I could also be accused of sloth

I've been feeling pretty proud of myself since yesterday morning. Why? Oh, because I finished knitting my very first sweater! Sure, it's size 3 to 6 months (supposedly), but it's a sweater and I knit it, so it counts.

Here's my handywork:

And I say "supposedly" on the size because, while Gabbie may be petite, she's also wearing sizes appropriate for her 7 months in age (6 to 9 months clothing), and this thing hangs off of her.

Still, it feels good to finally get it done, since the start of this project coincided with the restarting of this blog.

Some Alone Time

A day off today has allowed me to have some much needed alone time. Aaron went off to work, I dropped Gabbie off at daycare, and then I had no idea what to do with myself. So I went and got coffee and read some of my book. Then I came home to put the finishing touches on a knitting project I started in June of '07 for my niece (who is now way too big for it), and which is now for Gabbie (who now might also be too big for it).

I also made a run to my favorite yarn store, and bought some materials to finally make a knitting project for myself (lately I've made two hats for my dad, a scarf for my mom, a blanket for Gabbie, and have started on a blanket for my best friend's baby). Since Aaron works right by the yarn store, I went over and took him out to lunch - our first meal out alone since Gabbie arrived. I've been knitting again all afternoon and watching one of my very favorite shows - Cities of the Underworld - on On Demand (one of my favorite inventions ever).

All this fun, and what am I doing? Watching the clock and wishing away the minutes until my self-imposed earliest time I can go get Gabbie. Even though I'm enjoying myself, I miss her more. However, alone time is one of my resolutions for the new year, which include:

• Get in better shape/finally lose the baby weight plus some;
• Have a date night with Aaron at least once a month;
• Plan healthier meals instead of all comfort food all the time;
• Do all the dishes and put away the toys before going to bed every night; and
• Take some time for myself every once in a while. 

I had heard it before I had Gabbie, but never realized how true and how hard it is to pay attention to yourself once you're a mom. I really need to work at it, because I know my daughter will learn from me how important it is to take care of herself from the example I set. It's hard work being a good role model! Now if only I could model how to not curse regularly, I'd be all set.

I'm also thinking about breakfast

It's about quarter to eight in the morning and I've already been up for nearly two hours. The awake thing happened because I needed to go to the bathroom, then the baby started moving, which meant I needed to go to the bathroom NOW, because it's not easy holding it when someone is dancing on your bladder.

So I'm up and I have been knitting, reading about knitting, and now blogging. I have way too many craft projects in progress right now, but I'm loving it. I'm really getting the hang of knitting, after spending the previous year getting the hang of crocheting. Now if only my husband can get over the yarn expenses that have popped up recently, we'll be good.

Currently I'm working on a pair of these socks (my first ever attempt at socks and I'm loving it so far, but I haven't gotten to turning the heel yet), a few of these crocheted roses
(which keep getting better with each one, instead of me having a set of very similar looking roses, which is what I wanted), and finally getting closer to being done with this baby sweater, which I started in June (and which was supposed to be for my niece, but she's 8 months old now and therefore too big for it, so baby is getting a sweater). Plus, there are about 30 more patterns just waiting to be started, most for the baby who looks like she will have a wardrobe heavily represented by crocheted pieces (like this one - couldn't you just melt?!? I must buy this pattern).

It's gotten so bad that I even dreamed about knitting last night. I seem to have a nearly one-track mind which is weird to me since I'm usually one of those people who can't sit still for more than five minutes at a time. However, I couldn't be happier than sitting here, knitting, and feeling the baby do gymnastics.

What I've Been Up To

I have been enormously busy lately. That is, at least, until this last week which I've spent taking care of my mom post-a couple surgeries. (She's fine, and doing better than I expected.)

I've also been working on many of my favorite hobbies plus a few new ones. I'm currenty making this (for me):

and this (supposedly for my neice, but I may have to keep it because it's just so darn cute):

(If you want either pattern, email me and I'll send it to you.)

I've also been baking a lot, and my recent favorites are Ree's Chocolate Sheet Cake, and the World Peace Cookies that I found on Deb's site.

I'm having a lot of fun with these and one new "hobby" (*cough* trying to make a baby *cough*) that I'm very excited about.

So, my hobbies, like these, are what I'm planning on talking about on this iterration of my website. I won't be posting every day, but hopefully frequently. I hope you enjoy these things as much as I do.