Ever increasing circles

Increasing Family Circle

Heya everyone!  I hope you are all well, and you all had a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah/get together.  I think ours was the best Christmas we've had in long time.  Al and I spent it with my clan/our clan.  We all actually managed to get time off work and be together for the first time in ages. Many of my family hadn't yet seen my bump, it got loads of lovin'!  Our baby will be the first of my generation in my immediate and extended family.  My mum told me that since she told my 80+ Grandma that we're expecting Grandma has been glowing more than usual. We can't wait to appear in the 4 generations piccy: Grandma, my Mum, myself and Beansprout.  As us 'kids' (of which I will always be one) grow up a bit and find life partners, the family gets even bigger. As some of you may already know Al and I finally tied the knot last Sep and so my family made a bit of fuss of him.  And my cousin is going to marry a lovely chap next July, (phew that gives enough time for my bump to shrink a bit for the big day).   Awww, my family rocks, I feel sooo blessed to have access to so many happy faces, cuddles and belly laughs (and deeeelish home cooking).  I think that this is the stuff of real value.  I'm happy to stay in and not be one of the hordes of shoppers that queued up outside Selfridges on the 26th for a designer this, that and the other.  

After Christmas dinner we had a great game of cross-cultural; guess who I am. It took Al a while to guess his identity, but he got there in the end.  He's such a bright boy.

Increasing mess on my kitchen table

Whilst on the subject of being in happy place, I'm sooooooo relived to have finally finished work on my 2nd book. The publisher and I really sweated over this book and we are all delighted at the results.  I know that your opinion is the one that truly matters, but I will (at least) say it really does look the business. The projects are as modern as the cover design and layout is fresh.  Dare I say the 2nd book looks much prettier than my first?  Yes I do dare!  Hehe!  The book will be released next year end of May/early April.  Now I've stopped working on my book I can concentrate on turning the writing/work room into a nursery - it's back to sewing on the kitchen table for me. Ho hum!

 

Increasing belly (which in keeping with the circular theme: is now round)

Me: taken earlier today, week 28.  I'm now just about waddling into the third trimester.  Doctor husband and all other professionals are happy to report that all looks well (mum doesn't think she looks that great, but really doesn't mind about that at all). 

My bump did well this Christmas, it got rounds of applause, pats and strokes! 

 

Increasing crochet circles!

Yeah, so at this stage I can no longer sew for any protracted length of time without my back aching and  my belly constantly bumping against the table edge.  Ahhhhh I can't sew!  Panic panic panic, I have to do some sort of craft!!  So I looked for a craft that is very portable and not too mentally involved for my baby brain.  Seems like crochet is the answer.  I got me a crochet book and some Amy Butler Belle yarn and I have been crochet hooked since!  It's perfect for keeping me in craft whilst lolling about whale-like on my bed or sofa.  At some point I'll join these squares to make a big throw and I reckon I'll get round to making the cute bootees as well.  By then Beansprout might have joined the party and my belly will have receded sufficiently for me to be able to sit comfortably behind my beloved sewing machine - that is if I'll be able to stay awake long enough to switch the power on! 

What craft did you turn to when your bump got in the way?