Introducing Our Newest Blessing

Welcome to the family, Logan Christopher!

Born November 7, 2009
6 pounds, 12 ounces
18 3/4 inches long

We are so happy to finally meet you, Little Guy!

P.S.

I just realized that today is my official four-year blogiversary. Wow. And guess what? Thomas was a pirate four years ago too.

Then and Now:

In some ways, a lot has changed since then. I still think he's a cutie.

Toys, toys, toys!

I can't get enough of them. You've already met my little striped elephante and two teeny tiny turtles. Now, meet Henri:


He's a little quirky, a little lanky, and altogether just plain small and simple, yet I still find something about him just darling. He was an incredibly quick and easy knit, and opportunities for accessorizing seem endless. I have already made a second cranberry scarf for him, and I started another small bear in a rustic brownish gray this afternoon.

All the project information, including a pattern link, can be found on Ravelry. The only modification I made to the pattern this time was to add a tail. (Woops! I completely forgot to take a picture of his back side!) I'll be sure to take more photos once I finish the next little Henri.

I also had to share one more photo of the turtles, as little Green and Yellow now have a friend in Orange:


When discussing my current and recent projects, which are all intended as Christmas gifts for my many nieces and nephews, someone asked me yesterday, "Wouldn't the balls be much easier?" I suppose they would, but a little variety is a lot more fun! I have a long list of toys I still want to make, and I realize I won't get to most of them with the baby bound to make his arrival any day now, but I truly can't help myself. I'm 100% addicted to fun little knit toys right now!

Beautiful

I found these while perusing another blog today and fell in love.

Images borrowed from the vintage pearl .
Please click on the photo to access said site.

The first one that caught my eye was the middle one, but I wonder if it might be a bit much with three or four pendants (just kids or kids + hubby), so I think the other two would have to be my favorites. What a sweet and beautiful way to keep one's family close at heart.

Teeny Tiny

Turtles, that is. Lookie, lookie:

I think this is one of the cutest little patterns ever and am now determined to knit as many as possible before Christmas time. Clearly, Gabe likes them. He carried them around for hours the day I made these two. I have to admit, though, that I am a bit inclined to play with them, myself. Yeah, I'm going to need more.

Raveled here.

Halloween 2009

What a beautiful, warm autumn day it was! Thomas went out in early afternoon, after carving his pumpkin, and played with the neighbors. At one point we watched him out the window, as he and his friend were running from a whirlwind of leaves that was chasing them down the street. They were screaming and running and yet, to me, it was somehow so beautiful and so perfect! Even after the rain that fell steadily as soon as it came time to trick or treat, he later exclaimed to Brian that it was the best Halloween ever.

We even learned that yet another perk of our new neighborhood exists in a Halloween night visit from the local fire department, complete with free cider and doughnuts. Yum!


We are so thankful to be living here!

Little Elephante

Okay, so even with all the color jogging issues and poor seaming behind the head I still think she's pretty cute.  I hope my niece thinks the same when she receives it for Christmas.  IF I give this out for Christmas, that is.  With the number of nieces I have, I may not have time to make one for each, and I don't know how I would pick which one to give it to!  Details can be found on my Ravelry project page. 

She was a quick knit, and I will consider making more, with a few adjustments which I will share upon completion of each.

I realize I still have to take more pictures of the toy balls I've been making AND have lots to share regarding our bedroom renovation.  I'll probably post some Halloween photos later on tonight too, so be sure to check back again soon!

Progress

Everyone has been working hard.  As of today, the entire upstairs has been primed, and the ceiling has been painted.   We chose a light blue for the ceiling (including the slanted parts) and a medium blue for the walls (most of which are short). It's hard to see the ceiling color right now, so I'll take some pictures once the wall has been painted.  It looks pretty light and bright up there right now, but when I saw it there were some very bright workshop lights in use, so I imagine the blue tint to the ceiling will likely show better under normal lighting conditions.

Once all the painting has been finished we will have someone come in (currently scheduled for Monday) to put up all the trim.  That will include base boards, window trim, doors, and something to cover the entry holes into the eaves.  Then the carpet will be installed on Wednesday, and the electrician is scheduled to come back on Thursday to put in all the fixtures.

One of these days, we'll actually move back in!!!  I hope I get to see the finished product before all the furniture has to be brought back up, but the latest news from my doctor is that the question is not so much whether or not they will induce, rather, when.  I reach 37 weeks on Monday, and I have an appointment then plus an ultrasound scheduled for Thursday.  We'll see what happens!

In the meantime I've been knitting more.  I'm way behind on pictures, but I'll get there. In addition to finishing a scarf and knitting a hat for a swap, I've been frantically making toy balls for my nieces, for Christmas.  I have eight new balls ready to go now, and I'm still working on more.  I am anxious to start some for the boys but need more yarn in more colors and, as you know, can't exactly make that trip out on my own right now, so... I wait.

I was all excited last night when I found a great resource for color jogging avoidance.  I liked the technique better than some others I had tried before, so I will be sure to share that link along with a project photo, as soon as I can put it all together!