Week 116

Our week of staycation! A blessed week off that included thanksgiving (we skipped it this year due to illness/stress) and lots of hanging out and family fun. Yay!

One Year Ago, Week 64
Two Years Ago, Week 12

Rainbow Coat

I wanted to make Reuben a nice cardigan for the winter. I asked him what he wanted and he requested a rainbow coat (and a rainbow hat, that I will make next). So, I got to work! I found this pattern online, but it called for bulky yarn. I didn't want to buy any more yarn since I have such a large stash, so I went down two needle sizes and to worsted weight yarn, but made the 3-4 y/o size for my two year old. I figured I could just eyeball it: and it worked! Thus the rainbow coat was born. He refuses to wear it and I had to bribe him with chocolate to take these pictures.

I just love how it turned out! I hope he gets over his sweater avoidance and sock avoidance soon and can wear this without being bribed or throwing a tantrum... oh, toddlers.

Merry Christmas!

all the gifts!

We have had a good Christmas morning. My two-year old loved his first stocking experience! We played play-do right after (he's been out forever) and read both books he received! Now in true toddler fashion he is refusing to eat his waffle for breakfast and demanding Christmas candy.

The hard thing is my husband woke up sick, Reuben is fighting a cold, and I am now 36 weeks pregnant and tired! There is crust-less cheesecake in the fridge and large bacon salads for lunch, sugar free dark chocolate for this gestational diabetes mama--so not all is lost.

I'm relaxing in my PJs and dreaming about donuts. And not the sugar free kind.

Rough Holidays

Today was my first day being 36 weeks pregnant! I have been anticipating baby Rebekah's arrival with a quiet happiness--but life has been rough. Last week I had to go to the ER for vomiting and dehydration. I lost 10 pounds in one day (and gained it all back this week, it was water weight for sure) and struggled to walk up the steps I was so fatigued for awhile.

I also dyed my hair red a few weeks ago. I love it. It's a temporary dye that is non-toxic, so don't worry about my pregnancy! I really like the color!

Gestational diabetes has been rough too. I have to stay under 30g carbs a day or my numbers are high. I'm doing something called the keto diet (I'll make a video about it sometime) and while it's nice that it controls my blood sugar, it isn't a very fun diet. I will definitely go back to the paleo diet after I give birth, unless I turn out to have type two diabetes. I mean, I can't even eat fruit right now. Fruit has too much sugar. But it's worth it to protect my baby girl and to stay off medication. It just isn't very fun. Not to mention that my diagnosis has really opened my eyes to a whole side of the world I never knew about! I only have gestational diabetes right now. Type one diabetics deal with this stuff (and more) daily. I am floored by the strength of many of my type one friends who deal with blood sugar issues daily.

Here is to Christmas and holiday rest, my friends. That is what we are doing! I am so aware that this is our last vacation as a family of three before baby girl comes and we are suddenly a family of four.

Week 115

One year ago
Two years ago

The week before a vacation is sometimes stressful. Ours was fun, but busy with overworked daddies and tired pregnant mommies. And whiny toddlers who are cute. So excited about Daddy having next week off!

Reuben's Room Tour (2 years)

I filmed a room tour about a year ago but his room has changed so much! So naturally I filmed another. I can't believe how much less he owns compared to last year. Not that it matters, but I noticed the difference. 

His room is still Totoro themed from My Neighbor Totoro, but we subtracted a lot of furniture and added a play kitchen. He loves his kitchen! What does your toddler play with?

Week 114

One year ago
Two years ago

This week my husband FINALLY cleaned our spare room. The room I've been nagging him to clean for five years now. I will pretend not to be very resentful still that it took him 5 years and instead be happy it is now done. And we will be setting up the nursery for our new little one! I am so excited!

I also talk more about going keto to manage my gestational diabetes.

Everything I Made For Rebekah

I made a lot for January baby, whose first name will be Rebekah! I love everything I've made her and can't wait for her to arrive so I can don her with wool, alpaca and cotton clothing items.

Here is everything I've made in anticipation of her arrival. It's both knitting and crochet, but the two words did not fit in the title--so I just went with knitting. Enjoy!

Preschool Homeschool

I'm excited to start Reuben on a very play based preschool homeschooling program! I can't wait to homeschool. In my state (VA) kindergarten starts at 5, and you don't technically have to do anything before that.

But, I want to start Reuben at 3-4 in some type of preschool program. Mainly because I want to get into the rhythm of doing school every day. I want it to become a habit for him and for me! I'm not going to do anything too structured: my preschool will be mostly play based. We will read lots of books. We will play all the things! Puzzles and learning toys are the base of his day anyway, so I am not too worried that this will be difficult in any way. He's two right now, so I want to do Reuben-lead learning--following his interests and discovering what he likes, what he is good at, and what he loves learning about.

In the video below I discuss my plans for curriculum, sex education, socialization and physical education for our preschool homeschool program. Hope this helps anyone else who is wanting an easy preschool play-based learning experience for their child!

Week 113

One year ago
Two years ago

The week I found out that I actually DO have gestational diabetes. Ugh.

Purple Hat

I know, I know, another hat for January Baby? We finally decided on a name for her too: Rebekah! I love it. I am excited about it! Whooo! January Baby has a name! At least, a first name.

This hat is the Garter Stitch Pilot Cap and I found it on Ravelry. I love how it knit upl it's a genius way to knit a hat. I don't like picking up stitches--that's the only draw back. There are a lot of stitches to pick up. I used worsted weight yarn from my stash again, and 4.5mm knitting needles.

Maybe I'll make another one for Reuben. Who knows?

Crochet Bulky Bib Tutorial

Reuben drools like a waterfall, so I wanted to create a few bibs for him. I love the triangle shaped bibs, and since I'd already created some basic square bibs I decided to work up a new pattern for a change of pace. I ended up making him three; and three for my new baby, and a few for my friends who are expecting. They crochet up so quick, taking me about an hour from cast on to button sewing.

Thus I wrote down and decided to publish the design! You can buy the PDF pattern for $3.99 here on Ravelry if you want a written pattern to follow or just feel like supporting our family. There is also a free video tutorial for those who cannot afford a pattern and still want to create bibs, or for those who need both a written and visual tutorial to follow. Enjoy!

You need bulky cotton yarn and a 6.0mm crochet hook to create this bib. There are two sizes; a baby and a toddler size.

Week 112

The week we all got sick! It started with Reuben, moved to mommy (while Reuben was still sick) and now at the end of the week daddy has it too! Poor sick family. Good thing for take out food and rest days!

One year ago.
Two years ago.

Crochet Toddler Hat (1yo)

I made January Baby (who we all know is a girl by now) another hat. Her head will be very warm for the rest of her life with a mama who loves to knit and crochet! This is the Rose Earflap Hat and I found the pattern on Ravelry. I love how it turned out, and it was was total stash busting project for me! Yay for using up some yarn!

I love the colors in the hat and the pompom. I can't wait to put this on my soon-to-be born little girl. When it fits, I know. Hah. I used worsted weight yarn and a 4.0mm crochet hook.

How to Pick Up Stitches When Knitting

I remember the first time I tried to pick up stitches when knitting. It was an absolute fail. I was left with a bulky seam that showed from both sides and lumps in places. Sadly, I couldn't find many tutorials on picking up stitches and the ones I did find were still obscure. I struggled. I started to shy away from patterns that required you to pick up stitches.

But then I decided to find a way to do it myself and make my own tutorial. I have no idea if this is the "right" or "correct" way to pick up stitches but it works for me, creates a great seam and isn't difficult. I use this all the time and am no longer afraid of working with patterns that bind off and pick up stitches. I hope this helps anyone else who is also struggling!

Week 111

The week I did an infertility photo shoot with KJ Photography! It was sobering to meet other loss mothers, but a very healing experience all around. Honestly, it was the highlight of my week even if I was nervous! I love remembering my miscarriages and creating special memories around them, for them.

Two years ago.
One year ago.

Crochet Legwarmers

It gets cold in my house in the winter. Usually I bundle up, layering leggings under pants and wearing big sweaters. However, all of my pants are too small because...growing a human. So I decided to make myself some nice warm wool legwarmers! I just made up this pattern and I love it. They are super fun, full of texture, and very warm.

I used a 4.5mm crochet hook and 200 yards of worsted weight yarn for each legwarmer (so a total of 400 yards). I love them!

 What is your favorite way to keep warm in the winter?

Laundry Room Space Saving Hacks

We have an absolutely tiny laundry room. I mean, I wouldn't even call it a room--its actually a closet. In our bathroom. But that space holds a washer, a dryer, two bins for sorting dirty laundry, all our towels and washcloths, a drying wrack for cloth diapers and even our water heater. How do I make it all happen? By using every inch of space I can!

Here is the run down on our tiny laundry room space saving hacks. Hope you like it!


What is your laundry room like?

Week 110

This was a hard week for many reasons. We started out with two of us sick--and one of us not. Guess who? I knit a lot too. But the end of the week was amazing, because I found out what we are having! Yes, I know the gender now. And so can you if you watch our last video!

Two Years Ago
One Year Ago

Lots of Bibs

Recently I have been crocheting a lot of bibs. I made some for January baby and for Reuben, and then I cranked out a few more for some friends who are expecting. They were fun stash busting projects, using up the leftover billow cotton yarn I own and utilizing my own handmade pattern, Bulky Bibs.

I like how they turned out, and even through you can't see it at all in these pictures, I added really cute buttons to the backs that make me happy.

Yay for more drool catchers! We sure need them around here!

A Yarny Tour of my Home

I have a lot of yarn. Even as a self declared minimalist (I'm not a minimalist for social justice reasons, but for mom survival reasons) I own a lot of yarn. Yarn is my hobby. Yarn makes me happy. I can always find a reason to buy more yarn. I will use it all (that's what I tell myself) and if not, I can always look at it when I need a reason to smile. Like when my adorable toddler is climbing the walls and my husband is working late.

Anyway, here are two videos: one showing how I store my working yarn downstairs where I do all of my knitting, and another showing how I store my yarn long term for future projects. Enjoy!

Week 109

This is the week of that horrible shooting in Las Vegas. I am still praying for the victims and families, and the surrounding community. Violence always shocks me. Reuben being cute and innocent was a nice distraction from the news and filled my heart with joy even in the middle of all the sorrow.

One Year Ago
Two Years Ago

Pullover for Danny

I thought my friend Missy would love a pullover for her son Danny who is only a few months older than Reuben (you can see Reuben's here). I knit his in a dark green, and I hope she loves it! This pattern is from Ravelry, and is called the Odila Cape Pullover. Like the one I knit for my son, I made hers with k2,p2 ribbing because I liked it better, as well as adding the same back decrease. Both of these sweaters were knit in knit picks wool of the andes bulky yarn.

The color is closest to the last picture, my camera is not that great. It's a really dark forest green.

Baby #2 is a....

I had a lot of anxiety over the gender of this baby. I knew what I wanted, but not what I was going to have. My husband also really wanted a boy but I really wanted a girl. I know in the long run it does not matter, but gender disappointment is a real thing...and I struggled!

So what did I end up with? If you don't already know (from watching my vlogs) you can find out below!

Week 108

So this week put me in full nesting mode. I filmed every day and decluttered a lot getting ready for baby M. I also felt stressed this week. I'm not sure it comes across in the vlogs, but we are just past the halfway point and there is so much I feel that needs to be done before this new tiny human arrives!

Two Years Ago
One Year Ago

Sweater for H

I finally finished my first sweater for Christmas 2017! This is for my two year old niece--and the one for my 6 year old niece will match her sisters. I hope they like them.

Pattern is Petite Polished. I made the 62 inch size, and the only modification I did was change the collar. I hate picking up stitches, so I crochet the collar. I like it--I mean, it's not perfect. But it works. I also used knit picks DK cotlin yarn so that my sister could wash it without any special instructions.

I did try it on her, and it does fit. Can't wait to see them both wearing the pink sweater after I finish the other one!