Ingrid Yippee! I am celebrating with you!! These tiny darlings are truly our little rose babies. I have a RVR Botzaris that subjected me to similar parental joys and frets. When the postal stork arrived with it, Botzaris was just a minute green sprout tucked into its cozy 4" pot. I watered it and then transplanted it to a larger plastic cradle in a very special corner of my nursery. I checked on Botzaris several times per day, testing its soil diaper and nursing it diligently. One morning I went to the nursery to peek at its progress and discovered that...it was gone! Eek!! I practically stuck my nose in the dirt in my frantic search for traces of Botzaris. Then I spotted the remains. An 1/8" stub just above the soil line. The fluffy-tailed tree rats had struck my garden again. In a tearful panic, I ran to the garage in search of anything resembling armor-plating. I spied my rather expensive English riddle teetering on a shelf at the back. (This unique piece of equipment was purchased from Smith and Hawken back in the day when S&H was truly S&H.) Yes, the riddle would serve the purpose. But the riddle would rust and disintegrate in Portland's late winter/spring downpours. Hmmm. Rose. Riddle. Rose. RIddle. As you may have guessed, Botzaris--my precious baby Botzaris--won the debate. After keeping a watchful eye (like a mama hawk), enduring more stretches of constant nurturing including many gentle feedings of compost tea, I spied a microscopic stem with even dinkier leaves emerging next to the stubbins. My neighbors must have heard the WHOOP for blocks! I left the rusty riddle in place and maintained a constant vigilance against further attacks by fluffy-tailed rose assassins. When I finally witnessed my little white damask growing into a strapping young toddling beauty, I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Ahhhhh. The joys of parenting! Please post photos of your first grandflower! Still cheering for you in PDX-- Carol

I think you'll really love it. Funny thing, when I was surfing around the net, looking, I came across the same copy that I use...and, I still have my dust cover...a bit tattered, but okay. It was published in 1971, and was on sale for, if I remember right, $75.00.. gave me a giggle....the books I use every day are now worth a 'bit of the ready'...just shows, if we live long enough, even our books will be worth something! lol

Ok, I found this for you, now you have to do some too!!! lol lol lol I hope I haven't offended you, just thought that you wanted to do it too, so I didnt want you to be disappointed. I copied the pattern for your and I am sending along with the site that has many many knitted items. I hope you enjoy the site, best wishes...the site is: KnittingPatternCentral.com Sweet Baby Wash Cloth© Designed by Marilyn Wallace Sept.21, 2006 4.5 mm short, circular needle 1 ball CottonTots by Bernatfabric marker or fabric paintrubber stamp( I bought my sweet baby at Michaels for $1.50) This cloth is small as it is intended to be baby sizedÂ.. Cast on 30 st. Bee stitch is (k1, k1 below, k1, k1 below) instead of knitting directly into the next st. put your needle right below next st. & pull all off the needle Row 1 Knit Row 2 k1 k1 below, k1 k1 below across Row 3 Knit Row 4 K2 k1 below, k1 k1 below across Repeat these 4 rows for pattern In centre of cloth insert stockingnette square 10 st by 10 rowsÂ.or desired size of squareÂÂ..keeping bee stitch as sides The last 10 rows you knit in the bee stitch patternÂCast Off. I took a rubber stamp I purchased from Micheals for $1.50 & using permanent markers I coloured the stamp & then aligned it up to fit in the squareÂÂThe combination of the Bee stitch & the Bernat CottonTots will make this the softest cloth for baby.....

I am in exactly the same situation - same relationship - baby due end of October. I think your handmade sweater and booties would make a lovely gift - and is certainly sufficient! Probably the only thing I would do is to make them bigger than you would for a newborn. When my husband's niece had a baby I bought a sweater that was for a 24 month old - the baby was big as I expected and the sweater make was such that I knew he would fit into it by age one and I was right. He was born in Jan. and since we live in the snow belt it was perfect. I always wish I knew the sex of the baby to be born. There are cute things for boys but I always manage to see the cutest things for little girls - and of course I did see the perfect little skirt (adorable but functional) but I couldn't buy it - just as well. But said skirt sold out in one day.