Week 19 Day 6

11:31am

Started a baby registry yesterday. It's nowhere near finished so don't bother looking for it. We will send out more info with the baby shower invitations. It's surprising to me how much stuff we will need and also how much it all costs. That's the first time I've ever had to walk through any baby store. It's not my last.

I start my vacation at 6pm today. Woohoo! It's already nice out today. As a matter of fact, I am sitting in my car on break and had to start it and turn the a/c on to cool it down from sitting in the sun. That's a first for the year.

We met some of our neighbors yesterday and they all seem nice. They are young like us and the couple that just moved in below us are expecting as well. So maybe we can make some new friends. I know my wife was talking about someone to walk the subdivision with while I'm at work so maybe that will work out.



6:00pm

I'm on vacation!!


9:54pm

Ran to Hobby Lobby after work with my wife. She talked to the girl downstairs and she got a lot of cool home decorations for cheap. So of course she wanted to go and check it out. We got a few things for the walls and outside. Maybe we'll go back next weekend and get some more.

She made pork chops and quinoa for dinner. It was really good.

Week 19 Day 5

12:39pm


I officially got the "Congratulations" from my store manager yesterday. I go on vacation for one week starting on Sunday, and the week that I return I will start training for the new position. I already got the pay increase and although it isn't much, I have the opportunity to grow much further than where I was. As a matter of fact, I couldn't go any higher in pay where I was before. The new position I am almost starting at the bottom of the pay scale for it, so I can progress much further again. So that is really exciting, plus I already have tons of experience with it so I should be able to adapt/learn really quick.

My wife said our baby girl is really kicking and moving around a lot today. She is at work and I am off today. I have spent most of my morning emailing baby companies and asking for samples of their products. Surprisingly it works very well, and a lot of people wouldn't even think to do it. I have asked many companies in the past for donations, samples, free product and you would be surprised with how much stuff I received. FOR FREE. Smart phones, t-shirts, free coupons/products, cases of hot sauce, to name a couple. I am also price comparing things we will need to register for. We have to start doing that soon, maybe Sunday. We are thinking of creating registries at BabiesRUs, BuyBuyBaby, and Target.

Looks like the weather is supposed to be nice next week. Which usually doesn't happen on my vacations with my luck. So that's another positive.

Week 19 Day 4

11:36am


Well I checked my employee website that shows me all of my employment information. I can see my paystubs and other things on there related to my job. When I checked the "Compensation History" page I saw a PROMOTION raise! So even though they haven't told me any update at work about the new promotion I bid on, according to my information on the website I have been promoted! How exciting! We could really use it! And a lot higher potential for my career there now, I have a lot of future raises awaiting again! I was capped out at the max pay for my last position.

I finally felt the baby move yesterday! I had my hand under her belly while she was laying on the bed and it felt like a flutter or like bubbles running through her belly. I guess that is the best way I can describe it. She said "Oh my gosh, did you feel that!?" I said Yep! Finally!

Well I have to get ready for work, I am working the late shift today. I usually do once a week. I am on vacation starting on Sunday though, so that's good. Another nice thing is they pay you for it ahead of time, so I got two checks today! Hoping to get some golfing in next week too. I have a new set of clubs from my dad for Christmas that I haven't been able to use yet.

Promoted!

Week 19 Day 3

11:47am

So much to do at work! I hate these kind of days! Still a few people left to tell the gender to. After that I will post it on my blog.

8:34pm

I ate the rest of the crab and shrimp salad from the shrimp house today for lunch. (Pic) Man even that was delicious! Well, would have been better without celery in it but otherwise really good. Can't wait to go back for some shrimp.


My grandma and grandpa, uncle, and little cousin (4yrs old) were here when I got home from work. She (cousin) was excited for a cupcake! We asked her what she thought it was and she said she hoped it was a girl so that she could play with her. She then took a bite and to her surprise it was PINK inside! It's a girl! She was very happy. They live within walking distance of us so that's cool.


My wife is making Salisbury steak for dinner, with some Mac n cheese and carrots on the side. Also a yummy side salad. All this while watching the Blackhawks game. So all in all a good night!

Week 19 Day 2

10:22am

Going to make some leftover shrimp and fish for lunch. I still can't get over how good that was. Can't wait to go back. It's about an hour away though, in the city. Nothing like that out here by us. Darn.

I already did the dishes and have laundry going. Another fun day off... Seems like there is no time to relax anymore. Probably won't be for the next 20 years or so either. That's ok I am ready for the challenge! (I think)

She was trying to get me to feel the baby move last night. She said that it was moving around in there but when I attempted to feel it the baby must have already found a comfortable position. So no luck for me yet. I am anxiously awaiting that first time that I can feel a kick or something of the sort!


5:36pm


We finally have internet!! After over a month of searching for a provider to actually make us "available" to even receive internet. AT&T finally got us set up for basic DSL service, the technician came out today to get our telephone lines working. I opted to get my own DSL modem and wireless router and set it up myself. That was a bad idea. Luckily, I am pretty good with computers and was able to configure it all to get up and running but it took almost 3 hours. Very frustrating, lots of trial and error. The modem/router that you can buy through AT&T for a little bit more money, basically plugs right in and sets itself up. Would have saved a lot of headaches!

Week 19 Day 1

7:46am

Stuck by a train on my way to work. Of course!

11:47am

Was a few minutes late to work. I got stuck again by an accident partially blocking the road. Oh well. They understood at work.

My mom and stepdad, and my aunt came over last night for a cupcake. It was exciting to watch their faces when they looked inside the cupcakes! I think we are going to go to my wife's parents today after work. They still don't know yet either.

I forgot to add to my blog last night after everyone left. She made étouffée for dinner. It's a Cajun dish with lots of spices and shrimp and rice. Really good. My aunt was impressed that she can just make it from scratch, no recipes! I put a picture of it at the bottom.

Alright back to work!


11:15pm


My wife met me at work when I got off, so that we could take one car to my grandparents house. We wanted to deliver our cupcakes to them so they could get in on the fun! They were excited, too bad we couldn't stay long.

We then went to her parent's house for another delivery! Her mom and grandma guessed RIGHT but her dad was wrong! Everyone seemed to love our idea of the cupcake reveal. She got great responses at her work too. Between my work, her work, and the few family members, we went through almost 40 cupcakes. It was fun.

For dinner we stopped at a little fried shrimp joint by where she grew up. Holy crap I can't believe it took her over 3 years to show me this place. Wow was it delicious. I got 1/2 jumbo shrimp and 1/2 lake perch. Everything was so good and the shrimp are HUGE! It was kinda pricey but definitely worth it! And next time I know I could order less.

Week 18 Day 7

1:42pm

Busy day at work. I'm taking my first break now and I've been there almost 5 hours already. Sometimes that is good though because the rest of the day will go by quick!

The cupcakes are going over well. So far two guesses out of the three coworkers that have had one were right. We have to figure out how to make our rounds to the families so that everyone can get a chance. You pick which you think it is and when you bite into it you'll see the right gender color. Pretty cool.

Looks like we should have wifi by the end of the night as well. Thank God!