Kawano Crocheting (and Knitting) Adventures

Welcome to my blog. It is about my crocheting and my knitting, fun things I find on the internet and my family.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Introducing William!!!




Here are some photos of the lastest edition to my family
....William....
He was born Friday, 22/08/2008 at 3.10pm in Toowoomba Hospital
Weight - 3290grams
length - 51cm
Head - 34.5cm

It was a very short labour. I started getting contractions around 4.30am Friday morning, and by 9am, they were about 10mins apart and lasting for about 30-40 seconds. I was told to head up to the hospital, but I had to wait for Jumpei to come home, and when he got home, he arrived about 2 hours after I called for him to come home...well it felt that way, it might have been only an hours wait...
When we headed off to the hospital (an hours drive away), my contractions were coming closer together from between 5-10 minutes apart. When we got to the hospital, I was already at 3cm. By 1.30pm-ish, I was moved into the birthing suite. By 2.30pm, I was at 6cm, and it was too late for me to have drugs to kill the pain. It was too late for me to have an epidural to kill of the pain. The contractions were coming hard and fast by then, and I was told that "this baby is going to be here before the drug would take affect!" Not something that I wanted to hear, but there is nothing that can be done when you are at that stage. By now I was at 9cm and told that when I have the urge to push to go for it. I didnt want to push, BUT he just had to come out. I dont really remember much, as the process kind of blows your mind, but I dont think that I was pushing for too long, as at 3.10pm his head was out and I had just given birth to our second son.
It is just amazing how the body forgets the pain that you have just gone through immediately, as there is no way that I can describe the pain, I know that it took a lot of concentration at times to push and do what the midwives wanted me to do. But in the end, I am pleased to have my little boy at home with me. He is still a bit yellow, from jauntice (sp?) but it seems to be clearing up now. Hopefully, by the end of this week, he should have a nicer complection.

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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Sunny one day, overcast the next

Yesterday, even with all the dramas at the hospital, it was a lovely sunny day. It got me thinking that today, I would do my laundry and hang it out to dry. But alas, the weather has changed yet again, from about 8pm last night, it was windy and cold, and this morning is no difference. It is overcast, no sun even peaking out of the clouds, so the laundry can stay where it is until tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be nice tomorrow when I have to be up at the hospital again.
I just hope it is a nice day later on, but it already 11am and still no change from this morning. It still feels like 7am. The only good thing that could come out of it, would be if it started raining, so I wouldnt have to go outside to water my cherry flower tree. I got Jumpei to plant it for me where I want to make my Japanese style garden. All I have to do is get motivated and start doing my gardens. I am extremely lazy, I can work everything out and have a plan but the excution of the plan is where I come undone, I just dont do it. But this time, I am going to make my little garden for relaxation and for somewhere nice to sit down and relax. I am sure that Jumpei will help me out if I keep buying and getting plants. I am going to get the front garden done too, and might get dad to drive me out to Gatton to pick up some plants from the big nursery out there. Instant garden!
Well, I have already started dinner for tonight. Some chicken drumsticks marinated in my special sauce, and chicken marylands done in cashew nuts, cracked pepper and olive oil. They are cooking at the moment, so I will have time later to make up some vegetables and possibly a soup if this weather is still overcast and miserable. Might even make a few breadrolls later too. But it depends on how tired I get from this "relaxing" that I am supposed to be doing.

Crochet and knitting
Might end up doing a bit more crocheting and knitting today as well. I am still working on a few items, like my Seraphina's shawl. I finished off a couple of dishcloths, and a set of coasters for my exchange partners. I will end up taking some photos of them to add to my projects page on ravelry. It is great to see how many items and projects I can finish, and I must say, I do feel proud that I am able to get so much done. I really have to start using up my stash of yarn, as I am sure hubby is getting a little peeved that they are taking up the front room, and I need that front room for when my inlaws come. So I have got to get a bit done. Thankfully, I have Miles, and he is asking me for some projects like, last night he wanted me to make him another starghan. I might end up making his one later by adding some more different colours to them, as he loves his blanket and his elmo blanket that I made for him when he was little. But first I want to get a few more projects out of the way and then I will work on some more things for him and his brother when he arrives.

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Pregnancy update - A busy day at the hospital

Today I went to the hospital for my usual checkup...but it was anything but usual. The night before, I had contractions from 4pm to 11.30pm, and then every now and then during the day. I wasnt really worried that, as I think that it is just the body practising for the actual labour. I mentioned it to the nurse that was taking my blood pressure, and would you believe, my blood pressure was 145/99!!! That is really high, but I think it was wrong, due to the fact she was using a smaller cuff then the one I usually use. So from there I was seen by a midwife, he took me upstairs to the birthing suites and I didnt even have time to get my mother who was in the waiting room (she was there for 2 hours before she decided it was too long for me to be with the doctors, and finally found me upstairs after being told I wasnt there). Poor old girl...I know, she isnt that old really but when your waiting for 2 hours and then told your daughter is not there, I am sure she was very confused. By 4pm I had to get going to collect Miles from Kindy, as I couldnt get my husband at home, he was still at work! So I had to quickly leave the hospital, with my high blood pressure, which I was checked 3 more times before leaving, and had a trace placed on me for 1.5 hours! The baby is fine, by the way, good heart beat and movements. I had to get back to the hospital as the doctor who was with me, during my time there, had to rush next door to the other room due to an emergency. All I heard was the work Prolapse and a woman crying and a lot of running around and the incubator in my room being taken away quickly, and my doctor not returning as he had to go into emergency surgery. So after getting Miles, feeding him and Jumpei coming home, we headed back to the hospital just after 5pm, where I was sent back up to the birthing suite and the trace placed on me and my blood pressure taken again. This time, it was back to normal, I think it was something like 135/84, so just after 7pm we were able to leave the hospital. But I have to go back there on Friday morning, but i have call first, as there could be another emergency, but the nurse is hoping for an uneventful morning. If I am lucky, I might be having this baby soon.

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Crunch Dishcloth



Here is a dishcloth that I am making from the Crunch Tawashi pattern that I have posted below. I have made this one in Peaches 'n' Creme cotton. It is so nice and soft. I am working on another one in the same cotton. I am really enjoying making them. I am even thinking that some of these would make a lovely christmas present for some of the women in my family.

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Monday, August 18, 2008

Pregnant me...the photos


Finally some photos of me pregnant!

Side shot...I am sure that he is going to be bigger then Miles. Miles was 3.65kgs when he was born. I am thinking about a 4kg baby.

Miles and me. He just loves to have his photo taken.

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Sunday, August 17, 2008

Seraphina's Shawl

I am working on my shawl now that I have a bit of down time. I am just about finished with the ball of yarn that I am using, and have the next on hand. I just dont know how big a shawl should really be. It fits nicely on my shoulders, but I think I might end up using the rest of ball #3 and #4 and see what size it is from there. If need be, I can then use the last ball of this yarn that I have for the shawl if needed, or I can make a little bag with it to go with the shawl. Either way, #5 is going to be used for something!

My other projects, include:
  • dishcloths,
  • tawashis,
  • a lot of WIMs
  • knitted squares.

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The countdown is on...

Really I have been counting down the days since I first found out I was pregnant. Now I only 14 days to go before this month is officially finished and my due date has arrived. I have been waiting patiently, but I dont know how much longer I want to wait for this baby to come.
I know 14 days doesnt sound like a lot, but it is when you consider that:
  • when your sitting on the floor, it takes a lot more effort in trying to get up again.
  • hip joints are not your friends at this late stage in the pregnancy game.
  • rolling over to change positions in bed, is now a marthon sport.
  • having your son, think your going to give him a horsy ride cos your on your hands and knees trying to get up off the floor, is the most terrifying thing that could happen to you.
  • putting on trousers is now a choice of insanity, and it is just easy to wear a dress in the freezing weather.
  • hot showers are a god sent, but getting out and getting dressed is one thing that you wish you had spray on clothes for. It would be so much easier then trying to get your undies on.
  • you want to eat your burger, your hungry for your burger, and yet you can only manage 3 or 4 bites before your full and too tired from feeling sad that you didnt finish your burger (only your husband is excited cos he practically gets to eat 2 burgers!)
  • you want to sleep on your tummy, but there is a big bump in the way. You imagine yourself as a human see-saw if you attempt it.
So anyway, my countdown is on. I have pains, aches, a moving baby, and sometimes contractions, but nothing yet to say "hey it is time for the hospital, let's get a move on". But I know it is only a matter of time before all of this will be over and I will have a baby at home, and be doing all the things that need to be done for him, and my family.

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Friday, August 15, 2008

Crunch Tawashi



Crunch tawashi.pdf

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I crocheted mine to 20 rows and then 2 rows of sc with loop. The crunch stitch gives a lovely texture to the tawashi and would work up as a great dishcloth or cotton washer for the body.

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Pinecone crafts

Since Miles likes to collect pinecones, I am in need of some form of crafts that I can do with him with them.
When I think of pinecones, I think of Christmas, so I am thinking that Christmas related projects might be good for him. It gives me plenty of time to get them done.
So if anyone has any suggestions please let me know, (please post suggestions on comments).

Miles and me with his handful of pine cones.

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Miles and his friend from Japan










I thought that I would just post a random photo of Miles and his best friend from Japan, Eri. She is 6 months younger then Miles and she lives next door to my sister-in-law in Japan. I am looking forward to meeting her, as Miles is very fond of her and talks about her nearly everyday. I think that when we go to Japan, Miles will be so happy to spend some more time with Eri. Eri's mother, says that her daughter talks about Miles everyday too. It is so cute that they have created fond memories of each other.

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Oranges and Lemons

Since my orange and lemon tree seems to be fruiting still and no amount of giving them away is making the production of fruit slow down. I am going to have to use them...lol I need to find recipes to use them. The lemons arent sour, they are the sweet variety, lemonade lemons! Yesterday, my mother and I juiced 1 medium sized box of lemons, and then juiced another box full of oranges. Still there is plenty of fruits on the trees. I made lemonade cordial with a lot of lemons and sugar water, it tastes so nice and refreshing too!

I thought about making some orange jelly. It sounds interesting, and I know Miles loves wobbly wobbly jelly! So, I have searched the net, and found a simple recipe for them. So I am going to give that a go. It would be nice to have some refreshing desserts for after dinner.
I also want to make some biscuits! Even thinking about orange creme filling for the biscuits, but not really sure yet, as it is freezing in the house and I dont think that the cream cheese will be at a nice room temp. I will keep hunting around for some more recipes!

I have decided for the 2009 season of my fruit trees, I will be making a lot more juice and freezing it away for the summer.

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Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Hive free and feet warm

Miles has gotten over his case of the hives. Poor little thing, everyday for the past 3 days at around 4.30-5pm he would start breaking out in hives. But now they have gone as they came, with real no reason apart from "he might be fighting a virus" or "is he getting over a virus" plus, "we dont know what causes it in little kids". LOL. But now he is better and happy that he no longer itches or has red marks all over his little body. He is also a lot more hungry these day, wanting to eat all night long from when I bring him home from kindy. He thinks it is very funny, but I am running out of food for him. I am planning on doing a little shopping when I go into town later today to pick up some lunchbox stuffers like yoghurt and fruits.

Miles also is in love with his socks that I finished last night for him. He ended up wearing them to bed last night, and loves the fact that they keep him warm. I can foresee another pair of these socks for him, maybe next winter!

Today, there was a box outside my door this morning. Miles was with me, but I managed to not show him it was addressed to him. Marissa, sent him a little package to keep him happy for when the baby arrives, I had a sneak peek inside, and boy is he going to be spoilt when he opens it. I am sure that he is going to love the box with it many wonderful items.

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Monday, August 11, 2008

FO Origami Turkish Socks










Well, I finished off the socks today. Since it was only a little way to go, I thought I might as well finish them off for Miles. He came home from Kindy and was very happy with his new socks. He is wearing them now and says that they are warm. They arent very tight, so I am so happy about that, as I thought they were going to be small, but instead, they have quite a bit of room in them.

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Nothing happening

Even with the aches and pains at night, nothing is happening. I thought earlier this morning that the baby had dropped down a bit further, but I fear he is teasing me! I have my next appointment on Wednesday with the doctor, so it might be interesting to see if I will have any news, apart from "that is good" or "all seems well".
During most nights, I am in a lot of pain, but I wouldnt class some of the pains as labour pains, but there are a few that are getting close to that amazing pain. Jumpei is on edge when ever I have a pain, and wants to rush me to the hospital, but it just isnt time yet. I think he is getting excited for the baby to arrive. Miles has become more needy over the last couple of days, so my guess is that he can sense the change that is coming. As most nights, he climbs onto my lap and goes off to sleep, or he wants cuddles all the time. As he so proclaims, "I'm so so lonely" in a very soft, weak voice. Which translates to "I want a cuddle and you to look at me for the next 10 minutes or so". Not that I am complaining, as I really like him.
He is very helpful in the kitchen too. He likes to help me all the time in the kitchen. The other day, I had him make meatballs whilst I cooked them. He was so proud of himself, and has asked again since to make them. But I just dont want meatballs for dinner. He gets so excited about helping me out in any way. I have him taking his dirty clothes to the washing machine as well.
Tonight, I think that I might surprise him with an amigurumi toy, if I get the time. I am working on his Origami Turkish Socks. I am onto the second sock, and it is almost finished. I have to just finish the body and heel of the socks and then sew them together. I just hope that I did the measurements correctly, so that they fit my boy's feet. He wants to keep trying them on as I work on them but since it is an origami style sock, it is a little hard to work out if it is the correct size or not, but it looks right for now. If not, then I will have a pair made for William when his feet are large enough.
I hope to get photos taken of the socks before I sew them. I am enjoying the crunch stitch that is used in the pattern. I normally stay away from stitches like that, as I am not sure how I am supposed to get them to the same height, until I realised that it doesnt matter about the height, it is all about the effect of the stitch texture on the final object.

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Saturday, August 09, 2008

My Harry Potter Husband result....

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Dumbledore

Your perfect HP man is Albus Dumbledore.


You like 'em powerful and brilliant. And why not? A guy like this, you can have intelligent conversation with, laugh with, and you know he can protect you. Sure, he may have a weakness for power, but he's got that under control. And sure, he let his sister die, but he learned from that. And sure, he harbors a secret, forbidden love for a man widely known to be his mortal enemy, but...well, no, that's actually a pretty big obstacle. Good luck with that.

Take The Harry Potter Husband Test at HelloQuizzy

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Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Updates...on everything

Since it has been a while since I have posted anything here, I will do a quick rundown of what is happening.

Pregnancy
I am now 37 weeks along. So that means "anytime now"!! Tomorrow, I go for a check up, so that should be fun. All seems to be normal, his position is correct, he is getting bigger, as I have been able to eat a bit more! Finally, I can eat a hamburger and not rely on Jumpei to finish it off for me. Normally, I can only eat a few bites and then I am full, now I can eat the whole lot! Happy for me, sad for Jumpei.
I have the car packed, with the baby seat in place, baby clothes, and a bag for me, which is half packed. I really dont know what I am going to wear for the birthing, I cannot remember what I wore last time. Need to pack my pjs in too, but I dont know if I will stay overnight, or just the day, or even a few days. I dont think that I would stay a long time in hospital, as I dont know how Miles would take that, so the shortest possible time is what I am planning.

Crochet
I am trying to get my Seraphina's Shawl finished before the baby arrives. It would be nice to have it completed and in use for when I am breastfeeding. I have just started on my 3rd ball of yarn for this project. It is coming along nicely. I have been thinking what it would look like if I had some homespun or some bulky yarn, it would be a nice warm shawl for sure.
Also, working on the Origami Turkish Socks, as part of a CAL on crochetsocks. I am making them for Miles in red heart yarn. So far they look good and interesting. I just hope that they fit his feet when I am finished. I am sure that I did do the measurements correctly. If not, they will fit the baby when his feet grow bigger.

Knitting
Still working on my squares for my knit-ghan. So far, I have finished all the leftover yarn in Pink Camo, that I received as a RAK. I have casted on some more leftovers, so it is coming along nicely. Once I have a few more made, I will take a photo. I dont know what arrangement I will make with them, but most likely "random" will be the theme for this knit-ghan.
I also have a tawashi on another set of needles, next to my bed, but I havent had a lot of time to work on that one.

Health
Miles is getting over a case of Pink-eye! That is so horrible!!! Nothing like what they showed on South Park! But it is clearing up now, so he can go back to Kindy tomorrow. Hopefully, he wont get it again.
Jumpei has a case of the flu and Tonsilitis.
Me, just a really sore throat and stuffy head, but I really cant take anything for it, apart from lemon and honey drinks and maybe a panadol, but I think that Jumpei just had the last one.

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