Finished ... Finally

It's finally finished!

I know these pictures aren't great, but I just had to show you tonight. It sure has taken me a long time to wrap up this project. I'm surprised ... and very thankful ... that it still fits her.

And, yes, it may be in the 80's or 90's in Texas, but guess what Deborah will be wearing next Sunday? :)

The Gingham Sweater is Finished

I finally finished the Gingham sweater for Deborah.

I've been stalling adding the button as I'm a bit sad to be finishing it.

It has been such a fun project to work on and I can't find another challenging project that appeals to me as much as this one did. Hmmm... sounds like I need to spend more time in a knitting shop. Well, not just in any knitting shop, but in The Woolie Ewe in Dallas. :)

This is the "challenge" sweater project that I've been working on for a while now. I have finished all the knitting and now I'm just adding the finishing touches. Then I will sew the sleeve seams and it will be done. I'm a little sad to finish this project as it has been challenging, fun, and rewarding. Deborah is SO excited about it. It's a size 18-24 months, but it won't fit the little lady until next fall.

Knitting and Time Management

I know I don't have time, but lately the knitting bug has really bitten me again. I finished Ryan's little striped sweater, have almost completed Deborah's gingham sweater (my challenge), and have started working again on Deborah's cabled tennis sweater. A reasonable person might think that's enough with everything else going on right now, but apparently I am not reasonable. I also started the pattern work on a size 12-18 month cabled hooded sweater in a beautiful deep red.

And, as if that's not enough ... I've started to reconsider the idea of working a "Master Knitter Certification". Sounds really geeky, right? But, I would learn so much. Plus I love the idea of having experts critique my work.

Since I can't knit while I nurse ... Ryan won't tolerate it ... I tried, I have started reading knitting stuff online. This morning I came across a GREAT website. It's not for light reading as it is really the technical stuff about knitting... just what I LOVE! In case you're interested...
http://techknitter.blogspot.com/2007/02/alphabetical-index-for.html

Deborah, Ryan, and I are all home from church today with what may be a cold. However, I'm beginning to think I may have a flu. Not fun.


And, since I'm just jabbering away ... 2 cute little Deborah stories. Last night we went shoe shopping for the boys. (Can you believe David wears a men's size 6 and Jacob's in a men's size 7. Maybe that doesn't seem so big to some of you normal sized people ... but I wear abt a 3-5 in children's. So I think they have HUGE feet!) When we were finished shopping, we went to a sandwich shop for dinner. I was standing next to the stroller with Ryan in it. Deborah walked over and started pushing me away saying, "My Ryan. Back off. My Ryan." Cute, right? Well, it was cute when she told the kids to back off or strangers, but me? Maybe not so cute. We've discussed it and now she's agreed that Ryan is hers and mine and Dad's. No one else's.

And, then last night ... as a reminder that she is 2, oh so very 2, she decided she brought me her pj's. They consisted of pair of play pants and her "Jack" shirt. (One of Deborah's favorite movies is the Nightmare Before Christmas. We made Halloween t-shirts this year and she calls hers the "Jack shirt.") Anyway ... thinking that perhaps that was all she could find clean, I got her a real pair of pj's to put on. Daddy started to dress her and she completely flipped out! "No, I want my Jack shirt!!!" And, since we're on our 6th child and in our 40's ... she was promptly put to bed ... in her Jack shirt. :)

EEG, Geneticist Appt, and a Sweater

We started this morning bright and early with an EEG. Ryan was a real champ! He slept through the whole thing and gave them a perfect reading on the first attempt. We will find out the results next Monday when we meet with the Neurologist again.

This afternoon we had an appointment with the legendary Geneticist. He's great and we really appreciated him. He was reviewed the results of the Chromosome Microarray with us ... normal, no problems diagnosed. After an extensive history and thorough exam, he feels that the next step is to see what the MRI reveals to us. He's going to personally view the MRI on Monday and will give us a call Monday afternoon.

So, Friday is Ryan's next appointment. Hopefully, he'll sleep through the MRI also and we'll be able to avoid having to sedate him.

And, on brighter notes... I finished his little sweater ... Just in the nick of time, too. I'm pleased with the results. It's a very handsome little sweater. I also ordered 2 new knitting books by Debbie Bliss, one of which has patterns for 3-10 year olds. I saw a cute little boy sweater in it and think I might make it for Johnathon for next winter. Speaking of knitting... I think I'll go do some now...

Oh, but first, one more picture ... Jessica took this picture of Ryan and I sitting on the couch tonight. I know ... I look exhausted (becaused I am tonight), but look at Ryan. Doesn't he look like such a big boy?

Countdowns and Milestones...

Can you believe it's already the 2nd of December? Only 23 more days till Christmas! So much to do and so little time! We planned to buy a Christmas tree last night ... you know the real kind that fills the room with the smell of Christmas (and that leaves needles in the carpet till next Christmas). Well we went to dinner first which took a little too long. By the time we made it to buy the Christmas tree they had just closed. It was Family Home Evening: the Indian Food & Christmas Tree Denied Edition. So tonight after tithing settlement, we'll head out for the Christmas tree.

So, Kelli, remember "K is for knitting not crocheting?" Well, I had my first crocheting experience since Merry Miss class when I was 11. I hate it! Is hate too strong of a word? Um..... no. I must be missing something because I just don't see how anyone could find crocheting enjoyable. I never could find a rhythm to it.

Why was I crocheting? Because the cute little Suede dress I had knit for Deborah called for a crocheted edge around the neck and sleeve lines. I think the dark color edge is a nice touch, but did it really need to be crocheted? What do you think?

Oh, and speaking of Deborah, you other Moms will appreciate this ... Deborah went poopy on the big girl potty! Whewhoo!!!