Lil Sleeper

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Ali

Sam has decided that his preferred sleeping position is on my chest, sitting upright. He doesn’t really like to be held like a baby, (like a cradle hold) he wants his head up!

I don’t mind, really, because I like snuggling this little baby. Here’s what he looks like from my viewpoint.

And plus, it’s been super chilly around here the last few days, so having a little babe on your chest makes you nice and toasty! Plus, I’ve been having some really bad sciatic pain, so I haven’t wanted to do much other than sit on the couch anyway. (I have a ridiculous limp right now, it looks so stupid) I saw the doctor today and he thinks it was injured during childbirth (yikes) and then further aggravated by carrying around a baby in his carseat… Unfortunately my doctor can’t get me in for an adjustment until after my trip to see my family (I leave on Saturday!) so I am kind of bummed about that, and just hoping that it gets better soon!

Month 1

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Ali

So, I want to do a monthly photo of Sam, in the same spot, wearing the same thing do document his growth and whatnot. I am not quite as dedicated as some (like Paula, for example, doing one EVERY WEEK! I’m impressed.) But what I need from you guys is some opinions on where I should do these pictures. So, I took several today and you should weigh in and let me know which ones you think I should pick.

Option 1:
In the crib, with his bear.

Option 2:
In his crib, without the bear, sitting up

Option 3:
In the floral rocking chair

Option 4:
On the green couch

Option 5:
On the green couch, against crocheted pillow

So, you should leave a comment letting me know which of these 5 options you think I should choose. I am leaning towards the first one, I think it’ll show more how he’s grown compared to the bear, but I also like the simpler looks, too, so, I just really don’t know, so help a girl out. You guys are always so good at giving advice.

A New Hat!

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Ali

We went to a birthday party that was outside this weekend, so I decided that Sam needed a hat that actually fit him (all the ones I’ve made for him are still too big!) so I whipped up a little hat out of some ridiculously soft alpaca yarn.

He wouldn’t sit still for very long, so I had a hard time getting a clear picture.

Ooh, I’d never worked with Alpaca yarn before and it was absolutely dreamy. It’s so soft and silky! I only had one tiny skein on hand, so I needed to use it on a small project and this little hat just fit the ticket.

Make-Your-Own-Moby Wrap

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Ali

I made myself a Moby Wrap! Sam and I both like it. Sam falls asleep pretty much instantly when I put him in there, and I get my hands free which means more knitting time for me! I was so stoked to find the exact color I was looking for in the fabric store.

He’s totally conked out in there, and so I pulled up the cover over his head so the bright kitchen lights wouldn’t wake him up. (Just a note, due to some comments- I don’t wear him this way, with his head covered. His face is always visible to mine, I just pulled it close so the lights wouldn’t wake him up, safety first!)

If you’re interested in making your own wrap, basically it’s just a really big rectangle. I bought 5 yards of a jersey knit fabric and cut it down the middle. It needs to be at least 20 to 25 inches wide, but mine is about 30, and that works just fine. I think I might taper the edges like a real Moby Wrap, but I haven’t yet and it still works great, but the knot is a bit bulky. You can also use a serger and make the edges look really nice, but I am lazy and so I just cut it and left it. I think we’re going to get a lot of use out of this wrap!

Whoa. 40 Weeks of Belly.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Ali

I realized I never showed you guys the last of my maternity pictures! These shots were taken the day before Sam arrived!

I can’t believe how huge I was! I mean, it wasn’t that long ago, but it’s still very strange to look back and see pictures of a huge belly now that it’s (mostly) gone!

It is so very nice to have my body back, though. Well, nursing really means that I’ve still got someone attached to me a good portion of the day, but I don’t mind too much. He’s cute and makes funny faces and that’s enough to make me glad that he’s on the outside now. So VERY glad he is on the outside now.
Speaking of funny faces, this is a hilarious one that Paul captured the other day.

Man, this kid makes me laugh.

Stay tuned for some sneak-peeks of Sam’s Halloween outfit! It’s almost completed! I’m so excited about it! And be sure to check in tomorrow for your weekly “You Knit What?!”

Bath Time

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Ali

So, I don’t really have any finished crafty things to show you just yet, although I am working on several projects! It just goes a lot slower when you’ve got tiny little cheeks to kiss and snuggle all day! But at least by blogging pictures of the baby I am making SOME people happy (Yep, that’s you, mom and Erika!) So, without further ado: Bath time!

He really enjoys bathtime. He calms right down if we put him in the water.

I was so glad when his cord fell off so we could give him real baths! He did NOT enjoy his sponge baths, but to be honest those don’t sound so much fun (brr!)

(um, please excuse the “new mom” hairstyle and makeup. Ha! But in my defense it was only noon and I just hadn’t gotten ready yet)

And Sam keeps falling asleep in the most hilarious positions! Last night he was asleep like this for a good hour.

And then a little while later he sunk down into this comfortable position (And no, I didn’t pose him this way! It was all him!)

But now I gotta run some errands and drop off lunch with my baby daddy. And I swear I’ll try to come up with some crafty posts soon, but until then, you’re just gonna be stuck with more baby pictures. (How sad for you!)

Busy Weekend!

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Ali

We had a busy weekend! We hung out with Paul’s family and got some great family pictures!

Paul, Sam I, Sam III and Sam II.

Samuel I, II and III

Grandpa Sam and Baby Sam.

And had a birthday dinner for Auntie Carrie! (Sam’s face in this picture cracks me up!)

Sam and his grandparents! (Who so kindly watched Sam for a few hours so we could hit up the fair!)

Hanging out with Great Grandma Carol.

Big yawn!

And Paul and I got to hit up the fair since there were so many willing hands to hold the baby! We didn’t stay long, but just enough to get an elephant ear, ride the Ferris Wheel and play a few silly games.

I was a little worried about being away from the baby for the first time, but he did great and it was nice to have a little date with the husband.

And now I’ve got to go give my baby a bath because he just spit up all over himself. Yum.

My Hands are Full.

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Ali

So, it’s been so weird. I haven’t knitted anything since the day before Sam was born. This is the longest I’ve gone without knitting something probably since I started knitting in 2005. Except for maybe my trip to Europe, but even then I had brought a project to work on during the plane trips. My fingers are getting a little bit itchy and I need to cast on a new project.

Oh, and I was going to show you the money shot my sister captured while she was here. Seriously, I am like dying over this photograph of my beautiful (um.. handsome?) son.

Sheesh. Totally head over heels in love with that chubby face. And that picture was taken on Thursday, Sept 8th, and he’s already gained weight and those cheeks are even bigger now. He’s two respectable chins now, too.

On Sunday we went to church! Here he is with his dad, all dressed up!

He wasn’t thrilled about having his picture taken…

And we survived. We kept our heads above water. We’re totally in love. It’s so awesome to see how Paul interacts with the baby. He comes home, and if I am holding Sam, he’ll say “Can I hold him?” Hecks yes, you can! I love seeing him playing with the baby, giving him kisses and talking to him. It’s the most adorable thing I think I’ve ever seen in my life. My boys! I’ve got TWO of them to love.

And now, a parting shot. Peace.

Whew!

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Ali

So, I survived my first week as a mother of a newborn. I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but it’s still surprising how much constant care these teeny little babies need! Sam is doing great. He’s gaining weight and eating like a champ. We had a bit of a jaundice scare at the beginning, and had to return back to the hospital every morning until he was 5 days old to get his poor little heel pricked and test his Bilirubin levels to make sure he wasn’t getting any worse, but we got the official OK from the doctor to discontinue that, and we’ve just been making sure to get him a little bit of the early morning sunshine to help things along.

Also, check out this adorbs picture my sister snapped. I’m pretty sure he’s just smiling because of a gas bubble or something, but STILL! LOOK AT THAT FACE!

Good grief. I can’t keep my lips off those chubby cheeks.

It seems really quiet around here now that my company is all gone. My friend Autumn was here on Thursday and Friday (and helped me chill out prior to my induction on Friday evening- that’s a whole other story that I’ll save for later) and then my mom came Friday night and stayed through Wednesday, and then my sister Erika came Wednesday, with her little boy Ezra and left Friday morning. But I think I am going to survive… maybe… but it’s good to know that my momma and sister are only 6 hours away and can be here really quickly if need be. You know, if I completely lose it due to lack of sleep or something.

Wanna see something super cute?

Sam is still working on the whole not-being-cross-eyed thing. But, you know, these things take time.

Erika tried to get some pictures of Ezra and Samuel together, but Ezra was distracted by all of the other neighborhood kids playing on their bikes and scooters, so a cousin photo shoot was pretty much the last thing on his mind. Although she did get some really good pictures of Sam by himself (I think those deserve a post of their own, so you get to see those later)