Ta Da!!!

Just about 4 weeks to go!!!

Well, I was able to finish both the curtains and the crib skirt!!! I have to say the curtains were a challenge because I have a bit of a difficult time getting up and down from the floor quickly and repeatedly but they are finished! The toy box is in and put together and the dresser and bookcase are finished and we will be picking them up sometime this week. I can't wait to show you all the finished room (I can't wait to see it myself). Well, here are the last sewn items for the baby's room....drum roll....

I think my flash decided not to cooperate for this picture

the crib skirt is difficult to see but it is made out of the same stripe as the curtain panels

The baby's "suite" is coming along...

The baby's room is slowly but surely coming together. I have all of the fabric for the curtains and crib skirt and I've finished the curtain panels and will be working on the valance tomorrow. I am very excited about the way it looks and hope to have pictures of the completed curtains within a few days. We have set up the toy box (it's really cute and a great large size for lots of toys) and we've put together the stroller (it's wonderful!). We are waiting for the dresser and bookcase which should be finished within the next two weeks (fingers are crossed that it's not longer than that). It has been so much fun choosing the furniture, colors, fabrics, and decor for the room and I hope it looks great when we're finished.
A baby/pregnancy update: I went to the doctor this past Monday and I had gained 3 pounds and my belly is measuring 34 centimeters (north/south). Blood pressure is good and no obvious swelling of hands and feet so far. I will be seeing the doctor in two weeks and then every week after that until the big day!

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!

Update

Well, I had my glucose tolerance test on Monday (June 2) and while I did pass that with flying colors, I did have to start iron supplements because I am "slightly anemic." I guess that explains why I never did get the "burst of energy" at the beginning of the second trimester that everyone talks about. Hopefully the extra iron will do its job.
As for the little guy, he's definitely getting stronger and I can easily feel slower stronger pokes from knees, elbows, feet, etc. (not yet able to tell what they are) and he will actually poke me and leave the body part there for a few seconds or so. It's still amazing to me and I can't believe how fast this is all going and yet it still seems that September is far far away (I know, it's really not that far away at all). We are going to New Orleans tomorrow to pick up the crib and we will hopefully be able to set it up when we return. We're also going to hit some of the cute baby boutiques and shops in New Orleans.
Hope everyone is doing well. I should have pictures of the bed and my belly up soon (we're waiting on a camera to come in because our other one has been sent off for repairs).