Finally, He Arrives!

My new baby cousin, WT, is here! Finally! He's actually early, but with all the trouble my aunt had during pregnancy and the fact that we all found out she was pregnant when she was 6! weeks! along!, it has felt like she was pregnant with him for an eternity. The picture is blurry; he doesn't really look like a fuzzy baby. He's actually sort of red and wrinkly with a little dark fuzzy hair on his head. I told him that someone forgot to give him eyelashes, because he doesn't have them yet. Amazing his head isn't misshapen, as a lot of baby heads are. I know he probably looks like every other baby out there, but he's my cousin, dang it, and so he's special. I know his big sister is excited, and his mom is relieved.

On the subject of moms: I Love mine. She really is my best friend and at times we have been all we had. Mom often compares us to Rory and Lorelai in the Gilmore Girls. I always tell her she's crazy, but really she's right. We just know each other so well, how we'll react to certain things, and how to handle each other's psychotic spells. She gave me something once that says: A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend. That's absolutely right.

No babies yet!

No, no, not my baby. I'm not having any babies. But my aunt is. He (the New Baby) really isn't due for a couple of weeks, but since she's had preeclampsia, the doctor induced labor early this morning. New Baby must not be ready, because at 3:30 this afternoon, Grandma called and said nothing was happening and they stopped and will try again tomorrow. I'm not sure how that works, to jump start labor and then stop it. My poor aunt. She's had such a rough pregnancy this time and is just ready for it to be over. New Baby, you'd better get here tomorrow, because you have some people here who are very anxious to meet you. We're ready, whether you are or not.

Derby hats

I wanted to post on the history of the phenomenon that is Kentucky Derby hats, as the world will be watching us closely here in Louisville tomorrow for the best two minutes in sports. It is on this day that after two weeks of local folks partying (starting with Thunder Over Louisville, the Great Steamboat Race, and a gluttony of other events) we put off all other important weekend plans, drink mint juleps, and act like we're experts on horse racing for the day, all while celebreties flock to our fine city. In fact, this year the Queen! of! England! is here. At any rate, part of the Derby tradition is the donning of elaborate hats, the likes that no one would ever wear any other time of the year. I was, however, unable to find any information on the history of this tradition. Even Wikipedia let me down on this one. As a good citizen of Louisville, I feel I should know already. What I do know is this year I got sucked into Derby hat fever and made my own. I planned on making this hat from Interweave Crochet anyway, so I decided to adorn it with a daisy chain while I was at it. I didn't use the cotton that the pattern called for, but Cotton Classic from Tahki - Stachy Charles, which I bought at Sophie's Fine Yarn Shoppe. The staff there was super helpful in finding a substitute yarn for the Debbie Bliss Cotton that the pattern called for, but they didn't carry. I can't say the same for other shops in town (really, they'll remain unnamed). The hat was fairly quick to make; I think I did it in 4 or 5 hours, and I love it. After Derby, the flowers come off and I'll wear it all summer.
Happy Derby, everyone! I'll start the partying after I get off work tomorrow...

Not ready yet...

I've set up this blog to post about crocheting projects, crazy life, and whatever else comes to mind. I'll probably also use it to document my upcoming trip to Mexico (June). I'm also tired of logging in and seeing blank blog space, so here's an initial post just me make me feel better until I have time to write a proper intro post. I definitely feel like I'm talking to myself, so I should have things to post soon so people can come visit!