Easter Weekend Celebration

Most people celebrate Easter on Sunday, and only Sunday. However, with having two different halves of the family to celebrate with, we make it a weekend. We started out on Saturday heading to my mother-in-laws. She made the traditional Easter dinner with Ham and all the trimmings for us, my brother-in-law, and grandma. She got the kids a few treats and toys to celebrate the day. She got Nolan a new puzzle, Ryenn a new baby doll, and coloring books for the two of them.

We celebrated the Easter bunny visiting on Sunday morning. The Easter bunny is a fantastic giver every year to our kids. He spoils them too much!

FO Ryenn's Easter Dress

I decided a while ago that I wanted to make Ryenn's dress for Easter like last year. This time, however, I wanted it to be a little more formal. I picked up the fabric about two weeks ago and couldn't find a pattern I was in love with.

I have made numerous of Ryenn's dresses previously without patterns, but decided that I don't really have the thinking capacity right now to create something on my own. I instead searched the internet for patterns for dresses.

Happy Early Birthday Beebs!

Adam and I have been wanting to get the kids a play set since last summer. We just couldn't find one that seemed like a good fit for toddlers and that seemed like a good quality. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that Ryenn was still too little to really climb last year so almost all of them seemed a waste of money.

Most and Least Favorite Thing about Parenthood

What’s my most and least favorite thing about parenthood? So many things ran through my head as I was trying to pinpoint the things I love most and least about parenthood. I knew that this was going to be apart of the 30 things my kids should know about me list before I ever even read it in its entirety. Let's start with the negative.

My least favorite thing about parenthood would have to be dealing with babysitting/daycare. I am very picky about who I leave my kids with and am dreading the day I ever have to find a daycare for my kids. While I know that there are numerous daycares that are great with kids, I worry about leaving them with someone other than me. I have chosen to be a stay-at-home mom for numerous reasons, but one of them was daycare. I don't like to go out much because of the simple fact that I would be home with them than have someone else watch them. I could never forgive myself if something happened to any of my kids while under someone else's watch. I would always think that if I were there, that something never would have happened.

16 week (and 5 Day) Update

I haven't updated on the baby's progress in a while, which I apologize for. We are getting closer and closer to being able to find out what this little baby is! I am beyond excited! I am guessing that it's going to be a girl. I am mostly basing this off the fact that I want a boy. It has happened that whatever I want gender wise, I get the opposite. Girls are much more difficult than boys. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I wish Ryenn was a boy or that I can't handle her. I just don't think I could handle two attitudes like Ryenn's. She is a DIVA! Anyway, this Saturday we are 17 weeks along. That means a 3 measly weeks until we know what this little nugget is!

Most Embarrassing Moment

I didn't have an embarrassing moment to share for the 30 things my kids should know about me, until now. I was wondering just what I would write about because anything embarrassing that has happened to me was simple and has happened to everyone. This moment happened just the other day. I didn't even share it with my husband because I was so embarrassed. Nonetheless, I will share it here.

The World has this Wrong

I was confused with how to answer this question. Do I get spiritual? Does it have to be something including me? Is it something I have wrong as well? I was wondering how I would answer what popular notion that I think the world has most wrong for the 30 things my kids should know about me. Seeing as this list is about me, I decided that it must be something that I am included in. Recently I got into a heated argument over Twitter with what I feel was the most ignorant woman in the world. I know that this may sound harsh or rude, but she just didn't get it. It was on the topic of stay-at-home moms (SAHM).

FO Floral Blanket

While I was planning to have this floral blanket done by late January, I couldn't send off a product I wasn't happy with. The pattern called for the baby blanket size to be a lot smaller than I was happy with. Instead, I ended up added 11 inches in order to be happy with the size.

I loved working with all of the colors and had a lot of fun matching the right shades together. I really had a difficult time mailing this out last week, seeing as I didn't want to give it up. I am sure my little princess will have one very soon!

3 Childhood Memories

I am again struggling with another item from the 30 things my kids should know about me list. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood. I feel that there are not very many significant memories from my childhood, but I will come up with something.

 

WIP Holla Knits Test Knit

Although my time is somewhat limited lately, I always make time to help Allyson out with her new patterns. She has helped me so often with clients and questions and I feel this is my way of making it up to her (while getting amazing yarn to knit and amazing design). The Holla Knits 2nd Spring Collection is coming soon and I am anxious to see all of the beautiful pieces and designs. I am currently working on one of Allyson's designs for this collection.

One of the best things about testing knitting for Allyson? I get beautiful hand dyed yarn for FREE (my reward for helping). I have received some of the most beautiful yarns when knitting these projects for her.

Our 3rd Wedding Anniversary (How I KNEW He was THE ONE)

I always thought that my mom was lying when she said she couldn't really remember her life before she and Ray got married. I thought there is no way possible you just forget those things. Yet here I sit, not being able to remember a time before I met this man I sit next to as we speak. I feel like he has always been in my life, has always been my husband. I felt like today, being our 3rd wedding anniversary and all, was a perfect time to write about how I knew Adam was the one for the 30 things my kids should know about me list.

We met when I started working at Advantage Health. We had talked a bit before actually going out on our first date. For me, the timing wasn't that great but I thought what the Hell. At that time he was working two jobs, security at Saint Mary's (Advantage Health is a doctors office located inside one of Saint Mary's Emergency Room locations) and supervisor at the Advance Newspaper. When we started officially dating, getting time together was somewhat difficult. He and I worked so much and had other commitments to tend to. Nonetheless we made it work.

5 Strengths and Weaknesses

While I am trying to be honest, I wanted to avoid this item on the 30 things my kids should know about me list. Describe 5 strengths and weaknesses you have. I know that I have weaknesses but I like to either think of them as things I am working on or not at all. However, after reading Courtney Palmer's blog yesterday, I decided to tackle this question/task. Seeing as I want to end on a positive note, I will start with my weaknesses.

WEAKNESSES

1. My self confidence. I can honestly say that in the past four years of my life, this has improved. However, I still feel that it is lacking. I went from one abusive situation to another and used to believe my self worth to be next to nothing. I was told that school was a waste of my time, that dreaming of signing on a big stage was a waste of time, and that I wasn't good enough. I was constantly torn down with any little bit of success I saw. I was an emotional eater due to being cheated on, lied to, and abused. I felt alone no matter what I was doing. I finally read one of the most amazing books (It's Called a Break-up because it's Broken) and got in a relationship with one of the most amazing men I knew. This book taught me how to move on in 30 days (or less, I think it was more like 15) from the train wreck of a life I was trying to preserve. The person I saw in the mirror was finally becoming who I wanted it to be. I am still working on it, but I have made huge strides in the past few years.

Georgia Peach Review and Pattern Giveaway

 

Welcome Sweatshop of Love readers!! The Georgia Peach is one of the most amazing knitted sweaters I have ever seen for a man. I have searched high and low for a pattern for a sweater that my husband would actually wear if I were to knit one for him. There wasn't a single one that he said he thought looked cool.

When I knit this sweater, he was the model for the finished product. He looked great in it and he actually said he would want one! I was shocked. This pattern was amazing to knit, but what's even more amazing is that my macho man husband likes it too. I knit this sweater using Knit Picks Swish bulky weight in  Planetarium and Red. It was such gorgeous yarn to work with (but then again, what Knit Picks yarn isn' amazing). I also knit this before Allyson had a chance to create the duplicate stitch templates for the teams, which she added later for me

The construction if this sweater was really well thought out. Allyson thought of every design aspect while creating this pattern. The collar was the funnest part for me. At first I was confused with the construction and why I was being directed to do certain things. At this point I didn't have Allyson's pictures to guide me. Once I saw her pictures, it made more sense. Then once I was finished it completely made sense. Seeing as this sweater followed the vintage look from baseball past, you will see some of the inside of the sweater when the collar was opened. Being the professional she is, Allyson thought of this. It made sense to make this portion look as good as the outside. And that it did!

FO Pocahontas Dress

My sister, Kelli, is a brave soul. She was a part of the Polar Plunge again this year. Her work, Buffalo Wild Wings, dresses in a theme every year. This year they went as Disney Princesses and won best costume! The best part? I get to say that I helped make that possible!

Pocahontas jumping into Reed's Lake

What I love most about Adam.....

In the 30 things my kids should know about me list, I was excited to write about my favorite quality in my husband. Because there are so many things I love about him, it was hard to decide what I love most. He is funny, caring, determined, and loving. I think the thing I love the most about him is his sense of humor.

12 week (and 6 day) Update!

You read that right. After the first doctor's appointment and ultrasound today, our baby has been accurately measured to be 12 weeks and 6 days old today! That moves our due date to August 31st. Knowing me, however, it will be closer to mid August. So I will technically I will be 13 weeks along tomorrow (or today for most of you reading).

FO L and K

Kali and Lily celebrated their birthdays (11 and 7) this past January. We all celebrated as a family on the 3rd of February. For their birthdays, instead of toys, my sister completely redid their rooms exactly how they wanted them (their choice as this for their gift). I knew that I wanted to create something for their rooms.

My Typical Day

My typical day. I wish there was a typical day for me. My days are always different. However, for the sake of the 30 things my kids should know about me list, I will try to describe what I do everyday (because we all know stay at home moms just sit around on Pinterest and watching TV).

WIP Floral Baby Blanket

I have fallen behind on this floral blanket. The good thing is that my friend who ordered this blanket is having a boy so will be packing this away for a while. Nonetheless, I wanted to get this blanket done about 3 weeks ago. The leech that is draining my energy has prevented this.

11 Week (and 3 day) Update

I am late to posting this because I was supposed to have my first OB appointment this morning. On my way there (actually when I was in Grandville about 2 minutes from the office) I got the call that they needed to reschedule. All because there wasn't a protocol nurse there. From what I remember, that part of the appointment with both my previous pregnancies was pretty pointless. I can't imagine the third time being the charm here. Can't they check the records? Yes I am planning to breastfeed. Yes I want a circumcision if I am having a boy. No I am no interested in cord blood banking. Yes to all the tests I had done with my previous two and no to the ones I didn't. Hell yes I want an epidural (two if you can manage and the guy I had with my first pregnancy, not the woman for the second). Maybe all this ranting is just the pregnancy irritability I have been having. Or maybe I just really think that part of the appointment is a waste of time. Nonetheless, I have the appointment rescheduled for NEXT Friday and I am hoping that I can get my ultrasound done then too. Hopefully I will have belly AND baby pictures for you next week.

11 weeks and hubby helped with belly pics this week

10 Influential People

The 30 things my kids should know about me list has taken a back seat for a bit, but I am glad to be moving on to number 9: list 10 people who have influenced you and describe how. I have been contemplating who would make the cut, who has influenced my life, and which people have made the biggest impact of all those who have influenced my life.

1. I decided to be lame and start the list with my mother. Most women will say they have been influenced by their mom's, but I couldn't think of anyone who has made a bigger impact on my life. She has taught me strength, compassion, my morals, and above all, how to just be myself. She endured so much throughout my childhood (abuse, cheating, raising a family practically on her own) and I never once felt that she was lacking. She worked like a dog to provide for my sisters and I. She picked up the slack that the man in her life was more than willing to give. She has shown an immense amount of love, forgiveness, and understanding for my sisters and I. She has been there through our heartbreaks, our successes, our children's births (oh the many births this woman has witnessed), and been more than willing to lend a hand in our time of need. Although I no longer live at home with my mom, I always feel like my home is where my mom is.

FO Twisted Headbands and GIVEAWAY!

It's been awhile since I have shared any finished projects. I have found that time is lacking lately. If I am not taking care of my two toddlers or the one I babysit as well, I am doing a ton of homework or just trying to keep up with life. My blog has thus been lacking. I want to blame this on the little leech in my belly who is swiping all my energy. Nonetheless, just because I haven't been sharing progress on projects, doesn't mean I have been slacking.

10 Week (and 1 day) Update

Yesterday marked 10 weeks into this pregnancy. It seems amazing to me that almost 6 weeks ago, we found out we were adding to our family. The past 6 weeks have gone by fast and painfully slow at the same time. I am ready to hear this little baby's heartbeat (scheduled appointment on the 15th). However, I am finally getting my energy back and able to eat like a normal human being. I have been having cravings. I still have days where nausea is present, but they are becoming less and less.

Decided against editing pictures (due to lack of energy)

All You Need is....SLEEP

This pregnancy seems a lot more difficult than my first two. I mean I haven't had a bunch of complications, but I am having a difficult time. Like I said with my 9 week update, I have lacked energy. I have always been able to survive on about 4 hours of sleep. Usually anymore than that and I am a wreck for the day. Adjusting to the lack of sleep that comes with motherhood has been easy for me. I have been able to get next to now sleep since I was a child.

9 Week Update

9 weeks! As of today we are 9 weeks along. I am amazed that we found out so early that we are having our 3rd little bundle. We found out we were pregnant with Ryenn when I was about 9 weeks along. With Nolan, it was 16 weeks along! I know this last number seems nuts, but I was having regular cycles throughout my pregnancy with Nolan until around that time. Anyway, 9 weeks! 31 more weeks (or sooner seeing as I have gone into labor early with both the other babies) until we meet our little munchkin. We had talked about baby number 3, but wanted to wait until I was done with school in about a year. However, life had other plans for us.


25 weeks along with Nolan

5 Greatest Accomplishments

Everyone has different things that they believe to be great accomplishments. I was excited to share what I think are my 5 greatest accomplishments on the 30 things my kids should know about me list.

1. Becoming a wife. I know that this is an easy accomplishment in most people's eyes, but for me I think this is one of my greatest accomplishments. I was able to marry a man who completely has my heart. He takes great care of his family. He is my best friend. He loves me with everything he has and would move mountains for me. Once I found him, I knew that there would never be such a perfect person for me to share my life with. I think finding a spouse that makes your life better and compliments you (not as in give you compliments but makes you a better you) is hard to find. For me, I was able to find that in my very first try. He and I were meant to spend our lives with one another.

My Dream Job

I know it has been a while since I have updated (which I will explain later this week) so I am jumping right back into the list. What is your dream job, and why? This is something that I have had the answer to since I was in sixth grade, so having this on the 30 things my kids should know about me list was too easy. I went through those phases where I wanted to be a vet, a singer (which would still be awesome), a football player, and a dentist. In sixth grade however, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer and haven't changed my mind since. Instead I have been trying to hone in on which type of lawyer I actually want to be. I am currently in school to achieve just that.

Close Up Trip 2006

Hardest Part of Growing Up

Growing up. It's hard to fathom the difficulties that come with growing up as a child. I thought this was a good thing to include on the 30 things my kids should know about me list. While I think my life has been an incredible journey, it has been difficult as well. I think that the hardest part about growing up is the responsibility.

When you become an adult, the decisions you make have bigger consequences. There are bigger consequences about which job you choose, what you wear, how to spend your money, and even what you eat. I think knowing that if you mess up you are the only one who can clean up the mess is terrifying. I am not going to say that every decision that I have made as an adult has been a great one or even that I haven't had help when I screw up. With that being said, I couldn't expect a clean up crew for every mistake.

We are Naming Baby #3...or at least trying to

As most of you already know, Adam and I are expecting another baby! I hate answering the question of whether this baby was planned or not because I have numerous friends who have been having a hard time getting pregnant. But baby #3 is just as much of a surprise as our other bundles. We are just the most fertile couple you will ever meet. We are no longer even allowed to look at one another unless we want another baby. Our due date as of right now is September 3rd (making me 8 weeks along this coming Tuesday). We will find out a more concrete due date when we have our first ultrasound in mid February.

I feel like naming a baby is a huge responsibility and somewhat stressful. I want something unique but to where it has been heard. I don't want to have my kids to constantly have to go by their first name with their last initial like I had to because their first name is too common. I want their names to be meaningful. I want their names to sound modern and classic all at once. So like I said, a huge responsibility and stressful.

FO Nieces' Headband Earwarmers Christmas Gift

Christmas is always a hectic time for a knitter. Especially one who is running a business AND has like 100 people in their immediate family. This year I had more things to do for Adaly Myles Place, which was unexpected. I was also only able to start Christmas gifts AFTER Thanksgiving. For a knitter, that's not a lot of time.

Pet Peeves

This is another less serious item on the 30 Things My Kids Should Know About Me list. I don't really have 10 pet peeves per se, but I have 10 things that bother me more than anything. Some of these answers will be a little goofy and less serious, others are a little deeper. Let's just get to it.

1. Smacking. I get so bothered when I hear people smacking their food when they eat. It is super irritating.

2. Deadbeat dads. I hate can't stand when men have babies and do nothing to take care of them or stay in their child's life. I think that it shows classlessness and a lack of character. Whether this be teen fathers or 50 year old men. By choosing to have unprotected sex, you are risking the chances of becoming a parent.

Favorite Part of My Body

I feel that everything on this 30 things my kids should know about me list has been pretty serious and gets serious answers. When I first read number 27, I couldn't help but laugh. Not at the question, but at how I would answer this. What is your favorite part of your body and why? I have always said the same thing when asked this question, for as long as I can remember. My butt!

FO Grandma's Blanket

My grandmother is a woman who is very opinionated. She has no problem stating her mind. Finding something to knit her for Christmas was a challenge. Last year she went on and on about how she loved the blankets I had made my sisters. I knew that I had to make her one.

I tried being sneaky about what colors to use so they would match her living room furniture. I feel I did a pretty good job. She loved it! I was so glad she liked it and that the colors were the right choices.

 

10 Things to Tell Your 16 Year-Old Self

Looking to number four on the 30 things my kids should know about me I was excited to get to this one. I have thought a lot about the things I would tell my teenage self if I could so having a list 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could question was awesome to me. It was difficult to narrow down the list but I thought about the most important things to me now and what I wish I had done a bit differently.

FO American Girl Doll Outfit #3

Knitting these American Girl doll clothes was a little challenging. Due to the fact that I procrastinated, I had to make things up as I went in some aspects. For example, in outfit number 2 the back was supposed to have buttons along the entire back for closure. I didn't have small enough buttons, so I simply made a "V" in the back of the neck so the neck would fit over her head. In outfit number 1, the cardigan was supposed to have buttons along the front for closure and I skipped them all together.

My Relationship with My Husband

The 30 things my kids should know about me list is pretty extensive and has already given me such insight on my life and the people who are in it. The third thing on the list is to describe your relationship with your spouse. Summing up such an intense and loving relationship is going to be hard, but I am up for the challenge.

Championship Bound Notre Dame!

One thing that I have held onto since my childhood is my love for the Fighting Irish. My grandpa, being the Irish Catholic that he is, LOVES Notre Dame. He has instilled this love in each of his children and grandchildren. And we all love the navy and gold. I thought today, being BCS bowl day, would be an appropriate day to share this creation.

3 Legitimate Fears

The next thing on the 30 things my kids should know about me list is to describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears. I was struggling with how to answer this. Do I give things I am afraid of like bugs, heights, etc.? Or do I go more in depth with fears of failure, trust, etc? I decided to go with my instinct and go the in depth route. Thought that would make me a bit more honest rather than copping out with simple fears that many people have.

Ryenn's Baptism

FO Word Blocks for Christmas

Yes, I procrastinate. An issue that is getting better with owning a business and school. I was pretty backed up for Christmas. I spent both Christmas Eve and Christmas night finishing gifts for people. I even started a few on those nights! On Christmas night I started (and finished) my mother-in-law and Allyson's gifts. I had bought blocks for their gifts back in August, but got overwhelmingly busy with orders that the first chance I got to work on them was Christmas night.

20 Random Facts About Myself

I may not always stick to the order of the 30 things my kids should know about me list because some questions seem more fun to answer than others. However, tonight I will start with number one. It is simply 20 random facts about myself.

30 Things My Kids Should Know About Me

One blog that inspires me to blog different is written by the Baby Making Mama, Jennifer Borget over at Baby Making Machine. Her blog is honest and inspirational. She is hilarious and is an open book. She has shared her journey through motherhood with her first and so far through her pregnancy with her second.

One Year Down, One Resolution!

It is crazy to me that it has already been a year since I started this blog. One year! A whole year of sharing some insight into my life. A whole year of the adventures in 2012!

I have learned a lot about myself and what I want out of this blog in the past year. I started out completely lost and ready to just throw whatever onto the page. The more I wrote on this blog and the more I read on other blogs, I made a plan in my head of what I actually want. I was aiming this blog more towards just my business and the projects that were involved in that. And to be honest, I was even bored with that. Especially seeing as I mostly knit the same things just in different colors. It was more fun to talk about my kids and life in general.