tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56588161817648861502024-03-05T02:37:25.994-06:00find katerinafind katerina - where she is... what's she's up to...katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-44679891466493081802013-08-27T22:43:00.000-05:002013-08-27T22:43:09.868-05:00Back Online! ... to pimp out the hubster!<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'mmmm baaack... </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>HEEeeyYY YOOoOOooUU GUYYYSS!!</b></span></span></td></tr>
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Life took a bit of an adjustment when little A-man got to walking, and then just got crazier from there! Once back to work, it was much harder to find the time to sit down and post. We all know how that goes. Then you add another kid to the mix and Watch Out! Time.. personal time that is... is gone. gone. gone baby gone. But I'm adjusting - with the 2 cuties I have, how could I not?! I'll post pics and updates momentairly.<br />
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Right now, I want to PIMP my HUBBY!! For all those still reading this feed (those.. two of you) I'm trying to connect with as many of our friends and family as I can to help Mike get as much face time as possible. Mike as you all know, has started his own plaster company <a href="http://www.michaellauerstudios.com/" target="_blank">Michael Lauer Studios</a>, LLC, and took a really big step (especially for him) and NOMINATED HIMSELF for the Martha Stewart American Made Audience Choice Awards!!!<br />
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Now all the contestants/artists have to nominate themselves, and you all know how uncomfortable that kind of think makes Mike. He heard about it, thought about it, decided not to do it, and then changed his mind and went for it! I'm really proud of him and want to support him as best I can.<br />
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So. Drum-roll please!!! Check out my amazing man's work (and he does make be-u-t-ful things - as you can see by the kiddo photos below) and vote for him on his<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/80789" target="_blank"> American Made Profile Page</a>. You can vote up to 6 times a day and the contest goes through Sept. 22nd 2013.<br />
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<img src="https://my.marthastewart.com/sites/default/files/styles/653x369/public/american_made/IMG_0865_0.jpg?itok=eI-0QsQT" /> <br />
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Now you know if I took the time to log back in and post and update here, we're excited!! And I hope you are too as you check out Mike's work. He really does make beautiful things, all by hand and with an intense amount of dedication and precision. <br />
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Ok - on to the kiddos....<br />
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Little A-man is now Big A-man and his brother Leo is quickly catching up! As I do laundry, I find it increasingly difficult to figure out whose clothes are whose, as they can often wear the same thing!!<br />
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Not sure if A is a shrimp or L is huge - I think it's a combo of both. Here are a couple of pictures to make up for lost time:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Little Man chilling on the Beach - very Zen</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Leo's version of chill</span></td></tr>
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We took the boys to the Children's Museum, and on the pirate boat they had a jail cell. Aiden wouldn't go in, and I think Leo regretted the fact after he did so. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;">After his first really big-boy haircut</span></td></tr>
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And Aiden now loves to get his hair cut professionally - why? Because he get a dum-dum lollipop. Candy. It's what moves him.<br />
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They are both growing up really really fast, and yet - there are days when I wonder if they'll ever get out of *insert random stage here* phase. But I love it, and them. <br />
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I realize I need more pics of the boys - but they're so full of energy, it's hard to get them to sit still for long enough :)<br />
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I hope to post a bit more often, but please take a moment and go vote for Mike!<br />
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katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-45971940314308628422011-09-24T13:48:00.000-05:002013-08-27T22:49:44.270-05:00returning .... after a whileIt's been a while, life sped up and now that the craziness has settled - at least for a little while, I am taking some time for a update!<br />
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Life here has been going well - Aiden is growing like a weed, and talking up a <i>storm!</i> Mike has graduated and started his own business and it looks like we're staying here in Charleston, as we just put down roots and bought a house!<br />
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Aiden is entering into the terrible two's and we're just hoping it won't be too terrible! He's a very sweet boy who loves to talk (wonder who he gets that from!) and definitely has a mind of his own and can be a bit stubborn (like father like son!)<br />
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In the move, we had to switch daycares, and I must say - if you're in the Charleston area, anywhere near Daniel Island, I COMPLETELY recommend <a href="http://www.childrensnook.com/">Children's Nook</a> -they were wonderful. We really miss it. <br />
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I will post pictures soon to show how much he's grown.<br />
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It amazes me how much he talks and understands. He is a curious fellow and always asking "What' that? or What'r you doin?" 15 times a minute!<br />
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As I mentioned Mike graduated from school!!! Yeah :) Here is a picture of his senior project, which is the type of work he'd like to do in the future. It took him all year, from the idea, to design, to creation to instillation. I couldn't be more proud:<br />
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<img src="https://my.marthastewart.com/sites/default/files/styles/653x369/public/american_made/Lauer_Strapwork_Panorama1_0.jpg?itok=5KEzBW6l" /><br />
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He has started his own company Michael Lauer Studios and has already started working here in the community at some historic homes and new construction! Check out the process at his school portfolio website <a href="http://www.michaelplauer.com/">MichaelPLauer.com</a><br />
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Part of the craziness (other than the adjustment of a mobile child) was Mike and I started house hunting and found a beautiful home here in Charleston! It needs some cosmetic updating but has wonderful potential - so I'm sure we've got some projects ahead of us, but that's what's great about having a skilled hubby. <br />
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Perhaps the next post will be before/after pictures!<br />
<br />katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-5178296211853086502010-06-16T11:53:00.003-05:002010-06-16T11:56:46.255-05:00with many firsts...Originally, this was a post about some knitting, and a trip home, and then Aiden hitting 6 mo. then about mothers day, and a few other things in between all of that - but I'd start typing it out and never have the time to finish a post. So, I finally realized, I just need to post something! So this is a kind of catch up on it all posting...<br />
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Over the past couple of months (yes, I realize it has been that long...) Aiden and I have had a couple of firsts that I'm very happy about/proud of or feel you may find interesting. <br />
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First things first on the post of first - the little man himself! I've posted pictures of him up to 2 months so we've got a bit of catching up to do... so here are a few pictures of Aiden as he's grown:<br />
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We'll start where we left off... 3 months: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvpNvlKMTrxevI3np1fMf0dDGqJBWCuQwBBrcnGNpDSHzG-vcvm4e-kjfc05IAJ8RallEsC4e3jpi5mij3le8r7e6Qe5BrOlIAFjDD97yCzXw2ezFogsZGEU-i_W-6Vgu6UzMG-xQKo3B/s1600/IMG_2757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvpNvlKMTrxevI3np1fMf0dDGqJBWCuQwBBrcnGNpDSHzG-vcvm4e-kjfc05IAJ8RallEsC4e3jpi5mij3le8r7e6Qe5BrOlIAFjDD97yCzXw2ezFogsZGEU-i_W-6Vgu6UzMG-xQKo3B/s320/IMG_2757.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>These two are him at 3 months - I didn't get the puppy dog or sign shots during this time - there was too much going on - Mike was away in Italy and I did some traveling back home.. so these two will have to do instead ;) He still looks pretty darn cute to me! The picture on the right is one of his first real trips out in the BOB stroller - I love that thing!<br />
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</div>4 months.... too doggone cute! Okay okay, I may have overdone it on the dog theme:<br />
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5 months:<br />
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Sporting the gangster look thanks to his Uncle Stefan... <br />
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He bought track suits for all the nephews at Christmas - it just fits Aiden now - we had fun with this photo shoot!<br />
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A few more days and I'll post 6 months and the 7 months. I really can't believe he's grown so much. He's really starting to look more like a little boy and less like an infant/baby. Everyone tells you, but it true, time does move pretty quick. *<i>sigh*</i><br />
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Here is his first time in the ex-o-saucer, with true concentration:<br />
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He had also figured out how to flip back and forth and sit up on his own! Go Aiden!<br />
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We had our first trip on a plane together when we went up to KY to visit the grandparents and got to see lots of friends and family.<br />
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He attended his first pro-soccer game here in Charleston, where he was so excited, he stayed up 2 hours past his bedtime!<br />
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I have some picture of his first time at the beach (just this past weekend!) and of his first try at solids- he loved it! But if I want to get this posted, they'll have to wait, as they're not loaded on my computer. <br />
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I had a few firsts of my own - I experienced my first Mother's Day! I know, technically, I was a mother last year, being pregnant but in my mind - that really didn't count. It was a touch sad not being able to share with my own mother, but it was a really lovely day. It started with a terrific breakfast in bed, and then all day with my two men - we went down to the water front and hung out on the grass in a park and played and enjoyed the sun. <br />
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I made salesperson of the month for the first time at work! yeah :) and while Mike is away at his internship this summer (8 weeks in VA) I'll be taking care of Aiden on my own for a while. I do have some friends and family who will be coming in and out, and Mike will be making frequent trips home, but day-to-day it'll be me and the little man!<br />
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I've knit my first shawl (a small one) - and was working on a toy, that I'm not sure is turning out as cute as all the other pictures. It's called Lutin, and was posted on a french knitting website (they've since taken it down). I'll post pictures of that when/if it gets done - it's been <strike>abandoned </strike>put aside while I work on a few other things.<br />
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That's about it for right now. I'm making a mental effort to try and post more often. We'll see how the summer goes with Mike being away.katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-27423615050623754872010-02-20T06:28:00.001-06:002010-02-20T06:30:19.267-06:00back at workWhich is my main excuse for not posting sooner!<br />
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Starting mid-Jan, I went back to work full time. It wasn't to much of an adjustment to going back - I felt like I settled back into the swing of things pretty smoothly. For me, the big thing was the catch up! I hate the feeling of being behind - even before I've started! So the first couple of weeks was just trying to dig-out from all that had piled up while I was out. I am very lucky, and have great support team at work, and that made it easier.<br />
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Then, the first week of Feb. the Little Man started Day care! :( So sad. That was an adjustment in and of itself, ironing out the details of pickup and drop off, what to bring, how much he'd eat, etc. etc. I feel like we're getting a good rhythm now with it too. I like the place, they're very sweet, and they work with me on the breastmilk/breastfeeding, which I was worried about. But I am able to drop off what I pump the night before when I pick him up, and they don't throw away the extra, but use it for the next feeding, I can stop by anytime... all that good stuff.<br />
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They say he's a great kiddo - always smiling, doesn't spit up (?? What! he does at home - hmmm... maybe I'm jostling him too much...) only cries when he's hungry. So it sounds like he likes it too! It's nice when you feel comfortable with where you're leaving him.<br />
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Of course, it's been a while with pictures, so... here are a few of Aiden at 2 months. I can't believe he's now 3 months old already! Wave hello honey!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2ENlVUM1eDnT9lLOGK-nYPM_C19YRL-8j5em_0HOJLKp1vah9K6ug5jAmyvbmP2WgZ8T8FprsZYmp71IiNdtsh5tJYXXw55zNscxdi15zTo-O7Be9Dw67ib3g6dGCwCfDRUUyPPHjRTN/s1600-h/IMG_2659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2ENlVUM1eDnT9lLOGK-nYPM_C19YRL-8j5em_0HOJLKp1vah9K6ug5jAmyvbmP2WgZ8T8FprsZYmp71IiNdtsh5tJYXXw55zNscxdi15zTo-O7Be9Dw67ib3g6dGCwCfDRUUyPPHjRTN/s320/IMG_2659.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYryAMsWdq7-q4HxPcHrOQoqJAUOgFm4YLVqVDUyaH5H41vByShyphenhyphen6gEeWZpx-cdCUzKc7b-5vrpYD2Q0me7oPRIMT-r9evSIMWEi4QbjkG_sOYtcIDa2oERi3XdUkWKrJGn4khunoshxAH/s1600-h/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYryAMsWdq7-q4HxPcHrOQoqJAUOgFm4YLVqVDUyaH5H41vByShyphenhyphen6gEeWZpx-cdCUzKc7b-5vrpYD2Q0me7oPRIMT-r9evSIMWEi4QbjkG_sOYtcIDa2oERi3XdUkWKrJGn4khunoshxAH/s320/IMG_2654.JPG" /></a></div><br />
A good family friend came to visit Aiden a few weeks ago, and Mamma Maz and had a great time with Aiden:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedvRaK-AQp8dYucDg2eSFEwODdn-46Y8tqSsr7rCDQfLR5NL7Ga3Kcvzhq7-CbCR8ZC0WbLzyCxTms7w70ATmY0FlL2gVJjG69lngR1L3jonjck85WS1M3N5CXaDgJ3dffZ2li6aGBLvN/s1600-h/IMG_2664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedvRaK-AQp8dYucDg2eSFEwODdn-46Y8tqSsr7rCDQfLR5NL7Ga3Kcvzhq7-CbCR8ZC0WbLzyCxTms7w70ATmY0FlL2gVJjG69lngR1L3jonjck85WS1M3N5CXaDgJ3dffZ2li6aGBLvN/s320/IMG_2664.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I've been knitting, and Aiden's been my model - here's a hat I made for my new....what would they be called if they're your 1st cousin's kid? 1st cousin once removed? 2nd cousin....anyways.. Cooper's hat:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjsEsOQhkJTo2o6wJF7XSXPILcFOCUzc7ZEhqvJ0w7UU18nZVOPowZEK5jduyD0hYKMlsN2BQVj_Mjo-ofqnJZif9v5ypl348UxdGzcMDaQ9w0luRhuBmwkRMyAZXmiPLY4MpYc390TmL/s1600-h/IMG_2701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjsEsOQhkJTo2o6wJF7XSXPILcFOCUzc7ZEhqvJ0w7UU18nZVOPowZEK5jduyD0hYKMlsN2BQVj_Mjo-ofqnJZif9v5ypl348UxdGzcMDaQ9w0luRhuBmwkRMyAZXmiPLY4MpYc390TmL/s320/IMG_2701.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Of course, I had to make one for Aiden, which I did - with matching mittens!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4EWQFtXpdctg8v7wC_8S2iQbT-8U27wnzqip4Udch2LDBKNGCGzq_dDaKWGT8gj_9VXh3dtqcfsSna6gwSfo36niryoTODH_-cuSyuBqnr3mTaH8HN-0EwOp_kG-bXq_xEHNeiAh6kQR/s1600-h/IMG_2716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4EWQFtXpdctg8v7wC_8S2iQbT-8U27wnzqip4Udch2LDBKNGCGzq_dDaKWGT8gj_9VXh3dtqcfsSna6gwSfo36niryoTODH_-cuSyuBqnr3mTaH8HN-0EwOp_kG-bXq_xEHNeiAh6kQR/s320/IMG_2716.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This is the first shot, I changed the hat so it's now more of a watchman's cap, but I love this picture :)<br />
And a couple more of my favorite Aiden shots:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwoLeJHHRSR3LAbBdcseZFMk9_9vW1TSEkrFZ8u6WuYHQstIQJrMWCgz4iXWh-xPj2nJ1Mgd2pXzrYNxThe78sfZtT3-RUhtr8NOA8tFCA3DudRxGVexyCIUSD3x4csFfRX2lU2Fsm-F7/s1600-h/DSC_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwoLeJHHRSR3LAbBdcseZFMk9_9vW1TSEkrFZ8u6WuYHQstIQJrMWCgz4iXWh-xPj2nJ1Mgd2pXzrYNxThe78sfZtT3-RUhtr8NOA8tFCA3DudRxGVexyCIUSD3x4csFfRX2lU2Fsm-F7/s320/DSC_3121.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqKle959qGlDLUJUqlIBtunnHfRzZkrLigq8dK_HBV6GjWto_44P8CV2164SnJ-PuAPmcwVzRp5VFwBoD3XEApcJyzn-YZy5wpE40GCOuPtVCvdf4xdGcsHHpL-icJz0k4W6kZTYt2-tc/s1600-h/DSC_2933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqKle959qGlDLUJUqlIBtunnHfRzZkrLigq8dK_HBV6GjWto_44P8CV2164SnJ-PuAPmcwVzRp5VFwBoD3XEApcJyzn-YZy5wpE40GCOuPtVCvdf4xdGcsHHpL-icJz0k4W6kZTYt2-tc/s320/DSC_2933.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMJ-aIpYWdQuHxC0AVEkKedZRKm64mPdhM57DQUZN4LYXS4IeSFy1W3N04WuLE0KABkbUODTBQ3AbrUjDXXvkfHeIaIaK-eE0ic0SKA5JY2kD2J2G9IbY-wnukENzeLgqVu-IkvQ93P2z/s1600-h/IMG_2651_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMJ-aIpYWdQuHxC0AVEkKedZRKm64mPdhM57DQUZN4LYXS4IeSFy1W3N04WuLE0KABkbUODTBQ3AbrUjDXXvkfHeIaIaK-eE0ic0SKA5JY2kD2J2G9IbY-wnukENzeLgqVu-IkvQ93P2z/s320/IMG_2651_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
He really is a good boy and just so wonderful to be around! It's amazing to see how Mike's face just lights up whenever he's with him - we both just laugh and laugh. I am truly truly blessed. He's started squawking too - I call it pterodactyling - it's just too cute! <br />
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Then the highlight of the month for living in Charleston - we actually got snow! Now that completes my experience here and it was the perfect type of snow - here one day, melted the next, still really pretty and not too cold:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2Pygh7yzZq65_uCSBP777Y9wjAqu516ZjOoQ2uKfAn_a3ZZXmxHMgo-QZAMv_YxfpT3naIn98RFIYJGE-xhOOt96FQvE50ux8owRiVi-LmNnVMcDr47mHYzz8Sy5bz7O0rFSenxEa0he/s1600-h/IMG_2744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2Pygh7yzZq65_uCSBP777Y9wjAqu516ZjOoQ2uKfAn_a3ZZXmxHMgo-QZAMv_YxfpT3naIn98RFIYJGE-xhOOt96FQvE50ux8owRiVi-LmNnVMcDr47mHYzz8Sy5bz7O0rFSenxEa0he/s320/IMG_2744.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And I'll leave you with that image...katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-55414854002014875422010-01-02T21:33:00.003-06:002010-01-02T22:56:38.785-06:00relaxing from the holidaysAhh Family. Gotta love em eh?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yB-3oA6EosMYMCoBqzjP4fgS7du1fuZMgWol3EbfBg91EoIRSqIqbFej6UH9OsR7bUmdLDYK3GA67FY-CnqKReTUphMnPZjmCO-_ymZ33iiWrGvSXLK_2Z_7AZYT8p3JqSi7719Osnh0/s1600-h/IMG_2540.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yB-3oA6EosMYMCoBqzjP4fgS7du1fuZMgWol3EbfBg91EoIRSqIqbFej6UH9OsR7bUmdLDYK3GA67FY-CnqKReTUphMnPZjmCO-_ymZ33iiWrGvSXLK_2Z_7AZYT8p3JqSi7719Osnh0/s320/IMG_2540.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422366436158597794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Over the Christmas Holidays, my 3 brothers, 2 SIL and 3 kids came to celebrate here in Charleston - it was a full house! Luckily they didn't stay with me, but rented a place nearby, which gave us a wonderful place to all be together, but also the ability to go home and have a bit of our own quite time as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8511R4C0n7STB3Yqqx_trrAz9l667t-OlCxsDsAsggg8KvJsWJeygUaRMYVxqcx4pDILFeT5UK4E4FQRnDlmkv5CP1EILqV8wsLv4hS0wd5M7j49UAM4uLCcudzGpd69FCyYR-z6fUcA/s1600-h/750062321_cvt_0739.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8511R4C0n7STB3Yqqx_trrAz9l667t-OlCxsDsAsggg8KvJsWJeygUaRMYVxqcx4pDILFeT5UK4E4FQRnDlmkv5CP1EILqV8wsLv4hS0wd5M7j49UAM4uLCcudzGpd69FCyYR-z6fUcA/s320/750062321_cvt_0739.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422368606819585458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Aiden did remarkably well meeting his new little cousins - although I shouldn't call them little - I hadn't seen Dominic since before Aiden was born, and at the time he was probably about the same size back then as Aiden is now, so I was amazed at how different it felt to hold him vs. Aiden! Then Max showed up and at 15lbs was the biggest of the bunch! Gabriella, being the oldest and the only girl, held her own of course and loved asking about all the different babies.<br /><br />All the SIL bought matching outfits for the little ones, so we took some great pictures - of course getting them all to sit up together took some doing:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBH_exupMRRvaXgcdC2pz9qOlqInEEzvtsUiUMEGlu3vyvyaHJ_UGbcWXd9-3lQxYKRLVoxFT_PbSD3mRwyF6Y2LJs6Ea9cjsNi38LB-C695cJ8kQHQ6kog8LGJv2s9N52iB77GoyPdbg/s1600-h/IMG_2599.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBH_exupMRRvaXgcdC2pz9qOlqInEEzvtsUiUMEGlu3vyvyaHJ_UGbcWXd9-3lQxYKRLVoxFT_PbSD3mRwyF6Y2LJs6Ea9cjsNi38LB-C695cJ8kQHQ6kog8LGJv2s9N52iB77GoyPdbg/s320/IMG_2599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422358039274196610" border="0" /></a><br />(Gabriella, Dominic, Aiden, Max)<br /><br />there were a couple of meltdowns:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9S1BEUTTvFuG7Q92Gq2Q44ZTcsTqMpTZwcJlUMfwbod1W4vI-D_7yjdBbJVeI2Ly9NlDgvD-26eTsu5vOf0bWlfeF-YVrx90KbwK_NZdEpr5l6pDaSCCQiISSPPyz8M3RjIuWC9qiD_h/s1600-h/750016762_cvt_0610.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9S1BEUTTvFuG7Q92Gq2Q44ZTcsTqMpTZwcJlUMfwbod1W4vI-D_7yjdBbJVeI2Ly9NlDgvD-26eTsu5vOf0bWlfeF-YVrx90KbwK_NZdEpr5l6pDaSCCQiISSPPyz8M3RjIuWC9qiD_h/s400/750016762_cvt_0610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422369029094003250" border="0" /></a><br />(Aiden, Max, Dominic)<br />some head-biting:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfBnqNdoTM3Jwq4AvgTSGoUgvbiqySRIl1-ou_SAr3_tOfnWKxt5yztFFVZHuSXEplvuxJiczGUmB4taQTt2mS_8QN2SY79cb830RzDMcrONKOajX9j9Max6cK-iXTBC6iTGTJX8T_QD_/s1600-h/IMG_2594.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfBnqNdoTM3Jwq4AvgTSGoUgvbiqySRIl1-ou_SAr3_tOfnWKxt5yztFFVZHuSXEplvuxJiczGUmB4taQTt2mS_8QN2SY79cb830RzDMcrONKOajX9j9Max6cK-iXTBC6iTGTJX8T_QD_/s320/IMG_2594.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422358049183658706" border="0" /></a><br />(Dominic, Aiden, Max)<br /><br />But we got some cute shots too:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyNm489PLuSV1a4UlrpgJxnTmKBTeGmKM8SKnvgb1hifYbHT1dvYpvlfCUJVe-5M_aBPC6V4WAeJf4K20REJfzVENgBCpJ4JbSxr-bKsA60HEvLKGc9cuFJAMlVg1WL0ueFZ4ek1K9BCn/s1600-h/750006709_cvt_0389.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyNm489PLuSV1a4UlrpgJxnTmKBTeGmKM8SKnvgb1hifYbHT1dvYpvlfCUJVe-5M_aBPC6V4WAeJf4K20REJfzVENgBCpJ4JbSxr-bKsA60HEvLKGc9cuFJAMlVg1WL0ueFZ4ek1K9BCn/s400/750006709_cvt_0389.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422369040306207714" border="0" /></a><br />(Aiden, Max, Dominic)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa-I78SomvcFlny6ESa5nhyphenhyphen-nrGYMsQW1_aww3w8d37KX2BkZgIRpkKP-63TT3ZDmS0u3J5j_fxdtCDOPBkUhXHJAZpILUsI3qdd8g9NowIjlChcFKhBSQLsuCGX5RyCJw5wQX4mxaFwN/s1600-h/750016350_cvt_0605.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa-I78SomvcFlny6ESa5nhyphenhyphen-nrGYMsQW1_aww3w8d37KX2BkZgIRpkKP-63TT3ZDmS0u3J5j_fxdtCDOPBkUhXHJAZpILUsI3qdd8g9NowIjlChcFKhBSQLsuCGX5RyCJw5wQX4mxaFwN/s400/750016350_cvt_0605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422369034269132786" border="0" /></a><br />(Gabriella, Dominic, Aiden, Max)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWG-6gtTzshNElS0cWQwDIY8seSCmx7K3BBsvLjN-m7IB-qP_VC3lp14qovqrmj5NbWZLTHvfYM_A1aZtRzRlBMnemaHou8UBEVWzD2YuEJ-hmW9N27gUUHpU9RcmVSn2aBPhXT_RWlzv/s1600-h/750019059_cvt_0676.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWG-6gtTzshNElS0cWQwDIY8seSCmx7K3BBsvLjN-m7IB-qP_VC3lp14qovqrmj5NbWZLTHvfYM_A1aZtRzRlBMnemaHou8UBEVWzD2YuEJ-hmW9N27gUUHpU9RcmVSn2aBPhXT_RWlzv/s400/750019059_cvt_0676.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422369026171794194" border="0" /></a><br />(Max, Aiden, Dominic)<br /><br />My CA brother made us Christmas Eve dinner - it was fabulous!!! It's been a tradition to do 7 fishes on Christmas Eve with my family, but that dinner first evolved to a 7 seafood dinner, and now a clam-bake. So we had lobster, mussels, oysters, clams, crabs - it was really delicious!<br /><br />Here's a shot of one of the main dish - even the presentation was amazing:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0TrUq1jZy8d6_X1Nusy8nw3AGb0g0uZxaLEsoK9-h9GrLEV7XdaQGhju7e99dO5FZK5Z4wcG5bdxY8ghVeO3zzzwOz7QJr-m08eFOIjlIjl1NhkZVGqgXZr1FdJGGKZQ1QO5pBcjpgG1/s1600-h/IMG_2610.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0TrUq1jZy8d6_X1Nusy8nw3AGb0g0uZxaLEsoK9-h9GrLEV7XdaQGhju7e99dO5FZK5Z4wcG5bdxY8ghVeO3zzzwOz7QJr-m08eFOIjlIjl1NhkZVGqgXZr1FdJGGKZQ1QO5pBcjpgG1/s320/IMG_2610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422358033130136898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you're in the California area and want a to have a great party with some great food cooked by a great guy - check out <a href="http://www.cookclubparties.com/">this site.</a> (ask for Chef Alex!)<br /><br />Knitting wise, I finished all the Christmas presents I was working on; a pair of legwarmers for Gabriella (that may have to be arm-warmers because she's grown so fast!), a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aviatrix-baby-hat">hat</a> for Dominic and my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grumpasaurus">Grumpasarus</a> for Max. I forgot to talk pictures, but I'm hoping they'll send me some.<br /><br />The following week, Mike's brother and family came into town for a day, and I was able to give their littlest one her birthday present early - it's called the<a href="http://lindsaysfabulousknits.blogspot.com/2009/02/all-over-cables-hat.html"> All Over Cables Hat</a> - (ravelry link <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/all-over-cables-hat">here</a>) it turned out pretty well and I really liked the yarn - I used Berroco Geode, I loved the colors:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIi_OE4MsJ41Ip8hkiFCLc6DphRpyU3imq3vzQowfA2I2YgBG15e_mKBeJHUI6a0i3Zm-ouboJ1fmy3A9o5csN4rN9xAaNHreps6EvNFQOQ-UAitRu6o_f3Tyv91emNG6_TwWWke3kPHs/s1600-h/IMG_2646.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIi_OE4MsJ41Ip8hkiFCLc6DphRpyU3imq3vzQowfA2I2YgBG15e_mKBeJHUI6a0i3Zm-ouboJ1fmy3A9o5csN4rN9xAaNHreps6EvNFQOQ-UAitRu6o_f3Tyv91emNG6_TwWWke3kPHs/s400/IMG_2646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422371816512796690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We went down to visit Mike's school and the kids checked out the jail:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2ZfpHwldaCnVLZJgFkN66BjrEWoUXu3HTpmNHrdX6JuJyG7R6fjLkYMnAFH6vnpH1mgRYqp9zk1IdXGVyqbid49eAvVA1gjjOsLEBQbgmkKjn1nJOpI27TH3BZd6XjaI4ZFuz8aw_dwb/s1600-h/IMG_2648.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2ZfpHwldaCnVLZJgFkN66BjrEWoUXu3HTpmNHrdX6JuJyG7R6fjLkYMnAFH6vnpH1mgRYqp9zk1IdXGVyqbid49eAvVA1gjjOsLEBQbgmkKjn1nJOpI27TH3BZd6XjaI4ZFuz8aw_dwb/s400/IMG_2648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422371836183621746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was great to see them all. I hope everyone else had as wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-63929936497580402172009-12-09T12:46:00.003-06:002009-12-10T14:50:16.946-06:00geting ready for the holidaysI can't believe Christmas is right around the corner!! I am excited and a bit overwhelmed. All 3 of my brothers, their 2 spouses and 3 kids are all coming to Charleston for the week before Christmas and I'm really excited to see them. They're not staying with us (no way I'd have enough room!) but are renting a place a short bit away, and all the new little boy cousins (and one girl) will get to meet each other! It's going to be so cute!<br /><br />Right after Christmas, we hope to see Mike's brother and family as they come through town - their 3 kids are much older, and have been writing letters to Aiden and I over the past few weeks. I love them! We have become pen-pals, and I think everyone should do this more often, as the letters are witty and fun and just wonderful!<br /><br />What that also means, is lots of preparation on my part. I want to get a tree, decorate and have most of my shopping done before they all get here. Easier said than done though.<br /><br />Most of my time is spent in front of the computer, as Aiden is still eating quite frequently, and the doctors have recommended we not take him out in public very often due to the flu season and crowds - at least until he gets some of his shots. So I'm trying to do most of my shopping online. This would be a lot easier if I really knew what I wanted to get everyone! So I spend waaaay too much time browsing websites and looking for deals. Not so much on the actual shopping.<br /><br />Mike is finishing up his semester with finals this week, and then will be off for the rest of December and all of January. We're really looking forward to that time together with both of us not working or in school.<br /><br />I do love watching Mike interact with Aiden - he gets such a kick out of his son, and it just lights up both their faces! I have to say - I just love both my boys!!<br /><br />On the knitting front, I have a new <a href="http://lindsaysfabulousknits.blogspot.com/2009/02/all-over-cables-hat.html">pattern</a> that I'm in love with (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/all-over-cables-hat">ravelry link)</a> that I'd like to make 2 or 3 of for various people. The instructions took me a bit to muddle through as they're very general, and I was hoping for my specifics, so I started one, started a second, and am going back and forth between the two as I go through the pattern. Pictures as I get further along.<br /><br />Here are a couple more pictures of Aiden - proud momma can't help but brag:<br /><br />At 4 weeks (8lbs 3.5oz):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ak2oX0_V2NoIN2PJUgzUGLMCCeJJBg0k6qSnxYUoXeCgAs-04i3hlCOtF0YTtGw-Pj_kKZzueeX-ebB_mZxCH-KDsaQkx4x7BQKNJO_b_T-GRlUqtCZFY3WXLs4-3HDD3gtXuip6FHi6/s1600-h/IMG_2461.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ak2oX0_V2NoIN2PJUgzUGLMCCeJJBg0k6qSnxYUoXeCgAs-04i3hlCOtF0YTtGw-Pj_kKZzueeX-ebB_mZxCH-KDsaQkx4x7BQKNJO_b_T-GRlUqtCZFY3WXLs4-3HDD3gtXuip6FHi6/s320/IMG_2461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712435317716194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Why is everybody lookin' at me?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG2QIfcEVHG2vqZhTWykDRAArXfmT5IR78Nzoxb6WI1F6MyCLX2ywn2HjlQNgIU8VcWGLGaHkla8DtIKArr2-GS75ktsQil1Af6JZZu5Ca8HOfRfJ83m3rDeFSxk-O4s92jc6PuQn7R5k/s1600-h/IMG_2464.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG2QIfcEVHG2vqZhTWykDRAArXfmT5IR78Nzoxb6WI1F6MyCLX2ywn2HjlQNgIU8VcWGLGaHkla8DtIKArr2-GS75ktsQil1Af6JZZu5Ca8HOfRfJ83m3rDeFSxk-O4s92jc6PuQn7R5k/s320/IMG_2464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712426441440274" border="0" /></a><br />Ok, enough photos mom - I'm bored of this!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYv_43zR5m1FB1sf6FQPtUDjhgoThNnKBFCtHCDUzHxR9QVn0rucKQkcg1CGAjChRj3RjSLt6WO8hSFQqqkgPboPGVHXFXLpbJVG0DGBtE7Ikw-s8JTmEQqz8QeZu9MGl-DOgtFMX7tDo/s1600-h/IMG_2465.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYv_43zR5m1FB1sf6FQPtUDjhgoThNnKBFCtHCDUzHxR9QVn0rucKQkcg1CGAjChRj3RjSLt6WO8hSFQqqkgPboPGVHXFXLpbJVG0DGBtE7Ikw-s8JTmEQqz8QeZu9MGl-DOgtFMX7tDo/s320/IMG_2465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712422281750546" border="0" /></a>katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-91853186801017296372009-11-22T19:22:00.004-06:002009-11-24T22:48:40.845-06:002 weeks into motherhoodIt still hasn't settled in yet that Aiden is <span style="font-style: italic;">my son - </span>that I'm his <span style="font-style: italic;">mother</span>. - that he's not leaving with my MIL on Tuesday, or that I'm not just babysitting the most adorable child. I think once my MIL does leave, and with Mike back at school, it'll hit me then. Right now I'm just floating along.. feeding, sleeping, eating, rocking.. and repeat. With the C-section, Mike and his mom won't let me do much more, which is good, because I keep wanting to.<br /><br />I didn't have many nesting instincts when pregnant, but now that Aiden is here, I really am feeling the nesting urge - but because of the surgery, I can't do most of it - I'm not supposed to be bending down and picking up, or going up and down stairs a lot, or transitioning from sitting to standing often. And I can feel it when I have been doing a lot of that - usually when my meds are wearing off or I'm due for another dose.<br /><br />It's been lovely having her here - I really have been blessed with some wonderful in-laws. Next week is going to be .. a new challenge I think. Great way to start off my 34th year - as my birthday is Tuesday! Being 34 hasn't sunken in either, but I'm not too worried about that.<br /><br />This week I had some friends stop by to see me, and they all came bearing the cutest of gifts for little Aiden.<br /><br />My friend Sue hand made the softest rag quilt:<br /><br />It's just beautiful! and I love the colors!!<br /><br />Pam and Vera stopped by to hang out with Aiden:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw648WDSv6dR7HOap8-FGzaBvPC0n15j2HWuDjISRIPACYhekxVKXmn0zejqIKSha6namrPWVIhtegjIFhFjXn_wyAMZVgFijRuIakoYEf3__blLC1pFqPnR08vThZ7HQOji-R35gC-2s/s1600/IMG_2436.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw648WDSv6dR7HOap8-FGzaBvPC0n15j2HWuDjISRIPACYhekxVKXmn0zejqIKSha6namrPWVIhtegjIFhFjXn_wyAMZVgFijRuIakoYEf3__blLC1pFqPnR08vThZ7HQOji-R35gC-2s/s320/IMG_2436.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407897968131648530" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YOEcYaCAT8qQ94BYauFA-YdRCWEO-mTjIOZdE5rdeQN8Hza567J9AKroXQZ9KbyYOmWIFH_5Dyhqon76lEATA4MNnPK9_c8Bzzo_UP0LV-yYxJ71ge7r-PFCkAyPmo4kbqYqHMAkitVm/s1600/IMG_2427.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YOEcYaCAT8qQ94BYauFA-YdRCWEO-mTjIOZdE5rdeQN8Hza567J9AKroXQZ9KbyYOmWIFH_5Dyhqon76lEATA4MNnPK9_c8Bzzo_UP0LV-yYxJ71ge7r-PFCkAyPmo4kbqYqHMAkitVm/s320/IMG_2427.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407897944185515042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and brought food (Jim & Nicks - yum!)<br /><br />Vera made two super-cute hats - one for now:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw23z0x-JxrTz4Ow3tIlzo3sCUUWu8xDrHsJh1OCOh7AIMUJ_-gdb3nlv4GDXMswxVBjUms74KHf0aZohk66oljNXbF2O5P7X5Bvksa8kTmvYPvgpPDSHy4LwThoBQObPEopIe4SFdhAEA/s1600/IMG_2426.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw23z0x-JxrTz4Ow3tIlzo3sCUUWu8xDrHsJh1OCOh7AIMUJ_-gdb3nlv4GDXMswxVBjUms74KHf0aZohk66oljNXbF2O5P7X5Bvksa8kTmvYPvgpPDSHy4LwThoBQObPEopIe4SFdhAEA/s320/IMG_2426.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407897935666156114" border="0" /></a><br />and one to grow into:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDxqAi-sZ0MxmluliPNIRwsKr9UCmG4fZHYnRyU5cc5LKozKDHsAhxSCCY9EqdsadEAd_RC6k30cXHROgp0HqRS8b2J2q9sbZXqAnHx_WRx_eKwKp83t_TC3WTqHhChQVYhx1qfV0TspX/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDxqAi-sZ0MxmluliPNIRwsKr9UCmG4fZHYnRyU5cc5LKozKDHsAhxSCCY9EqdsadEAd_RC6k30cXHROgp0HqRS8b2J2q9sbZXqAnHx_WRx_eKwKp83t_TC3WTqHhChQVYhx1qfV0TspX/s320/IMG_2434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407897957294332082" border="0" /></a><br />(I think he looks like the LOL cat with the lime on his head here)<br /><br />and soft socks for Aiden's monkey toes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5arywhaP5Kr5bhAH7kByiyMOPZS_elq6cG_e6JAjIHKjYjAFXpFm_38sgdL4fItIWwZnpZUONgF1QitrsTgOmkOs2ohYgEl2mzpaB8UgEELbVPuWIpyZTlYSFN8flLBJRAG7OIFWPool/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5arywhaP5Kr5bhAH7kByiyMOPZS_elq6cG_e6JAjIHKjYjAFXpFm_38sgdL4fItIWwZnpZUONgF1QitrsTgOmkOs2ohYgEl2mzpaB8UgEELbVPuWIpyZTlYSFN8flLBJRAG7OIFWPool/s320/IMG_2430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407897951488151426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I keep wanting to knit, but don't have the focus right now. I can't seem to put a yarn and pattern together for the life of me, so that's been put on hold for a bit. Let's get through Thanksgiving first and we'll see where we're at by then.katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-65146941970996508842009-11-17T10:40:00.010-06:002009-11-17T13:11:50.544-06:00Presenting Aiden Michael Lauer!!!!He's finally here!<br /><br />Aiden Michael Lauer was born on Monday, November 9th at 11:21 pm after a long and arduous day!<br /><br />So I had my 41 week doctor's appointment on Monday, and went in at 11:30 wanting to talk to the doctor about the changes I had been feeling all morning. I was thinking either a.) the baby had finally dropped, b.) I was having Braxton hicks or c.) <span style="font-style: italic;">something </span>was going on! All I really knew is that it was finally something different than I had been feeling for the past two weeks, and I was hoping this would lay to rest the idea of having to induce me.<br />I met Mike at the Dr.'s office and was worried I would have to use the restroom before I had a chance to give my urine sample for the day, so when my name was called, I rushed right into the bathroom - where <span style="font-style: italic;">my water broke!!</span><br /><br />I realized this when the color was all wrong (there was meconium in it) - otherwise I don't know if I would have recognized it for what it was! The nurse seemed awfully calm, and put us into the examining room, and I had Mike start timing what I now am realizing are contractions. It only surprises me more when Mike says that they are 2-2.5 minutes apart! I guess I had always thought of contractions as feeling sharper or more distinct. All morning they had just been an uneasiness in my stomach, as if someone was tightening my belt on my pants and I had just eaten a really full dinner -that plus some mild crampy feelings. I will admit, now that my water had broken, they were getting more painful - now they were more like a stitch in your side, just all across my belly.<br /><br />The Dr. came in and decided to wheel me over to the hospital (the office and hospital are connected) - I was officially in labor!!!<br /><br />To make a long story short, my water broke at 11:30, I was admitted around 12 and was about 3 cm dilated but the baby hadn't dropped. By 1:00 I had decided an epidural was going to be a good idea. They had to do two takes on the epidural, the first one put in had a kink in the catheter in my back and was stopped up, so they had to put in a second about an hour later. By 5:00 I was 8cm, and at quarter to 7pm I was 100% effaced and 10cm dilated, but still no droppage from the baby - so it was time to start pushing. After 3 hours, the baby hadn't moved very much, and his blood pressure was dropping - that with the meconium in it, they wanted to get the baby out sooner rather than later, so I was wheeled to the OR for a C-section, and our beautiful baby boy, Aiden Michael Lauer was born at 11:21pm on 11/9/9!<br /><br />We arrived home on Thursday, and I can't believe that he is officially one week old now! Here are some pictures of my new baby boy:<br /><br />Here he is home from the hospital:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWAtQtxLsLfT5-MIRaZZ8NFoNXTwp81u1hNPMmjjuiJZFGCsW6H6BesV_2DzkClJ6xTgHFX0ugP-4E5QiYxaLqW9MIcQxtyBbtXNga-ApPi1jvzBRDbZ2FKe74X0dEQgr9gn4cND4fGlM/s1600/IMG_2333.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWAtQtxLsLfT5-MIRaZZ8NFoNXTwp81u1hNPMmjjuiJZFGCsW6H6BesV_2DzkClJ6xTgHFX0ugP-4E5QiYxaLqW9MIcQxtyBbtXNga-ApPi1jvzBRDbZ2FKe74X0dEQgr9gn4cND4fGlM/s320/IMG_2333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405149047095323234" border="0" /></a><br />A few with Daddy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqXaHK4zgzua5GGyGNFAU-Px9SWlwCCCIw0eJVBp4eQX-wIqDbGATJxQYNzkzMXu5k9RTce6Vguq7_8uKgaNktuiXSBBIlRpGJ9_R5l9IFOnNV1VUhTT6lLBdSwtQrpUg7OZ-OQ0qey_V/s1600/IMG_2384.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqXaHK4zgzua5GGyGNFAU-Px9SWlwCCCIw0eJVBp4eQX-wIqDbGATJxQYNzkzMXu5k9RTce6Vguq7_8uKgaNktuiXSBBIlRpGJ9_R5l9IFOnNV1VUhTT6lLBdSwtQrpUg7OZ-OQ0qey_V/s320/IMG_2384.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405149058122543954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRANLK-ZRTud-TB7dAX2DeXaCflK0I3TdBwO_dHgktC3F4pHjSJjPiXrkdvn1cLveH1zpLGSp2ll-JewoVzNmiKk9KTGxHCt8ww2VH-WZhNk4FnHpXGjsv4Tb2OSKjLfnxDUb3tHZ1mGpL/s1600/IMG_2343.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRANLK-ZRTud-TB7dAX2DeXaCflK0I3TdBwO_dHgktC3F4pHjSJjPiXrkdvn1cLveH1zpLGSp2ll-JewoVzNmiKk9KTGxHCt8ww2VH-WZhNk4FnHpXGjsv4Tb2OSKjLfnxDUb3tHZ1mGpL/s320/IMG_2343.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405149056479033250" border="0" /></a><br />and at one week:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYGQ1-3dCnDGBlcPS4-MFXmRKwgKUKyyj3ms9GjXaA7sK3ZFmkT5Rk6ZlilztgM9tiPEUBhLYGZb206rDTbuNEN0MzQVraIv652ZztGPxPIBQmFGoY60agP6oG0L-FirNwMRbr16nlde9/s1600/IMG_2390.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYGQ1-3dCnDGBlcPS4-MFXmRKwgKUKyyj3ms9GjXaA7sK3ZFmkT5Rk6ZlilztgM9tiPEUBhLYGZb206rDTbuNEN0MzQVraIv652ZztGPxPIBQmFGoY60agP6oG0L-FirNwMRbr16nlde9/s320/IMG_2390.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405151636924649762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF190nIWEOZp36r8d2v0KMAVm91CulvQ56WiuODLzcvv-ukw-eX6R0hB7JUoj515S8QcCmaGZuxDRjq52Xmb-b7fWftMiieFAo6yJ-vG7V0jgLTvYMUHHvfcmeQjKSDPR0A3CYQjQr0wDK/s1600/IMG_2405.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF190nIWEOZp36r8d2v0KMAVm91CulvQ56WiuODLzcvv-ukw-eX6R0hB7JUoj515S8QcCmaGZuxDRjq52Xmb-b7fWftMiieFAo6yJ-vG7V0jgLTvYMUHHvfcmeQjKSDPR0A3CYQjQr0wDK/s320/IMG_2405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405151072636104354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ahh Sweetness:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHdMY0g1_bUzd8UdTcG_g78OvOVBUkcN2kt6YaMzTyDBLUo7xZNJyOiOS3FAHIlLDORVjP5LhyIymCSt5dkh4YWLZisL_bFs5_2AtRRWzV9onCdgbWIRo7bLmRMKKJQqSEVw9kOclIO1b/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHdMY0g1_bUzd8UdTcG_g78OvOVBUkcN2kt6YaMzTyDBLUo7xZNJyOiOS3FAHIlLDORVjP5LhyIymCSt5dkh4YWLZisL_bFs5_2AtRRWzV9onCdgbWIRo7bLmRMKKJQqSEVw9kOclIO1b/s320/IMG_2393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405151080958725154" border="0" /></a>katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-18479221282960468182009-11-07T08:44:00.005-06:002009-11-07T11:50:52.489-06:00still waiting....No baby yet. Technically this Monday I'll be at 41 weeks, and no signs from baby that he or she is making a move for the door. :(<br /><br />I think that's the hard thing about due dates - I'm perfectly happy being pregnant (I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit) and everything has been going quite smoothly, but now I have a little voice in the back of my head saying "something may be wrong here... no baby yet.. is this going to make delivery harder?...no baby yet....where's baby? why haven't you felt contractions yet?" etc. etc. and the little whispers go on...<br />If I didn't have a due date, I'd like to think I'd still be in my bliss of happy pregnancy. Although all the test I've had so far says' baby's doing fine - and I can feel (and see!) the little one moving <span style="font-style: italic;">all the time</span>, so things like that usually quiet the voices.<br /><br />Monday I have a Dr's appt. and I have a feeling an inducement will be scheduled. I know, I know, inducements happen all the time, but I know a lot lead to C-sections as well. And I know that a C-section is not necessarily a bad thing, just didn't jive with the image I had in my head of how labor was going to go.<br /><br />I also realize I need to let go of <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> notion I had of how things are supposed to go, because from now on, I'm not in the drivers seat anymore - baby is. I think I can deal with that... I'd just like to meet the new driver!!! :)<br /><br />I have finished a newborn baby hat - we'll see if it fits - I've heard 5-7 lbs for baby, but don't know how big the head is:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuvm-b-oeEkYZZ-IgyPszBM4mbShP7Ihr8iH7n4p-qX7aVc_Of7DO3iCqGWmvgtBu0tT1bFBqZI6DCd8cx0s_1m2KzE4gl3hg3kL-xZ2tZWUzcwbz5YRowPPLxCHBJS-aHNU8gGw3278r/s1600-h/IMG_2262.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuvm-b-oeEkYZZ-IgyPszBM4mbShP7Ihr8iH7n4p-qX7aVc_Of7DO3iCqGWmvgtBu0tT1bFBqZI6DCd8cx0s_1m2KzE4gl3hg3kL-xZ2tZWUzcwbz5YRowPPLxCHBJS-aHNU8gGw3278r/s320/IMG_2262.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401418132739420258" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin46NpgJfItTSR1tYKUBNl8VflLGP661IJ1j3LmcIT9aLNKfS6lWdTaEDWDFiB0gjLHIs-HffcW47lGYOfVvwS77Qe1oGtt0xCDvqYekGpfgJp65-j6zPNQziLZzC8bpuccmVSuMIgFtwK/s1600-h/IMG_2258.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin46NpgJfItTSR1tYKUBNl8VflLGP661IJ1j3LmcIT9aLNKfS6lWdTaEDWDFiB0gjLHIs-HffcW47lGYOfVvwS77Qe1oGtt0xCDvqYekGpfgJp65-j6zPNQziLZzC8bpuccmVSuMIgFtwK/s320/IMG_2258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401418130401929282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And I made mittens to match:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWfix_qG9wjVgh9qa-miYV1lfm0ixrHvxHXKJLQBm5ZfVyggmhbwkK-HqABDMdEU40VV9PdSwdR-skLyDJqn8tyCZeSOh0wD1f10BREEYYHjOvbzpGHT3zRAtJfh0Y4sM8myLF0Fsbuee/s1600-h/IMG_2276.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWfix_qG9wjVgh9qa-miYV1lfm0ixrHvxHXKJLQBm5ZfVyggmhbwkK-HqABDMdEU40VV9PdSwdR-skLyDJqn8tyCZeSOh0wD1f10BREEYYHjOvbzpGHT3zRAtJfh0Y4sM8myLF0Fsbuee/s320/IMG_2276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401419771750528866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm almost done with Grumpasaurus Max - just needs feet and new facial feature colors - the blue is too light:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR89aGg9kiDRhaByBSy_RZ1zdwXkVerKJtUm-aI6d5-rBJf2ouBcPxq2ZgTjOc3HSEKDHNJm37zzfqXB55_1sNMigPlN5u4itaJZ_DGwLuXGnNrt84aIy2EMSY-o1SIUQpD2uqlTpM8kx/s1600-h/IMG_2268.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR89aGg9kiDRhaByBSy_RZ1zdwXkVerKJtUm-aI6d5-rBJf2ouBcPxq2ZgTjOc3HSEKDHNJm37zzfqXB55_1sNMigPlN5u4itaJZ_DGwLuXGnNrt84aIy2EMSY-o1SIUQpD2uqlTpM8kx/s320/IMG_2268.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401418125648907202" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGQhVus4nEUXWxXpeHDRKN-uXt6Pb9saWkjpHHciCK2qBFCSTPUmX5RGrbGYCnYDjmyFYkgZVWffgJKTmoW_JawyUEoysmdthHzSIS7Ie98JsJTflIw9Iwn5Jp88YCMMD4swOg9Ykc_uv/s1600-h/IMG_2270.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGQhVus4nEUXWxXpeHDRKN-uXt6Pb9saWkjpHHciCK2qBFCSTPUmX5RGrbGYCnYDjmyFYkgZVWffgJKTmoW_JawyUEoysmdthHzSIS7Ie98JsJTflIw9Iwn5Jp88YCMMD4swOg9Ykc_uv/s320/IMG_2270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401418116533625666" border="0" /></a><br />And I'm slowly working on another hat and the Ice Queen Pattern:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQFxhxx0GnXx3qOD9PF-Jv0O2cNeEz-_LpH2lFqpdaD3qiO37oXYU7i8Zt9RCX70FETk_fs-HSGPdQmd3i99BrXf8P0RTWoAS8lblNc3drJXDmT7MizkMTAEyskZgVqukqt6oCuMK6zcZ/s1600-h/IMG_2273.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQFxhxx0GnXx3qOD9PF-Jv0O2cNeEz-_LpH2lFqpdaD3qiO37oXYU7i8Zt9RCX70FETk_fs-HSGPdQmd3i99BrXf8P0RTWoAS8lblNc3drJXDmT7MizkMTAEyskZgVqukqt6oCuMK6zcZ/s320/IMG_2273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401418135835757154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We'll see how Monday goes, and hopefully my next post will be all about our new baby!!!! yeah :)katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-15948530438447840392009-10-31T10:00:00.008-05:002009-10-31T12:07:21.130-05:00waiting on baby...to get a move on!<br /><br />Baby is completely content to just hang out in mama's belly and dance! My due date technically is this Monday, the 2nd, but they had also given us the date of the 5th, and I've had that date in my head for most of the pregnancy. Although it is the first full moon of Nov. I think baby's going to wait a bit till the end of the week at least.<br /><br />As of right now, I don't feel much different than I did a week ago, or 2 weeks ago.... and it's not a bad thing, I'm pretty content too. The heartburn and that I get tired more easily are really the only things that bug me. So I'm good to wait until the baby's ready to say hello.<br /><br />The Dr. was worried a bit because I'm so small for how far along I am, and we had a couple of extra ultra sounds to check and make sure baby had enough food/fluids etc. to be okay - and all is good. Baby passed his/her first in-utero test with flying colors! 100% - go baby go!<br /><br />We're getting tested again on Monday, and we'll see how that goes - hopefully we'll have the same results. The nice thing about it was we got another ultrasound and Mike was there for this one- he missed the 20 wk ultrasound due to being in NY, so it was nice for him to see baby in real-time. Here are a couple of profile and face shots from last weeks ultrasound:<br /><br /><img src="file:///Users/Katerina/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />Here is a profile - and what looks like bubbles is the umbilical cord:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihqtYH2u7WwhedkOmesSWkIUxGn2BKUG2yubE-u3fbs5rfBQow2uFIddUG4LlMmj5Scb_hZIZdHYfrfbjEJW4GbcydoOM7JVzqwx8DdjlWPimnRXvV12tft1mBi2N2cEFYoGJvl7Mq3sG/s1600-h/8+mo+baby+profile.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihqtYH2u7WwhedkOmesSWkIUxGn2BKUG2yubE-u3fbs5rfBQow2uFIddUG4LlMmj5Scb_hZIZdHYfrfbjEJW4GbcydoOM7JVzqwx8DdjlWPimnRXvV12tft1mBi2N2cEFYoGJvl7Mq3sG/s320/8+mo+baby+profile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398784175791186226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These two are face forward shots, you have to turn your head to the side, but I think they are so sweet... top of baby head is ---->this way looking straight at you.<br /><br />look at those cheeks!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw__S-xTCrJsFbnd0UVQNeuS2vaJV96Slhvq7jEt9eVHnclADJx-nlVjSuItZg3He_crhskrS8mzy9RlwgAr3F1utz1qHO8nqmcUqIDxLGutJf7MRrvRJ3lD0jDeGDdNxkZ7qY6LkMFSJy/s1600-h/8+mo.+baby+face.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw__S-xTCrJsFbnd0UVQNeuS2vaJV96Slhvq7jEt9eVHnclADJx-nlVjSuItZg3He_crhskrS8mzy9RlwgAr3F1utz1qHO8nqmcUqIDxLGutJf7MRrvRJ3lD0jDeGDdNxkZ7qY6LkMFSJy/s320/8+mo.+baby+face.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398784166529650226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here - baby is sleeping same as above - forehead is ----> like baby is laying on the side facing out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih5yTWiKOHMS3CGEzqpnRDXx1yKhYI2XwBZ3XUzuXp9e0gxRUo9y3nG2MxiFfwfIQOpMmY5Jfm5KK-wMKYQFUpNfolBqpQ5CXWc-hQS8h8U4jAStlpFB4eJAJXF5CvUWFaX2oWaFDRuCz/s1600-h/8mo+baby+face+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih5yTWiKOHMS3CGEzqpnRDXx1yKhYI2XwBZ3XUzuXp9e0gxRUo9y3nG2MxiFfwfIQOpMmY5Jfm5KK-wMKYQFUpNfolBqpQ5CXWc-hQS8h8U4jAStlpFB4eJAJXF5CvUWFaX2oWaFDRuCz/s320/8mo+baby+face+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398784173112139458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My friend Jean made me the <span style="font-style: italic;">cutest baby hat EVER!!! </span>I just love it! it puts my knitting to shame, and it was her first attempt at fair isle - it's just beautiful:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilQJ6k3fVj9yaXAVY1rtzNTAiPp_8iRWmuTHyGqTNAx6PDImxO57K0_oXQN8X-SMM_Dy5Je9hv0r7T-ZyIin_EAO2C61yLbi9kv00OiQjLFlpNNv6CnAuW7BalhvEvFOzCdxi700H_Dg-/s1600-h/IMG_2248.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilQJ6k3fVj9yaXAVY1rtzNTAiPp_8iRWmuTHyGqTNAx6PDImxO57K0_oXQN8X-SMM_Dy5Je9hv0r7T-ZyIin_EAO2C61yLbi9kv00OiQjLFlpNNv6CnAuW7BalhvEvFOzCdxi700H_Dg-/s320/IMG_2248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398810817160308050" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAZdhg-KXewF5jUOfIfzvoKPhFCTN80T3mz33sh_EzBMB8_VhIEeKDaEPy3NemRm5aM_P_I2QrYqPYxThcguztPR5mFQjW6vhzdW7taIIwt_H9Ywu51R92Rf7RGfnSga9B2xONuOeoN5D/s1600-h/IMG_2250.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAZdhg-KXewF5jUOfIfzvoKPhFCTN80T3mz33sh_EzBMB8_VhIEeKDaEPy3NemRm5aM_P_I2QrYqPYxThcguztPR5mFQjW6vhzdW7taIIwt_H9Ywu51R92Rf7RGfnSga9B2xONuOeoN5D/s320/IMG_2250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398810813406930706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This week, Mike and I attended his school's fundraiser, called the RED party - it was a masquerade ball, and everyone was all dressed up. They had this fabulous person in drag with an amazing costume:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWsgt0YEKEKluhB0n4YkRZnLAn5_lcGRsK5YY-X6pmsQ1NMkotBmp9MBzcp7oWpxt3ypxrZxAwu-2dxYo4IwTq076bGwWiC72WeiqZNS3ctVKwrB6HppzOZ03Uyfac9xt_g7ocToFfneI/s1600-h/IMG_2240.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWsgt0YEKEKluhB0n4YkRZnLAn5_lcGRsK5YY-X6pmsQ1NMkotBmp9MBzcp7oWpxt3ypxrZxAwu-2dxYo4IwTq076bGwWiC72WeiqZNS3ctVKwrB6HppzOZ03Uyfac9xt_g7ocToFfneI/s320/IMG_2240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398810833467416434" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Meghan and I got our pictures taken with... her<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhas7G4Li59KJToOios1gVRR0zncS2rbQ_nAyurgaJU5oqIVDzkJiqhGvHs-MHOdz574SbFGj9hM3X9NkKq-LVciVzYFZrTCaI8bgyRkOLq1BZ43Vt4FS5cgFs1whYHSVpu1o6T_akFPFXy/s1600-h/IMG_2242.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhas7G4Li59KJToOios1gVRR0zncS2rbQ_nAyurgaJU5oqIVDzkJiqhGvHs-MHOdz574SbFGj9hM3X9NkKq-LVciVzYFZrTCaI8bgyRkOLq1BZ43Vt4FS5cgFs1whYHSVpu1o6T_akFPFXy/s320/IMG_2242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398810826305809090" border="0" /></a><br />Not my favorite shot of me, but ah well!<br /><br />Meghan made her mask out of broken mirror parts - it was really cool:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEStQdiYsxNydVP30dzFlMSvfPvW9gBbE8kh0LQXXZyVgKR7CqIVkezw4GMGZKtxkD3skvguFRxbflk50EtpRXerSEjUYSGpB1jkmhAjuR6dij1W8_knl4A4nwGJZnZnA7W6xCJ6caevG/s1600-h/IMG_2243.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEStQdiYsxNydVP30dzFlMSvfPvW9gBbE8kh0LQXXZyVgKR7CqIVkezw4GMGZKtxkD3skvguFRxbflk50EtpRXerSEjUYSGpB1jkmhAjuR6dij1W8_knl4A4nwGJZnZnA7W6xCJ6caevG/s320/IMG_2243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398810829080230994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was a good time but really loud, and I was tuckered out by 10pm.<br />Off to do some more knitting and enjoy the last few days of my pregnancy!katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-39762770428157160912009-10-31T09:18:00.003-05:002009-10-31T09:56:11.345-05:00preparing for babyOk, I first started writing this post when I had three weeks to go - now I have.. um 2 days.<br />We'll start with the old post...<br /><br />Three weeks to go! Eeek!!<br /><br />I know I know. Everyone wants pictures of me and my belly. It's just hard to find a good time to take one - in other words - when I feel like I look cute or at least half-way decent! Here are a couple of shots to sooth you all. (The ones in purple are from 2/3 weeks ago - the ones in blue - last week - I really haven't changed much...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1oIsnf9b5WlLySGvZQ0CwEOH6vYqLmOkOO6zDsUm1kTiX5LQSH8U3fQhiiKgwCJ5nCcvERRwyXL3fu16IoMT8zYGcpgG7OHmETar_awl0FWXAWvNWaZmnsg17Oi2QbjzzUdCDRWDNH7A/s1600-h/IMG_2135.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1oIsnf9b5WlLySGvZQ0CwEOH6vYqLmOkOO6zDsUm1kTiX5LQSH8U3fQhiiKgwCJ5nCcvERRwyXL3fu16IoMT8zYGcpgG7OHmETar_awl0FWXAWvNWaZmnsg17Oi2QbjzzUdCDRWDNH7A/s320/IMG_2135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398766725355058818" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4JjdvngDn3Rh4laHWZnIXxGHc8HhQe37na73NhUP1yguzAK1HO_9KJ1zrWZllhC9Kptdfdm8yRq6B8ccHX0XLxs_LN8qZjIHIIVQUrxO5FMxdto1fmy3dy4NMmqsc8t5-8mzZtzRI1f1/s1600-h/IMG_2133_2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4JjdvngDn3Rh4laHWZnIXxGHc8HhQe37na73NhUP1yguzAK1HO_9KJ1zrWZllhC9Kptdfdm8yRq6B8ccHX0XLxs_LN8qZjIHIIVQUrxO5FMxdto1fmy3dy4NMmqsc8t5-8mzZtzRI1f1/s320/IMG_2133_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398766720070120450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe3sXKcs1DC6CFJhmhMRFRUNQSvAsWfOYFxCyJ678kX-S5F91NMZxNCUbY-5-o5U_RsoPVa9RKFbYhatIvxcUOM52HJ_uCJLP9CY9eQG-gdxKs6tkPMg2wrtqmx1btj-tqcF3A_Q-bppd/s1600-h/IMG_2238.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe3sXKcs1DC6CFJhmhMRFRUNQSvAsWfOYFxCyJ678kX-S5F91NMZxNCUbY-5-o5U_RsoPVa9RKFbYhatIvxcUOM52HJ_uCJLP9CY9eQG-gdxKs6tkPMg2wrtqmx1btj-tqcF3A_Q-bppd/s320/IMG_2238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398762507960984658" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRgkRKo573o5JOCQCmYZ10vDk6Zbdb-Zb4-w8ud2Ysm4oL4mbGPRCNhcBPPEsQIPl1fpw7ILdeBUoBRHYaWS92p32ANxV0At0Fkbtpst5_Yn7wH6ps2_ZARWFULiYY2coYmelB76BJRJo/s1600-h/IMG_2235.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRgkRKo573o5JOCQCmYZ10vDk6Zbdb-Zb4-w8ud2Ysm4oL4mbGPRCNhcBPPEsQIPl1fpw7ILdeBUoBRHYaWS92p32ANxV0At0Fkbtpst5_Yn7wH6ps2_ZARWFULiYY2coYmelB76BJRJo/s320/IMG_2235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398762496394263362" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8piDTE157NFHaTaTdQfe5MUTOMlCPxVz5e7jXqBwTHalms0AINDpeqkQv4i2y90jM2I8aViutf9yz2g3aU3Jur0caR31NvZ1EQmdwGx1c4ypOToCr20FT0GsSOTZJYcdXD4PhtBCf93G/s1600-h/IMG_2237.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8piDTE157NFHaTaTdQfe5MUTOMlCPxVz5e7jXqBwTHalms0AINDpeqkQv4i2y90jM2I8aViutf9yz2g3aU3Jur0caR31NvZ1EQmdwGx1c4ypOToCr20FT0GsSOTZJYcdXD4PhtBCf93G/s320/IMG_2237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398762499689394338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mike and I are trying to pull things together for the baby. We're putting together the final details and trying not to freak out in the process. Or more than that - not get overwhelmed. There is SOOO much advice out there, and so many differing ideas, it's hard not to get swept away by all the chaos.<br /><br />We have the crib set up, and have finally decided on a <a href="http://www.besthf.com/bcassets/prodimages2/large/C4137.jpg">glider/rocker</a> -although the picture isn't that cute, it looks <span style="font-style: italic;">much</span> better in person and is very comfortable. We have our car seats and bases - and are putting them into the cars this weekend. I have started packing my bag and need to pick up some snacks and books to put in there. I'm hoping I'll have a quick labor like my SIL's though.<br /><br />I have been knitting. I'm half-way through the cutest little guy called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grumpasaurus">grumpasaurus</a> - I misplaced one of my DPN's half way through knitting him, but I just picked up the next smaller size and substituted - it's a toy, and the fabric should be tight anyway!<br /><br />I finished the baby sweater for Max and sent it off - here's a final picture, which doesn't do it justice:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsT_xkQ5OUnVvf2S7KEkC0VqjiTI5zRGS7j1VcHnq0ZDOY1PTzGAS5ssqmQtiNgkpkWdMEL2jNRWnktGMNmgcZfX7DD3jDxxSKw2blkiVjzAlYv7vhO9EAtzOPhcdeXqz4TduwSlYF5LQT/s1600-h/IMG_2130.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsT_xkQ5OUnVvf2S7KEkC0VqjiTI5zRGS7j1VcHnq0ZDOY1PTzGAS5ssqmQtiNgkpkWdMEL2jNRWnktGMNmgcZfX7DD3jDxxSKw2blkiVjzAlYv7vhO9EAtzOPhcdeXqz4TduwSlYF5LQT/s320/IMG_2130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398761791898867634" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlRYfoyWTNys3vKhcrNQP74wAW3E9hc3RmAR8WbIZ4xroQLmpCp2d_cKDAWmOT1cfCmweP9JwqmT4KyvbFCI-mlaLKA-uvMRswLQc3iX5AWRq0X-40DieKrgDdZ5kvsZbKTYsj4EeZ9DV/s1600-h/IMG_2128.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlRYfoyWTNys3vKhcrNQP74wAW3E9hc3RmAR8WbIZ4xroQLmpCp2d_cKDAWmOT1cfCmweP9JwqmT4KyvbFCI-mlaLKA-uvMRswLQc3iX5AWRq0X-40DieKrgDdZ5kvsZbKTYsj4EeZ9DV/s320/IMG_2128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398761792314319842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And to torture myself, I've started IceQueen in a beautiful red/pink/purple colorway - not sure how it'll look with the hot pink color, but I couldn't find anything else I liked to make with the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/alchemy-haiku">yarn</a> (which is soft and oh-so-pretty!), since I only have one ball. I am still open to suggestions if anyone knows of a laceweight wrap/shawl etc. that would look good in the Alchemy yarn. Here's my colorway:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bn3K3Xi43CkA6l6cvv7Jn8q35ep1w5dQnDsvZUKE07cHheLYmmlAjucVEuCsIBkqISCVQbxxkB_SfL2DVnWYz1PaIIQEBtpmwdVXv7gly83VpbrkRUu8zW1p9kWsJGq0Y_jBEbOqzBF1/s1600-h/IMG_0642.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bn3K3Xi43CkA6l6cvv7Jn8q35ep1w5dQnDsvZUKE07cHheLYmmlAjucVEuCsIBkqISCVQbxxkB_SfL2DVnWYz1PaIIQEBtpmwdVXv7gly83VpbrkRUu8zW1p9kWsJGq0Y_jBEbOqzBF1/s320/IMG_0642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398767968751110850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'll put my new thoughts into another post....katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-33534473469733803952009-09-26T10:05:00.005-05:002009-09-26T10:34:08.695-05:00having a bit of pre-mamma anxietySo at the Dr.'s last week, I realized that I am 34 weeks along, which means.. I have about a month and a half to go. Yikes!!! we're not ready!!! (is anybody ever???)<br /><br />My due date was either the 2nd or the 5th, the doctors office chose the 2nd and I've always kept in my head the 5th (I hear your first is usually late), but I just checked the moon cycle and the full moon is due for Nov. 2nd. So... I may be right on time! (not that I hold a <span style="font-style: italic;">lot</span> of stock in such things, but... they do say more babies are born on a full moon!)<br /><br />I have some pictures from my trip to visit my brother and SIL in DC<br />Here are some pictures of "baby Dominic" as Gabriella called every toy/doll and her brother all weekend - it was so cute!!<br /><br />Baby Dominic and Daddy<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJEyMwPnx-8gAJcRJ3nqj33kes1Qtp2X10EenEwWSZ_EjTe1gqC1kP8hJJ1Q7sLnByZ-15qcVIwcI1H27kqUj4KqtachTN6x7ZDE5uJQHZ3v8rDRlKQlfG-d3sVyDuFY3mjGV7BHrn2g-/s1600-h/IMG_2084.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJEyMwPnx-8gAJcRJ3nqj33kes1Qtp2X10EenEwWSZ_EjTe1gqC1kP8hJJ1Q7sLnByZ-15qcVIwcI1H27kqUj4KqtachTN6x7ZDE5uJQHZ3v8rDRlKQlfG-d3sVyDuFY3mjGV7BHrn2g-/s320/IMG_2084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385794829056601426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Baby Dominic and Mommy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgL7T1UHjj2e-JYi1dSWqmm7cpj55P-BK4JPKcj4u1-6l16qhQoiKwgc4zX6BCVukugonCz2q68Z3evSJhHaDkDjYMlXVw5sM2hu_uMmFATU_ExronqUtKShlQpV7LAecjJDNz2yEYF2N/s1600-h/IMG_2074.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgL7T1UHjj2e-JYi1dSWqmm7cpj55P-BK4JPKcj4u1-6l16qhQoiKwgc4zX6BCVukugonCz2q68Z3evSJhHaDkDjYMlXVw5sM2hu_uMmFATU_ExronqUtKShlQpV7LAecjJDNz2yEYF2N/s320/IMG_2074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385794842618345746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Baby Dominic and Gabriella:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7yx9oWAfiyBTwOimwppA0wfEL4VR6QGgWEvud9K3TWBwwFNEOHqKLYbyXGNUqDK4OtIeN4GO28sZofmfz_Jk5CaxyJqB2l_fa2oFG5olZgxPDPXU-l7mcImG4OuVk2TLpvsqInf5CCXv/s1600-h/IMG_2078.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7yx9oWAfiyBTwOimwppA0wfEL4VR6QGgWEvud9K3TWBwwFNEOHqKLYbyXGNUqDK4OtIeN4GO28sZofmfz_Jk5CaxyJqB2l_fa2oFG5olZgxPDPXU-l7mcImG4OuVk2TLpvsqInf5CCXv/s320/IMG_2078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385795440625742674" border="0" /></a><br />G being much kinder to her brothers than mine looked like they were to me....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgCDcvop5j69tn9TOXXuuz_c9W3dj0lVjMi9Jc9V2GXrR8oTbZTFU_ZP-i32R0k5yNUM57KQ4FIJQdTdn3eGzDKYdgqdXrsrEhx3yvqkCYhGseMZr-XNOjAdfJvzHwAI-uMObmnpJC0se/s1600-h/IMG_2082.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgCDcvop5j69tn9TOXXuuz_c9W3dj0lVjMi9Jc9V2GXrR8oTbZTFU_ZP-i32R0k5yNUM57KQ4FIJQdTdn3eGzDKYdgqdXrsrEhx3yvqkCYhGseMZr-XNOjAdfJvzHwAI-uMObmnpJC0se/s320/IMG_2082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385795435283120690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Me and Baby D:<br />(not the best picture)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfdGCOBGg_ooa6Bs0txOb22QHDVbpw055r3elUR8rxbwT3IuFHCbPbGPqkBCKiCVkF9Qy2IIXyNapiERg1c4tzqu-tJtmp9rMbJWBStdpkhyphenhyphenFUsUkW1gyGIMDkAaq3QdhjPWlQqolDGfH/s1600-h/IMG_2096.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfdGCOBGg_ooa6Bs0txOb22QHDVbpw055r3elUR8rxbwT3IuFHCbPbGPqkBCKiCVkF9Qy2IIXyNapiERg1c4tzqu-tJtmp9rMbJWBStdpkhyphenhyphenFUsUkW1gyGIMDkAaq3QdhjPWlQqolDGfH/s320/IMG_2096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385794851084425170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And Daddy and his babes taking a nap:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikM9dWkAJ-xDXu6Zy1YV7AQxFpyxbL-vDoOGmrh8mVVRjEKpPKop64YretsueyAGuugJOzIB3LkTAWJs16qrS7K4VYTV12n8z_lMQ5vCmUelTS2zWxHh9Gyt7cK4YQYz-7ZdvPuxsEJslJ/s1600-h/IMG_2106.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikM9dWkAJ-xDXu6Zy1YV7AQxFpyxbL-vDoOGmrh8mVVRjEKpPKop64YretsueyAGuugJOzIB3LkTAWJs16qrS7K4VYTV12n8z_lMQ5vCmUelTS2zWxHh9Gyt7cK4YQYz-7ZdvPuxsEJslJ/s320/IMG_2106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385794853032316578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I did finish my purple sweater and it fit Gabriella perfectly - but I didn't get any pictures of her in it - At first she wouldn't take it - all presents were for 'baby Dominic", but eventually she warmed up to it and I was happy to see it fit! Just she and I went to the park and played while her parents had an event to go to, so it was nice to spend some one on one time with her. One of my favorite shots was of her on the swings:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoGSGjzfvJEW9G5N6dDPyQpHFnLlEBGhnGiVLXb2pyh15RKRhlrhkJGgSBb0C03k8yEb91kLIVBQoZoDid1c5oQxiIPDMszKzo5hDB8f36Jx80l62GnzUHON1LFneEvR99RNB7sfo46ae/s1600-h/IMG_2116.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoGSGjzfvJEW9G5N6dDPyQpHFnLlEBGhnGiVLXb2pyh15RKRhlrhkJGgSBb0C03k8yEb91kLIVBQoZoDid1c5oQxiIPDMszKzo5hDB8f36Jx80l62GnzUHON1LFneEvR99RNB7sfo46ae/s320/IMG_2116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385799058988681394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Having just come from 3 days at a work conference, I was pretty worn out - between having my 'game-face" on the whole time, and staying up late while everyone drank and socialized, it really exhausted me. The scary thing is, I know that when the baby comes, I'll be 8 times more tired than I was that weekend! Yeah, feeling a bit unprepared, but I know we'll do fine when the time comes.<br /><br />Mike and I are going to pick up the crib and narrow down our choice for a chair today. I have one more baby shower coming up next weekend, and we're just trying to spend some quality time together and get the house ready. Crazy times eh?katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-6977171959026885992009-09-07T13:43:00.006-05:002009-09-07T14:20:08.656-05:00watching time fly by...I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted! So much has happened - most of which has kept me from blogging, I just haven't had the time/energy!!<br /><br />First off - Baby updates - 2 new babies in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tamburro</span> family - one to each of my two older brothers<br /><br />Carlo/Kristin are the proud parents of :<br />Dominik "Nico" John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tamburro</span> - born on Aug. 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> and<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg842RHTfZIzsMbezEP42MoeDfdCgUz1drK_RjvcBgLumwI2HqOnCsOV3gJwhnDt7BSH0nh-m7daARukEkvK36U4PSHgpIA07YJXaQUjmWjgDJvd3hphdfqgw3yZkoW5HBQFNGDgCtn1IoC/s1600-h/Nico+Tamburro+Day+4-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg842RHTfZIzsMbezEP42MoeDfdCgUz1drK_RjvcBgLumwI2HqOnCsOV3gJwhnDt7BSH0nh-m7daARukEkvK36U4PSHgpIA07YJXaQUjmWjgDJvd3hphdfqgw3yZkoW5HBQFNGDgCtn1IoC/s320/Nico+Tamburro+Day+4-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378800192429530194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Alex/Amy are the proud parents of:<br />Max Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tamburro</span> - born on Sept. 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpkl3sSl5Ssj1MXPIMeEn9ABezbuqkp9sF5ZXybdKOfbwjG1i3C4vs5AucEg6kJSsXYlQMwjGmcIKEe5aLt67eL9TqMoZNNZrVXE5YrMWJvnyyBdtb27nmxYNMDvY22MI-2qFMoyo03uu/s1600-h/PhotoShare.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpkl3sSl5Ssj1MXPIMeEn9ABezbuqkp9sF5ZXybdKOfbwjG1i3C4vs5AucEg6kJSsXYlQMwjGmcIKEe5aLt67eL9TqMoZNNZrVXE5YrMWJvnyyBdtb27nmxYNMDvY22MI-2qFMoyo03uu/s320/PhotoShare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378802460871885474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here are the boys "practicing" with me many years ago - I think they're going to do much better now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6SPajkOJcbHWxHOhNwKSjytm9g33dmTYLvBBExelxVryl9gj0WdScvLW6bspFutTZM9XX4BosxHqY9OgEm4FXmrJYXmu3Bxxx3518Few30M94n_EXrjWlv6g-BAhufQ_G1G7Nedih9G-/s1600-h/Carlo+%26+Alex+2009+practice.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6SPajkOJcbHWxHOhNwKSjytm9g33dmTYLvBBExelxVryl9gj0WdScvLW6bspFutTZM9XX4BosxHqY9OgEm4FXmrJYXmu3Bxxx3518Few30M94n_EXrjWlv6g-BAhufQ_G1G7Nedih9G-/s320/Carlo+%26+Alex+2009+practice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378802467813718002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also got a promotion at work, and have moved up into a larger role - which means I'm spending a bit more time at work trying to get all my 'ducks in a row' before I go on my own maternity leave! So my focus there in getting into my new stride has taken up some of my time too, but I'm enjoying the position and excited about it!<br /><br />I spent a week in KY with some old school friends who threw me a great baby shower! Here are a couple of shots of me out with friends and at the shower:<br /><br />An evening out:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zW6jHDJEUzjdwkyNFL8CpFoPxG8ce7uUqJBd5z_ugY3XxwWtXVhL2zjF-i3whAV797drwWLtbevzOhQZxz20Z9vBnZbs56xHBvomp1KPmIy2ER1ssQX-atQKlpDjmfD5MimaYHxx-Py_/s1600-h/IMG_2038.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zW6jHDJEUzjdwkyNFL8CpFoPxG8ce7uUqJBd5z_ugY3XxwWtXVhL2zjF-i3whAV797drwWLtbevzOhQZxz20Z9vBnZbs56xHBvomp1KPmIy2ER1ssQX-atQKlpDjmfD5MimaYHxx-Py_/s320/IMG_2038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378804567823724754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The best type of cake:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlplaUqCf_BJzqoifMuwG0WwDDWEnC6i58SISUvBgSVKBu97hSZ0UGCIfZtGqlUjI4fUceJpJnxxdpi5mDQdvXmNZhCS7H0FOpa9mGcrQKiy33d8NTHWJfV6cjDMBA7fBM2S643uFGl0d/s1600-h/IMG_2051.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlplaUqCf_BJzqoifMuwG0WwDDWEnC6i58SISUvBgSVKBu97hSZ0UGCIfZtGqlUjI4fUceJpJnxxdpi5mDQdvXmNZhCS7H0FOpa9mGcrQKiy33d8NTHWJfV6cjDMBA7fBM2S643uFGl0d/s320/IMG_2051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378804583825588066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and the shower:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuFn7abbWynXRwsVo3tntr7Oqeny7AbOp-PqteFIdQTydLCKvFPnZme67AyUNzxUHT-GmEgAH7CjUBTff5Pi3ZP5Pa2-bgUOv3hKwmCzFQCcYGr-nYFU32P4PScmNP3Ign0oTHbMQCC1M/s1600-h/IMG_2052.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuFn7abbWynXRwsVo3tntr7Oqeny7AbOp-PqteFIdQTydLCKvFPnZme67AyUNzxUHT-GmEgAH7CjUBTff5Pi3ZP5Pa2-bgUOv3hKwmCzFQCcYGr-nYFU32P4PScmNP3Ign0oTHbMQCC1M/s320/IMG_2052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378804575970072770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was fun and silly and good to see my friends.<br /><br />Mike started school again and is working hard as a Junior this year. He's also trying to get things lined up for when the baby comes. I can't believe it's happening so fast!! I've only got 2 months left - and I feel like there is so so so much to be done!<br /><br />I have a few things on the needles to be finished up in the next few days and sent out to the new parents, and then a couple more in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">que</span> for me and some other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">prego</span> mamas! Pictures next time. I'm converting my office and craft room into the baby's room, and we're trying to find a place for all my stuff! It'll all work out, I know, I just need to keep calm and breath. There are days I get totally overwhelmed with all the decisions and things to do, and others I've got more energy than I know what to do with and don't know where to focus it. I usually have my hands full on those days anyway. Maybe that's for the best!katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-31661143890419361432009-08-01T10:51:00.005-05:002009-08-01T11:20:06.087-05:00Knitting a bitI've been trying to get some much-needed knitting done lately, and all I've really ended up with, is more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UFO's</span> - but they're closer to completion than the ones that have been hanging out in my sidebar for forever.<br /><br />I started with the baby sweater I've been working on for a while. I really enjoy knitting with the Elizabeth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lavold</span> cotton, and I just adore the color - I've got one side seamed and I just need to do the other side, which I'm determined to finish today:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98tXb22ObQ3-SvD-eruVqnz5nyB4ShlhSqdAgeYB3oJMTwcAzOdQ4ZtB4idlFMe7wDIuDdCFTM0N9fm5fIDBhcFe2AwZ2Q7N43Xqmk2vZyBtTkwcOyNiFqQQDUIahiDQ_PFIUW3lEAHv7/s1600-h/IMG_2004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98tXb22ObQ3-SvD-eruVqnz5nyB4ShlhSqdAgeYB3oJMTwcAzOdQ4ZtB4idlFMe7wDIuDdCFTM0N9fm5fIDBhcFe2AwZ2Q7N43Xqmk2vZyBtTkwcOyNiFqQQDUIahiDQ_PFIUW3lEAHv7/s320/IMG_2004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026338858932402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here's what it'll look like finished:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCju5jE06xhqIA5klWZG2VxFF9qzSdYtSSlCiUJuH2QUD8R4J3ZR2IGU0vCwXDZ_y5v7SfNFl5nuCeryJmjZSYEN0-lL80DI8LU9jXL1xhqPM7PofxxTlFhDctmJfWzhVTxapcMzxMLkD/s1600-h/IMG_2005.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCju5jE06xhqIA5klWZG2VxFF9qzSdYtSSlCiUJuH2QUD8R4J3ZR2IGU0vCwXDZ_y5v7SfNFl5nuCeryJmjZSYEN0-lL80DI8LU9jXL1xhqPM7PofxxTlFhDctmJfWzhVTxapcMzxMLkD/s320/IMG_2005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026331154826530" border="0" /></a><br />sort-of - I may add something to the bottom sleeve edges - it looks kinda unfinished to me this way.<br /><br />Then I started a crochet cap on my way back from NY that is also close to completion - I started this one, and then had to 'rip back' because I wanted it to be tighter, so I went down a hook side. I put the rip back in quotes, because I actually didn't rip, I just started from the other end of the ball (that's how far along I was) and would just pull out as I used up the yarn.<br /><br />Here's a shot of it so far - I'm finishing up the brim. The problem here is I put it down, and had two copies of the pattern printed out and am not sure exactly where I am in the pattern - I just need to sit down and figure it out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vrlvFxrHgM-_M9LCTxEyLNOAdRfmUBp4guAFmDD7vZEN60zv10eu1GuPuZioIXX4_UWKlNLu6Cso-7Z95WSIOf3yLE9I5wuDLXlW7-NmWv213SAa-CHgvr-gcgcyAV01eQGOEIQ4ze9d/s1600-h/IMG_2012.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vrlvFxrHgM-_M9LCTxEyLNOAdRfmUBp4guAFmDD7vZEN60zv10eu1GuPuZioIXX4_UWKlNLu6Cso-7Z95WSIOf3yLE9I5wuDLXlW7-NmWv213SAa-CHgvr-gcgcyAV01eQGOEIQ4ze9d/s320/IMG_2012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026325245296322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then I also started another baby sweater - The Kipling, which I've always wanted to knit, and just love the greens in this yarn, although it's not as soft as some of the other yarns I've used lately, but it is machine washable and that's what counts here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6pTxdfpj1mgg6Rj4qVd01FFmWiL_v_W1AyIlxGtOCK3N_UH9w1gzZO8ZISxrJ3qFv0HvuyNHAKE-u8Cpal3bKq6PrURYIHZ97MbY68DTXBTK32zigFgiRQJsZgD-zaL8gvYpTmga4duU/s1600-h/IMG_2011.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6pTxdfpj1mgg6Rj4qVd01FFmWiL_v_W1AyIlxGtOCK3N_UH9w1gzZO8ZISxrJ3qFv0HvuyNHAKE-u8Cpal3bKq6PrURYIHZ97MbY68DTXBTK32zigFgiRQJsZgD-zaL8gvYpTmga4duU/s320/IMG_2011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026343165107618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've also been fortunate enough to win a couple of blog contests lately, and got a great copy of the book <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DomiKNITrix</span>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sfEUbzACqW1WruZpPgB-V1Ln87JpEhrVreCxe4GkbWPhFJIVAx6nad7WvprM3FvvfximnzrZ2shEszQ0tMnHnCklrSYDcDIVKxGi_bkGpVBchPaHcI0QVLNhZ2Jx8w9YGqjbcjZevJBj/s1600-h/IMG_2001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sfEUbzACqW1WruZpPgB-V1Ln87JpEhrVreCxe4GkbWPhFJIVAx6nad7WvprM3FvvfximnzrZ2shEszQ0tMnHnCklrSYDcDIVKxGi_bkGpVBchPaHcI0QVLNhZ2Jx8w9YGqjbcjZevJBj/s320/IMG_2001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026350652569602" border="0" /></a><br />from the blog <a href="http://www.lazyknitsandpurls.com/">Lazy Knits and Purls</a> which is great! I've wanted to try out some of the patterns in here.<br /><br />And then I won some milk fiber roving from <a href="http://www.silverstah.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Silverstah's</span></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Etsy</span> shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6770543">Feeling Sheepish</a> which I'm a little scared to take out of the bags for fear of ruining it. I want to wait until I'm ready to use it - I've got to find a special project for it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0byyDw0eKINW3W7JmarDIvg5m29gl3EwCqyU50QAZ9qdIg2h7py-pVjVDWLUyR6V1nh2tUUqXM6emQ00yCXtcHCNPMtfbGsXtVrZQSR4P4aivStT6RiW2H2IhKqbU8HpUqBs7QURNeB4/s1600-h/IMG_1999.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0byyDw0eKINW3W7JmarDIvg5m29gl3EwCqyU50QAZ9qdIg2h7py-pVjVDWLUyR6V1nh2tUUqXM6emQ00yCXtcHCNPMtfbGsXtVrZQSR4P4aivStT6RiW2H2IhKqbU8HpUqBs7QURNeB4/s320/IMG_1999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365028879922645826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I got two bags - one small black bag of 'carbonized Bamboo':<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWA4csTEBigzAo75min2Nrr-pIoLBfT17BU_SuKrVxDPAEKPcXUkk1MSJHrbfFDGyZstTYgeQRe8R23jcR9Gmj5sbjL7kh51oP8pr9pk7ixmHum3CZy5Lr8A8VE-oZkkihDnuHqHBoYkj7/s1600-h/IMG_1994.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWA4csTEBigzAo75min2Nrr-pIoLBfT17BU_SuKrVxDPAEKPcXUkk1MSJHrbfFDGyZstTYgeQRe8R23jcR9Gmj5sbjL7kh51oP8pr9pk7ixmHum3CZy5Lr8A8VE-oZkkihDnuHqHBoYkj7/s320/IMG_1994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365028886369779330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The orange in the picture is from the light above - it was hard to take a decent picture with the plastic <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">still</span> on it...<br />And the other is called Robin's Wren and has brown and white and a beautiful streak of robin blue in it:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTPvVar9sbsNhkjqnyU0URsrri5jbF6Ac5bHetwH7osg_nf4RTg7_qTlEydX2n9XX_NbfNOMJ71eW-o9EbiXZTW08pka4QcMqBAmikL6-kSUhyphenhyphen4oSftOoDhLS5hjBRKkIzPP1EApdwkLK/s1600-h/IMG_1992.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTPvVar9sbsNhkjqnyU0URsrri5jbF6Ac5bHetwH7osg_nf4RTg7_qTlEydX2n9XX_NbfNOMJ71eW-o9EbiXZTW08pka4QcMqBAmikL6-kSUhyphenhyphen4oSftOoDhLS5hjBRKkIzPP1EApdwkLK/s320/IMG_1992.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365028891761708130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This picture may show the colors better:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3NiBuZR-WKpXlP4cfvBU4aio595pmqvhfkQbQ93qcW7L1_OlFl0UAM6_HIKB7y3sIu5WfN_uok38hhF-ze7ETZVbO3h0BrmkDXXHGgjDNUTmWp31QpyLfGc1xpK1akAYa_N7BBC4ac__/s1600-h/IMG_2010.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3NiBuZR-WKpXlP4cfvBU4aio595pmqvhfkQbQ93qcW7L1_OlFl0UAM6_HIKB7y3sIu5WfN_uok38hhF-ze7ETZVbO3h0BrmkDXXHGgjDNUTmWp31QpyLfGc1xpK1akAYa_N7BBC4ac__/s320/IMG_2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365028871496514258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So I'm super excited about winning those contests - thanks ladies!! They were great little pick-me-ups while Mike was gone. It's always nice to get packages in the mail unexpectedly or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">expected</span>! Did I mention btw, that I'm so excited that he's back? I am. It's just nice to have him around to talk to and cuddle with.<br /><br />The baby is moving around quite a bit. I do have more of a belly, but it really depends on what I'm wearing on how prego I look, and I'm really bad at getting people to take a picture of me and the little one. Still feeling pretty good - more heartburn than I'd like, but what are you going to do? Small price to pay for such a wonderful gift.katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-32294262913049307092009-07-25T10:33:00.004-05:002009-07-30T06:50:51.602-05:00enjoying her hubby's companythat's right - Mike is home!! yeah :)<br /><br />Mike came home last week, a bit early, to help out his <a href="http://www.buildingartscollege.us/">school</a> (they're moving their shop locations), prepare for his upcoming semester, and to help us get the house baby-ready. There seems like so much to do!<br /><br />First step is to get the 'spare bedroom' or my office turned into the baby room. This means disassembling the desk and finding a place for my stash of things, as well as deciding what will fit and what we'll need in that room. We don't really get to decorate much since we rent - just lots of consolidating and moving. Fun fun. Good fun.<br /><br />I finished a cute pair of booties that I really like:<br />Mike helped me model them - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">teehee</span>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqeGjo-JZwBqbtN3rkJp6pzwr9R640MyRoqJXz3ybPTEAL8PNVSG9TFC0ysUFA3FNJ6H6h2Qz10PbraiyRtLe83dNsiNtk4aNy-WMVM8ZD0oEsi3PICaosdsmsVKfRQ_aOzE9mizOd0xN/s1600-h/IMG_1936.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqeGjo-JZwBqbtN3rkJp6pzwr9R640MyRoqJXz3ybPTEAL8PNVSG9TFC0ysUFA3FNJ6H6h2Qz10PbraiyRtLe83dNsiNtk4aNy-WMVM8ZD0oEsi3PICaosdsmsVKfRQ_aOzE9mizOd0xN/s320/IMG_1936.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362439695222006018" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGypKL-qreFreJfjSYsRnmXzL8Cd3xYIWnfobjeSAzrW2-FUr0t8lIU0ZreLvvFbSLkwJBWz0eUFLAjktVmMiMbONs18qpAWG1cHaZvCBFARAc6FDh2iQr_4t7_xqaBpjXxLkccC4B3Hgu/s1600-h/IMG_1937.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGypKL-qreFreJfjSYsRnmXzL8Cd3xYIWnfobjeSAzrW2-FUr0t8lIU0ZreLvvFbSLkwJBWz0eUFLAjktVmMiMbONs18qpAWG1cHaZvCBFARAc6FDh2iQr_4t7_xqaBpjXxLkccC4B3Hgu/s320/IMG_1937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362439691320213618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And am dong pretty well getting through a crocheted cap for one of my nieces, I hope it fits her, as I think it's going to be a bit small on my head, but we'll see. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SIL's</span> are both due next month and I'm trying to get a few things done for them too. Other than that - general cleaning and whatnot - lots to do, and never enough time. So it goes in the land of pregnancy eh?<br /><br />This weekend we did get to go to the beach and spend some down time together which was nice. It's good to have Mike home. In a couple of weeks I'm going to head down to Louisville to visit friends and family and am thinking about taking a trip to Chicago to do the same. We'll see how it all goes.katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-80471438297647347822009-07-20T06:31:00.006-05:002009-07-20T07:00:05.154-05:00back in CharlestonI made it back to Charleston from visiting Mike, and only had one little snafu/meltdown along the way. On the trip home, my flight was delayed from NY to Atlanta, and therefore caused my flight to Charleston to be canceled. I was stuck in Atlanta for the night, no luggage (still on the plane to Charleston) missing mike, tired, pregnant and really just wanting to be home.<br />Between the short trip from the airport to the hotel that night, (in which I managed in my distress to get on the wrong shuttle) I lost my phone. I had left it on one of the shuttles and was devastated. I spent then next few hours trying to track it down and left the next day resigned to the fact that I had lost yet <span style="font-style: italic;">another</span> phone. My late flight home and lack of communication gave me about 20 minutes to change and get back to the office to finish out the day with a round of meetings. The bright light at the end of the day was a voice-mail on my phone from Mike:<br />"I hope you haven't bought a new phone already, someone called - they found your phone and are sending it back to you"<br />YEAH!! Wow. My faith in humanity was restored. Turns out, I had been trying the wrong hotel shuttle-buses, and in the meantime, a very kind and responsible attendant at a Comfort Inn, took the time to turn my phone off (to conserve the battery) because she felt it was too late to call when the phone was turned in, wait till morning, look up "home" in my phone and contact Mike to find and address to send the phone to. She shipped it out to me next-day. Wow. You just don't find customer service like that any more. Especially since <span style="font-style: italic;">I didn't even stay at that hotel</span>!!<br />It's one of those things that really wasn't as bad as it seemed at the time, but I'm very thankful it turned out the way it did.<br />With my final arrival being on a Monday, it threw my week off a bit, but made it go by a little faster. I spent most of it cleaning and catching up on my rest and laundry. I even managed to post a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">prego</span> picture of myself :<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdHtq7LdS3l3tNirK2a3UsqIfAnHQXZARKGVx-zgDYJK21fdnyUogwMBcIZ7LuTdUvLprYtm0sE5X_xBwWr3vY__vno1DcPszH_XFwX9D73WcCUNyKbkdS0JDDq69ZPnQAHSUuhs2ctaa/s1600-h/IMG_1985.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdHtq7LdS3l3tNirK2a3UsqIfAnHQXZARKGVx-zgDYJK21fdnyUogwMBcIZ7LuTdUvLprYtm0sE5X_xBwWr3vY__vno1DcPszH_XFwX9D73WcCUNyKbkdS0JDDq69ZPnQAHSUuhs2ctaa/s320/IMG_1985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360507169048769554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I feel like I look bigger than I actually am in this picture, but it depends on where the baby is, what time of day it is and what I"m wearing actually.<br /><br />While in NY, I got to spend a day with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins. It was great to see them, and we realized I hadn't been to the house in over 10 years! They had been out to see us for weddings and other various events, but I hadn't physically been to the house in a long time. It made me feel a bit better to know I wasn't crazy when I drove by the house because they had changed the siding from dark brown shaggy shingles to white aluminum siding... 5 years prior!<br />Here's a picture of the family - complete with Uncle Ed's 'new hair':<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfXGbxUZElUJ1nuVhNX7oTewB1Btictbrzwei6HkenVd8welmX4zfjF2_Gfceot3PbZQGvQ6b83L58lDG5HBDoYKzbvZIsUGRh8myuIG4pL7MK_Bs7oqhc86gDgJAIvh6flhIiWVuokEI/s1600-h/IMG_1973.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfXGbxUZElUJ1nuVhNX7oTewB1Btictbrzwei6HkenVd8welmX4zfjF2_Gfceot3PbZQGvQ6b83L58lDG5HBDoYKzbvZIsUGRh8myuIG4pL7MK_Bs7oqhc86gDgJAIvh6flhIiWVuokEI/s320/IMG_1973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360508394158472370" border="0" /></a><br />And all the 'girls' tried on the headband I made for Sabrina:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HTVsI9O-aCtB4K33IRtIHYaysCQ5cLpC9daw9Sc6pZ4lgKhS5yIE_VuZHUKvrxdJlFhM8yKi0sXyDowA7eNxPtdcDxVoIbeUFmjs0dLwNcKRtiE51GEAVhorO0ps1PbqQX8LjaYqu6w9/s1600-h/IMG_1975.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HTVsI9O-aCtB4K33IRtIHYaysCQ5cLpC9daw9Sc6pZ4lgKhS5yIE_VuZHUKvrxdJlFhM8yKi0sXyDowA7eNxPtdcDxVoIbeUFmjs0dLwNcKRtiE51GEAVhorO0ps1PbqQX8LjaYqu6w9/s320/IMG_1975.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360509263968781138" border="0" /></a>, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECTmsYVJpHzIs8VbTn6SQXKgV_cxSSqV1yyMknjeNwhz6lkcGUfa5RaJrDWxPPA55PK46rEhCnO3tlpGMHwaEgJJRywEcA2_ktB_VqUgVeE3Fs3dEM-Dgl65wtduN7RVf3L935n9pb4hA/s1600-h/IMG_1981.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECTmsYVJpHzIs8VbTn6SQXKgV_cxSSqV1yyMknjeNwhz6lkcGUfa5RaJrDWxPPA55PK46rEhCnO3tlpGMHwaEgJJRywEcA2_ktB_VqUgVeE3Fs3dEM-Dgl65wtduN7RVf3L935n9pb4hA/s320/IMG_1981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360509282482114050" border="0" /></a>, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN1Y-CSFfdQk4oqkXoi96EBJW0vhO5mXlJlA-nv43eIy8Xz8LdLU4twVvGbcdz7guTV5AcId5WzwTKOnGG_GTNXNusgybP2l8I8TTaYBckTu7oIXOAH6u8_kG7tbkbQtb6FLabzBdcVh8/s1600-h/IMG_1979.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN1Y-CSFfdQk4oqkXoi96EBJW0vhO5mXlJlA-nv43eIy8Xz8LdLU4twVvGbcdz7guTV5AcId5WzwTKOnGG_GTNXNusgybP2l8I8TTaYBckTu7oIXOAH6u8_kG7tbkbQtb6FLabzBdcVh8/s320/IMG_1979.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360510714503431538" border="0" /></a><br />It was really really good to see them all, and a great way to end my trip to NY.<br />Now. Just to get Mike home...katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-12052980155540915222009-07-09T17:31:00.003-05:002009-07-09T17:58:18.083-05:00on the Brooklyn BridgeLast night Mike and I went for an evening stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge - it was really pretty. I took some pictures, but I don't have my computer with me, and won't be able to get them uploaded till next week when I get home. To tell you the truth, I don't think many came out very well.<br /><br />On our way, we did see Neil Diamond! He was being interviewed by the one of the local stations about his upcoming show or something. We decided not to ask him for his autograph, and just walked quietly behind him, trying to think of more than 2-3 songs that we know of his. I think had it been someone different, I might have asked for a picture or autograph, but both Mike and I agreed that we weren't big enough fans or that star-struck to do so.<br /><br />On the way to the bridge I had my knitting with me and saw another woman crocheting at top - she asked me how hard it was to learn how to knit, and we had a short mini-lesson/discussion before we had to hop off and switch trains. That's the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> person I've shown how to knit lately. On the way here, in the airport, I showed two guys while waiting for our delayed flight - they picked it up pretty fast, and it really helped pass the time. The 3rd guy was sitting beside me on the flight and was from India, and said he'd have to tell his mom that he knew how now. It was fun and silly. I wasn't expecting to show them, therefore the yarn I had wasn't the best for beginners, so I was impressed by how quickly they all picked it up. I'll have to put some easy yarn to start with in my carry-on for the trip home.<br /><br />I head home on Sunday, with a trip to visit my aunt and cousins in between. Then 3 more weeks before Mike will be done with his internship. He's enjoying it, and learning a lot, but he's ready to be done and head back to the comforts of home. He's blogging about it <a href="http://mikelauer.wordpress.com/">here</a>, but hasn't been keeping up with it as readily with me here distracting him.<br /><br />So far I have finished a pair of booties, the baby sweater except for the seaming (blah) and am halfway through a headband for my cousin. I did get a 'gift' of yarn that Mike got me to start a shawl - it's some pretty alpaca that I have just the project for!katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-65245288601009721402009-07-04T08:52:00.002-05:002009-07-04T11:51:03.082-05:00spending time with her hubby!Yesterday was my first full day with Mike in NY since I was here 6 weeks ago - it was so great to see him again!!! I flew in Thursday night, and thanks to delays, didn't get in till 12:30 - and went straight to bed.<br /><br />Yesterday we started the day by doing a little shopping, and running a few errands, then we stopped a place called the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Havana</span> Outpost for lunch. That place was great - they are the only solar powered <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">restaurant</span> in NY, and recycle the rainwater from their gutters for their bathrooms and such. It was a really cute/cool place. We had some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">uniquely</span>-seasoned corn (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Parmesan</span>, butter- or maybe mayo <span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">red pepper </span>and lime) and sandwiches that hit the spot perfectly.<br /><br />Then we headed to prospect park, and after a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">leisurely</span> walk, took a <em>really</em> nice long nap on the grass in the park. It was very relaxing and wonderful just to sit, and sleep, and not too have to<em> be anywhere</em> or <em>do anything</em> but we could just... be. I think it was exactly what Mike and I needed - a day of no agenda.<br /><br />After the park we took a stroll around Park Slope and wandered into a bunch of cute little stores and shops before settling down to dinner at a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Italian</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">restaurant</span> that had a duo playing guitar and upright bass providing some pleasant background music.<br /><br />Had only I been hungry enough for desert - but by that time I was worn out and we headed home for bed. It was really a perfect day. ahh...katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-19785412669611481172009-06-30T18:31:00.003-05:002009-06-30T18:57:18.368-05:00at 20 wks +So I'm a little more than halfway along in my pregnancy! I can't believe that - half way!!<br /><br />I went for my 20wk ultrasound last week and it was amazing! It's always fascinating to see the baby up on the monitor moving around. Mike and I decided not to find out the sex of the baby (much to the chagrin of many of my knitting friends - sorry guys!) so I kept my eyes shut during the "money shots" while they were taking all the measurements. I had to get up and move around at one point because they couldn't get a good shot of the heart - but everything is 100% so far! Yeah for healthy baby!<br /><br />Here are a few photos from the ultrasound -<br /><br />The baby is on his/her back in this one, and has one knee up by the shoulder, (which kinda looks like an arm to me) and one arm tucked behind the back:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9hR3dt9rl8OXZgmZBKa-liJCDZGexuDZpWYDyblb4TN_QcedJmREtSPlyHIQsVsKHGHpShreyMHpwsqrjnlFjERHWk1Y0c1VQAoUpVFIPj7tk4nTwiM2GSg1lXE3wYSQfnabNpxikji0/s1600-h/KATERINA+20WKS_14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9hR3dt9rl8OXZgmZBKa-liJCDZGexuDZpWYDyblb4TN_QcedJmREtSPlyHIQsVsKHGHpShreyMHpwsqrjnlFjERHWk1Y0c1VQAoUpVFIPj7tk4nTwiM2GSg1lXE3wYSQfnabNpxikji0/s320/KATERINA+20WKS_14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353268550337489378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />another profile shot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVle-1A-IOt9lvrMGEESvQkojjvMdIgfq9olLqJe33Aso4gUldha_lLEt-hj4fMss-U2meXm76yp1A5NfGLENC38aD2iWp6_XmumsEg-T3tJBJFn-8QrFawrC7NtPyCOVz5pegf7zY16ej/s1600-h/KATERINA+20WKS_13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVle-1A-IOt9lvrMGEESvQkojjvMdIgfq9olLqJe33Aso4gUldha_lLEt-hj4fMss-U2meXm76yp1A5NfGLENC38aD2iWp6_XmumsEg-T3tJBJFn-8QrFawrC7NtPyCOVz5pegf7zY16ej/s320/KATERINA+20WKS_13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353268537639810818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The foot:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK093mVZC9yH9UzS4SzcdDJGBXzd2OWAojnFx3O1aDe-PxYUVgrvI6wsl0z-12LXxoK4u78F48qAQxMlZ4BPzhiRmI3trieXBKiZwOkGDuBJ6JpA1epd9iXWcv4b4ql-hLhcUYXt3jICc/s1600-h/KATERINA+20WKS_7.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK093mVZC9yH9UzS4SzcdDJGBXzd2OWAojnFx3O1aDe-PxYUVgrvI6wsl0z-12LXxoK4u78F48qAQxMlZ4BPzhiRmI3trieXBKiZwOkGDuBJ6JpA1epd9iXWcv4b4ql-hLhcUYXt3jICc/s320/KATERINA+20WKS_7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353268547127290738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the face! Which is really pretty cool:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUI0PKFcZ5gZ1TqSxrzznpzHU1siJyzE3gUxU2rHsa25o4XdXXjvqrG9A95Tqqh_7VMwI8W7NCEhBe74I1RXDVA91cBCqxCT9dSENmlr7lHhyVLFDu5Eze_ApYSFc6akp2wSFrtmVf8vb/s1600-h/KATERINA+20WKS_12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUI0PKFcZ5gZ1TqSxrzznpzHU1siJyzE3gUxU2rHsa25o4XdXXjvqrG9A95Tqqh_7VMwI8W7NCEhBe74I1RXDVA91cBCqxCT9dSENmlr7lHhyVLFDu5Eze_ApYSFc6akp2wSFrtmVf8vb/s320/KATERINA+20WKS_12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353268532340719714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i think it has my nose...<br /><br />in this one the baby is 'waving' to Mike - He wasn't able to be there for this ultrasound - which makes us sad, but my friend sue who went with me took some video for him to see while I was there:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZigIjHqoF47wzcjA2uaGjNexXINHwOB6pNzUUNQnYdf-ZPfvkr6pKl-cmI8C0vGrfy9LI56rFspJgSbmm_tpifR6rWJBNGbv7tm5mOLfF1iO-xyHQ3lZwOav7zVR0ofoIz5Gp3f3TE47U/s1600-h/KATERINA+20WKS_11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZigIjHqoF47wzcjA2uaGjNexXINHwOB6pNzUUNQnYdf-ZPfvkr6pKl-cmI8C0vGrfy9LI56rFspJgSbmm_tpifR6rWJBNGbv7tm5mOLfF1iO-xyHQ3lZwOav7zVR0ofoIz5Gp3f3TE47U/s320/KATERINA+20WKS_11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353268544091407266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The wonderful thing is I get to see him in 2 days!!! YEAH!!<br />I really miss him a lot. I know part of that is my hormones, but it's the little things that I miss about him not being here. I know he's not having the best time up there either and we keep telling ourselves, just a few more weeks. a few more weeks.<br /><br />Then I think we're going to go to Louisville for a week or so to see some family and friends. I will fly from here and Mike will drive from NY and we'll meet up there, and then I'll drive back with him together.<br /><br />I am definitely showing now, and I can feel the baby move - mostly kicking my bladder while I work - good fun! They're just little burps/bumps right now, but I'm not used to them yet so they still catch me by surprise. I hope by next week that maybe Mike will be able to feel them a little - that will be really neat.<br /><br />Now it's a matter of figuring out what things we need/want for the baby. I think I'm going to go stroller shopping with Mike in NY so we can see what we both like, and I'm asking advice from some of my friends and family on everything from bottles to breast-pumps to strollers, toys and car seats.<br /><br />On the knitting front- I'm almost done with my ribbed baby sweater - it's turning out much better than the first try. I have a couple other projects in mind - I just need to choose one or two to take with me when I go see Mike. I am trying to utilize my stash, as I know I have a plethora of yarn, I'm just deciding what works for which projects. I feel like I've been doing that for a while. But I'll get there.<br /><br />BTW, Did I mention how excited I am to go see Mike?<br />I'm really excited.<br />I mean I really really really can't wait!<br />2 days<br />that's it!<br />yup.<br />going to see Mike.<br /><br />yeah.<br />This isn't making the day go by any faster.. I'm off to eat and sleep to get rid of another day!katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-22142410630896228132009-06-14T10:01:00.005-05:002009-06-16T21:07:28.321-05:00knitting for quasimodo babyA little while ago, I stared what I thought to be an easy baby sweater with some beautiful plum yarn from my stash. I figured it would go quickly and was a great project to take with me as I traveled to visit Mike - and I was right. I plugged away on it and got pretty far.<br /><br />The sweater is knit in one piece, with minimal seaming under the arms and is knit from the bottom up and around the shoulders to the front. Then you pick up the lapel and carry on. I had gotten through the back, and shoulders, and had split for the neck and was just going along following directions when I noticed things just didn't look right. I asked a friend, and we figured out I had counted wrong, and I ripped out a small bit and started again.<br /><br />Fast forward to knitting this Saturday - I am 'finished' with both sides, and have gotten to the end of the pattern on my page, and am looking at the garment, and just can't figure it out. I am about to pick up for the lapel, and am looking at it and thinking - this just <span style="font-style: italic;">can't be right!</span> So I ask for some help, and go through the pattern as written on my instruction sheet, and all is right.. but it's soo not right - I finally realize, I am missing 2 lines from the bottom of my pattern page that didn't print off properly! Two lines doesn't seem like much, but it's like missing two main ingredients when baking a cake - it will turn out oh-so-wrong, and mine did.<br /><br />This is what it's supposed to look like at this point:<br /><img src="file:///Users/Katerina/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3488866287_3f6dc83162.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 261px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3488866287_3f6dc83162.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here's what I mine looked like by the time I figured out my mistake:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUhC134AuDGMNIoCj8pWyZbvBefBZC9c-Eesi1J7rNfBIg4NGfiJNdOudnQGHxcjiWNvCSJMe0EtN0E0_K9tdcRsPFzbHVPLoWf46NO-7tDwb_rIBlxdM2Z-EMOocAST8IM7iRzccskYF/s1600-h/IMG_1895.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUhC134AuDGMNIoCj8pWyZbvBefBZC9c-Eesi1J7rNfBIg4NGfiJNdOudnQGHxcjiWNvCSJMe0EtN0E0_K9tdcRsPFzbHVPLoWf46NO-7tDwb_rIBlxdM2Z-EMOocAST8IM7iRzccskYF/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348112204497656258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yeah. um. not so much. I ripped out and with the extra 2 lines of pattern will hopefully have this going in no time.<br /><br />Mike is doing well, but has acquiesced to the fact that he is not a city boy. I think it's mostly his neighborhood, which is very loud and not as close as he would like. The neighbors drive by at all hours of the day/night and have the car stereos up really really loud - almost as if the song that's playing on the radio is their calling card they're leaving to say hello. Many times this causes a car alarm to go off, or another car to drive by with a different song and retaliate. Good fun when you're trying to sleep at 1 am. But he's managing. I will be up to visit in July - we're working on dates.<br /><br />While visiting another friends <a href="http://purlthis.blogspot.com/">blog</a> I came across this really cool <a href="http://www.whathaveyouleftbehind.com/">website </a>which asks the question - What have you left behind? And he asks people from all over the world to answer the question. It's amazing how much you can identify with the answers. I suggest you check it out. Wish it was coming nearby, it'd be a cool exhibit to see.<br /><br />The pregnancy is going well, I do have a belly now, but mostly feeling about the same - a bit more tired here and there, but nothing that a nap wouldn't take care of. I've been trying to hang out with friends on the weekend more since Mike isn't here. Next week is my 20 wk ultrasound - and NO, we're not finding out! ;) Mike won't be there, and that makes me sad - I'll have to send him pictures from the DVD. I miss him and will be glad when he's back. Only 7 weeks left - not too bad.katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-67500233983073149982009-06-06T11:38:00.008-05:002009-06-06T12:35:54.997-05:00home aloneThis week started my summer without Mike.<br /><br />I've been taking it easy when I come home for the most part. The worst thing is trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I just have little ideas/motivation, except for the fact that I'm usually pretty hungry and wants something right away. I'm really trying not to take the easy way out and just do cereal or simple salads. I know that's not healthy. I'm working on it slowly.<br /><br />Today is my day for cleaning, as I didn't do much throughout the week, and it definitely needs it. Part of that means updating my photos, so here are some pictures from my trip:<br /><br />First I have to explain that on Saturday, Mike and I went walking around Central park and saw some real characters! It was great fun. The best part was happening upon the rollerskating rink. They do this every weekend and holiday during the summer, and anyone who wants can come and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">rollerskate</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">rollerblade</span>! It was wild! and the music was great. Here are a couple of clips and pictures of some of the crazy people we saw and met:<br /><br />This guy had 3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">waterbottles</span> balanced on his head while he skated around:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rDbWTkWjNTEiaOpaRSjtFy2awQXAWcwWwDZWD8A9aJ_M2ECmMSmfZms6KZKp7QVgVMRTDAOI75ssQT4cjHZbjaZUKQdNyZiM85TwcHZ2jKGrceIkaPCrxACeplSjNj89nN5VNmE4ET02/s1600-h/IMG_1868.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rDbWTkWjNTEiaOpaRSjtFy2awQXAWcwWwDZWD8A9aJ_M2ECmMSmfZms6KZKp7QVgVMRTDAOI75ssQT4cjHZbjaZUKQdNyZiM85TwcHZ2jKGrceIkaPCrxACeplSjNj89nN5VNmE4ET02/s320/IMG_1868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344258206752177234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And did his own little 'show':<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxLUKjfno2DUuQmGO6Swy22r5oVJm13oBbfAn4sm9nPVx3mhRCe5PuaCmavqVbBqO9CaxrCZaCmskeFR3_LiQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />This guy was selling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CD's</span> and talking about his prodigy (above) - guess the terrycloth thing is a linking fashion statement!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqPIz6yHbBdKgb9PeyPBBMV-6WLykEFrEbQh-SOVeP8iS0dnlBAqxP4-6htOOqeJp92zsVrVNx4gw6YII6RcVKWoq_ZxwoJ-A2ga80RjMvKmCsTXoEGr2nZ4_ymg57E0sQvdUPn5cvq_1/s1600-h/IMG_1869.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqPIz6yHbBdKgb9PeyPBBMV-6WLykEFrEbQh-SOVeP8iS0dnlBAqxP4-6htOOqeJp92zsVrVNx4gw6YII6RcVKWoq_ZxwoJ-A2ga80RjMvKmCsTXoEGr2nZ4_ymg57E0sQvdUPn5cvq_1/s320/IMG_1869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344258214286154658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A shot of half the circle:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA6-PROZBgNfa_RIi7kXUQjyXANR112SaRTkeWNOW7NkyHXV6akFKT0Gu5j_Z0Vn11w_52oftcPB_uLoztp6PzKAq0P5Ye3gLY8GLAYQD_ME6hZ_AezK0f4WNTqfej6Kmk-4IBeZlvTyC/s1600-h/IMG_1867.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA6-PROZBgNfa_RIi7kXUQjyXANR112SaRTkeWNOW7NkyHXV6akFKT0Gu5j_Z0Vn11w_52oftcPB_uLoztp6PzKAq0P5Ye3gLY8GLAYQD_ME6hZ_AezK0f4WNTqfej6Kmk-4IBeZlvTyC/s320/IMG_1867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344258222702921042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />loved his hat:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vTgb_owXt7Szkzm38BjyXqiIJ0X7FJ0s0KxicThyphenhyphen3xlM2Mupg43jC0tzTJwwgAwlxjUGn7-k8O8H3DZqRYrWb9vnUfFgEiD86ykir5a764tPwn69bJERLCvx8iRYY6740f8u8euMr8nS/s1600-h/IMG_1872.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vTgb_owXt7Szkzm38BjyXqiIJ0X7FJ0s0KxicThyphenhyphen3xlM2Mupg43jC0tzTJwwgAwlxjUGn7-k8O8H3DZqRYrWb9vnUfFgEiD86ykir5a764tPwn69bJERLCvx8iRYY6740f8u8euMr8nS/s320/IMG_1872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344258201678141602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These video's give you an idea of the crazy skating that was going on - The guy in the black pants had a metal belt that read SEXY SEXY SEXY all the way around - and he had the moves (although I didn't capture them well on here)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzgok-56mpWtMM-hwf_VmkQgZKKYOaNS-UeeDxaYqui3sf2Q3P0YyVkYXYG3dfhOGSiVZtqZ8_6T0Hf7GeHpA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />And if you didn't know better, you would think this was a shot of my brother (Gabriella's dad) - he really really reminded me of Carlo - even with his dancing! He was completely cracking me up!<br /><br />The batman guy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8njk7ihbxuqAj0IYNkmLk9whWNUSGHxYpt6mmdMlReqtSmtY-r2_9Lv5k1f2pFNzi7cOGUDi8Bk86L5QHLkkk9Gl6Y3huO9afjjS6Cq20HG3lQYSnEYKAAehLjYuDBBF0vd374W0xTkhL/s1600-h/IMG_1879.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8njk7ihbxuqAj0IYNkmLk9whWNUSGHxYpt6mmdMlReqtSmtY-r2_9Lv5k1f2pFNzi7cOGUDi8Bk86L5QHLkkk9Gl6Y3huO9afjjS6Cq20HG3lQYSnEYKAAehLjYuDBBF0vd374W0xTkhL/s320/IMG_1879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344256197078337410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />His dancing:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzQl_0FLHYv7GuVZskPz1V3B-Z0U-a4dhC-wq_x6oRd7hagstBV9GBJCnVKDE7gSNRaa5B-KJpS0kAFPPNG3w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Presenting - Dotty the Chicken! She needs a few more spots, but I'm pleased with how she came out. She looks very regal here I think:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_MwHHN1fT67V2c6tg-XfXE161C4rAdKsNUBA55NRW6L7xZ_OgE-rEtmWuZBGwVq8fK7dtRjvl8hJRZfm4j9zog6dPXgBGMhKGXQc5OORgdCt39Q3PTr76sb4Woc60ISW55DQniDuV3U5/s1600-h/IMG_1842.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_MwHHN1fT67V2c6tg-XfXE161C4rAdKsNUBA55NRW6L7xZ_OgE-rEtmWuZBGwVq8fK7dtRjvl8hJRZfm4j9zog6dPXgBGMhKGXQc5OORgdCt39Q3PTr76sb4Woc60ISW55DQniDuV3U5/s320/IMG_1842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344256180464083442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's a 'cousins' shot, including the one in my growing belly:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzHTkgA7Ue3Ylgw2MIQpAl78QXX6VJZz3Fa6T7HRFYpxRMzDnR1OJz_0z2ej7A57EzkIDjnLNVrF3qc0ikFhp31aeoH1Kbh9ixTj1v73wijCYT3-sdcqbJ14lY05D-jCEiTEMloZU_bz1/s1600-h/IMG_1814.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzHTkgA7Ue3Ylgw2MIQpAl78QXX6VJZz3Fa6T7HRFYpxRMzDnR1OJz_0z2ej7A57EzkIDjnLNVrF3qc0ikFhp31aeoH1Kbh9ixTj1v73wijCYT3-sdcqbJ14lY05D-jCEiTEMloZU_bz1/s320/IMG_1814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344256192780343730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My other niece Gabriella and her new pink hat:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd0lE96Jp2O56WbFHwEiMgHnImc_fb3NQx1IzuckjJi07sSRcxS8fWqWLrU53hgid0EHxdsuwi8Vpmx9mTczoGbRZnxQPaf-ZkTWtL3b3Rtudm7-8wjObWznqAKEX8_nkT4kr1mG53pTW/s1600-h/IMG_1783.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd0lE96Jp2O56WbFHwEiMgHnImc_fb3NQx1IzuckjJi07sSRcxS8fWqWLrU53hgid0EHxdsuwi8Vpmx9mTczoGbRZnxQPaf-ZkTWtL3b3Rtudm7-8wjObWznqAKEX8_nkT4kr1mG53pTW/s320/IMG_1783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344256188603175282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The little guys we found all over union station that cracked us up, and made my feet a little less sore while walking around:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCWdhIY82Hsldc2SSRsS1EHYQiXIdXfavr6LVm-DfswO338Fv4AHFmF6kTzKpoCYVzUHl7ZkRIxITs1UrQRMw0I4XWiXDRhxigtL9UIDoDpb5td3gw8oOh43Y-_bUBK5QiZBYocqwhO6W/s1600-h/IMG_1844.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCWdhIY82Hsldc2SSRsS1EHYQiXIdXfavr6LVm-DfswO338Fv4AHFmF6kTzKpoCYVzUHl7ZkRIxITs1UrQRMw0I4XWiXDRhxigtL9UIDoDpb5td3gw8oOh43Y-_bUBK5QiZBYocqwhO6W/s320/IMG_1844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344256183938083282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqzHJG8jsn0CbFfKFMG5sVlQ2tput_DJoFnGO4qXxluxwhCOX3b3lL6UVtqrfj-Vh8xhqJ8GExbzt7wQSSseNJWkTnYoKgEDQiy729labTaM5LPckCJBzFlhH5wRJe13N7Me9ufRb8Vg9/s1600-h/IMG_1848.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqzHJG8jsn0CbFfKFMG5sVlQ2tput_DJoFnGO4qXxluxwhCOX3b3lL6UVtqrfj-Vh8xhqJ8GExbzt7wQSSseNJWkTnYoKgEDQiy729labTaM5LPckCJBzFlhH5wRJe13N7Me9ufRb8Vg9/s320/IMG_1848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344268593880141314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4cgb4QLzwrnVPFGmEx3J6M9p3GIrn2ib3M61ifle2x4vlht_uAAV5g6WoFd-txv8AHB4kKEUqDYy88ZYAGAuZbdvdU_fx40ffOeuR8yvu5euzmlaDeXfcDOVmeP8Tk_KUsdPWI1hAQ4g/s1600-h/IMG_1845.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4cgb4QLzwrnVPFGmEx3J6M9p3GIrn2ib3M61ifle2x4vlht_uAAV5g6WoFd-txv8AHB4kKEUqDYy88ZYAGAuZbdvdU_fx40ffOeuR8yvu5euzmlaDeXfcDOVmeP8Tk_KUsdPWI1hAQ4g/s320/IMG_1845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344268590135316850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Overall, I'm really glad I was able to spend the time with Mike - I think it was good for both of us - a nice transition. We're able to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Skype</span> most nights, so that makes it easier too. Plus, I keep up with his new <a href="http://mikelauer.wordpress.com/">blog</a> (not to be confused with his <a href="http://www.michaelplauer.com">website</a>) where he's documenting what he's doing at his internship.<br /><br />Next time I'll and post more pictures of me an my belly - first I have to get someone to take some pictures for me!katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-26363703027963963352009-05-30T11:25:00.005-05:002009-05-30T11:48:44.056-05:00leaving the citySo my week with Mike in NY is over - so sad. It's definitely going to be different being at home without him in SC - the pregnancy just adds an unknown factor, but I'll take it one day at a time. <div><br /></div><div>While we were here, we visited the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOMA</span> museum and I realized ... I don' t get modern art. I just don't get it. I mean, there were some pieces that were nice and that I saw took talent, but there were 3 times as many that just didn't make any sense to me - not visually, emotionally or any other way. It probably didn't help that I was exhausted after walking quite a bit, as I took the train to go see Mike's work first, and let me tell you - NY blocks are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">long - </span>especially when you've been sitting on your butt for the previous few weeks. I do need to get some exercise in there. I was also asked, for the first time, in pubic, by a stranger, if I was pregnant! I guess I'm really showing then! We were waiting in line to check Mike's backpack and the guard directing people looked at me - did a double take and then said "Are you pregnant!?!" Like - what is a pregnant lady doing waiting in this line? or at the museum at all? It was a bit odd. It may have been what I was wearing or how I was standing, but it was definitely a shocker. </div><div><br /></div><div>We've also been to two different villages - one near Mike's work in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Greenpoint</span>, and one called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Williamsburg</span> - both cute areas with little shops and restaurants. We've had NY and NJ pizza and I do like their crusts - not like you can find in the south. Today we're thinking of hitting Central Park and tomorrow I head back to SC.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was able to upload the video of my cute niece singing on Memorial Day - here is her singing debut to the world:</div><div> </div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxswfKZEmR4TZ32scm0ogqtixOoL4v6p-NMLvTLDhejID-Uh6QltEPBsmZL9QFZTcIN_SKCzd9vRwz8jPXejQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>She's so cute!! I also finished the chicken - well except for a couple of spots, but pictures will have to wait until I get back to Charleston. I am working on a <a href="http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Knitting-pattern-ribbed-baby-jacket/v1">baby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">jacke</span></a>t by Debbie Bliss in a pretty plum color and here is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ravelry</span> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbed-baby-jacket">link</a>, but pictures would just bore you as it's just stockinette right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Off to the park - and maybe a yarn store - see ya Brooklyn!</div><div><br /></div>katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-55736072650374314862009-05-26T06:37:00.004-05:002009-05-26T06:44:48.101-05:00in the Big AppleNew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yooork</span> City!<br /><br />Well, actually, I'm in Brooklyn - but close enough. Mike and I took a nice drive up through DC, stopped by to see my brother Carlo and his family - it was great to see them - Kristin looks great and Gabriella was as cute as ever.<br /><br />Then we traveled to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rumson</span> NJ to see Mike's brother and family - man! those kids have gotten big! We had a great time hanging out with them, and even got to attend a Memorial Day parade (as well as have an impromptu one of our own by the kids). If I can figure out how to upload the video from my camera, I think I may have another American Idol candidate. My niece did a beautiful job of serenading us with "God Bless America". Very cute!<br /><br />Mike started his internship today, and I can't wait to hear how it went. I'm in the process of setting up my 'out-of-the-office-office" and praying I can get the internet phone to work properly. If not ... it's going to be a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">looong</span> week. I'm hoping everything will work out.katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-91403717906069966382009-05-20T06:33:00.005-05:002009-05-21T08:17:10.521-05:00pregnant!As most of you already knew, Mike and I are expecting! And those that didn't - I'm in the family way, I've got a bun in the oven, I've been... we'll you get the picture. I wanted to make sure immediate family and my work knew before posting publicly and now they all do so I can talk about it!<br /><br />Plus my belly has 'popped' so it's getting harder to hide. I feel like I just look like I need to hit the gym, but my friends insist that no, it looks like I am pregnant and have a little person growing inside of me.<br /><br />I'm due the first week of November, the 2nd or 5th. Mike and I aren't finding out the sex of the baby - we want to be surprised. And those of you that know my family or reads my blog, also know that both of my brother's wives are pregnant as well! They're both due in August, so there will be 3 babies on the 'Tamburro' side born this year!!! It's pretty exciting. They're not finding out either, so no one's discussing names and as my knitting friends agreed - this does put a small crimp in knitting something cute and gender specific<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">, </span>but I'm sure I'll find something.<br /><br />My first trimester went pretty well. I had some 'evening sickness' which was more like a mild hangover, no vomiting, just an uneasy feeling if I didn't eat - so I made sure to always have <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">something</span> on hand to nibble on throughout the day. I told one of my workmates that I was on a new diet - 6 small meals a day! Up until this week, (I'm at 15 weeks now) I haven't gained any weight, but according to the doctors scale at work (don't ask me why there is a full doctor's scale at my office -it's really random!) I've gained 2 pounds this week - which I think is on target. My next appointment is the first week in June so we'll see then.<br /><br />This has all been part of the reason I haven't been blogging. There were so many things I wanted to talk about, but they all had to do with the pregnancy! Also, I was more tired and was trying to get more sleep and just wasn't motivated to do much for the first trimester.<br /><br />This weekend I am traveling with Mike up to NY to spend a week with him as he settles into his new place and internship. He's never been to NY so I'm excited to go with him. I'll fly back on Sunday and be here in Charleston by myself for most of the summer. I will take another visit sometime in the next month or two, in between doctor's visits. I'm just trying to prepare myself for the lovely craziness that a baby brings!katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658816181764886150.post-42978066371337370192009-05-03T12:41:00.005-05:002009-05-11T07:00:24.297-05:00trying to break out of the laziness slump...which in this case, starts with a bit of overdue blogging. I know I've not been posting for a while - so I'll try to do a recap of what's been going on with us here in SC.<br /><br />First off - Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there, and mothers-to-be (Amy and Kristin - my SIL's included!!) May your day be joyous and .. simply wonderful! Mike and I are quietly celebrating our 6-yr anniversary as well today :) And he has started his own <a href="http://www.mikelauer.wordpress.com/">blog</a> to write about his plaster adventures.<br /><br />What I've been up to...the main thing that's been going on, is we've been trying to work Mike's internship for the summer. As part of his schooling, Mike is supposed to work for a company, in his trade, for the summer to gain experience. It can be anywhere in the world, it's just supposed to be at least 8 wks and paid. He's been working on finding one since December, and due to one thing after another - nothing was working out. Finally after writing to a company he was thoroughly impressed with, Mike was offered a 12 wk part-time internship in NYC! And, of course, the next day his school presented him with an opportunity for an internship in England. Now what to do!?<br /><br />So then, a 6wk England/6wk NY internship was suggested, but didn't fit well with the NYC parameters and so, upon their suggestion, he focused on the England opportunity - only to have it fall through due to the company not being prepared for an international student and not having a work visa ready. Luckily, the company in NY, <a href="http://www.fraplaster.com/">Foster-Reeve</a> generously extended their offer again and Mike has accepted for 8wks. YEah!! The stress of not-knowing and waiting to hear back was almost worse than not having one.<br /><br />Now Mike is trying to find some temporary housing in the lower Manhattan/Upper Brooklyn area for the summer months of June and July. (Email me if you know of anything!!) Once that is settled, we'll decide for what extent of time I'll be joining him. This will be the first time in the 6 years (as of today- Happy Anniversary Honey!) we've been apart where I'll be living by myself. The previous two times we were apart, I was either staying with family or had roommates move in for the interim. It'll be interesting - especially with my current developments (to be discussed in a future post - and I promise it won't be too long before I post and it'll include an explanation of another reason for the lack of blogging lately). We've got a couple things in the works and we'll just have to wait and see what works out.<br /><br />In other 'happenings', I did get to see the Cirque du Soleil a few weeks ago here in Charleston - it was really amazing. There were just so many people doing things you would have thought were not doable! There were trapeze artists, jugglers, pole climbers, flippers, people doing all sorts of acrobatics on top of one another - it was really neat. The arena was also small enough that there really wasn't a bad seat in the house. I didn't quite understand the storyline, but it kept me engaged anyway.<br /><br />In knitting news, I haven't been doing much knitting. More so the equivalent of pushing your peas around your plate but not really eating them - you know - looking at lots of patterns, and sorting through my stash, but not coming up with much. I'm in a bit of a knitting slump, but here are some pictures of a couple of projects.<br /><br />My finished cable hat called <a href="http://lauramartos.wordpress.com/?s=clamber&searchbutton=go%21">Clamber</a> or the Lilac Cable hat:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElx2RO55j61js0B2SjR2qjjCXTT5LHqomDQnI474v5c8w1q39aWXQeP_Jlvs7QH-pNJ6FkBkl2A5iadvF_pOz5Z1iMpx4f7PdnaVUbaV0_S_viDQo6gk8N7Ej2xcHyZ_8wZQE4GV7y7FB/s1600-h/IMG_1734.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElx2RO55j61js0B2SjR2qjjCXTT5LHqomDQnI474v5c8w1q39aWXQeP_Jlvs7QH-pNJ6FkBkl2A5iadvF_pOz5Z1iMpx4f7PdnaVUbaV0_S_viDQo6gk8N7Ej2xcHyZ_8wZQE4GV7y7FB/s320/IMG_1734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331653871161096546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am very pleased with how it came out, and it'll go perfectly with my Evangeline <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/yarnkat/evangeline">hand-warmers</a> - although it may be a while before I'm able to wear either of them with summer being here but that's what I get for taking so long to get things done.<br /><br />I have gotten a bit farther with my Dotty chicken thanks to the ladies at Knit-nite the other night. It was looking a bit phallic and I wasn't happy with the way it was turning out, so it had been put on hold, but with a bit of encouragement, it's looking a bit more like a chicken:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtslmmaFOYcSbO5802HycyRio0EKqjNkdWrg5G-efTCPuGlbRZ-mY66SZbMY84slzid-SVs8BMOPc7DvItSHGzewqghFRIJaqpNV9mm1Z-dGzEa9YG3DpC_7VIi7HYdNdHIpafrThTmFM/s1600-h/IMG_1744.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtslmmaFOYcSbO5802HycyRio0EKqjNkdWrg5G-efTCPuGlbRZ-mY66SZbMY84slzid-SVs8BMOPc7DvItSHGzewqghFRIJaqpNV9mm1Z-dGzEa9YG3DpC_7VIi7HYdNdHIpafrThTmFM/s320/IMG_1744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334534092782993378" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJDr-_xXAWc-etOdDJKqFkGMx4uxjoBI-IL7ahNqvI2TBNSGdvrYpKRriXRb-4qoM7VXclUau5E2L8lnedf5NSTUCQ-WIEkiSD7AF0XaViXUwcvGzDLhIjK77fhjfnbA07sj0Ia5fShL3/s1600-h/IMG_1747.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJDr-_xXAWc-etOdDJKqFkGMx4uxjoBI-IL7ahNqvI2TBNSGdvrYpKRriXRb-4qoM7VXclUau5E2L8lnedf5NSTUCQ-WIEkiSD7AF0XaViXUwcvGzDLhIjK77fhjfnbA07sj0Ia5fShL3/s320/IMG_1747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334534086275122754" border="0" /></a><br />I really like the way the beak came out, but I'm not really thrilled with the crown, I may redo it. Now I need to fix up the tail feathers and add some spots! <br /><br />So that's enough for today - I'll be back to write more soon - promise. No 3 week hiatus this time. And pictures and news next time. Just have to finalize a few things at work first....katerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16960979969286382170noreply@blogger.com0