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!!!
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.
but have one to keep for Connor too....I wonder how long it will last as long as I don't open it???
