Maternity Leave To-Do List

Things to do before the baby arrives.

1. Install car seat. DONE Also drive around with Dottie in the car so she can get used to it. DONE and it was hilarious
2. Build pack and play. Baby should *probably* have a place to sleep when she comes home.
3. Wash baby clothes. DONE
4. Finish packing hospital bag. DONE
5. Take Dottie to the vet to get her vaccines updated and her nails clipped. DONE
6. Get nursery furniture arranged and decorate.
7. Buy more dog food for Dottie. DONE Make a little overnight bag for her in case she needs it.
8. Figure out disability paperwork and get it turned in.  (Hmmm....maybe this should be #1) DONE
9. Sleep. OH YEAH
10. Knit before my hands and brain are turned to mush by a newborn. WIP

Anything else someone recommends?

Oh, just remembered...get a haircut DONE and pedicure DONE.

I'm sick of Maternity Clothes

Baby is due in about one month, and all I can think about is wearing sundresses again. Dresses like this.

I officially miss my waist.

I want to wear pretty dresses that are not made of stretch fabric. Ones that do not have an empire waist. I want to wear a full skirt with heels and maybe a little button down blouse.

I want to buy new shoes without the fear of sudden swelling in my feet. (The swelling hasn't happened but I'm on a vigilant watch for it.)

But mostly I want to have my waist back so I can make myself some pretty new breast feeding friendly clothes. Because the more I think about my pre-pregnancy wardrobe, the more I realize everything is missing some all important assess to my boobage. But I don't dare assume my post-pregnancy size will be the same as my pre-pregnancy size.

How about this one...good for breast feeding and going back to work?

How long does it take to regain some sort of waist again? My heart says 'It only takes like a couple of weeks right?' But my head says 'Be ready for a long and arduous journey you crazy nut.'

No electricity for us.

With winds gusting up to 100 mph in Pasadena, we're lucky we only lost electricty.

Here's our yard.

Side yard.

The alley way was blocked too.

I tried to walk Dottie, but to the right there was more debris blocking everything. To the left there was a downed tree with power lines wrapped around it.

Last night as I finished watching Top Chef the lights started flickering. When I went outside I found one of the power lines sending blue and green sparks flying. Moments later the fire dept. showed up to cut the power and block off the alley.

My biggest fear was that the neighbor's tree would come down onto our house. Its a huge pine tree that should be taken out, but since that would cost several thousand dollars, they just leave it there.

I think its safe to say we couldn't get much sleep last night. I was convinced the tree would come through our roof or a branch would come crashing through our front window. Dottie would run to investigate and either get hurt or jump out the window and get lost.

But thankfully we made it through the night with no damage to our house so far. There are lots on people less lucky, like this house near the coffee shop.

The city of Pasadena has declared a state of emergency and cancelled school today.

The winds are expected to last through tomorrow, so hopefully we will make it through okay.

Waiting for John

Yesterday Dottie and I waited in anticipation for John's return...from soccer.

BBQ started
Wine poured
Knitting project
Dottie anxiously waiting at my feet

Crazy Day!

Today has been crazy at work.

First.. the CEO of Starbucks was here (through an outside rental). We served everyone at the event Peets coffee. I find this highly amusing.

Its also the day of the school's gala. Outside my office there has been a constant stream of craziness. General hallways are now filled with formal dining tables for the dinner. Employees are about to loose their minds. 'The Tap floor isn't set up yet!' 'We need more practice rooms' 'Lunch...what's lunch?'

I'm just trying to stay in my own little corner and carry on.

I did steal away a little sunshine too. It was way quieter on the plaza than in my office.

And tonight Birthday dinner with Kristin. Yes!

Missing: Yarn Shipment

MISSING!

5 skeins Madelinetosh Yarn, Color - Tannenbaum

Last seen by USPS on Friday, March 4th at 11:02am

If you have any information regarding their whereabouts, please comment

Fortunately the company is sending me a replacement shipment, but I wish I had this yarn today. Doesn't it scream St. Patrick's Day?

Ah St. Patrick's Day. Everyone in my office is a little loopy. I caught my boss trying to juggle stress balls. Its just one of those days...

Keeping Sane in the Workplace

My office...its in the basement. I work in a windowless room with two other ladies. I like my coworkers very much, but that basement...it gets to me sometimes.

So, how do I beat the blues.

Always take a lunch break and if possible go outside. Here's a little sun-dappled knitting project on a bench near work. Today it was in the 80s and really nice to feel sunshine. Even if its too cold to go outside I find a place to eat near windows. Windows!

Find a quiet place to recharge. Recognize this park? It was featured heavily in the movie '500 days of Summer'. It also happens to be about a block from my job. Sunshine, a light breeze, and a chance to appreciate the local architecture. Add a sandwich and I'm all set.

When all else fails...pretend you're in elementary school and its snack time.

Urgh! Frustration

Update:

Friday my boss let us leave early. No waiting for the train. Both were perfectly timed. And John happened to make it home from work in perfect time to pick me up from the station. Much better!

                                                                                                                                                     

If you stop by my office at 5pm and say 'Oh good, I caught you.' I'm going to look at you like this. Because I'm logged off, I have my coat on, and my purse in hand. Clearly I'm off the clock.

Karma, why did you have to follow up with a crappy Metro ride? Why?

Ladies with small children, why did you drag your children into the danger zone as the train pulled up? They almost got smacked in the head.

Handicapped guy, why did you block the entrance to the train so no one could quickly get on the train and thus lost their chance to get seats? Also, why did you blast music from your phone the whole ride? I'll grant you 'I'm your puppet' is a classic, but your other selections were not so good.

Metro, why do you not have a space on your Gold line trains for people to store bikes, strollers, luggage, and for the wheel chair bound to park? You have such spaces on your other trains.

Why did the train smell like fart?

Lady with the giant suitcase, why did you drag your suitcase throughout the train? Seriously, it was giant.

Lady with the giant jogging stroller, just why? I wouldn't think a giant jogging stroller would be the best choice for riding public transportation.

Wednesday you gave me such a wonderful ride. Did I have to pay for it with my pain and discomfort?

End rant.

A New Year.

I've been thinking a lot about my blog...should I continue? I wasn't sure if anyone actually read it, but I think I'd like to continue...so here goes.

Its been a crazy few weeks since I last posted.

I finished my husband's Christmas sweater, knit 4 hats in a week, finished my sister's awesome shark mittens, accepted my first commissioned sewing project in a long time, started a sweater for myself, then a skirt for myself, etc.

(Kathryn and the sharks)

We traveled to Colorado for Christmas and it was sooooooo wonderful. It was my first Christmas away from my family, but it didn't feel awkward at all. I'm luck my in-laws are good people. My mom and sister were not pleased. I think Kathryn cried. But its all part of growing up, and they understand.

The new year has started out well for us. A little work for John is a good thing. Dottie finally settled in with other dogs and now enjoys romps at the dog park. She LOVES the dog park. We love it too because 15-20 minutes of romping equals peace and quiet for most of the afternoon.

Now if only I could conquer this cold I picked up. John got it too, but since he wasn't working while trying to heal, I think his was a little quicker. Work for me has been so busy I haven't enjoyed much rest. I did enjoy Colin Firth!!!! Inside the Actors Studio was filmed in the theater right across the hall from my office. My super awesome boss let me attend the taping and invite my mom and aunt along. He really handsome in person and gave way more detailed answers than I anticipated.

My point is...I'm back. I've been knitting up a storm, so I have lots to share. I also have been baking and sewing too.

Tired.

Ever need a weekend to recuperate from your weekend? I do! I do!

Saturday was fine. Museum tours and lots of knitting. John was working so I splurged and had Kraft mac and cheese for dinner.

But, you see the problem with John working is the late hours involved. He works a 20 hours day and arrived home at 4:30am. I tried to sleep, but knowing he was navigating the freeways after such a long day makes me worried. Sometimes I think its easier for him to be out of town. Then Dottie and I can get in a rhythm.

Sunday morning Dottie awoke at 7am, or was it 6:30? I'm not sure, but I do know I only got about 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Sunday afternoon was Dottie's very first dog pawty! My co-worker's dog turned 3 so she had a few people and puppies over to celebrate. I was really proud of Dottie! She was friendly to all the dogs. Only one dog didn't like Dottie and our little one just didn't know to leave that dog alone. Big steps for Dottie who was a little shy of other dogs when we first got her. Yay!

So even though this weekend wasn't overly busy, the lack of decent sleep Saturday night has left me a little frazzled today. Here's hoping ballet class with my beloved teacher Ina will get me back on track.

P.S. Couch to 5k totally failed this weekend. Could barely keep my eyes open so I postponed until maybe tomorrow to start. Maybe next weekend. I'm not sure yet, but I do know that I need to get my butt in gear and fast.

This weekend

It was good, then bad, then good, then bad again. Sigh...I think I need a nap.

Good...my cousin Bethany and her husband Brian came up for Saturday night. They treated us to en evening at the Magic Castle. Very fun! Its such an interesting place. Our dinner was just okay, but the shows were amazing.

Bad...came home to find Dottie was sick. She must have eaten something that disagreed with her. So after an evening of fun and booze John and I were up most of the night tending to a sick dog. I really think Dottie a good precursor to kids.

Good...cleaning the house. It needed it and we managed to clean almost everything before our guests arrived.

Bad...the migraine caused by lack of sleep.

Good...after sleeping for a few (dozen) hours Dottie is back to normal. Yay!

It's Disco!

This morning I hurt my toe. Tear.

With my husband out of town it was up to me to take the trash out. But I was in kind of a hurry. And, well, I dropped the trash can on my toe. It hurt. I scared Dottie. Then I gave Dottie a pet on the head and she felt better. I did not. My toe has a dent in it now. But I think it will be fine. No amputation needed, just a night off from ballet.

But…I still need to exercise right? Of course I do. I can’t put on a pair of pointe shoes, but I can put on some socks in my living room. Enter….

Disco Abs!!!

(Photo from Does-The-Product-Work.com) 

Seriously my favorite exercise video I own. Maybe not as good as the aerobic tapes my mom had in the 80s, but disco abs does have disco and a lack of thong leotards.

It also has Cheryl Burke from Dancing with the Stars. I find her approachable as a fitness instructor and not condescending like Jillian Michaels.

The production budget on this video must have been like $5 because the back-up people totally make mistakes and are kind of weird. But the exercises are fun and really get me jumping around. Hopefully Dottie won’t get in my way so I can really move.

The importance of Parasols

Because it's over 100 degrees outside today I'd like to take a moment to thank the person who created the first parasol. I don't know who you are, but I love you. It's my summer time saver of my skin. Someday I hope to receive one with that cool UV fabric so I'll be extra protected. Hint, hint.