Hello Terrible Two's:

It's good to see you again...

...How long do you think you will be staying? -just out of curiosity.

I still haven't bothered to post any projects from the last six months or so, but here's some of it:

These (except the cat) were Christmas presents for Rayona. The heads are Paper Mache, and the bodies are cloth. They take FOREVER, but are fun to do.
Also, Big Baby got new hair, new pajamas and slippers:

There are more pictures on Flickr. That's all for now, really -except we got a dog. Actually that's a REALLY long story of trial and error, and driving all over the north country in search of a good dog for our particular family. Plus, I really wanted a dog for me. The kind of dog I have always dreamed of having. A dog who sticks right next to me, and walks politely on or off a leash. A dog who will be my serious hiking buddy and who likes my kids. We have found that dog finally. She was well worth the wait. I have always wanted this kind of dog. Her name is Penny:

Yay!! A new son:

Ami Jacobson Leipzig (pronounced AH-mee).

7lbs 1oz, 20-1/2".

-A quick, INTENSE, unmedicated hospital birth this time. I couldn't ask for more. Thank you everyone who helped make the experience great -you know who you are! I love you all. More to come. I'm going back to bed.

Yesterday:

After a morning that started at 5:30 and looked like this times 10:

(because my son is going through a super-needy-lots-of-screaming phase) I was feeling pretty bad. My children are really relentless right now. Both of them want me all the time, and I'm not getting any peace most days. I mean really not a single break until they go to bed, so I'm making sure that happens very early. I am only 23 weeks along, but I feel HUGE, and this time I have horrible back pain, so my ability to deal is somewhat limited.

So while the boy is napping I try to make sure that Ray gets some special constructive mama-time. We made bread. We spoke in very quiet voices the whole time to try and "reset" the volume that was going on in the house. It was really nice, and I felt like peace was somewhat restored.

Then after Zev woke up we went to the library where I got to knit about 2 rounds on my latest project in between getting up to keep the baby out of trouble. He is very different than my daughter was in that he not only requires constant supervision, but also constant intervention. He is SO active, and a terrible climber. There is a catastrophe about every 15 seconds if you're not right on him all the time.

By the way my latest project is this:

Same as the last one, but in the "Chickie Masla" colorway (Peace Fleece). It is getting its sleeves right now. I am outgrowing these sweaters more quickly than I can knit them, so getting the fit right is a guessing game. -But on and on I knit, because I have to. It's all I've got. At the festival I saw a bumper sticker that said: "I knit, so no one has to die." Perhaps a bit harsh, but there's something to that. I am also trying to find time in the evenings for a rather ambitious Christmas project for Rayona -as usual, so pe-natal yoga time is pretty much out the window for now. I really need to be doing it, but there's only so much energy to go around, and most nights I'm too tired, and spent to even think about it. I realize the aparent stupidity in avoiding the one thing which could possibly help me physically, but I'm just soooooo tired, and Christmas presents are a big deal when you're three and a half. Especially ones made by your mom. She knows I'm up to something, so it had better be good.

Well, we're back:

We went to Rhinebeck again for the festival, and it was great as usual.

Everything was so pretty, and we had awesome weather.

I ate everything I intended to, and apparently have gained another NINE pounds this month, but that's pretty on-track for me. I also bought some really beautiful wool for a few projects. All in all it was splendid. Thank you sweet husband for providing your family with such a lovely weekend that was more meaningful than you can ever know. The Sheep and Wool Festival is something I anticipate every year, and it never disappoints!

Another Autumn Post:

Yay Fall is here! My favorite, and in my opinion this almost the best place to be for it. The Hudson Valley is a little better, but the Adirondacks will do. This year the warm weather drastically shortened our leaf season. It was cold today, though.

I am very sad that farmer's market season is coming to a close, and I feel that I should have bothered to buy more bushels of things to put up. Now I will have to go back to supermarket shopping very soon. Yuck, but I was busy with not feeling so great up until recently, and my sense of planning went out the window.

Next year maybe my garden will have better luck as well.

Well, I've found out that I'm having another little boy. I was pretty surprised, because I was so sure it was a girl this time. So this is really exciting, and I'm struggling with names again, and trying to decide what color to paint their room. The room where my son currently sleeps is pretty empty and plain, so some boyish decoration is in order. I love that we're going to have a room for "the boys". That's so fun. Ray is happy, although she had requested a sister. When I told her she just said: "Oh! There will be two Baby Zevs!". I said: "Sort-of".

This is the best I could do:

In the time allowed to me by my children to take a photo. Which was none. I look a bit grim. Oh, well.

I finally have a sweater for me which I actually wear! This one is awesome, and so soft and really warm. The pattern is "#22 Garter Yoke Cardigan" available on Ravelry. The yarn is Peace Fleece, Kalinka Malinka Blue. Nice yarn, and very reasonably priced, though not for people who are sensitive about wool. It feels like wool for sure, and smells like the Dutchess County Fairgrounds During the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival, so it's A-OK with me. I will be knitting another one ASAP, because I am wearing this one every day. It's perfect for this climate, because it's really thick and dense. I love Autumn, and a couple new handknits for me are definitely called for this year. I do seem to be outgrowing this sweater rapidly though, at 18 weeks along (and 15 pounds), and I fear that it will actually be a bit big after the baby weight goes, but better than too small.

Speaking of the Sheep and Wool Festival -I am so looking forward to it as always. It's my favorite weekend of the whole entire year. I can smell the garlicky goodness of the fried artichoke stand, and the hot cider and hot chocolate with cinnamon, and the cups of coffee between freezing cold hands. We had wind and drizzle the last two years, but my spirits cannot be dampened on the third weekend of October. All the better to bundle up in wooly hats, and scarves and mittens and sweaters. Oh, if you're not a knitter you won't get it too well. My husband is not a knitter, but he is a trooper, and he likes food. My kids love the animals, so it's a win all around, and if it's not that's too bad, 'cause we're going.