The Harlot made it to Chicago!

ETA: Support this worthy cause: a fellow knitter, Raveler, and all around awesome woman is walking the Philadelphia Breast Cancer 3-Day. Please help if you can!

Yes, that would be the Bean (thanks to Nan for the picture since I'm a bad blogger and forgot my camera). She's wearing a little onesie I made for her that says "Knit Happens" And shoes that are too big for her feet, but fit around the ankles. You can see her second outfit of the day on Stephanie's blog (scroll down). I had a wonderful time, drove down with Jen and her wonderful daughter, C. We met the irrepressible Nan at Nana's to hang out. Tricia and her daughter Corey run such a welcoming store. And who was there early (besides Stephanie) but Franklin, who is such a sweet guy... M was fascinated by him. I convinced him (wasn't to hard) to get the Sirdar pattern book that I used to make the short-sleeved wrap front sweater (Ravelry link) for M. Since each pattern is sized up to seven years I told him it would be perfect for cute patterns for his darling niece, Abigail. I also got to meet some really cool Ravelers, so, it must be said, Nana's puts on a hell of a party.


M is now officially crawling. She's getting quicker by the second, but also uses scooting and rolling to get her where she needs to go.

You can see she has one leg up in this picture. She very often seems as though she would rather be walking than crawling. D was an early walker and so was his brother. I'm hoping M settles into the crawling and decides its enough for quite a while. She can get into enough trouble that way. Our family room has become a "safe zone" with a gate from wall to wall blocking off the computer and TV. Of course, all this means is that instead of redirecting her away from the various electronics, we are redirecting her away from the gate. We'll see how long it takes before she's able to pull it down.

If you are thinking there isn't much knitting going on, you are right. I am working on a chemo cap for a relative of a friend, and have other things (which you've seen) going, but need to redouble my efforts.

So, to distract you some more...

A day at the park

Once again, we went to the Riverwalk Park in Naperville for a show. Today it was Little Nashville, a country-style group. We had a nice time with one of the other meet-up moms we know, and it was fun seeing the older kids really get into the show. It was a lovely day, sunny and breezy and 75 degrees.

Sunday M turned 7 months old, and while visiting my in-laws for Father's Day, she crawled her first two steps! She hasn't crawled since then, but she does get up on her hands and knees a lot. Saturday we had her first swim lessons (really more water acclimation at this point) and she really enjoyed being in the water. Was so comfortable floating on her back (with my arms supporting her head and upper back) that she pulled her feet up and chewed on her toes. She is a silly kid. She has also really started sticking her tongue out while making noises. Pretty funny stuff to see. As I type this, she is on her side/back, holding one foot in each hand, sticking her tongue out, grunting and smiling.

This weekend we are putting up a gate across the front of the family room to keep her from all the computer cords and the audio/visual goodies. She may not be crawling, but she can still move around a room!

The Cute Ninja hasn't made any progress recently... it is still stuck in finger puppet mode. I just need to stuff the body and sew the feet in, but I have been trying to make more progress on my dad's sweater. I have finished one skein of Cascade 220. Love that stuff. Anyway, I love the way the sweater looks, I just hope it fits. I am now going to start the back other side (front or back, whichever this one isn't) and work up so that when we go visit I can see if it fits. If it doesn't, I make the next size up, if it does fit, I continue as is and just make the modifications planned. The mods are so that it isn't so baggy, and has a v-neck.

My other plan for the weekend is to really get busy getting my basement organized... I want it M-proof so we can spend some time down there when it gets hot and stays hot this summer.

Friday night

We have been busy getting out and about, and I haven't been knitting a ton. A Bean on the move means less knitting time. She's not crawling quite yet (up on hand and knees and rocking), but she does scoot and roll.
We joined a local "playgroup" online the other week and have gone to two meet-ups. This is M at the second one. Nice moms and kids, and M loves seeing other kids. And, as you can see, she loves swings.
Good thing, then, that we got her a swing for the set in our backyard. I think she could spend hours just swinging away. Her little feet kick and her left ankle goes around in circles and she laughs and laughs.

Speaking of the backyard, our peonies bloomed and they are so pretty. We also have this light green/yellow plant that sprouted these three petaled purple flowers that is just so pretty. I have no idea what it is. I suppose I could Google it or something, but heck, why take away the mystery? Apparently the rabbits like it, whatever it is, because down near the ground, whatever bits of the leaves stick out of the "cage" get eaten by the bunnies.

Finished the tortoise for M. As with her other wool toys, she enjoys chewing it. Not a bad little crochet project, not my favorite because I didn't like sewing it together. The legs went in a little wonky and the bottom sewed onto the top a bit strangely, but, all in all, not too bad. I did not add the eyes or the felt to the inside of the mouth since M just chews on it. Maybe later ... but then again, maybe not.

Sewed the head and arms onto the body of the first Ninja. It makes a great finger puppet, so that's what I'm doing with the next one.

Oh, and we got the Bean a baby piano. She loves it, and it is so fun to hear her play.

A beautiful Monday

That would be M. enjoying a banana the other week. This morning she enjoyed blueberry, raspberry, banana, strawberry, peach, and Cheerios. She's getting better at swallowing and not just pushing it all back out of her mouth with her tongue.

It's been nice out, so we have been able to take some walks. I just have to remember to put sunblock on me when I put it on M., as I burn easily, too.

No pictures of any knitting because I've been crocheting toys... and haven't finished one yet... just part of a foot left to make for the first ninja, then the fun of sewing it up. I'm also working on a tortoise.

I realize this isn't an entirely interesting post, but I thought if I gave you a few M. pics, you wouldn't fault me too much ;)