I know that title is butchering the ‘In like a lion, out like a lamb’ phrase regarding March (which feels quite far away), but I think it’s fair to say that 2015 is going out like a lion. We’re having a whirlwind end of the year over here, featuring a rollercoaster of emotions and events.
The biggest news is that the Fiasco and I are expecting a little one at the end of June. We have named him/her the Hatchling. And while he/she is doing well, he/she has caused nothing but trouble for me thus far. It turns out, I don’t like pregnancy very much, and it doesn’t like me right back. I’ve just discovered that I am now in a high risk category due to a blood clot in my leg (a.k.a. deep vein thrombosis). I have to inject myself with blood thinners twice a day for the next six months, and likely after the birth as well. This, friends, is a very unpleasant side effect of pregnancy that I had no idea was a thing that could happen. Also, fatigue. I have thallasemia minor, which is a genetic trait that makes me bad at producing hemoglobin and thus permanently anemic (for which iron does nothing to help) so I’m extra super tired all the time because pregnancy ALSO makes you anemic and fatigued. And then there was the nausea for a while (thank goodness that’s mostly gone) and the general feeling like I don’t know what the hell is happening in my own body anymore.
If you have to go to the ER, you might as well be wearing great socks.
Sorry to rant a bit, but all of that has been occupying a lot of my attention lately and has greatly reduced my available time and energy for knitting, spinning, and Sweet Sheep-ing. I also think it’s important to provide some Real Talk about pregnancy. Sometimes, pregnant women are painted as these beautiful, fecund goddesses of patience and serenity, when really… it’s hard and can be dangerous. And I think that’s good to acknowledge. Also, as a PSA for deep vein thrombosis, if you feel a strange persistent pain in your calf or thigh that seems like the worst part of a charlie horse cramp but doesn’t go away or feel better when you stretch, get checked out. My first cramp lasted 5 days but my doctor just said to drink more water. Then two weeks later I had a similar pain in my thigh, as well as swelling around my knee, and TA DA! Blood clots can break into pieces that travel to your heart/lungs and become pulmonary embolisms, so it’s important to get treated ASAP.
All that said, we are very excited, and I’m looking forward to knitting some adorable baby things in the near future. Here’s proof of how cute our Hatchling will be someday:
Proof of tiny human, waving hello.
That was taken a couple of weeks ago, so the little tyke has likely doubled in size by now. And proof that I haven’t totally forgotten how to knit:
BMFA Tigger Targhee in Gnome for the Holidays.
These are the beginnings of Katniss socks using the brand new Tigger Targhee from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I like it a lot, and will write more about it soon.
Later on I’ll take a hard look about what I made in 2015, but right now, I’d like to look forward. I typically choose a couple of words to represent my goals and intentions for the new year and this year, I think my words will have to be PATIENCE and ACCEPTANCE. In the year that I become a parent, I think they will be really, really important. Being patient with myself, slowing down as needed, patiently awaiting the big events to come. Accepting my limitations, doing just what I can, accepting the challenges thrown in my path with some amount of grace, these are my hopes for 2016. How about you?
From a recent hike that I took, with a freaking blood clot in my leg. Glad I’m not dead!
Happy new year, folks. See you on the other side.
Woolen Diversions 
Congratulations! What exciting news! Yes, pregnancy has those (awful) side effects that no one talks about, but it’s truly amazing what the female body is capable of. Sorry that pregnancy has been so rough for you so far. I love the name, though;) Can’t wait to see the baby knits!
LikeLike
Thanks, Lindsey, I appreciate the encouragement! 🙂
LikeLike
Wow, that is big news!! Congratulations on the imminent arrival of a happy bundle of joy in your lives! Like you, I did not enjoy being pregnant. Fortunately, I did not have the health issues that you have, although it is bad enough having to endure months of feeling like a bloated fish flopping around on dry land! Your thoughts around the next few months are spot on. Rest, be happy, and especially knowing that you will have your own body back in a few months! All the best for 2016!
LikeLike
Thank you for your good wishes! Hope you have a great year, too. 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations! This is wonderful news. Yes, pregnancy is hard and difficult for many and I am sorry you are experiencing this so early. I made so much relaxin, my tendons got so soft I needed crutches and a brace thingie to hold my pelvis together. Difficulties make for heroic, egalitarian stories though and that is so much more interesting than a glamourous easy pregnancy! But, luckily you forget most of awful bits amidst the freight train that follows. Best wishes for the coming months.
LikeLike
Oh my goodness, that sounds like a horrible pregnancy! But you’re right, it does make for some battle scars to be proud of. Thank you for the good wishes!
LikeLike
Congratulations!!! What an exciting time in your life! Although I hope that the health issues improve. Twice a day shots are no fun at all. My energy levels waxed and waned while I was pregnant plus I suffered from severe migraines. But all was forgotten when I held my little guy in my arms for the first time. Pregnancy (and motherhood for that matter) is a roller coaster ride for sure.
LikeLike
Thank you! Yeah, the fluctuations in energy are difficult to get used to. Thanks for the encouragement!
LikeLike
Congrats and best wishes!!! My word for the year is Life. I intend to live it to the fullest and not sit back. The past few years I have become a home body, I need to change that. We will see how well I do.
LikeLike
That is an excellent word for the year. It’s far too easy to fall into habits that keep us limited, Life is a great thing to aim for.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh, that is so exciting, congrats! I am sorry that your pregnancy is so uncomfortable, I don’t much enjoy being pregnant, either (and often wonder who there are so many of us n the planet…). The fatigue, the weird health stuff, the discomfort…. I hear you. but your little one will be worth it. Are you finding out if it’s a boy or a girl?
LikeLike
I’d like to find out! It won’t be for a few more weeks though, I think. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh my goodness, what a great surprise. Congrats!
Do you know that you are amazing to have also moved to a different place while all of this was going on? I wasn’t well when we moved either, so I can attest to the fact that it’s hard and that you are a beast for making it through.
LikeLike
Congratulations!! So exciting! I’m sorry you’re having a tough time. I hope you feel better soon!
Will you be vending at Slater Mill? I thought I saw your shop on the lineup 🙂
LikeLike
So many people wishing for patience this year. I hope it works out!
I am so excited for you and your Fiasco to have a Hatchling (wow, what a sentence). I am sorry you are in so much pain, but just remember that once the little one comes it will all be worth it. One day at a time my friend.
LikeLike
So sorry to hear about the pregnancy problems! But Hatchling will definitely be worth it. I am sure you had the best socks in the ER and got alot of attention from the nurses. I love the colorway and also the Gnomes colorway. Best wishes for a speedy 6 months!
LikeLike
I’m so happy for you that you’re expecting! But sorry about all the bad stuff 😦
Take care, and I hope that your wishes for this year will come true!
LikeLike
Congratulations! Sorry to hear you’ve had a dramatic pregnancy so far, but I hope things settle down for you soon.
LikeLike
Pingback: WIPWed #113: New on the Needles | Woolen Diversions
Woot! A Hatchling! Boo, hiss to blood clots. Rant all you want–you are growing a tiny human. It’s hard work some days. But soon enough you will hold that tiny, perfect nugget in your arms and be so totally in love you’ll be, like, what daily injections? And that will be super awesome. Congrats.
LikeLike
Congrats!! Patience my friend, you’ll make it!
LikeLike