101st Post!

Wow, I can't believe I have made 100 posts on this blog... well, maybe I can. I was always WAY into keeping a journal, I kept one from about age 12 until I met my college boyfriend.. Then I think I picked it back up again when I was living at home in my 20s. They are so embarrassing and I may destroy them so my kids don't read them some day, but they were really therapeutic at the time. As is this blog.

Sometimes I think I may print this out and give it to Mason one day, but maybe not. I don't want to edit myself for my future child. I just need to be able to say what I want to say.

For instance, DH was very mean the other night. We have been getting Ben & Jerry's ice cream pretty much every day. DH has been sick, so we have been enabling each other and maybe it has gotten a little out of control. So Tuesday I went to Yoga which was a really hard workout actually, came home and cooked dinner, and got a craving for ice cream (surprise surprise). Well, DH for once didn't want any ice cream so I said I did and would just go get it. Then he got into this whole thing where he suddenly thinks we have been having it too often AND said that my arms have been getting fatter the last few days (oh no he did not!!) Well, I went and got it anyway, knowing he was just being a grump and would feel bad about it later. He did feel bad about it later, but not before he said that my dresser was a mess, my clothes are everywhere AND he is frustrated because I am so big that sex is getting really difficult. He apologized all night after and all day yesterday, saying he was possessed. He has never said anything other than how amazing I look before, so I knew he was just having some kind of issue. What can I do, stay mad? No.

My self esteem must not be too destroyed, because I started researching maternity photographers last night. I couldn't find anyone I liked searching google (except one amazing women who charges $5000, hey this is NYC) so I posted on the neighborhood list serve and got some great recommendations and options. I have been on the fence about getting them done. I don't love being in front of the camera. I actually majored in photography in college so I am always the one taking the pics. The problem with that is there are never any photos of me. DH takes the worst photos and I would like a some memento, a decent representation of what I looked like during my first (hopefully) pregnancy - I am not getting any younger here. :)

Our changer/dresser came yesterday and DH had it all set up for me when I got home from my meetings. It looks great. I took all the baby things we have so far out of their shopping bags and put them in the drawers. They are so adorable!

We ordered the DVD "Happiest Baby On the Block" on the recommendation of some new moms and we watched that yesterday as well. I would say it was worth the $10 to learn about the 5 "s" s and how to calm the baby. Whether we can make it work remains to be seen. DH was transfixed and memorized the swaddling technique. One great thing they mentioned is that dads can be as good or better at calming the baby, so it really gives them a great way to be involved and soothe the baby in his own way, since he can't nurse.



We also got our bathtub re-glazed, another thing done off the check list! The tub was peeling and just not sanitary for baths, for me or baby when he gets a little older. Now it looks like a brand new tub - yay! We did have to go shower at the yoga studio (nice big steam shower, fun!) because we didn't realize we wouldn't be able to shower for 24 hours while it dries, then another 24 hours for the caulk to dry.

Alright, what's next? The countdown is on...

33 weeks!

Lord, the baby is moving SO much lately. I am kind of worried that he is going to be a really crazy child. Eek.

Anyway, we picked up the mattress yesterday, but I will spare you a photo of the crib looking exactly identical except with the sheet on. We also ordered the changer/dresser and it should be here sometime in the next week- Yay! Something to put things in! The shopping bags in the corner of the room are getting old.

Today I THINK we are going over to our friends' house for a pool party. They live in a house out a little farther in Brooklyn and their landlords are out of town and invited them to use the pool while they are gone. I would LOVE to float around for awhile, even though I am going to look like Shamu or some kind of other sea mammal show in that little above ground pool. Oh well. I am desperate.

Here are my sweet dogbabies, fresh from the groomer with their summer cuts.

Shopping!

Our shopping trip out to Long Island yesterday was great. It is so fun to actually be able to park (not running back to fill the meter every 5 seconds or terrified that the we misread the sign and will end up with a $100 parking ticket). First stop, Century 21, my favorite. Known as "New York's Best Kept Secret", Century 21 is a department store of dicount designer clothes. Kind of a bigger Loeman's but with Prada, Gucci and Marc Jacobs. There is one down by the financial district, right at ground zero actually, but I have pretty much been avoiding that location since 9/11 (PTSD, I lived 1 block away when it happened). O had high hopes for the Brooklyn location, but they don't carry as many of the high end designers plus it is small and the parking isn't even free. THEN I discovered the Long Island location. As long as you can wade through the extra inventory of Juicy Couture (this is LI after all, they know their market), this place can be a gold mine.

I didn't go crazy, just three baby items, but for me it is all about the hunt - quality over quantity. First, and adorable organic tie dyed onesie, the softest record player onesie (from Kids Ink - marked down from $34 to $4.19) and this precious sweater by Cakewalk (marked down from $74 to $18 - SCORE).


They had a great Le Sportsac diaper bag, but DH though it was too girly and he wouldn't carry it so we will just go with a black Skip Hop. I refuse to have 2 diaper bags, that sounds SO confusing and unnecessary. The baby is never going to be in 2 places at once, why would anyone need or want 2 bags to keep track of?

I also found a great nightgown that will work really well for breast feeding. I can't take a pic because I am wearing it already. I was starting to look like a stuffed sausage in my regular short nighties. This one is black, to the knees, and opens at the top, a little cotton lace brocade. It is just sexy enough to not feel like asexual pajama-mom, but still OK to wear at the hospital or in front of family.

After a few hours at Century (they even have a man lounge for DH), we went on to the conveniently located giant Buy Buy Baby right down the street and used our 20% coupon to buy the car seat. We ended up going with the Chicco KeyFit, on the advice of our super helpful assistant when we registered. Not as expensive as the Peg Perego, but seems less plastic-y and is a little more expensive than the Graco. We also love the green, it matches the Uppa. :)



When we got home we messed with it a little bit and tried installing it, sort of. Wow, very confusing. I see why it is suggested that you get it in there early. However, DH is going to be using the car for the band a bunch of times before we have the baby, so we can't leave it in there. Looks like we are going to have to become pretty good at installing the base, since the whole car seat will have to be in and out a lot. Hmm.. I am starting to think that a separate van for the band to use might not be such a bad idea.

Today we are going to pick up our CSA, then over to the local baby store to get the mattress and look at dresser/changers. I wouldn't be surprised if Visa calls and thinks my card is stolen after all the stuff we have bought this week!

Homemade Yogurt and Granola!

I am so excited. I LOVE yogurt, and I eat it for breakfast every morning with some fruit and my home made granola. Yesterday I went by this new kitchen shop and I saw this amazing Yogurt maker! My grandmother had one of these, some contraption from the 50s or 60s, when I was growing up and I think that's why I have this love of yogurt. She also had a very 60s sprout grower which I have fond memories of!

Anyway, I have never seen a yogurt maker until yesterday, so I just had to get it. I spend a fortune on delicious Ronneybrook (local farm) yogurt every week, and now I will be able to just buy their milk and make the yogurt myself! I am thinking this will pay for itself in a few months. :)

All you do it pour a quart of milk into a saucepan and heat it up, put in the thermometer until it is the right temperature, stir in a little starter yogurt (saved from the last batch) and pour it into the individual containers. Then you turn that on for about 10 hours. When it is done, chill the yogurt in the fridge. It keeps for about a week and a half.

The only problem was that I excitedly started my yogurt in the late afternoon, so DH had to wake up and put it in the fridge for me at 3 AM.. oops. I will time that out better from now on!

Here is my granola recipe:

Home Made granola

I large box of Quaker Oats
Pour in some vegetable oil
Mix in some honey, to taste
Add flax seeds, almonds, hemp seeds, anything really, and some vanilla extract
Heat over to 250
Pour granola into a shallow dish or however many you need and bake for 2 hours, stirring it around every 30 minutes.

Yum! I store mine in a big glass jar.


I am so excited, we are finally going baby shopping today. Going to head out to Long Island to Buy Buy Baby (avoiding the MAnhattan location) and get the carseat before our coupon expires!

Nursery Progress!

At least it is something, but it does look a little strange because we don't have the mattress yet. The crib is so beautiful, and it is crazy getting used to having it in the room. We can't believe we are going to have our little guy in there in less than 2 months!

Next step, figure out the rest of the nursery. Now the crib is in here I have realized that the Ikea system #1 will not fit, and #2 is going to look really crappy next to this nice crib. SO... Arginton does make a changing table that fits perfectly with the crib, but #1 it is $800 and #2 do I want to pay $800 for a modern changing table? It's not really my style, but it would look sooo nice. We are going to go check them out again when we pick up the mattress.

Here it is..


I have been in the best mood because we got our tax return check which I wasn't expecting so soon (that's a first). Yesterday I went to Prenatal Yoga for the first time in forEVER. Then this morning I put on my workout clothes and walked to the post office, came home and showered, then went back out and got a badly needed pedicure. We were going to do errands in the city, but poor DH is still sick so I had him drop me off in Soho (too hot for the train today) and I did errands, a little shopping, and had my doctor's appointment. Everyone I see has been telling me how huge I am and how big the baby is going to be so I was looking forward to getting measured and weighed today. I am measuring just a few days ahead, but not a big deal. I also don't seem to have gained weight since last time. I was seriously afraid that I was going to be over 150 lbs today, but I am still just under (barely). I even had time to go get my FAVORITE watermelon juice from Cafe Gitane and DH picked me back up and brought me home. Such a nice day, but now I am about to pass out.

I just ordered another maternity dress from Old NAvy. I definitely over did it with the tops when I was 4-6 months. It is WAY too hot and just uncomfortable to wear pants now and the tops don't even cover my belly anymore so I have worn the same dress every day for the last two weeks. I went by TopShop again today, but nothing cute at all. I can probably live in two dresses for the next two months, as long as I can find something cute for the shower. :)

32 Weeks!

32 weeks today and things are starting to get done! The crib is sitting in giant boxes in the living room waiting to be put together as soon as DH wakes up. Poor thing, he had a a big show Friday night and had a little bit of a sore throat, then woke up yesterday morning with a fever and feeling awful. He was too sick to go out so I picked up our CSA (amazing this week) then trotted over to the baby store to buy the crib. I have a Jeep Liberty but it is pretty full of band equipment and the crib boxes were huge and so the wonderful owner offered to bring it by our apartment after the store closed that night. SO nice!

Then I had my mommy-to-be meeting at Urban Rustic. Not as many people today, but it was fun. The group leader actually had her baby so she was there with the baby and her mom. Her mom is an acupuncturist and was a L&D nurse so she was great to talk to. The baby was very small and sweet and her birth story was encouraging - 7 hour labor 10 days before her due date. That's what I like to hear.

Also, my copy of B is For Bob arrived which I won off of another blog which will not be named (OK, it was celebritybabyscoop.com but I swear I do NOT read celebrity gossip, ask anyone). It is a compilation of Bob Marley songs re mixed by Ziggy Marley for babies and kids - so cute.



I can't wait to set up the crib, but it looks pretty complicated so I better not touch anything until DH wakes up. It also weighs about a million pounds since it is solid wood, not a creepy chemical laden compound. Next decision: crib mattress. Sigh. I was thinking IKEA, but they are pretty flimsy and thin. The owner at Mini Jake showed me their selection and the most popular seems to be the foam mattresses from Moonlight Slumber. They are non toxic, flame resistant, antiallergenic, antimicrobial, hypoallergenic and WATERPROOF which is pretty cool. You don't actually even need a mattress pad at all with them which is pretty amazing (I could take that $70 organic waterproof mattress pad off my registry). They have one for $170, then a fancier one for $250. The fancier one actually has two sides - one is really firm for the newborn, and the other is softer memory foam for when they get older. Hmm. I will let DH call this I think.

I think I am going to get try to "nest" (aka clean) a little bit. I have to catch it when I have the feeling, it doesn't happen often.

I think we found our crib...

Yesterday we went to check out Mini Jake, a baby store in our neighborhood that I hadn't been by yet. I thought it was just a small boutique with mostly modern things, so I hadn't been in a rush to get over there yet for some reason. The store is actually big and GREAT. They carry a full line of all the best (AKA fancy) cribs, strollers, books, products, and they are SO nice. Modern cribs aren't really my style, but one caught DHs eye and I really liked it as well. It is the Argington Sahara. The price tags on all these cribs run from $700- $1500, but it turns out they have one in the box that a couple just returned, and are selling it for 30% off! Check out www.argington.com if you are interested, they have some beautiful things!

If I am going to spend money on a crib, I want it to be a good investment. Buying this crib supports a local neighborhood store, local designers, and is a green purchase. :) Honestly, pieces of chipboard crap at BRU cost this much. Boy do I love a deal.

Argington Sahara
The Sahara Crib is made from renewable and sustainably harvested solid birch wood and low voc birch plywood. We use Non toxic and pollutant free finishes and our production facilities are energy efficient to reduce waste and energy. The crib transforms into a toddler bed expanding the life of the product several additional years and negating the need to buy a whole new bed, creating less waste in the world.
GREEN FEATURES
FSC certified sustainably harvested wood
Low-VOC glues
Non toxic and pollutant free finishes
Energy efficient production facilities

Now, as long as it is still there today and they are OK with taking Mommy's credit card info over the phone (she offered to buy our crib all along and is excited about this one), we will be good to go!