Knitting Olympics: Not Even Shameful Bronze

No gold medals for me. As the Olympics end tonight, the only part of my bear I have finished is the body. I still need to finish knitting the head, and knit two ears, two arms, two legs, two feet, and a tail. I've been hampered by the fact that I can no longer knit around my increasingly curious and mobile young charge, and the fact that I chose to knit something that involves concentration, when I tend to concentrate on the games. Mr. Cool has said, though, that if I finish it during the Olympic year, he would still award me the shameful bronze. I guess I need to keep knitting!

Cutie Pie Thursday: Cheerio, my good man!

That's right--the boy has been introduced to the wonderful world of cheerios!

Sometimes, the cheerios get in his mouth.

Mostly, though, he likes to pick them up and drop them on the floor, or stash them in his high chair. It is incredibly fun to watch him pick them up!

A Snowboarder Challenges My Cynical Christianity

I have yet to figure out how to embed videos, so I'm afraid I'll just have to give a link to this video. Yesterday, while watching Olympic coverage, I saw an impressive interview with Kelly Clark, the 2002 Olympic Gold medalist in women's halfpipe, who won the bronze yesterday in Vancouver. She talks about how she became a Christian, and what challenged me was the fact that her journey started by overhearing someone tell an upset friend, "God still loves you." Now, as a cynical Christian, I rarely tell people, even fellow Christians, that God loves them, or that I'm praying for them. I regret that now. We never know who might be listening, and what it might mean to them.
Please watch this video. And, if you're not watching the Olympics, start!

Cutie Pie Thursday: Mr. Cool Has a Big Post Planned

Here I am working with dad. We are working hard on a special new post on how dad is training me up to be a hero. Unfortunately, dad didn't get the post up. Soon, hopefully! Mama is busy on her Olympic knitting project and helping me with my new teeth. I have one new tooth out, and mama thinks I have two more. They make me cranky.

Happy Valentine's Day!

He has my heart.

Knitting Olympics 2010: Opening Ceremonies

Four years ago, seminal knit-blogger Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (the Yarn Harlot) started the Knitting Olympics. This year, in honor of the Vancouver games, I will be casting on the Baby Bear from Itty Bitty Toys during the Opening Ceremony. My goal will be to complete the bear before the Closing Ceremonies, and complete the challenge of knitting and seaming together a toy, which I have never done before. As the Games progress, I will give you updates on my progress!

Cutie Pie Thursday: To Teethe, or Not to Teethe

When you're a small boy already intent on putting things in your mouth, the urge to gnaw brought on by teething opens up a whole new world of things to chew on.

What's Up, Doc? Lincoln found a carrot the perfect thing to soothe his gums.

If you're worried about germs, the camera distracted him. No actual cart chewing took place.

And of course, after carts and carrots, one always has a nice elephant tail.

Bacon, Blanket, Baby Hat: Things We've Made

Over Mr. Cool's days off, we have been getting a bit crafty, with just a hint of productive. After surviving the Colts loss on Sunday (which has been exacerbated by the dozens of stories on how this is going to save New Orleans, which, really? It might have brought them some hope and a good time, but economic development and real work on housing will probably do more than a football game, but maybe I'm just bitter.), we got to work.

The heart will be explained more in a few days. For now, just enjoy the contemplative lad upon his new blankie.

Mr. Cool and I have been the king and queen of tied fleece blankets for some time now, and it was time to whip up one for our boy, who was starting to outgrow his baby blankets. As you can tell, his blanket is adorned with knights, castles, horses, and dragons, and should last him a good while. He slept peacefully under it last night.

I had a baby shower on Sunday, so I decided to whip up a little hat. I wanted to make a more elaborate hat, but I ran out of time, so I went with a basic pattern (the Stitch 'n Bitch Umbilical Cord Hat), and made it in two colors of Cotton-Ease. I think it could be a cherry, a tomato, an apple--any reddish fruit/vegetable with a greenish stem. (The cookie jar was kind enough to model it for me.

And finally, Mr. Cool made supper last night. I was breaking down a butternut squash for Lincoln and I to eat this week, so he took it upon himself to whip up some bacon, french toast, and juice. It was quite a yummy meal, but I'd like it to be noted that I don't photograph every meal I prepare!

Super Bowl: Go Colts!

What is going on? Why is mama so manic? What is on her head? She just said it was Super Bowl Sunday, but I'm not sure what that means. She also keeps yelling "Go, Colts!"

I'm not sure about this hat. And what is Indianapolis? And who are the Colts? Mama says they are the best football team, with the coolest quarterback, some guy named Peyton Manning, whom she said she tried to name me after, and the best rookie coach, and all sorts of great players, and that I need to root for them too.

See, you can't even see me in this hat. Maybe I'm too little to root for the Colts.

But I'm ready if they lose the game.

Cutie Pie Thursday: That's Not My Dragon!

This is my favorite book! This one is not my dragon because his tail is too prickly! I love feeling his prickly tail! We just have one picture today because mama says we'll have a big Super Bowl Cutie Pie Post!

Stay-at-Home Mom Files: Hooded Towel

The wee bud was starting to outgrow his baby hooded towel, and I just knew there had to be a simple way to make one. So, I googled "hooded towel patterns" and ended up selecting this website's set of directions. I used my humble sewing skills, $6 worth of towels from Target, and ended up with two big and comfy hooded towels. Mr. Cool is now working on how to make an adult male sized version.

The wee lad models his new towel