The Big Lug

My desire to feed my family more organic and local foods is often in a battle with my lack of time and energy. Thankfully there is a huge industry dedicated to feeding off my mom guilt by developing thousands and thousands of organic convenience food products! As long as I can keep the job that pays the bills and causes me to be away from home  (thus the guilt in the first place – it’s the circle of life) then I can buy the few great organic products that I rely on daily.

Luckily these are carried at my regular grocery store so I do knot have to make a special trip to the whole foods.*

First off are these great nuggets by Ian’s. As much as I thought my kid would not end up eating nuggets all the time, I was wrong. And if you’ve seen or read any of the popular books or movies on our food industry you’re probably wary of the bigger brand name nuggets out there. Bonus to these is that they are delicious!

Two other staples on our pantry are Annie’s Organic Mac and Cheese and Health Valley cereal bars. Both of these are purchased weekly partially because they are our only organic options in our grocery store. However both happen to be tasty and though slightly more expensive than their non-organic versions, reasonably priced.

Sometimes I think this extra money and effort to buy these products may be a result of effective marketing on the part of the growing organic food industry and my subconscious desire to project a certain image as a parent. But even if that is the case o think it can only do more good than harm to participate in this growing movement towards eating organic.

*I love Whole Foods but I cannot go there without leaving with some kind of organic lip balm or a yoga mat or something.

Konoko Pants

Originally uploaded by biglug

Is there anything cuter than a tiny baby? How about a tiny baby with knit pants on?

I knit these up for my friend Jaime who is due 5 weeks before me. The yarn is the same I used for the BuzzBee hat which I also knit for her – Lion Brand Cotton Ease. The yarn splits a little easily while you knit, but it is easy-care and kind of perfect for a baby item.

I highly recommend this quick pattern.  If I had to guess how long it took me, I’d say about one long weekend. The one pant leg looks a little shorter than the other, but I think that can be fixed with blocking.

I’ll hopefully get my act together in time to knit my own little one a pair of these and a cute matching hat too!

Project Raveled here.

Pattern available here.

Things seem to be progressing around here. Take for instance my belly.

Here I am at 14 weeks and 18 weeks. There is no mistaking that for seasonal weight gain. I’m happy to have transitioned from could-be-getting-fat to obviously-pregnant.

We also finally upgraded our tiny 13 inch television in our bedroom for a 32 inch flat screen. It is luxurious to be able to read any text on screen.

And I’m making slow progress on Simon’s vest. Slow mostly due to being really tired every night. I am determined to finish it though so I can knit myself and some friends baby items. I know at least 5 other pregnant women due within a week of me!