Getting Organized, Planning Knitting Projects, and Reading On

 Hello Friends,

I hope you are doing well. Right now unfortunately I don't have any knitting I am working on. I still haven't found my pattern for the socks that was on the yarn sleeve. I have plans to knit my husband a scarf he asked for one. Today I looked up a pattern and ordered yarn for that project and hoping I have some progress to share with you next week! I also added a skein of yarn to knit myself a hat afterwards and want to knit Evan something after those two projects are complete. It has been slow around here lately and was just so cold this past week in Toronto. I have been busy with Evan playing, doing painting and colouring, and preparing his snacks and meals. It has been cold so mostly staying in with him lately and once it warms up a bit we can resume our outdoor walks. We went on one this past weekend it was so nice to go out as a family on a walk outside to the mall.

I have been continuing to read It Starts with us by Colleen Hoover and almost done. I have been enjoying reading about the character's lives and relationships continuing on from It Ends with Us. I have also been reading the Whole- Brain child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Bryson. It is so informative and there are some really good tips on working through issues with your child and encouraging them to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Something I want to learn about for when Evan is older and to help him work through emotional and tough times.

I have been feeling like decluttering lately and getting some new furniture and baskets to organize Evan's toys. I bought a big basket from Loblaws in their Life at Home collection. It is a good open rope basket we can throw his toys in to tidy up and he likes looking into it to find toys. I had a smaller one that is beside it in the photo and use it for stuffed animals now. He got a lot of toys for Christmas and also as his toy collection grows I just want to be ready to store them.

For my knitting I have been on the fence about getting a 3 tier cart. I think it would be perfect to store my yarn and knitting projects and knitting bags. There is one at Michaels and found one on Amazon. I will probably buy it soon. I have my knitting scattered everywhere right now it used to live mostly in the second bedroom that is now Evan's room. Now it is in bags and my knitting is in a few spots. I think a shelf would also be good. 

Photo source

Millie and Evan have been good. Evan is 14 months old tomorrow and he is so fun and so busy. He is a toddler now walking a lot and babbling.  He keeps us on our toes. Millie is busy too and wants to play a lot once Evan is down for bedtime and naptime.

I have been trying to work on my puzzle again and Millie keeps jumping up onto the table with me and attacking the pieces. I have decided to do the puzzle when she is napping or busy somewhere else. This puzzle I started when I was at the end of my pregnancy with Evan and I did the middle parts before the edges were done so the pieces just got everywhere and I have a roll up mat that doesn't keep the pieces together very well. So the other day I decided to take apart the middle pieces and just work on the edges. I should be in better shape with the puzzle soon and it will stay together better.

I hope you are doing well and thank you for visiting my blog today! What are you working on and reading this week?

Happy New Year!

 Hello Friends,

Happy New Year!  We are one week into 2024 now I can't believe how time flies by. I wanted to share with you a few things I received for Christmas to get me started on the New Year and also some more updates. 

I was gifted the Happy Planner and stickers this year from my Mom and Dad. I love planning and didn't get into it too much last year because I was so busy with having Evan in November then the last year was a busy time trying to find time to plan. This year I have been using the new planner more already. I started on New Year's Eve to put some stickers on the pages and plan a bit and have added to this year week. It is the dashboard style and it is for moms and I think I will like this style for being more busy with Evan. I like the cover that says "find joy in simplicity". There is so much joy and love in our home with Liam, Evan, and Millie. I feel like my life is simpler that before, but so full.

I also received the mindfulness self care calendar from Liam and I have been looking at the quotes daily and they are bringing me joy and some positive words to the start of the year. 

I was gifted the mug below from my sister and love the quote "So much yarn so little time". I have it pictured here below with the project I will be picking up again soon! I was knitting these socks before I had Evan and took a break to knit some baby items. I had the pattern on the yarn sleeve and I have to find it again lol then I will be continuing on.  I also hope to look up some new patterns soon and buy more yarn (so much yarn!) to knit a new project. 

I was gifted the book below Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. I read some good reviews for the book and look forward to reading it as well this year. I have been enjoying the book I was also gifted the Whole-Brain Child that I started reading on Boxing Day. It will be so informative and noticed today it is around 130 pages so will be a faster read. It is good so I can start applying what I read sooner with Evan.

I hope that you have had a good start to the year! This year will be full of more firsts with Evan and I will be going back to work in the Spring. This will be an adjustment and I am also looking forward to it. I will be transitioning back to work and also transitioning Evan to daycare. It will be a busy and emotional time I am sure. I am also so excited to see all the things Evan learns this year. It has been amazing watching him grow this past year and our relationship with his blossom and this year will have a lot in store for us as well. 

Have a great day!

Finished Baby's Stocking, Our Christmas, and Reading On

 Hello Friends,

I hope you are doing well. I hope that you also enjoyed the holidays! I had a wonderful Christmas with family. It was my son Evan's second Christmas this year and last year he wasn't even one month old yet, so this year felt so special to see the excitement seeing Christmas lights and his first snowfall. I played Christmas music for him a lot during playtime and we looked at the Christmas tree and played with the ornaments. It was such a good time this holiday season and I miss it already.

I finished knitting my son his stocking just in time for Christmas and Santa. I finished it while watching It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve. I just had to finish the afterthought heel grafting that night. I was also wrapping a bit and enjoying some eggnog. It was a nice night. 

Pattern: Classic Christmas Stocking by Betty Lai

Needles: US 8 5 mm circular needles

Yarn used: Loops & Threads Impeccable Yarn in colorway Red Hot.

Notes: on Ravelry

On Christmas Eve I also made peanut butter blossom cookies for Christmas day to bring to family. I love these cookies for Christmas they are so delicious and comforting. 

Knitting and watching It's a Wonderful Life! One of my favourite Christmas movies and special tradition of mine to watch Christmas Eve when it is such a special day and feeling of anticipation for Christmas day to come. 

On Christmas day, we had Pillsbury cinnamon buns as a tradition for breakfast. We opened gifts for Evan, Millie, and us. Then headed to my sister's place for our dinner. I didn't get too many photos to share of the day but it was so fun! I got a photo of our tree that night with a few of our gifts below.

On Boxing Day we relaxed at home and I also went on a little walk outside to the store. It was nice to read on the couch a lot of the day and be lazy. Millie also kept me company while I was reading.

I was gifted this book below by Liam called The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Bryson. It seems like it will be an interesting book. I read this book on Boxing day on the couch and ate chocolates. 

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas or Holiday season! I hope that you also enjoy your New Year's Eve and New Years! We will be relaxing at home with our baby and watching a movie once he is asleep. See you all in 2024 and all the best this year to you and your families :) Thank you for supporting my blog by visiting! I will be back soon with another post about gifts from Christmas and planning for 2024!