Twilight Weather

I just got back from a walk, and i had to write about it.

I was supposed to leave Texas on the 17th to go back home, but my sister, the new mom, wasn't ready for me to leave. So here i am, on the 21st, still in Texas.

We went for a walk tonight, and it felt so good outside.

The sun was just setting, twilight was settling in. If I'd closed my eyes, i could have been on Kaua'i. Of course, there are no palm trees here, or beaches -- and by beaches, i mean ocean, and by ocean, i mean two minutes walking distance to the ocean.

It was barely almost just too hot for a light jacket but still perfectly comfortable if you had one on.

There was a breeze, and the trees were rustling.

It was, to put it quite plainly, perfect.

Now we're back inside, and I'm stirring pudding on the stove, grateful i got to come to Texas and help coach my sister through the birth of my nephew and get some of this twilight weather.

But let me tell you something. I can't wait to get back home to that beautiful sweater weather.

Besides, I've got a craft fair coming up.

Texas Fall 2012

I am back in Texas. I've just downloaded the blogger app in hopes that it will get me to blog more often... And maybe not ramble quite so much.

I am working on stuff for the Doctor Who swap on Craftster. The send out day is Monday, and i do not know if I'm going to make it... I doubt my partner will see this post, but just in case, i can't post anything about what I'm making yet. Let's just say the most important and time-consuming project... is about to send me over the edge. The size is just... off, and i don't know if my heart can handle starting over. Not to mention, i really don't think i have the time. I'm powering on, though, and crossing all my fingers and toes that i can pull this off.

I brought a few more presents for Jack. A camouflage shirt, for example, because my brother-in-law is in the Army.

He's due in 6 days, but we would all be fine if he decided to come out and play now.

Gifts for Jack

My sister was here a few weeks ago, visiting one last time before flying is no longer safe for her and Jack-fetus. While she was here, we had a couple baby showers for her.

I made her some gifts because... well, i just figured she would be getting enough stuff from their registries. And, yes, okay, because i don't have money.

First, i asked anybody in the immediate family who knows how to knit if they would like to help make a baby blanket. So, my mom knit several squares, my sister-in-law knit a square, and my brother started a square but didn't have time to finish it before leaving on a trip.

At first, i decided to do mustard yellow and dark grey, and then added light yellow and light grey. Because i love how mustard and grey look together. And i thought my sister would like it, too.

But as more and more squares were being knit, i realized she probably would not like the color combo.

We nixed the greys and changed to blues.

The front.

You might notice that some squares are maybe a little larger than others. Well. That's what happens. Move on.

The back.

I was kind of surprised we finished it in time.

Oh, but wait. I needed something for the second shower. Luckily i'd already started on them... before finishing the blanket.

I already knew what the first one was going to be. I call my future nephew Jack, and he's due in October. So. I'm sure you can kind of guess where i'm going with this...

I'll give you a second. Go ahead.

Did you guess something to do with jack-o'-lantern? Good. You're right.

I crocheted baby Jack a jack-o'-lantern shirt and a pumpkin hat! Are you dying? I'm dying. I can't wait to see them on him. I just hope they fit...

But wait! There's more! Since i also sometimes call him Bowtie, and they live in Texas, and it's always hot there, i crocheted him a cotton shirt and booties and knit a hat and mittens. And the bow tie. So dapper.

Again, i am just crossing my fingers and praying all of these things fit him.

The mom with the booties.

I made the booties at a softball game. That's just how i do!

So. That's what i've made for Jack/Bowtie so far.


P.S. Here is a picture of my sister and me at the farmers market with Poopy and WeeWee. Please note that i am knitting. I am knitting Jack's mittens. Right in front of her. HA! LOKI'D! Not really. I just... really wanted to say that.

Jack's Baby Palace

My sister-in-law had some acupuncture done a couple weeks ago, and the acupuncturist (really have no idea if that is a real word) kept talking about chi and turning her uterus into a baby palace.

And i will never think of a womb the same way again.

My sister, Mindy -- the pregnant one, came home to visit this weekend. She could not have chosen a better weekend. It was gorgeous. As we drove home from church on Sunday, i just sat there soaking in all of those beautiful spring colors that can only happen in nature. Beautiful blue sky. Bright green grass. White buds on the trees. Bright pink, yellow, and purple all over the ground. It was amazing.

Two weeks ago, i babysat both WeeWee and Poopy. Which, in small increments, is fine. But all day everyday for a week is a bit overwhelming with two highly-energized little balls of fury.

I honestly do not know how my mom handled six children.

To keep the little girls busy -- in a productive sort of way, i let them paint a maternity shirt for Mindy. They each took one side and painted and painted and painted.

This is WeeWee's side.

WeeWee is a little more abstract than her older sister. She just doodled a whole lot. I helped her draw the heart. The green dots reminded me of Hawaii. And as soon as i pointed that out, Poopy needed to add Hawaii to her side.

And Poopy's side.

Kaiya's drawing skills are a little more refined. The people, from right to left, are: Mindy, baby Dunkaroo, Justin with a mohawk, Dunkaroo when he/she is 4, and Dunkaroo when he/she is 5. Above that, she wrote "I <3 Mindy" and drew Hawaii.

Their shirt is in a league all its own. The shirt i painted for Mindy comes nowhere close.

Look at that sweet Nitro font.

Aww... Aren't pregnant girls adorable?

Since i call the baby jack, i kind of wanted to write, "hi! my name is Jack" on the shirt, but i'm pretty sure Mindy prefers Dunkaroo Big Bird Nitro.

Whatever.

That's okay, though, because it was an excuse to find a super sweet Nitro font.

Because i'm obsessed with knitting two-toners, i made one for Jack. I was going to wait until whenever the baby shower is, but then we were in the car on the way to the airport, and i just threw it at Mindy. Who wraps gifts anymore? Just throw them at people.

And a couple hours later, i got a haircut. Is there a better feeling than getting a haircut? I'm not sure.