Big Honkin Belly

Well, I don't normally like to post photos of myself - especially now when I'm feeling so enormous. But I haven't posted anything in such a long time, I thought I should let my blog friends see what I've been up to lately, which really only consists of growing a baby and not a whole lot else.

I'm now at 33 weeks gestation, so only 4 more weeks until my mat leave begins and then the baby can come out anytime after that. (Please, not before!) I'm impatient to finish work so that I can stay home and nap everyday, but I don't think I'm quite ready for the reality of it all. Thank goodness there is 9 months to prepare the mind and body for the pain of childbirth as well as the huge responsibility of bringing another human into this world. It still overwhelms me from time to time, but the excitment of meeting this new person still outweighs all my anxiety. I think we'll get through this just fine, although I must admit, I would be an absolute basket case if it wasn't for the wonderful father-to-be who has doted on me since we learned about our little Cleatus. I am an incredibly lucky woman.

I am still present in the blogsphere, reading up on all my favourite blogs. It's just that I'm usually so exhausted by the end of the day, that commenting regularly just hasn't been possible. But I want you all to know that I am reading up on your posts during my lunch breaks at work and I'm loving all the creativity that is going on around there. You are all inspiring me daily, even if it isn't reflected here on my blog. I hope to join you all again someday soon!

Oscar's Lucky Quilt

On April 4th, my good friends Amanda and Warren welcomed a new human into the world and they named him Oscar! The perfect name for such a perfect little guy. When I went to visit them at the hospital, I was overwhelmed by how tiny he was since I had never seen a baby who was only a day old. It kind of freaked me out to think that in a few months I'd have one of my own, but when I saw how easy Amanda made motherhood look in such a short period, it didn't take long for my nerves to calm down. It's quite amazing to see those motherly instincts kick in so fast.

Last week, I attended a shower for little Oscar. I had been working on a quilt for him over the last couple weeks and managed to get it done in the nick of time. I called it Oscar's lucky quilt because of the red squares and Asian prints. Here is the lucky quilt in all it's glory. Welcome to the world Oscar!



Also, I have got a second wind for making stuff for our own little one and I made a pair of bitty booties. I had found the most unique trim at the salvation army last fall and finally got around to using them. The little balloons go perfect with the felted wool I picked up a couple weeks ago. I really can't wait to see if these actually stay on a baby's feet - I have made a couple pairs for friends, but have no idea if they were actually useful or not. Anyways, I shall soon find out for myself.

Now that the arrival time is getting a bit closer, it is really fun to start accumulating little baby things here and there. I have taken a couple days off so that we can start hunting for the big essentials like car seats and strollers. Hopefully we can stay focused and not come home with a bunch of useless baby gadgets. Eeek. Wish us luck ;)

What is going on?

Well, I am still here. I am the hopeless sporadic blogger now as I am so busy with work and nesting....and growing! It's amazing how important home has become to me in the past couple months. I've reorganized closets and cupboards, cleaned the fridge (although it really needs it again!). We've sorted and purged all sorts of things and driven a carload of junk to the Salvation Army to make space for all things baby. A couple weekends ago we painted our soon to be nursery a honeydew green. It is pretty bright, but I think it looks fresh and happy now that I'm used to it.

And good news! I can knit again :) I've finally finished a little sweater which I started last October! Geez that was difficult. But I think I'm on a role and already have some patterns for stuffies I'd like to make.


I'm also working on another quilt, but that is all I can reveal about it for now since it is a gift for a certain someone and I'm not sure if she would happen to come across this posting...

Oh, and here is a (very blurry) peek at the emerging belly. And let me tell you, it is popping! This week marks my official entrance into the third trimester. It is the final stretch, only three more months until I meet the little boxer growing inside me. I am dying to meet him/her!

Visual DNA

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I've been wanting to post this for awhile, and I finally have a few minutes this morning to get it up. Flossy-p, Love Squalor and Red Button Tree have started the trend and I just wanted to join in the fun! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend - I'll be posting an update on my current adventures very soon!

Quilting Doubts

So, in preparation for the new addition which is slow cooking in my belly, I've decided I must make a keepsake for him/her. A couple weeks ago, I went a little crazy in the quilting store down the street from us and picked up a collection of bright cheerful fabrics to get going on my a baby quilt. I figured these colours would all look so cute together and appeared to coordinate perfectly at the store. Well, here I am in the middle of fabric squares, realizing that the colours just don't jive all that well. I have spent several evenings putting patch next to patch trying to figure out how I am going to make this work, but I'm just not happy at all with any results. This quilt will be completed, the only problem is I don't know if I will actually want to keep it. At any rate, I will keep you posted and share the finished product once I get there.


You may be wondering why I am not knitting up a storm for this baby - considering I made this for my nephew and these cuties for friend's babies. I must share with you that since I've found myself pregnant, I cannot stomach knitting. Yes, this is very bizarre, but every time I sit down and try to knit a row, I get ultra nauseous - similar to how I'd feel if I were on a small boat in a torrential ocean storm. How can that be? Initially I thought it would pass after the 1st trimester, thinking that it was all related to morning sickness; but, I am now 5 months along and still I suffer from this horrible ailment. I am beginning to think this baby does not want me to knit - I'm not sure what he/she has against it, but it certainly is opinionated. We're definitely going to have a chat about that when we meet in July.

(**Please stop reading now if you are tired of my pregnancy babbles...)

In other pregnancy news, I am gaining weight at super scary speed and this baby is growing faster than I imagined. The doctor has assured me that this weight gain is pretty normal due to the size of our fetus; Cletus is going to be a big baby according the U/S measurements. Sounds like we can expect a whopping 8lb. baby. All things appear healthy, but I can't help but become overly self-conscious about all the fat that is being deposited on my body. I've always maintained my weight and this is the first time I've felt powerless about it. Poor Hubby is so tired of me complaining about my growing hips, butt and belly. I am working on my attitude to simply surrender my body to this little person growing inside me...but let me tell you, it is tough! I really had no idea it would be so difficult to let go of my body. Did any other moms out there struggle with this? I just know that I'm going to have a lot of work ahead of me after this baby comes if I want to get into my favourite jeans again. Bring on the challenge!

Illustration Friday - Gravity (late submission)

Yes, I know it has been far too long since a painting has been posted on my blog, so without further delay, here is my latest piece. It is a late entry to IF, so I won't post it on the site but I thought my few visitors would like to see it. I guess you could say it is my idea of Mary Poppins, but Hubby thinks it looks more like unhappy housewives trying to escape their mundane lives. Well, whatever works I suppose.

I have been experimenting with acrylics for quite sometime, and even attempted to paint this image with the medium. But I missed my watercolours so much that I abandoned the acrylics and slid back into my comfort zone. I will revisit the acrylics, but I probably won't show anything for sometime - not until I feel comfortable working with them and I am happy with some sort of outcome. Currently the results are quite muddy as I've completely forgotten how to work with paint on canvas.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy. I will try to be more consistent with my entries but I can't promise much more than a post a week right now. Other projects I am working on include a quilt for our growing baby and a super duper embroidery I am working on for a swap with Babelfish - but that one will remain a surprise until she receives it. Yipee!

Half way there!

As a proud mom to be, I just had to share my ultra sound photos with you all. We are nearly halfway through the pregnancy and doing very well. I wanted to thank all of you for your lovely comments of congratulations and well wishes to Hubby and myself. We appreciate every one!

Now, isn't this just the cutest pickle you've ever seen? Well, ok, except for the alien face shot. I do admit that is pretty scary. But the bitty foot and that perfect little nose brings a tear to my eye. I can't wait to meet this little person - but for now, I'm really enjoying my expanding belly and I'm amazed by my crazy new eating habits (I have become the bottomless pit!). I have to say that I'm really surprised by how pleased I feel with pregnancy so far. I know there are a lot of aches, pains and strange body changes ahead of me, but it is quite a miracle to know there is someone in there. I don't think I've felt this little guy or girl move yet, although when I'm working out, I can feel something going on. I'm still not clear if it is actual fetal movement or if I'm just sloshing everything around and it is causing extra gas...





And on the subject of guy vs. girl - I'm pretty chocked about the gender determination restrictions out here. I was 19 weeks to the day when I got this ultra sound done and just dying to know the sex of our baby. I was looking forward to this day for weeks! The first question to the technician was "could you please tell us the sex of our baby?" And his response was, "Sorry, no can do until 24 weeks." Arg. He said I could blame it on the cultural issues of this area which has affected all parents to be. It seems that certain couples have actually gone to the extreme of aborting a perfectly healthy baby after discovering the baby's sex to be inappropriate according to some crazy cultural guidelines. I just find this so outrageous and incredibly sad. I also heard that this is only a problem in the Vancouver area, and in most other parts of Canada, they will tell you the sex of the baby at anytime. Anyways, I suppose we will have to wait, and the important thing is to know the baby is healthy and growing. But I am tempted to make an appt for 3D ultrasound. I am seriously considering it since I just found out that my benefits will actually cover it.

Ok, enough on the baby update. In other Sally news, I am working on a painting right now so I should have it up by the weekend sometime. For my b-day last November I received a set of acrylics and a couple blank canvases, so lately I have been experimenting. I must admit, I find this medium quite challenging after working with watercolours and ink for the last while, but I'm determined to get something done with them. And as soon as I do, I'll be sure to share it with you. Wish me luck!