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You know how sometimes you have one of those mornings where you really need just twenty minutes to sit and drink your coffee in a quiet living room, but instead everyone wakes up right away? And your three year old absolutely must play Jay-Jay the Jet Plane with you and your baby has a cold so instead of peacefully nursing he just gets all ticked off because his nose is all plugged up, and your husband is trying to be helpful so he sprays about a gallon of bleach all over the bathroom so you can’t even go in there and pee without getting a massive headache? And all you really, really wanted to do was have just twenty, even fifteen minutes of quiet-hot-coffee-drinking time? Yeah, it’s been one of those mornings.

Knittybaby’s baptism is in one week, and this is the weekend we must GET STUFF DONE. It’s stressing me just a tad. (Okay, a lot more than a tad…) But, Knittybaby has unstuffed a bit and finally is nursing peacefully, so I take a break and give you pictures:

This is what you get while trying to take a picture of the Harlot and hold your wiggly baby at the same time:

This is what you take when you realize you didn’t ask for a picture and are too much of a polite Midwesterner to interrupt and ask:

This is what you buy while trying to decide if you have enough guts to just go back and ask. Mountain Colors Twizzle and a locally made shawl pin purchased at Yellow Dog Knits. I can’t remember who makes them…Dixie?

This is what you get when you find another blogger who is much better at interrupting than you are:

A happy ending, me, Knittybaby and the Harlot!!

Moving on…..

This is what you get when you go to Digs in Northfield, MN. This shop is incredible. I mean really, really incredible. Fabric, yarn, ribbon and a bunch of beautiful stuff. The blue ribbon is for the Heirloom Baby Shawl, which has only two rows left and I cast off!! Then it’s just sewing it up, adding ribbon and I’m done!

Finally, my first completed socks for Sock-a-Month Two:


The specs:
Yarn: Spunky Eclectic sportweight
Pattern: too-up ribbing pattern that came with the yarn, slightly modified at the cuff.
Needles: size three

Notes: beautiful, soft superwash yarn that holds up when when mistakingly thrown in with the underwear on hot, although everything else turned pink, including someone’s boxers. Glad I did not make the mistake!

I want to give a plug to Meelah, who was my missing blogger in Eau Claire. I didn’t get a chance to meet her either. Hopefully next time. Thanks, Stephania!

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get this post up! (I’ve been too busy reading everyone else’s recap of the big event!)

I dropped LittleMan off at my brother’s house midday for an afternoon of football and hanging out with the uncle. Catherine picked me up, and we were off to Eau Claire! We had a nice drive there and Knittybaby graciously slept the whole way.

I was excited to see how many Minnesota knitters made it there and only wished we had more time to talk (we really need a Minnesota knit-blogger get together!) Can I do this without forgetting anyone? There was Chris, Jess, Tipper, Stephania, Deb, Shelly, Christy, Kelle, Jeanne…I know I’m missing someone…..let me know if it’s you! I got to meet Deb (you are hilarious, by the way, I need to get out to Coldwater soon!) but I didn’t realize Jeanne was of K3tog so I didn’t get a chance to say hello to her. I met Shelly when she came to my rescue (more later). Catherine took a great shot of Knittybaby and I in the circle of handknit socks.

The Harlot was, as expected, even funnier in person. She talked for quite a long time and amazingly Knittybaby slept through most of the laughter. I was sad when it was the end of her talk, but then it was on to Yellow Dog Knits for the book signing! (Check out Knittybaby and I meeting the Harlot on the Yellow Dog Blog).

I have to say, Dixie, the owner, was so welcoming and helpful! She really made it a great night. At the end of her talk, Stephanie said the those of us with babies got to go first in line. Catherine and I walked over to the shop with Dixie, who let us in through the back and took me to the front of the line; nothing like getting to jump in front of a hundred people:-) But, like many other knitters have said, as soon as I was standing in front of her I realized I had no idea what to say. She admired Knittybaby’s handknits, and I told her I was trying to get my Olympic project done in time for Knittybaby’s baptism, “No problem, you’ll finish.” she said. Then I said something lame about how she should write a book on how to nurse and knit at the same time. “Lot’s of pillows!” was her reply. Then before I knew it the next person was there and I realized I hadn’t asked for my picture or mentioned my blog!!

This is where I got all junior high….I was too nervous to interrupt and ask and didn’t want to butt back in front of all those knitters again, so I just took a picture from the side. Dixie let me use her office to relax and nurse after some yarn shopping, but I was still bummed about the picture. I mentioned to a bunch of the Minnesota knitters that I didn’t get ask for one. “Go back, she won’t care!” they all said but as they encouraged me I just kept waffling….”I’m to nervous… I can’t interrupt….” Finally Shelly (coming to my rescue) offered to ask her for me. I felt like such a dork, being too nervous to go back on my own, but thank you Shelly, it worked! I got a great picture, and the best part was this: When I told her my blog she hit me on the arm and said, “You’re Knittymama? I know you, you should have told me!” I almost died, she knew my blog!!! That made my night, and it was totally worth interrupting for.

Afterwards, Catherine and I had a relaxing drive back home, I picked up Little Man and learned he had been “a little wild” and the Packers had been badly beaten. So I had a much better night than my brother. Thanks, Mike!!

Now, where are my pictures? We’ll, it’s 11:30, Knittybaby is crashed on my lap and my camera is nowhere near right now. I’ll get my pictures up soon. I just wanted to at least get my post up tonight while I had some quiet time to type.

Thanks for all the kind words about my back to work struggles. Knitters are so good at that! I’m feeling better…these last few days off have been good, plus I braved IKEA with both boys on my own today and it was actually quite a pleasant outing. Those toys will be organized yet!

Here is a shot of the lovlies my SP8 Christine sent me. Thanks again Christine, you were an awesome pal and I really enjoyed all your gifts. Knittybaby will be wearing a pair of your socks to see the Harlot tomorrow!

Speaking of socks, I totally forgot to photograph my Spunky socks, I’ll get those up soon. But here’s the fabric I bought at A Stitch in Time (can’t find a site) while home in Onalaska, WI. A beautiful shop if you’re ever down in the LaCrosse area!

From the left, you see curtains for the playroom, pajamas for the boys (stripes and cowboys-any pattern suggestions?) and a doublepointed needleholder. This fabric buying could become addicting too.

Anyway, Knittybaby and I are off to see the Harlot tomorrow with Catherine! And I have to mention, did anyone notice the super-sweet comment from Dixie, the owner of Yellow Dog Knits in Eau Claire? There’s nothing more welcoming than knowing you are taking your little one into such a baby-friendly environment. Thanks, Dixie! can’t wait to get there!

Thanks for all the back to school well-wishes! I made it through my first “week” and have decided I’ll definitely be liking elementary school. It’s the schedule that is gonna kill us. Today it was me getting up at 5:15, to work by 7, done by 11, then home so Mr. No-Name can get to work, then the library, shopping, cooking, bathtime, dishes, bedtime….I can’t believe I’ve done all this in one day. I guess I’m lucky I’ve got a part time job I enjoy. Couldn’t imagine having to do all this and have a job I can’t stand, but it still bums me out that I’ve got to go back to work. I know we can manage it all, but still, it’s so depressing that there are so many moms out there like me who really want to be home but whether it’s due to health insurance needs (like us) or just financial stuff in general, just can’t. I could write pages on this, but don’t have the energy right now. Let’s just say I’ve been thinking a lot lately on the whole having-to-work/lack of decent maternity leave and pay/working and parenting in American society and yadda yadda yadda…..it just depresses me because I know our family would be a lot better off if I could just be home all the time until the boys are grown up more and ready for school. But, so be it. I don’t want to be too much of a downer because considering our situation, things really couldn’t have worked out better. The boys are still home full time and I guess the benefit is they get both Mom and Dad, which is pretty cool. It’s just tough when one plan you had really been hoping for didn’t work out.

Okay, I’m off my rant and on to knitting! I really wanted pictures tonight, but I’m too tired to find the camera and get everything organized, so here’s a little description of what you’ll see next post:

1. My final SP8 package arrived!!! My SP8 was Christine of Crisis of Praxis. Once again she gave me an awesome package: Cherry Tree Hill yarn in a beautiful fall colorway, a book I’ve been dying for, Ann Budd’s “Handy Book of Knitting Patterns,” another pair of super-cute baby socks for Knittybaby, and some amazingly good chocolate! This SP8 experience has been a great one and Christine, you were a wonderful pal! I cracked up when I read your blog and saw that you ate my chocolate; believe me, I know how hard it is to not eat choclolate that is in your house (just ask Little Man what happened to his Easter bunny). And no worries about the socks. It’s no fun stressing over a project deadline. Cherry Tree Hill is one of my favorite yarns and I’ve got a million sock patterns I’m wanting to try, so you were right on with that one! I promise I’ll post pictures soon, thank you again so very much!!!

2. Knitting; I’ve finished my first pair of toe-ups! The last panel of the Heirloom shawl is underway.

3. Sewing: wait ’till you see the fabric I bought.

And with that, off to bed…..

Well, we’ve made it through staff development week. I had to go in every day except today for staff development, open house, and getting my classroom ready. For the most part I’m ready to go for Tuesday, just a little nervous about the age adjustment. I can handle a room full of ornery, hormonal teenagers with my eyes closed. But a room full of kindergarteners? Let’s just say it’s going to be interesting!

Knittybaby actually took an ounce and a half of my milk the other day while I was gone, which was a big improvement, but he’s still preferring to hold out until I get back. In the meantime I’ve already got a stockpile of frozen milk stored up. Knittybaby will be 6 months in just a few weeks and is starting to grab at our food, so we can start solids soon. I figure we try mixing some breastmilk with babyfood and see if he goes for that during the day. Either way, I feel like we turned the corner since he took some of my milk in a bottle, at least enough to take the edge off and make him less upset until I get home. Thank God I’m only working part time!

I’m so excited, I cast on for the last panel for the heirloom baby shawl last night! This is a huge pain, as you need a total of 185 stitches and it is a picot edge, not fun as it takes forever, but at least I can see the end and know I’ll have it done by the baptism. Of course, it is also full of little black hairs:

“It wasn’t me, really…they are grey hairs, not black! It was Basil, I swear it!”

…and so little time! Here goes, many posts that should have been longer and seperated all now crammed into one:

1. The TC Knit picnic on Sunday was a blast! The Husband With No Nickname (thanks for all the funny suggestions, by the way. I’ll pick something soon, I promise:-) took Little Man and Knittybaby on numerous walks which left me lots of time to knit with all sorts of wonderful knitters:

Chris over at Stumbling Over Chaos was on top of things and has a great list of all the bloggers there. Since this is the abbreviated post, I’ll just direct you to her. It was fun to finally meet so many of the bloggers I’ve been in touch with as well as those who frequent the list. Now if I could just make it to a knitting night!

2. I think the Harlot trip may be a go! You guys are encouraging, and you’re right, she loves babies!

3. My scatteredness (can that be a word?) is the result of my return to work. I wasn’t going to go, but decided I’d better stay with the school district for the great health insurance plan, as opposed to the “try-to-buy-your-own-for-your-kid-with-a-heart-defect-route.” Mr. No-Name works for a small business w/out insurance, but he also has flexible hours. So, I’m going part time, the boys are still at home full time, and I have to refresh myself on elementary school music. I’m excited about the school, but I teach 15 classes in 2 1/2 days, pre-school to 5th grade. This is a MAJOR mental switch from 8 years of middle school and high school band. I’m freaking, just a bit. OK, a lot!!!

4. I’m sewing:

That is, in fact, his Robot-Boy cape. Little Man discovered it also makes a great dancing skirt. I’ve got lots more squares all wonder-undered and ready to applique to some more shirts for both boys.

5. Knittybaby’s cardiologist appt on Friday, short version:Heart defect is no worse, he’s developing perfectly, don’t even have to go back for five months, could even be a couple years until surgery. Yay!!!! Now if he’d only nap more than 20 minutes…

6. I’m tagged: (from Catherine:-)

1. Grab the nearest book. Don’t think, just the nearest book…
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog (Please include the book and author) along with these instructions.
5. Don’t you dare dig for that “cool” or “intellectual” book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest.
6. Tag three people.

Okay, the nearest book is “There’s a Wocket in My Pocket” by Dr. Seuss, and it has no page 123. Next nearest (because Little Man threw it the other day…..something about how I’m mean because he can’t have gum for breakfast) is Anne Lamott’s “Blue Shoe.”

She went to Smith. I don’t even think Yvonne went to junior college. She’s Why Abby ran away.

Anne Lamott rocks, by the way. I still haven’t read this one though. Since I’m being quick, I’ll tag the first three people who would like to be tagged! Yeah, I know, easy way, heh heh heh.

Phew, I think that’s everything. Oh, I’m now one side-panel from a completed baby shawl. Only 28 days until the baptism. Will I make it?

So the Harlot is coming. Coming, but not close enough to make it easy. She is coming to Eau Claire, WI, about an hour and a half from the Cities. Easy if I didn’t have a five month old baby. But, Knittybaby has just begun to stay home with Daddy and Little Man, and is hasn’t been going well. You see, with Little Man, I began to pump and do weekly bottle introductions diligently when he was 6 weeks old (the recommended time by breastfeeding experts). I was lazy with Knittybaby, and only started pumping a couple of weeks ago; he’s five months already so I’m way behind. While the pumping is going fine, he’s not digging the bottle and holds out for the real deal (frankly, I don’t blame him). But that means I can be gone a little bit, but not that long. Definitely not long enough to go to Eau Claire and back. So the dilemma is, do I just say “bummer” and not go, hoping she’ll come around here again for the next book or do I take Knittybaby with me? If I take him the worst that can happen is that he gets crabby or loud during her talk, and I have to go to the lobby and thenI drive all that way and miss it. But then part of me is wondering if I really want to drive all that way by myself with a five month old for a book talk/signing. I’m a huge fan of hers….I’m just trying to decide if it is worth the effort, you know? Right now I’m leaning towards not going. but who knows, maybe I’ll feel adventurous!

This is only a half finished post…that’s what kind of week it’s been, but I figured I’d post it now so you all know I haven’t fallen off the planet. More soon (I hope!)

My purple sock, the one that was a wee bit big? Good thing wool has some memory. This morning I was trying to get caught up with my blog reading, when I hear Hubby:

“So what’s so great about these things anyway?”

He’s wearing my purple sock on his big ol’ size 10 1/2 feet. Which I guess really isn’t that big, but big enough compared to mine. That sad thing is it’s just a wee bit small for him, the sadder thing is he still doesn’t “get” the wonderfulness of handknit socks, even after he put one on. I think I need to quit being a selfish knitter, and make him his own really nice pair out of merino that are a perfect fit, that don’t fall down (he’s very worried about them falling down).

Speaking of Hubby, he was just reading over my shoulder and said, “I really wish you wouldn’t call me Hubby.”

“What should I call you?”

“Your Better Half.”

I giggled at that. Now I need to search for a new nickname. He may be sorry….

Thanks for all the great bind off suggestions, I had no idea I had so many options! Now to experiment.

Finally, for your viewing pleasure, sequins, glued to my floor:

Little Man was so incredibly proud of the beauty of his creation, I didn’t have the heart to be mad about it. That’s why washable glue was invented anyway.

Anyone need a decorator?

Toes down:
This one’s a little big. I made the mistake of measuring a month after Knittybaby was born when I still had my chubby post-pregnancy legs. Says hubby: “Looks like they’ll fall down to me.” But he says that for every sock. This time, he may be right. So now do I:

a. frog it? (yeah, right, this took me three months)
b. make the same size and give it away? (I’m too selfish. I like this sock.)
c. make the same size and just be a wee bit baggy?
d. make another smaller one and just have one bee a wee bit baggy?

Toes up:

I need a good bind of for this one. Suggestions? (Ugh, look at my scratched up floor!)

Problems? Look at my toes. Not smooth. I usually do a good kitchener stitch, but I used reinforcing thread the first time and that made it a challenge. I should have cut it off before the kitchener. I don’t know what’s up with the bump on the toe up toe.

…with my new Huskystar!

It’s a beginner’s machine from Husqvarna. I’ve been researching a new machine since I’ve decided that my alley-found machine is unfortunately a dud. I wasn’t planning on buying it today, but it was only $199 and the boys were being so good I decided to get it while I had the chance. We had La Leche League tonight so I haven’t even had the time to get it out of the box yet, but I’m pretty excited to get started.

I’ve also received a box of books from Crafter’s Choice. I joined up with them, and I feel guilty about it. I really try to support my LYS and local book stores, but sometimes there are so many books I’d like to pick up but don’t have the cash. Their introductory offer of four books for a dollar each is hard to pass up. So I got:

The Happy Hooker (yup, Grandma Tillie, I’m gonna crochet!)
Sensational Knitted Socks
The Knitting Answer Book
Inspired Cable Knits
Yarn Girls Guide to Beyond the Basics

all for $25, with one more book to buy.

I am so close to finishing the toe on my Jang cotton/wool sock. Maybe tonight, if Knittybaby decides he’ll sleep for me.

Glad you all enjoyed my bat drama. Rabies was one of the things that freaked me out as a rabid bat was found in a nearby park a few years ago. I actually managed to coax Basil upstairs so I could make her hide out in the bedroom with Arthur. She was not thrilled when she realized she’d left the bat downstairs!