Four Months and then Some

I should have made this post a week ago, but a this rate I'm just happy to get anything out within the correct month. Elías turned 4 months old on the 4th of October and at his check up the next day he weighed 18 lbs 2oz, putting him in the 97th percentile. His height was 28", which wasn't even on the chart, and his head has grown into the 75th percentile- but I can't remember that one, maybe 17"?
The same weekend he completed four months, we spent a night in the cities, where he had his first pub experience. We got to visit with his new friend Indira, who is only a couple weeks older than he. They were very excited to meet each other.I think these photos may turn out to be indicative of their relationship when they're about 15 or so.Hey, Indira, how's it going? Wanna hang out?Will someone please get this annoying creature out of my face?

(And I thought Elías had kissable cheeks:)
It was so fun to see everyone. We look forward to doing it again soon, either back in the cities or in Winona.

Here is Elías modeling his hand knit stroller outfit

So, the latest developmental advances involve sitting for longer periods before leaning too much to one side, grabbing everything and anything in sight and within reach and going right to the mouth, rolling from back to front and front to back, and emitting a high-pitch screech whenever we want to be picked up. Mommy's not so thrilled with the last one, but who can resist the little arms held out that accompany it?

I've leave you with a sweet stroller photo.

Last Days of Summer

As the wind has officially blown in fall and finally brought in cooler temps, I am glad we enjoyed the last days of summer to the fullest. Every Saturday for the past month or so, we have been going to the farmers' market and then having coffee and something sweet at my favorite place in town, the Blue Heron. Elías usually falls asleep in the carrier as we walk around the market, and therefore actually gives me some reading time at the cafe.
We have been walking almost everyday. He often gets a walk with his dad in the morning and another with me in the afternoon/evening. Mobi comes, too, of course.The garden has given us a bounty of veggies and herbs, so the weekends are also about making tomato sauces and pesto and cookies (not from the garden, but necessary to get through the week :) We had a potluck yesterday to mingle with the other community gardeners and sample treats. I brought strawberry rhubarb cobbler from my backyard. Yup, the whole thing was just growing there ;)These pictures remind me that I'm getting a sorely-needed haircut tomorrow.

Three Months Already!

So, I've been a bit behind on the blogging. I've been putting some pictures up on Facebook, and I just created a Shutterfly site that will have a ton of videos and photos, but I think you need an invite to access it. Let me know if you want an invite. I made it pretty much for family, since I don't think anyone else is THAT interested in the minutia ofElías's every move.

We had a great summer and with the baby and a new house, I'd say probably one of the most interesting ever. Starting up classes a couple of weeks ago was challenging, but has been working out for the most part. I am teaching in the mornings and Juan in the afternoons. Elías has already doubled his birth weight, and is showing other signs of being a happy, healthy baby. He is very good natured and sweet, so he's a lot of fun to be around. It's hard to want to do anything but hug and kiss him and see him smile (which is why I haven't been blogging). We go on walks almost every day, and these pictures here are my favs from various recent outtings. He's usually in a carrier, actually, but those days I can't get a picture since he's too close. He does like the stroller now, and the car seat usually, so we are more mobile than at the start of the summer.He was taking the paci for a while, but has started rejecting it more in these past few days.
I will try to be more regular here, though I can't make any promises that it'll be as often as before. Thanks for sticking around in spite the infrequency!

Lovely Morning

I though I'd share with you my really good morning. First off, I left these two zonked out.As I left our room, I came across this on the stairway:"Good morning. Take a cookie if you'ed like one."I did, which is why there is only one left. The blue bit is a sour patch kid- there was one for me, too, but the sugar content with the cookie was enough and I gave it to Julian.

As I continued down the stairs, this is what was waiting for me.There is some major rockin out going on in our living room :)

I have since gotten Julian and I breakfast, made Juan coffee, took a shower, put in a load of laundry and folded and put away some clothes from the previous loads. AND I still have time to post this!

I hope your day is as good as mine is promising to be!

Summer in Winona

I haven't been updating the blogs because I rarely get two hands free, and it takes too long to type with one. Elías is growing a ton, but still prefers to be held, which limits my ability to do a lot of what I would otherwise. Juan has been busy keeping Julian entertained. So, the two little guys are keeping us on our toes.

In addition to two growing boys, Juan has been nurturing our garden produce. Here are the first things we harvested. From seed to table- pretty cool. Julian spent the last two weeks at soccer camp. For two hours a day he got to practice his moves and play with other kids his age. It was fun to see him in action.
The days are passing quickly and yet leisurely at the same time. My mom and aunt were here visiting at the end of June, and that visit seemed to just fly by. Here they are on the green of WSU listening to Celtic music straight from Ireland. It was a part of the month-long Great River Shakespeare Festival held yearly here in town. This event was part of the Prelude on the Green series held each weekend before the evening performances.
Our group was the envy of the other attendees, due to the amazing spread created by Sue. Doesn't it just make your mouth water? I have one more drool-worthy photo for today. The 4th of July project Julian and I tackled last week.
He is completely responsible for the decoration as well as most of the ingredient insertion. Great job, no? And the cake was super delicious- it is, of course, a Barefoot Contessa recipe. Vanilla cake with cream cheese vanilla frosting. It didn't have a chance.

Baby Knits

Here are the other baby projects I finished before Elías came.

The first is from Jil Eaton's Pipsqueak Knits. It's called criss cross, and yes, the buttons are supposed to be asymmetrical. Next to it is the orange ball Kate knit.These are called Blu, from the new Mason Dixon book. I have certainly had my embroidery skills challenged with these baby projects!They are knit from Rowan's Denim yarn, so shrink and fade just like real jeans. (Shrinkage is factored into the pattern).

Elías is not impressed with his stroller

Wait a second, this isn't where I fell asleep...What the heck is this thing???GET ME OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I put the birth story on my other blog, for those who are interested. Yay hypnobirthing!!

Knitted Items

I kept forgetting to take photos of the cute baby clothes I got from the shower. (They'd be cuter on him, anyway). In addition to organizing and hosting the whole event, Kate and Sue both made figlet some adorable baby items.

Kate made figlet a couple of things, one of which I have a picture of now. It's the sweetest, tiniest little newborn vest I've ever seen, and it's even knit with my favorite yarn, Rowan's Felted Tweed. I love, love, love it!She also made him a ball that looks like an orange, I'll include a picture of that in the next round of knitted photos, probably later today.

Sue made figlet an outfit, with adjustable cardigan, booties, and bunny hat, which everyone just squealed over. Here's a detail of the bunny's face.I can't wait to see him in these precious items!

I have been good about restricting my knitting to evenings only, once I'm done writing and such. A few weeks ago, the hospital let go one of the two midwives, due to budget reasons. Even though she was not my primary caregiver, I saw them both equally and depending who was on call, she could have been there for figlet's birth. I was very upset about this decision, and wanted to make her a gift to say thank you for all her care throughout my pregnancy. I had hoped to get it done to give her at my last appointment with her, but classes were still in, so it just couldn't happen. I have it blocking on the porch right now. It's a lace cowl that is a bit out of season at this point, but will be nice for fall, I hope.I also finally finished the embroidery for figlet's stroller blanket.I have been slowly chipping away at the lace scarf using the yarn I bought in New Orleans. I'm not in a rush to finish it, so it only gets worked on occasionally. But I am on the second ball, so I know I'm half-way through.I actually have a couple of other things, too, but forgot to get a picture of them. Hopefully I can do that today and get those up later.

Baby Fun Weekend!!

Two weeks ago, week 36, was very exciting in the baby department. Friday we headed up to the cities to take Julian to the airport early Saturday morning and after a day (mostly) window shopping at Ikea and the Mall of America, we had dinner with our friends Silvia and Thamizh in Uptown. Silvia is due any day now, so we are anxiously awaiting the big news. It's funny how much the photo perspective changes the appearance of a belly bump, so I have to include three pictures to really show the big picture.


Sunday my very generous friends threw me a baby shower. Several people later commented to me what a great shower it was, so I think it's safe to say that we all had fun.



We got lots of books, as well as clothes, toys, blankets and other necessities. It was a wonderful variety of gifts that really have us ready for his arrival.

Another great thing about the shower was getting us into "baby mode." Classes had just ended and we needed to start thinking about what we had left to get and do. I think we have the perfect amount of things for figlet- just enough, and not too many of anything. There are a couple of things we are still waiting for by mail that are due to arrive by his EDD, but if he comes first, we'll be ok without them.

Today is my 38 week appointment, so I will probably be posting my progress (if any) on the baby blog for those who are interested.