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February 7th, 2010
Charlotte is now officially sleeping in a toddler bed. I was going to wait to transfer her over until after the baby was born, but she prompted the move along by getting her foot stuck and twisted in the bars of the crib. It turned purple and seemed pretty painful. The second time she did it I realized she could break her foot or something similar so we made the bold move. 2 nights down, and 2 days of naps and sleeping and all is going well. We have to sit nearby still as the training to stay in bed is still in process, but it is working beautifully.
I really enjoyed the Super bowl game tonight. I was cheering for the Saints. I love an underdog, and since it was their first time at the big show, I really felt a kinship. I thought it was a phenomenal game, with a lot of bold moves. Some things I had never seen in a super bowl game before. I was not too impressed by the commercials, but some were pretty good, and a lot were just OK. We had friends and family join us at different points of the game and that made it more fun too I think.
I have made my first yarn purchase of the year. I had to order a skein of Malabrigo to finish my Girasole. I am on the lace knitted on edging and ran out. Such a bummer. Oh well scraps for my next blanket. I made a separate purchase for all the baby knits I have scheduled to start on Friday with the Olympics opening ceremony. You can see the prolific adding to my ravelry projects on the side bar for the projects involved in that yarn order, this is mostly due to organization and tagging to qualify and document for the ravelympics and recognition by my team (I joined the Hopelessly over committed group, appropriate?). In the mean time, since I couldn’t work on anything due to ravelympic rules or waiting for yarn, I started my delivery socks. I just finished the heel and am onto the foot of my first sock. It feels very Valentiney since its all red and pinkish in color. It is turning out as predicted by the pattern. Serendipity from last year’s socks that rock club.
Speaking of Valentiney things, Monday starts a busy week for us. Between making Valentine cookies for enrichment, Valentines with the girls for their classes, a few valentines for some special people, My Parents and grand parents anniversaries, a doctors appointment on Tuesday (with a yucky glucose test), and reservations for our favorite restaurant Friday night, plus the anxious wait on whether or not we got in to pace, well it’s busy week. I wonder what my blood pressure will read at this appointment? Anyway, if I don’t make it to blog through the craziness of next week, Happy Valentines day to all of you out there!
February 3rd, 2010
So this past week I have been declared to be nesting by more than one person. I have swept, vacuumed, dusted, and reorganized every closet in the house. Not to mention scrubbing the cupboards and counters and sinks with bleach. The fridge got the same treatment inside and out. I have sorted through the back log of clothes and organized according to age. Everything looks all nice and tidy, considering every closet is shared by at least 2 people. I have also rotated the rooms around, The girls all in one room, and the nursery ready for Bambam. Now Charlotte still occupies the crib at night as she just isn’t ready for the toddler bed, but the dresser and closet and walls are reflecting the change. Her toddler bed and her decor is all set up in the girls room. The girls love it and are dying for her to be ready to spend the night. I warned them that it might be a while.
I finished the mobile for Bambam. It was a fun project. I also sorted through all the clothing for the boy, and loaded the dresser in the nursery with the 0-3 set. I want to tell you, I adore Tide Stain Release!! I used it in a batch of baby clothes that I really really wanted to come to their original glory, and it worked wonders. Really marvelous stuff and easy to use, instead of pre treating everything you just throw the boost in the drum.
I am about two or three days away from finishing my Girasole Blanket. I just adore knitting this pattern. Next on the needles are the baby knits the tweed blanket, and take home out fit and hats. Those get started as part of the Ravelympics (a knit a long casting on the moment the olympics start and ending when the olympics close). So in the down time, If I do anything, I will finished the cabled shrug I have had in the works since 2007. If I don’t do it now I might as well frog it, I only like shrugs like that when I am pregnant.
This week I am hosting dinner twice, An old friend whose family recently moved into my ward is joining us for dinner tonight. Tomorrow my parents are joining us, back from a recent trip to Arizona.
On the name front, Tim and I did an exercise in the names, and it seems we are both really liking Nathan, Preston, and Finnegan, Colin is still in the running as well. I like the idea of Brennan as a first name as well, but Tim doesn’t seem as keen on it, but is fine with it as the middle. Neither one of us are ready to carve it in cement yet. We have also decided he might not match his name we pick before we meet him, and we reserve the right to veto the name once we see him. So even if we come to an agreement it isn’t final till his arrival.
January 29th, 2010
I finished making the owls for my little mobile…They look a little awkward here, but when they are hanging they look so cute. I have to now attach them to the mobile, and will post another pic then. I am loving this little theme.
Aiden’s potty training has come to a complete halt. He decided he didn’t want to anymore, and stopped going. I decided that my sanity is more important than potty training him right this minute. I know he can do it now, and so does he, so now I just have to wait till he decides it is what he wants. It works best when he does the leading.
Pregnancy wise, everything is moving along at a nice pace. I have a dr. appt in 12 days. I am starting to plan out the details, and really nesting. Tim and I tackled the garage last week. This week we are working on reworking the bedrooms. Charlotte is fighting against moving to a toddler bed, so we are letting her stay in the crib up until she is 20 months or so. It is putting a hamper on redecorating the nursery tho. I don’t want to let go of her being the baby anyway, so I don’t mind too much. Now I need to tackle arranging for someone to stay with the kids while I am in the hospital, and helping hands the first 2 weeks after. And getting ready for that inevitability. Lots of stuff to do. But one step at a time it doesn’t seem so overwhelming. If you look below, we have crossed off Darren and Evan from the list, and are down to 9! Slowly but surely making headway.
January 26th, 2010
The naming Saga continues. My Grandma suggested I name him James Kurt. Problem with that one, is I have A grandpa James (passed on), a grandpa Jim (still with us TG!), a uncle Jimmy, a uncle James (goes by JC), a brother named James (goes by JD), and I have my middle name picked out – It doesn’t do nick name of initials well. So while its a popular family name, for the same reason Michael is out, so is James. Now, We have gone from 18 in consideration, down to 9. That is progress at least. The Middle name is Brennan, and of course he is a Gilchrist. Feel free to weigh in! I don’t promise to agree or follow advice.
Ammon
Cameron
Carson
Colin
Cullen
Finnegan
Nathan
Preston
Quinn
January 23rd, 2010
Tada! I finished, and delivered the sweater. It’s cuter than this picture makes it look, cause the cables are hard to see here. It’s even cuter on Jackson.

I started on my blanket, Girasole. It’s a lovely soft merino single ply. So soft. Love Malabrigo. Tada!
I have gathered my mobile supplies. I spent *drumroll please* 4.67 in supplies. The patter is 10$. that makes 1 adorable mobile for under 15$!!! tada!
I found the perfect complete Take home outfit! Now Just to knit it!
January 20th, 2010
I still don’t have a name. Some new ones we are considering are Cullen, Carson, Griffin, and My Husband’s Favorite Maximilian. Problem with that one is my Best Friend just had a baby a few months ago, and named him Maxwell. 2 max’s is just a little too copy cat for me, so I nixed it. I just feel bad cause Tim really really liked it. So the hunt continues. I am not sure on any of them yet, though I have kicked the names Calvin, Calin, and Eldon from the list… I swear this one is going down to the on sight thing. Ugh. I think I am pretty set on Brennan for the Middle name.
On the knitting front, I am almost done with the Cardigan for my nephew. I should finish the sleeve tonight, and start seaming and sewing it up tomorrow. A few I-cords and buttons an I should have it ready for delivery on Friday. I can’t wait to share the pics. I just think it is beautiful. Next up I will start on my girasole in Worsted weight.
I am determined to make this operation more of a spa experience, so I don’t dread it so much. Cause right now I am pretty scared, in an unreasonable nonsense kind of way. So I have decided I want a pedicure, and pretty red toes. A manicure to make my hands prettier. Nice big sunglasses to avoid the light sensitivity and the ugly drugged look. A pretty girasole blanket to snuggle with the baby under. My own hospital gown, cause theirs are ugly (my choice pictured below). a nice knit baby blanket, and matching hat to swaddle him home in. I bring my own ipod for music, kindle for reading, and games for playing. Knowing how long I will be stuck there is at least something. And the recovery time. Forewarned is forearmed. Hopefully this will make for better baby pictures, and help me to feel better, help make it less dreadfull. At least the prize I get at the end is good. (:

January 15th, 2010
Selling off the good stuff from Katie and Charlotte’s baby hood to fund the new nursery. Spread the word. Comment or email. Pay via paypal or cash at pick up.
http://gabbygilchrist.com/for-sale/
January 14th, 2010
Going Hand Crafted/ Home made for my nursery for my final child. I am into the mod thing, and I really like the idea of a beautiful quilt. The Mobile, and tweed baby blanket will be hand made by me. The lamp is an Amazon choice. The rest are etsy purchases I plan to make…



For those who want to know the names in consideration… We have Preston, Collin, Brennan, Quinn, Tristan, Sheldon, Nathan, Ian, Finnigan, Evan, Eldon, Darren, Cameron, Brian, Brendan, and Ammon, just to name a few.
January 13th, 2010
its a BOY!! We just found out a few hours ago. He may not be named for quite some time. Don’t ask.
8 days into potty training Aiden, at 3 years old 2 months and we are on day 3 of 100% dry. In the past 8 days we have had 2 wet accidents, and two mid poo accident. HE told me he was stinky, and needed to poo, meaning he needed a change and needed to go still. I feel like throwing a party. Shouting it from the mountain tops. What did we do? Nothing! When he showed interested we encouraged. When he wanted to wear big boy underwear we told him when he started going on the potty. When he started going on his own, we got rid of diapers, and relegated pull ups to overnights. We expected accidents. Refused to do anything but acknowledge them by cleaning, placing him on potty to try, and changing him. Only 1 day of wet accidents in underwear. A few days later 2 poo accidents in one day. Since then we had a close call, but no accidents except at bedtime in the overnight pull ups. Nothing we tried before worked, we just had to wait till he was ready. I feel like a prayer has been answered, I really was not looking forward to changing or purchasing diapers for 3 children starting at the end of May. I want to say to anyone waiting or feeling discouraged (as I did before and during the process and still do when accidents happen) to encourage yourself as much as the child. Its challenging for both parent and child, and frustrating. Reward yourself as well as the child, and when accidents happen (AND THEY WILL!!) don’t react, but be matter of a fact, and encourage a better way. When you get discouraged just remember if they are ready all it takes is commitment and patience. Everyone can do this. I have found a lot of tips about the child, but not a lot of how to deal with your parental feelings of frustration or discouragement, or words to encourage the adult not only the child.
Tim toured Lockwood Elementary’s PACE program on behalf of our family Monday. We want to get Bekah in because she has a lopsided learning in he current class. Needs more math help desperately, and needs to focus more on comprehension than reading skills. She does too well to draw attention, but is behind in math enough to drag her down and discourage her in other areas. I want to get Katie in because not only would it be pain to have 2 kids in 2 different elementary schools, but I think Katie would do really well with exploring her interests and excelling in each area. She is on the cusp of reading on her own, but I think once she gets it she will sky rocket in comprehension. She has outstanding logic and understanding. She does well in math thanks to it. We just have to hope the lottery goes in our favor. Katie and Bekah already have tons of friends at Lockwood, and at least 1friend in each PACE class. We now just have to be patient until the first week of February when we will get notified if we got in or are still on the list.
My knitting project of the moment is a striped cardigan for Merry. Similar to the one I made 8 or so months ago for one of my nephew Owen’s first birthday. I am making it for my nephew Jackson’s first birthday. Unfortunately I am running behind. My eyes have been killing me and my head has been aching, and on top of that I had a nasty cold. Set me back a solid week! I am done with the body, and half way through the hood. I still need to make the sleeves and seam it up, but that doesn’t take long. A few I-cords for button loops, and sewing on the buttons, and I will be done, I would say I am at about 65% now. I am loving how it looks. It is Navy, White, and Light blue with cabled edging. Really gorgeous. I don’t want to photograph it till it is done, cause I think the first person to see it should be his parents (at least his mom). I promise to post a of him in it as soon as it is finished.
My dad is doing fine. He went to be with my Mom on a trip to Arizona. He still needs to under go a stress test when he gets back. I really appreciate everyone’s prayers and well wishes on the subject.
January 4th, 2010
We had a great new years eve. Games with the Snow’s (which I won for once). Then we chilled and relaxed just the two of us (all kids snug in their beds and fast asleep well before midnight)! I don’t do New Years resolutions, I figure if it’s important you don’t need an excuse or a special start date. There of course are always things I am working on. There are a lot of great things about 2009 and a lot to look forward to this year.
I am excited to find out the sex and exact arrival date of the babe on January 13. I am excited to finish the cardigan I started early this week for my Nephew Jackson. I have already hit the half way point on it. I also have a blanket I want to knit, and many a baby item for the newbie. So far its a quiet start to the new year. I have had a heck of a time shaking a head cold, and my youngest two have picked it up. We have kept to home for the last few days. School starts up again tomorrow for the kids. We have a busy week.
My Daddy is in the hospital tonight for further testing. Overnight observation for some earlier chest pains. When I go by the hospital tonight I hope to get some more information on what they are thinking is wrong. Prayers are welcome and appreciated.

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