Mission Impossible? More like Mission Not Fun

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Take one 4 month old infant and take her on an airplane. Keep in mind the following: You can not take a direct flight and you must have one layover of at least an hour. You must travel alone. You must try to feed the baby during takeoff and landings even though in the past week this baby has developed a bad habit of not eating well unless she is in a completely silent room. You may: bring enough earplugs for all the passengers on the airplane including the attendants and you may also worry non-stop about this mission until it actually occurs. Your reward: Time spent with family and a trip to see one of the rare LNSs left in the country.

Wish me luck I will be attempting this Mission tomorrow at 2pm (and then again on tuesday). So no I won't be at CATS this year. But have fun everyone!

Stitching when I can

Spookline
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is my progress so far on Spookline by SamSarah. I started this last year, and hope to have it done by Halloween. I decided I did not like it on the purple fabric the model was on, and instead I started it on this narural linen I had a drawer. I am using the called for Cresent Colors, only one of the colors seems to blend in to background, the green onion color of the lighter leaves. Unfortunately it is also used in the other half of the border and I am not sure what I will be replacing it with.

I attended the Tarheel get together today. A. went with me, and she behaved herself, mostly. I did not get alot of stitching done, and will probably look into getting a sitter for future saturday get togethers.

Holiday Quilts, RR

Holiday Quilts, RR
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I recieved this about 2 weeks ago. and have frogged the damn outline of my quilt twice. I based my stitching off of somone elses (ah the perils of an RR ) and have since concluded this is a bad thing to do when working on a piece that has been handled by many hands. This Pattern is Holiday quilts by Ursula Michael. It is (I think) from a Sitchers World magazine. The colors have been altered to be more green/red but this is a PERFECT design for an RR. This the last RR piece I have to do. I think I will be retiring myself from RRs for a while after this. A good experience, but now that I only have about an hour to stitch at night, I want it to be time for my own pieces.

MMMMMM

Baby feeding herself
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ian sent me this via his cell phone camera today, with the tag line, Look Mommy, no Daddy. We are slllllllooooowwwwlyyyyyy starting to find our hands, so it is pretty cool that she is starting to use them for a purpose
This weekend we started to bat at stuff and sometimes caught things to bring to our mouth. Now of course I have no idea how long this pose was held, but she sure looks like she has a grip eh? (Yes I know the bottle says Brooke, its a handme down).

Thank you all for your supportive comments. I know its just a bump in the road....

Isolation

Ok I'll be the first to admit that I am not a people person. I prefer to hang around my home and family. That being said, when I want to be social...I need to be social. My husband works on weekends so that is usually when I enjoy seeing friends, attending church, going to get togethers, and attending the infrequent parties that cross my path. However since A has been born I find these forays into the social world aggravating and draining. I am frustrated because I need to isolate myself to calm or feed her. And end up asking myself why the hell I came at all if I can't talk to others in a social setting for more than a few minutes. I am still trying to increase/maintain my milk supply for her so getting a babysitter or supplying a bottle over the weekend would be counter productive.

Today was difficult (and it is not even noon) because I tried to take her to church for the first time. She did not even make it through the Welcome. I have been feeling guilty for not going in 3 months (childcare was limited over the summer, and the nursery is not equipped to deal with immobile infants) and now I am thinking maybe I should just wait for another few months till she can sit up and be in the nursery.

I have my first Tarheel get together in a couple of weeks, and I am really starting to worry if I will be able to enjoy it at all with her along (I can't leave her home, the tarheels would kill me).

A coworker told me the other day that this time of a babys life can be trying with them seemingly attached to you 24/7, but that over all it is a very short time of their life. and while I "know" that to be true, it doesn't make the isolation any easier to bear.

Sea Borders

Sea Borders
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

LOOK, STITCHING! I finished this little guy yesterday. He is a freebie called Sea Borders found a long time ago on a french website http://www.lilootes.com/, But I can seem to find it there now... I also got a whole seahorse alphabet with it . The photo is muted but it came out really nice . I stitched it on 28 ct ivory evenweave using one of the Dye is Cast colors (I think it is called Storm). I think it would also look great stitched in white on a blue fabric.

I have been debating what project to tackle next. since I only get about an hour a night to stitch. I have a Sam Sarah Spookline, that is half done. Or I can start the Sampler book by Erica Michaels. I want to that for A. I think it would be a cool book to learn the alphabet by, and a neat heirloom. but then I wonder if all the hard work I put into it would be worth it in the long run. Would she just puke on it at some point and ruin it?

Bellastitch asked me how I got A. to sleep through the night. The first night she did it was the day after I got back from Montreal. I woke up in a panic at 7 thinking something was wrong because she didn't wake up at 4:30/5am for her usual feeding. Well there is no secret, I totally attribute it to her finding her thumb at about 2 months old and that enables her to self soothe. That and I am really lucky. She has always been a champion sleeper. She was pulling 4 or 5 hour naps from the first few weeks. I know they said to wake her every 3 hours to eat, but it took us an hour past that to wake her up enough to eat, and even then she was still too grumpy to eat well.. We quickly determined that she ate better if we just let her sleep as much as she wanted.

And look ...Happy Baby:

Smiles
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

This fist is tasty and you can't have any!

Tasty Fist
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Where have I been?

Short answer: Montreal/work/pumping/not stitching
Long Answer:
I headed out to Montreal last thursday for a total of 48 hours to present my thesis (for the last time I hope) at the SIL conference. The good news is that this will enable my thesis to be published in their proceedings (a 3 volume set that is put out every three years). I also found out while there that the 2 people who will review my paper are 2 of the most noted researchers in my field...that is better than random reviewers at any old journal. I was worried more about finding places to pump while I was gone than about A. (my mom came to care for her) or even about my presentation. But it ended up being ok, I only had to pump once in a bathroom at the airport. Mostly I was able to wait till I got to the hotel room, or used an inactive room at the conference center (Which is HUGE, bigger than New Orleans). I ate 3 fabulous meals while there and only got to see a bit of Chinatown and Old Montreal. Some day I wouldn't mind going back and seeing more.

School started this week and no problems there (I am teaching the same classes I did last fall, so minimal prep). A. spent her first day at Daycare yesterday (she and I did OK thank you) However she drank 12 oz in 7 hours. This has produced quite a bit of worry from me since I only produced 8 oz, I had to break out 2 bags of frozen milk to send her with 17 oz today for 10 hours. If she drinks it all I will definately have issues keeping up. I had built up a decent supply of frozen milk over the past 2 months but alot of it was used while I was in Montreal (40 oz) I am currently tring to figure out how much effort to put into keeping her on pure breast milk (take supplements/try to pump more -ha when?), or to ease off of the pressure I will put on myself and just mix the expressed milk I can pump with formula. I have about 20 oz frozen left to figure that decision out.

As for cross stitch I am working on something small right now, but I only have about 30 min a night. After putting A. to bed and preparing all the stuff for me and her, I head to bed early so I can get up early and not be dragging ass in the am...and my kitchen floor is still filthy. You all will have to forgive me but I have stopped reading your stitching blogs....seeing all your stitching just depresses me right now cause I want to do more, and I have all these ideas.....

OH I forgot the good news--as of Sat (11 weeks), A. is sleeping through the night 9pm-7am. She has discovered her feet and will watch them for 15 minutes at a time. Although she sucks her thumb(s) to soothe herself, she has yet to "find" her hands.
I will post some more pictures soon, just haven't had the time

My RR is home

My RR is home
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

This was my RR, and since it was so easy It cruized through everyone, and got home before I have even seen the last one I have to do. Everyone did a great job! It is the monthly kats, I think I will be stitching the rest of them (or maybe if I have some time put it in another rr). My dad has been here this weekend and I have been able to do more on Fredrick, I only have 2 colors to go.

A. is sleeping 6 hours a night now pretty consistantly, the evenings are still very fussy. A couple times now I just have to let her cry herself out, because my back hurts from bopping her around the house. I feel like a bad mom for the 10 minutes or so till she is asleep...

RR work

Beths rr
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is the RR I am working on right now. As you can see it is the DImensions Fredrick the Literate. She broke it into 6 sections and unfortunately one of our rr people dropped out so I am only the second person to work on it. The bottom left corner is mine. (everything below Fredrick). I don't have to backstitch anything and I only have 4 books to go. It would go faster if I wasn't milk on demand for baby girl. Speaking of that...naptime is over.... more blogging later.

Smile

Smile
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Harry Potter is here. I picked it up Sat at 9am and finished it Sunday at 12 noon. And I did not skim it either. How, you may ask? Well I read while A. was feeding and sleeping (you only need 1 hand). Beyond that I have always been a fast reader, I can do 350+ pages a day on a worthy book. Wish I could stitch with one hand....sigh.

NO SPOILERS I PROMISE
Yes I was happy with it, sure you could find fault in sections (as alot of folks are wont to do), But really I feel lucky that JKRowling commited to finish the series, and wrapped everything up (I hate open endings in books or in movies, give me closure anyday) and am happy with the over all series (#2 is still my least favorite).

6 weeks +

Daddy and daughter
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Well I've made it this far...I have 4 weeks till I head back to work, and I have soo much to do before then. Unfortunately I have less time now than I did during the first 2 weeks, she is sleeping a lot less, but still eating just as much --therefore less time for me to blog/stitch/prepare for work. I haven't picked up any of my own cross stitch projects, I only have time to stitch for the rr. As soon as this is done I think I won't do another one for a while (read 18 years).

The question of the month is, is she sleeping well yet. The answer is sometimes, once she pulled a 6 hour night (only once) usually she pulls in a 4/5 hour night with another 2 hours after a feed. If I am lucky I can get her back to sleep for a 2 hour nap in the morning, Then I get all 8 hours, other wise I get about 6 hours. It is amazing what those 2 little hours will do for you.

RR #2

DSCN1374[1]
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

This is my part of the next round robin I received around the time A was born. I finished last week. lt was easier than the Floral Bell Pull :) , this is the Cross-Eyed Cricket's Floral Square. The owner is planning an alphabet quilt using this pattern. So each of us is doing a different letter. The next RR arrived a couple of days ago...it is Fredrick the Literate, a Dimensions Kit, really cute, and it will be the first time I am stitching on black aida. I don't ave time to do any of my own stitching right now. My time is even more limited now, A is awake more, so has to be held or entertained. Breast feeding is going a whole lot better now, but I am looking forward to fewer sessions, we are still at 9-12 a day. ( hence the fewer posts on this blog). My moms visit went great, and I am looking forward to Ian's mom and dad visiting this week. It is nice to have someone else around to hold th baby. And as a reward for you reading this far...Hows about a picture of Baby girl at 5 weeks....(we totally broke out in full fledged baby acne last week).

DSCN1376[1]
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Doggie Treat

DSCN1354[1]
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

It may look like we are offering her up to Anubis, but what you can't see here is that Max (our dog) is trying he darnedest to get lower than Annabeth. This is good news, He has actually been really good around her, not trying to lick her at all ( that was our big worry). We are looking forward to A chasing him around soon.

Grandma (my mom) and sister and stepdad arrive today to see A. I am looking forward to a bit of a break. Maybe even enough to walk Max again. It's tough to time his walk between the heat/feeding/ sleeping etc. I miss the daily exercise...I am hoping to get it into a schedule soon.

christmas chickadee done

christmas chickadee done
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

on a premade bag. Thsnks Jenna for correcting me, this is a Valarie Pieffer.

Christmas Chickadee

Christmas Chickadee
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Christmas in June ;) I started this little guy the day before A was born. I think he is a Margaret Sherry that was in a British Cross Stitcher last year. I still have the holly and backstitching to do, I can only stitch when A is sleeping and I am not (about 2 hours a day).

Last night was better, she finally went to sleep around 3 and slept 6 hours straight. Now if we could just get those hours to be 12 -6, we would be all set.

She may kill me

Taking care of everybody
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Annabeth has now officially started her 3rd week of life and is in a complete day/night reversal. For the past week she was in a funky 6 hour cycle, 6 hours up and eating, 6 hours asleep, repeat until parents scream. And of course right after the pediatrician appt and I get reassurance that this is normal, she changes it up--She slept all day yesterday (breaking every 2/3 hours for food of course). and was up all night long. 10-5. Feeding every hour. Around 2 am I had to walk away completely. Ian tried to pick up the slack but I still had to get up and feed her every hour. It is like working a different shift every week.

Breastfeeding has gotten a bit better, but it is still painful. We have ruled out the usual suspects including a poor latch and thrush. I am just blessed/cursed with extremely sensitive nipples AND a strong feeder for a newborn. "Oh joy , oh rapture, unforseen"

RAKed

Gift
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Someone sent me a couple of things off my wish list: Halloween Sampler by the Drawn Thread (with the needle necessities thread included) and Snowman Needleroll. I thought I knew who sent them, but now I am not so sure. Thank you very much to whoever it was! It is nice to get something in the mail for yourself...when everything else is for the baby.

I am cross stitching, I am working on a little something that I started the day before A was born, and I got my next round in the round robin...this one is much easier. It is an alphabet block by the Cross Eyed Cricket on Aida.

As for my labor memories: I do remember quite a bit, I think because I was so obsessed with how it was going to go. The timing of things are courtesy of my doula, she took notes during the labor and wrote up the whole story for us.

The three of us are doing great. The only surprise is this breastfeeding stuff is much more of an issue than I suspected. ( sleep is no problem comparatively). I guess I thought she would be a more passive part of the equation. Instead I find myself much more at her mercy. She decides when, at which breast, the position, timing, and the amount of pain I receive. I am definitely feeling like a tortured cow--and can see how the formula option is so attractive at 2 in the morning. We do have lots of help (my pediatrician's wife is a Lact. Consultant), and we will survive this, right? (if she doesn't kill me first)

A Labor Story

Annabeth Day 3
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

In the grand tradition of women posting too much information on the internet, let me give you all the rundown. I read alot of other womens stories, which helped me by both educating me on how different everyones story is and comforting me that I would have one soon too, and I had to do all that I could to make it the way I wanted it.

1:30 am June 1st: I woke up to go to the bathroom (not unusual) and while up felt a cramp, but just kinda thought it as the beef ribs I ate at 11 coming back to haunt me. But about 6 min later another one arrived, then another, they were peaking and fading just like a perfect example of a contraction.

2:00 am: woke Ian to help me time them, we decided that while not exactly regular (4-6 min apart) they were regular enough to get up and start getting ready. I finished packing, made some food for the "long" time to come, put laundry in the dryer...etc. I felt best walking through the contractions pacing up and don the hall.

3:00 am: Called my Doula Mary, she did not sound quite convinced I was in full labor, and after I got off the phone my body held off a contraction just to panic me that I made the wrong call. (like going to the mechanic only to find the car acting fine for him!).
I then showered for about 30 min...until I was bored of that then waited for Mary.

3:45 am: Mary arrived. By this time I could not talk through the conractions. For the next couple of hours I tried the best positions for the contractions: On the birth ball, sitting, laying, on my side. But they never worked for long, my legs would get restless and would have to get up and walk through a couple. We called the Grandparents around 5 am, then the phones went off. (my mom predicted a baby by 9am)

6:15 am: I had a contraction that would not end. When it did end I was ready to change my scenery. Ian took our dog to the neighbors, and I rode out a few contractions lying on the couch, resting between them, not talking as much. I noticed some spotting as well, asked if this could be my water breaking, but Mary thought not.

6:30 am: Ride to hospital was not bad, had 3 contractions on theway, and had to stay in the car to ride one out at the door of the hospital. In waiting room for TOO LONG (ok only 15 min)

7:05 am: into triage where they made me lay down to be monitored for 20 min. The contractions were getting closer to making me consider meds now (I won't lie) and laying down was torture. I was checked at 5 cm and -1 station.

7:30 am: up to L&D, I was looking forward to a bath, but the doctor on call I ended up with wanted continuous monitoring. DAMN. the contractions were making me cry now..oh and breathing goes out the window..Mary would breathe with me and that helped the most. I kept feeling like there must be something I could do to help with the pain, but there was nothing but to ride them out. Tracy the L&D nurse let me sit between contrations but stand/ walk in place through them while I leaned on Ian .

8:09 am: I was 8 cm! I did not greet this with the enthusiasm I do now. I rode out the contractions as best I could they were shorter but closer, I could rest a bit between.

8:43am: the doctor appeared to break my water to check for meconium (I did not want that convinced it would make the pain worse) But by that point I did not care so much and let him do it
...I was 9 cm 100% effaced and it did not change the feel of the contractions.
Tracy said if I felt like it I could start pushing gently and it helped ease the pain a bit... with each contraction could get about 4 pushes in, my legs still ached.

9:38am: the Doctor kept bobbing in and out...that killed me. He is supposed to show up only at the end, right? I was 10 cm.

9:50 or so: up on the bed and pushing. Once Mary told me to hold my breath with the pushes I started to feel progress. My legs were in horrible pain (I think now it was sciatic nerve pain). Tracy was helping to stretch me, and mentioned that it was tight (that was due to 5 months of kegals!) She mentioned that a resident might have to deliver if the Dr. did not come back ASAP. I knew the Dr. did appear when I felt not so gentle stretching during a contraction...I yelled at him to STOP. after that he said he would numb me, Thank god if he was going to keep that up.

I remember looking at the clock at 10:15 thinking I was missing my dr. appt and that someone told her why.

Baby arrived at 10:21, and I was amazed at the size of her and the cord (that thing was huge!).

They put her immediately on my chest and I was able to hold her for the next 1 1/2 hours, and feed her immediately. We had 4 names picked but one came to my mind immediately. I asked Ian which he thought of first and he said the same name....Annabeth.

Annabeth

Baby
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

6/1/07 10:21 am
7 lbs 11 oz
20 1/2 inches
9 hours labor
no drugs

Peggy's RR completed

Peggy's RR completed
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Sorry for any confusion... that last picture from 2 days ago was only 85% done, I still had 3 more thread colors and the backstitching to go. I stitched just about straight through for 2 days.(took a break to go see Pirates 3). Well I finished it last night around 11. NOW this is done.

For those of you asking, yes the baby'sroom is done (or as done as it is going to be for now) I will post photos tomorrow.

Still alive....and pregnant

RR as of 5/29/07
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Sigh.

Week 1

Round Robin progress
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Week 1!!??? what the....? Where did week 2 go? darn it, I knew I forgot something. Oh well I actually had a very good week. Ian took all his days off for the first time in a while. His "weekend" is mon-wed, but he always has an option of working any of those days for overtime, and he usually does. So we did some some necessary stuff but in general got less done and had more fun doing it. I did make some MAJOR progress on said RR, got all the leaves done. Look, you can actually see where the roses are going to go. (there are 2). Oh and have I mentioned how much I am looking forward to the backstitching?

Headed to doctor yesterday, I am still dilating, about 1.5 cm (I did not know they gave half points), 50% effaced and the head is still down in good position (no descent yet though). She said I could go anytime...but that means just that, anytime in the next month, sigh. I would love for her to be on time, but I am still half convinced it's going to take an induction I don't want. The doctor doesn't seem worried, so I am trying not to be, and doing everything I can to encourage action. which includes doing this:

Week 1 5/25-6/1

• Finish cleaning kitchen
• Work on RR
• Work on manuscript
• Work on Fall class stuff
  
• Call HR to warn them of impending baby addition on insurance
• Buy wedding gift
• Continue scrapbooks
• Buy blinds and glider for baby's room.
  
• Buy food and cook meals
• Finish packing bags

And thats all folks, if it doesn't happen in the next week, the pacing will begin then. My next appt. on my due date. ( oh and is if I suddenly don't post for more than 3 days you will know what has happened.....)

My quilt square

Since you all like the turtles, thank you, I thought I would tell you their story. When Ian and I first met we were working in a situation where we had daily exposure to Diamondback Terrapins (marsh turtles) and other reptilies. Ian took an immediate liking to a couple of quarter sized babies that he temporarily "adopted". I had some experience with the species and showed him how to care and feed the little dudes. Years later (about 5) when we were looking for wedding announcements and such I found a company that would put your own logo on their stationary. Ian drew up a simple pattern of 2 turtles one slightly on top of the other,like the way they do in the wild when competing for sunlight. It ended up on our announcements, stationary, on top of our cake, and favors.
wedding turtles
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

So now with the addition coming, I asked Ian to redraw the pattern to include a baby. I would love to use it on her announcement. I know it is a bit abstract and different than the other blocks, but it has alot of meaning for us, any thing else wouldn't of been right.
They are done in green 501 and 504 (I think) the baby is a blend of the two.

my quilt square
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Tarheel Quilt for my BABY!

entire thing
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I love my Tarheel stitching group! They made me this fabulous quilt. They all stitched up the different squares and the one among us who quilts very well put them all together. I gave them the theme (backyard critters) and they ran with it. They presented me with the quilt this past saturday. There are 20 squares all told, to see more detail and who stitched each one just click on the photo...that will take you to all the pictures (there are 4 closeups) Note that the Squirrel...a Prairie Schooler, was stitched by a recent tarheel ex-pat, Margaret...and one of my online blogging friends Megan.

Tarheel goup plus quilt
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is a pic of the members who were there saturday (with the square they stitched. Members: Jane (who put the quilt together) (hummingbird), Melanie (cat), Cylvia (cardinal), Dianne (snail in the tulips), Missy (dragonfly), Me (turtles), Sara (fawn) Linda S. (frog), Juanita (foal). Also there saturday was Robin (fox), and Linda P. (puppy).

Round robin action

Round robin action
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

So I have the border done, and what you see is some progress on the multitude of greens for leaves (you can kinda identify one complete one in the upper left). TW is really not fun, especially when you are pregnant. I really wanted to finish this before the arrival of offspring, but her foot in my ribs maks it very difficult to sit normally for very long, I feel better standing or lying down. I am hoping she drops soon. I have till June 24th to finish this square. anyone want to take out some bets, which will come first? Baby or Robin?

In Baby land. I went to my doctor on tues, found out I am 1 cm dialated, and I got to talk with her a bit, she made me feel much better about the way I want things done. But then I visited my coworker yesterday who had the c-section 2 weeks ago (remember i was totally bummed for her?) And while her little girl is wonderful/cute/ healthy/all that good stuff you say about babies, her full labor story was very worrisome. I can't share it here but I'll just say it reinforced my conviction to avoid most medicaltion/interventions. But I didn't have time to mull it over too long because I met with my doula and got to meet my backup doula yesterday evening. I am so happy I will have someone who know what I want and will be with me the whole time.

Ouch... there is her foot poking me, I have to get up. I'll post more later.

Week 3 (and some stitching)

Finished bowl
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

So here it is the finished project I was talking about. OK so like I was saying this freebie was a heart but I stopped after I did the alphabet because I thought it would make a cute ort box. But then I went to AC Moore and didn't see a box that would work. as I wandered the aisles (you know like one does in any craft store). I saw this cute bowl like thing, in the plain unfinished wood section. I painted it, used a stencil for the little swirly things and polyed it. I attached the stitching to a padded piece of cardboard and put it in the bottom with some double stick tape (in case I ever want to switch it out) . I was worried about the square on a hexagon, but I think I am pretty happy with the results. It now holds my scissors, random threads, and you can stick a needle or two in the padding. Side view:

Side view of bowl
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Week 3 5/12-5/18:

I know you all missed week 4, but trust me I did lots of stuff, including finishing everything on week 5 and cleaning the craft room.

1. Clean front room.
2. Strip and refinish front cabinet (it is small).
3. Sew front wall curtain (I'll explain later).
4. Thank you cards (yes more).
5. Cut down manuscript for publication.
6. Renew parking permit.
7. Paint baby room trim.
8. Work on round robin.
9. Continue scrapbooks (Baby and Disney)
10. Start organizing class stuff for fall.

He swears the room will be done on time

Crab on wall
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

So I guess it is lucky that a late baby may be my destiny. Not that I am letting that keep me from eating fresh pineapple to start nudging things along.
We have the crib in pieces in the closet and the dresser/changing table is in the front room. But like I have told everyone, I refuse to stress out about this, she can sleep in a laundry basket for a week if she decided to arrive early. Here is his first animal on the wall, a crab. Don't ask me what he is plugging in, I am not sure.
I saw I was tagged by Xsquared for 7 random facts about me, but I cannot think of a single interesting thing. Maybe Ian can come up with some ideas.

A cross stitch post??

Round Robin
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Yeah you all deserve it after my rant last week. Thank you for your encouraging comments. I seem to dip into these 2-3 day depression every couple of weeks. Bear with me we only have a month to go. (that means only 1 or 2 more meltdowns right?) Anyway first up is my first round of the round robin from the America's Best Round Robins Yahoo group I am in (remember I sent out the Monthly mini kats?) Well the first is from Peggy in Tx. I actually know her, she moved there from NC last year. She chose Teresa Wentzler's Flower Bell Pull. I am not sure to hate her for this or just be thankful I am working on it before baby arrival. She did the first block (minus the backstitching, she ran out of time). I get to do the second block which is roses. I recieved this on Friday and am trying to get a jump on it. Even the border is blended threads. Ugh TW kills me.

Quaker freebie
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Second, this was just supposed to be a quick Quaker heart freebie but for some reason I stopped after finishing the alphabet. I am really happy with the thread, a limited edition overdyed by Dye is Cast. I am not sure why I didn't finish the heart. I just thought I could finish it cuter than a heart pillow. Stay tuned, my idea for this one may totally fail, but I'll show you the final result no matter what. Maybe I'll do the full heart after I get this out of my system.

Baby Blues about 4 weeks early.

I just got back from the beach yesterday, we had fabulous weather...it was nice and relaxing. Until I found out on Wed that my friend/coworker who has been 5 weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy had a C-section late Monday night. She was not planning that. The only news I got was just that, mom and baby fine, 7lb 7oz. I had seen her last Thursday she was dilated to 2 and everything looked good. She told me her Dr. (who is one that is in my practice) wanted to induce her Mon (3 days after her due date). Which is what I am assuming happened.

It hit me very hard then that I do not personally know a single person under the age of 40 who has had a natural birth. They were either induced and/or got an epidural and/or a c-section. I am starting to feel as if I am crazy to even attempt to think I can do this. I know it is not the end of the world if this happens, if it all goes to hell and I need all or none of these interventions. I am in no way against these WHEN they are needed, it is starting to feel to me as if I may be forced into that cycle of medical intervention because that is what is "normally" done. I feel as if the cards are stacked against me. I am hoping to see my doctor in a couple of weeks after I finish rotating through all the others. She is the closest thing I could get to a midwife on my insurance, she is for a natural childbirth and recommended my doula. But I haven't seen her in 15 weeks. And I have no guarantee of her in the room when I deliver, luck of the draw on that one. Unless I am induced..... see?

Week Five: 4/28-5/4

Although I am still a bit worried about labor and delivery, Ian pointed out that it is only 1 to 2 days, and that maybe what we (meaning me) should be reading is some books on how to deal with this new addition. I have recently discovered 2 that I am really liking now, Baby 411 written by the Baby Bargains people, and The Baby Whisperer. I am not a "by the book" type of person, but I love to explore ideas. Both of these really speak to my way of approaching things, even when they contradict each other (sleeping methods). Neither has an agenda that there is only "one" way to do things but they are full of ideas/techniques that give me something to start with.

So I was able to complete 8 out of 10 of last weeks goals. Not too shabby. So I will move the 2 not done to the top. Ian and I are heading to Carolina/Kure Beach this Mondayfor a few days, our last hurrah if you will. Our plan there is to sit on the beach and think of this babies name (If we do decide on one we still aren't telling till she is here). So this week's goals will be a bit on the lighter side

Oh and my apologies to Cathy for this blog being a to do list for now, please note #8, I promise some stitching action...I'll be getting my first round robin soon!

1. Finish redoing the figures for manuscript and pull research papers. (can you tell I am avoiding this one?)
2. Start Baby book
3. Find SOMETHING to swim in for the beach (and I thought finding a suit that fit was tough as a DD!)
4. Finish thank you notes
5. Buy trim paint for baby's room
6. Clean and organize bathroom --this requires getting 4 years worth of soap scum off the tile. and a bit of touch up painting.
7. Clean out, wash, and vaccuum car
8. Bring something small to stitch for the trip to the beach
9.
10.

hmm I can't think of any others right now....well when I do, and you know I will, I'll add them.

4 Years Ago....

wedding day
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ian and I were married on the beach of Tybee Island, GA 5 years and 1 month after our first kiss on that same island.

Stacked turtles

Stacked turtles
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I have not been stitching at all, but I saved these little guys for just such an occasion. I finished them about a month ago. They are pulled from Bent Creek's Animal Arches for a project that I am still not sure I want to announce yet ( It will only happen if I have time).

The goal list is working out well, I have about half knocked off. But get this, I headed off to get the whole passport thing going, had pictures, waited a half hour at the processing place, and when I get to the front of the line I find out my Birth Certificate is no good. I had my Hospital certificate (which is apparently just for show) and my Certificate of Birth (given by the health dept) but since it did not have a seal/watermark it was not acceptable. I have been using this same documentation for my entire life! Anyway thay tell me I will have to order another one, which I can do online (thank you technology), and I find out that this is DISTURBINGLY easy. all you need is a Date, Place, Name, and Parent names. THAT'S IT! I'll have it in 5-7 days. I am glad this is easy for me to do (saved me ALOT of hassle) but also a bit upset...anyone with a bit of personal info could totally get a Birth/Marriage/Death Certificate and steal an ID. If the original one I have from 1974 is not acceptable, how is one that was ordered online (by anyone) and printed yesterday more acceptable by the powers that be??

In BABY news I just came back from another doctor visit. I am so tired of these boring doctor visits... I almost wish I could just call up and say everything is fine, I'll see you when labor starts. Instead it is the usual pee test/weight check/BP then a 15 min-half hour wait for the doctor to measure my stomach and listen to the heartbeat (which I know is there...she was just kicking me a second ago). And since I have no questions, and no problems they are out the door. I guess I just want something to get excited about. My childbirth classes are over. The infant car seat is installed. Her room is nowhere NEAR ready, but I have no control over that. And I have a feeling it will be a long slow wait from here. Time sped up in the middle there... now it feels like the first 2 months when we were just WAITING to see and hear her...

Let the final countdown begin....Week 6

I taught my last class yesterday. And since I only teach labs I don't have to worry about finals and can now fully get organized and prepare for the big B-Day on the horizon. I am on a big rollercoaster right now. Some days are very good, I am motivated and upbeat. Other days everything I see and hear irritates me to no end. I have alot to do in the next month and a half so in order to keep the down days to a minimum I am going to use this blog to lay out 10 weekly goals for myself. So this place will be very laundry list like for a bit. Here we go

Week 6: 4/20 - 4/27
1. Grade all the last papers for classes, put grades in, and clean up office.
2. Finish redoing the figures for manuscript and pull research papers.
3. Package up Round robin and send out.
4. Get the Passport application process started (I am heading to Canada in August).
5. Clean/organize master bedroom and hall closets top to bottom.
6. Return/Exchange baby shower gifts (just a few).
7. Write 10 thank you cards.
8. Clean out and plant herb bed...this is the only garden I am planning on keeping up this summer.
9. Start baby book
10. Get dog groomed

Baby shower....Check.

Guest of Honor (me)
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Hello all,
I know you are just dying to know how the shower went. Well, better than I anticipated. It was short and fun for both me and the guests...I think. There are more photos on my flickr accout if yu want to check it out. My sister (to my right in the next photo) planned the games which kept everyone involved while I was opening gifts. I got a lot of things off my registry and quite a few things that were not. ( I didn't use the code phrase Anna, but it did pop in to my head a couple of times, of course those were the things that did not have a receipt.)

Opening gifts
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I did discover that I registered for WAY to many towels/washcloths and blankets (I am having a baby in JUNE , I must of lost my mind registering.) and then got more blankets/bath stuff that i did not ask for! They say not to register for toys or clothes because those things are always a popular gifts. That came true for the toys I won't need to buy any more, but not so for the clothes. I got a couple of cute dresses, but only a few packs of onesies and that was it.

I know more gifts will be coming, Ihave another shower or wo, an Ians buddies are throwing him a pamper party (perfect for guys they bring a package if diapers and beer and hangout to razz the future father about how much his life is going to go down the drain)

Did anyone catch Notes from the Underbelly on ABC last week? A complete riot, and the absolute truth. I actually made me feel abit better about the lack of reason behind wanting to have a baby...I think it will be on wed at 8:30...If you have ever been pregnant or are even considering it, I think you will enjoy it.

Week 32

Week 32
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

May I rant for a moment ? Thanks, and no flames please, I just need to vent this out.
So my least favorite (and most oft asked) question now is "Are you getting excited? " Depending on my mood, I may lie and say yes but usually I am honest and say no, I am scared out of my mind. Why is this so shocking to people? Both those who have had and haven't had kids?

I was talking with Ian this morning and he feels as scared and helpless as I do. Excitement? no. I mean this is not like a countdown to vacation, or buying a house, or even to a big event like our wedding. I feel like I have entered a dark tunnel and on the other side I am told there is light, but I also know it is a giant rollercoaster that, now that I have paid for the ticket, I will never be allowed off.
Would I change my mind? No, I know in my heart that I would make this decision again, for I would ever regret not going through this most basic of human experiences. But for the love, stop asking if I am excited about my world turning upside down.

My shower is saturday and while it is exciting (who doesn't love gifts) I am also very fearful of it. I don't fake emotions well, and am scared I will seem cold if I can't manage a big Ohh and Ahh over every little cute thing. ugh.

Here is another pic so Bellastitch doesn't feel so bad about being big. Looks like a beer gut, eh? oh and those stretch marks, those are from puberty, nothing new yet.

Belly shot- week 32
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Round and Round and round

May and June minikats
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it, and belated Passover greetings from last week.

But on to the important things, cross stitch. I joined a round robin a couple of months ago, my first ever,...not thinking as a transformed parent yet...and instead of bailing on the group, I am going to use it as the perfect excuse to keep cross stitch in my life during this time of transition, Sleep or no sleep. It consists of 6 folks and will go until next Feb. I chose to do a design I have been meaning to do for a while...the 12 monthly mini-kats by Calico Crossroads. It is on 28 count Laguna instead of the 14 ct aida called for. Each person only has to do one, but I did 2 to get us rolling...May and June. May took a couple of days, June only 1 day to do. I will be sending this off as soon as I can (although the robin does not officially start till May).

after this picture, my cat Sam asked if he could be a mini-kat, I told him he did not fit.....not happy.

Sam -trying to be a mini kat
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Housewarming gift

Housewarming redo
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I bought this pattern 2 years ago at CATS. It is by JBW designs. and I think it is OOP since it is no longer on their website. But anyway, I bought it for a friend who at the time, was talking about selling her house and buying a bigger one. I finially got to start it when she bought one this past month. Originally I had decided to make it into a wall hanging (my first attempt at such). and when it was all done (see picture below) I decided I would never hang such a piece of crap on my wall, so I couldn't possibly give it to somone else to hang on theirs. The perfectionist in me decided to tear it apart and I finished it instead No -sew cube style. I can't sew in a straight line on a machine to save my life. No wonder I have such trouble trying to quilt (maintaining a 1/4 inch straight seam is the toughest part) Maybe if I could figure out how to drop the feed dogs on my sewing machine, but I think it is too old to do that.

Tis ahome
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Shhh. Baby is Sleeping

Baby is sleeping
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Yeah I found my camera! It was hanging up right by the door. In a place I never put it. Well I was really tired on Sat after I got home, so that might explain it.

First up Is the Kreinik freebie "Baby is sleeping". I decided not to use the kreinik it calls for cause well...I didn't have any it called for and had trouble finding them and it would of cost me about $40 to $50 to buy them all. So this is a DMC conversion. I matched it to the great fabric I found to finish it off. I also used fusible web for the first time to give the finished product a bit of structure. After a bit of swearing, may use it in the future for ornaments. Both of these were given as gifts for friends having babies at the end of April.

I apologize for the cruddy photo, I took one more close up,but it came out fuzzy, cause my digital camera can't focus if I I turn the flash off. If the flash is on and the light isn't bright enough then it washes it out. Sigh. I do NOT recommend the NIkon Coolpix P2 for cross stitch photos. I wish I had a scanner, those pictures always come out so well on blogs.

Lots to show...but missing main ingredient

No Camera. I seem to have misplaced it. I know it is around somewhere, Just been busy lately.

This past Saturday was a doozy. I had a Tarheel stitch-in in the morning, a baby shower and a bridal shower in the afternoon, and a housewarming that same evening. And since I never turn down an invite to a party...I was eating all day. It really wasn't that bad, I paced myself and was ready with everything, gifts, directions, etc. I was just a bit sore the next day. But I have stitchy things that I made for the baby shower and housewarming that I want to show you. so as soon as I find the damn camera, I'll be hitting this blog with lots of posts.

In babyland (is that a section of the Magic Kingdom?) I went to the doctor yesterday, met doctor #4 of 7, he was cool, I haven't met a bad one yet at this practice. He pulled out the portable ultrasound to check baby position. She is already head down and facing my right side. Now we just need to make sure she stays this way. Then we had our first childbirth class. there were about 12 couples there, due anywhere from May 3 to July 23, And I was one of the 2 smallest (belly wise) in the class. After a Saturday of people looking surprised when I said I was 6 and 1/2 months pregnant, I made the doctor look at my chart to have him confirm everything is Ok in that dept. But my weight gain is normal, and he said it should actually slow down to a pound a week from here on.
Countdown is as follows:
2 weeks till next Dr. appt
2 1/2 weeks till baby shower
4 weeks till the end of teaching
5 weeks till trip to beach
10 weeks till due date

Almost 30 weeks

WARNING: Pregnancy and Breast related topics to follow:


26 weeks
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Let me ask you, do you see a big difference between this and

\

29 weeks
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

this???? There is 4 weeks between the 2 photos (and almost 8 pounds), and even though the perspective is off Iwould think I would look a bit different. I even still have a belly button...It is not even flat yet. I do feel different. Its a bit tougher to get up from sitting and she is moving ALOT more now. Part of it I think is that she is (I think) transverse. there is no kicking on my ribs or my bladder. just to the sides...so I don't protrude very far. Second is my breasts are expanding faster, I have gone up one whole cup size in 4 weeks. (a total of 3 cup sizes from normal) THIS is not something to be happy about. It means I have to part with another $80-90 for special order bras yeah. They don't have my size in stores. I joked at the beginning I would be halfway thru the alphabet before the baby came. Now I am beginning to wonder if that isn't premonatory. I mean really how much milk can one baby need...it does refill right?? One of my pregnant friends commented on how I shouldn't invest in a breast pump yet because I don't know if I will be able to produce enough milk to breastfeed. I almost laughed in her face, If my freakishly large breasts can't produce enough milk then there is no hope for anyone else!!

"Always make new mistakes" Esther Dyson

In order to tell this story, I need to give you a little bit of background. As a child of about 6 or so I distinctly recall seeing the damage inflicted by a accidentially stapled thumbnail of another child. And being the sardonic child that I was, I had no sympathy for him, I just remember thinking what kind of idiot staples his thumb? I ranked it right up there with other stupid things, like putting a finger in the pencil sharpener, or sticking your tongue in a light socket. Things that, since you can IMAGINE the result and the consequences you don't need to do them. (side bar: is it me or is it usually boys who do this kind of stuff? but that is whole other topic).

So the other day Ian had brought home a bunch of stuff from work, junk that was just rattling around in his tool box, to sort through. I looked over the stuff and innocently picked up a tiny stapler. I commented that it was cute but broken, the top half (cover and staple holder) no longer locked together. and as I tried to force to two parts together, a sharp pain issued from my hand. in that split second I thought, oh I did NOT just staple my thumb! I looked down and sure enough a staple was half buried in the pad of my thumb. I pulled it out and instead of the usual curse or ouch, I immediately started to laugh. Needless to say Ian was very confused till I caught my breath and explained, that a perfect record of not stapling my body had come to a screeching halt. Now we know what kind of idiot staples her thumb....one who just got a 26 year old payback

2 days later the darn thing is still a bit sore.

Roly Poly Snowman

Roly Poly Snowman
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

What?? Well it is not to far outside the realm for those of you still dealing with winter, But here in good old NC I am now able to walk the dog without a coat on. we might have a cold patch still to come, but by the end of the month it is pretty much a garanteed spring. The early daffodils are all blooming now. So for me it is a bit late (or early) for christmas ornaments, but he was halfway done, So when I finally got my hands on some more GAST I was able to finish him up. He was in one of the JCS mags (05?) by Bent Creek.

Currently I am working on a couple of baby shower gifts for friends, one in NJ, one here, both in 2 weeks so I'll post those when I am all done.

To answer your question Anna, the floor was in excellent shape, it just had som black marks from the carpet glue? All we had to do was sand the whole floor (using a hand sander 220 grit) and Polyurethaned (Minwax) with 4 coats. (sanding between each coat with 400 grit) I highly recommend using a lambswool applicator (it screws on to any broom handle) . The process was very easy with the room being empty.

Home stretch

As of today I am officially in my last trimester. thats 12 weeks, or 3 months, or 84 days, if you are counting. Which we are. As my stepfather put it so succinctly the other day, this baby is coming like a freight train, and I am starting to feel like a deer in the headlights. Anxious, excited, and scared out of my mind. I am slowly coming to realize that my world will come to a screeching halt in 3 months and while everyone who is a mother will tell you that it is worth it, that doesn't help me sleep at night. Anticipation of the labor and delivery is having me read a different book every night, only to reassure me with the knowledge that my experience will be completely unpredictable and nothing like what I have read. In the past few weeks I have registered for a ton of stuff that I may or may not need depending on who you speak to. We have painted the ceiling and installed a newer, smaller ceiling fan. My mother and stepfather came this week during spring break to help rip up the fabulous tangerine shag carpet and redo the hardwood floor underneath and it is much more fabulous, Don'tchathink?



Floor of the babys room
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ceiling of babys room
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

OkOk it is not all that bad. I am just a bit freaked out. But Ian and I have found our pediatrician, are close to finalizing a day care for the fall, and are in the process of interviewing Doulas. So at least our network of support is becoming more solidified. My mom and I went out and bought some cute clothes at a couple of consignment stores so the layette (strange word) is finally starting to build.


closet and baby clothes
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.