Craft Phase Returns

Early pregnancy has not been good for my creative side. I have actually felt nauseated whenever I thought of crocheting. I'm not sure if it was the smell of the fisherman's wool I was using or what, but I really felt like I'd never crochet again and wouldn't miss it. Sewing...same thing. Just no inspiration.
But I picked up the hook and yarn last week and quickly made Benjamin a brown hat (just like the one in the photo on the right bar, only bigger). That was kind of fun so I started a throw from the leftover brown yarn. It should be nice draped across the bedroom easy chair.
Now I'm thinking about making a maternity skirt. I found this tutorial online: http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-make-maternity-skirt.html but instead of cutting up a skirt I'll make a simple A-line and add the panel.
One of these days I'd like to start making a few baby girl things. Definitely a couple of hats and some of the easy T-shirt pants I made Benjamin, and maybe I'll get brave and try a dress.
I'll post pictures as I make some progress on these projects.

Benjamin is talking more and more and understands so much of what we say. His new phase is climbing (finally!). He was never a great climber but in the last week has conquered chairs, the cedar trunk barrier (rats!) and his sturdy cardboard box. He's getting good at the stairs, but knows not to go down "without Mommy." He's also in the yelling phase. He thinks loud shrieks are pretty funny. And, he's starting to help. He LOVES unloading the silverware from the dishwasher. It's a game to see how many spoons or forks he can fit in his hands at once. Then he insists on throwing them in the drawer (which he can barely reach) himself. I always save the silverware tray for him, even if he's napping, because he loves it so much! Now, if I could get him to love picking up his toys and books. :)

Ultrasound pics

This is another active one, at least judging by her behavior during the ultrasound! She's about 9 inches long from head to foot. I updated my baby ticker; you can see it at the foot of the page if you scroll all the way down.

I squealed once we got out of the doctor's office. I can't believe we're having a girl. Suspecting it is one thing, knowing for sure is another!

I don't know why it was any different from before, but this time around I could tell everything we were looking at. The face looked like a face, etc. Of course, the 3D is pretty clear. The technician said usually they look awful at this stage and the 3D doesn't turn out as well. (Not sure why they look bad...covered in vernix maybe?) Anyway, everything looks normal and healthy. We're so excited! Jeff's mom pulled out some pink outfits for us and it was pretty touching for Jeff and I both to see them and realize a little person is going to be wearing those. A little GIRL.

It's a Girl!

Yesterday we did the ultrasound. Sure enough, it's a girl! And, I have a new due date...June 1st. Everything looks normal and they even got a good 3D shot of the face. It's hard to tell what she'll look like, but I think she'll be precious. :)I'm still not sure how good we'll be at raising a girl, but we'll figure it out!
I'll scan the face shots and post them when I get a chance.

Gender Hinder, and The Holidays

Latest news on the Mystery Baby: ultrasound has been postponed because of scheduling difficulties until January 9th. Hopefully then we will find out 1) the gender and 2) an approximate due date. I am measuring 21 centimeters. Centimeters correspond roughly to weeks, so I'm about 4 months along. (I know, 20 weeks=5 months, but 40 weeks=10 months, so I'm actually just 4 months pregnant. Ugh, why does it have to be so confusing?)

We had a great holiday despite The Virus, which goes in two stages--smacking you upside the head twice. First the vomiting, then diarrhea. We were finally all over it by Christmas Eve, but not so much over it that we avoided passing it on to Jeff's mom and grandmom. We kept our germy selves in Greenville for an extra two days, not wanting to risk spreading it to my folks. Fortunately no one got sick there.

Benjamin really seemed to enjoy the holiday visits. He discovered squirrels at Jeff's mom's house, and enjoyed the neighborhood dogs as well as the donkey and mules down the road. He had fun taking a walk with Grandma and playing with the Little People she keeps at her house for him. At my parents' he enjoyed seeing real chickens (not just the ones on this sweet youtube video.) He was not at all scared of the horse and enjoyed feeding him carrots and apples. My dad loved taking him outside whenever he begged for it and letting him see the chickens once again!! Ella and Benjamin enjoyed riding in Ella's little red wagon. She pulled him most of the time. Benjamin was very interested in baby Caleb and touched him very gently on the head while we watched. Laura is doing a great job handling two little ones. Will and I had a rare moment of duo guitar playing. He had found the words to an old piece my grandparents used to play years ago. It was wonderful to make music together. I'm always wishing we lived closer to Laura and Will. We had some time with Laurance and Kimberly as well after they returned from visiting her parents. Jonathan and Benjamin did not quite know what to make of each other but they were definitely fascinated. Jonathan gave Benjamin a kiss and, boy, I wish I had had a videocamera to capture his expression. Indignation and surprise were written all over his face! Jonathan is a sweetie and has grown so much.

We're finally back home and it feels like we've been gone forever, though it was only 10 days. The first thing Benjamin did when he was back in his nursery was point at everything and open his drawers and closet. He even wanted to be put in his crib, where he hung out for some time. I think he's glad to be home!

Books for 2008

Jeff told me I should catalog the books I've read for 2008. He keeps a running list for me on Keynote with the book read and month finished. As Benjamin gets older and more mobile, my list begins to shrink! I put an asterisk by books I especially enjoyed.

1. L'Abri by Edith Schaeffer


2. * Singing Wheels by Alice and Jerry Brooks
(a childhood favorite with wonderful illustrations...now out of print, but found one on ebay!)

3. A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman


4. * Grace Like a River by Christopher Parkening


5. Too Small to Ignore: Why Children are the Next Big Thing by Wes Stafford


6. 1066 and All That by W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman


7. * Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver


8. To Train Up a Child by Michael Pearl


9. Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian


10. Infant Massage by Vimala McClure


11. The Attachment Parenting Book by William and Martha Sears


12. * Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick


13. Heritage of Britain by A.L. Rowse


14. * The Woman in White by Wilke Collins


15. * Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous


16. * Pamela by Samuel Richardson


17. The Making of England by C. Warren Hollister


18. The Time of Your Life: Finding God's Rest in Your Busy Schedule by Susie Davis


19. The Fruit of Her Hands by Nancy Wilson


20. * From My Grandmother's Trunk compiled by Cora Martin


21. The Old Testament (English Standard Version)


22. The Gospels and Acts (English Standard Version)