Clapotis

The light is a bit better - not much. Here are some photos.

Pattern: Clapotis from Knitty.com

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb in Watercolor

Needles: Size 8

I followed the pattern as written. I knit a bit too tightly, because I was worried about running out of yarn.

Clapotis

IT'S FINISHED!!

(pictures tomorrow when there is better light)

Now that's Productivity

DH took the kiddos to a Veteran's Day Parade today. I elected to stay home to clean and craft. I spent three hours cleaning - mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, changing beds, washing clothes, wiping down walls, etc. The remaining time was spent sewing.

I finished 6 pairs of pajama pants. A finally got her Halloween pants, which have been waiting since last year. E got some Thomas pants from a thrifted Thomas curtain. Two of my nieces will receive their Halloween pants from last year as well as a warm pair of flannel ones for their new home.Now on to a few quilts, a skirt for A and two sweatshirts for the kids. In the meantime I need to finish the clapotis.

Ava

I love our dog. She is a good dog-gentle with the kids, relatively obedient and relaxed. She loves to be with her family. Ava is her name, and she is a St Bernard. We adopted her 6 months before E was born from a rescue group. Ava is a huge loveable dog even though she no longer gets the attention she loves with the addition of two children. She loves to be included on any family activity and yearns for daily walks.

Ava does have few drawbacks. She is a slobber queen. My walls are covered with Ava drool. She is a hair machine - shedding despite repeated brushing. She is the main reason that my floor moves with dust bunnies and my walls are darker the last few feet by the floor.

Great Movie

I was able to attend a screening of the film The Business of Being Born tonight. It was previewed by the Arizona Birth Network as a fundraiser for their organization. I went with some friends and ended up being on the discussion panel at the end. It was a tremendous movie depicting the scary state of birth in the United States. It is likened to Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth.

The movie raises some startling issues. Although we are a large developed nation, we rank high in infant and maternal mortality. The maternal death rate has actually risen. It is theorized that this is due in a large part to the many interventions common in most births as well as the startling cesarean rate. Cesarean are becoming elective with the Unite States having a rate above 30% (the World Health Organization suggests a rate of no more than 10-15%). Some states and cities have rates around 45-50%. This is amazing to me. Cesareans are a major abdominal surgery. It is not something to be taken lightly. The movie discussed the issue of bonding with an intervention laden birth. It is harder for the natural "love cocktail" to be released with the normal birth process is disrupted. With the absence of these hormones, breastfeeding can be harder as well as basic maternal/baby bonding.

I really recommend additional reading for anyone pregnant or planning to have children. Some good websites are pushedbirth.com, alternet.org, an article on avoiding c-sections, and loads others I can provide if you are interested.

The movie will be released in the beginning of 2008. It will also be available on Netflix. I really urge everyone to see this film. Regardless of where you choose to birth your baby, be informed of your choices and their implications.

Little Monkeys

This is what I found in the kids' room after cleaning the bathroom.

Halfway There

Today I am 20 weeks pregnant - halfway there theoretically. The baby is doing well - growing with a solid heartbeat. It is so amazing the changes that take place to foster such life. I am wearing more maternity clothes. Truthfully this wardrobe transition began earlier as my roomy uterus stretches early to accomodate #3. I have begun exercising again now that the cold seems to hve disapated. I have been using the ellipticl at home, but hope to make it to the gym soon (just need the kiddos to be healthy). The weather is beautiful, so our walks will return as well.

With a little help from dh or kiddos, I should have a 20week picture posted soon.

The HOLIDAYS

I have been thinking about our gift giving this holiday season. I am trying to buy local for our family and avoid the big box stores. It is much easier than said! I came across the handmade pledge, and I think I am going to try to do it this holiday.


There are so many places to buy handmade as well as crafting my own. If you haven't heard of Etsy, you must check it out. I have been shopping there for a couple years and LOVE it!

Cranberry Relish

I am not sure when it started, but my mom has made cranberry relish for holidays for a long time. I have always disliked it. It was too sour for me. My sister, however, showed me how good it is. The recipe is simple - 1# cranberries, 1 apple and 1 orange. Mix this in the food processor and add sugar to taste (up to 1 cup). I have decided that my mom never used enough sugar. With a few tries, I have settled on 1/2 cup. The stuff is delicious. The kids like it, which is an added bonus. Now that cranberries have hit Costco, we are going to have to stock up.

MMMMMmmmmm....

Cleaning

I am trying desperately to clean up our house a bit. Two little people seem to sense it and are trying to thwart it at every turn. They are currently winning. Today I tried a bit in the den/craft room. I was able to repair a rash guard, stuffed animal and sewn my old Raggedy nn's eyes back on(her legs are still amputated below the knee). Perhaps tonight I will make some progress on the clapotis, so I can start sewing again. I am getting a bit itchy...

Post-Halloween Party

I am not a fan of Halloween. It is okay, but it isn't my favorite holiday. Truth be told, I prefer a good gift-giving holiday anytime. We were invited to two parties this year. Only the kids dressed for the first one. Here is my costume for the second.

It was my Grandmother's Raggedy Ann costume. Here is a photo of her in it.

Clapotis Update

with all the sickness and then niece watching, I am WAY behind on my mother's birthday gift. Yes, her birthday is in two days, and she is leaving on a cruise. I HAVE to have it done by tomorrow if I want her to have it by her birthday.

So, what do you think? Not a chance, huh!

I think I'm in LOVE

Ahhhh...we finally bought an umbrella clothesline. Our HOA is not very supportive of this environmental endeavor. Hopefully a letter is not forthcoming. If so, they may get an earful. How can anyone not use a clothesline?? Now to figure out how to avoid crunchy clothes.