40+2

And here we are, 2 days past Peanuts guess date. Shocking, nope. I predicted this but am still a little bummed. However, this is my child, who is now a Gemini and clearly has begun to play by their own rules. Ahhh little one, you are just like Mommy.

Last Drs appointment today went well though. Survey Says - 1 cm dilated, very short cervix and head has finally engaged!! Dr expects me to go in the next few days.

** PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE **

The internal was super uncomfy but it did confirm that all that pain I've been having over the last few weeks is in fact my cervix. Dr put me on the induction list for Monday just in case but doesn't think I will make it till then - Lets hope so!

Going to book myself an acupuncture and massage appointment for Thursday in hopes that I have to cancel it :)

39w and DONE

Emotional breakdown #2 this morning. 730am sobb-fest due to total lack of sleep and utter physical discomfort.

P was at a loss, justst let me cry and blubber and rubbed my back and hugged me.

 Slept on and off till noon and was suprised to find brunch and a lovely Mommy to Be card waiting for me. What a man. Now I am restless again, tired but not sleepy ... so I am baking cookies.

 Really hoping my "normal" self returns soon. I am not used to being so out of control of my body and mind. I cant take the constant back aches, restless legs, indigestion and heartburn much more. I need to sleep and feel rested plus I am DYING to meet my kid!!

Neon Cupcake Love

I have been playing with cupcake recipes over the last few days in an attempt to come up with something that is quick and tasty that I can make up as a Birthday Project for when Peanut arrives.

Well, needless to say that has not happened, as with all attempts to veganise any standard recipe (and yes I know there are already dozens of vegan cupcake books out there - but where is the fun in that?), there are more steps, thought and time required than seen at first blush.

BUT, I have had a fun and tasty time in the process and have come up with a few batches that were both gobbled up and fun to make and look at.

**NOTE** I am not a baker by any stretch and have noticed that the cakes are coming out rather dense and short. Any suggestios on how to get them fluffier would be great!

Very Vanilla Cupcakes

Time for some fun!

Test batch on the way ...

looking good!

Colourful and yummy - a great combo!

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup becel Vegan margarine

• 6 tbsp water

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp almond extract

• 1/2 cup almond milk

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tbsp egg replacer

• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Cream together sugar and margarine, then add in vanilla & almond extract, water and milk
3. In separate bowl, combine flour, egg replacer and baking powder
4. Add dry ingredients to wet, and mix until smooth
5. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until testing stick comes out clean
6. Let cool in tin for a few moments before moving to rack

** to make rainbow cakes
Separate completed batter into as many bowls as you want colors
Add in food colouring to your desired shade
Spoon in coloured batter into liners, layering colours as you like until ¾ full

38 Weeks

And no signs of baby moving out. Hmmmm ...

I fully though Peanut was going to be late (just assumed that would be the case with Baby #1), but ever since P started going on about how he though they would be early that is all I can think of.

Staring at my Evening Primrose Oil bottle and wondering if I should start trying to force the eviction or just try to be patient and wait it out ...

Crocheting

Over the last few months I have become the nester of all nesters. I have been cooking and baking to stock my freezer, cleaning and prepping all rooms and items related to Peanut. I have also taken up crocheting, something that is clearly more in my blood more than I realized. I say this because I come from a long line of yarn artists (you could always find a knitting and crochet needles in the hands of my Mother and Grandmothers), but as a young gal, every time I attempted knitting but was left with twisted, gnarly work and the desire to hurt people with the needles, rather than create with them. I was forever frustrated and after numerous tries I vowed to toss the knitting fantasy aside.

But a few months ago the urge returned to me, clearly engaged by the pending birth of my first child. I wanted to make something for them, something that was full of love and warmth. Knitting came to mind and visions of beautiful blankets, afghans, sweaters and caps flooded my visions. So I wandered the isles of Michaels one day, looking for inspirations. The knitting needles make my blood boil as soon as I saw them, but the crochet hooks caught my interest. Hmmmmm, maybe all this time I had just been forcing the wrong method and that there was some yarn artist in me after all …

So off with a massive ball yarn, a shiny new set of crochet hooks and patterns I went. I read through the patterns trying to make sense of the shorthand and was almost immediately frustrated and convinced I has just made a mistake and had visions of my frustrated breakdowns of years past. But damnit, I was determined to at least try. And over the next few weeks and with the wonders of youtube I did and I was able to make up my first ever baby blanket, complete with contrasting edging. While it is far from perfect, it is filled with love and devotion, and that means more to me than extract gauge and stich counts. This is something that I made with my own hands and heart, that my child will use to keep warm and safe, help them feel secure and loved.

I have also found serenity and joy in my new hobby and catch myself eagerly looking forward to the times when I can crawl onto the couch and curl up with my hooks and yarn. P was shocked to see just how fast I progressed and expressed his encouragement in my new adventure. He jokes that there may be more potential in my hooking (ha!) than I give it credit and wonders if there is not a new career on the horizon - I see relaxation and unwinding and nothing more. I envision years of gifts for family and friends made with love, not potential income, but hey we can let the man dream right.

I have now progressed beyond blankets and onto baby caps and booties, with adult beanies and other clothing items on the horizon. I have a few goodies set aside for friends that I am keen to see their response to and plan on making my little Peanut loads of fun and creative bits and bobs over the years to come.

Peanut's first Mommy Made Blankie

Blankie # 2 in the works

Blankie #2 Finished! 

Baby Bear Beanie

Itty-bitty Baby Beanie

Bright and fun Afghan #1 in the works ...