Monkeys are complete

They're done! And, they are so cute! My Monkey Socks are done and on the blockers right now- just in time for the Memphis Area Knitting Guild meeting tomorrow night. Pics soon to come.
In other crafting news, well, not much sewing going on here still. I am still having some difficulty finding the time and energy to do it. However, I did set little miss down with some pretty paper and glitter glue today and let her go at it while little mister was napping. Maybe that will be the key to getting back to my sewing. In the mean time, enjoy these lovely pics from etsy.

Wool and Mohair blend sock yarn in Western Bluff from Yarn or a Tale

Superwash Merino in Funhouse from Tristabelle

Below is Superwash Merino sock yarn in Kermit's Revenge from Wild Fire Dreams. I'm loving all of the bright greens this spring!

Where's Kristin?

Here I am! I have been so busy lately with Mr. Caleb, who is rolling all over the living room and attempting to get into everything, and little Miss Cupcake Katie, who is just as feisty now that we are in the throws of the terrible twos. Sewing has kind of been put on the back burner in favor of knitting. It's not for lack of cut out projects (I currently have 4 little dresses ready to go), it's due to the need for stress relief and a kind of retreat. By the time nap time rolls around or I put the kids to bed for the night, I am anxious for some relaxation, so knitting has really been my creative outlet lately. I have heard that the first 6 weeks after giving birth is all about survival, but I believe that with the second baby, especially if they are as close as mine, it is more like the first 6 months or so. We are just now into a regular routine and enjoying the benefits of a full nights sleep and two children who sleep until 7 am. It took Caleb a lot longer than Katie, but I think he finally has the hang of it.
Here are some pics of my latest projects and of the kids:

Cookie A's Monkey sock pattern free from Knitty.com knitted in Variegated Vintage from Yarntini

Lou's diamond socks in Elann's Sock It to me 4 ply. Pattern from Wendy Johnson's book "Socks From the Toe Up."

Baby socks for my friend Jenny's baby girl, Sydney, who was born last week. Pattern is Better Than Booties baby socks in Knit Picks Imagination sock yarn

Burp cloth and applique bib I did for Jenny and baby Sydney

I finished my heart socks from the last post. Yay!

He loves the remote, even now. What a little man!

Typical day at the Geater house - very beautiful!

Katie "helping" Caleb play. Sunglasses are always a must. Thank goodness Target has them in the 1.00 section!

I heart Socks

The socks I'm working on from the book Knitting Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy D. Johnson are almost 1/2 way done! I was a little bit skeptical about toe-ups, just because I have never successfully completed a pair. However, this book is amazing for walking you through the process.  I am calling them my Elizabeth Bennet socks because they remind me of her for some reason. Plus, she is my favourite Jane Austen heroin.  I'm planning a manly version from another pattern from this book to make the complimentary Mr. Darcy socks for my husband. I borrowed the book from my sweet friend, Christy, but I am planning on purchasing my own copy as soon as I can get a few $$ together. Wendy's blog Wendy Knits is packed full of technical info, free patterns, and funny little tidbits about her daily life. She is the guru of the toe-up socks!

MIA

Been MIA lately. Mostly due to a computer virus, which required the total wiping of my entire hard-drive to get rid of and a couple of cold viruses, which required lots of Mommy TLC to get rid of. Here are a few pics of what I have been doing. Mostly socks socks and more socks.

Modeling the Valentine Jumper at her birthday party

More of the jumper

Home-made baby food. Squash is a huge hit!

As well as avocado

Sock yarn stash. Mom calls it the yarn tower

Socks for me

I am just loving these colors!

Lace socks for the Sock Down knit along on Ravelry

Baby socks. I have 2 showers in the next 3 weeks. These are using the Better Than Booties baby socks pattern from Interweave Knits.

Whirlpool Beret from Knit Picks. 

It's all about the legs

I love little chubby baby legs! Who doesn't? My lovely friend, Kendall, is crazy about these things called Baby Legs aka baby leg warmers. She uses them for her baby girl, Olive, and when I was pregnant with Caleb she told me about them. Luckily, I received some at my baby shower from my other lovely friend, Jana. I was hooked from first use! So, I went online and found that they are 10.00 a pair on sale, which for me is crazy! I don't even spend 10.00 for my own socks. Not even 5.00 a pair. I got to looking at them and I just knew I could make them and that there had to be a tutorial for them somewhere out there in the blogosphere. Sure enough, I found a tute here at Everything Your Mama Made using knee socks. I drove to my favorite store, Target, and picked up six pairs of knee socks for about 14.00. That's a little over 2.00 and something per pair. I was thrilled!

 

Here are the finished ones:

I just love the diamond ones. They are my fave!

Here is my little chunky monkey wearing them:

They make diaper changing a lot easier! 

As you have seen in some of my previous posts, I have started sock knitting again. I am building my stash of sock yarn back up, and I've also been thinking of ways to use up some that I have been staring at for quite a while. I was reading on Knitting Like Crazy's blog about doing a different pair of socks every month. What a great idea! I am currently working on a pair of men's socks from Knitting Vintage Socks for my dad. They were suppose to be for his birthday, but I am way behind on them. Having two little babies and a lot of projects going leaves not a lot of time for knitting. I have made these my February socks, and some knitting during nap time and after they go to bed should have me finishing them before the end of this month. Here is the WIP so far:

Here is a pic of Katie's Valentines jumper. It's reversible. She wore this side to Mothers Day out on Friday:

As you can see, she was so happy to model for me.

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplins

I LOVE chicken and dumplins, so today I decided I would use the left-over roast chicken from last night and make some. However, it does require a lot of standing over the stove time during cooking, which is not very convenient for me because my babies are waking up from naps around 5 pm. That leaves me tied up changing diapers, filling sippy cups, bottle feeding, etc. I thought about it, and came up with an easy and very very yummy way to make chicken and dumplins in the crock pot. If you do not have a leftover roast chicken, you can use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store deli. This recipe makes about 4-5 servings, but you will probably want to double it if you are going to be serving four or more. It's one of those things that you have to have seconds of!

Chop up 1/2 onion and 2 stalks of celery. Place in crock pot with some baby carrots. Add leftover chicken (I just pull it apart and throw it in). Pour in one 32 oz. carton of chicken broth. Cook on Low setting for 5 hours.
Make dumplins. I use Pioneer mix. It tastes the best. Bisquick is good too. Mix 2 cups of mix with about a teaspoon or two of poultry seasoning. Stir in 2/3 cup of milk. Scoop out by the spoonful and roll around in all purpose flour. Place in crockpot with chicken and veggies. Cook on high for an additional 30-40 minutes until dumplins are fluffy and slightly firm.

These were the best I have ever made, and my husband loves them! We have both had a cold for the past few days, so this was very comforting.

My Review of Playtex 2 Pack Latex Ortho Pro Pacifier - Newborn

Originally submitted at Toys R Us

Ortho Pro pacifiers were designed by dentists not only to soothe your baby, but also to allow for proper oral development. The ultra-thin, wavy stem easily fits between a baby's gums and teeth. The unique, contoured nipple reduces pressure on gums and developing teeth and rests naturally on the...

Playtex 2 Pack Latex Ortho Pro Pacifier - Newborn

Great

By Kristin from Memphis on 1/27/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Cute, Colorful, Durable, Comforting, Convenient

Best Uses: Bedtime, Pacifying

Describe Yourself: Medical Professional, Parent of Two or More Children

We love this paci! My son was a green pacifier only baby as a newborn. However, a few weeks ago, he stopped taking the newborn paci but was acting like he still wanted a pacifier. I tried several different ones, and this is the only one he will take. It stays in well, since it is lightweight and the colors are super cute.

(legalese)