Thinking Spring...

No new pics today, but a few updates:

P-Patch: We had our p-patch tour, orientation and meeting Saturday morning. We have a cute little 75 sq ft plot in Belltown that needs some TLC. We have a fantastic plot neighbor who has many years of gardening experience. We may share some herbs and veggies with her as we both plan on planting similar things. This week we should be able to make it down to weed as much as possible and then hopefully over the weekend the soil will dry enough for us to get some planting done next week.

Sounders FC: We went to the game Saturday night and enjoyed another 'W'. Our defense still looks strong, our midfield and offense had quite a few poor touches and Kasey Keller saved our butts many times. The final score was 2-0 Sounders. An awesome way to start the season.

Knitting: I finished a hat for Miles on Saturday. Went to Churchmouse on Bainbridge Island on Sunday and picked up some yarn for a beret for me, one for Syd, a vest for Miles and a sweater for Mom. Mom and I got lunch in Poulsbo and Ice Cream at Mona's on Bainbridge.... It was a fantastic day.

Pregnancy: All is going great aside from back pain. Ugh. We have an ultrasound this Friday and the lovely Glucose Test. We're excited to see the little guy again as he's grown so much in the last two months. Closing out the 2nd trimester in the next two weeks.

Sounders FC Pics

Happy Hour Pre-game

Qwest Pre-game

Sound Wave - Seattle Sounders FC Official Band

Raise Your Scarves! - It was windy ;)

Ready for the game

The colors of the United Nations

Drew Carey - He's the Man

A sea of green....

Seattle is ready!

Sounders 1st goal!!! - Fredy Montero

It's in the net - 11:41 minutes

Fredy Montero - 2 goals, 1 assist

Check all the glitter on the field!

Soccer Capital of the US

Pitch perfect debut for Sounders FC

Seattle expansion club enjoys rousing First Kick experience

By Michael Lewis / Special to MLSnet.com

SEATTLE -- Seattle Sounders FC could not have scripted their debut any better.

Let's see, a pregame rally and a marching band to the stadium, led by the mayor, team owners and a well-known comedian.

A sellout crowd of 32,523.

An early goal that really revved up the spectators.

And to top it off, a 3-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night.

"It was everything you dreamed," Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said. "The beauty in any game is in the final result and it was a beautiful result. Three-nothing at home in the opener for this franchise and MLS. The crowd was outstanding. The atmosphere was tremendous."

Inside and outside the stadium on what was a dreary day weather-wise, defined by a constant drizzle.

While the game did not kickoff until about 6:35 p.m. PT, activities actually began some two hours prior at nearby Pioneer Square with a rally.

In the middle of it were general manager Adrian Hanauer, mayor Greg Nickels and comedian and team part-owner Drew Carey.

"We're the stewards of this franchise," Hanauer told the crowd. "I guarantee the team will bust their [butts] for you."

"You need the management and a team. You need fans," said Carey, who admitted he was speechless. "You're the biggest piece of the puzzle."

While Carey was talking, the sun came out.

Then came the march to Qwest Field, which the 53-strong Sound Wave, the team's official band, will duplicate before each and every home game.

The pregame ceremonies at Qwest included the flags of the 192 countries that are members of the United Nations.

Owner Joe Roth said he was "so very proud that Seattle is the capital of soccer in this country."

It might sound like hyperbole, but there hasn't been anything seen like this for a new team since the league's inaugural season in 1996.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who was given a special golden scarf for upholding the tradition of soccer, praised the fans and team for "setting a new standard for soccer in America."

Garber then said, "Everyone take their scarves up," as the stadium turned into a sea of green (later Garber said he had only seen atmosphere like this at Toronto FC in Canada, but never in the United States until Thursday night).

Behind one of the goals, the Sounders supporters then unfurled a huge green-and-blue huge banner that read:

Tonight Our
History Becomes
Legend

Indeed.

"Let's get ready to kick some Red Bull butt!" Carey implored the crowd.

And guess what? Sounders FC complied and then some, becoming only the second MLS expansion team to win its first game (the Chicago Fire did in 1998, besting another expansion side that year). In fact, it was difficult to tell which side was the expansion team and which was entering its 14th season.

Colombian forward Fredy Montero emerged as the man of the hour, or better yet, the hour and a half. He scored twice and set up a third goal.

"They were great and we were there to meet their expectations," Montero said through a translator. "This is the start of big things."

What has transpired here hasn't been by luck or haphazard.

The owners have laid the groundwork and it came to fruition this week. The fans named the team after the Seattle Sounders, who played in the old North American Soccer League and United Soccer Leagues First Division.

The team will allow the fans to vote out the general manager every four years if they think he isn't doing a good job.

This certainly hasn't been lost on the local media.

In the Seattle Times, Sounders FC were on the front page -- not just in the sports section, but on the front page.

The above-the-fold headline on Wednesday:

SOUNDERS: All the Right Moves

On TV, they have been featured on all the newscasts, and not only in the sports report.

On Thursday's 6 a.m. newscast on KING-5, the local NBC affiliate, it was the lead story.

"We're going to preview the game and excitement," the anchorwoman said.

"Soccer fever is here in Seattle," the anchorman said.

Lead story!

Soccer fever!

Heck, KING-5 will broadcast Sounders FC Weekly on Sundays at 10:30 p.m.

And on yes, the top of the Space Needle, this city's most visible structure, had its lights in blue and green.

And inside the Space Needle's gift shop were Sounders FC souvenirs -- jerseys, mugs and other interesting items that have been on sale for the past six months according to one cashier.

The next two expansion teams named as of Thursday -- Philadelphia (2010) and Vancouver (2011) -- certainly will have some tough acts to follow in terms of topping what transpired at Qwest Field on Thursday night.

Regardless what transpires in the future, for at least one night Seattle was the soccer capital of the United States.

It's a Great Day to be Alive

1. We got a plot of P-Patch!! 75 sq ft in Belltown. Now to plan our Spring/Summer gardening.

2. Today marks inaugural day for the Seattle Sounders FC. Raise your scarves!!

3. March Madness begins. I've filled out three brackets. Wish me luck.

I hope to post some pics of the Sounders game after tonight and will certainly keep you updated on our gardening adventures.

Spring Beret #1

My most recent FO (finished object), a spring beret! It was an incredibly quick and easy knit. I think I might need a couple more beret's this year.

Pattern: Columbia Beret
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
Needles: #7 - 24" Circ & #7 DPN's
Color: Lawn
Difficulty: Easy

Baby Bump 23+ Weeks

Here is a more recent baby bump picture (23.5 weeks). Taken after an incredibly long day/weekend.... fun, but long.

Maybe I can recruit Sarah to take some bump pictures for me ;)

Wedding Party

First, thank you to all who attended our wedding party yesterday. You made it a very special day.

Second, thank you to Sarah B. who discretely took photos during the party :) You're the best!

Third, here are a couple photos..... more to come.

Mr. & Mrs. King
(photo by Sarah B.)

Our Cupcake Box ;)
(photo by Sarah B.)

Tulips
(photo by Sarah B.)

Picking up our Tulips at the Market early Sunday morning
(thanks to the florist for her camera usage)

Edited to add more photos:

Prego Updates, Etc.

A little over 23 weeks and counting:

* Miles weighs about 1 lb. and is 1 foot long
* He kicks me on a daily basis. Usually after I eat and at about 9:00pm
* He also likes to do a little tap dance on my bladder.
* He was stubborn during the 20 week Ultrasound so we are having another one in 4 weeks to get better shots of his face and spine.
* My belly is continuing to grow. I'm not waddling yet, so it still makes me smile :)
* The Cystic Fibrosis test came back negative
* I have the Glucose Screening test next month - oh yay
* I've gained about 9-ish lbs.
* All morning sickness is gone.... very much gone
* Headaches have subsided
* Girl Scout cookies couldn't have come at a better time
* All other info would be TMI

In other news:

I'm knitting a beret. I love wearing hats in the Spring/Summer and it only takes a skein of yarn so it's the perfect project for a budget. It shouldn't be too long before it's finished so I'll post pics then.

I'll get back to knitting the baby leggings tonight. My fingers needed a break from those teeny needles.

I have a couple ducks to embroider on a onesie. I'm not sure what will go on the rest.

I've realized we need lots and lots and lots of cloth diapers. I have registered mostly for the BumGenius One-Size All-in-One's because they will get the most use (especially by Papa, Grandparents and Daycare). I'd also like to have some gDiapers for on the go since the inserts are flushable. But I think I'd like to add prefolds to the list because they're much less expensive and I personally have no problem working them out. This means I'll have to knit some wool soakers to go over the prefolds. Hmmm... more projects....
Note: I know this cloth diaper talk is probably a bunch of nonsense to most of you, but it's something I'm committing 100% to and am going to need some options.

We're having our little wedding party on Sunday. I'm excited to celebrate with our family and friends. :)

I cannot wait till Spring!!!!!

That's all for now.