Not A Newborn

Olivia is decidedly no longer a newborn - she knows this during the day, but at night she seems to forget this. She had her 6 month check-up yesterday and continues to grow well (17 pounds 12 ounces (75 to 90th percentile), 25 3/4 inches (25 to 50th percentile), 17 inch head(50 to 75th percentile)). She also got her shots. And in the last week she's mastered feeding herself little snacks, which Abby would very much like to get her hands on. But she persists in waking everyone up at least once in the middle of the night - like 2 am middle, not 5 am. Last night we tried to make her cry herself back to sleep. After an hour I went in and tried rocking her. After an hour and a half of crying I nursed her and laid her back into her crib. After two hours she finally fell asleep. At that point Abby woke up - why she didn't wake up during the two hours of crying baffles me. I really need a vacation...
Which is perfect, since we leave this week for Walt Disney World. Now I'm just hoping and praying that Olivia doesn't scream the entire plane ride, which is a very real possibility. Abby is beyond excited to go. I'm hoping that the excitement will translate into being brave enough to enjoy Disney and not be glued to my leg. At least Abby and Olivia are both going to be able to get into the park free, so if it's a total bust we won't have three or four tickets to buy.

I finished another kitten bonnet for cousin Emma and started one for Aunt Emily, but we had a slight knitting mishap with Emily's hat. I missed the count on one row and all of a sudden the kitten ear was sticking out the side instead of on the top. Oops! So I pulled that one apart and started again. Maybe we can get that done this weekend, if I can find the energy after all my sleepless nights and days... man do I miss Abby napping.

Kitten Hat Pattern

Just for the record, and for those of you brave enough to try knitting (this pattern is really pretty easy), here is the kitten hat pattern:

Size 3 months - size 4 knitting needles
Size 6 months - size 5 knitting needles
Size 9 months - size 6 knitting needles
Toddler size - I used a size 8 needle

4 ply Miss Canada Superior Fingering yarn recommended (I didn't use it for either hat)

Cast on 65 stitches. Knit 9 rows in garter stitch (knit each row).
Row 10: Knit 2, increase 1 stitch in the next stitch, repeat until until last five stitches. Knit last five stitches. (85 stitches total on needle)
Row 11: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 12: Knit
Row 13: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 14: Knit
Row 15: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 16: Knit
Row 17: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 18: Knit
Row 19: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 20: Knit
Row 21: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 22: Knit 29, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 22, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 30
Row 23 and alternate (odd) rows: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 24: Knit 30, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 24, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 31
Row 26: Knit 31, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 26, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 32 (the increase should be directly above the previous increase for this and all even rows)
Row 28: Knit 32, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 28, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 33
Row 30: Knit 33, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 30, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 34
Row 32: Knit 34, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 32, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 35
Row 34: Knit 35, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 34, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 36
Row 36: Knit 36, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 36, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 37
Row 38: Knit 37, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 38, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 38
Row 40: Knit 38, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 40, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, knit 39
Row 42: Cast off 52 stitches. Knit to end of row.
Row 43: Cast off 52 stitches purlways. Purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 44: Knit
Row 45 (and all odd rows): Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1
Row 46: Knit
Row 48: Knit
Row 50: Knit 1, decrease 1 stitch, knit to two stitches, decrease 1 stitch, knit 1 (decrease two total stitches on on each end)
Row 52: Knit
Row 54: Knit
Row 56: Knit 1, decrease 1 stitch, knit to two stitches, decrease 1 stitch, knit 1 (decrease two total stitches on on each end)
Row 58: Knit
Row 60: Knit
Row 62: Knit 1, decrease 1 stitch, knit to two stitches, decrease 1 stitch, knit 1 (decrease two total stitches on on each end)
Row 64: Knit
Row 66: Knit
Row 68: Knit 1, decrease 1 stitch, knit to two stitches, decrease 1 stitch, knit 1 (decrease two total stitches on on each end)
Row 70: Knit
Row 72: Knit
Row 74: Knit 1, decrease 1 stitch, knit to two stitches, decrease 1 stitch, knit 1 (decrease two total stitches on on each end)
Row 76: Knit
Row 78: Knit
Row 79: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1. Break wool, leaving stitches on needle.
Row 80: With right side facing, join wool at edge of bonnet. Pick up and knit 21 stitches along this edge, knit in 11 stitches left on needle, pick up and knit 22 additional stitches along other edge (54 stitches total).
Row 81: Knit
Row 82: Knit 2 together, knit. Repeat until end of row.
Row 83: Knit. Cast off.

Sew up two seams in the back with yard needle. Either make a cord (double yarn crocheted) at each eyelet at front of bonnet or crochet chin strap.

Caught!

I found this little black kitten sneaking around our living room this morning trying to get into trouble.She was also trying to get rid of the competition, but unfortunately for her she isn't quite strong enough to get the door open.
Abby and I are entering day 3 of our adventure without Steve. So far we've managed to have a good start to the day, although I didn't get her to take a power nap like yesterday morning. But she did wake up in a good mood, so that helps.

Here Kitty, Kitty...

It was cupcake day at Abby's play group and she got to bring two mini-cakes home for her afternoon snack. Her afternoon snack ended up being 5 p.m. after she took a three hour nap. And the best part is that I didn't have to lay down with her or stay in her room. I just took her up, popped in her c.d. and left. I love it when that happens.

I finished a kitten bonnet for Baby Sister today. I had to do a little improvising to get the chin strap the way I wanted it. And I had to do a lot of learning, since I hadn't knitted anything besides basic dishcloths. I can now say I'm a fairly decent beginner at knitting.