Ryder is trying to figure out how to crawl!

Shot this cute video this evening of Ryder trying to figure out how to crawl. He is so cute!! he can get up on his hands and knees, but can't quite figure out how to get everything going in the right direction all at once!! Then he gets mad because he can't get moving to where he wants to go. He's getting better though--last week when he tried to get up on his knees he would end up scooting backwards!! It is amazing to watch him everyday learning new things. It seems like just yesterday that he was Lyllie's size...time just moves too quickly!! Like Aimee says--I will soon need to get serious about babyproofing the house!! Just look at those wheels turning in Ryder's head!!

Ryder & Lyllie's First Visit with Santa

The kids and I finally got the babies to the mall today to visit Santa. It was lots of fun! We got there while Santa was on a break to feed his reindeer, so there was no line. We had to wait for an hour for Santa to get back, but it worked out well. Lyllie ate while we were waiting, so she was sleeping for her visit. Ryder took a little nap, and woke up a very happy boy.
when Santa got back, Ryder was at first very intrigued by him, but then suddenly decided he was scared of him and started crying. Those pictures of him crying were just as cute though. We also got pics of both babies with Santa.
I could not believe as we were heading up to Santa's chair that I was there with my grandbabies!! Last year at this time, I had no idea of the joy that I was going to have this year at Christmastime with my two little blessings!! I can't put into words the joy I felt as we walked up the walkway with the babies. I still am feeling so very blessed!!
Oh-and by the way--Mr. Ryder has his first two teeth in now!! They are the bottom two. They are too little to get in a picture yet - but they are there!! Way to go, Ryder!! He hasn't even hardly been fussy about teething, so we were surprised when they popped through!!









Well-I'm signing off for now--want to go finish my monkey socks, and then am going to start a pair of Dancing Tulips with my Cherry Blossom Yarn which is pictured in an earlier post.

Finally some knitting inspiration!!

I've been in a knitting slump!! I did not think it could happen to me, but it did!! All weekend, I've been frogging one project after another. I've been looking for THE PERFECT yarn for a certain sock pattern I've been wanting to knit. I thought my CTH Cherry Blossom was going to be the yarn, and couldn't wait to get started. But the yarn did not work with the pattern. Tried a couple other CTH yarns, but they weren't going to work either. So all weekend, I got nothing accomplished:( Then today went back to my LYS to return a couple skeins that I knew I wasn't going to use. And as I was looking in the sock yarn room I found this...



It is Smooshy, Dream in Color in the "Beach Fog" colorway. Suddenly I felt inspired again as I pictured this beautiful, soft and yes, smooshy yarn knit up into Monkey Socks. I have not knit Monkey socks as of yet, but have seen thousands of Monkey sock projects on Ravelry, and here on some of the knitting blogs I read...so I found my inspiration, and exchanged a couple of other yarns for this, and now have my first pair of Monkeys on the needles. I am loving the yarn, and loving how it is knitting up. I also love how it feels in my hands as I knit with it. I see much more Smooshy yarn in my future!




So...what about the pattern I was trying to find the right yarn for? and what about my CTH Cherry Blossom yarn that I so love? For now, I have set them both aside...I know I will find the perfect yarn for the pattern, so will just wait until I find that yarn...it will probably happen when I am not even looking...and I know I will find the perfect pattern for my Cherry Blossom yarn. I do have a custom hand dyed yarn coming that I ordered that I think will be perfect for that pattern I want to knit. So I will just have to be patient and wait for that to come. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy these Monkeys and this Smooshy!!

Getting to know Lyllie

It has been such a joy getting to know this precious little girl here in the outside world. She is changing all ready in her looks from that scrunched up face newborn look!! She is a very content baby. Eats and sleeps, and has a couple of very wide awake periods throughout the day.

Breastfeeding however, did not go well. Poor Aimee. Lyllie was latching on about every 30 minutes and not getting satisfied, and Aimee was exhausted. for some reason, Lyllie was just not able to effectively bring Aimee's milk down. So she is now on formula. Aimee was sad about not being able to breastfeed, and she felt guilty about making the decision to put her on formula, but I told Aimee there are more ways to bond with her baby besides breastfeeding. It's not bonding when mom is exhausted and baby is crying all the time because she is hungry. Aimee is now much more able to enjoy Lyllie, and not be worried sick because the baby is crying and hungry all the time. also, Lyllie had lost over a pound from her birthweight, and was getting quite dehydrated, so this reassured Aimee that she made the right decision to switch to formula. I have taken an infant massage class, so Aimee is doing lots of infant massage which she and Lyllie love. Also lots of skin to skin holding. So there is plenty of bonding going on, and Lyllie loves all of ehr peaceful quiet time with her mama!!

Don't get me wrong--I am a HUGE proponent of breastfeeding, and we encourage all of our moms to pump and provide breastmilk for their babies until the babies are big enough and strong enough to go to breast, but I know and understand that it just doesn't always work, no matter what a mom does. Aimee was afraid however to suggest bottles because she was worried I wouldn't be supportive of her using bottles. I let her know that while I strongly encourage breastfeeding, I understood what she had been going through, and supported her decisions...after all, she has to decide what is right for her and her baby, not what she thinks I think is right. We have become very close through all of this, and I have learned to let go of my little girl and embrace the beautiful woman she has become, and I have let her know, I am here to support HER decisions for her and her baby, and to give guidance when she asks me for it.

So...on to the knitting front...I finished one of my Basketweave socks...



but haven't accomplished much else, other than a WHOLE LOT of frogging. I now have my own lily pad in the frog pond. I have been working with a couple of Cherry Tree Hill yarns and a particular pattern, but the color repeats of the CTH yarns are just too short to work with any of the patterns I wanted to use them for. So just made a trip to my LYS and picked up some Trekking, and by tonight, I will have at least one sock well on the way to being finished!!!!

This past Thursday I was off work, and my son and his fiance were off work, so I cooked a big Thanksgiving dinner finally, and spent a wonderful day with children and grandchildren. I have alot to give thanks for this year--being blessed with two healthy grandbabies who both had a safe entrance into this big wide world. Being a newborn intensive care nurse, I see way toomuch of the other side with the babies who aren't born healthy, or who don't have a safe entrance into the world, so I am very thankful for my grandbabies and I don't say that lightly.

Here are a few pics from the day...

Ryder looking like he is going to kiss Lyllie...



Ryder and his Daddy, my son, Zak...



and finally...I leave you all tonight with this very adorable pic of a very wide awake Lyllie!!



Hugzzzzz to all and I hope you are all having a joyous and blessed Christmas season!! Remember to slow down in the busyness of this time of year, and enjoy the peace of the season, and the love of family and friends!!

Welcome Lyllie!!!

Aimee's precious Lyllie arrived safely and healthy on Tuesday morning, November 27 at 2:43 am. She weighed 7# 8oz and is 20 1/2 inches long. I am so in awe of my amazing daughter and the hard work she did bringing her precious baby into the big wide world!!! I have never watched anything more beautiful in my life than my daughter having her baby. There are just no words to describe it!! However, even though she is now a mother, she still is, and will always be MY precious baby!! and I love her so much!!

I brought Aimee and Lyllie home from the hospital today, and they are staying here with me for a while until Aimee is more healed and has more strength. Over all, the delivery went very well. Lyllie was born into a very quiet, dimly lit room, and placed right on her mama's chest where she stayed for the first two hours of her life. It was a very peaceful and precious time, and Lyllie is very peaceful and content--I think the dim lighting and quiet room made her birth less traumatic to her nervous system and to her spirit. We are just so grateful to have her here with us, healthy and safe!!
Please share in our joy with us, and enjoy the slide show of Lyllie's first pictures in the sidebar to the right!

Goodies!!!!!!

Got my order today from The Loopy Ewe. Got three MonicaKnits sock patterns, and my luscious yummy yarn...Cherry Blossom from Cherry Tree Hill. I have three more of Monica's patterns that I want to order, but think I will wait til after Christmas...maybe...LOL! See the good pic in the post below of the yarn--my camera doesn't do the colors justice!! I haven't decided which pattern I will use for the yarn yet--but my fingers are itching to cast on!! But....first I started this sock, and will finish the pair before I cast on the Cherry Blossom...



This is the Basketweave Ribbing sock pattern by Marguerite Byrne. I am knitting it in Trekking XXL colorway 181 and I love how it is turning out. I have another skein of this yarn stashed away for a pair of Victorian Swag socks as well.

My sock blockers haven't come yet :( My pappal account reverted back to my old address when I went to pay, and I didn't notice-so they are now on their way back to the shipper, but she knows about it, and promised she will mail them back out just as soon as she gets them back, so hopefully by the weekend I will have them.

On the Aimee front--we are STILL waiting. We were back in the hospital Saturday evening. She was having good strong contractions that got down to every 3 minutes. So at 3 minutes apart, we decided it MUST be time to go...well-we got there, and they slowed down. The nurse had us walk for an hour, and they STOPPED!!!!! Sigh...so, we were sent home-again. We thought sure that we were safe when they got down to 3 minutes apart. Becky--maybe you could share your labor story with us so we will know when labor is really real...

anyway, if she hasn't had the baby by Sunday, the dr. is having her come in to the hospital Sunday evening to be induced. The baby is getting big, and we don't want Aimee to have a hard time getting her out, or have the baby get stuck. So....by next Monday or Tuesday, hopefully I will have pictures of a healthy, beautiful baby girl to show off. I must admit, I am a bit nervous about watching MY baby girl go through labor. If I could take the pain for her, I would. Please keep us in your prayers!! Sunday, it was back out to the Mall of America for us, and we walked around all three floors--and it is a HUGE place--so that was lots of walking...but look at what Aimee got for me...my first Grandma ornament...isn't it too sweet!?



It was about this time last year that I found out that Zak and Tiffany were expecting Ryder, and I remember thinking when I was shopping last year that this year I would have a grandbaby to shop for...I NEVER dreamed that I would have TWO grandbabies by this Christmas!! I feel so blessed!!

...And Becky--Roxy wants me to tell you she is still really enjoying her felted heart bone you sent her in my Harvest Sock Swap package...It is one of her favorite toys now, and she DOES NOT like to share it, but she brings it to me often to play with her!! Her favorite thing is to tease me with it by not letting me get a hold of it--LOL!!





I'm signing off for now--have to work in the AM unless Lyllie and Aimee have different plans during the night!!

Still Waiting.....sigh!

Poor Aimee--she has been having contractions for the last three days--and still no baby. We went in to the hospital once, and we were there for only 45 minutes. Her contractions were regular, but not strong enough, so they sent her home. The doctor doesn't want to use pitocin yet to try and induce her labor more because the baby is doing fine, and the doctor doesn't want to make Aimee's labor harder...so we wait...Aimee is staying at my house with me as she doesn't want to be home alone. We've had a beautiful time together though waiting on Lyllie to decide to make her appearance--just having lots of quiet time together, and I am getting to know my daughter as a beautiful young woman rather than an impossible teenager--LOL!! She has another Dr. appointment Monday-so if the baby isn't here by then, we are going have a very serious discussion about induction at that point. So we'll see what happens.

She would kill me if she knew I had posted these pics...good thing she doesn't read my blog!! LOL!! Isn't she cute though!!!!








In the meantime--to console myself--LOL!!!--I've done a bit of online shpping at The Loopy Ewe. There is nothing like shopping to help pass the time while waiting for Lyllie!! I bought three of Monica's sock patterns...Hearts A Plenty, Cables Galore and Dancing Tulips. then I bought this beautiful Cherry Tree Hill Yarn called Cherry Blossom. It is a limited edition yarn, and it is sooooo pretty!! Can't wait to get it! Isn't it pretty?! I guess initially it was only available overseas, and is now here as a limited edition.



and here are my "Roxy the Shih Tzu" sock blockers that I ordered from Chappy's Fiber Arts and Crafts on Ebay. They designed them for me, and they have many different sock blockers, so if you're looking for sock blockers...check them out!! Mine have been shipped, but I haven't received them yet...maybe tomorrow. Once I get them, I can put my first pair of Victorian Swag socks on them and post pics, because I finally got the second sock finished last night. I don't want to wear them though until I get some pics of them on my blockers.



Other things I've done to try and help pass these last few days before Lyllie comes are: I made a big huge pot of chilli--it's the perfect time of year for that!! With fresh cornbread. And today I made a huge batch of pumpkin bread--3 loaves!! and aimee and I have done lots of walking--we go the Mall of America and walk and walk and walk!! Bless her heart--she is even walking through the contractions. I just hope things pick up soon--she is tired, sore and miserable, and also very excited!!! Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers for Aimee and Lyllie!! I'm off to finish another pair of socks...or maybe start a new pair--LOL!

Contractions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aimee has been having contractions for the past couple of days now, but they haven't been real regular yet. But today she called me from work and said they were 6 minutes apart,and getting stronger. I went to pick her up from work,and brought her to my house. Now they have kind of spread out again, but they are still strong. so....we are just hanging out here at my house, and will wait and see if they get more regular. We are definitely getting close....please keep her and Lyllie in your prayers!!!!!!! and watch for pictures of a new baby girl-- coming soon to a blog near you !! :)

My Little Model

Just posting a few pics of Ryder modeling his Cable Hat I knit for him. I think he makes a perfect model!! He is in his new "exersaucer" and is really having fun in it. He likes this new view on the world!! He is really fascinated with the mirror--I think the baby in the mirror is super cute!! :)

A Weekend of Knitting

I went out of town this weekend to my best friend's house. She lives in a little town in the middle of a state park, about 90 miles from the Cities...it was so nice to get away from city life!! We have been best friends for twenty years-since our kids were little. My Aimee was a year old when Debbie and I met, and it is one of those very rare forever kind of friendships. Our kids are all 1 year apart...so Aimee was 1, her Josh was 2, my Zak was 3 and her Joe was 4 when we met. Our kids all grew up together and remain close as well. I was truly blessed when God allowed our paths to cross.

Anyway--I was able to spend the weekend in the country knitting. She crochets, and we watch alot of movies, so it is the utmost of relaxation. Oh yeah--we also eat alot--LOL!!! She's a really good cook!

I got Ryder's cable hat done this weekend to match the cable sweater I am making for him for Thanksgivng. I didn't have a pattern for the hat, so Monica helped me to work out a pattern for the hat,and it turned out rather well. I got brave and made a few slight modifications to the instructions she sent me, and I am very pleased with it. The sweater is a Sirdar DK pattern, and I knit both the hat and the sweater with Debbi Bliss Cashmerino DK. It is sooooo soft, and thick and squishy. I can't wait to see it on him. I just have to finish the sleeves and it will done. I also got halfway done on my second Victorian Swag sock this weekend, so maybe tomorrow will get that finished up and have me a new pair of socks to wear.



Back of Ryder's cable sweater

Happy Halloween!!

Our Little Pumpkin, Ryder just wants to say Happy Halloween to Great Grandma Cloud, Auntie Kari, Uncle Ken, Rylie, Erica and Kendra
Grandma Jackie and Great Great Aunt Mary and Uncle Ken, too and Gary and Ella!
to Auntie Sherry!
and to Becky and little J-man, Monica and Karen! and all of our Blogger friends & our Ravelry friends!!
Happy Halloween Everybody--hope you all get lots of good treats and no tricks!!
Hugzzzzzzz to all from Ryder

Victorian Swag

Got my first Victorian Swag sock finished!! I love it!! I am casting on immediately for the second sock--I have GOT to get over this second sock syndrome thing. Also finished my Harvest Sock Swap sock for my pal. Now just waiting for some goodies to come in the mail that I ordered for her, and can box everything up and send it off!!

This is one of Monica's patterns and it can be found here at The Loopy Ewe. Her patterns sell out fast, so go check them out!! I did this pair in Trekking XXL colorway 124. They are done on size 1 DPN's, top down. I really love this sock!! It is my most favorite sock that I've knit so far.

More Generations for Ryder-His First Family Reunion

Ryder and his very proud Great GREAT Auntie Mary--yes that is two greats in there!!



Ryder with Great Great Auntie Mary, and his mama and daddy


Ryder has lots of family on his mama's side, and though they don't get to see him as often as I do--he is just as much loved by them, and their time with him is cherished. Recently our little man went with his mommy and daddy to a family reunion on his mama's side of the family. These are some pics of him with his Great-Great Aunt Mary. She is Tiffany's(his mom) great aunt. She is as close to Tiffany as a grandma would be because her Grandma is no longer with us. So for all of the holidays-and special days--it is to Aunt Mary's house that everybody gathers, and she always welcomes my daughter and I and makes us feel part of her family too. It was a joyous day for Mary, as she had not met Ryder before, so these pics are really special to all of us!! Thank you Auntie Mary for sending them to us. I have adopted her as my Auntie Mary too, so our little Ryder is really surrounded by family and love!! I see lots of good times and traditions for Ryder at Aunt Mary's and know that when he is grown, he will look back and think of happy and special times at Auntie Mary's, just as his mama and his Grandma Jackie do!!


Group photo from the reunion. That is Aunt Mary's granddaughter, Ella touching Ryder on the head. Isn't she too cute!? Look at that red hair!! I'll have to get Mary to add a comment and list the rest of those in the pic...maybe row by row and from L to R, Mary? Right behind Tiffany, who is holding Ryder, is Tiffany's mom, aka Grandma Jackie. Ryder is also her first grandbaby...so...first grandchild on both sides of the family--nope-this boy will NOT be spoiled--LOL!!!


message from Auntie Mary telling us who everyone is in the photo:

Hi Cindy and everyone,Isn't our Ryder just an angel! Thanks for the nice compliments, you made my day! Cindy it is wonderful you have this page where we can see updates on Ryder. Thank you for doing this, Ken and I are sure enjoying it.The pumpkin pics today are sooooo cute! He is all ready for Halloween! I am so proud to be his great-great auntie! I take my role as Auntie seriously...just ask Ryder's Momma! Cast of characters in the photo are, back row: Relation to Ryder - Cousins..Brett, Joseph, Greg, Matt, Auntie Mary (me). Middle row: More cousins Shar, Keith, and then skip over to between me and Matt is Jen (my daughter). Front row is Cousin Kellie, Jackie (grandmother to Ryder), Momma Tiffany holding Ryder, Rachel holding Ella (both my granddaughters), Uncle Ken (my husband), and new daddy Zak.


Ella giving Ryder a kiss...too sweet!!




Ryder with his Mama and Daddy, Zak & Tiffany

How to make a Shih Tzu

Start with a lazy Sunday afternoon, when you have about 3 hours. Turn on electric blanket to high and place a big fluffy towel under said blanket. Find a dirty, hairy little dog. One such as was in the previous post will work just fine. Add in a bathtub, some organic Oatmeal, Aloe Vera & Chamomile shampoo and some Jojoba oil conditioner. Start by combing out dirty little dog to make sure there are no tangles that when mixed with water turn into a big mat that will not comb out. Put dog in tub...add water and shampoo, then wash and rinse good, then add warmed up jojoba conditioner and leave to sit for about 10 minutes. Note--doggy will NOT be happy about being left to sit wet in the tub for 10 minutes. Rinse conditioner well. If you put the massaging shower head on massage while doing this, doggy will relax and actually enjoy this part of the process, and will then forgive you for leaving her to sit wet in the tub for 10 minutes...maybe...

Rub-a-dub-dub...a not very happy Roxy in the tub.

Rinse well, then add this magical stuff called Quicker Slicker to 2 quarts of water and pour over dog for a fast blow dry, and tangle free comb out. Squeeze out water. Then go get towel that you have warmed up by placing under electric blanket (it's a good thing said dirty little dog isn't spoiled!). Wrap wet dog in now very nice warm towel. Cuddle for about ten minutes and tell her what a wonderful doggy she is to have survived the ordeal in the bathtub.

Next you want to blow dry dog with a high powered blow dryer--the salon type, which you can buy if you have a good friend who owns a salon. Do not allow dog to run around house and dry herself, even though it is cute...the result will be one very tangled ball of fur that will be impossible to comb out.

After drying thouroughly, you will have something like this...

Next comes the combout...

and yes--that is 4 combs you see in the picture--each one will be used, as each has it's own purpose in the making of a Shih Tzu. If you have followed all the above instructions, your comb out will be relatively easy and painless for doggy.

After the combout, top off with a pretty pink bow...and VOILA!!!!!!

You will have a Shih Tzu!!

(look, Auntie Sherry!! All my hair now goes up in my top knot!!)

One that knows she is pretty, and is now very happy because she feels so good, and knows she looks like a DIVA DOG!!

And that is how you make a Shih Tzu!!