Backfire of epic proportions

Here we are…a mere two months from my due date and I get this grand idea. Well, in all honesty, it didn’t JUST come to me. I’ve been not-so-subtly hinting to Eric about it for months. And I have finally broken him down. And not a minute too soon since I have a feeling most house projects will come to a grinding halt once Little Buster Brown arrives.

We are finally updating our second bathroom! I’ve dreamt of this day, but thought it would never arrive. Here’s where things started to backfire, though…

Backfire #1: Mistakenly thinking I’d take on a supervisory role in the project due to being seven months pregnant. Not so much.

One might think I’d be on Easy Street for this renovation project.  They’d be wrong. Sitting on the couch eating bonbons = NOT on the agenda. Instead, I’ve been feverishly working to grout the new floor tile and paint the room a fresh pale blue color.

Not to fear for those thinking our baby was floating in an amniotic sac filled with paint fumes. We paid extra to get the low odor/VOC paint. No huffing for mom or baby this time around. Eric never lets us have any fun. ;)

The good news is that I’m just about done with both jobs…just have to do a few touchups and I’ll be able to mark these items off the proverbial checklist. And get this! I think I actually managed to pick out the correct paint color…the FIRST time around. It’s a Christmas miracle. As you all know, this usually isn’t the case. But considering this is the 3rd time I’ve painted this bathroom in the four years of owning our home, I’d say I’m about due. Here’s the color I went with to match the off white and gray tile and the gray granite countertop for the vanity. Here’s to hoping it all goes together like I think it will!

 
And as much as I get a kick out of people hassling Eric about me doing some of this physical work, I don’t mind helping. In fact, don’t tell Eric but I maybe, sort of, kinda like it. I like to be a part of the transformation and know I had a part in it. Shhh…don’t tell. Granted, having a big ‘ol belly in the mix makes things a bit more interesting and slows me down a bit, but I know my limits and know what I can and can’t do safely and both grouting and painting were A-OK. It’s never too early to instill a strong work ethic in the little guy, right?!

And trust me…Eric’s not sitting on the couch noshing on bonbons either. He’s got the MUCH harder and more physical jobs to do. Most of my work from here on out will consist of shopping for new accessories to match the newly updated bathroom. What’s that…I have to shop? Darn. How will I ever manage???

Backfire #2: Not accounting for the middle of the night trips to the bathroom…all the way on the first floor!

Yep…totally didn’t consider how being pregnant causes me to frequent the bathroom at least once, if not twice per night. Ugh. Usually I can sleepily stumble to the bathroom and get back before I even knew what happened, but now since I have to cross the second floor, go down the staircase, through the kitchen, and down the hallway to make it to the bathroom, I’m forced to wake up a bit more. Mainly because of the stairs involved. Where’s an in-home elevator when you need one?? Hmmm…potential next project, Eric?

Oh well…only about another week before Eric can install the toilet. Phew. My bladder can’t wait!

P.S. – Update on Baby Watch 2010 (like Storm Watch 12…hehe): 63 days to go!

~as

Holy gratitude, Batman!

This past Saturday marked my baby shower. And let me just say…WOW. Our friends and family really outdid themselves. I’m humbled by their generosity.

I hope they retain that quality for life. HA! ;)

Seriously, though, we received so many wonderful gifts. This little baby boy is loved by many. And it's official - he now has a larger wardrobe than both Eric and I put together. What a little stinker. Although...at the rate little ones pee through outfits, he’ll need a solid supply unless I want to set up camp next to the washer and dryer.  Umm, no thanks…I’m good. I will single-handedly keep infant clothing manufacturers in business solely to avoid that scenario.

I was totally stoked, too, because someone bought the one gift I registered for that I thought no one would have the guts to actually purchase…breast wipes. Hey, what can I say…I hear I’ll need them for nursing so I figured what the hell. I thought maybe there’d be a brave sole out there. And sure enough...my family, in all their crazy glory, did not disappoint.  And I can call them crazy because let's just say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!  I think I, however, was the one most embarrassed when I pulled those bad boys out of the gift bag.  I CLEARLY failed to think through this plan. But really – what party is complete without a little embarrassment? Not any that I attend, that’s for sure. Ahh, good times.

Oh, and for those curious...I’ve now hit the 30 week mark. 70 days to go!

~as

What NOT to buy me...

...unless, of course, you are totally cool with the practice of re-gifting.

And I apologize in advance for those this may offend, but here goes.

I, Anne Stefl, promise to NEVER, EVER have one of those suction cup “Baby On Board” window hangs. Awful. Just awful.

What a colossal waste of money, not to mention it transforming your car into an instant soccer mom machine. I’m not sure what people are trying to accomplish with those bad boys.  And by bad I mean truly horrendous.

I’ll tell you what they won’t accomplish...

They will not make people care that you have a little one with you. It’s not their child, so why should they care? Do you also put up a “Snack Time” sign after you’ve driven through McDonald’s drive through for a quick indulgence? Over sharing happens enough on social networking forums such as Facebook. Let’s keep it there. ;)


Second, those signs noting your procreation success will NOT cause people to drive any differently. At least it doesn’t for me. If anything, it may cause me to drive worse since I’m so busy rolling my eyes are hardly as I can that I probably lose sight of the road for a second or so!

Okay, okay...I'll get off my soapbox now.  Happy Friday!

~as