Welcome to Babyland!

Can you believe that the big day is only about 2 weeks away (give or take a few days depending on the little guy's plans). We've put the car seat in the car and our bags are (mostly) packed. My list of before-baby-to-do items has shrunk and grown and shrunk again over the last couple of weeks. I am constantly thinking of more "last-minute" things to get done.

The baby's room is finally finished (with the exception of hanging a picture and finding a lamp shade) and so I thought you might all like some pictures. I tried to get as many shots as possible so that you could see the whole room.

He's got just a few (ha) books as you can see. (And there are lots more in the closet that wouldn't fit on the book shelf)

And last, but not least.... the stroller!! Courtesy of Poppa! I can't wait to put our little guy in it and go for a walk around the neighborhood.

And one more baby item that I finished a long while ago (but forgot to post a picture).

A Baby Shower

Well, I'm 33 weeks and change and on Saturday, July 12, I attended my baby shower!!! It was amazing - there was wonderful food (of course), a beautiful and very tasty cake, and more presents than people (unbelievable). I had a wonderful time and everyone who attended (or sent a gift) was very generous and obviously very excited about our little guy's impending arrival. The gifts included big things, small things, cute things, and shiny things and I still can't remember all of what we received. The hostesses did a wonderful job and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. For those of you who live far away and couldn't make it, I have to say you missed some really good food (and lots of it) and I know you wanted to be here.

Just this week, Keith & I finished our "prepared childbirth" classes as well as the newborn care class and I attended the breastfeeding class last week. I have to say that we still don't feel fully prepared but I'm pretty sure that's normal. I'm still reading lots of books on childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborns but since I've only got about 6 1/2 weeks left (yikes!) I'm not sure I'll finish them all.

Also, I was able to pick up the last portion of my fabric order for my curtains so I'll be tackling those in the next few days (with tightly crossed fingers). Hopefully I'll have pictures of finished (and beautiful) curtains soon...

Here are a few pictures from the event.

the cake with a cute "lucky duck" ornament on top

no shortage of gifts

my wonderful hostesses and me

a baby day gown (no, it's not a dress and yes, it is for a boy), hand made by a very dear friend

my diaper bag

my beautiful Moses' basket and Dee reading a beautiful card from both her & Alex

my little gift opening helper

nope, this isn't for our boy, this is a hat I made for a friend - isn't it cute (my first attempt at ruffles)

more gift knitting for a set of twin boys due in November

We're back from the sand and sun...

We just returned from a week in Florida and I did not want to leave - I could easily live at the beach (as long as someone was sending money of course). We all had a wonderful time and hope that we can do it again next year. Keith's sister and her family as well as my aunt and her daughters were with us and it was so fun to have a semi-large family vacation. I'm throwing in a few pictures from the beach and one of a pair of denim pants that I just finished knitting for the baby.

I am now at 30 weeks and I went to the doctor on Monday and learned that in a mere 2 weeks I managed to gain 5 pounds (yikes)! The doctor and the nurse were not at all phased by this but I have to admit that I did a double take upon hopping on the scale.

We've ordered the bookcase and the dresser for the baby's room and they should be finished and ready for pick up at the end of July or the beginning of August. I'm still knitting lots of things but I've given up doing much quilting since leaning over while sitting on the floor is a bit of a struggle. I'm still planning on making the curtains but I've got to sit down and figure out how much fabric to order and actually place the order - I'm not thrilled about the figuring part so I've been procrastinating. Anyway, that should do it for the update - 10 weeks until "B" day...wow!

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!

Keith and I are standing far apart for a good shot at the baby bump.

Elliot is wondering, "where is your belly button, Aunt Sara? It seems to have disappeared."

Elliot says, "forget the sand and the water, give me stairs people!"

I just love the sound of the waves...

more waves...

A pair of tiny denim knit pants (according to the pattern, they are size 3 months but we'll see...).

New finished items for baby

Here are a few things that I've been working on for a while but have just

finished in the last few days.

Sweet Pea Baby Saque
It looks blue but it's really a cloud grey.

Baby Kimono

Light sage green with blue buttons

Baby Cardigan in hand-painted cream sock yarn with matching socks

Pictures, pictures, pictures...

We've got pictures!!!! Saturday, we went to New Orleans and looked at tons of baby things in cute boutiques and shops and we even bought a baby book. We also picked up the crib and put it together Sunday afternoon. We hung the quilt above the crib and I think it looks pretty good. I also FINALLY have a picture of me with a belly (that you can really see). I'm 27 weeks this week and that means that we should have another 13 weeks or so to go (seems really far away and fast approaching at the same time). We've been very busy between work and de-cluttering the house so I'm surprised that I've gotten the pictures taken like I've been talking about for a while now. I've taken a few pictures of some of the things that I've made for the baby and I've still got several projects that I'm working on so I'll post those as I finish them. So enjoy the pictures and I'll talk to you all later.

the crib

the crib and quilt together

me - 27 weeks!

organic-grown undyed cotton knit blanket (my pattern developed from a stitch dictionary)

detail of cotton blanket

Debbie Bliss pattern sweater with buttons at each shoulder

wool blanket knit plain in center with basket weave edge

vintage cowboy quilt

little, medium, big...socks!