yarn along

Today is my final day of bed rest! I'm looking forward to going for a walk, going upstairs (all my crafting supplies are there), eating at a restaurant (and at a table!), and organizing the nursery. Now the wait is really on for this baby. He could come in a few days or five weeks. But, oh, I really hope it's sooner rather than later.

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I'm participating in the yarn along for the first time in ages. I've been speeding away on the Umaro baby blanket, trying my hardest to finish it before the baby decides to arrive. I think I can manage to finish it by this weekend. I still have to follow along with the pattern on each row, so it isn't the most relaxing knit, but I'm getting faster. I love the classic look of the texture and lace.

And that's a yarn cake I wound with my own swift and yarn ball winder! Such magic!

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I've been reading M.F.K. Fisher's How to Cook a Wolf, a cookbook she wrote during World War II. It's fascinating to read about food economy and rationing during the war and to learn tips for eating well even during hard times. I can't keep my attention focused on a plot for long these days, and this book is great to read in short snippets.

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What are you working on this week?

baby's bunny

Hot off the needles, this little bunny toured the house yesterday in search of the coziest place to cuddle. He tried out various blankets and nooks, scouting out places to snuggle with his soon-to-be-born friend. And finally he found a perch where he can wait--for days or weeks, we don't yet know--to greet a new baby boy.

Find my project notes here.

And the sweet pattern here.

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P.S. The vintage sheet quilt in the first photo is nearly finished. I'm halfway through handsewing the binding. And the Umaro blanket in the third photo is growing steadily these days!

tea time

Tea time is one of my favorite times of day. A newly finished tea cup makes tea time even better.

I threw this cup thick, then shaved off the excess clay with a textural tool when it was leather hard. The glossy amber brown glaze and lines of texture make this a wonderfully rustic cup.

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What's your favorite time of day?

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swift

This beautiful swift has found a home here with me. It's sure to make the time I spend winding my skeins of yarn go much faster, and I'm happy to let the swift do the work instead of my arms.

My father-in-law made it from rich-colored cherry wood and polished it to a fine gleam. It also comes apart so I can fold it up and easily stash it out of the way.

I can't wait to see it in action!

tasks for today

Thank you all so much for your kind comments on my last post. I am grateful for your support and encouraging words. You all made me cry! I felt much less alone carrying your sweet words around in my head. Thank you!

I am now 35 weeks pregnant, which definitely feels like a reason to celebrate. I'm happy for each day more that the baby gets to spend inside, putting on weight and developing his lungs and big brain. I got behind on taking and posting my weekly photos because I was having back pain (and contractions, though I didn't realize it at the time). All I wanted to do after work was go to bed. So, that's why my photos stopped at Week 31.

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Today feels good. The sun is shining through the window, I'm listening to Adele, and I have baby knitting and thank you note writing ahead of me. K and I met with The Diaper Fairy this morning, who is super enthusiastic (even at 8 a.m.) and could get nearly anyone fired up about using cloth diapers. I still can't believe how soon we're going to have a squirming little baby in our arms, but we've spent this last week gathering essentials, so we are ready when he decides to arrive. (I do hope he stays put through the end of the month because I really want to see Deb from Smitten Kitchen when she's in Louisville.)

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Links I'm loving lately:

Cute no-scratch baby mittens pattern

I can't get enough chocolate these days. And I miss baking. When I'm back in commission, this chocolate tart is on my to-make list.

Stefanie has some beautiful finished objects to share.

I'm still fawning over Jared Flood's studio. His yarn is definitely on my Christmas wish list this year. And my Umaro blanket is still on the needles and coming along beautifully.

I think I've finally settled on a couple sweaters to knit this year: a Larch cardigan in crisp red and an Argo in light heathery gray.

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What's inspiring you these days? 

Feel free to leave links in the comments. I've got plenty of time to look through them. ;)  

 

rest

Hello there. I'm writing this from bed, where I should be for the next 3 weeks if I'm lucky. It seems my baby was planning for an early arrival, so I'm doing my best to keep him in there until he's full term.

I'm sure if you've been on bed rest before you know this already, but I just have to say that it's no vacation. I went from feeling like a competent, confident expectant mama to feeling afraid to move, fearing that any movement might bring on preterm labor. I went from actively preparing for my baby's arrival to feeling like an invalid, unable to do things for myself, let alone my baby. I went from eagerly counting down the days until he arrives to nervously counting up the days he's been inside. I am thankful for each day more that my baby gets to stay inside and keep growing.  

I'm trying to quell the worry that occupies my days now. My body is gradually adjusting to the medication I have to take to ward off contractions. I am finding ways to keep my body comfortable. And I'm slowly finding productive ways to spend my time.

Yesterday my mom and sister helped me sort through boxes of hand-me-down baby clothes from my cousin. And I finished knitting this stuffed elephant for the baby. It's a really sweet, simple toy, and it makes me happy to think of my son playing with it in the not-too-distant future. You can read my notes on knitting it on my Ravelry page. It's an adorable product, but fiddly to knit (it's the only knitting project I've ever thrown across the room in frustration). 

K has been a great support in these bed rest days. He cooks, he cleans, and he makes me smile. He reminds me that 3 weeks is not long in the scheme of things and that even if our baby is born early, everything will be all right. He spent yesterday painting the nursery and making pie crusts to freeze so we can make pies and quiches after the baby comes. I already know he's going to be a great dad.

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I hope you are all doing well and spending lots of time with your loved ones!

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