monday and Tuesday off. WEEEE!!! So, since my daughter`s daycare is open on Monday, we are dropping her off for a few hours, and partaking in some down and dirty golf. Can`t wait!!

We leave for Nova Scotia in less than 2 weeks. :) Can`t wait. There are some people that I am going to have to try to get in touch with before we leave to see if we can meet up (and yes, I am referring to you Hellcat, if you happen by here).

And finally, tomorrow I get to be engaged again...lol. My ring was slightly too big. Just a touch. So I had to drop it in on Saturday of last week. So, of course, I have been having a blast this week using the good old standby of I don`t see a ring on my finger with the boy...lol

Anywho, that is all.

ttfn
k.

When the Outlaws Come to Town

2008-06-15T08:19:00.006-04:00

So, the outlaws flew in from Alberta for a few days last week, and we did more walking in the course of those few days than I think I have in the last 15 years...but it was a great time. Sunday, we went up to my daddy's boat:
swimming

Fishing:

best photo of the day:

Love the reflection in the water. And my babe did good...she caught 3 fish...the boys - 0.
We went to the zoo on Monday (where he proposed):
the yawning snake:

Ok, so I won't post all the pictures up here, since I got a whole s**tload, but the animals were fun. I forgot how much I loved the zoo.

ttfn
k.

WEEE

2008-06-13T11:06:00.003-04:00

So, Monday just past, while outside the pavillion in Africa (at the zoo), the boy proposed!

I gush...

Lordy it is nice to feel this happy.

ttfn
k.

I Feel Accomplished

2008-06-01T11:18:00.008-04:00

So, despite feeling horribly ill over the last few days (sinuses have decided to kick my bum), I have accomplished so much. Made the curtains for our livingroom, put a backer curtain on my daughter's bright pink ones (her bedroom faces the afternoon/evening sun, so bedtime has become an impossibility at the moment). Well...I will let the photos do the typing for me. So, without further ado:
Summer fun with Cherries!!!

Sockies (they are so warm, and are keeping my feeties warm even right now):

Sexy rocking skirt:

One fetus sweater:

Pasties made for my partner from the Bad Knit Girl pasties swap (pattern provided by Bohoknitterchic:

Alas...I am now down to only 2 projects on the go. What has the world come to???

ttfn
k.

Ugh!

2008-05-30T08:29:00.002-04:00

So this has been one weird ass week. It started Wednesday, when I had a bit of a bump in the road and now have to deal with some pretty crappy stuff. :( But it will work out in the end (despite the nagging voice in the back of my head which is telling me otherwise, I have to believe this). However, this slight bump was somewhat alleviated by the fact that that same evening, I got home to not only have the delivery of Hogfather sitting on my table, but the delivery of pasties from the recent Pasties Swap on Ravelry there too!!!

Everything seemed to be hunky dorey, until yesterday. I finally found a sitter for my daughter for the day of the concert we are going to (June 18...a Wednesday, so it was difficult), only to find out that that is the same day as my daughter's graduation. I know that it isn't something massive, and it is, to paraphrase Mr. Incredible, another way to celebrate mediocrity, but I can't not go. The kid's all decorate the room for the graduation...they make it a huge event...all the families will be there...I just can't not go, nor can I keep her from it, since it will be the major focal point for her entire class for about a week before, and a week after.

So fine, I sucked up the fact that the tickets we have had for the last 3 months are now useless to me...when suddenly my sinuses decided to attack from the inside. We had running around to do...nothing major, but stuff that needs to be done before the out-laws arrive, and suddenly out of nowhere, I am almost blind from the pain.

It calmed down a hell of a lot, but egad...this week is truly a rollercoaster. Wonder what the weekend will bring...lol

Will post new pictures of the loverly stuff I actually managed to get done sometime this weekend...when I think of it.

ttfn
k.

Damn, some days I amaze myself...

2008-05-27T09:56:00.003-04:00

haha...okay, well, the fact that I can understand the ramblings of others amazes me. With much sloppy wet thanks to Hellcat, I have progress bars!!! (I covetted hers, and she was nice enough to show me how/where/etc.)

On to business, as you can see, all my projects are coming along nicely...I am super amazed at how quickly and easily Intolerable Cruelty is coming along. And here I was thinking it would take me a while, so I would not have to put any effort into figuring out what ribbon I wanted to use...Alas, that doesn't seem to be the case (but considering it means that I will have it finished, I really can't complain overmuch).

Had to order Hogfather. I don't mind, though. It will be here by Monday, June 2...SO VERY EXCITED!!! I am hoping against hope that it comes before then (maybe this Friday), and then I can spend the weekend drooling over the special effects and artistry of Terry Pratchett and his Discworld.

In an effort to get the place a little more organized before the in-laws come out next week, I have actually started playing kindergartener, and cutting and pasting the thousand and one projects that I have sitting around on loose paper and putting them into my big spiral book of knitting (I play around with patterns a lot...a whole lot...). It is a thankless task, but eventually it has to be done (because I know that if I didn't, and just threw them out, I would never find the patterns again).

Weekend was awesome. Weather was gorgeous! And on that note, I will leave you with a little flying:

ttfn

Hogfather and other Ramblings

2008-05-21T14:32:00.005-04:00

So, since I am a geeky kinda gal, I have a deep and passionate lourve of Terry Pratchett and Discworld. Therefore I was very upset (very upset) to find out that despite Hogfather having been released in Canada yesterday, the HMV by my work did not get any copies in. *sniff* *sniff*...cue sad violin music...

I have been working away on the kinderwhore sockies...and damn skippy if Nikol Lohr is not correct in the statement of zombie mode...haha. Will likely finish one of them off tonight while zoning out to National Treasure 2 (told ya...geeky kinda gal).

I have also made the startling discovery that my workplace is some sort of a conspiracy to drive me insane. First, they switched the milk cartons to those little single use cuppy things so you spend about 5 minutes just opening them to make your damn coffee, then they upgraded the lighting to a scary brightness (I hate actually being able to see everything as well as the fact that everyone has a yellow tinge), and proceeded to make us all move around for 3 month periods so they could renovate and provide every floor with scary bright lighting, and finally, along with the renovations, they "upgraded" our bathrooms. We have those motion sensor flush toilets...you know...the ones where if you breathe while you are on the toilet, it takes it as that is you moving and flushes, coating your bottom in a loverly film of freezing cold water. Fun, fun, fun.

Ok...rant off

Also, I post it once it is complete, but I am currently working on a pattern for tights for my daughter. I whipped up a pair last year, but really haven't a single clue what I did. I am using those ones as a jumping point for the new ones, though, so I will have to figure it out, and figured might as well write it down while I was at it.

ttfn
k.

Weekend Wedding Fun

2008-05-18T09:06:00.007-04:00

So, the wedding yesterday was beautiful. I realize that they actually got married a month ago in the Bahamas, but it was a beautiful reception. Ammy was super excited to actually get all dressed up and know that she was going out somewhere fancy with adults. (I was happy that I didn't have to worry about her sitting through a few hours of a ceremony.) Look at the pretty girls...

And, as is obligatory, my daughter got her dance with the groom...

So, in short, one down, 2 to go. Don't get me wrong, I love weddings, I am just hoping that my kid doesn't grow too big to fit into this dress a few more times before the end of summer...lol

I have one of the sweaters for various fetuses almost completely done. Don't know how I found any time to work on it yesterday, between the getting ready for the wedding and the pounding headache...but lo and behold, this morning, it is almost done...just a hood and finishing to go!

Side note, when my daughter and I were out at the Winners to get her dress yesterday, we found a Strawberry Shortcake helmet with elbow and knee pads...and hot damn if it doesn't smell exactly like the old school Strawberry Shortcake dolls...like the ones I had when I was a kid. :) Ahhh...memories!

ttfn, and congrats to the happy couple!
k

It's a Head

2008-05-17T10:56:00.002-04:00

Stash Bashing

2008-05-16T15:43:00.003-04:00

So, it is May 24 weekend...and, as always, the weather is going to be crap. Rain, followed by rain and rain. Sounds fun, eh?

As such, I have decided to dedicate this weekend to stash bashing...in short, getting some of the stash gone so I can justify buying new yarn...

I currently have 2 sweaters for the fetus's in my life (or friend's lives, I guess I should say) mostly completed. By this I mean I kept jumping from one to the other to the other...so I currently have the backs of both done, the left and right fronts of both done, and one sleeve of each done. Go, me, go!!! (Both will be completed by the end of the weekend or so help me, I might just threaten to take away my needles...or not...)

However, I have a ton of patterns currently flagged or modded and waiting for their casting call...so I would very much like to get those started. I promised myself a while ago that I had to start finishing projects before starting new ones. So that is what this weekend will be. An excuse to start new ones because the UFOs are done! (Note, this is where many persons should be thinking "yes, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions"...lol)

ttfn, and Happy May 24 everyone!!!
k.

Look at Me...I'm Hooking Like a Pro

2008-05-08T20:04:00.005-04:00

So, I have been forever interested in the bastard child of knitting, crocheting. But I could never seem to get my head around it...or rather my wrists. It was always awkward, and felt wrong...and normally I would end up pulling the yarn back out, and knitting up something sumptuous in it's stead. HOWEVER, that has all changed. :) I recently picked up The Happy Hooker (I like the way she writes...I find that it is actually interesting, and provides pictures when pictures are needed). Of course, the reason that I picked up this little beauty was because I also recently purchased an Amigurumi book (so darned cute...and I am utterly addicted to cute), so I had to learn.

Will have some pictures up soon of some of the stuff I plan on doing (starting with a tester set of pasties for the swap I have coming up...one pair is already done, just in the gaudy finalization stage...so I figured I would make a guinea pig of my partner...lol...sorry Winster).

In the meantime, since it has been a while since I have updated this page, here ya go:

The boy's mexican wrestling mask (obviously not the boy in it):

Finished coat (without the buttons yet...sorry):

I am also currently working on two different baby sweaters. One is the Baby's First Tattoo Sweater from Stitch n' Bitch Nation...about 1/2 way done at the moment...will post pictures soon. The other is a simple Bernat hoodie sweater in Baby Softee white with pastel colours throughout. Although the one that this sweater is for thinks she is having a boy, I am thinking differently (thankfully I am not the only one), and either way, with the colour combo, I don't much have to worry...White is not gender specific...lol.

I have an excessively busy (translates to less knitting/crocheting - I can't believe I can finally write that - time :( )next few months. From this weekend on....mother's day golf gathering this weekend, 2 weddings, one of which is on the east coast, the accompanying showers for the weddings, camping trips (3 so far...geesh), 3 baby showers, family day at my daughter's school, birthday parties, random summer parties, housewarming parties...wonder if it would be rude to knit while at a party...hmmmm....

Also recently purchased new dpns (5"...which I am hoping will be much easier for me with my sockies...I have found that, while I love working with my dpns for most every circular object, they are long (12 inches), and therefore if it is something smaller, or if I get down to the point where the stitches are less...it is difficult to work with). They should be arriving this week.

ttfn
k.

Growing Up Creepie

2008-04-07T08:54:00.002-04:00

So, this weekend, I was treated to a wonderful cartoon show on Sunday mornings called "Growing up Creepie". It was awesome. And it came on right after Ruby Gloom. I think that Sunday mornings are going to become my favorite cartoon day after all. :)

Got a lot of work done on my coat this weekend. I now have a vest, complete with little hangy bits that need desperately to be hidden away....

I am working on sleeve #1, and am about halfway through, at that. Hopefully, it will be completely done by end of day today, and I can cast on the match tomorrow. Ideally, I would like to have it completely done and wearable by Monday of next week. And it seems like, despite the bugger up of making two left sides, this goal is very workable.

The only downside is that I won't have the buttons for at least another week or so. I found these absolutely awesome ones on eBay (after searching high and low for a set of 12 really nice buttons that were bigger than a nickel, and would actually go with the colour - impossible, I might add). But, I am okay with wearing it with just the zipper until they arrive. Besides, it is getting too warm out for me to keep wearing my winter coat...something I am very happy about.

Also, I have just heard about the knit jamboree in Mississauga in May. :) Not sure what all it entails, but I am thinking I might head out to it, you know, purely for scientific purposes...lol

ttfn
k.