A Baker's Dozen: Daily Life in a Large Family

Christmas Preparation

My first sock on day 6 of knitting. Almost done! {Instagram photo}

I've been too busy to blog lately. Trying to do our regular December activities in preparation for Christmas. I've mentioned it on the blog before, but we don't put up a Christmas tree or exchange gifts. Chuck and I work hard to keep the focus of December and Christmas on Christ's birth and that takes a lot of effort on this Mama's part. We have a slew of traditions (Cookie decorating, Advent stories, candlelight service, etc.) all trying to help us remember the what we are celebrating. This afternoon we have round one of cookie decorating for our younger kids. Later this week our older children will have their friends over for decorating.

I've also begun knitting my first sock (aside from that odd shaped baby sock knit a decade ago which never ended up having a mate). It is turning out quite nicely, if I do say so myself. I picked up some new alpaca yarn to  knit Apollo an over-sized pullover to keep him warm this winter. But before I begin knitting it, I have two hats in the queue. Better get knitting.

I went to a baby shower for my friend, Tami, yesterday and in walked the doctor that treated Apollo while he was in the hospital this summer. Weird. As it turns out, Tami has been friends with the doctor for years and I have met her son...Tami babysat for him and he made several trips to the beach with us, etc. I knew the little boy's mom was a doctor, but never thought much about it... Small world. The doctor remembered me and asked how Apollo was doing. It was really fun to get to know her mom to mom instead of doctor to patient's parent. 

I'm off to round up the troops and get ready before our Cookie Decorating Extravaganza...expect some photos tomorrow...

 

Girls Grump {Yarn and Doughnuts}

Yesterday Adalia, Tilly and I headed out for our monthly Girl's Night (or in this case, day). The girls had some babysitting money and were dying to buy some yarn. Let's just say it didn't take too much convincing on my part to take them yarn shopping. 

First we headed to Michael's for some cheaper yarn. We'd all love to knit with nothing but the best, but yarn can be a very expensive habit to support. I encouraged the girls to find some at Michael's and then perhaps buy a skein or two at the specialty shop.

Tilly of course had to stock up on yarn and Duck Tape. That girl's obsessed, I tell you.

We went to a yarn shop we had never been to before (NW Handspun Yarns). We oohed and ahhed and drooled over the lovely fibers. We each picked a skein or two or three to purchase. The girl's now both have quit a stash to choose from. Me? I don't exactly have babysitting money, so I limited myself to two skeins. 

After the yarn shop Tilly treated us to a snack at Rocket Doughnuts. She won a gift certificate this summer and still had some money left. She said she wanted to use it all...she had $8.61 left and the bill came to $8.64. Perfect!

I may or may not have indulged in my first doughnut in seven months. I certainly did enjoy a cup of coffee (I am now allowing myself one cup a day).

Tilly chose a Bacon Maple Bar. 

Having teenage girls is the best!

If you haven't checked out their blog recently, both girls have been blogging rather prolifically so you may want to go check out Blogging by the Dozen for a real peek into our lives.

Yarn Love

Tilly's yarn stash.

One yarn-happy girl!

Sock yarn for my very first pair of socks!

Rainbow hat yarn. Yummy!

Jubilee knitting...who knows what, but it's fun.

This was the scene during our advent reading tonight.

The winter knitting bug has hit once again.

What's on your needles?

 

Knitting is Fun!

Cardigan sweater for Apollo knit with Cascade Eco Duo Alpaca Wool. 

I have not a coherant thought in my head due to 16 months of severe sleep deprivation. So I send you to my friend, Leslie, to read about our night out and our friend Marie's knittng adventures. We went to see the Yarn Harlot, listen to her read from her new book and really, just have a night out.

I hope to return later with a few recovered brain cells.

Sad...

Remember this vest? One of my children (who shall remain nameless) tossed it in with Apollo's dirty cloth diapers. So it got washed. In hot water.

It is now a tiny, felted newborn sweater.

And I am mourning it's loss...

And reminding myself that people are more important than sweaters. Even if the sweater was hand knit from soft, soft Alpaca wool.

For a more cheerful post, head over and look at the birth photos I just posted on my Little Earthling Photography blog...

Baby T-Shirt Vest: Take Two

This could be titled: how not to take a portrait of your baby...sit him in front of a hideously bright colored exersaucer...You will get the elusive: lopsided tooth photo you've been trying to capture for weeks...right in front of  a terrible background :(  Oh well, at least I did capture his mismatched tooth-growing...

Apollo's latest knit creation is hot off the needles! This pattern is called Baby T-Shirt Vest and I found it on the Sam Lamb blog. This is the very same vest I knit for Apollo here. I obviously decided to add a little flair with two colors on this one....and I love, love, love it! 

Terrible, cluttered photos, but you can see the cute trim and little buttons. I love how this keeps him toasty warm in our often chilly house.

This is knit in unbelievably soft alpaca yarn, purchased at our local yarn shop: Apple Yarns. You will just have to imagine the cute matching hat is, since he was not posing for photos yesterday! I hope to take him outside (his new favorite place) for some proper pictures soon.

Apollo's Vest

Why is Apollo so happy? 

Because I finished his new vest, of course!

He was even nice enough to pose in it for me. 

This vest is the Baby T-Shirt Vest. I found it on Ravelry (whatever you do, DO NOT click on the link to Ravelry....you will spend hours scouring the site for the perfect pattern...which will lead to a trip to the yarn store for the perfect yarn, which will lead to buy not only the perfect yarn, but several other skeins- just in case..yeah, DON'T click on that link). 

The actual pattern is here at Sam Lamb. I'll admit, the pattern was a bit confusing at first, but I followed it on faith, and the sweater turned out just right.

It is just perfect down to the cute little buttons on the shoulder. 

I love the fit of this vest. It's long and baggy now, but not bulky and cumbersome. Apollo will be wearing it for a long time- up until his first birthday, I'm sure. That's one of the advantages to a baby who never grows. He can wear his hand knit items for.ever. And we never had to buy him new clothes. Or larger diapers. What a savings!

By the way, like photography, I'm a self-taught knitter. I got a book from the library and taught myself to knit thirteen years ago when Judah was just a baby. My technique is a bit odd, I'll admit, but clearly it works. I don't remember which book I used to teach myself to knit, but my all time favorite general knitting book is Knitting in Plain English. Not only is the book clear and informative, but the author has a great writing style and she actually makes a technical book about knitting a fun read.

 

Happy Baby.

 

Sweet Baby.

All Done Taking Pictures Baby.

Baby Knits {Apollo's New Hat}

Front view

Side view

 

Top view

This is the Top Knot Hat from Ravelry. 

Warning: if you are a knitter or crocheter, the Ravelry site could cause you to spend excessive amounts of money on yarn. Site should be used with caution.

These cute little socks were knit by my friend, Marie. I highly suggest finding a friend who is willing and able to knit for your baby. That way, your baby can always be clothed in adorable hand knit clothing, and its less work for you! Plus, if you're lucky, your friend will be an even better knitter than you (such as Marie), and be able to knit beyond hats and basic sweaters. 

If you scroll down on this post a little you will see some adorable little moccasin booties Marie also knit for Apollo. They are pretty big, so he hasn't actually been able to wear them yet (hence the lack of a picture).

I am now about halfway done with Apollo's other new hat.

The Hubster

Chuck, 39

Ah, I feel vastly relieved after yesterday's post. Now you all know I'm not perfect...and our family's not perfect. But ooh....look at Chuck. He's gets pretty close to perfect, don't you think?

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. Please know that the fun times happen. Most days are good. Some are even great. 

You blog readers have always been my best resource for: knitting patterns, homeschool resources, and now resources for children with issues such as ours. Thank you again! I truly am not alone in this.

And speaking of knitting, Tabea, here is a link to the pattern for Apollo's little Aviatrix hat. Enjoy!

And speaking of Apollo's hats, I actually finished the new one I started for him...but I didn't like how it fit. So, I took out a whole bunch and am reworking it. With a little luck (and peace and quiet) I'll get it done today.

 

Apollo's New Hat

Is officially on the  needles...