Baby update

I had another doctor's appointment today. The stress test went fine, and my blood pressure's OK. The doctor wants to schedule induced labor September 25 since I have gestational diabetes and we don't want the baby to get too big (my due date is October 5). We're hoping for a vaginal birth, and I'm trying to make peace with the idea of a c-section if it's necessary.

My mom's friend had a baby shower for her and surprised the heck out of her! Mom's coming into town on Saturday, so we get more presents!

Hm, not as much stitching in my blog as I'd like. You'd think with me being out of work, I'd have lots of time to stitching, but I'm doing little chores and things I've been meaning to do. And sleeping a lot! Even though I can't sleep after 4:00 a.m. usually, I've been taking lots of naps. The kiddo is taking a lot out of me.

Pictures of baby's room

Here are some pics of the baby's room. First, here's the crib. We're going to put a cat net over the top once it comes in. We plan to keep the room closed, but the kitties are sneaky.

We bought a cordless shade, and it works pretty well so far. The rocker's a little cramped in this corner, but eventually the full-size bed will go. Matt insists the kid should have more room to play, and this bedroom is much smaller than the one I had as a kid.

The changing table, which will eventually serve as a dresser for the kiddo. Those are only a faction of the stuffed animals we already have.

The aforementioned full-size bed, which I'm sure I'll sleep in during the first few months while I'm home and Matt has to work. The kiddo will be sleeping alone thereafter.

I still don't have any wall hangings, and it seems like we need something. I haven't stitched anything for the baby yet, mostly because I haven't found anything I love.

The Awakening Page 46

Here's the partial page done. It went really quickly.

I received a chart for a friend's baby keepsake, so I may start working on that a bit. I also started a Christmas ornament, but I haven't decided whether it's for me or for an exchange. I have as many ornaments as I need, really, but I like this one. Hm, might have to keep it.

Baby: Matt hung the shade and valance in the baby's room today, so it's finally ready for pictures! I'll try to take some tomorrow.

The Awakening Page 40

Here's the next page, at long last. I noticed that some of the black powder from my corroded stand did get on the piece, in the sky. I am really unhappy about that. I wrote to the makers of Gripit. We'll see if they reply. The black powder had better come out when I wash the piece. I don't want to think about if it doesn't.

Just Nan goodies in the mail

I admit it, I've been bad. When I found out that my LNS was unlikely to get any of the things I had placed on order (it's been months), I reluctantly decided to go elsewhere. And since I had promised these items to myself, I should get them, right? I did limit my purchases to the Lady Scarlet Box, Holly Noel, and Snow Business.

I'm tempted to start them now, but I want to finish my page of The Awakening at least. It would be so nice to finish the piece before the kiddo comes.

Harvest exchange stitching finished

Yesterday I finished the stitching for the piece I'm doing for the SBEBB harvest/autumn exchange. No picture, of course. It's a rather large piece, and I'm very proud of it. I asked my mom to bring some autumn fabric over when she comes for her next visit.

I've also been looking into what I want to stitch for the snowman exchange and the ornament exchange (not even announced yet). I go hot and cold on exchanges--right now I'm really hot on them! :-)

I've also been working on The Awakening, but it's slow going. I've run into a bit of confetti.

Baby: The doctor is talking about a possible cesarian section, which is giving me panic attacks. He suggests a therapist to help me handle the panic since there's no medication they can give me to knock me out. My blood pressure was fine this time (no stress this last week), but I bet it's high again next time!

Porcelain Nosegay HD

I finished up this Just Nan this morning. It was a quick stitch, and I've had it kitted up for a bit. It's nice to get these small pieces out of the way while I work on larger ones too.

My chart for the harvest exchange came in, so I may work on that one in addition to The Awakening. I also bought Skeleton Crew, but I'll stick that one in my stash for later.

Halloween exchange finished

I did a little at a time, but I finally finished off the third Halloween piece I'm doing for the SBEBB Halloween exchange. Yes, three. I just couldn't decide which I liked best, so I did them all. At least they're relatively small. Two of the finished items were firsts for me. I'll explain more when I can post pics...which will be a while. I'm very glad this is done so I don't have to worry about the deadline. I had so much fun stitching these. I keep looking at them.

The next exchange is the harvest exchange. I have a chart coming, and I might do a little piece to accompany it.

I decided to stitch a small Just Nan piece, Porcelain Nosegay. It's soaking right now, and then I'll add beads and the charm. I'm considering using one of the Just Nan premade frames. They're called easels, but I'm sure I could figure out a way to hang them on the wall.

Many thanks to the commenters who have delurked. :-)

Baby: I found that I just could not give myself the insulin shots, so Matt had to do it. Yesterday was the first day, and it was such a relief when it worked! When I went to the doctor, though, he said my blood pressure was high, so they did a stress test. I had to lie on my back for about 15 minutes (painful) with a monitor on my belly. Matt said my belly was jumping around like crazy, and I certainly felt him kick a lot. So baby is OK. I'll have to get checked pretty often. The doctor didn't think it was caused by the stress of the past week, but maybe he didn't understand exactly how much I was freaking out. It just keeps getting better and better... But at least I'm not feeling too sick and baby is OK.

Angel Procession update

I did a little (very little) stitching on Angel Procession. I finished the head of the sixth angel this time around. I'm losing interest in this piece again, so I think just doing a day here and there might keep me progressing, at least.

I'm thinking about a new start to cheer me up, perhaps a small Just Nan.

The Awakening Page 45

Here's the next partial page. I think my percentage done calculations are off. I come up with 90%, but I have less than that to do. Me and numbers...

The Awakening Page 39

I finally finished the next page. It took a while because I was working on other pieces here and there. Just two full pages and five partial pages left!

I did the finishing of my second Halloween exchange piece, and now I'll work on the finishing for the third piece. We received our names, and I'm very excited. :-) I'll just have to control my spending because I could go nuts.

Speaking of nuts, I signed up for the Harvest exchange too. The due date on that one is in November, so if I start on it now, I'm sure I can make it. What else do I have to do with my time til the baby arrives?

Baby: I had my baby shower yesterday. Not as many people came as I had hoped, but we had a good time. I got tons of stuff! Baby stuff is just so darn cute. Matt and I didn't manage to finish the wallpaper border in the baby's room, but as soon as we do, I'll take some pics.

Off work!

I went to the doctor today. The bad news is that the insulin pills aren't doing it and I need to start with insulin shots three times a day for my gestational diabetes. Shots send me panicking because my dad had to take shots, but at least it's only until the baby is born, eight more weeks.

The good news is that the doctor is filling out paperwork so that I won't have to work until after the baby is born. I've just been feeling so bad that work is impossible. I also plan to take three months off after the baby is born, family leave, which means losing a chunk of money. Oh well, it will be worth it.

So I guess I get a bit more stitching time. I did finish the stitching on the second and third pieces I'm doing for the SBEBB Halloween exchange and just need to do the finishing. My mom sent me some Halloween fabric and ribbon, which I just love. I've been enjoying working on these.

Winter Stitches HD

I finished this one up this morning. It's Winter Stitches by Jeannette Douglas. I'll eventually get the other seasons, but I'm trying not to spend money right now. And I need to leave stuff on my wishlist for the holidays. ;-)

This was stitched on 40-count linen, which has to be my smallest count for linen. (I've stitched on silk gauze before--42 count.) I definitely needed my magnifier for this one!

Many thanks to Junette for giving me the chart and embellishment pack for the cost of postage!

I received the floss, fabric, and charms for my remaining Halloween exchange pieces, so I may start on that today. I also want to work on The Awakening a bit.

Baby: I had a rough few days with insomnia, back and hip pain, and some sick feelings, but I'm feeling much better now. I hope it lasts! After Matt painted the baby's room, we put up a Winnie the Pooh wallpaper border, but of course we ran out. We should get some more in soon. That was a royal pain.

Taking inventory

It's time to look at my list of stuff to do....

WIPs:
HAED The Awakening (made good progress)
HAED Eternal Promise
Magnificent Wizard
TW Angel Procession (made good progress)
Maggie the Messmaker
Rose and Butterfly Quilt
A Fish Tale
Winter Stitches (a new little WIP)

Finishing:
TrickORTreat (made a little progress)
Angel of Summer (for mom)

Kitted:
TW Castle Sampler
Chatelaine Convent's Herbal Garden
Chatelaine Summer Afternoon
TW Futurecast
Porcelain Nosegay
Horrified
Poor Jack

Things I finished since my last look:
Barnabee's Quest
12 Days of Christmas Whimzi
Generosity
Daffodil Run
Gift pillow
One piece for the SBEBB Halloween exchange