One By One

Post #500 Giveaway!!

It's hard to believe that I've been blogging since January 2005. Wow - FIVE years. FIVE hundred posts. Maybe five is my lucky number today!

How life changes over five years. Entered the blogging world. A friend moves to the other side of the country. Another friend moves out of the country. New crafty friendships are formed. Pregnancy. The birth of a baby. Becoming a mother... All the while knitting and sewing my way through it.

To commemorate the fives, let's have a giveaway!

Two tone lavender crystal earrings set in sterling silver squares

I would like to give these away to one of my lovely readers!

To enter, just leave a comment here on this blog post. For another chance to win, mention and link this post on Twitter or Facebook (leave me another comment that you did so). That's it. Commenting for a chance to win ends Friday, September 17th at noon PST.

Good luck! And thank you for reading and commenting over the last five years.

Eight!

Eight years today I married the love of my life...

Looking forward to spending a wonderful evening with Andy, lil' man free :)

Seven Years

Seven years today I married the love of my life...

This year we've had our happiest moments and our most challenging moments, but we've made it through. There is not a single other person I would rather go for the ride of life with than him.

Today, my grandmother is driving down from OC to get some loving-time in with Jake while Andy and I go to dinner at The Linkery. If we are able to head out a bit earlier, we may even catch a movie!

Thirty-two

They say it's your birthday...

Me. Today. Thirty-two!

To say a lot has changed from a year ago would be a complete understatement. I've learned quite a bit about myself during the last year and I'm stronger for it.

Anyway, with baby-in-tow, we are going to keep things low-key this year. I think it's breakfast at home, lunch at Seaside Market (they have Puerto Nuevo style lobster for like $12! We've never had it from there before, I hope it's good!), a bit of fun in the sun at Moonlight Beach (it's supposed to be in the mid-70's today), then a home-cooked dinner of whole grilled snapper with lemon glaze and risotto. I can't wait!

In knitting news, I have a finished project to share, but it's too warm for a modeling shot. It's supposed to cool off a bit towards the end of next week, so hopefully the stars will align right!

Thanks for stopping by.

Retail Therapy

What's better than doing your hobbies? Well... shopping for things for your hobbies, of course!

I recently placed an order with SewBaby.com. From the top left going clockwise we have patterns for Overall Bibs, Fleece Easy Baby, Baby Overalls, Britches and Bloomers, Smartie Pants, and the Four Corners Apron.

I hope to have time in the next month or so to be able to make a few things for Jake. First up will be his Halloween costume...  but more on that later.

Speaking of Jake, here he was recently enjoying the great weather we have been having lately:

He had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and weighed in at a hefty 14 lbs 6.5 oz, and a height of 25". Such the cutie if I do say so myself :)

Almost 38 Weeks (and a Contest!)

Just a quick pregnancy update!

Here I am, almost at the 38 week mark...

I. Am. So. Ready. Really, I am. I didn't think I would be, but it's getting to that point!

DH thinks I've dropped a bit over the last few days. I think it's kinda hard to tell. I have been having Braxton-Hicks, so maybe so. I'm definitely sticking out more on the belly front. Next doctor's appointment is on Wednesday!

DH is hoping for a Father's Day baby... I think we'll probably go pretty close the full distance. Only time will tell.

My hospital bag is just about packed. Mom comes into town on Saturday for an extended stay. We have the bassinet all ready. There is a supply of diapers on hand. Not everything is *perfect*, but if we went into labor tomorrow we would be ready :)

Contest.

So, let's do a baby guessing contest! Leave a comment on this post with your guess of the following:

1. Baby's gender

2. Baby's birth date

3. Baby's weight

One guess per person. The closest guess, without going over, will win.

Since I know that having time to make a prize is probably going to be non-existent, let's do a knitterly gift certificate instead. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Webs!

I'll take guesses until Wednesday, June 11th, noon PST. After that, I will close the comments. So - hurry up - guess away - what are you waiting for?!?

New Car

Finally! We picked up our new car last Friday!!

Isn't it cute?!

After a couple more test drives, more research, and dealer haggling, we ended up with the new 2009 Subaru Forester. We love the re-design that Subaru did on the Foresters! We were fortunate to be able the get the "premium" package on the car, but in true Subaru form the only differences between the base model and this model are bells-and-whistles - all safety and driveability features are the same across all models. But, I do have to say that I love the sunroof, radio controls on the steering wheel, reclining back seat, and the tinted back windows (which will be great for baby!).

Gas mileage isn't as great as the other cars we were looking at, but it's suppose to average around 25mpg once we get the engine broken in. In my research, I read of some drivers getting as good as 30mpg. Plus, the Subaru plant is a zero landfill plant, and the car is PZEV. Definitely keeping our carbon foot print in mind!

Around

Been awhile since the last post. I'm still here, and still getting huge pregnancy-wise.

A bit has been happening around here, I've just been a very bad blogger. So, let's just do a random Friday...

1. We've been shopping around for cars:

I currently drive a pretty-fuel efficient 2002 Saturn coupe, but the issue is that the Saturn is a three-door. Not exactly the most accessible back seat for baby transportation. The bonus is that it's paid off and the idea of having a car payment doesn't exactly make me the happiest bunny. I do, however, see the need to get a new car. I've been doing lots of research on Edmunds, Consumer Reports, and Motor Trend. My criteria is - safety (been using iihs.org, it's the best!), fuel efficiency (no huge SUV here), comfort, and price. At the top of the list is the 2008 Subaru Impreza 5-door, DH and I loved test driving this car. Others we've taken for a spin are the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa. So far the Versa is number two on the list. We still need to test drive the Toyota Matrix and the VW Rabbit 5-door. If you have any experience with these cars let me know,  I would love to here about it.

2. I'm officially on maternity disability leave:

Had a doctor's appointment yesterday - and I'm "puffy" (that's an official medical term I guess!). I've gained nine pounds since my last appointment two weeks ago and the doctor thinks it's mostly water weight. Not so good, and let me tell you, not the most comfortable condition to be in. The decision was to put me out on disability so I can get more rest and hopefully decrease the water retention. I'm afraid I might go stir-crazy. Unfortunately I cannot sit in front of my sewing machine for more than a couple hours at a time, so it looks like I will be doing lots of knitting and reading - with napping and sewing in between. Oh, and it will also give me more time for blog posting - big bonus!

3. I still owe a FO post on my last maternity skirt. It's been on the hanger for a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll wait until I'm not so puffy!

4. I wrapped up a messenger bag last week - I owe a FO post on that one too.

5. I started sewing a baby romper. With my limited ability to be in front of the machine for an extended period of time, it's going to take me awhile to finish. But, I could post my progress thus far.

6. I've also started knitting a Baby Surprise Jacket. I plan on making a lot of progress on it today (you know, since I'm not working anymore). Post to come soon.

Looks like I have a lot of blog posting to do! Have a great weekend!

Six!

Six years today I married the love of my life...


We're both off from work today - I think a nice relaxing and mellow day is in order - lunch, a movie, and dinner at George's!

An Apple A Day

I have crossed to the other side:

And so far I love it!