Again, Way Too Much Time Gone By!

I really stink at posting to my blog. It seems I only remember to do so when something big has happened. Today is one of those days. My youngest daughter turns 7 today.

She's quite a piece of work. You know when your mom gets mad at you when you're 16 and come home late and screams: "Someday, you'll have one JUST LIKE YOU!!!!" Well, yeah. It happened.

Daughter 2 is independent and free-spirited. She speaks her mind quite clearly - even though she is only 7. Her insights are really on target sometimes-- making me wonder if she is an old soul in a young body.

She is a smart and wonderful child. She is beautiful -- the face of an angel. But, she could sell ice to Eskimos.

She came into the world at 8:34 a.m. on a very cold January morning. She was born on my sister's birthday. She was not an easy baby, like her sister. She seemed intent from expressing her will from her first moments.

She has continued to do so. I love her to the moon and back. I cannot say how happy I am that she is a part of our world.

Happy Birthday to my little girl. Hope the cupcakes at school were good.

Too much time has passed

In so many ways. Today, I celebrate the arrival of my now 10-year-old daughter. This time, 10 years ago, I was patiently waiting for the anesthesiologist to arrive to give me the epidural for my c-section. We talked about the lawyers who handled his last malpractice case -- some folks I knew. I was still practicing law back then.

The C-section was supposed to be at 9 a.m., but we got pushed back when someone else had to push. Literally. So, at 11:53 a.m., she arrived -- 9 lbs., 2 oz. and about three weeks early. She was too big to incubate any longer. She had a full head of black hair and yelled quite a bit. I remember thinking she was so small -- I was going to break her. Then, in the recovery room, I heard nurses talking about the twins just delivered at 4 lbs. each. I felt some relief that she wasn't that small!

And I remember, a few days later when they were going to discharge us from the hospital thinking -- shouldn't someone call Child Services? I have no idea what I'm doing. And we have all learned along the way. Diaper changes, breast feeding, potty training, pre-school, and on and on.

We all figured it out.

She is a beautiful young woman now. Still with a head of very long hair -- mostly brown. She's going to have about 10 inches cut to give to Locks of Love. She is filled, as they say at her school, with the Spirit of Mercy.

She is kind and caring. Always worrying about how someone else feels and what she can do to make things better for them. She is smart and curious, a quick learner in many ways.

I cannot believe it has been 10 years. I am blessed to have her in my life and blessed to have so many others in my life because of her. There was a group of moms I met 10 years ago this fall -- at a new mother's group. They are some of my best friends to this day. We have seen many things together.

I am blessed that my dad was able to be part of her life. We all miss him and the big deal he made of birthdays. But we will sing loudly in his honor tonight as we have pancakes and bacon for dinner -- her request.

I am blessed by her beauty -- both inside and out. I love her more than words can say.

Happy Birthday - Sweetie Pie!

Belated Happy Birthday to Daughter No. 2

I am remiss.  Last Thursday was Daughter 2's sixth birthday and I did not post her birthday wishes.  I guess I knew I could buy myself some time because she does not yet read.  But what could make a mom more happy than her six year old being super excited about getting a ball of worsted weight yarn and size eight needles.

She wants to learn to knit.  I'm having one of the teachers at the shop work with her.  In my view, it's one of those things you don't teach your own kids -- like driving.  Too dangerous.

Happy Birthday Pumpkin!  I'm proud of you.

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

Today is my husband's birthday.  It is not one that ends in zero, like last year's which required much fuss and a big party.  This morning he received birthday hugs and kisses from the three women who share him and some special handwarmers I knit.  

See, DH owns 25% of the shop.  He says it's so I can ask him to move boxes to the basement, move stuff in the stock room, change lightbulbs I cannot reach, etc.  So to justify his ownership interest, he is now the proud owner of a pair of Intercostal Mitts.  These were the perfect gift, as he hates to wear gloves or mittens, particularly when driving.  To make it even better, I knit them from Jade Sapphire 6-ply Mongolian Cashmere in the Film Noir colorway.  I used just over one skein.  Had I been more careful, I could have gotten them out of one skein, but I didn't.  Looks like I might have enough left over to make myself a pair of Fetching, which I have always wanted.

Now, about the birthday boy.  He is the love of my life.  He is my soulmate.  We met online debating whether Bill Clinton should have to testify in the Paula Jones suit during discovery on a political list-serv.  Eventually, we realized we only lived about 20 minutes apart and had dinner.  That was 11 years ago this past May.  We'll be married 11 years in January and I couldn't be happier.  He is my best friend.  He is a wonderful father and we are very lucky to have him around.  How many other men would put up with their wife buying a yarn store instead of practicing law!  Truly, a rare breed.

The Intercostal Mitts are a quick fun knit.  I cast them on at the shop on Wednesday and only knit on them at the shop as I had time.  It turns out my husband notices what I knit.  When I pulled out a project that was not my sweater, he announced "That's not your sweater!"  So much for stealth knitting at home.  Anyway, I don't get a whole lot of time to knit in the shop, but was able to whip these out.  Cast off last night around 6.  I'll try to pry them from him for a photo.  

In other knitting news, after I finished the wedding stole, I cast on a hoodie for my older daughter.  Knit in Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed Chunky.  Great yarn to work with.  I rewrote the pattern as I went.  All went well until we got to the hood.  I ripped it four times before I got it right.  It's done.  She loves it.  Maybe I'll get a photo of it someday too.

Also in the works, a pattern for a child's ponytail hat.  As you may notice from the photo of the girls with the bride from August, both girls have very long hair and tend to wear ponytails to school, which makes wearing hats in cold weather tough.  I'm working on a modification of the Hannah pattern from magknits in worsted weight yarn for elementary aged girls.  Will be posted soon.  

Finally, on the knitting for me front -- which doesn't make noise often -- I'm knitting the Dandy sweater from the Kaffe Fassett Colourscapes book.  Wow, it is lovely.  I'm about halfway up the back.  Will keep you posted.

And -- dear husband -- happy, happy birthday.  Let's celebrate many more together.  I love you.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea!

It's hard to believe I've been a mother for almost a decade now.  (Some would disagree on that point, but I digress.)  My oldest daughter turns 9 today.  I can't believe how time has flown.  

She went from being a baby with Don King hair (lots of it -- stood straight up) to a beautiful, smart young girl who makes me proud.  

I know she probably won't read this, but that's ok.  When she's 16 and surfing in cyberspace, maybe she'll find this note from mom.

Michaela -- I am so proud of you and who you have become.  You are a shining light in my life.  I love you.

Mommy

A Birthday Post

With age comes wisdom.  I am one year wiser today.  It has been a hell of a year.  I left behind a career of 20 years to embark on a new venture as the owner of a yarn store. My dad was diagnosed with leukemia and died within a month of the diagnosis.  I learned how wonderful and caring the staff at a major university hospital can be.

I learned much in life from my family.  My daughters have shown me that there is joy in the small and simple.  That logic need not be difficult.  That living in the moment is a beautiful thing.  

My husband has taught me so many things -- including that it takes courage to pursue a dream and supporting someone pursuing a dream is a worthwhile cause.  

I hope I have learned to be more patient.  I hope I have learned to love more freely and be more giving of myself to others.  

I hope there will be many more birthdays, despite looking at the near side of 50.

One Day at a Time

Dad is still at MUC. We drive Mom back and forth each day. It's taking it's toll.

On a happier note, littlest one turns 5 on Tuesday. A classmate is having his birthday party Saturday at the Rodent House Pizza Joint with Loud Arcade Games from 12-1:30. Following at 2, is Littlest's bowling party. Lots of tired 5 year olds on Saturday night, I'm sure.

Still have to bake cupcakes for school, fill goody bags and the like. Bless the husband for taking today off to do the running around for the party. I don't know what I'd do without him.

With all the chaos with Dad sick, not much knitting has been going on. I really need to knit to keep myself sane.

Wishing you all a great weekend.