What Joy! Happy Boys!

Is there anything better than I smiling baby? I really can't think of anything. I love that, despite his tummy troubles, Jellybean is a smiley little boy. He smiles when he spits up. He smiles while he's crying with a tummy ache. He smiles when he hears Daddy or his brothers.

Wow, I can learn from that! Do I great adversity and challenges with a smile? I think, most of the time, I don't handle things well. I get down and depressed, instead of being like Jellybean. I should smile through my tears, like he does.

 Wouldn't it be amazing and great if we all were content to be chubby and happy like a baby? To trust others to be there when we need them? To love everyone without question, just because they are there?

Of course, life isn't that simple. It's impractical to go through life expecting the things all babies deserve (and not enough of them get!), but I can borrow his joy for a little while, when I just look down on that beautiful, trusting, happy face.

Are you smiling yet?

Try to resist this face:

We have a saying in this house:

"Two Year Olds are DANGEROUS!"

"Who, me?"

You'd better believe it!

Knit Knacks: Jellybean's Blanket

Jellybean's blanket is the pale blue one on the left. Again, this is a pretty easy pattern, that will need about 1 lb of yarn.

I should note that this is baby yarn and I used size 11 knitting needles, I believe. Smaller needles will make tighter weave, and also a smaller blanket. Larger needles will make a looser, larger blanket.

Cast On 112 stitches.

Knit 8 stitches. Purl 8 stitches. Repeat to the end of the row.

Repeat this pattern for the next 8 rows.

Then...

Purl 8 stitches. Knit 8 stitches. and repeat, again for 8 rows.

Repeat the whole process until the blanket is your desired length, then, Cast Off.

Pudge

Breastfeeding is challenging. 

Even on the best of days, my boys have been marathon eaters, more often nursing than not. I have breastfed all my older boys for between 20 months to 26 months and am planning to do the same with Jellybean. 

BUT, there is so much to love about breastfeeding. 

Even on a rough day, when I feel touched-out and like I am not even my own person, all I have to do is look at his chubby cheeks and know that I, not anyone or anything else, put every tiny bit of pudge there. My efforts have not been in vain!