Nursery

Yesterday I cleaned the bathroom. I've never felt more accomplished in my life. I mean it, this had feels on the level of the day I graduated from college. I deserve a medal. A cash award? Then, since the baby was still sleeping I even took the trash outside and hosed down the very dirty trash can. I felt like a super hero.

However, yesterday I had a baby that decided he didn't want to sleep at night. Yay, me. This better not be a phase. Maybe just a one time thing. I pray.

We don't have a nursery per say. Yet. My husband is working on it, and since he wants to clear the spare room himself, I am waiting on him. So, we have babies clothes in the bedroom, as well as the cosleeper--and the changing table is in the living room. When little baby wakes up I go in the living room to change him and nurse him and then go back to bed (well, sometimes I fall asleep on the couch) so I don't wake up my husband. He has to wake up early to go to work and can't sleep all day like I can.

Today is my first day alone with baby. My mom went back to work yesterday and my husband went back last week (but he took thursday and friday off, so he only worked three days last week). Today I also have to manage cooking dinner as well! I am planning something easy with ground beef. Wish me luck, and hopefully little man will have a nap time around my cooking hour.

This week he has stopped screaming when I change his diaper and when I put clothes on him. It's a miracle! And now I need to go change his diaper. See you all later!

Doing Things

Reuben is two weeks old yesterday! He already looks different from his newborn photos. And I no longer look 9 months pregnant, but I still look 4 months pregnant. I want my waist back, please. They say it takes 6 weeks. I'm still wearing my maternity clothing. My boobs are so huge they don't fit into any of my nice summer dresses. Also, breastfeeding. How do you do that in a dress?

There really is nothing to report. He sleeps, and poops, I change him and feed him. He's cute and I love him. I can't wait for him to grow up. He has so much hair. And such cute clothes. And I found a way finally to put him down. He loves to be placed on his belly (don't worry, I make sure he can breathe). He's a belly sleeper!

Also he has a rash. His doctor says it is an infant rash and nothing to worry about, but it sure freaked me out when I first saw it.

I literally have nothing to say lately. I thought I would have all these emotions and ideas but I've only been in reaction mode. It's so different then I thought but still just as wonderful and hard and amazing.

I am learning to do a lot with one hand. Today I made lunch for the first time since I gave birth (hah cooking) and I burned the rice. Cooking and watching a baby is crazy making.

How are you guys doing? I'm sure I'll have something for this space eventually, but right now I just want to sleep and take a million pictures of my newborn's toes. Did you know he makes little contented kitten noises when he sleeps? I'm hooked.

Baby Boy Whale Banner

I wanted something cute to hang upstairs above the changing table/playyard in my office. My office, that is now being taken over by baby things...but oh well. It happens. I decided to make a "Boy" banner with whales on it! I was really excited and spent 4 hours trying to crochet the letter "B" before giving up and just googling it, so this tutorial is really just for the whales. The video tutorial also goes through how to chain everything together. You'll have to go to the moogly blog to find the letters.

To make the whale, use a 4.5mm crochet hook and worsted weight yarn. I made four whales, and I used the same yarn and hook to make the letters as well.

Terms Used: (All USA terms)
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
sl st: slip stitch
ch: chain
sk: skip
hdc: half double crochet

Whale: Made in continuous round, do not join with sl st

R1: magic ring, ch 1, 8 sc in ring (8 sts)

R2: 2 sc in each st (16 sts)

R3: (*Sc in next st, 2sc in next st*) repeat 4 times, sc next stitch and chain 7, turn.

R4: Skip first ch, in second ch from hook make (hdc,hdc,dc) in the same ch space
then sl st in the next ch, sl st next ch, chain 2 turn,
R5: skip first ch, in second ch from hook make (hdc,hdc,dc, sl st) in the same ch space
R6: sl st, hdc, skip 1 ch, dc twice in same st, hdc, next sc, next sl st, next sl st, next sl st

in the next st I do a hdc, then another sl st. to make it more square on the bottom.

I made 4 whales. Then I used the Moogly alphabet pattern to crochet a "B," "O," and "Y". The letter pattern does not belong to me, and you can find it here! I tried really hard (like hours) to crochet a "B" by myself and it just didn't work. So I just googled one--if someone else already did all the work to make a crochet alphabet, I certainly am not going to complain. I used the same worsted weight yarn and 4.5mm crochet hook for the letters as well.

Then I strung the B, O and Y together on a chain, and than hung the cute little whales from the letters with more chains!



What do you think? I love it.