Stitched Up

It's the Little Things

There is a moment before I start a new project when I think "What am I doing? I can't make that." But then I take a deep breath and start the cast-on and then we're off. The result is always something satisfying and inevitably gives me confidence to take on the next challenge. I guess that is the same with life. Without jumping in and "going for it" so to speak, nothing is accomplished. It starts with the little, immediate things, the accumulation of which build into bigger, more significant things. I really must remember this, especially with the big changes that are afoot in my life. After 10 years of working in my company's office, as of November, my contract will change and I will be working from home. This is to enable me to have some fleixibility in my schedule so that I can look after the Little Monkey when she's born and still have an income as well. The husband and I are also talking about moving back to California possibly next summer, a prospect that is simultaneously daunting and exciting, particularly after spending most of my adult life in Japan. So an attitude of "I can do this" is definitely a requirement.

Speaking of little things, the baby knits have been flying off the needles in October. I don't know what I'm going to do when I tire of knitting for baby and have to actually create something adult-size. So far this month has seen the completion of:

The Candy-cane Hat (from Itty Bitty Hats)

The Upside-down Daisy Hat (also from IBH)

The Baby Shrug (from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby)

And:

Baby Overalls--pattern courtesy of Kat, who found it in the Australian Creative Knitting Annual from 2004. After seeing her cute pair, I just had to make them myself. How cozy do they look? Here's a shot of the back:

I have no idea how big or small a newborn baby is, so I have no idea if any of these knits are gonna fit the Monkey when she pops out, but I just hope it's not summer when they do!

And the last Little Thing for today is a photo of my dear friend Tiffany's new baby Colin wearing the Sushi bib I made him:

I guess that's gonna fit him for a while!

Making babies and hats

Have I mentioned how excited I am to be having a baby? Well, excited and freaked out at the same time, but mostly excited. Getting here was quite a challenge, which adds to the feeling of complete awe and anticipation that fills me. Husband and I started trying to get pregnant not long after we got married in April 2005. A year later, however, we were where we started. So we both got checked. At first, he was told there was a problem on his side, but that diagnosis turned out to be bogus. My gynecologist, however, performed an unpleasant test on me that told us that my tubes were blocked. We did the test twice to be sure, but both times wielded the same result. A few months later, we decided to try IVF, which is also not a very fun experience. After three failed attempts, I was tired, physically and mentally, and so we decided to take a break. At that point, I had a realization--that I had accepted the impossibility of the situation. I decided that I needed to change my focus and reorient my mind to believe in the possibility. It was a very liberating realization. At the same time, having heard that acupuncture was known to have some efficacy with regard to infertility, Husband and I decided to give it a try. Two months later, I was pregnant--naturally. On many levels, it's been a very important experience for me. But the long and the short of it is that I'm so excited to be having this baby! Another happy event is that a friend of mine who was also having trouble getting pregnant and had tried IVF numerous times went to my acupuncturist and is now also pregnant, also naturally. It's so wonderful. If you live in Japan and are interested in this treatment, too, please contact me.

So I've become a hat-making machine. I'm addicted to Itty Bitty Hats. Here are my two latest creations:

This is the Reversible Stripes and Dots hat. It's actually two hats in one and so is very thick. If it's too thick, I figure I can detach them and use them separately. Stitching around the dots was the most time-consuming part of the project. I love it!

And this one's called Olive You:

Here's the back:

It's supposed to say, "Olive you!" but it was my first experience with embroidery and I miss judged how much space I needed. The hat itself was really simple, but all the extra detail took some time. I'm really pleased with the outcome, though.

On another note, the doctor confirmed at my last visit that we are indeed having a girl! Here she is:

Can you make out her face?

And how about a gratuitous 26-week belly shot?

What do you think? Big slob or goddess? ;-)

Instant gratification

I keep trudging along with the BBBB, but the monotony of it is making me wonder if I'm ever going to finish. I still have just over four months to go until the baby arrives, so time is on my side, but it makes me wish I had some of those magic needles Mrs. Weasley uses! Needing some instant gratification, I decided to whip up some wristwarmers (aka sweatbands) from the Stitch 'n Bitch book, which I will present to a friend together with the zipper pouch I made from Bend the Rules Sewing for her upcoming birthday.

Here's the gift:

I've also started making hats, so quick and satisfying are they. Here's half of the Reversible Stripes and Dots hat from Itty Bitty Hats.

Well, it's not actually THAT quick as it's two hats in one, but at this rate, anything is faster than a blanket.

In baby news, at my last check-up, which was 3 weeks ago when I was at 21 weeks, the doc said he thinks there's a little girl growing in there. I'm trying not to get too attached to the idea, though, as my sister had the experience of being told they saw a "hamburger" when it was actually a "hot dog". That was the first I'd ever heard of genitalia being referred to in terms of fast food! This week I go in for another check, so hopefully we'll have a more definitive answer. It ultimately doesn't matter, but I've got my eye on some cute clothes that knowing the gender would help with the purchasing of. Not to mention that Husband and I have a girl name that we both like, but can't come to an agreement on a boy's. But at the end of the day, all I want is a healthy, happy baby!

Catching Up

Hello dear blog. It's been a while since I've written, but I swear I have a good excuse. There is much to tell you, but I'll try to keep it brief and interesting. The Husband's brother and nephew were here for 2 weeks braving the steamy Tokyo summer heat and they kept us pretty busy. The heat has also made it difficult to put my brain cells to work, but alas, I will challenge the mental handicap and just write.

So, yes, things have been busy. But in a good way. The two weeks with brother-in-law and nephew were really great. I've met BIL twice before, the first in Japan when he visited with his now ex-girlfriend and the second in England when I went to meet the family prior to our nuptials. Both times said ex-girlfriend was a prominent fixture in his life, so our time together was limited and not so deep. But this trip afforded us many an opportunity to learn more about each other and, I feel, become more a part of each other's family. The nephew is now 17 and it was also our third meeting, the last being at our wedding two years and a bit years ago. Hanging out with him made me feel like a teenager myself, or maybe I just still really am at heart! Here are the boys on their first night in Tokyo, enjoying their first bowl of ramen in a great Shinjuku haunt:

That's hubby's profile. The nephew proved to be a natural at slurping noodles--a must in the Japan dining experience. Although the Husband thinks the skill is taken a bit far when he comes across fellow diners slurping things like salad.

Anyway, we ran them all over Tokyo; some of the highlights included:

Karaoke

The beach

And, something we all enjoyed immensely: Yakatabune. These are old-fashioned lanterned boats that set sail on various Tokyo waterways equipped with food and drink for partiers from all walks of life. The particular boat we took offered all you can eat monjayaki and okonomiyaki, which meant we cooked the fare ourselves, accompanied by all you could drink of a variety of cold beverages. It was a mere 4900 yen and a great way to spend a summer evening in Tokyo. The picture below is of the area where we moored to cook and eat and drink. Notice the Statue of Liberty in the background. That's Odaiba. Tokyo is full of all sorts of weird and wonderful things. For those who are interested, the yakatabune we took can be found here http://www.4900yen.com/.

View from the boat:

BIL cooking monjayaki with intense concentration:

I swear it tastes better than it looks!

And here we all are:

In crafty news, despite my consistent efforts to work on The Big Bad Baby Blanket, it seems to be getting nowhere. Well, maybe my efforts haven't been that consistent. It's too bloody hot here to be sitting around with a ball of wool knitting a blanket. And I'm getting bored with it--back and forth, back and forth. As lovely as it is sure to turn out, let's face it, knitting a big square is just plain tedious! But I shall persevere. After all, it's for my wonderful unborn child.

Meanwhile, I have a acquired a new hobby, thanks to the fantastic gift of a sewing machine from a local friend. Realizing that sewing machines are often things that people purchase and then stick away in a closet to be forgotten about, I used the strategy of mentioning that I was interested in having such a device to anyone who would listen, and finally someone bit. Sure enough, she had a sewing machine in her closet that hadn't been used for some time and would be happy to loan it to me for as long as I would like. So I brought it home, set it up, and there it sat for a good two months. It's got so many buttons, I was simply intimidated, given that I am a complete novice in the sewing department. But at long last, I have turned the thing on and started making things. Here is a sample of what's being created:

Bibs! From Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing. I love this book! There are so many cute patterns that I want to try, and they're all pretty simple.

I also made one of these:

A happy holder for my train pass! This is from a tutorial I found on Splityarn.

Lastly, I leave you with a photo of my growing belly.

This is at 19 weeks, 5 days. A few days later, I felt the first flutters and pokes of the little life growing inside there. It was a great birthday present!

Umi no Hi

Today is a Japanese national holiday--Umi no Hi. Being a 3-day weekend falling in mid-July when summer is starting to heat up in Japan, many people head out of town for a beach holiday, given that it is a day we are meant to show appreciation for all things sea-related. Unfortunately, just as most people were making their escape for the weekend, a typhoon was making its way up Japan, putting a damper to say the least on many a holiday plan. It was a pretty nasty storm that left devastation behind on Okinawa and Kyushu, so we here in Tokyo braced ourselves for the onslaught. My Sunday plans were canceled out of consideration for the safety of those who were traveling in from Tokyo's outskirts to participate, so the husband and I rented a few DVDs to keep us busy while we waited out the tumult. It was not to be, however; the storm took a turn, showering us with heavy downpours and wind as it passed by, but nothing like what we were bracing ourselves for. Not that I'm complaining--a typhoon is no laughing matter! So it's turned out to be a very relaxing weekend--perfect for someone who's growing a baby and still tires easily. I've been able to take care of all sorts of things around the house that I've been wanting to, leaving me a sense of accomplishment to go with my relaxed mood.

This morning we awoke to blue skies, definitely the calm after the storm. I went out the balcony to pick some of these:

Here's what I got:

So I made this:

Besides the slightly burnt edges, they were pretty good.

I also made a bit of progress on the Big Bad Baby Blanket:

This picture doesn't do it justice--the colors are really rich and bright. I've still got a ways to go, but Koigu is such a pleasure to work with, it's definitely worth the time and effort. And to think that in just 6 months it will be wrapped around my wee little monkey makes me fill all warm and fuzzy inside. Everyone I know who's birthed a child says they had no idea just how much they could love another person. I feel so protective and so much love already for this little life inside me that I can imagine the intensity of the feelings that are sure to come when he/she appears on the scene. At the same time, it's frightening to think that I will be totally responsible for this person. It's a bit overwhelming. I'm glad I at least have these 9/10 months to prepare myself as much as is possible.

Sizzle follow-up

Thanks to Rachele for solving the crow mystery! My husband had a similar theory since the birds have been flying off with fruit from the biwa tree up the road from our flat. I guess they're feeding their young, which just means that the problem is going to get worse. Strange thing is, I don't think I've ever seen a small crow, only full-grown ones. Hmmm.

So my sister received her gift of Sizzle and was kind enough to send a photo of her modeling it:

I'm so pleased! It looks great on her--even that little "v" in the neck that I was worried about works, see how her necklace sits right in the space? I almost ripped part of it out to try again, but I'm so glad I didn't. It just goes to show you--sometimes "mistakes" are nothing but another way of doing things.

Crows

So what's up with all the crows? Is it just me or do there seem to be more than usual hanging around? (This is a question for my fellow Tokyoites) I've been working at home today and my BGM throughout has been the cawing of crows. I opened my front door to this scene:

And there were two more kicking back on the ledge over to the side there. It's kinda creepy. It almost seems like they're plotting something.

In other less ominous news (in fact, it's downright great news), the little monkey growing inside of me is getting bigger--the doctor said 10 cm. last week (which was 12 weeks). Here's a pic:

You can see where the little monkey nickname comes from. He/she was moving around and everything. It's just such a miracle.

In knitting news, the Big Bad Baby Blanket is trucking along and I've started a scarf for a friend's birthday. She will have no need for said scarf for about 5 months, but I figure the thought is what matters. I think she'll appreciate it nonetheless.

Today I leave with you this quote from a wonderful book I just read, Baby Love by Rebecca Walker. It's basically the journal of her pregnancy, and I could really relate to her experience. Anyway, this line really spoke to me:

"Love is about listening to the people you love, and giving them not what you think they should have, but what they say they need."

Sizzle--the FO!

Sizzle is finished. I learned many new skills with this project; it was my first experience with seed stitch, creating darts, and picking up stitches and knitting around a neckline and sleeve. This last instruction had me stumped for a while. If only I'd google'd the instruction "pick up stitches and knit" first, much time would have been saved. At first, I did just that: I picked up the stitches and then knit them. But that wasn't producing the desired effect. Finally, thanks to some help from the good ol internet, I found that picking up stitches and knitting is basically just picking up stitches; you don't actually knit them. It confused me. Once I finally figured this out, it still took me numerous attempts to get the seed stitch going to my satisfaction. I succeeded in the end, but, the v part of the neck does not look like the pattern, and I still can't figure out why. If any of you have any advice, feel free to lay it on me! I'm not as enamored with Sizzle as I was when we first set out. Finishing the project has coincided with the end of my first trimester (I'm PREGNANT! Yippee!), and it definitely doesn't look right on my growing body. So I've decided to gift it to someone very special and much thinner than me. I hope she likes it, despite its flaws. I definetly have to chalk this one up to a learning experience.

Now I'm moving on. Misty Wispy has been casted on and it's another new experience: double seed stitch. I've only just begun, but I'm enjoying the fabric that is unfolding and Rowan summer tweed is a beautiful yarn. Summer is upon us here in Japan, so it won't be wearable until at least October, at which point I will be approaching enormous, but what the hell. Here's how far we've gotten:

Jenn, who is sadly leaving Japan in a few short weeks, is also working on Wispy, and I have a feeling she's not far from completion.

Given my current condition, I figure it's time to start preparing, so I've ordered some lovely Koigu and shall get to work on the Big Bad Baby Blanket found in Debbie Stoller's Stitch n Bitch (my first knitting teacher; the book, that is). Awaiting the cast on:

On another note, I went to a Buddhist meeting today and the theme was How to Live a Fulfilling Life. I left feeling very inspired, and here are some concrete points that I think we can all benefit from, regardless of our religious affiliation.

1) Happiness begins with a vow

We begin and continue the quest for happiness of oneself and others by making a personal vow and  renewing it every day. Each person must create his or her own happiness. Waiting for happiness is a formula for unhappiness. Happiness is born of action.

2) Happiness is overcoming unhappiness

Happiness is not an absence of problems, and the presence of problems does not mean unhappiness. Genuine happiness lies in overcoming difficulties. The important thing is to learn how to face our problems, not how to avoid them.

3) The solution to our problems lies within

We are the cause and the solution to our problems, and genuine happiness must be created from within. To realize this is to free ourselves from being a victim of circumstances. Being a victim is easy, but it doesn't make us happy.

4) Don't compare yourself with others

We should bring forth our unique qualities that cannot be compared to anyone else. Each person has a unique set of karmic circumstances and, by challenging them, can make unique contributions to the world.

5) Be in the here and now

By challenging our present state of existence, we can transform resentment and regret into appreciation for what happened in the past. By developing our state of life NOW, we can change the meaning our past holds for us and transform worries into hopes. We can't create happiness simply by moving from one place to another. What's most important is to change our inner state of being where we are.

Lastly, check out what's happening on our balcony:

Ciao!

Progress

  Sizzle is nearing completion at last. I'm a bit vexed by the neck, however. I've picked up stitches and attempted to get the seed stitch going according to the pattern but somehow my efforts aren't producing the desired effect. So I've ripped it out and shall start yet again.

Not a great shot, but you get the idea.

Here's a close-up of the unfinished neck.

Knitting is a great exercise in patience and perseverence. It really is wonderful training for life. But I will save you my philosophical musings and show you some more progress we've got going on around the homestead.

The tomatoes are ripening.

I'm dreaming of blueberry muffins and blueberry pancakes.

The weather has been perfect for growing things. Last year we got about 5 berries on that tree, but this year it's bountiful. Makes me so happy.

And these wonderful flowers are growing on a vine across the trellis, opening when the light and temperature are just so.

In other great news, Kat has come out of the closet with her latest project. Congratulations!!!

The Mr. has just finished cooking dinner and the video is starting, so time to go.

Weekend Getaway

So last weekend the Mr. and I escaped to the Izu peninsula to celebrate our 2 year wedding anniversary. We stayed at this wonderful ryokan (Japanese style inn) called Hanafubuki, which I highly recommend if you're looking for somewhere special to spend a night. It's not the cheapest of weekend getaways, but definitely worth it if you want to treat yourself. I took tons of photos, but here's just a few to whet your appetite:

If you look closely, you can see the Mr. standing in front of our room

The view from our door

Interesting things on the menu

There's a great walk you can take not far from the ryokan on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific

More walk views

Sunning ika

And did I mention the baths?

Niiiiccce

So as you can see, we had a lovely time.

On another note, I just have to show you my two nephews in their matching homemade hats

The big one's Nico and he's an amazing kid. And I'm not just saying that because he's my nephew. He can tell you just about anything regarding the various animals living in the sea, and is fluent in English and Spanish, and even knows a bit of Japanese. And just look how handsome he is. Joaquin's the little guy and he's turning out to have quite the personality according to my sis. I really miss them. That's the worst thing about living in another country.

I finished the back of Sizzle and have just started on the front. Hopefully I'll have an FO to post before long.