There has been some knitting. Nothing complicated, nothing interesting, but I wanted to prove that I do still knit. A little.
Here is Oscar in his pram blankie and beanie set, knitted years ago when I was off work recovering from my collapsed disk. It is knitted in Bendigo Harmony which, sadly, looks like it has been discontinued. I love this stuff, a wool cotton blend with a little lycra, it is lovely and soft to knit with, sproingy, and great against the skin. It always had a pathetic colour range, but it’s been shrinking for the last couple of years, and now seems to be disappearing all together.
And here we have Ella, Inigo’s cousin wearing her new winter hat. It’s based on the Umbilical Cord Hat from Stitch ‘n Bitch, but made a little larger to fit for a little longer. The yarn is bamboo cotton from Spotlight – exactly one ball with about 30cm to spare!
And soon here is Inigo in his new bootees. Cecelia made three pairs of “Christine’s Baby Booties” for Inigo, which have been fantastic. They are the only footwear that reliably stay on his feet, but he is growing out of them, so the time came to make some in a larger size.
The yarn is Stella, 100% bamboo, and has a lovely sheen and drape. I’ve held it double and knit on 4mm needles to make a larger bootie using the same pattern (it calls for a “fingering weight” yarn).
Tresillian will be calling me tomorrow for an admission interview. Apparently they expect me to tell them what I expect to get out of the Tresillian experience. Give me strength.
Yesterday I went to the Inner West mothers group that Miriam goes to. Needed to get out of the house to preserve sanity and escape rising hysteria. Being around so many healthy, normal babies was really hard, and I nearly cracked when one mother said to me, “I’d be really worried if that was my baby”. Apparently it isn’t obvious to the casual observer that I am consumed with fear, bleeding terror from every pore, and only barely managing to breathe through each new day that brings no news.
But on a lighter note…
Yesterday the child exploded. There was such a tidal wave of poo that it gushed out of the nappy, down the trousers, and welled into the top of the new booties. So I gave up on the modern cloth nappies for now, his thighs are too thin to plug the leg holes in the nappies. So it’s cloth terry at home, and huggies newborn for outings. Unless I want to buy a whole lot of newborn sized modern cloth nappies, this will have to do. I do feel like a bit of a failure, but right now I have other battles to fight.
Disco Knitter 
Sweet Jeezus, people are so insensitive. I hope you said something like “Wot, me worry?” with a lopsided dumbo grin. Or “Well, yes, I am terrified to death, actually,” and burst into tears. Or maybe just bitch-slapped her.
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Aww! Cute babies, cute knitting! What more can one ask for in a blog post! I’m glad the booties worked out. I’m going to try some at a larger gauge too now that I know it works.
And I’m sorry to hear about the woman at the mothers group. Why don’t people think being saying stuff like that??
Good luck at Tresillian.
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STOP TELLING YOURSELF YOU’RE A FAILURE! And, yes, I AM shouting.
It’s not your fault. Tell yourself that as many times a day as it takes. You’ve got a gorgeous little boy and you’re doing everything possible to do the best for him. Give him a big hug from me. And have one yourself!
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hi,
i just read a big post in the daily paper today about:
celiac disease- did you think about it???
children who got it have thriving disorder and always lots of diarrhoea, often anaemia.
and a lot of stomache achings….problems with reflux etc pp!!!!
don’ t know how it depends on breastfeeded babys. but sure the la leche liga knows it.
http://www.llli.org//
lg eva
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goodness me – people are really insensitive. Getting out of the house sounds like a good idea. Some of the things that you are blogging about remind me so clearly of my first experiences with my first child, who this year started school. I used to sit, infuriated with the mess, feeling impotent whilst feeding the infant, just staring at all the housework. There is just so much head space adjusting to do when baby arrives. What you are experiencing is normal, in my estimation; I hope this does not sound patronising. That does not make it any less important or real or valid. Be kind to yourself and remember that all things come to pass. Corney but true.
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Have a hug from me too!
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Karma will deal with the woman from Mothers’ Group. We don’t have to act on our urge to smack her one.
Guilty? Sheesh La. Smack yourSELF for me for that one.
You are awesome. This is harder than hard. More difficult that difficult. You are holding it together (when you have to) and you are doing everything possible for Inigo.
And can we CHEER that he’s gained .6kg?!! I think that’s great news!
I think I’d be a basket case in your shoes. There. I’ve said it.
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I love Inigos pants. Mothers groups are interesting places… I go to mine for the reason many go – to get out of the house and be amongst people. But it really drains me. Really nice people who mean well, but I feel better sometimes just staying home with my baby and Googling any parenting questions I have.
Also I think all new mums’ way into a conversation is asking how much your kid weighs/height. The same as when you’re travelling and someone asks, “so where are you from?”
I love terry towel nappies and using the snappy triangular thing. Practical origami.
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