Happy Mothers’ Day!

My first Mothers’ Day, and I couldn’t be more happy. Jane was born perfectly healthy on Monday, May 6, 2013. She weighed 7lbs 7oz, and measured 21 inches. She is already a daddy’s girl; she loves when he reads The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and has tummy time with her. Mostly, I’m just the food supply, but if it means plenty of smells and snuggles I’m happy! For my first Mothers’ Day, I plan to spend as much time as I can soaking in Jane and Timmy. Did I mention I’m happy?

Thanks Giving {73}

Today, I am thankful that I have a healthy baby girl. Not in my arms… Still in my belly. But she is healthy and so am I, and that’s really what’s important, right? Timmy reminded me that no one cool shows up to a party on time, which means Jane is one cool baby. Really, it seems like maybe this is one party she’s not interested in attending, but she doesn’t have a choice! We have scheduled an induction, so hopefully we will have our baby girl snuggled up in our arms in just a few days. For now, we will enjoy yet another weekend of beautiful weather – and Timmy’s birthday! Maybe Jane is just waiting to be the best birthday present he could ever receive?

Since I haven’t been busy taking care of a baby, I have had some time to do other things – like finally use my pizza peel! I got it a little while ago, but didn’t feel like making pizza dough for some reason. It’s easy, I’m not sure why I was avoiding it. I am thankful that last night I got over that and made homemade pizza, it was delicious! Between the baking stone and the pizza peel, I could hardly mess it up. I even made dessert pizza with cinnamon and sugar – yum. I will definitely be breaking that pizza peel out more often now that I know how much easier it makes things!

I am thankful that my parents are coming out to visit this weekend. I haven’t seen them in a few months, so it will be a nice visit. Oh, and there’s the whole sharing their granddaughter with them, that will be pretty cool too. I am thankful that we were able to schedule the induction so my parents could plan their trip out here accordingly. I am also thankful that my dad will (hopefully) get to meet Jane before he goes to Africa next week. She sure is cutting it close!

Finally, I am thankful for Timmy. He’s not typically known for being optimistic, but he has been great about keeping my spirits up as my belly gets impossibly bigger and I feel discourged. He helps me by pointing out the positives – like we are healthy – and reminding me that Jane has to come out sometime. She’ll be worth the wait! I know that the waiting has been hard and stressful for him, but he has been so supportive. I appreciate it!

What are you thankful for this week?

Thanks Giving {72}

For those of you who were hoping to see a precious newborn and family photo pop up today, I must disappoint you. Let me tell you, you are NOT the only one! This waiting is near unbearable! Somehow it seems like every person I talk to tells me how their baby was three days early. Well good for you (angry sarcasm should be obvious, right?)! So, even though I haven’t been busy at the hospital, I have been busy trying not to get angry at Jane. It’s not her fault, after all. She has just as much right to be angry with me for not getting her out of there.

Instead of getting frustrated, today I am trying to focus on being thankful for these last few days (please let it just be hours!) of time with Jane all to myself. Pretty soon I won’t have all those sweet little wiggles all to myself. I’ll have to share her with the world. I’m thankful that she is still healthy and seems to be happy in there. I’m also thankful that all this anxious waiting is making Timmy nervous, he could stand a little more anxiety in his life haha.

In an effort to get the labor process started I’ve been going on walks. I am thankful for this beautiful city that I live in. So many of the streets are lined with flowering trees and traffic islands blooming tulips and daffodils. Even the sporadic grassy squares along the sidewalk are sprouting violets and muscari. The sun has been shining, the temperature has been perfect for walking. I am so thankful that I can enjoy the spring glory!

I am thankful for all the calls and text messages from family, just checking in to see how we’re doing. I’m sorry there hasn’t been any news! Timmy and I appreciate all the support and encouragement!

I am thankful for Timmy, and his heroics on Monday night. There is a loud car that occasionally parks outside our house in the middle of the night and idles. The girl two doors down goes out and smokes (nothing illegal, I’m sure…) with her boyfriend and then he leaves. Monday night Timmy and I were both just annoyed enough to do something about it. In the past, Timmy was very hesitant to get into any confrontation. This time, however, he went right out there, knocked on the window and gave them the what-for. Okay, he actually asked politely if they’d turn the car off, and blamed his pregnant wife for the trouble. But that is a big step for him! And I don’t mind taking the blame if it means they’ll turn the car off from now on. Thank you Timmy!

I am thankful for all the sweet people I meet while out and about. So many strangers have complimented me and encouraged me while I’ve been running errands. From kind old ladies to awkward middle aged men to moms of all ages. People are so nice! I’m thankful for the encouragement and kindness!

Finally, I am thankful that very soon I will get to hold my sweet baby girl in my arms! We can’t wait to meet her!

What are you thankful for this week?

Heartwarmer for Jane

Unlike my Snug As A Bug sweater, I loved this project. It came together quickly, and it is just too cute! I love the old-fashioned vibe and simplicity. It reminds me of Little Women, or even Pride and Prejudice – if there had been babies in those stories. I can just picture Jane in a little peasant blouse, leggings, boots and this sweet wrap. Playing with a toy horse that Timmy whittled  for her. Haha, as I mentioned before, when I picture people wearing the things I knit, my ideas are usually ridiculous.

At first, I thought a shawl for a baby seemed rather impractical. Wouldn’t it just fall off? I would never have thought of making this myself. But, it has buttons that hold it in place. Genius! Some of these designers are so clever. I have to wait until Jane can try it on before I attach buttons. This pattern is Heartwarmer by Bley Hack. It comes in 2 sizes, and I have a feeling I’ll end up making another one. It didn’t take long to make, and it was great to use up yarn I had left over from other projects. For this one I used Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool. Complete success! Now I just have to wait until fall to wrap her up in it…

Ravelry Link: Heartwarmer

Thanks Giving {71}

I hope I didn’t get anyone’s hopes up by not posting earlier this morning, Jane is still snug as a bug in my tummy. No signs of moving toward the exit any time soon. For that, I am thankful! Apparently this week (week 39) was the final week of development; she was building up some kind of chemical in her lungs that will help her breath more easily when she comes out. So it’s a good thing that she didn’t come early. Having said that, this has been one of the longest weeks of my life, until next week I’m sure.

I am thankful for the beautiful flowers that have been blooming over the last week or so. Our garden has forsythia, daffodils, bleeding hearts and a few other buds coming in. We definitely have a lot of work to do out there, but it’s always fun to see the first blooms of spring! Maybe this weekend Timmy and I will build a planter for our porch (it looks easy in the picture…). Anything to keep us busy!

I am thankful for our thoughtful and generous family! I have been getting phone calls all week checking in, offering advice and support. We had a nice dinner out on Monday with some of Timmy’s relatives. We really appreciate all the love we’ve been sent! We can’t wait to share Jane with everyone, and for her to grow to love them all like we do.

I am thankful for Timmy! Every morning, everyday when he gets home and throughout the evening he asks me if I’m “laboring”. He and I are both so anxious to meet Jane! I love hearing his plans for when she’s here, and the things he worries about. I don’t think I could have picked a better man to share this adventure with.

Finally, I am thankful for the weekend! As I mentioned, this week has felt especially long and I am looking forward to spending the weekend with Timmy, enjoying what could be our last days as just a twosome.

What are you thankful for this week?

Cervide Sweater Update

Remember this sweater that I made last summer?

It was a Christmas gift for Baby Walker. My brother and sister-in-law finally got to old their little bundle a little over a month ago, as I have mentioned. Now he has a name, Hayden Garrett, and he is already growing and stretching. He was just the right size to wear the Cervide sweater on Easter. And doesn’t he look handsome? I’m so glad it fit; it seemed like a tiny little thing when I was making it!

Here are the Walker men: Hayden, my dad, and my brother. I just thought I’d share an update, since pictures of my knitting don’t usually have people in them. Who doesn’t love a gratuitously cute knitting baby photo?

Pattern: Cervide by Catherine Shields

My Ravelry Link: Cervide – for Hayden

Cobb Salad Remix

I haven’t posted a recipe or baking adventure in a while, but today I have one for you: The Cobb Salad Remix. Unfortunately, it was all eaten up before I could take a photo, so you’ll have to settle for a photo of Timmy and I from last weekend. This picture does not do the monumental size of my belly justice. Have you been keeping track of the countdown in the right margin? Nine days until my due date. Yikes! As Jane is not making any attempts at escape, let’s get back to the salad.

The traditional Cobb salad has almost all of my favorite salad ingredients: bacon, blue cheese, avocado, hard boiled eggs. YUM! I wanted to make my own version of this salad, sans the lettuce. Here’s what I came up with:

1 Avocado, diced

2 small tomatoes, diced

1 small-medium cucumber, diced

2 hard boiled eggs, diced

6 bacon strips, rough chop

2-3 scallions, chopped

3-4 oz block of good blue cheese, crumbled

Of course you can modify the ingredients to your taste, but the cucumber helps to give the salad some freshness and crunch, so you may want to add peppers or something else fresh and crunchy if you’re not a cucumber fan. I then topped the salad with a simple lemon vinaigrette:

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tbsp dijon mustard

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Whisk these ingredients together and pour over salad. I over-dressed my salad, so you may want to pour a little over, mix, and then decide if you want to add more. The lemon is important for preventing the avocado from turning brown, but it also adds a fresh, lightness to the salad. Basically, the lemon and the cucumber take the place of the lettuce in making sure the salad doesn’t get too heavy. It’s really just a basic dressing, good on any salad. This would be great for fresh veggies from your summer garden. I hope you enjoy it!