bad blogger!

Wow, it's been ages since I've posted! My little guy has kept me quite busy! As has his big sister. Thankfully I've been able to find a little time to start knitting again! First time was when I was in Buffalo for a visit- both kids were in bed, so I got to work on a sock. AND then there was Maryland Sheep and Wool! I was very naughty. I only bought things on my list, which included some roving, and enough yarn for 1 sweater (the Central Park Hoodie). I ended up getting some Brooks Farm Solana in a brick red colorway for my sweater. It cost me most of my budget, but I know it's going to be SO worth it, since it's working up amazingly. Here is a pic of the yarn which is really much darker in person, and I'll take some pics of my CPH in progress, in a few days.


All else is going ok. I started back at work last tuesday, which was rough. I hate not getting to spend so much time with my kids. But I need to work, so there you have it. And of course, Seth got sick on Sunday/Monday this week. He had a fever, which of course is not a good thing in a 12 week old. So, we went to the doc, who did a urine collection by catheter, and sent us for a blood culture and urine culture, and bloodwork, because in infants that young, fever can be dangerous. Thankfully it looks like it was just a virus, but it was still pretty freaky. He screamed during the urine collection (duh- you should have seen how much tubing went up his pe.ni.s!). And at the lab, they tried to draw the blood out of both arms before they gave up and sent us to the hospital to have it done. After a whole morning of waiting in waiting rooms (at the Dr. office, lab, and then hospital), we both passed out. Thankfully by last night, his fever was gone, and he was more himself today.

On another note, Secret Pal 12 is starting soon! Sign ups opened last week, and are open for another week. Sign up fast if you're interested!! We've made a few changes, so we're really excited for this round!!

Still no knitting!

I can't believe I've made it 7 weeks without knitting a stitch. Just amazing. I really need to get back to knitting- I miss it terribly! Maybe tomorrow I'll have enough energy to do it.

My current "project" is our main bathroom. It's really the "kids" bathroom, but the only one with a tub, so I use it sometimes too. Plus it's the only one on the main level of our house. We're basically tearing it apart and redoing the whole thing. I've ordered the tile, the vanity, and am working on finding the perfect new tub! The handyman starts on it in 2 weeks, and I can't WAIT! Basically every second not spent with Seth and Celia is spent researching tubs, faucets, etc. And any extra time on weekends is spent working on scraping wallpaper and paint off the walls. Let's just say there's one layer of wallpaper that was painted over, and then covered with a second layer of wallpaper. Talk about a bitch to get off! It's taking FOREVER, and we're doing some major damage to the wall. Lots of spackle will be needed before we can paint in there.

2 and a half more weeks til we head up to Buffalo for a week, which I'm excited about! Then we come back right before Maryland Sheep and Wool! Then that week Seth starts day care, and the following Tues I'm back at work. I can't believe how fast my maternity leave is flying by! I'd do anything not to have to go back to work...this is really going to be hard this time.

MSW

http://www.cloverhillyarn.blogspot.com/
Check it out!! A blog to get ready for Maryland Sheep and wool! Yeah! Just a few weeks left!!

My life

The last few weeks have been exhausting! I've hardly slept, or slept in 2-3 hour spurts. I have changed hundreds of diapers, and pumped ounces and ounces of milk. No time for knitting, since I'm still so foggy. Thankfully I'm feeling really good other than the exhaustion. The recovery from the surgery has been so much easier this time around.

I thought I'd post newer pictures of Seth, who has been the main focus of my attention lately. Hopefully I'll be able to get some more energy soon and get back to knitting!

Getting excited!

In all of the excitement from last week, I forgot to mention something else great! I finished the order for Robyn's Nest March Sock club!! With the holiday on Monday, I was taking it to the post office Tuesday...but well, that never happened because Seth decided to make his appearence! So, my darling husband took the big box over to the Post Office first thing Wednesday morning, and it's on it's way to Robyn's Nest right now! Can you tell I'm excited about this too?

Home sweet home

Well, it's been quite the week!! I had a feeling that once I stopped taking the Pro.cardia that the contractions would start up again pretty quickly, but I had no idea just how quickly! When we went to the hospital last Tuesday, the nurse taking care of me in Triage made it seem like they'd try to prolong labor a bit longer, and send me home. Imagine my surprise, when my OB walked in around 1, asking if I was ready to do this. Um yeah!! This kid wants out, who am I to stand in his way?! So the surgery went well, it was pretty quick, considering they did 2 things while in there (let's just say that after a round of IVF, having gestational diabetes twice, and dealing with preterm labor this time, I'm DONE!).

We're all adjusting pretty well to having a new baby in the house. I'm still really sore, and exhausted. But it's getting better as time goes on. Celia is doing beautifully! She's so excited to have a baby brother, every time she sees anyone new, she tells them all about how she has a new baby brother. Here's a pic of her and Seth. She really loves that we let her hold him by herself.


My inlaws were here from Thursday until early this morning, which was a big help. It was nice not to worry about where dinner was coming from. And to have extra hands to help with Celia and Seth. I got to take naps daily, and really take care of myself, which I think has really helped with the recovery. I went off the Per.cocet yesterday, and am only taking extra strength motrin now! Of course, I did have to finish a hat that I had started for Seth while in the hospital. It's interesting to knit when you have an IV in your wrist, but I got it done!

Greetings! Shelby and I would like you to help us welcome Seth Nathan Bidwell into the world. He was born on Tuesday the 19th of Febuary at 5:30 PM, weighing 6 pounds. If you'd like to see some pictures, please feel free to visit http://bidwellfamily.net/images/v/SethBorn/. I expect that I'll be adding a couple more pictures there in the next couple of days as well.

Nathan posting for Shelby

could be 3 days.

Well, I'm surprised here! I saw my OB yesterday, and he wants me to stop the Pro.cardia (which has been keeping the contractions calm-ish) on Monday. He wants me to wait until Monday, because if the contractions start up pretty quickly, they'll deliver the baby shortly after. So yikes! I'm a bit nervous, and excited. I have SO much to do before the baby comes! I have a feeling that this weekend will involve a lot of shopping, reskeining, and cleaning. At the very least, the meds are helping me to feel a LOT better, and not hurt nearly as much, so I have a feeling that next week will be pretty rough, regardless of whether I end up having the baby early or not. At least tomorrow will mark 36 weeks, so that's really good news!

organization rocks!

So I ended up going through the rest of my stash and got a lot of things organized. I have almost 2 large bins full of sock yarn. Do you think I have a problem?? Some of the colorways I had forgotten I had. I even found a I had put away that I picked back up again! But for now, here are a few pics of what I've got. Not many pics, and it only shows about 1/3 of my stash... I loved playing with my stash, and getting inspired by the yarn I have!

And the scary part- I entered everything into a spreadsheet (which will eventually go into Ravelry. And the total yardage I have, is over 66,000 yards. Holy crap!

nesting

Man am I nesting!! I am 35 weeks today, and have only 3 weeks and 2 full days before my C-section. I have SO much I want to get done, and can't do it all. Little things are driving me crazy. I went to grab something from my desk, and it's a mess! So I grabbed the 2 piles of patterns that have been sitting there for over a year (and falling off whenever I am looking for something that they're hiding), and FINALLY organized them in sheet protectors and binders. I am so proud of myself! This afternoon, while my husband is doing a few things around the house that need to get done (blinds, putting in a new cable jack), I'm going to relax with Celia, and maybe organize my stash. Right now there's no real system to how I have things. All weights are thrown in together. Since it's a low activity thing to do (at least less than scraping the bathroom wallpaper, which I really can't do right now but is driving me equally as crazy!), I'm going to go through and organize my stash a bit better. And actually take inventory of what I have. I'm usually really good at remembering things like that (and where they came from or if they were a gift, who they came from), but I found a skein the other day that I have NO idea where it came from. I'm sure I got it, but where did I buy it? That sort of thing drives me nutty.

So, hopefully I'll have some great pics to post tomorrow on my progress.

You make my day!

Kerry is awesome! Apparently, I'm on her list of people who make her day! I am so touched! I met Kerry when we started hostessing the Secret Pal exchanges, and have been friends ever since! She is such a talented knitter, and has inspired me in SO many ways! Thanks for the nod Kerry!

Here is my list of 10 people who make my day:
Fairy God Knitter
Jody
Saun
Chrissy
Bobbi
trek
Stacey
Sheri
Robin
Stephanie

You all rock! And inspire me in so many ways! There are so many more who do the same. I've met so many amazing knitters through the last few years of blogging. Thanks for all of your inspiration!!

Scheduled- take 2

My OB's office called this morning to work on details for my C-section/tubal ligation. Apparently when he looked at the calendar and picked a date, he didn't realize that he's at the other hospital all day that day! So, we're going with March 4th instead. At 2pm. I'm all scheduled, so let's hope that this is actually going to be the day. I'm curious to see how much it changes (which I completely expect it to). I'm guessing for the week earlier, once we see how my sugars are effecting everything. I'm being as good as possible, but sometimes it still doesn't matter.

some exciting news!

A few months back, I was asked to design a colorway for the March sock club over at Robyn's Nest!. With Robyn's ideas, I came up with something I absolutely love! And it's now available for preorder here!! Go check it out! It's going to be a fantastic kit, if I may say so myself!

Scheduled!

And, we've scheduled the C-section!! It's going to be Wednesday, March 5th at 9:30 in the morning. I'm SO excited!! Now let's just hope everything cooperates and I actually make it that far! I didn't with Celia (she was born at 38 weeks, and this date puts me at 38 weeks and 4 days). Thankfully I'll be having weekly sonograms to make sure all is well! And the best news- is that in the last 2 weeks, my cervix lengthened to 3.8 cm (from 3.0 cm)!! So this whole taking it easy/modified bedrest, whatever you want to call it seems to really be working with the medication well! Yeah!

update

I saw my OB this morning, and he told me to up my dose to 20mg with how I've been feeling. Now I have been doing this about half the time, so maybe it will help.

He also wanted me to move up my appointment with Dr H (my MFM) and his office called over and got me in TODAY at 10:30!! I guess you throw the words "possible preterm labor" around, and slots magically appear. Thank goodness. I'm curious to see what's going on in there. My fingers are crossed for a nice long, closed cervix.

And the good news- he said that next appointment in 2 weeks, we'll schedule my C-section/tubal at Shady Grove! He said it's so much closer for me, so why not? I loved that! Apparently the new rooms are really nice too- they just opened up a new wing. And this way, Dr. H can also be involved if necessary.

Then I saw my MFM, and waited what felt like forever! I got back, and they first checked my cervix, which is 3 cm, so nice and long. There is a channel of fluid around it though, which apparently is a sign that I've been having lots of contractions. Which I still am! She said to head home after the appointment (which I planned to do anyways), lay on my left side, and stay there for the rest of the week and through the entire weekend. That should give the increased medication enough time to really start working, and I should be much more comfortable. I asked her if I could still work from home this afternoon and tomorrow, and she was fine with that, as long as I'm laying down. And she was pleased that I'm working from home most of the time from now on. She said between that and the meds, I should be feeling much less discomfort. I can't wait for that to happen!! And if the meds don' thelp, to call my OB and switch to something else. But I'm almost 32 weeks, and she said that after 34 weeks, they usually don't do too much to prevent labor.

Ok for now

Yesterday I saw the OB who sent me to the hospital on Tuesday. I had seen her a few times during my last pregnancy, but not since then. I have to say I was really impressed! She really listened to what I was saying, my symptoms, and decided it would be a really good idea to put me on some medication to help stop the contractions. Or at least the background ones that don't seem to be doing anything, thus making me more comfortable. So now I'm on Pro.cardia every 6 hours. The dose depends on how I'm feeling. If it's a good day, I take one pill at a time, if I'm not feeling well, I can take 2 at a time. I will see my actual OB on Thursday to see how the medication is helping. She did talk about possibly pulling me out of work and keeping me on modified bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy. However she did say that for now, that decision is mine. If I want to keep working (which I do), I can. Just to listen to my body and if I need to take it easy, to make sure to do that. I also spoke with HR yesterday to see what my options are and what benefits will kick in when, if I do end up on bedrest. And I have to say I'm VERY lucky to work where I do. I need to speak with my supervisor next week to arrange a plan for how to proceed just in case. For now I'm glad to be able to keep working. We have some major deadlines that I'd feel awful abandoning. So this works out for the best.

Thanks for all of your well wishes! It really helps a lot!!

I'm ok

I ended up heading back to the hospital, but thankfully with the same drug, everything stopped. The baby is fine, and thankfully I'm off bedrest. They told me regular activity was fine this time. Not sure why, but I'll take it! I see someone from my OBs office tomorrow, and will find out what to do from here.

Bedrest

I haven't had a fun week at all! Tuesday at work in the morning, I was getting a little crampy here and there. By 1 or so, it started being more persistent. I talked to a few other women in my office who are due a few weeks after me, and they calmed me down. But then it started getting a bit worse. So I called my OBs office, and they wanted me to come in. After they checked a few things, they decided to send me on over to the hospital to have me checked out. They were pretty sure I was contracting, but everything else appeared good. No dilation or anything.

So, I went to the hospital and got hooked up. Apparently I was contracting every 2 minutes, but they weren't actually productive contractions. They thought I might be dehydrated, so they hooked me up to an IV. After that didn't help, they did an injection of Ter.butaline, which slowed down the contractions. A second shot stopped them. It was annoying to be stuck in the hospital by myself (without any knitting!!) for 5 hours. Thankfully once they stopped, I was sent home pretty quickly with instructions to stay on bedrest until I go back to my OBs office on Friday. So yesterday I was home, laying down all day, and had about 8 contractions. Today, It's just past noon, and things were going well until about 11. I am not up to the worry point yet, (6 in an hour), but it's definitely a little annoying. Hopefully they'll stop soon, and I won't have to worry about it.

I've definitely been tired. And have had a headache since yesterday morning, which makes doing anyhting productive difficult. But I'm trying! I just wonder why I'm contracting?! I'm definitely NOT dehydrated today, since I've been drinking water like a mad woman. We'll see.

Happy Holidays!

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already! This year has just flown by way too fast!!

Celia had a fantastic Christmas, was completely spoiled (but not too much!), and had a blast! She got a bike from Santa, and a scooter from her uncle Dave and aunt Heather (my bro and sil), both of which she LOVES!! She got on the scooter pretty much right away, and played outside for quite a while. One of the major perks of living in MD is that it was about 45 degrees outside and sunny. Great weather for Xmas! I did miss the snow a little, but I can get over that pretty quickly.

Santa brought me a few great things! A speaker system to plug my ipod in so I can listen to it anywhere, some Fleece Artist seawool from The Loopy Ewe (I got a $25 frequent shopper gc so I picked something out and when it arrived I had Nathan put it under the tree for me), AND some of the Harmony tips for my Knitpicks Options set. And 2 more sets of dpns for sock knitting. My inlaws also got us a gift certificate to the Melting Pot- YUMMY!!! We're hoping to use it before the baby comes!

So far the pregnancy is going well. I definitely have gestational diabetes again (though we knew that at week 10), so I"m having fun trying to come up with new ways to eat eggs for breakfast. I'm only allowed to have protein in the morning. NO carbs. Blech. My next try will be a sausage and cheese quiche that is crustless. Maybe tomorrow? I'm enjoying this week. While I do have to work (I only have 40 hours of vacation time saved up and kind of need that for maternity leave), I'm able to do so from the comfort of my couch. I'm doing some writing this week which I can do much better at home anyways, so talk about perfect timing. Plus my whole team took the week (or most of the week) off, so I'd be pretty lonely if I went in. So I get to be comfortable, in my PJs all day, and have my feet up. AND my daughter is at school and husband is at work. I have the whole house to myself!! And right now, my cleaning ladies are here doing their thing. So the house will be clean, and I didn't have to lift a finger. Talk about heaven!

Knitting hasn't been happening much lately. My attention span is absolutely shot, and I'm exhausted! I've been plugging away bit by bit on my Hogwarts swap 2 pals's socks (I haven't forgotten about you!!), and I'm about 3/4 of the way down the cuff, so I'm hoping to start the heel in the next day or two. I'm averaging about 10 rows a day before my hands get tired. I'm just glad I got the first sock done and I'm on to the second! I really am loving the way they're coming out though. My daughter wants me to make her a hat/gloves/scarf too. I started the hat, but have only gotten the ribbing done. When we had snow a few weeks ago she bundled up in my hat, scarf, and her baby gloves, so I gave up and bought her a set at the Children's Place. Just easier, and faster. And I want to get the socks for my pal done before I touch anything else. I initially had a goal to make 2 pairs of socks for myself for the hospital, but that's SO not going to happen. I'll just wear ones I've already knit instead. Unless I get a burst of energy, which I doubt will happen, since I've only got about 10 weeks to go!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! And that you all have a Happy New Year!!

thanks!

Thanks for all of the comments! We're all so excited to be having a healthy baby boy!

Our Thanksgiving was lovely, and it was really good to spend some time in Buffalo. The more I'm there, the more I want to move there. At least we made some steps towards making that happen!

Other things are going pretty well. Except for the last 2 days. I've had a stomach bug which really hasn't been any fun at all. We've also had a bit of snow, which has been nice. About 3 inches today! I slept a lot, ate a little, and relaxed. Got a little work done, but mostly took it easy. Thankfully I'm feeling better tonight.