Brian in California

I promise I will add pictures again. This isn't becoming a text-only blog.

We took Brian to the airport yesterday morning. After a flight change, a 2 hour delay in Detroit and an extra long flight to San Francisco (between Mr. Chatty & Ms. Bad Breath) Brian made it safely to the airport and was in route to get his rental car and then drive to Sunnyvale when the bed was calling my name last night.

I still don't think it has completely sunk in that he'll be gone for 6 weeks...we won't see him again until August 31. I'm pretty sure Connor doesn't understand the length of the separation either. But he is looking forward to our trip to "Nana & Monte-D's house in Georgia". We leave tomorrow and will be gone 2 weeks. I am really looking forward to the trip also and get a special treat: our annual girl's trip (Meg, Stefanie, Megan, Nikki, & Kristin) in Florida this Thursday through Sunday. Some sun and quality time with my girls is just what this pregnant mama needs. Of course Connor will be in great hands with my mom and dad and can't wait to spend time with his cousins.

Connor is going to "school" today instead of tomorrow since we fly out around noon. He is so excited because "when I get home, we will need to pack for Georgia". (I wish I could type it the way he says it...the pitch of his voice goes up for "Georgia".)

This morning, he got up at 6:30 (he has amazing mom-dar and somehow knew that I got up at 6:00). After our morning snuggles he climbed in "Brian's" chair and said, "I will sit here since Daddy is in California." He is snuggled up there with a blanket and chocolate milk, watching Octonauts

I have a lot to do today, but am thankful that the last minute wedding invitations I agreed to do last week are still going to happen, but the bride wants to wait to ship everything when I get back from Georgia and not all today. That saved me some sleep, for sure. I do have $250 worth of orders that need to be printed, packed and shipped today. Thank goodness Connor has school.

Declan's room is still 1/20 blue and needs to be painted. I've got all of August to do it while Brian is gone. His ADORABLE crib bumper arrived yesterday after being back-ordered for weeks. It is so stinkin' cute and I really love how his room is coming together. If I can find the time, I want to make it to Hobby Lobby today to find some baskets. It also occurred to me that a painting I did for Brian right after we met in 2001 of the Air Force Academy chapel and American flag will likely coordinate very nicely in his room. I would like to get a frame for it today too, since it has had a black duct tape "frame" since it's completion in '01. It will either go over the shoe cabinet (that will be used for underwear/socks/etc.) or above the toilet in the boys' bathroom. Either way, it needs a frame...I'm thinking white or espresso (with a white matte). We'll see what I can find as far as canvas frames go.

I better go tame my crazy hair since I went to sleep with it wet last night. And I need to get a proof to a client before I take Connor to school.

Happy Tuesday.

so tired

I need toothpicks to keep my eyelids open. I got up at 6:00 to do some printing before Connor woke up. I was fortunate that he slept until 7:45. I've been doing stuff non-stop since then and now I am BEAT.

This must be a symptom of the 3rd trimester. This time 2 weeks ago I don't think I would have needed a nap at all...

Too much to do to sleep.

I am proud of myself for turning down a photography job in August. Since I don't do it very often, I'm afraid the time I would spend driving to the shoot, taking the pictures, editing, etc. would not be a cost effective use of my time. That is probably the first "big girl" decision I've made as far as work goes and Declan's upcoming arrival.

Maybe I'll just find the couch for 30 minutes or so....

Still recovering...

Last Friday was our first day in our home without an outside visitor sleeping in our house since June 21st. I LOVE having company!! I'm afraid I was most definitely not the hostess of the mostess the whole time, but we had a lot of fun with all our visitors.

Friday was a bit of a crash day. I don't think I realized how "up" I'd been for such a long time and I could barely stay awake on Friday. All of this knowing that we had our neighborhood tubing trip up in Big Rapids on Saturday. Although this is always a blast (even though I've managed to be pregnant for the last 2 trips...no drinks for me), it is also a day of traveling and being out in the sun = more exhaustion.

We have had quite a heat wave in west Michigan (as has most of the rest of the country), so I've been inside a lot or in the lake. The Rivards, our wonderful neighbors, invited us over on Sunday afternoon for a little fiesta with some other friends of theirs. I SO wanted a margarita...oh well. With a sidewalk chalk competition for the kiddos, a piñata and lots of fun in the sun, it was certainly a party. The only hiccup at all was that Connor was bit by a Blue Gill (Bluegill??) fish that was swimming around the Relaxation Station. To my great surprise, he never mentioned anything and kept swimming as normal. However, there was a full circle bite around his left nipple! OUCH! Thankfully, he isn't afraid at all and was back in the water today.

So, for baby stuff...

Declan is SO LOW.

I feel like I got a one-week 2nd trimester extension, but I'm afraid that is over now. This morning when I got out of bed, as soon as my feet hit the floor I felt a shooting pain in my pelvis. Awesome. To this point, that pain only got intense after being on my feet for a long time. Dr. Lown warned me that with a second pregnancy it would likely happen faster and be more intense. He was right. I found that although not continuous, my "limp" is back. Hopefully it is just temporary and tomorrow it will be better. I am still doing great and I guess this is just my "thing". I don't have back pain, heart burn, shortness of breath (yet), or intense pain or discomfort anywhere else. Just the "turn-key effect" of the separation of my pelvis and my awesome insomnia. Oh, and I want sugary ice...lots of it. Specifically lemon-lime or orange. :)

I go to the doctor on Friday. Because of the insurance situation, it has been a while since I've been so I'm anxious to go. I feel Declan kicking or rolling around all the time, so I'm not worried about him. I just want to hear his little heartbeat again and get an "all-good" from the doctor. I took my glucose test a couple of days early so it would be covered by EES insurance. I haven't heard anything from the office, so I'm hoping I passed it (unlike with Connor)! It is not a "fun" test, but if you fail it and have to go back hourly for sticks it is really brutal. I just hate the way that fluid makes me feel about 30 minutes after I drank it.

I guess that is all for now. I need to add pictures...lots.

I've been slammed with work, which is great, but a little scary too. I'm a little concerned with how I am going to balance everything once the baby comes and even before then...going out of town for a couple of weeks. I just hate the feeling of never being caught up...

Our New Car — 2012 Toyota Highlander SE

Brian turned his car in last Tuesday. Although he will be gone all of August, I felt like it was just an unspoken pressure and sense of tension with only having one car.

Not to mention my poor parents had to extend their rental agreement so that they wanted to go somewhere, they could!

Anyway, my mom and dad flew out yesterday morning and after the boys got haircuts and we picked up a few things at Target, we decided to go car shopping. Initially, we both wanted a Chevy Traverse after having a good experience with a couple of Brian's company cars that were Chevys. However, I am not a huge fan of the current body style and after a little research we learned that the 2013 will change the style. I prefer this style, but they aren't available until October! We just can't wait that long. I started looking at Toyota Highlanders and I really think they have everything we are looking for! I LOVE the second row configuration with captain seats & console, with a bench option if another seat is needed. The SE model also comes with a sunroof (we both wanted), backup camera, tow package (not sure if it has a hitch). The only hangup with the "sport" SE package is that it automatically comes with leather and we actually wanted cloth..we got "ash"..at least it isn't black. Oh well. It also comes with an upgraded rim and tire package and roof rails. It has 3rd row seating which Connor really likes and we are pleased with the deal that we got on it. The local dealership we got it from is also one of the few that offers LIFETIME powertrain warranty and $10 oil changes, etc. Since we tend to drive cars into the ground, this will be good for us. (The last time we bought a car was actually Brian in 2002....1 car every 10 years isn't bad...)

There aren't many in the country with these specifications in "Shoreline Blue" but they found one and it should be here within the week. We are very excited. This will be Brian's work & family car. I will continue to drive the faithful, somewhat messy Passat. :) There is far less pressure to keep it sparkling with 2 little boys, that is for sure! But anytime we go anywhere all-together we'll take the Highlander for sure.

I will certainly miss the way Connor says, "Chevy Ee-win-ox". :)

You can thank us for stimulating the economy. :)

27 Weeks — Bump Progression & 9 Year Anniversary

Happy 9-Year Anniversary to us!

We haven't done anything special today...Brian went golfing with a friend and I printed and shipped 4 stationary orders... very romantic, I know.

It is also that time of month again...time to chart me getting very large.

So, I have about 12 weeks left. I guess my belly is getting big enough that my shirt is appearing shorter. I still managed to huff it up the Sleeping Bear Dunes last week!

Declan's room is really coming together. It hasn't been painted yet, but all of the furniture is assembled and in its place. I will have to take and post some pictures soon...when it is all done.

And as usual, here is a link to the same progression point with Connor...

——my mom saw this series and said, "I can't believe you have 3 more pictures in the series!" At first I thought she was wrong, but she is absolutely right and I can't believe it either...holy cow I'm pretty sure I'm going to be way bigger than I was with Connor....——

Next doctor's appointment on Tuesday...then every 2 weeks.

Cravings: none really...haven't been overly hungry at all actually. Believe it or not I do NOT want ice cream. The last few times we've treated ourselves, I end up getting a "glacier" which is like a Mr. Misty (DQ) with soft serve ice cream inside. I've had lime and orange...like a dreamsicle.

We are having a heat wave...it has been either 100º or over the past couple of days. I thought I lived in Michigan to avoid this crap?! I'm not swelling [yet], and I've done this before, so it is tolerable. At least this time I have a lake I can jump into or lounge in, so that makes it much better!

Connor's 43+lbs is getting really tough to carry around. Obviously he walks, but when he is really tired or just needs some mom-time, he likes to be carried. He knows he has to get "above the baby", but I can't carry him for very long anymore at all. I guess this is a good transition since after D gets here, I won't be able to carry him at all for a while because of the C-section.

Connor puts his head on my belly and says he can "hear Declan kicking". Then he wonders why I can't hear it... :)

I have no clue how much I weigh. I should probably step on the scale, but I've been so busy I haven't even thought about it. I think I weigh about the same as I did with Connor...I'd guess around 155 or 156....but I could be way off. Granny just left early this morning (7-6-12) and claims that I got significantly bigger just while she was here! :)

Pre-Independence Day 2012 UPDATE

I have been so busy the past week and a half that my head is almost spinning!

Pat and Leslie came to visit us 2 Thursdays ago and created their own long weekend. As usual, we had a great time and Connor LOVES having Gramma and Chief come over and play at his house. :)

On Monday, Connor and I picked up my grandmother, Granny, from the airport. It is her first time in Michigan and actually the first time she has ever stayed at our home...any of them. :) It is such a treat to have her here and I am so thankful she was willing to come!

My mom and dad, Nana & Monte-D, arrived on Tuesday afternoon. My dad headed back out on business sales calls Wednesday through Friday.

Granny was a gem and did ALL of our laundry and then started in on all of Declan's clothes (many of Connor's hand-me-downs). It was so fun bringing back many of my favorite old outfits to life. It is hard to believe there will be a tiny little guy wearing some of those newborn outfits...maybe even some of the preemie ones that Connor required for a few weeks. Granny got spots out and we even made 2 trips to Bed Bath & Beyond for baby hangers. :) His closet and dresser are full. I ordered the crib on the 29th after Granny made it very clear that she did NOT mind being moved from his room into the lower level. She was perhaps the most anxious to see his room come together.

While all of this activity was going on at the house, Brian was actually going through the interview process with Intuitive Surgical. He was approached the Thursday that his mom and dad got here totally out of the blue. It is still medical device sales, but they sell the Da Vinci robot. It is the only robot on the market and is highly sought after by patients and hospitals alike. He had interviews and ride-alongs all week and received the formal offer letter on Friday afternoon.

We are truly grateful for the opportunities that Johnson & Johnson Ethicon Endo-Surgery has provided and for giving Brian his first "civilian" job out of the Air Force. There is certainly no animosity what-so-ever and we will miss many of the EES contacts we have made over the years. The job with Intuitive is simply a great opportunity when there are a lot of unknowns for the full-line EES sales reps. The job change will keep us in Grand Rapids, so although it is an adjustment for all of us, Brian bears the brunt of the "change".

Brian gave his resignation notice on Friday afternoon and while out to dinner he got a call from his pseudo-manager in Detroit. Since he will be working for a competitor, EES wanted all of their assets returned immediately. We spent some time gathering the hundreds of pounds of product and literature to return as well as his car, iPhone, iPad, etc., etc. My dad and Brian drove to Detroit to drop everything off yesterday. B will get a cell phone and car "allowance" with the new company, so we are now car shopping.

Backing up just a bit, on Saturday we all jumped in the mini-van that my parent's rented and headed "up north" for the weekend. We stopped at the Sand Dunes and Traverse City on Friday and arrived in Macinaw City to spend the night late that night. We headed over to the historic, picturesque Mackinaw Island on Sunday. It is one of the few places in America that does not allow cars. We did a carriage tour that took us around the island and we sampled lots of fudge at several of the 17 fudge shops on the island. Although it was warm even in northern Michigan, it was a lot of fun. The Grand Hotel is truly spectacular and the setting along the lake is stunning.

We spent another night in Mackinaw City and then we drove even further north, into the Upper Peninsula (the "U-P"). It was about an hour and a half north and we visited the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Sault ("Soo") Ste. Marie, Ontario is just on the other side of the St. Marie River. The primary point of this visit was do experience the Soo Locks. We did a boat tour and went up/down on the river. Before the Locks, ships or boats of any kind could not handle the 21' elevation difference between Lake Huron and Lake Superior and it would take 2 months for the boats to travel on land around the problem area. The locks allow the process to take 20 minutes instead. Although a little over Connor's head, he liked the boat ride and it was the highlight of Granny's trip. :) Once the tour was complete, we turned around and headed home for the next 5 hours.

When we got home, Declan's crib was on the front porch waiting for us!!

So, yesterday while my dad and Brian drove to Detroit and back (thank you, Dad for going so I didn't have to go!!) I worked, looked up cars, assembled a crib, & moved the furniture around a bazillion different ways with my mom until we found something that works pretty well. His room still needs to be painted and lots of other touches, but I am very pleased with how it is all coming together!

Brian spent most of the day in the car or getting his new phone and other gear at Verizon and then working tirelessly to solve the corporate contacts problem. He was finally able to get all of his old contacts on his new phone.

After a super busy day, we still had to eat...and we needed to go to the store to get all the food for today, the 4th of July! We are having friends over for a cookout during the day and then we are the primary "hosts" for our neighborhood 4th of July potluck party at the clubhouse at 6:30...whew!

My head is still spinning, but I need to go take a shower before I head to the clubhouse to setup at 10!

Granny and Monte-D are heading to Meijer Gardens & Sculpture park this morning. Thank goodness my dad extended the rental time and picked up a different car since our family is down to the good ol' VW Passat!

Many pictures to come...they are still on the camera.