It has been awhile since I have had any real quality knitting time.  I remember when my boys were little people would tell me that it only gets busier.  I didn’t really believe it then, but now I get it! 

I am super excited to begin a new project though.  A knitwear designer Alicia Plummer asked me to test knit her newest design.  A cardigan, knit in sport weight yarn.  I love Alicia’s fabulous designs and was very excited to be asked to test knit!

I have four-six weeks to complete the sweater, so I need to get crankin’!

I just happened to have some beautiful Plucky Knitter yarn on hand in Primo Sport weight.  The color is called Route 2, and is stunning.  If you have never knit with Plucky yarn – you need to:)  Sign up for Plucky knitter blog updates to be notified of shop updates and buying opportunities.   Sometimes it may take a few weeks to receive your order, but worth the wait!

I’ve been a super busy lady lately.  In addition to taking care of baby Brooklyn, we bought a house, starting renovating a house, sold our condo, and I’m still working! Luckily, Brooklyn is a dream…a really great baby who makes her parents very happy. Only thing making me sad these days is the lack of knitting and blogging to go along with it. Bear with me — how about some house and baby pictures for now?

My life in iPhone photos…

Yes, that is a jacuzzi all cut up!  There was an addition built around the jacuzzi so there was no way of getting it out of the house in one piece and a jacuzzi in my kitchen wasn’t really on my list things I wanted in my dream house. The first several photos are the before pictures, the last few (I hope it goes without saying) show some serious progress.  I can’t wait for the floors to be done to show you the after!  We have had a tremendous amount of help and couldn’t do it without it so we appreciate everyone’s help.

I’ve been busy loving this little face too.  Can you tell she’s either sleeping or pretty happy?  This reminds me of one of those “how are you feeling today?” posters

It has been a full month at the Zahner household, but we are back and blogging after a 2 week hiatus.  Kevin and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary this month,  I am so thankful for my wonderful husband.  We are excited to have a new little nephew Cameron James, along with our little Brooklyn, these babies are bringing so much joy to our families.

I began knitting Honey by Amy Miller and during the past few months I have been picking at it.  I only need to finish the bottom of the body and the sleeves.  I think this will make the perfect spring pullover.  I just need to finish it!

I am knitting with a discontinued yarn that I had in my stash.  It is knit on size 4 needles but really moves quickly because of the top down construction.  I highly recommend this well written pattern.

Thanks for your patience with our blogging lapse!  Babies and boys will do that to you!

You are all such a patient bunch – THANK YOU!  It’s so sad that March is almost over and I am just getting this posted. I hope you enjoy it all the same.

April will be posted BEFORE April — ya hear that?  Now I really gotta get it done!

I do actually have some knitting projects to share with you — but this week we are closing on a new house so no knitting will be done. I am hopeful that April will bring a more frequent posting schedule — don’t give up on us!

I managed to do some naptime knitting and completed the pair of owl carseat strap covers. They’re a tad big for Brooklyn’s current size setting on the car seat but they’ll fit soon as she fills it out.  The project was extremely quick and easy and they’re much softer than the original pair that came with the car seat. I was able to get them done in just 2 separate napping sessions.  I was happy that I just so happened to have some yarn on hand that matched the carseat perfectly!  The yarn is Malabrigo Arroyo, held double and was done on size 9 needles.

I have since cast on another pair using my own pattern. As soon as they’re done I’ll post the pattern for you!

Also, for those of you who print off the monthly calendar — the March version will be posted soon. It’s nearly complete, I just need to do a little proofing!  Thanks for your patience — each month seems to just fly by and before I know it, I’m late posting these! I’ll always try to do better, maybe by the time we get to December you’ll have it in advance of the first of the month!

I’m ready for spring!   I had a stash of Mandarin cotton just waiting to be a spring scarf.  Striping it up for a nautical look. I love the green moss, the weather is turning pleasant and the snow is melting.  ahhhh…spring is just around the corner.  I have to admit, I have been slacking in my knitting.  The past month has been a whirlwind around our house.  I think our boys have more active calendars than Kev and I do.  My new job is a taxi driver.

I thought you were coming?  I’ve been waiting for months.  Stop teasing.Happy Snowy Friday.

So it’s obvious by the lack of my posting that I am lost in baby land!  We are having such a great time together and she is soooo good for us! We sleep a lot and eat a lot and the past few nights we’ve only been up once in the night so she’s awfully kind to let her mom and dad sleep some too!

She’s growing fast and we’re happy for that.  I’m hoping that very soon she’ll fit into this little onesie I had made when I was still pregnant.

I haven’t knit in about 2 weeks but I think we’re in enough of a groove now that I might be able to find some time to do that while she naps.  My fingers are missing my needles!  First project on the agenda is a new set of car seat straps — the ones on her car seat just aren’t soft enough for my taste! They should be pretty simple and quick — if I can only get my skein of Malabrigo untangled enough to knit with it! Hopefully I’ll be sharing progress in the next few days!

Not too many words today, just enough to thank everyone for the kind words and congratulations.  We are a blessed little family.  Brooklyn Paige is a dream. She is as sweet as can be. She spends her days sleeping and eating and eating and sleeping. She is so peaceful and precious and loved by soooo many! Here are just a few pictures from the past 5 days we’ve been able to enjoy our little one.

Great Grandma Gerber made us this beautiful pink hearts blanket. Brooklyn loves to be swaddled up in it.

Great Grandma Midge came too. She brought us a knit hat and mittens that don’t quite fit us yet but when they do, we’ll be sure to get a good photoshoot in.

Going home outfit!

Someone looks pretty happy to meet his first Grandchild, don’t you think?

And even though it’s his 12th grandchild, he looks just as happy!

When they brought Brooklyn back from the hospital Nursery, she came in this knitted hat! I thought it was so sweet. In my head I was picturing some kind grandma somewhere knitting hats for the babies in the hospital.  I’d like to repay the favor. Anyone want to join in?

Meeting my aunts, uncles and some of my cousins – and future babysitters??

My Mom (a.k.a. Grandma Ryan) has been a huge help!  She’s been coming by each day to make sure I’m OK — and of course to get a little love time in with Brooklyn! Thanks mom!!

I’m going to try to do a more official newborn shoot with Brooklyn soon. I’m thoroughly enjoying all the time I get to spend with my new little love!