The Pink Ribbon and Other Things

Blogging has been on my mind, but I just haven't gotten around to it. Part of the reason for that was that I didn't feel like writing about what was really on my mind so much last month.

October was "breast cancer awareness month," but it may as well have been called "breast cancer fear month" as far as I was concerned. That fear seems to have dissipated, thankfully, after some journaling, praying and meditating on the truth of not being able to add an hour to my life regardless of how much I might worry. (Just FYI, for those who don't know, I'm considered "high risk" in relation to breast cancer since a close family member had it, and for some reason last month, I was thinking about it so much and fearing it, although it's nothing I've feared before despite a family history of it.)

In other news, of the more cheerful kind...which I may, or may not, expound on later:

...Dan has only 1 week left of this grueling rotation

...I've started a new braided rug with wool from some great stores a friend introduced me
to recently (thanks, J!)

...I'm going to be a sewing instructor 1 day a month this winter at a cute, cute fabric store

...Edwin has begun pulling himself across the floor on his belly

...I've ordered a new Keeper (size A) and am excited to see what cute fabric it'll come in this time (google "The Keeper", if you're curious)

...I've had to return more of my bumgenius diapers b/c of faulty velcro but I've been able to get them replaced with snap-closure diapers

...I've crocheted Edwin a wool hat with ear flaps and am going to try and make mittens too

...I'm going to experiment and make Dan a reusable, washable lunch bag - using my own pattern (which is yet to be created)

And now I hear a little boy upstairs, so it's time for me to go!

Grueling

Months like these are what most people think of when they hear that Dan is in residency. He's working all but 4 days of the next 4 weeks, and he puts in anywhere between 11-14 hours each day.

That means he and I see each other for just a short time at the end of the day and he may or may not see Edwin awake some days. And that means he often misses fun times like this:

Since we're sharing a car, things like grocery shopping can be a little trickier. It works alright if I take him to work or just wait until he gets home in the evening and then go to the store.

During these I-hardly-see-Dan-months, I realize how important my social life is. I have a tendency to wait for others to plan social events that I can happily attend. Dan tends to be our social-events planner, but rotations like this remind me that I need to stay on top of things and take initiative too.

It's a bit tough with only one car...but I'm trying to make it work.

I'm so thankful that Dan's schedule is only crazy for a time and then it changes and will be easier. Meanwhile, Edwin and I use the bus to take trips downtown to do some things like get library books and go to the bank, and we go on a lot of walks to the park. Have I mentioned on here how great the parks are in our neighborhood?

Fall Fun

Now that Edwin can sit up, we've been enjoying something new on our trips to the park. The first time I put him in one, he laughed and laughed.

Here

I

come!

Clutch Purse

This was my first attempt at making a clutch purse. You know, for all the times I dress up and need a clutch purse. (I might need to get Dan to take me on a date just so I have an excuse to use this.)
I used a free pattern from this site. I made a few minor changes - like padding it with fleece, including a small interior pocket, using gathered fabric instead of piping, and adding an antique pin.

The Pictures NOT posted

Here are some pictures I didn't post on Monday.

(Those spots would be melted spearmint gum covered in lint.)

Rainy Day Fun

It started with an outing to the Delaware Children's Museum with some friends in the morning.

After lunch, while it rained, this is what our afternoon looked like:

I love rainy afternoons.

6 Months

Will the next 6 months go as fast as these past 6 months? Or even faster? I look forward to every stage Edwin will go through, but I'm not ready to see my baby move into toddlerhood.

I am enjoying Edwin so much. He's seriously one of the cheeriest babies I know (I'll ignore his current squeals of frustration because he can't reach a toy block). I tend to get eased into life experiences - college and teaching experiences are examples - and am thankful it's been that way so far when it comes to having a baby.

Happy 6 months, kiddo!