I'm sending Teresa knees-together vibes.

Ommmmmmm.

You know as well as anybody (possibly better than anybody) that those 'due date' thingamies are fiction. Anything where the docctors right out say 'plus or minus 2 weeks' is clearly dubious. That means that the chances you get your 2 days are probably about the same as the changes that it will appear later today. We'll cross our fingers (which is probably as scientifically effective as anything at this point). You need to get knitting.

you can do it----- go harlot- go harlot......

knit, block--- besides--- you'll probably get a chapter out of it--- if you have trouble!

;)

My legs are crossed. Fingers too. The shawl looks beautiful!

you can do it----- go harlot- go harlot......

knit, block--- besides--- you'll probably get a chapter out of it--- if you have trouble!

;)

You can do eeeet! :)

Legs crossed here, too.

We can cross our fingers, but Teresa needs to cross her legs!
Go girl, go!

knit, knit, knit - no sleeping, no eating, and get a fan to blow on it while blocking. If anyone can do it, you can. Just tell Teresa not to push just yet.

I can see it now... Teresa calls you to say she thinks it's time and you very calmly and politely say, "Oh no of course not. Just breath deep and DON'T push, I'll be there shortly" ;)

Honestly, you can do it. Remember the Rhinebeck sweater?

Legs crossed here, but the baby doesn't need a blanket the minute it's out, so you have another day after it's born... Right? We'll be checking in next week to see if it's come yet!

Nice blog about Joe. He sounds like a fine fellow, and it gives me hope that one day my husband will realize Tuesday is garbage day, every week, and someone has to do something about it....

With my four kids, I found the way to get the baby to come was to plan to do something else; the more committed, the more likely to be interrupted. Tell Teresa don't plan ANYTHING.

Knit like the wind! Good luck--it looks beautiful.

Babies come on their due dates? Mine never did. One came 2 weeks past the original "due" date, and one almost 3 weeks past it.

I think you may have the time.

If that's the case, then what are you doing posting about this? Get to your needles!

GO, GO, GO!

Good luck!

Assuming that you will be asked to be present at the birth, perhaps you should consider starting the blocking process at Teresa's house? I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you multitasked a bit. :-)

Babies don't come on time do they? You're so close and I'm sure the baby knows that and doesn't want to ruin it for you. Fingers, toes, and legs crossed just in case.

It can block while she's in labor, no?

Don't you have special powers in this area? Don't babies generally WAIT until you've finished the knitting to make an appearance? I'm thinking you better not tell her that you're the reason the baby hasn't come yet. You know how much moms enjoy the whole late baby thing. No pressure, though.

I'm pretty sure Teresa has no more actual control over the timing than you do, but I'll keep my fingers and legs crossed as best I can to add to the communal 'not yet, baby' vibes.

Now step away from the Mac and pick up the needles. And make tonight either a 'Mummy wants to treat you guys to pizza coz you're all so wonderful' or 'you all know where the kitchen is, fend for yourselves' night.

Babies never really appear on their due date that I have witnessed. Well, one of mine did but I had help.

You can get it done in time. We have total faith.

Due date? Poo! You know very well it's got no relation to reality.

Oh yeah! The race is on! I have the notion that you will win!
All 4 of mine were two weeks late AND had to be induced.. They were just having too much fun in there I guess!
While I don't wish it on anyone I do hope that this baby waits a little bit so you can get this gift done!GO GO GO!!

This litte one's sister waited patiently for the shawl to finish, so I predict this one will as well. Due dates are only useful if you have a good wager on and win something ;-)

It looks gorgeous laying there unblocked - can't wait to see it finished. Hang on Snowflake Baby, you can't be born yet!

Go, go, Gadget-needles!

You can do it!

Steph - what are the odds of Theresa leaping up directly after childbirth, forsaking the baby and coming straight at you with a fierce glint in her eye, hissing "WHERE'S THAT SHAWL?"

You've got a window of giveability here.

That shawl is gorgeous! Good luck-you need it.

Dude, it takes a while for them to pop out. You know it. Caaaaaalme-toi. The On Time Baby Gift Police are pretty lenient, you know.

Wow - it's beautiful.

As for the timing, it will work out one way or the other. Good luck!

Can't wait to see it blocked! It looks gorgeous, even when rumply!

You could always block it during delievery, right? ;) Just use it as a damp cloth to wipe off her forehead, she'll never know the difference.

I think she'll understand if it's a day late. I mean, babies usually are.

well, if legs had been crossed in the first place, you wouldn't have needed to knit the shawl ;) Bwahhh!!

You're lucky it isn't this Theresa you're knitting it for; all my babes came early. Ear-ly! 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. But I'll bet you get at least another two days before the snowflake arrives.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the "going home" shawl?

And don't they give you at least 48 hours in hospital before kicking you and the kid to the curb up there in Canada?

If that's the case, then you have at least two days to finish if she goes into labor right now.

If not, get the duct tape and tape her legs together.

I have never, EVER finished a baby gift before the baby was born; my poor niece had to wait 6 months for her blanket. (Bless her heart, at age 12 she still sleeps with it.)

I don't suppose Teresa is related to Joe? Then you could be sure the baby would be late.

In any case, the shawl is stunning, even before blocking; the ta-da moment is bound to be spectacular.

Perhaps you can pin it to your bed and lie down to knit the edging while the body blocks (you probably need the rest anyway) and then the edging can block while Theresa is in labor. Of course, with the unpredictability of babies you may have time to finish, block, and make a couple sets of booties before the little snowflake appears. I went 3 wks early with my oldest, 3 wks late with my next two (the 3rd was due the day a huge "spring" snowstorm paralyzed the city for several days- my doctor actually called and begged me not to go into labor!), 9-14 days late with the next 3, and the last one was one day before her due date (and 2 days before her sister's 9th birthday). Even with ultrasounds that "could acurately predict the due date", there's still no predicting. Knit on!

Am I the only one that is depressed that you can think of finishing a lace edge in a day?! And that you don't have to factor in the obligatory 2 month procrastination time until blocking that I allow myself (and still feel rushed into)?! You are a marvel. Good luck!

If I have a ...... oh, nevermind.

I can't wait to see it blocked!

Oh Stephanie it came out exactly as you described! Way to go. I bet the baby will wait;-)

Ah, come on! You can do it and even if not, the wee bairn isn't going to mind if it's a day late. And by all means, photos of the little one and the shawl blocked!

Bryn

You may have plenty of time. I was an eleven-month baby although my dad can't tell me why. It does explain my tendency toward procrastination, though.

Hey Steph,

I was speaking at the guild in Aurora last night...they are still raving about how much fun you were (are)...you are a hard act to follow!They said to say hello.

The shawl looks beautiful..you are a woman of many many talents.

And the award for Funniest Doula Conflict-of-Interest goes to ...

YOu'll have time (of course the last time I thought this, the baby was born the same day.) if not, well, maybe lil' snowflake may get an unblocked "sneek peek" on the day of arrival. Snap a couple pictures, discreetly take the shawl home to block, and inconspicuously return to lil' snowflake. None will be the wiser.

Can't you tell Teresa to cross her legs, not push or any of that stuff. Honestly, it's the least she can do -- time her due date to the shawl. LOL.

Tell her to cross her legs and stand on her head. You know let gravity help.
:)

Knit knit knit!!! :)

Go Knitter! Go!

Hairdryers are marvelous things.

hold on theresa!!!!
and, well, babies are always a little pruney to start with... the babe would probably look far cuter in it a day after the birth :P just sayin'

About yesterday's post; does that amp have tubes? He is the man.
Anyway, it's up to Theresa now. If she pops that snowflake, it's her fault.

Don't worry, babies never come on time.

Heh, mine all came early, so you're already working on borrowed time in my baby timeline book! The pleading, "Don't push!" of the labor nurse -- by god, I think she was serious! -- had little effect and even if she were knitting a snowflake shawl, I wouldn't have listened...

But good luck with that! ; )

Poor Teresa is probably wishing that baby would just GET OUT and here you are, plugging up the works with your vibes! Um...wait...that sounds really awful...nevermind.

You can do it if anyone can. No pressure or anything. Seriously, someone suggested that you take it over, photo the baby in it, and then bring it back home to finish--none the wiser. I think this is a fine, fine idea. Or, you can use it as a psychological tool. Take it with you, and sit with her and knit, occasionally commenting, "Neener neener, I'm going to finish before you do!" I'm sure she will appreciate your go-team attitude!

It's gorgeous ... You will finish it on time. The force is with you. :)

Can`t Joe block the shawl if Theresa has gone into labour? He`s a man of many talents, by the look of it.

Knees are crossed and doing kegels too. good luck to both of you and baby too!

You might like to check this out. It's an NPR report on the work of Doctors W/out Borders. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4986589

I have noticed a lot of babies being late:) So your odds are good you will get the two days you need.

At any rate the shawl looks fab!

Hopefully you are not taking the time to read these comments - but you ARE A MARVEL! (as someone else commented!). What a treasure the shawl will be to the mother and child. Wow. Good luck finishing. Maybe she'll have a long labor - although I do not wish that on her!

It's looking fabulous - even if that shawl comes after the baby, I'm sure it will be a cherished gift.

LOL, this is a second baby, right? Just be glad this one didn't come early!

Hey Steph - I know you won't want to have that lovely shawl with vernix all over it now, will you? It'll be perfect whenever it's done. Same with the baby!
Yvonne

Hmmm, vibes your way that you may finish it faster :)...we can't really ask Teresa to hold it much longer, I am sure she wants it out :).
Knit, knit, knit :).

I went into labor on my exact due date...thirty-six hours later, Nick was born, LOL ! While I wouldn't wish a 36-hour labor on anyone, that WOULD give you plenty of time to finish.

Clench, Teresa, CLENCH!!!

Hey Beth? Sorry to tell ya, but it turns out that now they only let you stay 24 hours, unless there are complications. My brother's wife just had her baby a week ago in the Harlot's neck of the woods and that's all she got. Don't want those women getting comfortable, I guess.

But for Teresa, maybe that "the watched kettle never boils" thing might work... Know anyone she'd be willing to stare at her belly for the required hours?