Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Another Decade

On Saturday, we celebrated my father's 60th Birthday with a big family party. We left on Friday night and got to Massachusetts at 1am. We stayed at DH's brother(my BIL) house, but Melody didn't do too well sleeping in a strange place. She was terrified of her uncle and aunt. She was screaming, crying and babbling when they held her, so that we could unload the car and set up her bed. I think she was disoriented due to the long car ride and being woken up at 1am and seeing strangers just really messed up her schedule. By the time we got her calmed down, it was 4am. I only got 4 hours of sleep before I got up and heated up her bottle.She was so much better when she woke up. She was no longer afraid of anyone. My SIL (her aunt) entertained her while I had breakfast. You can't tell in the picture, but my SIL is pregnant and will be giving birth to a baby girl in February.Even the boys were trying to get a Cheerio.She had a lot of fun exploring the house. I was just worried about all the staircases in the house. She has no concept of fear or of falling yet. (Isn't her bib cute? She practically has been living in the bibs that Rebekah made her. They have snaps instead of velcro so she can't tear them off of her neck and get her clothes all wet from her drooling.)
After that, I got ready and my sister came to pick me up. We went to the grocery store and bought all the ingredients we needed for the menu that we had thought up. We brought all the groceries to my father's house to start prepping for that night. Baked Spiral Ham, 10lbs of potatoes which were used for Mashed Potaoes and the Oxtail Soup, Gravy for the mashed potatoes, Baked Ziti which my sister made a delicious homemade sauce for, Sauteed yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms and onions. We cooked all afternoon and made enough food to serve 18 people. I even broke out in a sweat when I was mashing all those potatoes. We also had 3 babies in the house, which added to the madness when we were serving the food.

Oxtail Soup used to be my mom's specialty. Ever since my parents divorced 4 years ago, I am the one that makes it when we are having a party at my father's house.

We left on Sunday morning and got back to NYC at 3pm. I am still recovering and so is Melody. Travel is hard for babies. She woke up crying again last night because she was over tired. Nothing I did could soothe her.

I hope my father appreciated all the effort that me and my sister made. He is the type of man that can't express how he feels. One of my aunts did email me this morning to thank us for hosting the party and to tell me that my father was smiling all night and looked happy.
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This is my new favorite FO, the Mimosa Neckwarmer. As much as I would love to keep this, I think it will have to go into the Christmas Gift Box. Um, so far, this would be the only thing I have in that box. I started my Christmas gift knitting very late this year.This only took 2 days to knit! The pattern is easy and fast, especially since it is knit with bulky yarn. The main neckwarmer is knit first and then you pick up all the stitches around and knit the cable rib in the round. For me, the longest part of this project was the cable ribbing because I find it tedious to pick up so many stitches.My sister was kind enough to model it for me while I took a ton of photos. I did make a few changes to the pattern. The scarf pattern does not have instructions for the closure, so I made a button hole on one end and sewed a button on the other side. And I did less rows for the cable ribbing because I used a Super Bulky Yarn and it was already getting really big. The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, but I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky. As always, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino is lovely to knit with and the final result feels great. BUT each ball had knots in it. So instead of having 2 ends, I had 4 ends to deal to with. Very annoying!
Pattern: Mimosa Neckwarmer PDF pattern link
Needles: US 8 / 5.0 mm and US 10½ / 6.5 mm
Yarn: 2 balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky in color: Red (16011)

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I enjoy reading your blog, watching your baby grow. Please don't feel bad about your dad, that is so very Asian. Read Amy Tan early books about ABC's and their conflict with their immigrant parents are very good.

However, I hope both you and your sister did this for your dad, for him,and expecting something in return. Don't we do things for our parents because we just want to?

Patonslake

flanthrower said...

The neckwarmer looks lovely!

My dad celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this year (it's a big deal in Korean culture) and we worked hard to throw him a big party. It was definitely pretty stressful and I'm sure he must've enjoyed all the attention. But yes, like you, I'm left a little uncertain about how he feels since he's not particularly expressive about things.

Lisa Stepi said...

Melody's always so cute.

That neckwarmer is beautiful - I'm sure whoever you give it to will enjoy it.

Unknown said...

The neckwarmer is beautiful! It's fun to see Melody grow up. She's such a cutie!

Pixiepurls said...

I do love that bib, so cute. My BG is not a fan of waking up in a strange place. She woke up at the airport once after falling asleep and screamed and turned red and freaked out until I picked her up out of the stroller. She was only asleep for 20 minutes so I thought she would go back to sleep.. nope too scared!

Latley she's been waking up in the middle of the night in her crib afraid of something, and only wants mommy. She will actually throw a tantrum in her crib if dad tries to go ina nd sooth her. I spent last night asleep on the floor in her room :)

Rebekah said...

Wow! That sounds like a really busy weekend! I can't believe how big that bib looks on Melody. I guess that I am not a very good judge of baby sizes, because I thought it would be too small for her :)

It sounds like you made a really tasty and special birthday dinner for your dad and I'm sure he really did appreciate everything that you did for him!

I love that neckwarmer! I've been wanting to make some neckwarmers because I don't like knitting scarves and they always fall off when I use them. Thanks for sharing this pattern :)

Anonymous said...

Your sister is a beautiful model. Melody continues to be too adorable for words.

hetty said...

How nice that you were able to give your father such a lovely birthday dinner! I am sure he enjoyed it immensely, even though he couldn't express himself in words. (Men are like that sometimes) I love the scarf! And your sister is a beautiful model. Melody is as cute as ever. Thanks for the lovely blog story. It made my day!

Debbie said...

I love your blog and watching your little one grow. I am in Mass, where is your dad? I love the coloring and the pattern on your neckwarmer. Dinner and a neckwarmer in one weekend with a baby....you are awesome!

Sue said...

She is so cute and always looks happy in her photos. Your sister is a gorgeous model and I love the neckwarmer she is wearing. The button closure is a great idea and would make a lovely pressie to put in your xmas gift box.

rohanknitter said...

Wow, that was a lot of work for you and your sister - I'm sure your dad really enjoyed and appreciated it. I wonder if it's somewhat a generational thing - I think many men of that age group have trouble expressing emotions. (I know my dad sure does)
It's not easy traveling with a baby, is it? They always make us pay when we mess up their schedule, LOL!
Someday soon she will get very excited when it's time to go visiting.
Oh and the neckwarmer is really lovely!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, both your sister and that neck warmer you made are so lovely! She really should be a model. :)

CynCyn said...

Oh Yum. The b-day cake looks great too, and you made me hungry with all that wonderful sounding food. (I guess the ziti can count as birthday noodles, right?) Melody is so cute and just gets cuter.

Some day, when you come visit your Dad/family in MA, we need to meet up!!!

Anonymous said...

How lovely of you and your sister to throw a big party for your dad's 60th birthday! I am sure he appreciated all of your hard work and effort, even if he didn't say it outright.
Beautiful neckwarmer! Your sister looks great in it.

priscilla joy said...

that neckwarmer is so pretty and your sister is a great model! hope you guys are back to normal soon!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! That neckwarmer looks amazing on your sister. I can't wait to see what other Christmas gifts you make! Your things are always so inspiring :)

Rima said...

Nice pictures from home! Your dad does look like he cannot wait to cut that cake.

You made that neckwarmer! Stunning. Your sister makes a great model too.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a nice party - how nice of you and your sister to do that for your dad. Gorgeous neckwarmer!

Corrie said...

ohhh so many cute photos...heh I thought your sis was actually the model for the pattern he he! I love that pattern and might have to give it a go eventhough christmas day down here is summer but its lovely! perfect for under a coat or with black!

well done!

Octopus Knits said...

Traveling is hard on little ones (and puppy dogs, sometimes, too). I'm sure your dad really appreciated all your hard work - it sounds like such a wonderful meal!

I love the Mimosa Neckwarmer! It's beautiful and looks so cozy :)

Wendy said...

The neckwarmer is as gorgeous as your sister!

I think the picture of your dad says it all, he looks quite happy. If your aunt took the time to thank you, you did a wonderful job!

Danielle said...

I agree with everyone else, and am sure your dad really appreciated all that you did to make his birthday special :)

Poor Melody, and poor you. Any type of interruption in your baby's usual schedule tends to spell a lot of trouble doesn't it?

I really love that neckwarmer. It is beautiful, and so is your sister. It just looks lovely on her :)

YayaOrchid said...

What a sweet thing to do for your Dad! The menu sounds fantastic, especially the oxtail soup.

I love the look of your neckwarmer. May I ask where you got the yarn for it? I guess any yarn store would have it, but wondering if you got it online. The color is so pretty and vivid.

Stina said...

the neckwarmer is so beautiful! great work!

Allegra said...

the neckwarmer is lovely!