Today is a big day (photos)

Today we are having a baby dedication service for Jonathan at church. We do not believe in infant baptism but we do believe in dedicating the child to God and promising to raise the child in a Godly home and in a way that would glorify Him. So in preparation for this big day I spent the last 3-ish weeks knitting Jonathan a sweater vest... this was my first ever knitted garment and I have to say I am quite amazed it turned out so well dispite its flaws!

I love the color... its Knit Picks Brava worsted in Peapod.

I "winged" the pocket because I felt the vest needed a little extra something once it was finished. And of course, to make it fun I added the little yellow fishie to match the button (which is on the back of the left shoulder).

The coloring is horrible because it was night time and my lighting stunk! But, I made him a matching pacifier clip to go with the vest!

Something I've learned

Today Jonathan turns 15 weeks old... yes... 15! I can't believe how much he has gown, changed and learned in the last 15 weeks. Already he can smile and laugh, he knows how to get attention when he wants it, he jabbers with us all the time in that special baby language. But Sunday I had a realization... I am so thankful that God gave me a boy!

I remember when Jeff and I first found out we were having a boy. We had wanted a girl so bad; I was so anxious for a girl so I could crochet all sorts of cute, frilly stuff for her. A few hours after we got home from the doctor I broke down crying. I couldn't understand it. I wanted to be so happy I was having a boy but I was so totally disappointed! I felt horrible because I had no desire to make anything for my boy and I felt like it meant that I didn't love him. It took me a day or two but I finally accepted the fact that we were having a boy and I found some equally adorable patterns for things I could make him. Eventually I was so excited for this little boy!

Now, 15 weeks later, I am so thankful for him. God knew exactly what he was doing for us. This boy is wonderful and quite honestly, the best thing we have ever been blessed with. The giggles he gives me when I look at him and see him trying to get the pacifier back in his mouth with just his tongue, the snuggles I get when he awakens at 5am scared of storms, even the little conversations we have while he just jabbers away. I find myself praying over him at night as I feed him his bedtime bottle. I thank God for him, for this blessing, and I pray that he grows to love and glorify God.

There is a giveaway...

Over here! Win some nice yarn, beautiful hooks and cute buttons! I hope I win!

He's 1 month old today!

It's been a while since I have written a post on here. I started to write one the other day but couldn't find the right words... so I'll try again... with some purpose this time!

My little boy was born one month ago today. His 7lbs 12oz and 12inch long body was not quite as big as the doctor had estimated (8lbs+ if I went full term) and I was induced 1 week past my due date. Labor was quick and other than bad tearing it was good! He has all 10 toes and 10 fingers. He looks just like me... in fact, I marveled about this several times as I would look down at his face and see myself. I found it very strange at first.

We have grown attached to each other in the almost 5 weeks we have had to spend with each other. Jeff went back to work when he was 2 weeks old and its been all me during the day while Jeff is at work. I can't honestly say it has been easy. I had days where all I did was cry and think I will never make it through this. We have had to switch formula to a brand that has added rice starch to help with his projectile vomiting (this is not an exaggeration) and he has been a wonderful eater since changing. I even told Jeff that I would have been better off just getting a puppy; this was when Jeff stepped in and took control of the night time feedings. This has made my days so much better and I have been able to bond better with the baby.

I dread going back to work soon. I am going to miss my little boy. However, I do believe that this will give Jeff more time to bond with the baby since he will now be the sole care giver in the afternoons when he picks him up from daycare.

As for the crocheting and knitting... I get a little time here and there... mostly in the evenings when Jeff is home and I can sneak in an hour or so. I am working on a blanket for a manager at work who was expecting a grandson to be born in May and I am knitting a blanket for Jeff's cousin and his wife as they are expecting their first little girl in Sept. I need to get these done and will have ample time during breaks and lunches at work... I have to make more gifts as I have a friend due with twins in Nov and another friend due with her fourth baby in Nov.

Anyhow. I hope everyone is doing well! Happy Summer!

Dear Susanne!

Just a quick update. I had Susanne from Sweden ask for the pattern for the heart I crocheted for Debi back in February. I had participated in Debi's granny swap and made a heart as an extra gift for her (see photo here). So I wanted to share a link to the pattern with everyone! The pattern is called Heart Motif and it is located here for free! I hope everyone enjoys it... I found it super easy and it looks much nicer than other hearts I have made in the past!

Not Much Longer...

We are getting more and more anxious for the birth of our little boy as he is due in the next 3.5 weeks or so. The nursery is almost finished; all that is still needed are new blinds, touch up paint, finishing the changing table and installing shelves in the closet... I also need to wash his clothes and bedding. We got my wonderful father in law to get some vinyl artwork done for the wall to match the bedding set and I love how it turned out!

I finally started projects for him after knitting two blankets for friends who are or were expecting baby girls. One is a blanket that I really love... its very simple but very beautiful! I have one more section of green to add and then a darker blue border and it will be finished!

He will be wearing a grey and white onsie home that says "The Best Part of Mom and Dad" so I decided to make a green hat (and a pair of booties if I can get them finished). I started to knit this but I'm still not the best at knitting in the round with DPNs and figured it would take me forever so I then attempted to do a crochet version of the knit pattern I was using and didn't like it... 2 additional attempts later I decided to just stick with DC stitches because they would be faster! I love it.... hope you do too!

Anyhow... I hope all of you are doing well. Its getting hot already down here in Arkansas but I hope to get out and about more once the little one is born so I can take some pictures to share of the area! I also am excited to get back on track with my weight loss. I didn't lose what I wanted to before I got pregnant and its made this pregnancy a little rougher than it could have been (energy wise) but I plan to be healthy and active so I can enjoy playing in the park and yard with my son!

If I don't post another message before next Sunday, I hope you all have a blessed Easter. This is one of my favorite holidays because its the day that Jesus conquered death for our sins when he died on the cross and rose from the grave as promised in Isaiah! God bless all of you!

Excited About Our Nursery!

We were finally able to pick out our paint last weekend and today Jeff started painting. We borrowed one of those cool paint rollers that sucks the paint out of the bucket into the handle so you don't have to keep dipping the roller in the paint pan (less mess too!). It only took him about an hour to get the first coat done and I have to say... I am quite happy with the color. So glad I went with this green instead of blue!

Sharing a picture... please note the color of green on the wall to the right of the photo is truer to the actual color.

Quick Update

Well I am now 32 weeks pregnant with my little boy and I can't believe how soon it is that I will finally be holding my sweet blessing in my arms! This pregnancy has been easy and relatively enjoyable. My first trimester was heavy with sickness but I really enjoyed my second trimester and other than feeling large and slow now I am also enjoying my third trimester. I wish sleep was easier... or rather being able to remain comfortable enough to sleep!

Here I am at a small photo shoot for maternity/family photos this weekend. Love my baby!

Yay! Delivery!

I had a hard time accepting the fact that I won't get to make cute frilly dresses and diaper covers for my baby boy... Oh yes... We found out a week ago that this little baby is a boy!  Anywho,  I decided to order "Crochet Softies" from Knit Picks while their books are 40% off... And I got some much needed hooks so I have spares and ones I actually like... I also got some stitch markers. So in love!