Distraction is the name of the game

So now that I know that this weekend was just a tune up, that still leaves me with 3-4 weeks to pass until Tad decides to come out. Of course before, I really didn’t pay any attention to the contractions I was having, that is, until my midwife told me on Monday to just ignore them. Now I notice every one, every one.

I am trying to keep myself distracted and busy without wearing myself out! The knitting goals I have rethought, and to be honest I don’t need to make myself crazier than I already am, so I have narrowed them down to three goals: #1 finish Mr. Greenjeans. #2 start and complete baby sweater and #3 make burp clothes. If I get to the other things on my list great, if not, I’m not going to beat myself up.

I have been doing a lot of sewing. We finally got our basement sealed and moved everything from the, now nursery, down here. There is so much more room in our “batcave” downstairs than there was in the cramped room upstairs, and I actually have room to set up my sewing table now and use it as *gasp* a sewing table!

It’s nothing fancy, but I think it’s really great. I love the instant gratification of sewing and I have been making a lot of things for the nursery. Tomorrow I will be finishing up the dust ruffle and mobile for the crib.

I have also been resting a lot. I was so worn out on Monday morning, all I could think of was thank goodness I didn’t go into labor, I would not have had the energy to push that baby out. This of course has made me rethink my daily routine and my habit of pushing myself to do more, more, more. So I am doing more…resting, reading, laying low. And actively not paying attention to those contractions.

I have also developed a drinking problem. Yep, I bought this bottle the middle of last week and it is now 3/4 of the way gone. I am convinced that the makers of strawberry flavored Maalox have never tasted a strawberry in their lives, uck! Then today I went to Walmart and bought their brand, same size bottle, 2/3 cheaper and it works better! Heartburn my friends, cheers!

It’s Tad’s Fault!

So, about those knitting goals…yeah, well week number one was going great until Friday evening. I finished the cable and cast off the bottom of my Mr. Greenjeans and was ready to cast on the button band. I was going out to dinner with my inlaws and decided to do that once I got home to pass the time until the hubby got home. Well it was after dinner that Tad decided to drop, and boy do I mean drop! All of a sudden I started having menstrual like cramps and mild contractions. This is good I thought, these are all signs of prelabor, this is great! Even my Aunt commented after dinner that I was carrying the Tad a lot lower.

Anyway, by the time I got home that evening I was so uncomfortable, I had wicked heartburn, so sitting and knitting was just not an option, instead I did some swaying on my birthing ball for a while and went to bed. Saturday I woke up with the same, contractions a little stronger. I called the midwife and she said get in the tub for 20 minutes and be sure to drink lots of water. Still no change, nothing letting up and nothing getting more intense, so I was given the clear to go about my day, which I did. By Sunday afternoon I was just miserable with all of this, not from pain, just from being uncomfortable. The hubby had to go pick up the Monkey so that left me home by myself for a few hours. I put the crib together because I was bored, and well, it needed to be done.

This morning my midwife stopped by for an examination on her way into town to get groceries. I love that! So nothings happening, the front door is still firmly shut, but Tad has definitely dropped and for now I just get to ignore these contractions as they are happenstance. Back to the knitting goals! Ow!

PreLabor Goals

So, I don’t know where the heck the time went, but I have a month…eep…or less…eeep…before wee one makes their appearance! I will be 36 weeks on Thursday. I have sooo much knitting I still want to finish before Tad arrives too. So I figure I’d better set some goals. Here we go, excuse the lousy pictures, it’s rainy here.

On the needles and in no order of importance:

#1 Labor socks: my midwife gave us a list with everything we will need for our homebirth (oh yeah, did I mention we are having this baby at home?) and on that list is “warm socks” well duh, you can’t say that to a knitter, of course I have to make my own, and no I can’t wear a pair I already have knit. I came up with a quick eyelet pattern using the yarn that 2Trees from World of Yarncraft sent me. It’s soooo soft. Pictures to come when the light doesn’t suck as bad.

#2 My sister’s socks: ah, these poor things have been sorely neglected for nearly a month now. I need to get these finished and in the mail to her with some cookies, asap!

#3 Mr. Greenjeans: I really don’t know what my problem is with this sweater, it’s gorgeous, I love it, it fits, and I’m nearly finished!

I even bought several vintage Checz glass buttons from Etsy to choose from for the closure. I have a few more inches of cable and then the button band. I need to stop stalling and start knitting. I want to wear this to my baby shower…if it’s not 80 degrees anyway.

#4 Baby Sweater: Okay, technically this thing isn’t even on the needles yet, it’s just been swatched, but I need to get my hiney in gear here. I found the pattern on Ravelry. I wanted something sweet, but not gender specific. Tadah! And it’s being knit in super deliciously soft Peruvian Pure Alpaca Fina from Elann in Peridot.

#5 Baby Genius Burp Cloth: Okay, I have five finished and will finish the sixth tomorrow, but as anyone who has had an infant knows, six burp cloths is not nearly enough. I bought enough Sugan ‘n Cream to make I4. Apparently, we like to model these more than we like to model bibs.

#6 Baby Bib: Again, same with the burp cloths, I have about 4 knit up, they just need buttons. These I can put off for a bit, but not for too long.

So here is the plan! Here are the goals! Tad, please cooperate accordingly!

Finish Goal #3 by the end of this week (April 25th).

Finish Goal #1 and #2 by the end of next week (May 2nd).

Finish Goal #4 by May 9th.

Finish 6 more of goal #6 by May 16th.

Finish two goal #5’s per week until yarn is gone or baby arrives.

Hmmm, okay, I think I can do that. Cheer me on folks! I’m not doing much these days anyway. I’m starting to slow down and I’m sitting a lot so this is totally manageable.

Thank you Kelly!

A few days ago I got a care package from my dear friend Kelly because…well she cares. There was fibery goodness to be found, baby sweet things, and sweet things in general. How about a tour…

Check out these adorabibal (Monkey word) baby booties for our little star!

And I love these stitch markers, although I am a little nervous about using the frog and rippit ones. They are to ward off those things right? And that baby blanket is scrumptious. I love all the colors, very bright and cheery, the baby is going to love it. I had to pry it away from the Monkey.

And last but not least, I don’t know why you sent me a half eaten box of BottleCaps, I mean really, they are my favorite candy, but sheesh, okay, okay, I’ve been sampling them. I even shared with the Monkey.

Thanks Kelly! Your package was well received and appreciated.

Thank you Brigitte!

A wonderful package from Canada arrived the other day from our dear Brigitte. Thank you so much, I can not tell you how much we love this book at home. Big Sister already reads her copy to the belly. She exclaimed when she saw it that now Tad had his/her own “drool proof” copy.