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

Top 10 List Of Things I Look Forward To Come July 29, 2010

With my due date three months away (July 28th), I’m rounding the bend and have entered the third trimester. Yippie kay yay, mother-bleapers! Classic Bruce Willis.

Anyway, in some ways I can’t believe I’m already two-thirds of the way done with my first pregnancy. Yet at the same time…I can’t believe I’m ONLY two-thirds of the way done with my first pregnancy!!

In reflecting on all of this, I’ve come up with a "Top 10 List Of Things I Look Forward To Come July 29, 2010".

I look forward to:

10. being able to see the lower half of my body again without twisting like a contortionist.

9. being able to bend over (or even just bending forward to reach something!) comfortably.

8. being able to fit into my own pajama pants and stop borrowing Eric’s. It’s quite the sight, trust me.

7. being able to pee less frequently.  This will definitely result in a cost savings for us as well as I tend to overuse any paper products I get my hands on.  Conservationists would have their way with me if they knew. Shhh...

6. being able to sleep on my back again. Side sleeping ALL. NIGHT. LONG. is for the birds.

5. being able to stop watching the scale to make sure I’m gaining baby weight at the appropriate speed.  My OB has put the fear of God in me.  Truth.  She's practically got me thinking if I take that extra bite of cake, my child will suffer in the most gruesome of ways. 

4. being able to workout without having to monitor my heart rate.  Oh, and to bicycle without my knees knocking into my belly.  Awesome.

3. being able to eat seafood, select fish, and select cheeses again. 

2. being able to have a glass of red wine. Or two. Or three. Stop judging.

BUT…all of this I do without too much complaining because the numero uno thing I look forward to is…

1. being able to meet our new son and watch him grow and develop. Awh, shucks.

See you soon, little guy!

~as

WANTED: Revenge on my glue gun

Don’t you just love when you have a nice, productive weekend? Too many recent weekends of mine have went a little something like this: would I rather clean and get stuff done around the house…OR…would I rather veg out and maybe shop or putz around on the internet?

I’ll take the later for 500, Alex. (Love you, Jeopardy)

Well, this weekend was a little different...and thank goodness, because even I can only take so much vegging out.

I managed to run a bunch of errands and also worked with Eric’s mom to iron out some of the details for my upcoming baby shower in May. SOOO excited for the shower, by the way! Seriously, I challenge you to find someone that doesn’t love a baby shower. With all the adorable little outfits and accoutrements, it’s a feast for my eyes.

Anyway, in preparing for the shower my mother-in-law and I decided to “assemble” the guest thank you gifts which required the use of a hot glue gun. With both of us armed with our own glue guns, we got down to business. But I kid you not…not even 5 minutes into the project, I was wounded.

MAN DOWN!

I managed to get a huge glob of hot glue directly on the palm of my hand. It was sooo freaking hot that it instantly blistered my skin. Things were not pretty. And I still have the dime sized blister to prove it. And of course it’s in the most unfortunate spot for typing on my laptop. Glue gun = 1, Anne = 0

Alas, the weekend ended on an upswing. I motivated myself to start AND finish painting the nursery. Woohoo! Check that off the to-do list. We (and by we, I mean me) decided to go with a sage green color. Eric and I “talked” about the color to use and I’m fairly certain that he may have wanted to just stick with the previous blue that was already on the walls, but this was one of the situations where I played the “I’m-carrying-your-child-for-nine-months-in-my-body-so-why-don’t-you-go-make-yourself-a-martini-while-I-sip-on-my-KIDDIE COCKTAIL” card and he was defeated. Not much you can say to refute that. The glue gun may have won round one earlier, but I won this one. Sorry, Eric, but someone has to pay. ;) Just joshing…love ya!

~as

I turned 60 overnight

So I’ve figured out my next challenge. I’ve decided it’s fine time to teach myself how to crochet.

I don’t personally know anyone that crochets that doesn’t also qualify for AARP benefits, but hey…I’m sure they’re out there somewhere, right?

What sparked this interest was seeing an adorable, homemade crocheted baby blanket and hat on etsy.com. I love that website, by the way. I was close to pulling the trigger on purchasing them when I thought, “Wait a second…maybe…just maybe…I could make our baby his own homemade blanket!”

And thus begins a new challenge.

And since you all know once I get an idea in my head, I have to act upon it IMMEDIATELY, I went to Joann Fabrics straight from work that day and picked up my supplies:

*Picture courtesy of Eric…thanks!

Eric is all too familiar with ideas that pop into my head and must be acted upon now. Not in 15 minutes…but NOW!!! As if the house may burn down if we don’t immediately clean out that coat closet that is overflowing that I just happened to walk by and notice.

Anyway, after the first few frustrating attempts of practically tangling myself up in yarn with no crochet stitches in sight, I think I may be making some progress. I’m aiming first for a successful small washcloth before I attempt the big daddy project of the baby blanket. I still have quite a way to go, but I have at least the bottom inch or more completed and you can actually tell it’s going to turn out to be something. What yet is still to be determined…but it’ll be something alright. Stay tuned for pics!

~as

A Baskin Robbins kind of day

Because of my uncontrollable urge to constantly be planning something, I’ve already finished registering for my baby shower in May. I think I demonstrated admirable restraint, though…I waited TWO WHOLE DAYS after finding out the sex before hightailing it to the stores!

I made one fatal flaw, though.

My desire to register quickly resulted in me inadvertantly going on a Saturday. First problem with this is that Saturdays are when everyone and their mother shops. Bad, Anne.

First stop was Target. It was a ZOO. Oh, and I know sometimes children are very wild and crazy at times and have their unpredictable “off” days, but I’m sorry…I will NEVER, EVER let my children run rampant through the aisles of a store without supervision while they yell and scream. Who allows that?!? Whoever they are, they need to stop reproducing ASAP. ;)

Needless to say, my trusty scan gun and I got down to business and got the heck out of dodge as quickly as I could. One store down, one to go.

Next on my agenda was Babies R Us. If I thought Target was bad, I had another thing coming.

Upon pulling up to Babies R Us, I noticed their parking lot was completely packed. This should’ve tipped me off and I should’ve turned right around.

Should’ve being the key word.

I was already there and figured what the hell. Well, what the hell was right. Turns out I picked possibly the worst day to register. Apparently, Babies R Us was having their “Annual Baby Shower” event in which they give away two small samples (at least that’s all I got) to lure new mothers-to-be to register at their store.

Big mistake. HUGE mistake. (thanks, Pretty Woman!)

The place was a madhouse. It made Target look like a deserted ghost town. I had to wait like 30-40 minutes just to get a scanner and then make my way through the zillions of other anxious/excited-to-register ladies. Ugh.

Never one to admit defeat, though, I fought through and succeeded in my mission.

Back in my car 90 minutes and one headache later, I decided it was definitely a Baskin Robbins type of afternoon. A treat of my favorite ice cream, Peanut Butter ‘n Chocolate, was definitely in order to make everything all better.

~as