Introducing Mini Master L

Well- I can't believe it- MiniMaster L arrived- three weeks early! It was quite a labor and delivery experience so I thought I'd share my cautionary tale to all of you pregnant mamas. If you are in labor- run, don't walk to the hospital. Master L was almost delivered in a cab- by Mr. R. I can't even imagine.

On Saturday, we had a quiet afternoon, going for lunch and just walking along the waterfront. I had some cramping, but thought nothing of it. At about 11 p.m. my water broke. I was in denial. It was three weeks early, we had no plan to care for Master A, we had no bag packed, no list prepared of Master A's schedule. We were not ready- but Master L was.

I called the doctor and she told me to come up to her office in Tribeca. It turns out I was only 1 cm dialated and had a "thick cervix". My OB told me it would be hours and I should just labor at home till I was closer. I didn't think it would take that long because it was only a few hours with Aidan but I didn't want to be in the hospital all night. Thankfully, my brother in law was in town this weekend, as many of my mama friends I may have called were not. He came over to stay for the night.

I got home a little after midnight and within a half hour the contractions started coming faster. Some weren't terrible, so I wasn't sure if they all were contractions and how far apart they were. We frantically tried to write up some lists on Master A, pack a few cosmetics in a Ziploc, and grab my non-filled out preadmissions paperwork for the hospital. Then, the contractions became much worse and only about two minutes or so apart. I had just left the OB only two hours ago. I didn't think there was any way I could be that far along. By 2:30 a.m., Ryan dragged me out the door. We jumped in a cab and headed to midtown. About halfway through, I became delirious. I couldn't get comfortable on the seat and was just groaning. The cabbie started flying through the city. When we arrived, he had to back down 59th street the wrong way to get us to the emergency room door. I am just thankful that I didn't think to push to alleviate the pressure. I was so miserable that I absolutely would have- not thinking of the consequences. Some nurses at the hospital told me that some taxis will deny pregnant women (though it's illegal) b/c they don't want to deal.

We went upstairs and after telling them I needed to push and my OB had called and said I was a direct admin (she was on her way by bicycle), they told me I was 10 cm plus one. I was absolutely miserable b/c I knew there would be no epidural for me. (I loved my epidural with Master A. It is great if you want to deliver naturally, but I had no desire to be a super hero. I never had any intention on delivering naturally.) Everyone was running around the room, pulling off my clothes and my OB raced up. Within 15 minutes and four pushes, Master L was here. I couldn't believe it. Although it wasn't long, it felt like hours and I really felt like I was going to die.

When he came out, we saw that the cord was wrapped around his neck 2xs and also had a knot in it. We were extremely lucky. If I had my epidural, it would have slowed down labor and Master L would have probably gone into distress. I don't even want to think of it. So- in the end it was a blessing. It's funny, I was never officially admitted to the hospital, it was called a "precipitous delivery". The moral of my tale- spend more time laboring in the hospital- these second babies come barreling through.

I decided to try breastfeeding with Master L. It wasn't for me with Master A (I know I'll hear about it when he's older- how I loved Master L more to give him a better start). Wow- it is tough and painful. Any advice from you experienced mamas would be appreciated.

It is much different this time, coming home to an active 18 month old and because I never had a chance to slow things down for my business- I'm having to put in a few hours for that each day. I wasn't sure if I'd need help- but now I know I absolutely will. Can't wait for you all to meet the munchkin.

My birthday surprise

I turned a year older last week. I begged the powers that be for a baby but instead I got this piano! It was a lovely surprise. I received a phone call around lunchtime asking if I'd be home at 3 for a special delivery (oh do I miss my concierge in NYC!). Of course I stayed in and it was worth it. Mr M had surprised me with a new piano.

From the time I was 6 until about 16 I endured the hours of practise required to be a pianist - not all willingly mind you. But now I thank my mother for making me get up at 6 each morning and do 1-2 hours practise before going out to groom my horses. I read an interview with one the mother of one of the current Billy Elliots and she said that making her son practise his ballet was a bit like making him brush his teeth - sometimes he doesn't want to do it but she knows it's the best thing for him and therefore makes him do it. That's how it was with my piano and I'm so glad my mother made me do it.

It was actually Mama V who first got my mind thinking about a piano. I visited her one day and tinkled about on her ivory keys for a few minutes and suddenly dreamed of sitting at my piano with Master R and playing beautifully. That's when I started to beg the man for a piano.

What a shock last week when I finally sat down to play. I really had forgotten everything. I'd forgotten even where the notes were apart from middle C. At least that's a good start! I tried to play something and could only get through a few bars of Fuer Elise. The other shock is how hard it is on my weakened wrists. Previously about 1 hour was done each day just on scales to strengthen my fingers and encourage agility but now of course they have neither.

I've been practising most evenings now and can kind of do a scale properly and pick out a page of Beethoven's "Mondschein". Mr M is really enjoying listening to me and of course Master R loves banging away at the keys. Longer term I hope it inspires some creativity in my son.

The urge to finish

I'm not sure if it has anything to do with being in the final days of my pregnancy but I've had this sudden urge to finish all those projects I've had lying around - some for nearly a year. While it looks like I've been ultra-productive, in most cases it has been about putting in a couple of hours to just get the project finished. That's what I've been doing the past couple of weeks so I now have a few finished projects to share.


First is this dress. I bought the fabric about 3 months ago. The style is the same as a $1 dress I bought off ebay and wear and wear and wear. With the elastic top it was great to breast feed in and it is just so comfortable. I'm wearing the old dress literally to it's death. The idea was to make this one for summer. As the nights get longer and summer draws to a close I probably won't get much of a chance to wear it this year but it's a great dress anyway and was so simple to make!

The fabric comes with the elastic already sewn in the top. You just whip up the side seams, top and hem. Viola! Easy! The yellow, red and green stripes mean it will look great with red sandals and red cardigan.

Sorry about the picture. I had to use the self timer on the kitchen bench.

Sorry also for this picture. But nothing I could do would give this cardigan justice. It looks wonky here but it's not. I'll take a live shot once I fit into it again. It is a stunning design with lovely 3/4 length sleeves in the same lacy pattern and a scalloped edge. However, this was the most difficult knitting project I have ever undertaken! Only because the pattern was written so badly. It was almost as if they wanted you to fail from the outset. Just terrible. Mama J and Mama H, I promise I'll always help you with any knitting and crochet pattern you do EXCEPT this one!

Just a very basic blankie. Master R is such a little blankie boy (which I find very cute). But his wonderful 3Marthas blankie is in a sorry state. No matter how much I wash it I can't get out the ground in dirt. They don't make them anymore and I couldn't find one in blue and white on any of the US sites I searched so I thought I'd make one. The knitting was very simple but sewing the ribbon around wasn't so easy because my poor old machine didn't like sewing through the thickness of the wool. So I'm rather ashamed of my sewing and won't own up to it!

I was concerned that Master R would reject the replacement blankie but as soon as he saw it lying on the sofa he screamed for it and wouldn't let it go. Mission complete!

Last but my absolute favorite is this cabled hoody. I started it in October last year and had finished it by February but hadn't put in the zipper. I tried to get to the haberdashery store in NYC before I left but didn't get there. Finally yesterday I bought the zip and sewed it in. However, there is a big problem with this hoody. Those with a keen eye will see that there is a lighter strip of knitting around the waist line. I was furious - I ran out of yarn and went back to The Point and was assured it was the same dyelot. As you can see it was not. I've considered ripping it back but decided to just live with it in the end. It's a lesson that I should ALWAYS check the dyelot and NEVER knit if it's not the same. Mamas J and H - this is a great pattern for you. The yarn is beautiful and the fit is wonderful. It's a quick knit too because it's on big needles.

Now to get back to the sofa and finish some more outstanding projects.

A wonderful weekend with Mama V and family

Mama N and Mr M in the kitchen.

Mama V, Master K and Mr A at the farm.

Mama V and Mama N (looking MASSIVE) at the farm.

Chunky Master R and long lean Master K playing ball in our backyard.

Last weekend we had the pleasure of hosting Mama V, Mr A and Master K. Having not seen Master K since February I couldn't believe how tall he is! Such a little sweetie.

Master K and Master R played so well together. On Saturday morning they taught each other some great dance moves and thought it was hilarious. So did we! They were so funny jumping around everywhere, throwing themselves on the ground and then laughing uncontrollably. Master K is the only older friend Master R has played with recently who hasn't beat him up so he appreciated that.

Saturday night Mr M wanted to cook his famous lamb roast for our guests. I think they enjoyed it. He followed up with BBQ 4 course breakfast the following morning. It took so long to eat that we only had a little time to show them our local hangouts and take the boys to the farm. Both Master K and Master R loved chasing the chooks (Australian for chickens) and watching the enormous pigs snore in their sty.

All too soon it was time to leave and Mr A was getting anxious about getting to the airport on time. Once they'd left the house seems so empty and quiet. Master R was exhausted and slept for 4.5 hours! He was asking for Master K when he woke up. We really do want more friends to come and visit please!

Strange But True Products for Kids

Last week my mom and I were shopping for Master D's new fall shoes when we heard a strange sound in the shoe store.  A child was strolling around in her "Squeaker Sneakers," shoes that make a squeaking sound as the child walks.  My mom was enthralled, and interviewed the girl's mother about the shoes.  She said the child loved making noise as she walked, and the sound made it easier for the mother to keep track of the child.  My mom was sold, I was not.  I just pictured Master D making even more noise in stores and wanting to run around our house even more than he already does!!  I told my mom she could get a pair for him to wear at her house, and I wouldn't be surprised if she does.  Now that I have perused the Squeaker Sneakers webpage,  learned that the squeaker can be removed and seen some of the cute velcro styles, I might put Squeakers Sneakers on my list of cool baby shoe brands.  Would you?

Another questionable product hitting the market is a nursing baby doll.  Uber-Boober that I am, I usually advocate anything that promotes breast feeding.  But this doll gives me pause, perhaps because it invites children to pretend to have fully-functioning breasts.  It even comes with a nursing top to make it easier for little girls to "nurse" by bringing the baby to the nipple covers that are also included.  When the baby nears the nipple covers it makes sucking sounds; when baby is pulled away from the nipple "daisies," it cries for more milk.  

Part of me wants to like this product because so many baby dolls come with bottles and a nursing counterpart would make sense, especially for girls with nursing mothers.  But little girls can't lactate, it is a maternal act reserved for grown-up mothers.  It is not a sexual act, but it is an adult one.  It's kind of like children playing doctor - there's nothing wrong with being a doctor, but there's something inappropriate about children examining each others' bodies.  The sociology major in me is appalled at my prudishness, knowing children are meant to experiment, but there it is...  What do you think?

EASY Summer Suppers

Right now, for myself and I suspect all of us, easy prep suppers are what I am in the mood for. And if I can use fresh ingredients especially from the CSA even better. The first is an orchiette pasta with spinach, garlic and Niman Ranch sweet italian sausage (Mama V got me obsessed with the NR sausages.) I try to keep the ingredients for this meal handy so that all I need to do is pick up spinach if I do not have it and I am ready to go. Boil water for the pasta, then heat sausage cut in to slices in a saute pan with garlic and a bit of olive oil. When pasta is al dente save some water in case you need it to use later. Drain the pasta. Place washed spinach in the saute pan with the garlic and sausage, turn over a few times and add the pasta. Add parmesan cheese and a little pasta water if needed.
Place in bowls and top with more parm. Done. Love. Hope you do too.

The other dish is my Manly Salad. This is the only salad I can pass off as enough food for my Mister. I love it in the summer because you can use fresh lettuce (red or green leaf or romaine), corn, tomatoes, blue cheese, red onion if you please and here is the key Bacon! But not just any bacon. It must be a thick cut. What makes this the easiest is that we buy 3 pieces from Wolfgangs Steak House down the street. I know some of you live near a steak house (Mark Josephs in the seaport) so you can do it too. The Misters love it.

So for you veggies just omit the sausage and the bacon and there you go. Niman Ranch also makes a chicken/turkey italian sausage for the no red meat mamas.

Finished objects - for the bambino

After knitting so much for friends' kids, I was very excited to start knitting for the new baby. My goals pre-baby #2 were a kimono, learning to do a cable hat and learning to crochet. I knew I'd never want to take on anything that requires brain power for some time after the baby arrives.

The kimono went fairly smoothly as it was a simple, seamless pattern. I had problems finding more of a boyish pattern as many seemed very girly. The kimono came out a bit bigger than I hoped for- to be used for winter when the baby is about 3 months- but it should be fine.

My cable hat project was quite a pain. The process of cabling is quite easy- just removing a few stitches to a separate needle and knitting past and then picking them up. However, with 10 cables on this hat, and each cable alternated when twisting. I had to frog the hat several times. I even sent pics to Mama N thinking there was something I was doing wrong. I just was not paying close enough attention to the pattern and trying to zip through it. Oh well, at over eight months pregnant, concentration is not key. I finally finished the hat and actually decided to try it again for another friend who is due on my same due date.

As to the crochet, I attended a 2 part class and you may have seen my wimpy attempts at it in an earlier post. I practiced a bit over the past 2 weeks and am finally feeling a little more confident. Crochet is quite different from knitting but Mama N promises that I will like it and that it goes by quickly. She encouraged me to do the blanket I really wanted to do- a blanket she made with adorable sheep on it- even though I thought I should do something simpler. Luckily, my new yarn shop Lionbrand, has crochet doctor once a week and I'll probably take a private advanced lesson to learn increases, decreases, and some other stitches after the baby arrives. Hopefully, I won't be too embarassed to post the blanket one day.

Book club and mojito cupcakes

Well yesterday was a long day for this mama. After a visit with my OB and hoping I would hear that I would be delivering early, she told me she thinks I will go on time or late. I'm not in a rush for this baby to arrive, however, late wasn't something I wanted to hear, especially on the muggy walk home.

Next, it was time to ice all of my cupcakes. This month, I hosted our mama and babies book club and decided to try a fun recipe a friend had passed on for mojito cupcakes. I was afraid someone may not be happy there was one shot of rum in there for the kids, so I also made the popular Magnolia cupcakes from Mama H and Miss L's sendoff for the kids.

Of course it ended up raining through book club and attendance was low, but Mama V, Mama L and another mama were able to brave the elements. It was very exciting to have Mama H and Miss L on skype throughout as well. Lots of cupcakes and a little discussion about the book "The Women". The kids seemed to have a great time and left with a sugar high- so I think it was successful. Any of you mamas out of the area- we'd love to see you and your babes on skype- even if you didn't read the book!

Since I had so many cupcakes left, I brought them to my restaurant group that was meeting last night as all of the evil mamas claimed sugar coma and wouldn't take the many extras home. The mojito cupcakes had some mixed reviews from the mamas, my restaurant group liked them a bit more. They are different- with distinct flavors of lime and mint. I recommend chopping the mint very finely and using less than a recommended handful of mint. The Magnolia cupcakes were a hit- especially with Master A- who probably ate 6 or 7 minis by the time the day was over (thankfully- only the equivalent of about 2 cupcakes). Mama LS found this great recipe and it will make you swear off any other vanilla buttercream icings. You just need lots of confectioner's sugar and a big non-city grocery store that sells self rising flour. Food Emporium does sell it in NYC. The recipe makes much more icing than you could ever need- I suggest using 4-5 cups of confectioner's sugar at most.

Here's the links for the cupcake recipes:
http://visualrecipes.com/recipe-details/recipe_id/479/Mojito-Cupcakes/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/saras-secrets/magnolias-vanilla-cupcake-recipe/index.html

Happy Baking!

Toddler toothbrushing tantrums

I'd really love some advice. I go through toddler tantrums every day twice a day with Master R when it comes to brushing his teeth. I feel ready to just give up! I've tried different toothbrushes, mine, Mr Mr's, electric and handheld, different flavours and brands of toothpaste and nothing helps. He'll gladly eat off the toothpaste or turn on and off the brush but he just won't give the teeth a brush. I try to demonstrate and get him to copy me but nothing. I then have to hold him down and gently attempt to brush them while he thrashes about and screams as if I'm administering torture.

Any suggestions or experiences welcomed!

Pink or blue baby booties?

Today I had my big ultrasound appointment where Mister T and I learned the genders of the twins. We were so anxious to find out! It was a two-hour appointment and I wondered if they would wait until the end to tell us.

In the first two minutes we learned that Baby AA is a boy! He is so active rolling around and kicking. He will be the first to be born based on his position.

After an hour of taking his measurements, checking his organs, counting his fingers, listening to his heart and taking cute pictures for us to take home, we moved over to Baby BB. We had to wait for Baby BB to open the legs for us to find out the gender. Meanwhile Baby AA kept coming into the picture by throwing his arms and kicking his legs into his sibling as he kept rolling around.

Then Baby BB rolled over and showed us she is a girl! We have a really cute picture of her resting her head on her brother's head (with just a millimeter of a membrane between them).

Mister T and I are so happy to be expecting a baby boy and a baby girl! And we are most happy that everything looked good on the ultrasound.

The doctor came in at the end of the appointment to talk about the ultrasound results. He told us that our main focus now should be keeping the twins inside as long as possible. The big risk is premature labor. Mister T then asked if there is anything we can do. The doctor quickly replied that yes, there is something that can be done. This is the point where I wish I had a tape recorder or pen and paper on hand.

He advised that I should lay down for an hour each morning and for three to four hours in the late afternoon. I had to hold back from bursting out with laughter! A doctor had just told my husband that I must rest between 4 and 7 every day!

On the way home Mister T wanted to get an afternoon coffee. I asked him if he wanted to go to Starbucks or Peets. He chose Peets which was two blocks farther so I made sure to tell him that the extra walking may necessitate an extra half hour of resting this evening!

Source: www.mysunwillshine.com

Summer luau

As my mother always told me when you have a really bad day everything will be better tomorrow. How true. Today the Golden Gate Mothers Group (the West Coast version of HRP Mamas) hosted a free summer luau at our neighborhood park, Julius Kahn (referred to by locals as J.K.).

J.K. with the cypress trees of the Presidio National Park in the background

The festivities started at ten this morning. Mister T, Miss L and I walked over to be welcomed by balloons and leis. They had jumpy houses set up by age group. Miss L jumped and played in the toddler house. They also had wonderful themed crafts, like making your own lei and coloring your own beach ball. There was face painting and temporary tattoos. Miss L chose flowers and a seahorse for each arm. She didn't care for the application of the tattoos (holding a wet sponge to her arm for 20 seconds), but she was very pleased with the finished products.

A DJ was playing funky 70's music and early 80's MJ hits. They filled inflatable tubs with bubble liquid and had gigantic bubble wands the kids could dip in and whirl around to create giant bubbles. Each child was given a ticket for a free Popsicle so Miss L tasted her first for the summer (strawberry, of course). They also offered free snacks, such as diced fruit and bananas. And at the end everyone could pick out party gifts from big buckets filled with bath toys and beach toys.

It was a really well-organized, fun event. Miss L loved running from station to station to try everything as well as getting some time to enjoy the sand and slides in the playground. I could tell she was tired as we strolled home, up the two big hills to our street. Of course as soon as we got home she had to kick her beach ball around the house before agreeing to take her afternoon nap. Now she is soundly sleeping away. We'll hit the pool for family swim when she wakes up.

I heart Dr. Michel

Source: www.tribecapediatrics.com

I feel so lucky to have had Dr. Michel Cohen as Miss L's pediatrician while we were in New York. I always thought that Tribeca Pediatrics was a wonderful practice. Dr. Michel rode his bike over to our apartment for Miss L's first appointment the afternoon we arrived home from the hospital. He gave us great reassurance and support as new parents. We enjoyed his low intervention, common sense approach. We always looked forward to our appointments, especially Miss L. She loved playing in the waiting room and looking at the fish in the patient rooms. She never fussed during her appointments and always wanted to run around between the rooms to follow the nurses and say hello to the other patients. She was eager to run into Dr. Michel's arms when he came in the room and when she was a newborn she did a lot of cooing and later rolling around the exam table. In fact, whenever we strolled by Tribeca Pediatrics on Warren Street, Miss L pointed and motioned that she wanted to go inside.

So I will admit that there is a very high bar to impress me with a new pediatrics practice here in SF. Needless to say we were extremely disappointed (and traumatized) by our first visit to a new pediatrician this afternoon. I had taken recommendations from local moms and was excited that the practice was within walking distance (still feeling like a New Yorker walking to the doctor). Mister T went with us, which is a good thing because he might have thought I was exaggerating about what happened.

We walked in the front door to find a drab white medical office that could have been mistaken for a lab or ENT practice. There wasn't a toy in sight. No bright and whimsical wall-size paintings. No hip, modern decor. No train table or push toys. The air was humid and stuffy (and San Francisco is not a humid place, there is always a cool bay breeze).

When we checked in the receptionist looked up our appointment and asked if this was our one-year appointment. I told her it wasn't since Miss L was 22 months. We were taken to a patient room, which also didn't have a toy in it. There were a couple of old books that you would expect to find in a dilapidated public school that lacks funding to buy books that were published in the last 20 years. There were cabinets at toddler height with no safety latches that held medical supplies. Miss L was bored immediately and was trying to open them and pull out the tongue depressors. The room was so sterile and uncomfortable. There was no place for me to sit so I just stood, trying to fill out a myriad of paperwork while Mister T tried to keep Miss L out of trouble.

Here is where it gets even better. The nurse came in and without acknowledging Miss L told us she needed to take her weight. We had to take Miss L out of the patient room to an adult scale in the hallway and try to get her to stand on it (with all of her clothes on). She didn't like this so Mister T had to get on the scale with her and then by himself. There was no way I was going to voluntarily be weighed!

Then we returned to the patient room where the nurse told Mister T to shut the door because Miss L was going to cry while she took her length and there was another nurse outside our room who was on the phone that couldn't be disturbed. All I could think was maybe she wouldn't expect her patients to cry if she showed even the slightest bedside manner and actually interacted with the children (and maybe with a smile on her face).

After all of this the doctor finally came in to see Miss L. She didn't interact with her much at all. She just asked us a few quick questions and then wanted to see if we had any questions. We discussed the immunizations that would be needed at the 2 year appointment. She seemed impressed that Tribeca Pediatrics had electronic patient records when looking at their wonderful graphs showing Miss L's development from Day 1. Then she debated aloud whether she should take a stethoscope out and even check Miss L. She seemed afraid to approach her on this first visit.

Since this was supposed to be more of a meet-and-greet appointment, Miss L did not have any shots, but she left the office screaming and crying inconsolably and stayed that way hugging me tightly the whole way home. Oh, and right before we left the receptionist asked me if I wanted to book Miss L's 15-month appointment.

My conclusion: Miss L and I should come back to see Dr. Michel for her 2 year appointment. When I see him I will ask if he wouldn't mind relocating to SF and before he makes the move if he could ride his bike out to California for the twins first doctor's appointment.

Aqua mama

Source: www.jccsf.org

When I was pregnant with Miss L I practiced yoga everyday and was enjoying headstands (against a wall of course!) up until delivery. This time around I can't get enough of the pool.

We joined the Jewish Community Center, which is just three blocks from our house. I love that I can walk over in a few minutes (especially when I feel I am always running late trying to get out of the house with a toddler). Our family membership is the same cost as my single membership was at Equinox so I feel like I am getting great value for our money. Miss L and I have created a nice pool routine that we share together twice a week.

After breakfast on Tuesdays and Thursdays we put our suits on and pack our swim bag and head off to the JCC. I take Miss L to the children's pool (which is heated to a lovely 90 degrees) from 8:00 to 9:00. She practices paddling, kicking and putting her head under water (her favorite thing to do right now). The more we go the more comfortable Miss L has become in the water. Today she started walking around the shallow end scooping up the pool toys and dipping her head under water on her own. Of course, I am always at arms-length to be safe. We also spend some time hanging out on the steps playing with plastic whales and turtles and pool rings. We also blow bubbles, sing songs and do a few seated jumps into the water from the side of the pool.

After pool time, Miss L loves to have her own shower to rinse off. We get changed (while Miss L chats it up with the other women in the locker room, saying "pool" and pretending to blow bubbles) and then we head over to JCC's cafe and have a snack. Then I drop her off at the JCC child care for some play time while I get to have my own time in the pool.

I take an hour long prenatal aqua class. It takes place in the deep end of the adult pool (not quite as warm at 80 degrees, but once you start moving it feels just perfect). We wear little flotation devices that fit right under the shoulder bones on the back with a belt that snaps in the front and sits right above the pregnant belly. This gives a great feeling of buoyancy in the water. The class is spent moving up and down the length of the pool doing cross country, running, breaststrokes with bicycle legs as well as some stationary work like side kicks, jumping jacks with weights and wide-leg pedaling.

The classes are taught by two doulas so when we aren't too out of breath we discuss our pregnancies and questions/thoughts on labor and delivery. The class is a nice mix of regulars, including first-time and second-time moms. After class we often go to the warmer children's pool to stretch, hang out and talk about maternity clothes and what we are going to eat for lunch after class.

When I pick up Miss L from child care she is happy from the full morning and ready for her midday nap by the time we arrive home. By noon she is asleep in her room and I can prepare my lunch and read the Times (Thursdays being the best with House & Home and Styles).

I just love how my body feels after spending most of the morning in the water. I feel refreshed and relaxed. I feel more energized later in the day to take Miss L to the playground. And I sleep so soundly at night.

For all of the pregnant mamas, I highly recommend booking some pool time this summer!

Back to school

Ok- so I'm sitting in class, with 9 other women, all hunched over, concentrating closely. I can't seem to get anything to work properly. I break into a sweat. One woman has already walked out. No, this is not a nightmare about showing up for a final exam naked, but my first attempt at crocheting.

Learning to knit was such a wonderful process. With Mama N as our amazingly patient teacher, we had many fun knitting and wine club sessions with wine and snacks sometimes getting the better of our knitting. Laughing over mistakes with all my Mama friends helped me learn. I, of course, needed many extra help tutorials that Mama N was kind enough to indulge me. She still often gets my panicked emails with questions.

Mama N has been encouraging me to learn to crochet as I tend to take on many gifts for people and knitting takes so much time. She even sent me a book with instructions and patterns. She promises me crochet is easy and I'll be able to work faster- but I'm still not sure.

Learning a new skill at eight months pregnant may not be the best idea for my sanity, but I decided to give it a try. I signed up for a 2 week class at lionbrand studios in Union Square. While it is not our beloved store "The Point" (now closed), it does have a nice variety of yarns and the salespeople are all very friendly (not like our neighborhood shop). I was surprised the class was full (10 women- 9 after an older woman who was a needlepoint teacher gave up after 10 minutes) and was excited for a night out. The women taking the class were very nice, but it wasn't like learning with friends. No one to giggle with or to to help each other out. I found myself lagging behind and getting frustrated. Tracy encouraged us to go at our own pace- that we would all get it. Halfway through the class, I wasn't sure it was for me - but I felt better at the end. I was finally able to do single crochet. Some had moved on to half double but I will practice this week. My feeble attempt at crocheting is in the photo. If only I could fly to Mama N for some private lessons!

Patchwork inspiration

Source: JenSport's shop

If you haven't yet discovered Etsy then you're in for a handmade treat. This website is a market place for thousands and thousands of crafters to sell their wares. Anything and everything handmade or home made or vintage or not. It's main downfall is that there is so much on offer that it can get confusing. But I've made a few fabulous purchases from recrafted vintage jewellery to baby bibs, vintage clothing, new clothing and now a patchwork quilt pattern.

I made my first patchwork quilt - or started my first quilt - when I was about 8 years old. Mum wouldn't let me use her sewing machine and made me sew each little hexagon and triangle by hand. I don't think I did ever finish it and I have no idea what happened to those little cut out scraps of pink and while fabric. Since then I have done a lot of sewing and inspired by Mama H's beautiful quilt am ready to tackle my own, this time with my trusty sewing machine.

My first project was going to be something boyish for Master R. However when I saw this Union Jack I just had to do it. While I'm not British. I've lived here since the end of 2000, with a two year stint in New York of course, practically all my adult life. I have a British passport and now so does Master R. I do feel a certain pull towards the Ol' Blighty but in a different way to my deep smugness and pride of being Australian*.

After searching ebay, I've bought some red, white and blue fabric and will be commencing this hopefully while my mother is staying so she can help me with the finer points of patchwork such as what backing and padding to use and the best method of finishing. Let's hope it's a quickish project and I can show you some finished pics in the not too distant future.

*During my very pompous group naturalisation ceremony the Lord conducting it turned to me in front of the others and asked where my allegiance lay in regards to the cricket. He said that was the true test of Britishness. I'm sorry to say I have zero interest in cricket but of course my allegiance is with Australia. If Australia and England play rugby, I'm rooting for Australia. If a Brit and and American are playing tennis, I'm all for the Brit. If Germany and England are playing football (soccer to you) I have to go for Germany or be booted out of my home. We are a confused household!

Admitting defeat

Sometimes with any handicraft there is a point where you just have to admit that it's not working out. It's best to cut your losses and either start over or set it aside.

A certain mama amongst us is due with number 2 in just 6 weeks. I thought I'd be extra early and knit her something now. I saw this pure wool in Austria and snapped up a couple skeins of each in navy and orange - 2 skeins is normally enough for a newborn cardigan style top. I had read that this striped pattern was particularly yarn hungry so I bought extra thinking that I might have enough to do one for myself if I have a boy.

After knitting about half the jacket I realised I was going to run out of yarn - despite the pattern saying I had enough. Other knitters had complained about this on Ravelry. I also decided that the colours were probably a bit out there for this mama's tastes. I love orange and navy but it's not to everyone's taste. So I frogged it - a knitting term for rip it, rip it, rip it.

Second attempt was this all in one seamless baby kimono. Again the pattern said 100g of yarn was enough, this is exactly what I had. I knew from the beginning it was going to be close but was determined to keep knitting until it was finished or the yarn ran out. As you can see, the yarn ran out. NOOOO! Not twice?

Today I did a speedy trip with screaming Master R to my LYS (local yarn store for the non knitters) and picked up some yarn and have started something tried and true. This HAS to work or a certain mama will be getting a store bought gift.

Or maybe a gift voucher hahahaha!

My New Mommy Wardrobe

Source: www.forever21.com

I have finally discovered the usefulness of the plain white button down shirt, and it has changed my life. Actually, I should say they have changed my life, as I am now the proud owner of ten oxford shirts that have made formerly unwearable pants look fresh and transformed "closet orphan" skirts into my go-to bottoms. I have been throwing my new shirt over shorts (long ones I bought last summer and short ones I've had packed away forvever, now more modest with the looser top), belting it over skinny jeans, and tucking it into trousers with a belt.
I feel almost silly writing this blog, like I'm espousing the "hidden" yumminess of cupcakes, but these shirts have been off my radar for a reason. Actually, a few reasons:
1. They're often expensive, and expensive white shirts and motherhood don't mix.
2. They need to be ironed, and I hate to iron.
3. They look fancy, and I'm not fancy.

The cons were all eliminated thanks to a very useful website and one baby-free shopping trip. I have started reading a blog, www.youlookfab.com in an attempt to update my wardrobe and eliminate I-have-nothing-to-wear crises. In one post the author contrasted woven shirts (like oxfords) and knit shirts (like tee shirts) and explained why many women look better in one vs. the other. I realized that I always wear knits, and I therefore feel sloppy and like my still-bf-ing boobs and leftover baby bump are overexposed. I decided to switch to woven tops and embarked on a fruitless mission to find one that wasn't ruffled. A few weeks ago my mom offered to watch Master D so I could hit the mall and finish hunting. After striking out at J. Crew, Banana Republic and the Gap, where the woven shirts all looked a little workaday for me, I flung myslef into Forever 21 so I wouldn't go home empty-handed. There, I found the holy-grail of shirts: cheap enough to risk ruining, casual enough to go un-ironed and therefore look effortless. I brought it home, tried it on with almost everything I own, and bought ten more in white and various stripes on Forever 21's website. I know this sounds extreme, but I have seen the light and haven't worn a tank top in weeks. I feel much less self-conscious wearing a looser-fitting top, and I actually look forward to getting dressed now.