Change, It's A Comin'

Someone once said the only thing that is constant is change. Oh how true that statement is! The challenge: to look for positives in change and to view change as an opportunity. I am still working on this one.

Baby Saltsman will be joining us 19 weeks or so - and he sure is growing! I say 'he' lightly, because we have decided to not find out the gender. This little bean pie weighs about 1 pound now... If only his weight would equal my weight gain all would be well with the world! After the ultrasound last week the doctor assures us he is very photogenic, posing for the ultrasound tech., and progressing right on schedule!

A Little Less Thinking and A Little More Knitting...

This week has been met with its own challenges. But, what's new, everyday presents a new set of challenges. I have been a bit distracted this week so my normal topic will not be addressed at this time. You understand.

I have been doing some knitting for the babe. Good. Mindless. Knitting. I have completed the Kanoko Pants - I love these wee, little pants and hope to make a few more! They're a pretty quick knit taking only a little over 200 yards of worsted weight yarn. I think next time I will use 100% wool so the pants can double as soakers. I am still on a mission to use cloth diapers - and people still laugh at me when I mention doing so!



I am onto the hood of this cutie, cutie Debbie Bliss baby jacket! I hope to finish the hood tonight and maybe the sleeves this weekend! At first I thought I would wait to add buttons until the gender of the baby is revealed, but I've since changed my mind and think I will go with some nice gender neutral buttons.



Today we have a doctor's appointment and a mid-cycle ultrasound! Yes, folks, we have officially passed the 20-week mark and I will now begin counting backwards to baby Saltsman's arrival! So much to do and so little time!

Have a great weekend!

"Congratulations, You're Pregnant!" Now What?

Being pregnant is interesting. I am a person that enjoys planning and I enjoy knowing what is going on. Knowledge is power... Lucky for me, once you are finally pregnant, there are websites, books, endless opinions of strangers and doctors to tell you what to eat, drink, when, how much, how long and every other detail in between. I know to avoid unpasteurized dairy products, what exercises I am not allowed to do and I even know, thanks to all of these resources, how much weight to gain based upon my pre-pregnancy weight. I mean these experts, or shall I say people, have it all figured out. A few things they have failed to mention (that's not entirely true, some make mention of these things...) is: Do I stay home or do I keep working? Will my kid turn out ok if it goes to daycare? Will I turn ok if my kid goes to daycare? If I were to take a hiatus from work, what will happen to my career? If we are having more than one kid, will I ever have a career again? Do I care about my career? I should have spoke outwardly about all of this before now, but I was afraid someone would see it. God forbid my boss scroll across this blog and know that her pregnant employee now had questions about life and work and how to make it work with babies...

Before I was pregnant, I kind of thought I had it all figured out. When I was younger, I thought for sure and without any shadow of a doubt, I was going to be a stay at home mom. When I did not have kids on my initially planned 'schedule', I had at that time started working. Working... I liked what I did and by golly there's nothing wrong with a kid that goes to daycare! After all, I was making a difference, I was valued at work, and I enjoy adult interaction. Far be it for me to give up my career just to have a family. I could have it all. A great career, fabulous husband, cute kids, etc. I would give up nothing in the quest for the perfect balance.

Fast forward 6-8 years... I went through a lay off last year and maybe stay at home parenting is not such a bad thing. I did, myself, have parents who stayed at home with me. My husbands mother stayed at home with him. My husband's parents are school teachers and they can tell who has had a stay at home parent and who has been to daycare. And my dads opinion, who rarely has an opinion, if you can stay home, you should.

One of the first big parenting decisions to make, and I feel ill equipped to make it. How am I supposed to take care of this kid if I cannot even identify the best place for him on a day to day basis? I guess my one 'thankful' moment in all of this confusion is that my husband supports either decision. And while before now, daycare was kind of like a dirty little word to him, he has come around to say, "whatever you decide is what we'll do". To him I say, "thanks, no pressure..."

Thanks for stopping by and come back next Friday to read more on this journey. Trust me, it's better than that Mediterranean cruise you've been dreaming of!

2011, Really?

I always remember people telling me that the older you get the more quickly time passes - I am really feeling the truth in that statement as we are almost halfway there to meeting Baby Saltsman!

I am almost finished with my first baby knit - Kanoko Pants pattern, free on Ravelry. Because we are not finding out the sex of the babe, I'll be focusing on gender neutral colors. I feel strongly about it being a boy, though, so you may see blue garments... If it turns out to be a girl I'll crochet some pink flowers to attach!

Happy New Year - and here's to making the most out of the next few months!