Av's yellow and blue blanket

Av's blanket for his birthday made 6months early. He requested a yellow and blue blanket but I ran out so I added more colours. Its narrow and long but it should still be fine for him to use.

MM Winter swap

I found it challenging, what could I make for an older toddler who lives in a warmer climate? I decided a singlet and a toy plane. I really loved the set.

We received a wonderful vest which Av looked at and just knew it would fit him, he was rapt.

That's a wrap

Soaker wrap knitted with Manos del Uraguay wool clasica. It is meant for a small baby and to be felted (fulled). I haven't yet added buttons.

I love rock n roll

Adam's Eden

Another singlet, this one is a size 6mths, knit in scrap white cotton with Cascade cotton rich DK.

Beautiful boy

Beautiful boy
Originally uploaded by inakid

My eldest boy turned 7 on the 22nd April. A gentle, sensitive, intelligent and deep thinking young person. Of all my children, he is my most quiet, so alert, soaking up information and learning all the time.
I remember as I baby I used to sing to him, "Close to You"



When he was born, our family fell in love. It was a fantastic time in that sense. But I did have a traumatic birth with him. I know from that experience, I cannot birth in the optimal way with strangers staring at me. I am not a social birther.

When my big boy was not yet a year old, he had his immunisations as according to the schedule. It triggered severe eczema. I am incredibly saddened by how much he suffered and us, as parents, felt so helpless. Contrary to what most people believe, eczema is much more than a skin problem.

He now has mild eczema, mostly on the outside of his elbows and around the knees. He also has suffered with asthma and allergies but he has been in good health in the past couple of years.

So, my boy is 7. I love his enthusiasm and excitement for learning and the way he knows so much and is always willing to share. I like how he wants to help me, and I love how I just know he loves me. I love my big beautiful boy.

Face of Birth

A documentary set for release in 2011. This will hopefully open up more discussion on true birth and how women can make the right choices for them.

Merimbula family holiday Day 3

Pancake breakfast on the day we left Merimbula.

The big boys had one each, J had at least one on his own and our girl got another one which she graciously shared with her Dad who would easily had many more!

It was such lovely weather in Merimbula. I brought along jackets and blankets which we did not need. Though the big boys wore their jackets?! My big boy got this jacket for an early birthday present. It is so cool (spot the Rickenbacker bass). Kids have the coolest things these days.

Anyway, it was better weather than I could have hoped for. Not too cold or windy or wet and not too hot either.
We headed back home via Canberra.

The trip took longer because there were several roadworks happening on the mountains and so it was stop start and then we stopped in Canberra for lunch but had to stop early for a toilet break. We stopped at the DFO and my big boy spotted shoes he liked and for $5 I thought it would be fine. Then of course Av wanted a pair too. They didn't have his size so he settled for socks. Actually he was very rapt with the socks. He wore a pair and carried the other!

We stopped in Gundagai and planned to stop in Albury for dinner but then moved on to Wangaratta for a quick dinner.

We had to stop often for power naps, the travel fatigue was an issue. What a trip!

Merimbula Family Holiday Day 2

Without going into details, I was not feeling my best, so the kids went with their Dad to do arts and crafts in the morning. We then went for a short walk down the hill to the beach. It was beautiful, quiet beach with very few other people there.

 J walked all the way down that hill and when it was time to go back to the cabin, he insisted on walked back up. He also insists in climbing into and out of  the car on his own. Where is my baby?

 

Our water confident babies

The boys made a moat and sandcastle with Dad. Then J decided to throw sand. He even chased me with his newly found face of determination. "I mean it!" Also known as Mean Abram face.

The sand was easily imprinted and the waves were coming in and washing it away. My big boy in particular was enjoying writing in the sand.

Merimbula Family Holiday 2010 Day 1

We started our roadtrip in the early morning on Sunday. The kids were so excited that they could go for a drive in their pyjamas. We stopped in Lakes Entrance so they could get changed and stretch their legs while Dad had a nap.

The kids love going to different places and sleeping someplace different. We stayed at a family cabin minutes from the beach. Colourful birds perched themselves on the verandah.

There was many things to do at the holiday park and only having 2 days there, we were limited in what we could do.

Pajamas

This is the best indication of the colour of these longies I could get. I love them, they make for great pyjama pants on cool nights. This photo was taken in Canberra where we stopped for lunch. J was watching a man clean the windows.
The yarn is Manos del Uraguay wool clasica in Poisedon. The trim is Woolganics worsted merino. The pattern is my own.

Av in his brother's nest!

Av in his brother's nest!
Originally uploaded by inakid
Just because I found the photo amusing - it wasn't set up. I don't think they would stay still anyway.
I made a few scrunchies for myself and my daughter from flurry yarn.

Sleep bag

When I was testing the tikki singlet pattern (originally called Simplicity, now known as eden's adam), I thought it would make a great sleep bag so here I did! It is knitted in Cleckheaton silkee to fit a young infant. I love it very much! Could also work as a dress I think without the drawstring.
Knitted for the tiKKi kal. There many fantastic entries.

Hoodie weather

Look at these rough adventurous types! J really does not hold much fear.

I used some alpaca and other yarns but its predominantly The Yarn Cafe yarns. I especially like the hood - the yarn is splatter dyed gradient. I added a tassel to the hood. Its fairly lightweight though the arms and the top part of it is heavier.

MM box swap (April 2010)

What I sent - recycled pencil cases, patterns, sock yarn, fabric, jewellery made by me. What you can't see is the hand made hats, headband and glasses case and more fabrics. Also some fair trade chocolate.

I received some wonderful things including handmade candles, personalised stationary, handdyed cotton from ArteZanz, photo album (I am going to get a few prints to put in it soon), and stitch markers.

Kids and wooden beads

I loved watching my boys make necklaces from wooden beads. They enjoyed it too.

Hats for a gift

A couple of hats I crocheted for a friends' daughters. Their eldest is J's age and their youngest was just welcomed into the world. Bub is absolutely gorgeous and Mama is well, though tired, she is trying to keep up the breastfeeding.

NB sock, cocoon, pod, ...

I made this because its just too cute, looks so warm, and I hope one day to use it! Knitted in Malabrigo chunky garnet.

Sweet knits

My sweet boy doesn't hate hats any more! He even puts them on himself and doesn't remove them!

He requested to also try on this top which is meant to fit 6-12m. I bought the Hearts for Haiti in support of the Haiti relief effort. Both are knit in Manos del Uraguay Wool Clasica which is fun. The colours are beautiful but its hard to photograph true, the texture is lovely, like handspun and soft too.

Newborn soaker

Knitted in Malabrigo chunky with one big button to fit a newborn.

Bulky Vest

Bulky Vest J 18m
Originally uploaded by inakid
Knitted from bulky Cestari undyed.

Lil shawl

Meant for my daughter's birthday, she finally received it on Easter. Her brothers received tee shirts. Crocheted in Woolganics merino worsted.

School's Out

School's out, not quite forever, but at least a fortnight.
On the last day of school, they held a sports day. Sports days when I was at school was serious business but this was very relaxed. We had a picnic too.
As is tradition, we took the kids out for dinner that night and then played games.

The past week has gone so fast. My husband is home for 4 weeks and he needs the break from his job which is hard labour with excessive manual handling atm and politics which is enough for anyone to leave. He has stuck it out for 10 years and is unsure what is next if he were to leave. Anyway, I am glad he is home to spend more  time with us. He had his birthday and we went out sans kids as well as last night  for our 11th wedding anniversary which is today.
J had his first night without me. He came back and drank and crashed.
This week we have taken the kids out as often as we could. Playgrounds and even to see "How to train a dragon" at the Drive In were lots of inexpensive fun.