Eight Months Update

I am officially in my ninth month...considered full term on 4.30.13.

Thor's favorite activity...punching area's he should not punch!

Nothing really to report. Everything is basically the same. Which is good. Everyone thinks this little man is coming early, I don't think so. I am hoping he is a little late.

I am up a total of 30 lbs so I am well within the target range for weight gain. Still no cravings though I do like fruit. Thor goes nuts when I eat it. Grapes and watermelon tends to be his favorites. Pineapple is a close third. Substituting ice cream for fruit pops has been successful. I still get to feel like I have eaten desert but it is healthier and fewer calories. I do have two "branches" of stretch marks right underneath my belly button. I am covering them with coco butter hoping to lessen their appearance but I am not sure it is working.

Mom is coming up next weekend to help put some final touches. We have pictures to hang, meals to get ready so we can freeze them and a make a cushion for the chair in the babies room.

Here are the pictures! I am definitely pregnant....finally!

Still barely an innie!

The camera is being nice hiding the stretch marks but believe me they are there.

One thing that everyone keeps commenting on (which I don't mind) is the fact that from the back I do not look pregnant. I think it is a boy baby thing. It is only when I turn around that people realize and then it is a "woah! When are you due?" question :). These pants are small now...they are pre-pregnancy work out pants so they create a bit of a muffin top but other then that they are right. I still have my waist and from the back you do not expect me to have the belly that I do. Because of how many comments I get about how I don't look pregnant from the back I wanted to include some pictures here for memory's sake.

And have to continue Brian's payback for making him take the pictures

This will probably be the last monthly update with Thor still in the belly. I will take more pictures right before I go into labor for the "9 month" and then pictures with Thor (who will have a name at that point) a few days after the birth and that will complete Thor's pregnancy journey. Mom is going to send me the pictures she has taken with me in them within these 9 months and with those and these updates I will make Thor's pregnancy book. I hope to make a photo book every year. The idea is that each child will have their own pregnancy book and a book each year (1 year, 2 years, etc). There will also be a book for me with the pictures of all of our kids together once we get more then 1 :). We shall see what happens but that is my thought and plan.

House Project Update

I am having trouble uploading my eight month pictures so I decided to post what we found that will solve some big issues we have been having with the house. We were at a standstill with these projects until we went to Costco yesterday. As we left with our usual purchases a nice woman handed us their May Specials booklet. Usually there isn't anything we are interested in but Brian found three things.

1) Kitchen:

As with most people we have very little counter space and storage. We also have this wonderful Kitchen Aid mixer that we have not been able to use because we have no where to keep it once it is out of the box. If we could empty one of the cabinets we can keep the mixer in there on a rolling drawer which will allow for easy access and easy storage. The rolling draw will hold the mixer and when we want to use it we will pull it out and the mixer will end up at the same level as the counter. Easy access, easy storage. The issue? Clearing out the cabinet.  We have played with several options to remedy this problem. The first idea was pot racks so we can take the frying pans out of one of the cabinets and then move everything over. Given our budget and available space for a pot rack, this unfortunately worked. We thought of finding a table that could be on wheels. The top would be butchers block and the bottom of the table would have shelves so it would as a portable island as needed. That idea is not fitting our budget either.

The first object he found was this:

It is normally around $85 which was in our original budget but was on sale for around $65. It is the perfect height. Will hold all of our frying pans, lids and will help clear things off our counter and will create more space in the pantry. It will look great in the space and not take up too much room. The only real downside is that it will go where the trash can goes so I have to move a picture and find a new home for the trash can. We cannot wait for this to arrive!

2) The second issue we have been having is fitting everything we need in the garage. We have a two car garage and it fits two cars and not much more. Due to Brian's awesome packing abilities we have been able to fit several other things but it is a mess and we are definitely not using the space wisely. Thanks to all of our past projects we have paint cans on the floor, brooms and shop vacs, dirt, etc that could be stored easier. We have had the idea to get a shelving rack for awhile but they are just so expensive. A shelving rack will save room, provide more storage and provide easier access to the items we need to keep in the garage!. I may be able to take a few things out of the laundry room and store them in the garage as well! There are other things we want to do in the garage but shelving rack will get us a lot closer.

and guess what Costco had!

This was normally $220 which is still a good price for the size and weight capacity that we found but we got it for $180. It has 5 shelves that can each hold 600lbs (I don't know if we have enough to get 600 lbs total but we wont have to worry about things being too heavy) and is 60" W, 24" D and 77" H with the casters. It fits perfectly where we want to put it and I will have an easier time getting in and out of the garage.




We have already purchased the above two items. The sale paper said it started May 1st but when I went online to confirm measurements and things we noticed that the sale actually started early. Once we confirmed that those two items were what we hoped they would be we went ahead and ordered them. We didn't want Costco to sell out of them.




3) The third item we have been discussing getting is an attic fan. I know when we were up north our attic fan helped keep the house cool a lot and that was up north where we didn't have the heat we do down here. Our attic gets really hot and while the door to the attic has weather sealing/proofing I really think the upstairs A/C would have an easier time keeping the upstairs cool if we had the attic fan. A/C having an easy time hopefully means less in our electric bill. Brian is on board. We haven't done it yet because Brian wanted to do some research on how much electricity the attic fan would use to see if it would make a difference. If it costs $5 to run the attic fan in electricity and it is only going to save us $5...maybe it wouldn't be worth it. Plus how much the fan itself costs and how much it would be to install it. We liked the idea but we had a lot of research to do before we jumped in.











Well Brian found a solar paneled Attic Fan in the Costco flyer! It does have some electrical parts but it will only cost $2 a year for that aspect. There is a 30% tax credit for it as well!. Because it is solar paneled it is on the roof and we do not need to get anything approved by the HOA or anything like that and the description says that people can install it themselves! We obviously won't but that just proves how easy it is to set up, no electricians needed! It also has a remote which will allow it to still run on cloudy days or at night which is great. It is high wind resistant, it will even help in the cold, wet winter. (yes we are not supposed to get snow but it does rain and we have had snow and it will be fine with snow).

We haven't purchased it yet because we do have to have to find out how much it will cost to install as we aren't doing it ourselves. We have a call in to the manufacturer to see what their certified people will charge and we have asked another friend who may be able to do it to see what he would charge. If the installation quote is what we are expecting then we will go ahead and purchase it.! It is $350 before the sale and $300 after the sale. Well within what Brian and I were thinking. Brian was budgeting $500 for the fan and installation so as long as installation is $200 or less, which it should be, we will be golden.

Another great thing about the sale? Shipping is free! I will post before and after pictures of all the projects once we get there.

Thor and the Amazing Moving Belly!

I finally got a couple videos of Thor moving and making my belly move in all sorts of weird ways. He wont do the full on ninja movements on camera but he will make my belly look more like a water bed.

I didn't realize until now that the room was so dark...you can still see it but if I had realized I would have turned another light on.

You may have to re-watch the videos to see but there is definite movement..it just happens really quick so by the time you realize you saw the belly move it has already stopped. The videos are about a minute long so it shouldn't be that bad. Of course you will see him not listen to me and not do it on command which Brian finds funny.

Thank You Thor!!

I am posting from my phone so the pictures won't be placed perfectly but I'm sure you will follow along.

Dear Thor:

You are supposed to be nice to mommy! You will plenty of opportunities to get yourself into trouble when your born..this is the time where your supposed to be the little Angel that I will soon wish you were. If this is you as an Angel then oh boy are daddy and I in trouble!

Food is good! Food is yummy! While I love the fact that you like healthy foods like vegetables and fruits life is short and there is more out there! Pasta, pizza, bagels, chicken are all very good tasting and good for you in the right amounts. I really hope you end up eating differently when your born than you do now otherwise daddy will have some questions to ask me as he and I were never picky eaters. If anything we are too much!

You need to let me eat. When you don't I look like a Dalmatian which is not a preferred look for a human. I am not vain and I generally have a different idea as to what is considered presentable but the Dalmatian look is a bit much. Mommy does not enjoy freaking people out with her face.

If we could make some improvement on this I would be very appreciative.

Love Mommy

P.s. causing Daddy to laugh at Mommy isn't nice either.

If you haven't guessed Thor is not cooperating with food. Last night I tried to eat pasta with butter and cheese and that didn't work. This morning I tried to eat a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich which is something I have recently been able to eat but not this morning.

And thanks to Irish skin, even after a few hours my face looks like this and I am scared to eat anything.

Mom's Baby Shower Weekend

It turned out fabulous!

Mom and dad came up on Good Friday and we had steak for dinner with orzo and salad. It was so yummy. Brian cooked it, he does steak so well.

Saturday we ran some errands before the shower and just relaxed mostly.

The shower was so much fun! I really enjoyed everyone's company and I think everyone enjoyed themselves as well. Every one was so generous with gifts and their time but I want to mention some for memories sake. Daddy went nuts with Giants memorabilia. The Mara family will not have to worry about losing any money this quarter thanks to Daddy. Your welcome Mara's! Thor will be wearing them proudly and we won't have to buy more until Thor is about three or so. Did you know they make sports themed pacifiers? Caroline totally got into the ducky theme and got Thor some ducky feetie pajamas that are SO cute! She got them in two sizes so Thor can continue wearing them. They dressed baby up in one of the outfits and Thor may have to fight her for it lol. Mommy got Thor tons of overalls and cute onesies from Osh Gosh...so if you see overalls on Thor more then likely it is from Mom. Mom also got Thor Nigel, a stuffed giraffe. My friends from work Lisa and Jason got us Murray....a light up/singing stuffed animal...this generations version of glow worm. It has been a success for their cute boys and I am sure it will be a success for us as well. Ms Micki gave us a wonderful plaque that is going to go on the wall between the two photo's of Benjamin and Vicki gave us some wonderful bulldog onesies and sunglasses so Thor can be like father and son. One of my favorite things is the shower curtain they used as a table cloth. Pictures of that will come when I show the finalized nursery.

Saturday night we just relaxed, we tried to go out to dinner and it was not completely as expected. I wasn't hungry but tried to eat anyway and then got sick and the restaurant completely messed up dads martini.

Sunday was a bit busy. Brian and I made Easter dinner (lamb, Yorkshire pudding, green beans with tomatoes and prosciutto and salad). Mom and  I organized the clothes and put everything away. We have a few decorative items to do but we are basically ready for baby. And we all dyed Easter eggs.

It was a wonderful weekend and as soon as mom emails me pictures she took from the shower I will post those.

I do need to get off my lazy bum and post about works baby shower......maybe this week?

So coming up:

Work baby shower
Finished nursery and guest/baby bath :)
Pregnancy update :)

Seventh Month Update!

As I am officially starting my 8th month it is time to update on the 7th month.

Nothing too exciting happened except I finally started looking pregnant and I have a text book boy belly. It is heavy! Thor is moving a ton! I am supposed to count his movements...he is supposed to move 10 times in 3 hours. Um...this little man only needs three minutes! He is constantly moving. I am still trying to catch it on video...he is still taking after his father on this one.

Still no agreement on a name. Everyone at work is getting nervous that we are actually going to name him Thor. Thor may stick as a nickname but will not be on his birth certificate. Thor Carter wouldn't be taken very seriously on college applications, job applications or wedding announcements. Brian is becoming more helpful in suggesting names but still no luck. He really likes the name Parker (yes he really likes Spider Man) and I do like that name...however it is AWFUL with our last name. It rhymes. His other favorite is Paul. Fine name, nothing wrong with it exactly it just isn't very fun. I don't think of a sweet little boy with that name. I think you should name a child with a name that will fit through all stages of life and Paul just makes me think of an old man.

I haven't gotten sick in a while which is nice. I hope it stays away but I am on the look out for it to come back. The sickness came back for my mom when she was pregnant with my brother and so far I am taking after mom with this pregnancy. I am up a total of 26 1/2 lbs so I am still doing well. I can't wait for this little one to be here...for many reasons but the main one right now is that once he is out mommy is going to make me Eggplant Parmesan and I cannot wait to eat that!! I know I am going to eat too much of it at once but oh well!

I am still sleeping well which is nice. Every once in a while I will have a "bad" night but even that is not so bad. My back is starting to hurt more. That is annoying. Also I have been having to get up once a night to go potty which is also annoying. Two more months, two more months.

Here are this months pictures:

Still an innie!

My backside really isn't as big as it looks in this picture...

Yes, Brian is still Brian

The crib is set up, sheets are on the bed and everything is in place. All that is left to do is get the electrician to come in and move the security system outlet into the closet where it was supposed to be in the beginning which will be done in April and we are still trying to find a way to get the entertainment center disposed of.
After the baby shower I hope mom will help me organize all the clothes we have received so far. Once we do that the nursery is all set up. It is nice to know that we are ready for baby if baby makes a surprise showing (very very doubtful, fully expected to make it to full term...40 weeks).

My co-workers have been beyond generous which is greatly appreciated but it leads to lots of organizing and mom may have more insight on how to do it since she has already raised two kiddos. I have a few pictures from work's baby shower and I will definitely take more myself of what I have gotten so I can document it. I do not want to forget their generosity. I will also post pictures of Mom's baby shower and of the baby shower Brian's work is throwing us.

We are getting closer!

Work Update :)

Sorry I have been distant...it's been very very busy and I have been very tired.

*While this will be about work, I just wanted to let everyone know that Thor is doing just fine. Moving around a bunch and just being Thor. We are at about 31 weeks and technically have 6 weeks to go until I hit full term (37) but I am hoping he stays in there longer. And we are not much closer to deciding a name.

A couple weeks ago I mentioned that I may have something positive coming down the pipelines in regards to work. And it actually happened and I can announce it publicly. :)

I got a promotion!

I am now one of the company's Project Assistants. I am no longer on the phones and am working 8-5 which should make doing the day care tango with Thor easier. Because I am no longer on the phones I also will have more flexibility in leaving if Thor gets sick and needs to go home unexpectedly as I am sure he will time to time.

I started on the 18th and I am enjoying it so far. They are easing me into the position due to the fact that in 9 weeks or so I will be out for 6 weeks because of Thor. The person I am replacing will keep some of her responsibilities and will pick up for the 6 weeks that I am gone. Once I am back from maternity leave I should end up taking over everything.

So whats coming up?

I need to post about works baby shower
I need to do a post for the 7 month update
I need to post about Moms baby shower

I am sure there are more things but that's all I can remember at the moment. I hope to do the 7 month update this week but the baby shower updates will probably be next week.  I don't think I am doing to well in my New Years goal to update this more often :)