Go Pats!

How Could I Forget?

I may not have had time for many non-house projects this summer, but I did manage to knit a new version of the mini sweater ornament. This is the mini-mini, if you will, as it's significantly smaller than my usual. (Click here for comparison.) This one is Tommy's. He's been asking for one, and I thought I would use some of the leftover sock yarn that he had picked out last year for this project. I changed a lot within the pattern, which I had already altered some, and I have to say that I was pleased with the result. I think there may be a few more of these in store before Christmas. If I can find the time, that is.

I'm also working on a soft cabled baby afghan for a friend, but I have a long way to go on that one. I'm hoping to at least squeeze in a couple of newborn hats and/or socks before the baby comes too. A girl can dream, anyway!

Catching Up

I've had to start working on my blog in pieces, adding photos one day and completing posts on another, hence the long delay followed by an abundance of new pics and reads today. In the meantime though, I've managed to organize some family videos and such on a new website, the link to which is now available on my facebook page. I also started work on some items for my etsy shop (not yet stocked) in hopes of getting some items up for sale by now, but as usual, life got busy. I've been running around a lot, and between school events, doctor appointments, tae kwon do and Thomas' upcoming board breaking competition, and soccer, amongst other things, I don't know when I'll ever find time for all these great projects I have in mind. Of course, also knowing that the baby is due in just about two months and may come early if this time is anything like the last two, I am going nuts, wanting to get everything ready. We're still waiting on just one more estimate on the upstairs first, and then we have to coordinate everything, so I can't really take anything out yet unless I just want to pack it up again, only to unpack it a second time once the upstairs is completely renovated. That, at least, should be a treat once it is all finished. We are all looking forward to the final product.

For now, I wait and distract myself with all the other things I have going on. Soon I hope to post a little more about the house and the few little changes we've made so far.

Oh! I announced it on facebook but totally missed the mark here... WE'RE EXPECTING ANOTHER BOY!

My Second Grader

After today he'll have had a full week of school. So far, so good, knock on wood! I'm so proud of him for adjusting to a new school so quickly and with excitement. Gabe and I miss him during the day, but we have fun watching the buses and look forward to greeting Thomas in the afternoon. Have I ever mentioned how much I love them both?

September Fun

Every year we visit one particular apple orchard, not necessarily to pick apples but to enjoy all the other fun outdoor activities along with some fresh cider doughnuts and a cup of the wonderful juice. This was the first year that we made the trip so early in the season.

I think we'll be going back.

A Beautiful Day in Late August

Taken at a family get-together in New Hampshire on the last Sunday in August:

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day...

nor for a more tired out little monkey who fell asleep moments after being strapped back into the car.

It was wonderful to catch up with family, especially Tom and Gabe's many young cousins.

**I've posted many more photos on flickr for family to see, so if you were there but missed my E-mail, let me know and I'll forward the link.

Fun Find

Our home's previous owner was the farthest thing from a pack rat I may have ever met, so even when we first saw the place the rooms she didn't use all the time were practically empty. I didn't expect to find much when we moved in, but I did buy a few old pieces of furniture from her and was amused by the paper she had used to line what is now Gabe's dresser.

Bradlees!

My best guess was that this flyer came from either the late 70's or early 80's.
I do remember attending roller skate nights at my old school...

Gotta love the shades!

Look at those jackets!

Gone are the days of cassette players and polaroid cameras...

Super short gym shorts! $1.99!

Funny, I don't remember my friends wearing cowgirl hats on the swings, and... do they even make that kind of swing anymore?

I saved the best two for last:

Rockin' the 'stash in that $4.99 shirt...

and super cool in all denim and a cowboy hat!

My Baby Is So Big!

Gabe had his first hair cut yesterday. I don't know if it was the pregnancy hormones or what, but I felt a little emotional about the whole thing. I don't remember feeling that way when Thomas got his first hair cut. Gabe was good the whole time, anyway. He made the "Oooo" face, with his lips all puckered, as he stared at himself in the mirror. I think he was a little excited. It was very cute.

Here are a couple of before pics.


And here he is after we came home yesterday.


He's looking more like Thomas now, which of course spurred me to go through some old albums and find pics of Tommy's first hair cut. First, Tommy's before pics:


And the afters:


Pretty similar!