Christmas :P

Christmas eve, Uncle D got in some snuggles before the troops arrived.

After the troops arrived...

Auntie N and Cousin N got in some snuggles.....
Cousin R held her 3 or more times!!!

And Grandma... held her every chance she got... so did auntie W but she is harder to catch with a camera!!!Stocking row Christmas morning!!!
The boys had some fun playing cards and drinkin' some. Christmas night.

I need to snaffle a few pics of baby from Grandma.... you'll have to survive for now with what is here!!! LOL

I am wishing you a merry Christmas!!!!

Hey! Merry Christmas to all of you!!!! Have a wonderful Christmas eve!!! I hope it is filled with loved ones and all the good things that go with them!!!

I know I am enjoying mine...

Beautiful Christmas story! Enjoy!

The crocheted tablecloth
beautiful story.... makes you understand that things happen for a reason

T he brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn , arrived in early October excited about their opportunities When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

T hey worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls,painting, etc, and on December 18were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

O n December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.

O n the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.His heart sank when he saw that the roof hadleaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of thesanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.

T he pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home.

On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

B y this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus.. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.

T hen he noticed the woman walking down the centeraisle. Her face was like a sheet.. 'Pastor,'she asked, 'where did you get that tablecloth?' The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted intoit there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria T he woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week.. He was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again. T he pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth;but she made the pastor keep it for the church.The pastor insisted on driving her home, thatwas the least he could do.. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

W hat a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return. One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike.

H e told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested andput in a prison.. He never saw his wife or his homeagain all the 35 years in between. T he pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.

H e helped the man climb the three flights ofstairs to the woman's apartment, knocked onthe door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

T rue Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid Who says God does not work in mysterious ways.. I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares you know He will see us through. S o when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best.. Just remember I'm here praying and God will do the rest. Pass this on to those you want God to bless.

4 Weeks.... Really?????

I can not believe she is 4 weeks today!!! Wow, time flies.... Were we not just rushing to the hospital yesterday? OH and Christmas is this week... where did that come from???? Glad all my Christmas stuff was done way before baby girl was due.... I don't think I would have finished a thing had I left it! She is growing like a weed... and had a personality I tell ya! The expressions I can get from her... I wish I had a camera on my shoulder half the time you know...

Well here are a couple 4 week pics for you. I was actually taking pics of the little pinafore/sweater that she is wearing... but she looked so darn cute!!! It just is too bad that the little long sleeve onsie fits but doesn't go with the pinafore... and that those pants are soooo sooo big on her!!! I swear I could have put her in there twice! And the sleeper from the same set... just fits!!! I tell you she is long and lean!!! Look out world!!

Well, I love her to bits, so I have to go!
ttfn

Good Quote....

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.”

3 Weeks Baby!!

Well, Baby Gwyn is now 3 weeks old. As of yesterday of course! Sorry no 3 week photo yet.... I just got the ones up from the shower that Auntie N. had for her, when she was all of 6 days old!!!! Well... I guess I shall let you look at the pics... sorry no knitting yet... still have yet to have time... but I am betting on one of these days getting time to finish up a hat I started and get onto something new! Should figure out what I want to make next? Maybe not... Just going to take it one day at a time.. if I manage a few stitches, good for me... if not... so be it! Gwyn comes first!!!! Proud Grandpa holding her above, and Auntie W. is holding her below... to show her off!! No pic of grandma holding her... as grandma is behind the camera!!! LOL (Nov.30)

Another Auntie, Auntie N. and Cousin R. admiring her.(Nov.29th) Cousin R. is holding her below. Doesn't he look proud to hold her? Beautiful pair....

Cousin N. also got his chance to hold her... he was glad she was soo quiet for him... He and cousin R. both look like naturals with her!

Great Uncle S. held her Nov.29th too.... the night before Great Auntie N's shower. He had a function to go to... all dressed up!!
Great Auntie N. had first dibs on holding her at the shower.. she figured she was throwing the shower she gets first hold.. I agree!!!

Great Auntie R. looked her over good too.. and I think she made the cut!!

Second Cousin T. and Great Auntie D.

Uncle D. was excited to hold her... This is when he held her Nov. 30th before the shower..... He and Auntie W. were so excited when she was born that they rushed down and actually got to hold her while we were still in the Labour and Delivery room.

Auntie W. getting her baby fix... this auntie gets craving holding her so bad she dreams about it!!! talk about excited!!!

We made our round trip out to Outlook to show her off to the folks at the Riverbend Co-Op. Then onto Tugaske where she got to meet Grandma T., Uncle M., Auntie R., Cousin R., Auntie K., S&S and some of the locals.... We had a great visit!! My only regret... we only got a pic of Uncle M. holding her! Not Grandma and Auntie's! Next trip I guess!!!

Well.. so much love... but I am off and running. Catch you all later!

2 weeks... and growing!!!

Yesterday, Was what the computer said was my due date... Well. Baby today is 2 weeks old!!! Wow, it is hard to believe I have been at it for 2 weeks now. Baby is a dream. She sleeps good(not through the night, but has a schedule we can deal with), travels good, eats good. She cries in the tub... but she needs to get used to it. She cries from gas bubbles... but wouldn't we all if we could?

Anyways, Yesterday we went up to visit a very excited auntie and cousins. Below is a pic of the cousins who were very excited to meet Gwyn. (btw. was saturday, play cloths are all good!)

I missed out on a pic of Auntie with Gwyn.... But, Auntie was very excited to shop for a girl!!! She found beautiful goodies for her!I love this little sweater and pant set!!! The sweater is soooo fun!The above will be very sweet when the weather turns nice again! (LOL in the 6 mo category)
And of course some goodies that will definitely be handy!

I will have to show some pics of all the good stuff that was given at the shower and such.. later.. as I left it in the city. Mom volunteered to wash it all.. and going home with a new babe... I was not going to turn down that offer!!!

Baby Gwyn today! She was moving around a lot when I took these pics.. so the blur is from her moving around!!!

And here it begins! These 2 sleepers.. she never even got on her body once... I went to put the blue one on her after she had a bath today.... and I couldn't get it over her shoulders!!! she is too long for it........ and well on close inspection... The one behind it with the cute little geese won't fit either...same length!!!
And so the growing begins!!!!

Email Funny - just for the chuckle of it!

This Christmas I'm putting mistletoe in my back pocket so all the people who annoy me can kiss my ass!

12 days old....

Baby and I are doing well. Thank you for all the wonderful comments!!!

She has a bit of a stuffy nose... and I have sore tailbone still... but, we are doing well. Now I know some of you want to hear the tale of how she came into the world. So, I am going to tell it. Those of you that don't want to hear it... well.. wander off, I may have something later that may be more interesting to you.

So, As the tale goes:
WH(wonderful husband) had come to the city for a breastfeeding class the Wednesday 19th. I had been to the doctor the morning before. WH was going to head home on Saturday... I was very upset and didn't want him to go.. but when the option to go with him arose.. I was game. What better than to go home for a couple days? We had a house we wanted to take a look at on the Monday. What could it hurt?(my tailbone.. LOL) So, packed up Saturday and headed for home.. we had stops to make on the way out of the city. So, was late afternoon to early eve by the time we got home. We had a bite to eat and a shower. I had been peeing every 5 minutes.. but I mean... in the last of pregnancy you get used to that. I had a little leaking and thought nothing of it as I just thought with all the peeing, maybe it was par for the course? LOL So, slap on a pad and off to bed. (Ladies, if your having your first, and you get the show and a leak... pay attention.) So, off to sleep... slept good... kept waking up with little cramps. I thought nothing of it as they felt like little twinges nothing serious. (Ladies, Again, Cramps = Contractions, do not ignore) So, when I woke up at 7:30am to 8 ish... I thought they were coming pretty regular... so I started timing them... 25 minutes apart by 9am. WH called his mom, and she told him we better get our bottoms going to the city(2.5hr drive). WH had laundry in the washer, and dryer... threw the wet into a bag... threw what we needed into bags... off we ran. WH did great, as my contractions got nastier and nastier as he drove. Had to stop for a pee at the side of the road... this is not a pretty site... labouring woman, windy day... and I didn't pee on me or anything other than the gravel... amazing! He asked when we hit Raymore how far apart they were... and I was not telling him(5 minutes and more than an hour of travel left). We got to Southy(3minutes apart) I did tell him. and we decided we were going directly to the hospital. WH kept me calm, and got us to the hospital in 2 hrs rather than the 2.5 to 3 that is normal for that trip. He pulled up in emergency where the ambulances pull in, got me in the building as mom was waiting for us, he went and parked the car. We got me registered and in a wheel chair.. WH joined us and a porter came and drove the chair up to the assessment room. I went pee and my body wanted to push... I held back and got out to the assessment bed and got in the gown... the lady who checked said "fully dilated, better get her in a room!" so they wheeled the bed to the labour and delivery room, I slid off the end of it and into the delivery bed. I got a wee bit of laughing gas to keep me from pushing before my contractions were strong enough to push. Good old fashioned labour. My wonderful nurse at one point when I did start pushing thought we would have to have an intervenes.... to strengthen my contractions... and I told her I didn't want.. so we tried pushing in a different position.... worked like a darn.... So, my beautiful baby girl was born at 2:30pm after we arrived at the hospital at 1:15pm ish. Nice and quick!

My mom said that WH was white as a ghost when he came in the hospital... (can you blame him?) And he was wonderful through the delivery and everything....

We were lucky enough to have wonderful traveling weather... except for the crisp wind... but was sunny and beautiful!

So, that is my excitement.... I hope that wasn't too much info or not enough... LOL

I think my tailbone hurts from labouring in the car... other than that though... adjusting wonderfully.

More pics soon I thinks....

ttfn

The New Baby Bundle Has Arrived....

Hey, Just thought I would let you know she is here. She arrived on Sunday November 23rd. At 2:30pm(daddy guessed 2:30 Am on November 21.. but was a couple days late and had the wrong shift.. LOL). Uncle D did however guess it right!

She was 6lbs 11oz. at birth and 18 and 7/8 inches long.Proud Daddy above, Proud Gramma Below,Trying to catch some Zzzz's on the unit above, Catching zzzz's at grandma's after discharge.

Proud momma, with her new baby on day 2... still trying to catch up on some zzzz's.. for baby and me.

Crochet Baby Sweater.... Done.

Is it not cute? I love it! Think it turned out wonderful! Just do not look at my seams.. on the inside.. the outside looks good ... the inside.. another story. But I love how it turned out. The scallop and stitching around it is not supposed to be there.... I put it there because I thought the raw edge was rough. It sure girlied it up some!

Now to find something else to work on... mind you.. wont have to worry about that until my hunny heads back home... He drove in yesterday in that lovely snow.. for our breastfeeding class... I knew he would make it.. just wasn't sure about what time... and about the rest of them crazies on the road!!! He did make it and in plenty of time! Safe and sound and cursing the damn city drivers!!! LOL He says "everyone forgets how to drive as soon as the snow hits!" LOL I told him.... that's normal.. happens every year in the city!!! Plus! Agribition is in town... would rather call it aggravation.. but it is a damn good draw to the city.. just don't try to get anywheres fast when they are trying to get in or out of the grounds... LOL

Anyhow.. I have chattered on long enough and am queasy and hungry so better go feed us...

Talk to you all later!

The scarf.. is done....

Well, I finished the scarf last night. Yes last night... 2 days of entertainment value... and a pretty scarf to show for it.. Now just to find someone with a coat that goes.. and I'm away... This is the kit for the crochet baby sweater.... I started the back of it.. and have a pretty good start... Just needed a change in position.. so that is why I am here.. telling you about the sweater and the scarf and not there crocheting the sweater!

This was the scarf after one day!

Yup, one day of knitting and I was almost done... although tucking in the ends did take a bit of time.. there were only a few... (enough to make you nuts)

These were the books I picked up to read... Mom said to read The Friday night knitting club book first(so far it's a good story) as the Ann Braashares book was all about tear jerking!!! And like I need to add to the hormonal tear pool now!!! LOL

So, I am thinking the last few days my body has been practicing contractions. Today, I had a couple a little more intense.. Nothing of a regular nature yet though... so no excitement... Soon though I hope... Baby is getting heavy... LOL

The scarf...

LOL, yes, I purchased the scarf box.... It's wonderful! The yarn is Lion Brand wool ease.. which I always thought was scratchy.. it's not.. it is beautiful soft! I thought it came with 15 pattern cards.. it came with 50 pattern cards! Wonderful! The knitting needles.. I thought oi.. plastic.. but, will do in a pinch.. they are beautiful Lion Brand plastic.. nice and smooth and wonderful.... I am impressed.. was well worth my $7.50... plus taxes of course... I started the scarf... I have gotten quite a ways with the scarf... LOL it's knitting up way too easy and way too fast! Will maybe dig out the camera and give you a pic tomorrow... we shall see!!
ttfn

Birth Pool.. Or Birthday guesses...

Hey,
Yeah... still here. In the city.. awaiting... 20 days to due day... but baby will decide on baby's own when baby is ready...

Fast approaching is the first birth date guess. Dad said November 17, which is tomorrow. My sis said the 19th, which is Weds. My DH said Nov.21 because we want to go out for supper and a movie that night... LOL. My BIL says Nov. 23, Val says Nov. 29, then we get into Dec.1 for my auntie, Dec.2 for my mom, Dec. 4 for my grandma, Dec.9 for my cousin(yes, late but not so much- Doc said Dec.10 and ultrasound tech said Dec.6 er 7).

So, we have quite the range! Though, dad's day is close approaching and think he may be proven wrong! I have not picked a day myself... I just figure I will wait and see....

Now.. on another note... My wrists are feeling somewhat better... I don't know if it is because I now put 2 pillows under my head so my arm isn't so squashed or what.. but my knitting stuff is at home.. and my ass is in the city.. isn't that just how it goes? I did see a knitting kit for a scarf... oi.. a scarf yes.. but knitting none the less in chapters.. for $10.00 in the bargain books.... So, because I am desperate.. I am going to break down and buy the damn thing and knit my soooo (un)favorite thing.... a scarf!!!(rolling my eyes at myself). There was a crochet kit there too.. I am tempted.. was a baby sweater... (shakes her head at herself). Hubby is coming to town on Weds. Should ask him to bring my knitting basket... and I just have to figure what yarn to ask him to bring that won't be so crazy to find these days.... LOL or even the pattern to find... ah... might just have to figure what I can do here... :D

Well.. that's my wandering mind for now...
Catch you all later!

In the city, trying not to count the days....

Well, I am in the city. I am awaiting the arrival of my little bundle of joy! I am getting excited. Although it feels like a long road is ahead to get to holding this bundle. Space is getting tight for baby yet, baby is still in there growing.... My mom and dad have started a list of "birth day" guesses. There is everything from November 17(dad) to Dec 9(my cousin). So everything from somewhat early to just a wee bit late. I didn't put down a date. I don't know what date I would put down.... I feel like she should be early.. but the doctor keeps telling me first baby's are normally on time or late.. so. I guess we have to wait and see when baby is ready.

When I was at home I managed to get the cloths put away. Hubby set up the crib. There are some things that could be done yet, but nothing pressing.

I wish I could knit... It would sure help pass the time about now... I guess I could have packed a book to read... but didn't really feel like reading anything.. Odd isn't it? I would love to be knitting little baby goodies... *sighs* Oh well.. I am sure I will be plenty busy... and entertained once baby is here!

Well.. before I ramble on and on and on... I am off and running... So, that is all that's on my mind about now...

ttfn

Follower's

Anybody else tried this out? I love it! Wish I could get all the blogs to do it.. not all the ones I read will... but I love that it pops up with the new post from whoever posted that is on my list... Love it!!! If you hate checking blogs for updates.. It is the best way to go.. it shows you the new posts.. then you can go and check out that post!!! Way too cool!!!

I love it, anybody else love it? er otherwise?

Something new to read?

Well, I am just betting you are waiting for something new to read... I have shown you pics of the blankets and such. Hubby set up the crib we thankfully borrowed from my sister. I have laundry on the go to get some bedding ready. And so I have some cloths to wear tomorrow... LOL I packed up, went to the city, thinking I was going to stay.... The doctor said she would see me again in 2 weeks.. so no worries.. I decided to come home for a couple more days..grab my pillow, my sweat pants for travel.. and head for home! Then I could help my love with the crib(even though I didn't really). Do some laundry and some dishes(don't come by unless you want to see every dish in the house dirty.... that's what happens when you live on the run!!!). And get all these baby cloths that I won't need in the first few days of baby being born put into the drawers in the baby's room... now... normally one would think this an easy thing.. ROTF LMAO You saw, my mom's list of purchased clothing... LOL now, she has shopped a wee bit more.. we have added what I purchased into that... and the blankets I made.. the cloths my sister had set aside..... the cloths I borrowed from my sister with the crib.... The car was full... Now I have no idea how to sort them and get them in the drawers so as to function with ease... outfits or parts? by size or by item? I sorted all the 12 mo. plus sized stuff out so now I have the 0-3, 3-6 and 6-9's out.. how to sort them? as some of the 6-9's look like they should fit a 3-6 and some of the 3-6 look bigger than the 6-9's... I guess I shall figure it out.. one piece at a time. Maybe, or a drawer at a time. LOL

Any of you with babies have pointers on how to sort it?

OK, now that the fun is said.. I have a beef. At this point I am glad I am not doing a lot of driving... The car is not so bad to drive... the truck.. LOL feels like a bus when I get the wheel up so it doesn't rub my baby belly.. so I tipped it down a wee bit... and it would catch the belly from time to time but nothing serious... though baby didn't like it one bit!!! That is not the beef though... This is: What the hell is it with people and the bloody fog lights when there is no fog!!!!!!! No fog!!! That is just as bad as driving with your brights on when you should dim them to me!!! Turn the things off!!! And I have yet to meet a car that hasn't got a switch to turn fog lights on and off so.. No bull shit. Turn them off! I get that it is much brighter and great and lovely and all that! I have them.. I tried them... I don't want to blind other drivers.. so unless it's foggy(the reason they are intended for) I keep them turned off and use my brights when I can.. and my dims the rest of the time. I think the cops should be ticketing for it. Seriously. Some of those fog lights I would rather be brighted than fogged.... Ok... now I am done.. that was my beef.

So, my happy note.... Less than a month!!!! Yes, even though baby's are easier to look after on the inside.. I am very excited to meet this beautiful little bundle on the outside! Even if that means lots more work.... I can't wait til her daddy can meet her!!!

Pictures, pictures.. and more pictures????

Here are the pics of the receiving blankets I have been working on... These ones are the single layer of flannel that I just roll hemmed on the serger. See how the hem looks so pretty? this is the rolled hem my serger does. Woolly Nylon would have filled the space in the stitches.. but I used normal serger thread, I like how these turned out.These are 2 of the double layer flannel receiving blankets. The pink is the flannel that Daddy couldn't resist... and the blue is the flannel that mommy couldn't resist!

This is the third double layer flannel blanket.

This is a close up of the pink that Daddy couldn't resist.
This is a close up of the blue Mommy couldn't resist.

This is a new shelf in the "babies" room. To put mommy's crafty stuff up. Material and yarn... it faces the one on the other side that I showed you way back when hubby built it for me.

This is why, I think if I am to sew Christmas presents next year.. I should find someone to rent a room from.... I don't think baby's crib/bed will fit in here while mommy's sewing... LOL and there is no room in the rest of the house for this kinda setup either!

So, there are some exciting new photos for you to look at. I took photos of the Christmas sewing I did too.. but I can't show you.... until after Christmas!!!!

Enjoy,

Catch you later!