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!

A Sad Day for the Bulldog Nation

Uga VI passed away from congestive heart failure. I remember when he was introduced as Uga V's successor during the fall of my freshman year at Georgia. He was just 1 year old then....what a good dog. I realize that it is a bit ridiculous, but I have tears pooling up in my eyes. I know that there were 5 Ugas before him, but since he was there basically the whole time I was in school...and started his reign right when I started....I felt like he was mine. :) I hope the students are able to take part in his burial in the stadium if they wish....I'm not sure how they'll do it since it is summer.

Here is the article that has already been published about his death.

Uga VI dies

University of Georgia mascot passes away from heart failure

Tribune wire reports

3:35 PM CDT, June 28, 2008

Uga VI, the bulldog that represented the University of Georgia during two Southeastern Conference football championships, died from congestive heart failure at his home in Savannah, the dog's owner said Saturday.

At 65 pounds, Uga VI was the largest of the English bulldogs that have represented the school. University officials said the football team also had the winningest record under his nearly 10-year tenure at 87-27. Uga was known for stalking the sidelines in a shirt with a 'G' on it. During hot football games, Uga would sometimes take a break on a bag of ice.

"He was a good one," owner Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler said in a news release issued by the university. "What can I say? He had a marvelous record. He was a very strong and healthy dog. He was the biggest of all the dogs, and he had the biggest heart. It just played out."

Seiler said he noticed that the 9-year-old dog was breathing heavily at his home Friday night. He gave the dog a bath to cool him off and then headed to his veterinarian where he said the dog "died peacefully."

Uga VI became the school's mascot in 1999. He was the son of Uga V, the only college mascot to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. He was only 1-year-old when he replaced his father as the public face of the university's athletics.

Uga will be buried in a vault in the Southwest corner of Sanford Stadium, where the Bulldogs play their home games, with his predecessors. Private ceremonies are expected early next week.

A successor to Uga VI will be announced at a later date.

University of Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans called it "a sad day for the entire Bulldog nation."

A Little Bored...

I promise I am not trying to set some sort of record like...."how many posts can I have in the month of June???" I'm just a little bored.

I am tired, and yet I can't sleep. I don't feel like painting anything at the moment and I just finished making Brian 2 little cakes to take to some hospital in the morning. Of course I made a tiny one for me to have tonight too... :)

There isn't much to report, but I did have a Dr. appt. today. It was my first appointment with an actual doctor in Ohio. It was also the first guy that I've seen. I don't care and he was super nice. He has long, grey hair and yet he is balding....a very strange combination, I know. He was also very tan and had on his scrub booties over his shoes. I'm not sure why I thought this was so odd, but I did...I was just in an office, not an actual hospital. Anyway, it was fun to get to hear Connor's heart beat again. Although he didn't time it exactly, the doc said it sounded great at about 120-125 bpm. I am also measuring 30-31 cm, which is great for being 31 weeks and 2 days pregnant. This alone proves to Brian that I am not "too small". I know that I am not huge and I don't claim to be. I eat when I am hungry, but have not been stuffing myself for the last 31 weeks, so what do you expect? As long as the doctors are pleased with my weight, size and general health of the baby, then I am a happy camper.

When Dr. Mitchell measured me, I mentioned that Connor really likes to hang out on the right side, but I couldn't tell what was what....head, butt, etc. So, after he finished doing all the stuff he needed to do, he poked and prodded to see if he could tell me what I was feeling. He agreed immediately that he is "all on the right" which is why I feel like my stomach looks lopsided most of the time! Of course I don't know if he is right, but doc gave me his best guess of how he was positioned: Connor's head was down, and then his back kind of goes across diagonally to the right. The pain I feel/felt when I slouched was likely knees under my right ribs. Anyway, I was tickled to hear anything like that. I've seen plenty of pictures, but how am I supposed to know how he is all scrunched up in there without an actual ultrasound? I don't think we are going to get a 3-D ultrasound. After my routine 20-week one I felt pretty weird for a while and almost like we somehow disturbed him, so I guess we'll just wait to see all of his little features in person....less than 9 weeks to go (hopefully)!

On a totally different note...house stuff:
We got our couches on Monday and I really love them. They are big and comfy and fit really well in the space. I was worried about how dark they are, but I actually think they are just perfect. We got our TV on Tuesday night. I am currently looking at it, sitting in front of our fireplace.....not even plugged in. The cable people will be here between 2:00-4:00 tomorrow. Woo-Hoo! Once we get it all hooked up, we'll figure out how to mount it above the fireplace. I found a great rug for this room at Lowes on clearance last night. It is a very big (almost 8'x11') modern looking, oriental rug that has lots of browns, some blue and green. The big size allows it to go completely in front of both couches which is great, but our coffee table just looks like it si floating a little. When my mom and dad drive up when the baby comes I think they are going to bring us one of their coffee tables....it should work well and won't be as much of a hazard to the baby as our glass-top. Anyway, the only glitch in the rug is that it was rolled up for a very long time and for some reason there was a band of plastic wrapped around the middle of it (not just the outside) and we can't seem to get all the fibers to go the same way...so it looks funny. Any ideas on getting these out? I really love it, but if they won't come out then I'm going to have to return it. They had a few others (of this same style) but they were packaged the same so I don't know why they'd be any different than this one. I also hung 3 valances across the windows in the family room. I really like the way they turned out, but now I've got to figure out something in the kitchen....wasn't so pleased with that attempt! Oh well. At least I'm developing good relationships with the Lowe's employees. :)

BEST PAINT AWARD: VALSPAR FLAT INTERIOR Paint (previously called "American Tradition", available at Lowe's)

I got 2 gallons of a medium quality ("Classic 99") paint from Sherwin Williams prior to my marathon paint excursion at Lowes and I am much more pleased with the Lowes paint....and it was a lot cheaper too! The Valspar has a thicker consistency (still like water compared to German paint...crazy!) and it covers extremely well. I bought 2 gallons of paint for our family room and now I've got about 1.25 gallons left. I never dreamed that a medium tan could cover a graphite gray color in one coat! I had to do a little touching up here and there, but I can't find any areas that need a full second coat. The color is exactly what I thought it was going to be and the flat finish looks smooth and almost a little like a suede or something similar. So, there ya go...my first product placement on this blog.

Ok, I guess that is all for now. Sorry there are no pictures of the house. If you want to see it...COME VISIT!! The doors are always open...frequently literally.