Nesting....

Ok, so I haven't quite gotten in the mood to completely clean the house from top to bottom (I'm sure Brian wishes I would...) but I think the "nesting" part of the pregnancy has really started to set in.

Today I had a fun time running all sorts of errands. I started the trip by filling up my empty gas tank. Normally, getting gas is not worthy of mentioning in a blog, but it is when you get it for $1.53/gallon!!! For those of you not in Ohio, we have a grocery store here called Giant Eagle. For every $50 you spend in the store (and you scan your Giant Eagle card) you get a credit of 10¢ off per gallon of gas. I managed to rack up $2.20 of credit, thus making my $3.73/gallon gas only $1.53! The best part about the whole thing is that I didn't even have to spend $1100 to get it! They have a ton of gift cards for different stores you can buy and those give you credit (we got our patio umbrella with a Sears gift card we got at Giant Eagle) and last week there was a promotion on 27 different kinds of cereal....they were 4 for $10 and for every 4 you bought, you got an extra 20¢ of gas credit! Yoo-Hoo! See, it doesn't take much to excite me! Anyway, enough about gas....but I was "pumped".....hehehe.

I haven't been content with the way the nursery has been looking. Although Brian and I moved the furniture all around the day it came in, it just wasn't working for me. I had a new idea a few days ago and I needed a few more items to make it all come into fruition. This involved a trip to Michael's in Cuyahoga Falls. I also went to Target while I was nearby and TJMaxx (can't resist) and used my coupon for a free Chic-fil-A sandwich for lunch! (LOVE free Chic-fil-A!!) I hit up Wal-Mart for a can of spray paint, a bigger, better, trash can for Brian, a tension rod, and a few other odds and ends before I went to JoAnn's on the way home. I got a piece of 2" foam to cover our shoe bench in our room so it is padded now. I've been meaning to do it for a while and now it is officially done.

So, once arriving home, I was all set to work. Brian had a dinner in Sharon, PA tonight so it was actually nice just being able to work at my own pace and get done what I needed/wanted to do without worrying about him.....not that he needs supervision all the time or anything, but I'm sure you married folk know what I mean. :)

The bottom line is that although I almost melted in the process, I am much happier with the nursery now. I have to paint the letters, hang them, and then take pictures before you can see the final result. I wanted to get Brian's all-clear before I painted anything. I'm still not exactly sure what color I'm going to go with, so it might be a few days, but I'll likely be excited and jump on it in the next day or two.

The next room that needs some major attention is the room I'm sitting in right now...the office. I got a "spice" colored paint for the walls and I tested it out...but that is it. I've been stalling because I have a lot to move off the walls before I can really get going. But right now it is somewhat of a disaster area and it is starting to drive me nuts.

To polish off the nesting of the evening, I did deep clean the kitchen and cleaned all of our gazillion glass-top tables that are in our living room...and I vacuumed. Overall, a very productive day. I did end up turning the a/c on at around 7:30 because I just couldn't take it anymore. We've had it off for the last week because it has been tolerable, but after a very heavy rain today it was just too too sticky...even for me!

———Change of Subject———

My first weekly Dr.'s appointment was yesterday and after my appointment last week, Dr. Ferris wanted to keep a close eye on my size. See, last week (week 35) I only measured 32 cm...this was the exact same as I had measured two weeks prior at week 33. I've typically been 1 cm under my number of weeks since they started measuring around 20 weeks. He thought it was just his position (completely on the RIGHT....you thought I was kidding...look at the picture I took of my belly when we went paddle boating last Friday...not the prettiest thing, but you can tell how lopsided I am!) I was very anxious to get measured again to make sure our little guy is still growing like he should be. Well, yesterday I measured 35 cm, so I guess I'm back on track with the 1 cm under the number of weeks. I go back again on Monday...sure am glad the Dr.'s office is really close to our house! I also solidified our pediatrician yesterday so I got all pre-registered with the hospital. Hopefully that will make things easier when the time comes.

Overall, life is good. I still feel pretty good, but because of his position, the left side of my pelvic bone hurts most of the time...urg. But I'll take that over horrible back pain or all the other horrible things I've heard about. It just takes me a little longer to roll over or stand up than most people.

Pictures to come soon and I'll try to take a progression picture for the right side of the blog tomorrow too.

Oh, and Toonces has also found the crib to be a suitable place for her to sleep.....again, glad I haven't washed the sheets yet. I'm sure she will be more hesitant to sleep there when Connor is in there too, but it is tough to be mad at her when she is so stinkin' cute!

Tschüss

Ridiculousness

Yesterday, Toonces discovered that one of the built-ins in our living room that we've made into a changing area makes a great bed. She obviously remembered, because she is sleeping on the changing pad as I type this....she is ridiculous. I'm glad I haven't washed the cover yet. I might as well wait a while longer if she is going to continue with this pattern.

Of course I couldn't post only a picture of Toonces. Mitsy is the ever-obedient one and is taking a nap on the rug....paws tucked. They both came in from outside a while ago.

On a random note, let me just say how much I have enjoyed the weather the past few days. We've turned our A/C off and opened all the windows! It is currently 72.3º in our house and it feels wonderful! I hope it stays like this for a while!

Something else I thought I'd share... You'd think that at 35 weeks, a moment wouldn't pass that I didn't think about being pregnant or remember that I have a kid the size of a honeydew inside of me. Well, most of the time I do remember, but for some reason I forget that other people can tell too! For the past 4-6 weeks I've found myself being surprised when strangers make comments about the baby or offer to help me in some way, shape or form. I'm not surprised that people offer assistance, and I always appreciate it, but the surprise comes in that I forget that other people can see that there is a kid growing inside of me too! I realize this is stupid and I obviously look pregnant, but every now and then I guess I forget that the whole world can tell what is going on. It just happened again this morning with the FedEx lady...why am I continuing to be shocked by this?! I need to snap out of it...

7.25.08 — Okay, I'm adding this after the fact because it falls into the "ridiculous" category and because I don't want you people to think that I have absolutely no life by posting something basically every day.... So, in case any of you were wondering....my cyst is still here. Over the last 7 weeks or so, the cyst has come and gone. Well, it doesn't really ever "go", but it goes down significantly and doesn't bother me. Then, if I do anything that requires a twisting motion of my right wrist, then --- voila--- it rears its ugly little head again. The weird part is that it usually moves and doesn't come back in the exact same place. This was a blessing the 2nd and 3rd times it returned because it wasn't on top of any main tendons, so even though I noticed it, it didn't hurt nearly as much. Well, after a little gardening with my mom, it's BACK and this time it covers a lot more surface area, but isn't as tall. It has also shifted closer to my thumb and this time I am not so lucky that it doesn't hurt....it is killing me....and I just managed to accidentally hit it on a doorknob, thus intensifying the pain like you would not believe. Every Dr. that I've talked to has said I have to wait until after the baby is born to address this inconvenient issue. No Dr. wants me (or Brian) to hit it with a Bible or pot or whatever because it is too close to my wrist bone and I could shatter it (not good). I might try taking a sterroid for it before I go straight to injections or surgical removal, but I can't do that until after Connor is born too. So, we shall see. I know you were all wondering what was going on with my lovely cyst....and probably even thought that it was gone....but no....it is not. I just hope I don't have a bad flare up when I need to be holding a tiny baby! URG.

(Both pictures taken on my laptop with Photobooth, so flip them in your head.)

Connor's Room — details

I thought I'd post a few more pictures of the nursery now that we've got the dresser set up as the changer. I still have some more organizing to do, but you get the idea. I took a picture of the opposite wall with the quilt and bookcase. We are going to put a wooden rocker and/or Brian's navy blue cadet trunk (from school) in front of the quilt and put the new swivel/glider and ottoman in the living room where it will likely get more use for feedings and storytime! (ordering it today!.....thanks Nealons!)

The first picture is of the tiny Air Force Falcon mascot, this one is named "Swoop". I had no idea that Brian even ordered it, but now he is insistent that it be Connor's favorite stuffed animal! The blue/gray elephant was a gift from Connor's "aunt" Meg. The "Baby's First Teddy Bear" is a gift from cousin Kerri Kronz, and the list goes on and on....I thought I'd only list the pictured animals....please don't think I'm appreciative of EVERYTHING! Oh, and in case you are wondering I can't wait to use the sports themed "Pee Pee TeePee's" given by Aunt Carrie...I'm sure these will come in handy to avoid getting sprayed during diaper changes!

Ohio Baby Shower

On Saturday, I was treated to a magnificent baby shower held in Avon, Ohio. Attendance was outstanding it was wonderful seeing so many friends and family. It was also an added bonus that my mom was still in town, so she could come too.

Leslie and Jill organized a wonderful Panera lunch and had a cake made just for us. The shower was held at the clubhouse of Courtney Griffiths' neighborhood and she made 4 huge, completely adorable "diaper cakes" for the tables. Each cake was made of 80 newborn diapers and had sports ribbon around each "layer" with all sorts of goodies tucked inside.

Once again, everyone was so generous with the gifts that they gave to help us start out right. Almost all of the items on our Target registry were purchased and we got a few gift cards to pick up some of the other items. I was thrilled that Mrs. Weems was able to attend and she even brought an extra surprise....Megan special ordered her gift in Georgia and had it shipped up to Ohio just for the shower. Although I loved everything we got, I think the monogrammed lamb swaddle that Megan sent as well as the Cleveland Browns sweat suit with onesie (with Brian in mind) were some of my favorites. (Megan knows Connor's got a cold winter ahead of him!)

There was also a little craft area set up for guests to make personalized onesies with puffy paint. Brynna even made us 3! I got Toonce to test one of them out the next day...in case you were wondering, she wears a 3-6 month onesie! She had a little bit of a tough time walking in it though...I have a great video if anyone is interested.

To top it all off, Jill found some outstanding gourmet cookie favors for everyone to take with them. Each cookie is shaped like a onesie with "It's a Boy!" in icing and individually wrapped. Of course I ate one, but have one to keep for Connor too....I wonder how long it will last as long as I don't open it???

Thanks again to everyone who had a part of this very special day for me. I feel even more prepared for Connor to enter this world and more than anything, the entire day felt like a big hug. :)

Baby Bump Progression — 35 WEEKS

Only about 5 weeks left! I know I haven't added a weekly picture in a while, but as expected I am continuing to expand. Only 1 more picture in the series before he arrives!!!

Miscellaneous Update

Several people have asked what happened to this week's post. Well, we haven't done anything too crazy or exciting, but a lot of miscellaneous stuff...thus the title of the post.

My mom and dad got into town on Friday, the 11th. My dad has quite a bit of work up here in Ohio and since my mom is on break from school of course she had to come too. We started their visit off right by going to Greak Lakes Brewery for appetizers/dinner before hitting up a Cleveland Indians baseball game. The brewery was crowded, but we still go to eat in an outdoor area. Mom and Brian enjoyed the sampler....it is a big sampler and I thought we might have to carry mom out of there, but she shared a little and was fine....just had to take a quick nap before the game started. :)

At the time the tribe had just lost 10 in a row, but Progressive Field was packed. The amazing turnout is probably 1/2 because of loyal fans and 1/2 because it was "Rock 'N Blast 2008", which is a huge concert and fireworks show after the game (most Friday nights in the summer). Anyway, the Tribe won and we had a very good time. The fireworks were beyond amazing and lasted over 30 minutes. I think all the booms kept Connor awake...he sure was squirming around during all of the loud noise! It will probably be a few years before we'll be able to go back with him to see that amount of fireworks. We all slept pretty well that night because my parents left the house by 5:00 that morning!


Although I do not have any pictures of our purchases....parents of young children and expecting parents, commit this to memory: the Little Tikes warehouse and distribution center is in the next town over (Hudson, OH) and they try to have a warehouse sale once a year. It was just this past Saturday and would be worth the trip to trek from however far to come to it! Although Brian said we weren't going to buy anything (Connor isn't even born yet) we got out of there with an LTikes NBA basketball hoop, t-ball set, pitching machine, various learning toys, and a few other plastic items we couldn't live without. My mom even got a bunch of stuff for her classroom. It is a good thing they are driving up when the baby comes because we now have a storage section in our house for them! I guess it is only fair since they have one for us at their house! As soon as we find out when the next warehouse sale is, I'll try to remember to post so you can all make the pilgrimage!

Monday was Brian's 30th birthday! I am a very bad wife...pregnant and just moved, yes, but bad none-the-less. He had to work on his birthday and the whole day was pretty uneventful. We did all go out to dinner to celebrate and had a DQ Cake as well, but I am very thankful that his mom has planned a family party for him at their house after our baby shower tomorrow. So, since I obviously dropped the ball on 30, I've promised something fun for 40. I guess I've got just shy of 10 years to plan. :)

On a brighter note...Brian's birthday "present" came in on his birthday....the stroller! We messed with putting it all together after dinner and I am very pleased. It is a little bigger than I thought, so I'm very glad we didn't get the "Urban Rider" but I think it will work out really well! I'm pumped for Connor to get here so we can try it out! Here are a few assembly pictures...everything just snaps in and switches out, so it is GREAT!

On Tuesday, Brian got home a little early and dad was traveling all over, so we ventured out to the Cuyahoga Falls National Park to look around. We found an awesome produce stand and even went on a little hike in the park. Although none of us had on the proper shoes, it was a good way to get some exercise and a little nature too.

We all did work on Wednesday, and then while Brian was going to an afternoon case, my mom and I drove to Medina, Ohio to check out the Root Candle factory, warehouse, and store. It is about 45 minutes away, but it is a pretty drive. Leslie and Mary had told me about the "seconds" area in the back of the store where you can get fantastic candles for great prices. Of course that has my name all over it. After looking around for a while in the normal area, we found our way to the back and everything was an additional 40% off!! Woo-Hoo!

Yesterday after a trip to Lowes, my mom and I were on a mission to find some gliders to try out (aka sit in) at a few baby stores in the area. I'm glad we found one and tested them out because one of the styles I thought would be great is actually a little small and I'm not sure how comfortable it would be for Brian to sit with Connor for storytime, etc. :) So, pardon the fact that my legs look gynormous in this picture, but it is a "Best Chair", Braxton style and I'm leaning toward the blue/green so it goes in our living room even after Connor is tiny. If we are going to get a nice upholstered chair it might as well be something that will last for a while. Now I just need to do a little more pricing research. The lady in the store said I would likely sleep in this chair at the end of the pregnancy and when Connor is up a lot at night...glad it is super comfy, glides, rocks and swivels! :)

I think that is about it. On the other days we've either laid low or done yard work stuff. Brian got some new tools for his birthday....a "Grass Hog" (weed eater), a "Leaf Hog" (blower), and a "Hedge Hog" (hedge trimmer). So, the yard is all trimmed up and looking good. My mom and I added a little more color to the perennial garden in the front this morning by planting some annuals (pink/white Impatients and white Zinnias). I think we are going to go to the Cuyahoga River and eat somewhere near there tonight. Dad is getting home from traveling again, so we could all use a relaxing evening before a very exciting day tomorrow.....a baby shower and family picnic!!!

Stroller Time!

We decided which stroller we were going to get a long time ago, but just ordered it yesterday. A lot of people have asked why they didn't see one on our registry....well, we are just snotty and special ordered ours from California...
(I found an awesome retailer in San Francisco that gives great deals when you order over the phone...and free shipping!)

As mentioned in a previous post, after living in Europe we fell in love with the more European-style stroller or "pram" and hope that the one we chose will last for multiple children and will prevent the need for 3 different kinds of strollers. We went with the Mutsy (sounds like moot-sie) 4Rider Single Spoke Stroller. The picture to the left obviously shows the "seat" and there is a large canopy that attaches as well. We did get it in "College Black".

We also opted to get the bassinet that attaches for when the little guy is very small. Our plan is to treat this also like a portable pack-n-play for sleeping while he still needs to be in our room, etc. The "carry-cot" detaches and attaches easily (I guess we'll find out when it comes in on MONDAY!) so again, theoretically this will work out well. (The frame in the picture is actually for the Mutsy "Urban Rider". Our front wheels are not that large, but are still air-inflated.)












This stroller could also be made into a "travel system" with the purchase of the Graco Car Seat adapter. (coming on Monday too). We already got our car seat a while ago because the color/design that we wanted has been discontinued, so we snatched it up before it became unavailable. It is the Graco Snugride in "Metropolitan". So, while Connor is very small, if he isn't in the bassinet, he'll likely be in the car seat which can snap right into the stroller frame.

One of the reasons we chose the Mutsy over the popular European "Quinny Buzz" is that it had the Graco car seat option as well as the fact that we could get a "dinner tray" as an accessory for the toddler seat. Most European strollers don't come with any kind of tray because European people don't tend to eat on-the-go like Americans do, so it isn't necessary. I can see that we would get a lot of use out of this little tray though, so it was one of the deciding factors. And I like the look of 4 wheels as opposed to 3, and the seat is larger so hopefully Connor will fit in it until he no longer needs a stroller.

Of course there are other accessories that we can purchase at a later date, but this is all we got for now. I had a very difficult time deciding between "college black" and "active black" (active looks like gray) so thankfully Brian made the decision....black black it is. Hopefully all the research done will pay off in the end. Most people would probably think I'm nuts for ordering something we'll use so much without ever even test-"driving" it. I guess I just have faith in the internet and in other people's reviews. We'll find out on Monday!

Getting Uncomfortable

I go to the Dr. tomorrow morning, so he'll be able to tell me if I've actually gotten a lot bigger in the last 2 weeks, but it certainly feels like it. I never wanted to be one of those pregnant women that waddles....and I hope I'm still not, but I don't think I walk "normal" anymore. Getting up from a sitting position is tough and even though I'm in northeastern Ohio I am having a tough time staying cool. I have a love/hate relationship with my preggo pillow...I can't sleep without it, but with it I wake up soaked in sweat all the time. Lovely, I know.

I was supposed to take my 33 week picture (for the right) today, but was too lazy to set it up and do it. Perhaps tomorrow. I did play around in "PhotoBooth" a little tonight and I like the way this one turned out. I wish it accurately depicted the fact that my belly is completely lopsided because Connor has decided to hang out on the right side all the time. Oh well. I hope to look back on this time with fond memories.....I've heard that after he's born, you forget about a lot of the discomfort....ask me in a few months....

Oh yeah, he is the size of a pineapple now...sheesh. He's over 17 inches long and weighs over 4 lbs. No wonder I'm getting uncomfortable: he's running out of room!

Independence Day 2008

2 new pictures because Brian noticed that in the one of us together, he was inadvertently flipping the bird...so here are 2 different ones.

We hosted 4th of July festivities at our house this year and had the Nealon crew over to celebrate. Everyone was able to make it except for Chris and Cari because Chris had a late baseball game. Anyway, I think everyone had a good time and we certainly enjoyed having everyone at our house. Brian spent all afternoon babysitting his ribs on the grill and we had quite a feast....and got to enjoy our new patio furniture too! The kitties joined us outside for a little while and Toonce got to dance....see video below. I know we are obnoxious...the kid is on the way. :)

Our new neighborhood is always looking for an excuse to have a party. So, in addition to our little gathering, there were big parties on each side of us too. Although I have no pictures of those, the fireworks presentations were beyond impressive for a neighborhood party! I am happy to report that the "Emerald City" fireworks that Mary brought added to the celebration just fine and we were able to hang with the big boys. ;) Fun times. (Just watch the first 20 seconds or so....it gets boring at the end, but I'm too lazy/not knowledgeable enough to edit.)

Connor's Room!

Connor's furniture came in today! Since I knew it was going to be delivered today, I couldn't help but get the other valance from Babies 'R Us yesterday and also found the wooden curtain rods I'd been looking for to hang up the valances. I just knew I would want it to look as "done" as possible when the furniture arrived today!

I am very pleased with how everything turned out. Brian and I only put the crib and hutch in every possible configuration. I'm not sure that the crib will stay in front of the windows as it is now, but for now...it is fine. We are also going to use the dresser and hutch as a changing table, so I will have to take out the bottom shelf, but again...for now, it is fine.

I love all the bold colors and the fact that it looks like a little man's room. Let's just hope the ultrasound technician was right and we are really having a boy! It would take a lot of work to girl-up this room!

Obviously, the room isn't 100% complete, but for just getting the furniture today, I am very pleased with the outcome. I'll have to take some truly completed pictures at a later date, and during the day too. For now...I hope you all approve!

Sleeping is TOUGH

Let me start by saying that I don't think I'm "huge". However, in the past few days my comfort level has decreased dramatically. I can't pinpoint what happened or why I am suddenly unable to get comfortable---especially at night, and therefore am more irritable during the day...? I feel like my belly is some sort of shelf that is sticking out further and further now. I don't think the little man can go "up" anymore, so now it is mainly going "out". I think this is probably the culprit for change in comfort. Continuing with the shelf concept, I feel like I need some brackets attached to the top of my thighs to help hold the belly up! It is just floating out there and I know it is only going to get bigger!

I bought a giant, Boppy, pregnancy pillow way back in February when I woke up with a horribly sore back and in the past few weeks I've gone from using it frequently to carrying it around the house in case I want to take a nap! It definitely helps, but I think I'm going to have to add yet another pillow to the middle to support the bump a little more. The main downside to sleeping on your side all the time (primarily my left side) is that whenever I wake up if I stretch my legs out and point my toes I get instant cramps in my calves! Must flex feet. I'm talking serious, athletic-style cramping. I guess it is from the lack of blood circulation. Whatever...it is annoying, but after it happens a few times you better believe I remember to flex my feet now!

I've told several people that I now know that there is a good reason humans are pregnant for approximately 40 weeks....not only does the baby need that long to develop, but I think that in about 8 weeks I won't care how much it hurts, I'll just be ready for Connor to be born and to not be pregnant anymore! Don't get me wrong...I still don't think I've had it very bad. I'm very thankful to still be comfortable most of the time and the temperatures here in Ohio are certainly tolerable....especially for July!

I can only hope that I don't wish away these last few weeks. Now that we are more settled in our new home and the baby furniture is being delivered tomorrow!!! (YAY) I want to remember all the kicks, rolls, punches and what it feels like....the good and the bad. I don't care how big or small he is when he is born, the fact that I know there is something over 16 inches long inside of me at this very moment is an absolute miracle. The human body is truly a remarkable vessel!

Brian snapped this picture of me the other day, during a short nap on the couch. It is certainly not the best picture of me, but in a weird way I like that it shows that normal t-shirts don't cover so well any more and of course I love that both Mitsy and Toonces are in it too!