Small Update

[fourzoas]

I've been very scattered lately; moving will do that to you, I suppose, and I'm going to a conference this weekend, so that's eating up what little brain space I have left after trying to finishing up this never-ending report I have to do for work. I shouldn't complain; I have been, as my mother would say, "blessed with work." Unfortunately, I tend to reject those little blessings when I start to feel overwhelmed.


Reading:

Can't wait to get my hands on David Mazzucchelli's Asterios Polyp, which is scheduled for release July 7.

Knitting:

I've decided that the Blue-eyed Devil blankie will be smaller, not larger; I'm one log cabin block away from a decent nine-square blanket, and with my planned 4" border treatment all around, I should end up with a decent-sized square perfect for shielding a car-seated and strollered baby from the mild cold of these Southern climes. Here's what I've got so far:



Once this is done, I've got to get cracking on two projects: several baby blankets (I think I'll be using Knitty's Hoover pattern and either Lion Pound o' Love--the economy option--or Berroco Comfort) and swatching up some Jaggerspun Zephyr for a christening gown. The gown pattern I've chosen uses DK weight yarn, so I'll be swatching the Zephyr held double (I've got a full cone and several 600 yd. skeins) and hope to get gauge with a relatively breezy fabric; there's little in the way of stitch patterning on the gown, and it's knit from the top down in the round, so I'm hopeful that after the bodice is done, it'll be a simple bit of mindless knitting.

One more thing on knitting: I'm so glad that Berroco has taken on a new design team and started selling real yarn again. Every time I see a new set of their designs on Ravelry, I want to get my needles out and knit up at least 3 of the pieces. Their stuff is simple but interesting, construction is unique but doable, and the yarns just look and feel yummy.

Is it possible to fangirl a yarn company?

Baby Poop Prep

When I was a young 'un, I assisted with many a cloth diaper change for my youngest brother. These were your old school diapers: pre-folds, diaper pins, and plastic pants. I changed them, washed them out, cleaned his bottom, made sure not to stab him with pins; I did this for the whole time he was in diapers. Even at 10 it wasn't a huge hassle, although I'm sure that the experience is a bit less onerous in hindsight. Still, since I immediately went to cloth when considering what to do for LittleZoas, I can't help but think the entire experience was largely unobjectionable. So I've been cruising around cloth diaper sites looking at the options.

I'm also itching to get sewing again and have ordered a copy of Kwik Sew's Sewing for Baby; I've got a stash of cotton fabrics that will make for good baby things and sewing practice for me. LittleZoas isn't naked, I get to beef up my apparel sewing skills on small things that the wearer won't complain about--everybody wins!

Settling In

I need to set an unpacking goal of a box or three a day, but first need to formulate a plan for the purging; I know I'm going to be getting rid of a ton of craft supplies, and while I'm sure the local Salvation Army will take the donation, I'd rather identify a recipient I know will use it. I would do the sale thing (and still may), but I have a lot of stuff and little time/patience for packaging. I suppose, though, I could just list the whole lot on eBay by craft and see what happens. Bottom line: stuff what's going has got to be out of the house by the end of July.

Comments

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Interesting - I went through a similar thing with my brother (he's 10 years my junior) - but the whole experience of looking after him (I used to do more than just change him) totally put me off having kids of my own! o_O

Have fun with the knitting projects - and good luck with dealing with the boxes!

[fourzoas.livejournal.com]

I had to look after M. too--he was pretty mellow, even as a kid, so it wasn't any worse than looking after the other two who always seemed to be in worlds of trouble.

I unpacked two boxes today, so yeah me!

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Go you!!

I didn't look after my sis - but then she's only 18 months younger than me. And my brother wasn't a particularly difficult child - I just discovered that I'm actually not that maternal (I always preferred books to dolls for example).

[syien_island]

The first time I was offered to help change a tot, I ran away. I still runaway. You don't want me to ever babysit lilZoas, unless you want to come home to a baby with a load (nudge nudge, know what I mean, say no more!)

[fourzoas.livejournal.com]

LOL--I have to admit that I've been adamant about not changing any other babies; I've basically said "I'll only change my own" after that incident. I think I'll likely change my mind about that now.

[gorengal.livejournal.com]

I also changed my little brother old school style. The one objectionable thing I recall is the diaper pail odor (I think the deodorizer cake was smellier than the diapers themselves!).

Would you be interested in making your own wipes? I can give you the recipe I used.

[fourzoas.livejournal.com]

You know, I don't think we used a diaper pail; they just got stored in their laundry basket till it was time to wash a load (we "rinsed" them before putting them there, of course).

I would love the recipe for wipes; we may give that a try!

[padawanpooh.livejournal.com]

I have to confess that I have never, ever changed a baby and I therefore have enormous respect for those who have!

Your projects sound like *good* fun! Enjoy :-)

[fourzoas.livejournal.com]

LOL--you're a lucky woman, though I must say that if you are ever in a situation where you MUST do it, you'd probably do just fine.

These projects are fun, but I need to do some of the other ones!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

In your research, have you find anywhere that sells diaper cloth? Because I hear that stuff makes the best cleaning rags *ever.*

[fourzoas.livejournal.com]

You can find diaper fabric at Very Baby (http://verybaby.com/). This site (http://www.diaperpatternreviews.com/pages/Diaper-making-fabric.htm) also has links to places to buy fabric.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[mischief89.livejournal.com]

The little girl I babysit was in diapers until she was four. So I've changed more diapers than I would have liked to. Never tried it with a cloth diaper, must have been fun to clean!

[fourzoas.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they can be a pain to clean, but like anything, you get used to it!