The trip to Indiana and Michigan was full of adventure of all the wrong sorts, but I don’t really feel like going into detail. Lets just say that I am glad to be back (I have been back since Wednesday which says a lot). The only thing I wish I could change is the fact that Phoenix is now home with his mommy and so is Natalie.

It keeps surprising me how much I love that little girl. I guess it shouldn’t, but I have to say that I have never felt the same instant love that is completely unconditional. I have always been unsure of how I would handle being around a baby because until I held Natalie I had never been around, much less held a baby. I am surprised at how natural it feels to hold her. Dealing with her has made me believe that if I am ever so blessed having a child might not be the disaster I have always thought it would be (due to I have always questioned my skills at handling children).

Well, lets talk about knitting. The 2 projects & 1 pair of sock rule did not work so well over the weekend. I took the 2nd Aurelia Sock and made it to the heel flap on them and then decided I was having to much trouble with them and started a new pair. The new pair is using the sock yarn from my SP10 partner and another pattern from the LYS owner’s daughter called Get to the Point Socks. I managed to get to the heel flap on the 1st sock and then put them away due to being very busy with family. I planned on picking up the Aurelia Sock on the trip home, but was having a lot of trouble concentrating on them due to traffic so put them away and read a book instead. I also received a pattern that my grandmother used to knit for some very simple slippers and made a pair out of STR in the Lucy colorway for Natalie. I still have to re-sew the 2nd one together as I sewed them too tightly the first time.

I am also going to break the rule about starting new projects (besides socks) by starting the Mystery Stole 3 on June 29. I have never knit a project like this, but since I like the designers other designs, including the first 2 mystery stoles I am sure that I will like this one. The worst thing that can happen is that I don’t like it for my personal use and I gift it to someone who will appreciate it. I have decided to use the 2 skeins of KnitPicks Bare lace weight that I have since it is one of the colors recommended (the top 2 colors are white & black) and am still working on bead choices. I have already swatched, using the test pattern, with 3 different shades of Swarvoski Crystal 4mm bicones (Smoked Topaz, Golden Shadow, and regular Crystal), but had not chosen a preferred color. Now I am not sure if I should use them since someone raised the issue of the crystals cutting through the yarn. If I don’t use the crystals I would have to order some seed beads since I cannot find colors close to the crystal colors locally. If anyone has experience in using crystals with lace weight would you share your opinion please?

I am sorry that I don’t have any knitting pictures, but the batteries died on my camera this weekend. I will leave you with a new photos of Natalie though that my mom uploaded to the family’s SmugMug account.

This first one is of her and Phoenix - he has really fallen in love with her. If she makes a noise he is right there making sure she is alright and when she cries he brings her a toy trying to make it alright. He has taken to guarding her to keep her safe which is what we were hoping he would do.

This is Natalie experiencing wet sand for the first time at Lake Michigan in Petoskey, Michigan. Right after this was taken she gave us a big grin, but we were not quick enough to get a photo.

This is a photo that shows the look on Natalie’s face so often. She is such a serious little baby and always looks like she is thinking really deep thoughts.

And the last photo shows her sleeping on her mommy which is her favorite place to sleep.

Well, hopefully the next post will include knitting photos. Catch ya’ll later.

eta: made a few edits due to typos