Friday, January 06, 2017

On the Agenda

There are so many things I've been looking forward to in the New Year -- we're making significant progress on some of our long-standing projects (we'll finally have more than just a bed frame for our master bedroom!), and we have grand plans for simplifying and organizing our house. We've not really invested time or money into improving our household systems in the past few years, but we've added both square footage and children to our home. While we probably have some surplus that can be culled, we also have "keepers" that just don't have permanent homes -- which means that there always seems to be a mess to tidy. "Everything in its place" doesn't work when everything doesn't have a place, you know?


But there is one event this year that I'm looking forward to even more than the improvements we hope to make -- in fact, I'm "working" on it as I write this: 




I'll be done with the first trimester soon, Lord willing! While my symptoms are mild-as-usual (light-but-persistent nausea, fatigue, major baby-brain), I'm looking forward to feeling a little bit more like myself in a week or two. Though with Rosa the nausea lingered until 20 weeks, so if this little one is a girl I may have a few more weeks to go!

This will be our first baby born in Virginia, and I'm looking forward to using the midwifery center at a local hospital (assuming the pregnancy remains low-risk). While my past three "regular" hospital births were all quite satisfactory, it will be nice to be in an environment that matches my preferences more closely. My biggest gripe with my previous hospital was the 48 hour post-birth stay -- always longer, because it took them ages to discharge us! -- and the initial nursery visit. We were allowed about an hour to bond before they whisked the baby away, usually for at least an hour (and once as long as two hours!) to bathe, weigh, examine, etc. I loved my OB and had no better alternatives at the time, but in-room care and a shorter stay are both big advantages in my book.

And, of course, a new baby is an excuse to spend some quality time with my sewing machine and knitting needles! Though with a July due date, I won't get the chance to knit newborn sizes. But first I need to do a bit of sewing for myself, because apparently my body thinks that, this being its 4th pregnancy, it should look pregnant RIGHT NOW. I mean, why wait, right? *wink*

I crave your prayers -- not only for a healthy pregnancy and baby, but also for peace for me regardless of the outcome.  

In the meantime, I have some body-building to do!


15 comments:

  1. Congratulations Shannon!! Sending up prayers and my best wishes for you and your family (of four)!

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  2. *I mean family of six--four children!

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  3. Congratulations! such great news to start the year! :-)
    As for knitting for the baby, there are so many beautiful things you can knit for a summer baby! I live in Spain and most newborns here wear knitted ítems, regardless of the season. You just need the right patterns and some cotton :-)
    My oldest was born in january, 2 years ago, and of course she got a full handmade knitted wardrobe. My grandmothers, mother and I managed to knit about 10 newborn sweaters and another 10-15 sweaters in size 1-3 months old. When I got pregnant with my second child (he was born last june), I thought the same as you did: no sweet newborn sweaters for him! It was fun to hear my grandmother: "do you think he will go nacked? We just have to buy cotton, lots of it!". And so, I discovered the wonders of cotton sweaters *wink*
    Just to give you some ideas:
    - http://www.ohmotherminediy.com/diy-como-hacer-pelele-tejido-con-dos-agujas-bebe/ This woman shares free patterns for kids clothes, too, not only knitting patterns. There are so many adorable things in her blog!
    - https://lascosasdenuria.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/conjunto-gris-y-blanco-en-hilo/
    - http://acoserypunto.com/tag/ranita/
    - http://donacarmen.es/es/12-bebe-0-12-meses

    We have lots of magazines with knitting patterns for newborns in Spain, as it is traditional to dress you child in these kind of clothes for a few months after they are born, and the most common gift around here once a baby is born is a set of these kind of clothes - handmade or bought.
    I will keep you in my prayers. Hope everything goes smoothly!

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    1. Elena,

      Thank you so much for all of the helpful resources! I love European children's clothing (as evidenced by my Pinterest boards! :-) -- in fact, I think Tocoto vintage, a favorite brand, is actually Spanish? Lots of double gauze and knitted garments! Here in the United States, it's more typical to see little babies dressed only in a bodysuit/onesie in the summer -- much less chic! I will definitely be exploring my options with cotton yarn! I did knit a vest with a cotton/linen blend for Laddie, so I don't know why I didn't think of that before.


      Thank you for the prayers! They are much appreciated! :-)

      Cheers,
      Shannon

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  4. Congratulations Shannon! I will be sure to keep you and your new little one in my prayers!

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  5. Congrats!!!!!!! We're also expecting baby #4 in July!!! So fun. And that's so wonderful that you can work with a midwife at a hospital! I also love our OB (same one you had! and she now has a midwife working with her), but I have the same gripes with the hospital. I'll be praying for your family as you prepare for a new little one.

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    1. Congrats to you, too, my friend! I can't believe y'all have already "caught up" with us! :-) I still really miss my old/your current OB, even though I'm receiving excellent care here -- she is just so sweet and calm! How neat that she has a midwife working with her now. I've never actually had a midwife, so I'll be interested to see how it goes. :-)

      Thank you so much for the prayers, and I'll be praying for you and your little one, too!

      Love,
      Shannon

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  6. Congratulations, Shannon! That's exciting news. I pray you have a smooth and healthy pregnancy and a wonderful birth! Blessings to you!

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    1. Thank you, Laura! So far all is well, and I am grateful. Pregnancy is always "good" for my patience! :-)

      Cheers,
      Shannon

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    1. Thank you so much! It is so much fun having older kids now who are just as excited as my husband and I are!

      Cheers,
      Shannon

      PS -- Miss your blog, by the by! ;-)

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  8. Yes, congratulations to you. Praying for the best health for you and your new baby.

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    1. Thank you Danice -- I always appreciate your kind words!

      Cheers,
      Shannon

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