Desperate times call for...

Comfort Knitting.

Life has been a bit stressful these days. I had to go for some comfort knitting tonight so I cast on for a new Wonderful Wallaby for N. I've knit this sweater at least five times and it's simple and knit in the round in mostly stockinette and it is just what I need right now. One of my favorite things about knitting is how the simple rhythm of it soothes my soul. Ahh... only an inch into it and I feel better all ready.

Ice Cold in the Middle of a Texas Summer

Today we went ice skating as a family. It was J's third time ice skating and N's first. I didn't think we'd be there very long. But the boys surprised me and did great. N had to take regular breaks but we were there almost 2 hours. J didn't use the walker at all and eventually could skate some all on his own. He purposefully fell a bunch and got really good at getting back up on his own. Both boys wanted to hold my hand or hands or B's hands most of the time, but it was still really fun. I was so impressed with both of them! It was so fun to be active without being wet (the pool) or sweating (anywhere outside). Who knew ice skating in the middle of the summer could be so fun?

A Shorts Kind of Cardigan

While my mom was here, I finished my Minimalist Cardigan. I made it because I wanted a fun, casual Spring/Summer sweater I could throw on with my shorts and capris. I love my Ripple Cardigan--it's nice and light, but not really a shorts kind of sweater.


This was an easy knit and more enjoyable than I thought it would be. I was really dreading all that seed stitch, but once I got into it the rhythm of it, I really didn't mind it.

My only mods were to knit the sides and back as one piece until the armpit and to knit the sleeves in the round until the cap shaping. I loved having less seaming to do when I finished knitting although the mattress stitch made putting this one together pretty painless.

I made the smallest size (34" bust) which is (shockingly) a little big on my 31" self. I still like it, but would probably have liked it a little better if I had made it slightly smaller.


Pattern: Minimalist Cardigan by Ruthie Nussbaum
Yarn: 5 skeins of Berroco Weekend in Color 5923 (75% Acrylic/25% Peruvian Cotton/ 3.5 oz/ 100g/ 205 yds/ 189m)
Needles: Size 7 (24" Circular and doublepoints)
Modifications: Knit in one piece until the armpits and knit sleeves in the round. Had to add one stitch to cast on for middle of back to keep ribbing pattern correct. Did not increase stitches anywhere on first row of seed stitch.
On Ravelry here.

Help a Friend and a Great Cause

I have a good friend, Taylor, who is a nursing student. She is going with some fellow students to Kenya to help educate girls and hand out underpants and sanitary pads so the girls don't have to miss school when they have their periods. To read more about Taylor and their trip, go to her blog: Taylor's Off to Kenya.

To help by making a donation, click below.

Happy Belated Father's Day!

On Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day although things were a little hectic because my mom was in town. Anyway, my favorite moment from the day was when we told N to tell B "Happy Father's Day." N looked at B and said "poop" and went on with what he was doing. Nice. One of the problems of potty training--potty talk. Oh well.

Thanks, love, for being such a wonderful dad to our boys. We are so blessed to have you!

The World's Tiniest Booties

I went to a baby shower on Friday night for a good friend who is pregnant with her second daughter. Since I knew she had the practical stuff covered, I decided to go for fun and homemade.

First, I made her a little lovey doll in my favorite brown floral print and pale pink bubble velour to match the pink and brown theme of her nursery. Then I decided to knit a quick pair of Mary Jane booties.

This was my first time trying this free pattern and it was quick and simple. I knit the pair in one (relatively long) night of knitting. Luckily I had the perfect little buttons to finish them.


Being in a hurry, it was the night before the shower, I did not check gauge. I don't know if that was my problem, but as adorable as they are, the booties turned out teeny-tiny.


Instead of 0-6 months size, they are newborn size. I will have to make a bigger pair so my friend's daughter will actually get to wear them. Oh well. They are still the cutest little things I have ever seen.

Pattern: Mary Jane Booties by Lucy Sinkler (free)
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby (I think), Sport Weight Acrylic in Pink (takes very little yarn)
Needles: Size 3
Modifications: None
Construction: Knit flat in one piece and seamed down middle of seam and up the back of the bootee.

The Giants of the Savanna

When we moved to Texas, my sister-in-law bought us a family membership to the Dallas Zoo as a gift. We really enjoyed going so after a year, we bought ourselves a new one. Anyway, recently the zoo opened its new Giants of the Savanna area. This weekend we went to check it out. It's 11 acres of excitement and fun. I was really impressed with the layout, animal habitats and general atmosphere. It was a hot Texas day, but we still had so much fun. Anyway, here are some of our pics from our morning at the zoo. If you live in the area, this is definitely worth a visit to the Dallas Zoo.

J and B posing with a sign on our way to the Giants of the Savanna area of the zoo.


I thought the bathroom sign was hilarious. B thought it was hilarious that I took a picture of it.


The first area we got to was the elephants. This is where they do the zoo keeper interactions. There were two elephants hanging out here.


This is part of their large habitat. Right now there are either five or six elephants in the herd. Eventually the ostriches and impalas will be intermingled with the elephants. They are all separated right now as they get used to their new home.


The giraffe feeding station. We had so much fun with the giraffes!


I love how these three younger giraffes hung out close together.


We bought giraffe treats (lettuce) so we could feed the giraffes. Here is B feeding them outside of the feeding area. We got in trouble--oops!


N feeding a giraffe (right before we got redirected to the feeding area). Love this pic of his sweet little head.


J feeding a giraffe.


N's hand in a giraffe's mouth.


N was really excited about being so close to the cheetahs.


N: "Cat!"

We also got this close to the lions (although we just missed the lion training demonstration) and saw ostriches and impalas from afar. The warthogs and red river hogs were sleeping in the heat but we enjoyed checking them out too.

On our way back to the car, we stopped for a water and snack break. I decided to pull out my knitting which I had brought along in honor of National Knit in Public Day. I got one row done on the sleeve of my Minimalist Cardigan. Hey, one row is better than nothing.


All in all, a great day at the zoo!

P.S. This is my 500th blog post! Woo hoo!

I Have a Fly...

I have a fly. He won't die.

He's driving me crazy.

Anyone know the average lifespan of a fly?

Where's my Zoe girl when I need her? She was one hell of a fly catcher.

It was kind of gross when she ate them, but at least they weren't buzzing around any more.

Oh, Zoe. Yet another reason I miss you, sweet girl.

Poop!

That is what N is saying in this picture. For about a week now, he's been peeing in the potty about 2 or 3 times a day. Today he pooped in the potty for the first time. He was very excited. Of course, an hour or so later he pooped in his diaper, but it's a start. I'm very excited that he's somewhat interested and that he seems to be figuring out when he needs to pee and poop. Woohoo! I'm not ready to pull out the underwear yet (that's probably still months away), but we're on our way.

And for all the non-parents out there who don't get why I'm excited and for the vast majority of readers who really don't care, sorry for all the potty talk. I'll get back to knitting soon. In fact, I finished the back and sides to my Minimalist Cardigan and just started a sleeve.

Photos by J

J, who turned four in March, has gotten very into my cameras and taking pictures. Here are some pictures he took today during rest time.

The first three are of J's favorite bedtime buddies.

Blue Bear:

Bert:
Original Bear (formerly known as Bear):

J tells me this one is his knee. I thought it was really cool.

And, of course, everyone needs to take a few self portraits.

When he showed me this one, he said, "Look, Mom, it's my eyes and my head."

That's my J. Got to love him.