First Planting

Whilst lying in bed Sunday morning, I was starting to be a bit more positive. HobbitKeeper announced that he and Nogs were going for a walk around the block. I decided to get out of my pit and to go with them. So we went for a walk round the block at 8am. It was a lovely morning and very few people were out. I'd not got half way and was sounding like an old puffing billy, but carried on. I have now developed the Mum-To-Be gait, sort of wobbling side to side with each step, you'll know exactly what I mean!

By the time we got back, I was very pleased that I'd had the walk and kinda felt better for it. After that I helped HobbitKeeper in the garden doing some fo the first seed planting of the season. I was hoping still that the fresh air would help me feel better - I am trying to make a concerted effort to feel better. I'm fed up with being off the hooks. It's not all doom and gloom. I am starting to feel better but an seriously lacking in energy and voice!

The first lot of seeds we planted was All Year Round Lettuce, mainly for the Chooks. They love em and lettuce doesnt last long with them!
We then planted some garlic. This is the first time we have grown garlic. HobbitKeeper eats that much garlic that he could never ever be a vampire!! This Is HK planting the garlic, overlooked by a meerkat......

The rhubarb patch. Not a sign of a shoot yet, but I don't think it will be long. HK has put straw on the bed. Last year we planted two new plants which did very well. The other plant is a very old one, that was transplanted from the old garden in Chesterfield.

I couldn't talk about spending time in the garden without including a picture of Rhinog! Looking as handsome as ever!

Me, planting the remainder of the garlic. In a very lady-like stance, but believe me, it was the most comfortable for the short time I was planting! I was thankful for HK and the silver birch tree to help me back up again. I'm looking forward to seeing how the garlic goes on.

This is going to be an extra special year in the garden - I will be growing and blooming along with everything else! Very Exciting, can't wait!

As for my energy levels....... Once I got in from the garden, I was shattered, proper shattered. I flopped on the sofa, had a rest for a while and felt a bit better. By 1.30 I had to wave the white flag and go to bed for a nap, for an hour or so. Never mind. Getting there. 19 Weeks today!

Two Knits for Little Spud

This is the first garment I have done for LS. It's a hooded wasitcoat. I did it in Sirdar Tiny Tots, DK. It was quite nice to do, lots of picking up stitches. Doesn't photo well at all cos it's black! I need to put buttons and loops on when I know which side to put them on. The Christmas Pram Blankie. The lump under it is the cushion, no worries there. It was done in Katia Astrakan, purchased at Yarn Gathering, Stone. I need to get some pretty christmas buttons to put where the colour change is.

It is noteworthy to do regular stitch counts, due to the nature of the yarn. I'm sure I cast off less stitches than what I cast on, but I'm turning a blind eye to that, as once it's in situ and being used, it might not be that noticeable...... it's only one or two stitches, nothing too noticeable......

A Home Made Bear

Knitted Toys are fairly new to me, I have room for improvement. But this Bear, it has Bear Magic to me. The stitching together is, well, the biggest area that could've done better, closely followed by the amount of stuffing I used. The poor thing looks like he hasn't had a decent meal for a few days!

All that being said, he does have a certain charm! The pattern is from Debbie Bliss 'Simply Baby'. I started it just over 2 years ago, for a freinds baby, that hadn't then been born. This baby now has a younger sister. So as part of me trying to complete some of my WIP's/UFO's, Teddy Bear was finished. He nearly was before. All I had to do was sew on his arms, nose and eyes. But I didn't like the way I'd sewn his legs on. So he sat on the shelf till a week ago.

I took one leg off and restitched it on, but it didn't seem to make a drastic difference, so I left the other one. After I realised that as much as I tried the arms were wonky. I did make a bigger effort to get the eyes to match. I wanted sewn eyes rather than button eyes.

Now the knock-kneed, pidgeon toed, wonky shouldered, needs feeding and magically charming Bear, is all ready to be given to Our Little Spud!

18 Weeks and I can't say a word!

18 weeks and all is well with Little Spud. We have chosen names (to be disclosed later!) just one girls name, one boys name. I've started to feel LS moving, flutterings or quickenings. Amazing! I was quite stunned the first few times. I tried to explain to HobbitKeeper the weird sensations that I was feeling. I can't wait for him to feel Baby kick and wriggle!

Sickness is starting to abate. I can't drive without munching on Trebor Extra Strong Mints! They really settle my tum down.

I am starting to feel a bit better in myself, but, and this is a big but......a week last Saturday, I came home from work with a bit of a sore throat, didn't think anymore of it, just put it down to one of those things. However, it didn't go away with me not thinking about it. By end of play Tuesday, I was down to a hoarse whisper, my voice had gone. Wednesday I'd already taken as Annual Leave so I could go to Knitterati. Wednesday was spent in bed. Thursday and Friday I struggled into work, barely able to whisper and feeling like the proverbial bag of spanners. Saturday and Sunday saw me doing not a lot, apart from go down hill further.

Monday was a day off. I spent 25 minutes constantly trying to get through to the GP surgery, and managed to get an emergency appointment at 5.50 that evening. My throat feels awful. Swallowing is very painful, with lots of thick 'crud' knocking about (the less said about that the better!) Even when drinking I have a slight reflux. So now, I'm on day 2 of anti-biotics, and trying to believe that things are getting better. The anti-biotic is the most safest for Baby. I did have a choice whether to start the anti-biotic, my rationale was that I had been badly for over a week and things were still getting worse.

So lots of rest for me and LS. Attempting to talk is a no-no. Must keep LS safe as possible. Infected Laryngitis, anyone want it? I've got plenty to go around!!

16 Weeks - Starting To Feel Better!

I'm starting to feel a bit better with the pregnancy, thankfully! The queeziness is about gone, although I wretch a bit some mornings. I haven't been sick for over a week now, come close a couple of times! I'm feeling brighter in myself and the really low moods are starting to be a thing of the past as well. These do seem to be linked with how I'm feeling physically, most of the time and generally in the morning. So overall, things appear to be on the up!

I'm 16 weeks at the moment and seeing the Mid-wife tomorrow for the routine 16 week check-up. Then next is the 20 week scan, which will actually be at 21 weeks, as HobbitKeeper couldn't get time off work that week. Fingers crossed that Little Spud will be co-operative and show us it's 'bits' so he/she can be sexed.

I've had the new car nearly two weeks now. It seems like a tank to drive compared with the 206. I'm getting used to it. It has a bit more oooomph under the bonnet as well. I feel a lot safer driving it. I'll take some pix when it's a bit better weather.

I've very nearly finished Little Spud's first garment - a hooded waistcoat jacket. All I need do is sew up one side and finish attaching the hood. The buttons and loops will have to wait till we know the sex of baby so they can be put on the correct side. I'm also about 1/3 way through a Christmas Pram Blankie. I have a plethora of things to do next for LS, just need to decide!

Loopy Bag and Noro Hat

I have finally finished my Loopy Bag! I had finished knitting it over a month ago, then had to find buttons, and then do the dreaded sewing up! But all is done - one finished bag ready for it's maiden voyage! I may use it this afternoon, perhaps, it needs a test run! The pattern is a freebie from Let's Knit Magazine a month or two ago. It's done in Sirdar Big Softie, using just under two balls if memory serves me correctly! It is the first time I have done a loopy stitch. It is a stitch much easier to do rather than read. When I read how to do the stitch, I thought 'Naaaaaah, that sounds too complicated!' I perservered and got it right second time round. So I was pleased, new stitch under my belt and a new bag to boot!

In the back end of last year, I went on a trip to Fibre & Clay in Knutsford. Whilst there, I fell for this hat they had on display. So I duly bought two balls of Noro Kureyon, went home and found the pattern free online - look on Ravelry for 'Noro Hat, or got to Saartjeknits.nl. It's a lovely hat to knit!

I've re-named it the Noro Caterpillar hat. It is being modelled by The Butler, an all year round reminder in our back room, that the spirit of Halloween can last all year!

Off My Feet (No pictures for this one!!)

Since the early hours on Friday I've been off my feet, good and proper with the ol' 'Can'tmovefarfromthelooplusI'mtooshatteredtoo!' syndrome. Not pleasant, let me tell you! I haven't spent so much time in bed for I don't know how long. That long in fact that my hips hurt from lying on them. I'm drinking but haven't eaten a full meal since Thursday teatime (which left me untimely, upwards,ahem!)

Today I'm up and about, albeit on very slow motion, watching out for dizzy spells. Although I'm getting thirsty and drinking more, my appetite has not really started returning. Yesterday I managed to eat some toast and mashed tattie. I'm aiming for more today! Not quite fit for work till I've eaten and duly processed properly!

I've not even been able to knit...........