Recent Knits

In case you think I've been totally obsessing over my hugeness / the pregnancy lately. Or spending too much energy packing, let me assure that I am also resting. And knitting.  Knitting keeps me distracted from obsessing. It also helps me relax and rest.
(That's my story and I'm sticking to it. And Robin can't complain - because then I'd have all sorts of things to respond with...)

Most notably I finished this February mystery KAL. Abi and I dyed the yarn together.

I whipped up this hat as a test knit for someone. It will need a home.

And I finished spinning and plying the last of my citrus-colourway mohair-wool fiber from Wellington Fibers. Abi and I may have to sneak out to the farm one last time before I move...
you know, to see the goats.

I also have a pair of deliberately non-identical twin shawls that I designed. Simple designs using similar motifs and different math bases.

The pink is worked in a DK cotton-wool yarn from my stash.  The blue is organic worsted-weight cotton.  I swear I was just pulling from my old stash to use up yarn. I was not intentionally knitting pink and blue.

Now and Then

Decided to compare a new photo with an old photo...

 Here I am in 2008 with 1 month to go.

And... here I am today with almost 3 more months to go (and that's to 36.5 weeks, not 40 weeks).

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I just have to laugh at my size...
because I think it's crazy.

Oh, and not quite comparable, but here's the belly from the 2008 labouring...

kickety

Tag-teaming kicking babies are actually not so bad.  So far.  They've reached the point of "aww - that's so sweet" kicking rather than "wtf are you doing to me?" kicks. (See my previous confession).  Since one is head up and one head down, it's easy to know who is kicking me.  However, they also seem to like to do it simultaneously, so it doesn't really mater who.
They also wake at about 6:30am.  As Robin pointed out, that's better than 4am.  Except at 4am (if they do kick then) I'd probably sleep through it.  At 6:30 Robin's first alarm starts ringing, so I'm half awake.  The babies are not the ones waking me up. Not that Robin ever wakes at that hour either... he's a "snooze-button" addict. I hate snooze buttons.

Today, being Wednesday, was belly-tracing day.  The belly has definitely grown in the last week. I think it's averaged out the last two weeks - since last week's growth was barely discernible (the wee orange line).

Click on the picture to embiggen and see the lines more clearly.

Kitchen Reno continues

We first renovated the kitchen years ago and have finally gotten around to putting in a (gorgeous) tiled backsplash.
And by "we" I mean Robin.
Today's activity included clearing the space to work, washing up, turning off the correct breakers (that was fun testing), me running around last minute to pick up things Robin needed and Robin attaching the tiles to the wall. And cutting them, etc.  Tomorrow evening they will be grouted.
Abi's job included being patient and staying out of the way.

Tools

Prep work

Getting started

Above the oven

 

Over the sink

Thursdays

Thursdays are good. I like Thursdays.
Thursdays are Knit-Night with the Uptownknitmob.
I'm really going to miss the Mob when I move.
This month Thursdays also mean a new clue for the mystery knit-a-long I am currently working on. (Not my design, just so we're clear.)
However, I think that the next time I lead a mystery KAL I'm going to have a clue-a-day - because I sure do hate waiting a week.
You see, I'm already finished with today's clue.

Last week's progress was actually pinned a little so you can see the design better. And the colour.

Abi dyed the yarn with me. The KAL pattern is called Fuchsia. Hence our colour choice.

Speaking of Abi :)

Today I also got back the results from Tuesday's ultrasound. Nothing particularly interesting to report. All is well. No surprises this time. Thankfully.  These are the kind of reports we want to get.

More Babies - Ultrasound Pictures

What a lovely Valentine's Day gift - more ultrasound pictures.  Robin's gift from the babies was that they kicked him for the first time.  Well, in hindsight it was probably just Earb who kicked him.

Yesterday I had another ultrasound. at 24 weeks.  It was a relatively quick procedure at only an hour. These will be pretty regular occurrences to make sure the babies are growing well, not showing signs of TTTS, etc.  I'll get results tomorrow when I see my midwife. They passed the movement tests with flying colours - as they bounced around.

Here is Baby A / Earb. I've rotated the picture to make the skull picture more easily visible. It took me a while to realize this was a straight on picture. After the last round of pictures, I had low expectations, but this time the pictures are much better. As you can see.

This is her spine - lying face-down obviously. She is head down in the womb and still the one who would descend first.

Here is Baby B / Iongantas.  You can see her skull face-on, and her torso.  That open spot under her chin would be her heart.  Oh, and you can see that Earb is kneeing her in the head. Such love.
But wait, you say, were they not both head-down? Yes, they were. Previously. Apparently she's flipped. She may well do it yet again, since there seems to be plenty of room yet for them to bounce around... and by "plenty" I mean "at least enough".  Even if she does not, she can easily move after her sister departs the womb.

Here she is looking serene with a profile picture.  Must have been a quick capture since both babies spent most of the ultrasound dancing about.

Yes, I'm definitely more pleased with these pictures. They are also much larger in print than the previous pictures.

Abi-licious

Just some recent (yesterday) Abi stuff. Because.

Abi and her BFF George - wearing his new "bling" made by Abi. Poor George... he was a pretty good sport about it.

She was full of dancing-energy - as she often is.  Video follows.

That is all for today. Back to packing while Robin bakes a Sugar Pie for tonight's potluck.

Gift Ideas

VERY MUCH SHORTENED, BUT RECENT AS OF June WISH LIST:

We would appreciate:
Bottle warmer
Wash cloths
2 Bumbos (see kijiji)
Swaddling blankets
   - swaddle sacks and/or extra large receiving blankets - usually have to be of the homemade variety since commercial receiving blankets are actually just large burp cloths.

Bonnets - I particularly love these and have one for Abi (link embedded; skip to 3m size for now)
Euclan wool wash (for cleaning wool soakers)
Lambswool blanket (like these)
Wooden toys

Mei Tai carrier

Bibs

Gift certificates for shops where we could buy storage pieces, etc for future babies' room

Do NOT need:
plastic stuff (toys, etc)
rattles
more clothes (although I know you'll be tempted by particular outfits)
diapers
stroller
crib, crib bedding, etc
socks, booties, leg warmers


Yes, I am "picky" I suppose.  However, I think the fact that I "need" little and encourage the gifting of second-hand items more than makes up for this.
I'm being clear and honest for your benefit. I assume you want to know that your gift is truly appreciated and will be used many times.

Good morning

Abi wanted to share some photos with you from this morning:

As for recent activity, it can be summed up as "preparing to move".