My Very Own Food Pyramid

Created just for me. Neato (thanks to Tanya at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog). I'm struggling to get the pdf version to appear, but I'll just keep trying.

I don't post much about breastfeeding because this is primarily a stitching blog, and that is what most people come here to read.

However, breastfeeding has been one of the most enjoyable and profound experiences for me as a person. In my younger days, I thought it was yucky and I assumed I would feed any children I might have with formula. There were no nursing moms among my family or acquaintances when I was young. My first nephew nursed for a bit then his mom added in formula. My other sister in law breastfed her children and I suppose that is when the idea really took root in my mind.

When I became pregnant with Angie, I researched breastfeeding carefully and learned about all the health benefits for moms and babies. I took two breastfeeding classes while pregnant and decided to give breastfeeding a good try based on economic and health reasons. I hoped to manage two years, but decided not to put myself, as a first time mom, under too much pressure.

Angie and I had our struggles early on, but we persisted and I found the experience to be emotionally satisfying in addition to all the other benefits. Kian got the hang of breastfeeding immediately. I don't know how long we'll manage to breastfeed, but so far, we're doing well.

Like his sister, Kian has a milk protein intolerance so dairy products are out of my diet for the present. I wish there was more information about why this happens and when it goes away. I guess not much effort is put into studying this problem because it is assumed that moms stop nursing when the baby is age one (if not sooner--lots have people have suggested that we put him on formula).

Still, I am pleased to have my very own food pyramid. Unfortunately I can't do dairy and it offers no substitutes. It is very hard to find food without milk protein these days. My diet is probably the healthiest ever, but I'd love more information about ensuring I'm consuming enough calcium. Maybe with time, the site will allow more factors to be considered when creating a personalized pyramid.

My pyramid also recommends three and a half ounces of whole grains each day. I guess I need to get more multi-grain bagels instead of my strawberry pop-tarts (which contain no dairy).

Oh well--it is totally worth it.

Being Random

It's been rough.

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Lots of sibling jealousy this week. Angie drew a picture of us holding hands--Mommy, Daddy, and Angie but no Kian. Many tantrums and even a little destructive behavior. I'm sure we'll laugh about it in the future. Right.

On the plus side, she did 'fess up to the destruction.

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The work week started with the discovery that one of the parents in a case permanently removed herself from the case and her child's life. That has been a little hard for me to handle as a person and a mom.

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Really, I think that is it for the rough. But it all happened on the same day and they were doozies, which made it a bit difficult to regain a good mood for the rest of the week.

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A little boy collapsed and died in gym class from a heart defect. He did not have the same problem as Kian, but still, it brings my worries to the surface.

Kian is in a great mood, but he is having some itchy patches and skin irritation so I worry, worry, worry. Though as Chas pointed out, the doctor didn't seem concerned at his check-up last week.

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This TMI so you can skip down to the next section if you want....

I'm breastfeeding Kian and sometimes it's a bit more active than I recall it being with Angie at the same age.

Is it at all possible to sprain a breast?

Just wondering.

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This site is oodles of fun. Thanks (I think) to Dana for posting the link. It will be appearing in the sidebar soon.

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On the stitching front, not much done this week as work was very hectic. However, I have just a few more sections of special stitches, then most of the beading to do. I had hoped to finish it this month, but that is unlikely as I am working on an ornament this weekend and will only be able to stitch at lunchtime next week.

Still, if I continue to focus on it, I could likely finish it by November 10th, give or take a day. I will certainly finish it before the big Chatelaine SAL next month.

Which reminds me....

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I'm hosting a long SAL at the Chatelaine Board from November 18th through the 30th. Please feel free to join in the fun (it's in the Olympics forum).

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I'm nearly finished with the ornament for this month. I was tempted to start something new from the JCS ornament issue, but I am being good and finishing a SWIP instead. It's a blackwork ornie and I will be so happy when it is done. Ugh. It feels tedious, but maybe I'm just annoyed to be distracted from Midi.

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I have most of what I need to stitch Autumn by Chatelaine. I may let myself start it in November if I finish Midi or Amethyst. I only need two crystals for Amethyst. I'm just not certain when I will get around to ordering them.

I'm under 40 projects in progress on the sidebar and I'd like to keep it that way. So no new starts until I finish something other than an ornament or bookmark.

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A copyright question:

Angie's school is having a craft fair in December. I was contemplating stitching some freebies for the school to sell. Is it legal to do so? We did not cover that dilemma in my intellectual property class in Law School.

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We had a great time at the fall festival at Angie's school last night. Angie loved the attention from us and had a great time playing all the games. Yes, all the games. My pockets were filled with little plastic bugs and spider rings.

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Kian has been resting on my lap for two+ hours now. Various body parts have gone numb, but at least my boy is with me and I've been able to blog.

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Steven Moffat should write more Doctor Who episodes. He just should. Darn creepy angels frightening the bejeebers out of me.

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Flash Gordon is mostly watchable if Flash and Dale have absolutely no scenes together.

Additionally. Ming the bureaucrat needs to be removed. It is bad when Ming menacingly threatens dire punishment for failure and both Chas and I shout, "He'll make you fill out forms in triplicate!"

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Little Kian is awake now so I'll end my ramblings for now.

I hope you all have a nice weekend.

give a loose rein to your fancy,...

Take the Quiz here!

Interesting. I love Elizabeth Bennet, but I thought I would be Elinor Dashwood or Anne Eliot.

EEEEK!!!!!

I was just checking some things on Midi and discovered the plastic sandwich bags in which I keep the project were covered in a sticky liquid and the chart binder was still damp.

I have no idea how this could have happened as I didn't touch Midi today. Although I tote it to work each day, it sat in my office today because I was on the bench in hearings straight through lunch. I didn't pull it out.

Poor Chas thought I was blaming him, when really, I was just shouting in a panic.

I have checked the fiber baggies and they appear to be clean. The actual stitched piece looks unsullied so I think I'm okay. Everything is in new, clean bags and the binder is wiped and is drying.

Good grief.

So do you think this is a sign that I should stop stitching this month?

Stitching Blurbs

I've had some bouts of frogging lately, but I've still stitched a bit on a few things.

I beaded Amethyst Mystery--quick and fun. I'm pleased with the substitutes (yes plural--I used two different delicas) Now I only need the right crystals to complete it. If I order them soon, I might receive them in time to finish it this month.

Last night I finished the Rose bookmark--scan to come soon. So that is my 18th finish in the Challenge and my UFO project from the monthly goals. I am mostly pleased with it, but I pulled the wrong thread as I finished it so I need to fix it.

I also stitched a bit on Japanese Garden. It's going to take a very long time to finish even one crane medallion. Or at least that is how it feels to me.

I stitched a bit on my HAED SAL Challenge project during the SAL last weekend, but not much. See:

There is a bit more done since last SAL, but it definitely isn't my best effort this month.

I've finished the herb names on the left side of Midi 1. I tried to work on some of the flowers, but that is where the frogs appeared so I didn't get far. I might be able to finish Midi this month if I focus on her for the rest of the month. I would really love a big finish, but I'm not sure my short attention span stitching style will allow me to focus on one thing for two weeks. Anyone want to try and motivate me with words of encouragement?

I've picked out my ornie for next weekend. hopefully I'll manage to finish it too as it is one of my more challenging ornies. I've stitched at least one ornie each SAL and I'd hate to miss one this late in the year. Of course, if it means I finish Midi, I guess I won't mind.

In other news, Kian is six months old today! He is fussing on my lap at the moment, but I'm just thrilled to have my big, beautiful boy. (Now if only that darn tooth would pop through!)

Don't mind me, I'm in a Mood.

I've thought about posting several long posts during the last few weeks venting about various things, but I have very limited computer time at present. I've created the posts in my head but they never reach blogger. I'm not really up to venting at the moment, so I'll simply state that there is not an area of my life that isn't causing me some worry or stress.

The topper was yesterday at work--it started out brilliant and I had a genuine sense of satisfaction with my performance, my contributions to the job and with my abilities. Then thirty five minutes before the end of the day, I had a conversation lasting less than a minute with a very significant person and I am doubting the stability of my job. I hate politics and cronyism.

And coincidentally, my not so LNS is seeking a new owner. I would love to buy it, but now is just not the time for me to take a big risk.

In stitchy news, I'm nearly finished with Midi 1 (Medieval Times ) by Chatelaine Designs. I've finished all the cross stitching (except for some ptb in the bottom border) and that leaves the special stitching, beads and crystals. This is a scan so it doesn't show the full design, but you get a good idea of what is done. I have only stitched one herb/flower name which you can just barely discern on the scan. I'm using a skein of Forest of Greens for the words. It is a regular skein of the silk because some of the letters have over one sections and the perle would not work well with it. I must say I'm dreading the knots for the i's. I'll use Colonial knots instead of French knots, but I'm still not eager to get to them. It might be what prevents me from finishing this month.

As you can see I have to stitch all the flowers. There are lots of them so I may not be able to finish Midi this month. I'm tempted to focus on Midi until I'm sick of it or I finish just so that I can possibly finish it. I haven't quite decided yet. I've worked a teeny bit on WG and still have so much to do with it. I started it maybe three years ago and I just want it to be done. Midi is for me and WG is a gift. But Midi is closer to completion. Perhaps I'll finish Midi and then focus on WG rather than starting a new Chatelaine (sigh).

Back to Midi: The lady is now complete. I originally posted my conversion back in January. The dye lots in my possession just did not work together so I converted her gown to the deep reds, which I prefer anyway. And since Teresa Wentzler is another favorite of mine, I couldn't simply back stitch with the black NPI. Instead I rummaged through my stash of NPI's to find colors that worked to my eye.

So, for your stitching amusement, here is my Lady's full conversion:

Instead of the Rusty Amber, I used the Cerise Noir.

Instead of the Crimson Wood, I used the Rosewood.

Instead of the Frosted Auburn, I used the Elephant and Castle.

Her eye is stitched with the Chesnut.

I backstitched her arm with NPI 935 (appropriately the Gothic Red Range)

I backstitched her under skirt with NPI 606

Her shoes are backstitched with NPI 588

I love, love, love the vines on the arch. I didn't think that stitching these with two strands would work, but it looks lush and glorious. It is a pleasure to stitch the vines. I love jessicas so I'm eager to stitch the flowers. I'll probably use the Cerise Noir for the flowers. I may mix it up a bit and do some with the Rosewood too. I haven' decided yet.

I'm doing lots of other stitching this month too. This weekend is a HAED Challenge SAL so I've done a bit on that piece. At Angie's request, I've done more on Frog Prince 3. I've also stitched on the tuffet, Rose Bookmark, WG, Teresa Wentzler's Diamonds in Squares, and Stealing Oats. I've also pulled out a needlepoint design at work for when I'm pumping. I don't enjoy stitching with wool, but I just want to finish the durn thing.

The stitching list sounds impressive, but as I only get a few minutes of stitching at a time, I haven't progressed much in any design.

I'm Having an Existential Crisis

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Oh dear.

October Stitching Goals

September was not so great for big project stitching. Angie starting Kindergarten kept us hopping and I was so tired upon my return to work that I did not stitch much at all.

I'm starting to get back in my stitching groove thanks to a few finishes on Sunday, so for October I hope to:

1. Stitch a bit on the tuffet
2. Stitch a bit on Midi 1
3. Stitch a bit on WG
4. Stitch a bit on JG
5. Stitch a bit on Stealing Oats.
6. Particpate in the SALs at the HAED bb
7. Stitch an ornament at the fourth weekend SAL
8. Stitch a bit on Santorini
9. Stitch a bit on Japanese Lady
10. Stitch a bit on one of my TW WIPs.
11. Finish stitching one project from each of my categories: WIP, SWIP and UFO

Number eleven is fairly ambitious, but it would be fun to try to knock a few more things off my list, even if they are just small things. I would like to be finished with the tuffet, Midi 1, Christmas Mandala, the rose bookmark and Stealing Oats, but I don't think that is likely.