From the Mouths of Husbands, Part II

(Preparing Dinner)

Matt: Can you shuck the corn for me?
Me: Sure.
Matt: You can be my Mother Shucker.

Sigh.

Money, Money, Money

With Spawn on the way, Matt and I have begun to look more closely at our spending habits and ways to cut them back. Babies are expensive you know.

We always knew we went out to eat more than we should. It's becoming more frequent for neither of us to feel like cooking at the end of the day. This will now be reserved for special occassions or the once in a while brunch. No, we haven't defined the "once in a while" yet. We just started this process.

We are also looking at our other bills. I know our grocery bill will need to change, especially since we will not be eating out so much. I feel there are ways to greatly slash this bill. We will be working from a weekly menu and sticking with it. I am going to begin to clip coupons from the news paper (and hope I remember to use them) and start looking at buying in bulk.

When it comes to getting ready for the baby, we have found yard sales, second hand stores and sale watching are great helpers. At one yard sale, we bought quite a bit of clothing, a bouncy seat, infant tub, bibs and burping cloths that we spent all of $20 on. All I have to do is put a bit of elbow grease into cleaning them up. I felt like I scored. As much I would love buy brand new baby things and smother my first child in the best of the best, I come from a large family and know that an infant will quickly outgrow most anything before we get our moneys worth from it.

Of course, we can always do things such as cut off the internet, the cable TV, the lights but I refuse to live like a hobbit and would rather look at other ways to save money first.

With that being said, what ideas, thoughts, or suggestions do you have? Do you have any websites that you visit for coupons or making extra money that you would like to share? Any baby swap group? Bring it on - I'm willing to consider it all.

From the Mouths of Husbands

Lately, Matt has made some comments that I feel necessary to share. Both are related to my pregnancy and made me laugh. I hope you get a chuckle out of them as well.

#1:
(As I grow bigger, I'm beginning to realize why pregnant women are always touching their stomachs. Aside from the kicking (of which I think I've just begun to experience), this is the hardest my stomach has ever been. It feels weird).

Me: (poking at my tummy) Huh. This feels weird. Its hard, like one of those rubber balls that kids play with in the grocery store. Come feel it.

Matt: (pressing on my tummy) Yeh, it's because you've got a bunch of water and stuff in there.

Me: And stuff? Your unborn child is STUFF?

#2:
(As I'm passing him in the kitchen)

"It's a good thing you're pregnant, you'd look funny with a beer belly"

It's a damn good thing I love him.

Vehicular Decison

Dear Mommy Friends and Friends of Mommy Friends,
(Mommy Friends: please send your Mommy friends here to give their opinions. Being new at this "thinking like a Mommy" thing, I'll take all the help I can get)

Talk to me about cars. My lease on my beloved Chrysler 300 is ending in 6 months. Just a month after Spawn is due to arrive. (I guess I should explain that the unborn child I am carrying is affectionately referred to as Spawn by Matt and I). So I ask you, what type of vehicle do I want? Better yet, what type of vehicle do I need? A car? An SUV/Minivan?

Keep in mind:


1) my Father sells Jeeps, Chryslers, Dodges and Kias at his dealership and I have my pick (after he weeds out the models he deems unworthy for his daughter & grandchild)

2) Matt drives a (leased) Jeep Grand Cherokee that we will be returning in about 2 years for something new and sparkly - and bigger if needed.

3) Matt will be a SAHF (stay at home Father) and we planned that the car seat will be permanently housed in his Jeep as my car barely goes anywhere other than to work.

4) The new car will be purchased, not leased so I will have to like and it will have to fit us and our plans for a good long time.

5) I married a very tall man and there are a limited number of vehicles that he will fit in. (You'd be surprised what he won't fit into!)

What have you found? In a household with 1 parent working inside the home and 1 parent working outside - is it really necessary to have 2 vehicles that can easily accomodate car seats/baby gear (i.e. 2 minivans, 2 SUVs)? Or is it more practical to have 1 larger vehicle as the primary child cruiser and 1 vehicle that is smaller but will work if necessary?

My thoughts? The Jeep will be fine for now and we can re-evaluate when it comes time to return it. I'll get myself another Chrysler 300. (I really like my 300) If I wasn't trying to be a grown up, I would really like one of those sexy new Dodge Challengers. Rawr, purr.

Yes, I admit to being somewhat of a 13 year old boy. What do you expect from a Daddy's girl w/four brothers? C'MON - it's just sexy!

Help.

Thoughts on Pregnancy, so far

As I said, I learned I was pregnant on January 26th. I found out early - real early, like barely pregnant early. Call it a hunch and just happened to have an EPT on hand early.

I have a few girlfriends that have children and I come from a large family so I have a clue about pregnancy, what can happen or not. I won't even begin to complain after seeing what some of my friends have been through, I know I'm lucky. My nausea was morning only and lasted all of four days, the blinding exhaustion the first few months was nothing like I have ever experienced (but hey, I wasn't puking!), I'm out of breath a lot and I'm still dealing with the daily headaches although they seem to be letting up a bit. All said, I think I've gotten off pretty easy - so far.

I am currently 18.5 weeks pregnant. Almost half way and up until the weekend before last, my normal clothes still fit. They had begun to get a bit snug but, meh, nothing I couldn't work with. Then! "I popped"! And I do mean popped. I had heard of this phenomenon. I understood the concept. Or at least I thought I did. However I had no clue that I would go to bed one Saturday evening after wearing my normal clothes all day to waking up Sunday morning desperately needing to go shopping for clothes that fit.

So I ask you, where did this come from? I have to admit, I like this picture, it makes my tummy look much smaller than it is and my face looks skinny! (Good job honey. Thanks!)

I have found one fantastic thing about pregnancy that I never would have ever guessed. The best feeling in the whole world is to scratch my tummy when I change out of my work clothes. Oh sweet heaven!

Oh and all you girls that got those, uhhh, "nice" dreams - you know the ones with George Clooney or Brad Pitt or your neighbors husband, your husband, clowns, mimes...whatever - wish some my way. I've been having horrid vivid nightmares for the past couple of months. I've never really remembered any of my dreams, but these are sticking with me and I could use something, ummm, "fun".

So We Meet Again

Huh? Oh. Hi! I know, it has been quite a while since we've last spoken. I've missed you too. It's just been so crazy lately.

Lets catch up, shall we? I'll start.

1. When we last spoke, Matt and I had just bought a 3-level townhome. I'm happy to say we are darn near fully settled in. Home improvements are nearing completion and have been very time consuming. Yes, I have been taking before and after pictures however...

2. ...my laptop died. My new laptop died. Nope. Not kidding. I've spent a large portion of my free time trying to correct what the VISTA update destroyed with no luck. I've had to ship my laptop off to Gateway to repair it. Needless to say, I've lost all 'pre pictures that were on it. Descriptions will have to suffice.

3. Work keeps my insanely busy. Really. It's a madhouse.

4. Finally, the most shocking and exciting news of all, on January 26th I learned that I am pregnant with our first child. Needless to say, this has put a whole new spin on "got to get the house ready as soon as possible". Obviously, this is including setting up a nursery and gathering baby gear. I'm weary already.

So lets recap - bought house, got pregnant, killed laptop, work is trying to kill me. All in three months. It's got to be some type of record.

So whats new with you? Anything exciting?

Again, I apologize for my extended absence but, I am back and have lots of stories to share - including pictures.

The Many Faces of Moving - Cat Style

I'll hide under the bathroom sink and act all scared while Mommy cleans the bathroom. She'll never clean under here so I'm surely protected.

Where's the rest of my stuff? Why is this in the living room? Where are you taking that? What do you mean "I'm in the way!"?

Supervisors.

I think we can all figure out what this face says. Now if only he could hold out that middle finger.

In other news, we are completely moved in. Everything we own is on ONE floor of our 3 story townhouse. We slept on our mattress in the middle of our dining room last night. We were exhausted and sore! Tomorrow we start unpacking and continuing with the improvements.

Don't worry, we are taking pictures and will post them once we complete a room so you can follow the progression.

Hey! Do you want to know what sucks worse than moving in July/August in Florida?...Moving in January in Virginia. Yep! We woke up this morning and it was a blistering 6 degrees. (SIX, PEOPLE! DO YOU HEAR ME!?!? SIX!) This Florida girl does not do six.

We are now at the apartment doing a final clean and gathering of the cats. (Yeh, they're really pleased.

OH! And for those of you who don't already know - if there are any left - today is Matt's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY! I love you! (See, I remembered yours....and no, you're never going to live it down.)

That's Just Naaaaaasty

Dear Former Owner of the Townhouse we just purchased,

1. I am guilty of loving me some fried foods, we probably all are, but HOLY GOOGLY MOOGLY SIR! you should probably have your heart checked because I am pretty sure you have some seriously clogged arteries. I am basing this off the amount of grease Matt and I pulled and are still pulling up from the kitchen cabinets.

Speaking of grease, sir. A simple wipe down of your kitchen cabinets once in a blue moon would help to keep the bleeping cabinets clean.

2. I see that there may be some bugs you think are cute. I disagree with you, but that is my opinion and you are allowed yours. HOWEVER, bugs are not pets and living with this many in your kitchen cabinets is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE! Just EW.

3. Also, for future reference, all the beeping that you heard in the house was not aliens coming to get you. It was all 6 smoke detectors alerting you that they needed new batteries to continue to protect you and yours.

DUDE - in your next home, pick up a sponge and some basic cleaning solution and you find it really helps.

Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, and EEEEEEEEEEWWW!

In the words of Cleveland from Family Guy...AW, THAT'S JUST NAAAAAASTY!

Thanks, Lori

PS. Before and after shots will be coming. We will start improvements once we can get it at least a little clean. Honestly, its just the kitchen. Its not at an acceptable level of clean for Matt and I. We've seen SO MUCH WORSE than this, but still, you know?

The Great House Coaster

OY! It's a good thing we like rollercoaster rides because this whole house buying experience has been quite a ride.

Here's how our day went. (keep in mind our closing is tomorrow)

Early Morning: I woke up much later than I had planned and barely made it to work on time. That should have been my first clue that today was going to be one of "those" days.

10:30 am: Appraisal came in (late) and is $8500 less than the agreed to selling price.

WHAM-O!

12:30 pm: Sent an appraisal contingency notice and a copy of the appraisal to the seller.

wait wait wait

2:40 pm: Our agent wrote up a addendum that we signed in hopes the seller would agree to the change in price and we would be ready.

wait wait wait wait DIE wait wait wait wait

6:00 pm: The seller agreed to the price drop, (WOO HOO, die again) our agent faxed over the addendum we prepared in advance

(I heart our agent!)

6:42 pm: The seller signed the addendum and sent it back. (if thats not a record, I don't know what is)

7:19 pm: Our lender and the title company notified us that they will be working late to make the changes and be ready for closing tomorrow but requested that we give them a couple of extra hours tomorrow.

SO! If everything runs smoothly tomorrow, we will be closing at 4pm on our new home. I feel better, but I am still a bit cautious. I won't relax until we have the keys in our hands.

I might be entirely too exhausted to be excited or I may have really died, I'm not really sure anymore. This has been one wild ride and right now, I know I feel a lot like this.