SweetPea Castle

The land of teething

< yawn >... we are seriously lacking some sleep around here.  Poor Tabi is cutting several teeth at once and just can't get comfortable.  She's cranky, in pain, and exhausted.  At least I can seriously relate to two out of the three now.

The fun part is that she has her 1 year well-check this afternoon and I'm sure is supposed to get shots.  She's already a pill... I'm not sure we're going to attempt the shots today.  We'll see.

I am 21 weeks along now and feel huge already.  Of course, I've never been a "small" pregnant chick.  But, somehow I feel big even for me.  The midwife is very pleased and as long as I listen to my body and get plenty of rest, we're praying the blood pressure stays manageable.  I am SO looking forward to a homebirth!

Noah finished his second set of lifepac workbooks yesterday and finished his tests today.  He's doing awesome!  We start the third set (out of 10) on Monday.  I'm really proud of him.  We have our challenges... and our ups and downs.  But, we're working through them all and getting into a good groove.

I'm still knitting that soaker.  I'm at the point of needing to Kitchner stitch the seam together and am a touch overwhelmed.  But, I'll get over that once I've had enough sleep to be able to focus on the tutorial again.  Then, I'll finish off the leg holes.  I'm just going to do rolled edges.  I'll probably post pics once I get the kitchner stitch done... or I might just wait until I'm done with the leg holes too.

Tomorrow, I'm hiding away at the not-so-local Starbucks for the day.  I've got to spend the time away and alone to finish my study for my teaching at the upcoming ladies retreat at Sandy Cove.  I'm very nervous and excited to see what God is going to do.  This should be amazing.

I'll drop a note later today or tomorrow with the update from Tabitha's appointment this afternoon.  Until then... have a great weekend everyone!  Godspeed...

Happy Anniversary!

I have been married to the most amazing man in the world for 20 years at 4pm today.  He is my rock, my soulmate, my best friend.  I truly do not ever want to imagine life without him.  I got married when I was sixteen and our son was 8 months old.  We got married on my husband's 21st birthday.

He is the only one I can trust with all of my secrets and know that they are safe.  He's the only one who can truly calm my heart and my fears.  He knows when I need to be encouraged and when I need to be rebuked.  He completes me.

We aren't doing anything big or elaborate.  We are simply enjoying some time at home with our family and relaxing.  Money is tight and everyone has been sick.  But, this is life for us and we do rejoice in every moment of it.

We've been through just about everything imagineable in these past 20 years.  And, while some of things were very painful and unpleasant... they are all a part of who and where we are today.  So, as we face the future... we face it together.  We face it joined with each other and in complete submission to our Lord Jesus Christ.  What better place can there be?

And... Happy Birthday!  You really ARE getting old.  But, perhaps that means that you'll slow down and I'll be able to better keep up with you.  ;-)

Jason, you are my heart.  I love you the mostest... and always will.  Kisses.

8/27 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (at the moment):

1. Continue to study for September Ladies' teaching.  (Going to spend Saturday at the Starbucks wrapping up my teaching).
2. Complete my first knit soaker for the new baby boy.
3. Plan for next knit project for the new baby boy.  Another soaker and then longies?  Pick wool.
4. Enjoy Monday through Wednesday with my husband who is off of work - Tuesday is his 41st birthday and our 20th wedding anniversary.  :-)
5. Call Dr. John for clarification on returning to their office if we go with a homebirth.
6. Take stuff from garage to goodwill
7. Dispute credit report issues.
8. Take care of bills.  (Waiting to be able to transfer funds from one account to another).
9. Judi (M4T) two small AIOs - icompleted 8/30... need to call about payment and shipping/picup arrangements.
10. Barby's 18 Medium AIOs order started and worked in. - in process
11. Order #156 (Abby) - due 8/31 - completed and shipped 8/30 with a surprise ;-)
12. Order #158 (Jessica) - due 9/10?
13. Order email (Britton) - work in
14. MiddayFaire September Stocking(s) Prep
    • Listings for the month as able.
15. Collab for BGM Anniversary Stocking?
16. Update fabric options on the website.  In process
17. Work on my blog layout/design/options.  In process
18. Prep supply orders
    • Elastic
    • OBV
    • Other Organic inner options
    • Snaps?
    • PUL

Adventures in Knitting

Okay... so I promised an updated pic.  I am just about to switch to the next phase of knitting the lower body and crotch.  So, this is where I've stopped for the moment and will pick up again tomorrow.  Enjoy! 

Weekend update

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. ~ Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)

Well, first of all... the loan didn't come through.  Really I'm not surprised.  We prayed that God would close the doors and not allow it to go through if it wasn't His perfect will for us.  And, I believe that is just what happened.  The whole reason it was turned down is because the house was on the market in the last year.  Everything else was a go... until that.  So, we are trusting that God will provide exactly what we need in His perfect time and plans.

Second, I had my 20 week checkup with the OB in Fairfax and it went really well.  My u/s report came back beautiful, my blood pressure was awesome, I'd only gained one lb on their scales in the past 6 weeks.  He gave me better direction for watching my blood pressure readings.  And, overall he was ecstatic about how well I was doing... especially considering the cold from the pits of hell that we've had around here the past week or more.

I have been doing a LOT of praying and heart-searching over the last two weeks.  I have sensed a tremendous fear from Jason about the homebirth - specifically because of the blood pressure issues.  I know that I need to submit to my husband and trust his leadership.  We are still in fervent prayer about this and will have to see what God does to give Jason peace about any decision.  I am also praising God for the awesome blood pressure readings and stability that I've had the past several days.

I have also been knitting again and have a fantastic start on a knit soaker for this new little guy.  It's done in the gorgeous Moonrise colorway on Uraguay Merino from Mosaic Moon.  They look tiny, but I think they are perfect.  I'm going to compare them with the longies I just got from Sugar and Spice Knits to see if my sizing is off.

This is how they were looking earlier this morning.  I'll post an updated pic soon... 

Anyway... Jason has the next several days off, so we are enjoying some family time together.  He has decided that we are staying home from church tomorrow and spending time together worshiping the Lord at home as a family.  I will miss the fellowship... especially since I had to stay home sick last Sunday.  But, I will enjoy the relaxing time with him and the littles.

Time to get back to my knitting and probably get some fresh ice water to drink.  Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Quick Update

Okay... I'm feeling better than yesterday.  But, I still feel pretty awful.  I had a dentist appointment this morning that I wasn't sure I was going to actually go to.  But, I'm glad that I got it out of the way.  I have an appointment in Fairfax with the OB tomorrow morning.  I have mixed feelings about it.  I am going to tell them that I am planning a homebirth with a local midwife, but that I would like to still be able to come back if we end up needing medical intervention due to the blood pressure near the end of the pregnancy.  I also need to get a copy of my records.  I'm praying that the Lord goes before me and everything goes smoothly.

Noah is doing MUCH better.  He still overdoes it way too easily (like when he RUNS in the house).  Eliana is also doing very well.  And Tabitha still appears to be just dealing with teething issues.  Jason is struggling with the coughing, but seems a bit better today than yesterday.  We'll see how he is doing tonight.

I am in the midst of cutting 18 medium white PUL diaper cuts to line Barby's AIOs with.  I've got all of my other embroideries done at the moment and need to move forward to the next piece.  But, I want to get this cutting finished before putting the bolt of white PUL away again.

We're also waiting on word from the loan company.  They ran into a last minute issue and we're hoping they'll issue a waiver.  They usually do not do loans when the property has been on the market within the last 12 months.  It's up to God at this point and we're trusting that His plans are perfect.

I miss my mom!  I really pray that she is enjoying this time with my sister, brother-in-law and neice.  I also pray that the Lord blesses them all richly during this time.  I am ecstatic that they get this time together.  But, I do miss my mom a lot and the children do too.  We are looking forward to having her home again in 8 weeks.

Okay... enough proctrastination!  Time for me to get back to cutting.  I've got 11 more to trace and cut before I'm done and I want this done before dinner.  Then, I'm going to move onto the hemp french terry and microfleece that is needed for my other orders (2 small, 2 m/l).

I'll post again tomorrow evening or Saturday after the OB appointment.  Have an awesome weekend if you don't check in before then.

Updates

Well, first off... it's official that we ARE having another boy.  Everything looked perfect at the ultrasound last week and Noah is ecstatic.  Now, we just keep the blood pressure and contractions under control and we'll be just peachy.  Of course... now I'm sick.  Thanks go to Noah for sharing so well.

Noah has walking pnuemonia and has shared.  As of yesterday, all of us are coughing our lungs up and feeling just plain awful.  So, I'm really taking things very easy and trying to get plenty of rest.  Not so easy with three children 5 and under who also aren't feeling well.

I'm going to try to get Noah's homeschool work done without too much fuss or muss and get some sewing prep work done today.  I've got plenty of orders to get out and can't really afford to get behind.  I'm anticipating getting word back today or tomorrow about a home equity loan that would allow us to pay off our credit cards and replace the carpeting throughout the house.  While it will be a tremendous blessing if we do get the loan... it will also be a LOT of work to get everything prepared for them to put in hardwood and new carpeting.  So, we'll see how that goes.

Anyway... I'm off for the day to try to get stuff done.  It looks like a nice and dreary day outside... but perhaps that will keep things cooler around here.  Have an awesome week!  Godspeed...  Tiffani

8/20 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (at the moment):

1. Continue to study for September Ladies' teaching.
2. Take stuff from garage to goodwill
3. Get estimates for carpet replacement (also to replace first floor with wood) - Not gonna happen at this time. <sigh>
4. Dispute credit report issues.
5. Get Van service done - done 8/20
6. Judi (M4T) two small AIOs - in process
7. Barby's 18 Medium AIOs order started and worked in. - in process
8. Order #156 (Abby) - due 8/31 - in process
9. Two new AIOs for Tabitha (coordinates with embroidery from Abby's order) - in process
10. Order #158 (Jessica) - due 9/10?
11. Order email (Britton) - work in
12. MiddayFaire September Stocking(s) Prep
    • Listings for the month as able.
13. Collab for BGM Anniversary Stocking?
14. Update fabric options on the website.  In process
15. Work on my blog layout/design/options.  In process
16. Prep supply orders
    • Elastic
    • OBV
    • Other Organic inner options
    • Snaps?
    • PUL

8/13 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (at the moment):

1. Continue to study for September Ladies' teaching.
2. Noah's Dentist appt on Monday.
3. "Big" ultrasound on Tuesday.
4. Take stuff from garage to goodwill
5. Get estimates for carpet replacement (also to replace first floor with wood) - in process... waiting for updated estimates and working on financing.
6. Dispute credit report issues.
7. Get Van service done
8. Sarah C's order - due 8/24 - completed... shipping 8/17
9. Erin F's order - due 8/24 - completed... shipping 8/20
10. Judi (M4T) two small AIOs
11. Barby's 18 Medium AIOs order started and worked in.
12. MiddayFaire September Stocking(s) Prep
    • Listings for the month as able.
13. Collab for BGM Anniversary Stocking?
14. Update fabric options on the website.  In process
15. Work on my blog layout/design/options.
16. Prep supply orders
    • Elastic
    • OBV
    • Other Organic inner options
    • Snaps?
    • PUL

Weekend Ramblings

It's been a productive week.  I'm halfway through the two customs that I've got due in two weeks.  They should be finished and out before the end of this coming week.  I've got another set of two custom small AIOs for a local customer to work on and an order of 18 mediums that I'm working in between everything else for my good friend Barby.  With mom leaving in the next day or two and being gone for two months... I'm taking a step back and making sure that I've got everything under control before I pick up any more customs or projects.  I've got some yummy windpro that is calling to me.  I think Tabi needs a couple more AIOs.  ;-)

We're waiting on an appraisal for the house to see if we can get the home equity loan we're working on.  If all goes well... we will be paying off our two credit cards, replacing all the carpeting throughout the house, and finishing the basement.  We are going to put hardwood on the first floor and replace the nasty carpeting up the stairs and the entire second floor.  The rep for the flooring is checking into some hickory plank flooring for us.  If he can't find what we're looking for within our price range, we're going to go with Brazilian Teak.  I am certain that either way will be lovely and add value to the house.  Then, we're going to look into what we need to do to finish the basement.  We're excited about getting that done.

I have my "big" ultrasound this coming Tuesday at 7:30am.  We are very excited to see this little miracle and are praying that we get a definitive view of which gender this one is.  We're thinking boy at this point.  That's what Noah has been faithfully praying for.  We'll see if he's gotten the answer to that prayer.  Otherwise, we're just taking things easy and watching my blood pressure.  Keeping it under control doesn't seem to be working this week.  I'm going to change a couple of things as far as nutrition and supplements... and drink LOTS more water.  We'll see if that helps this coming week.

Time to get back to the children, housework and sewing prep-work.  I need to go raid the closet and pull microfleece to coordinate with these current orders.  And, it's also time to get my hubby up.  He needed a little extra rest this morning.

Have a great weekend.  Godspeed!