Back to the Coal Mines

Well, today was my first day back in the office after taking maternity leave. It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be, although I had a weepy moment when we dropped off Emma at daycare this morning. True to her little self, she had a big poop right as we arrived at daycare. We were getting ready to change her ourselves, but her caretaker, Ling, came out and said, "Oh, let me handle of that!" She took Emma to the changing table in the infant room, changed her and brought her back out to the reception area for mommy and daddy to say goodbye.

We picked Emma up from daycare in the evening, and apparently, Emma had a very good day. She drank almost all her milk, smiled at the caregivers, did some rolls during tummy time, and didn't cry much. I am slightly offended that my baby girl didn't seem to miss me very much, but also very proud that she is such an easy baby (well, at least for now).

We returned yesterday after visiting husband's family to celebrate Thanksgiving and Emma's Red Egg and Ginger/100 Day party. Emma turned 100 days on November 22, 2009. There is a special significance to turning 100 days in Korean and Japanese culture, probably because way back in the day, many babies did not survive past 100 days. The red egg and ginger portion of the party celebrated Emma's Chinese heritage. We took lots of pictures, and I will post those over the next day or two!

We're Back

We arrived back in San Francisco today from the east coast.  My grandmother made a surprising and unexpected recovery while we were there, and no one can tell what will happen over the next month or two.  Before we made this emergency trip, we had already purchased non-refundable tickets to go east for Christmas, so we will be going back again soon.

Emma did so well on the plane rides there and back.  She had a little poop accident and some got on Daddy during the flight to the east coast (hee hee), but other than that, nothing disastrous.  She was complimented on her good behavior by fellow passengers and the flight crew.

Our trip was very family oriented.  The experience was strange, because everyone was upset about my grandmother, but so happy to see each other.  We saw members of my family from Seoul whom I have not seen since high school.  We went to the hospice everyday to see my grandmother, and just spent time with relatives and friends.  I finally got to meet my friend H's baby girl.  Adorable.  Someone in my family received a marriage proposal while we were there, too!   Eveyone was enamored with Emma, and I was grateful that my relatives met her while she is still a little baby.

Sad

My beautiful, loving grandmother is not doing well.  We don't expect that she will pull through this time.  We (me, husband and little Emma) are flying out to the east coast this Friday.  My mother is so sad.  Hopefully, seeing her little granddaughter will help a bit, like a little cuddly care package arriving.

Smile, You're on Camera!

Ok, smiling time is over. Now, it is time for "serious face."

The Every Way Wrap

I am making the Every Way Wrap as a gift for my mother.  She actually picked this pattern so it isn't ruining the surprise to post a picture of the progress.

Due to my lack of experience in reading cable charts, the 15-row repeat cable pattern and the severe errata published in the original pattern, this project had a tumultuous start.  I ripped it apart five (!) times before I actually got into the groove and figured out the chart and the pattern.

The design is by a Korean knitwear designer, and it is really cool. It is a reversible cable, so it won't have a right or wrong side, as most cable knits do. It is also designed to be worn in a multitude of ways, either as a scarf, a wrap, or even, with clever placement of buttons, as a vest.

I can't wait until it is finished so I can give this to my mother.  I hope to have it finished by Christmas time, but with a baby, and with my return to the corporate peon world looming on the near horizon, that might not be possible.