Week 32 Day 6 - Shower Cake

10:42am



Heading out to go to a bakery to pick out a cake style that we like for the baby shower. I am actually off of work for once on a weekend. Had to request it, because they usually aren't freebies. So hopefully we can find a cake flavor that we want, and get that taken care of today.

We also have to stop at the hospital and get her breast pump. We found out that our insurance covers most of the cost, we have to pay up front, but will get reimbursed within the next month. Those things are expensive, so this isn't a bad deal. Make sure to always check with your insurance company to see what they cover. I wouldn't have thought of this but we seen somewhere else that this is possible. We have Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Maybe I will be able to talk to my wife into letting me get some new jeans. I'm going on like 3 years on my current pairs. I'm sure I won't be able to get much of anything after the baby gets here, so time to stock up now!

Not our cake. Just a photo!

Week 32 Day 4 - Don't Take The Girl

9:45am


I heard this old Tim McGraw song on the radio a few days ago. I don't know if it's because I am going to be a father, or because I am older and more mature, but this song really gets to me. I'm pretty sure if anyone listens to the lyrics, it will have them choked up. Especially the end. Great song, though.

Tim McGraw - Don't Take The Girl

Another great song about being a father. Classic Conway Twitty.

Conway Twitty - That's My Job

Tim McGraw has the best father/daughter songs. 

Tim McGraw - My Little Girl

Week 24 Day 2 - Just Another Day

12:21pm

Still tired from work yesterday, but back at it again. At least today is pretty easy. Have been cutting most of the morning. 

We had a good dinner last night at my wife's parents house. I can't wait for lunch because I have leftovers. 

24 weeks pregnant now. Sure is flying by fast. Still need to get the crib set up but will probably wait until after the room is painted. We have some cool "baby bump" stickers to show everyone later on. 

24 week photo

2:19pm

Taken from EverydayFamily.com - 

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. She is now about the size of an ear of corn: measuring around 12 inches long and weighing a little over 1 pound. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature at a fast rate, gaining about 6 ounces of weight a week. Her brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds are developing. 

She is pretty lean at 24 weeks, but she'll soon be putting on some "baby fat" to fill out her frame. 

My wife is going for a gestational diabetes test after work. I believe it is a normal test to make sure she isn't diabetic(my wife) because it can cause problems for the developing baby. Or at least that's how I understood it. I could be totally wrong...

8:11pm


My wife is making dinner. I think she is just making some microwave Salisbury Steaks, and a side salad. I have noticed we eat a lot of side salads, but that's OK because they sure are good. If you ever shop at ALDI, try their italian dressing. It's my favorite. Wishbone, step up your game.


We got a package in the mail today from my dad and step mom. THANKS for all the goodies, and Tupperware! We really needed it and it's all great stuff! We will definitely get plenty of use out of it. Just hope we don't lose it anywhere.

Gotta LOVE the crab chips! Only on the East Coast! Can't get 'em in Chicago!

Also in the mail, we received these cool belly bump stickers! We have seen other prego's online take pictures of their bellys with stickers similar to these. It's a great way to show off your bump and keep a reminder of how far along you are. Here's a little preview, I am going to take some pictures of my wife using them later. Will post more tomorrow!

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Week 24 Day 1 - Happy Memorial Day

8:58am

To those who have served, those who have sacrificed, and those who have fallen. Today we remember you. Thank You and Happy Memorial Day!

12:42pm

We are so busy at work. Actually, it's not that we are too busy, it's just that we don't have enough help. Another guy comes in at 1pm though which will make things a lot better. Just already excited for the workday to be over with. I mean I am making double time and a half today, so can't complain too much. 

Remember to Thank all of those who have served today, this day means a lot to them. And without them, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the freedoms that we have. 

7:04pm

Almost to my wife's parents house for dinner. Her dad made Carne Asada and a bunch of other Mexican food from what I am told. I can't pass that up, it's some of my favorites. I think I was supposed to be Mexican in this life. 

Oh and look at my salad I had for lunch.  Pretty fancy I would say. Ranch with buffalo shrimp. Yum. 

Week 22 Day 3 - Top 50 Valuable Life Lessons

9:07am


Another great day here! I think I am going to clean up around the house while my wife is at work. Possibly take the motorcycle out for a little bit.

I found this list of 50 Valuable Life Lessons that I believe is important to read. Do you agree or would you add/subtract any? I will add yours to my Facebook Fan Page!

50 Life Lessons

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Written By Regina Brett

2:19pm

Sitting in my wife's work parking lot waiting for her to get a free minute to give me the keys to her car. I thought I would be nice by getting her some Dairy Queen for her 15 minute break. I rode the bike here and I obviously can't carry ice cream and ride at the same time. But, I get to ride and she gets ice cream. It's win-win. 

4:24pm


Had some Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Blizzards from DQ. Pretty good, the flavor was her idea. While she finished up at work I went for a nice long ride in the country around here. Found some great roads. It really is beautiful out here. I grew up in the city/small town where there is always lights on, always traffic, and lots of buildings. Out here it's long roads, farmer's fields, forest preserves, and spacey subdivisions. Just the smell of fresh grass, flowers, and open pastures is enough to make me want to be here for the rest of my life!


If you have never seen this baby laughing video on YouTube, you have GOT to see it!

Week 21 Day 7

11:33am

Busy, busy, busy at work this morning! All last minute shoppers for Mother's Day I suspect. Typical. We get some more help in 30 minutes, just in time to not matter. Lots of people start going out for brunch/lunch or do things around the house at this time. It should start to die down a little bit. 

My wife is spending her first "Mother's-To-Be" Day by cleaning the house. Or at least she says she is. What a good wife, I am very lucky to have her. She even made me a lunch for work. Today is supposed to be her day to relax and be pampered. This is why I married her!

3:03pm

Ready to go home! Now it is boring at work because there is a lot of help and nothing much left to do. I did make some Sesame-Teriyaki Burgers for samples though. I haven't cooked much lately. Been using my extra time to learn the cutting techniques.



7:37pm


Wife is cooking dinner now. Before that, we were laying on the couch watching "Long Island Medium" (one of her favorite shows) and we could actually see her stomach moving when the baby kicked. Pretty cool. Very hard to see though, you have to watch closely. My stepsister told her that she can put a paper plate on her stomach and it will move when the baby kicks, makes it easier to notice.

I also got a nice footrub after I came home. It's Mother's Day, why am I getting a footrub? Hey, I'm not complaining!!

At least I am off tomorrow. I am pretty worn out, considering this weekend at work was busier than normal. 4:00pm tomorrow we will be able to see our daughter on screen again! A lady that I work with wants a copy of the ultrasound picture. She won't tell me exactly why but I have a feeling it's for some sort of gift. My boss knows what it's for and although she didn't tell me, she said that it's really nice and that we will like it a lot. It's nice to work with people that are compassionate about family life other than just what happens at work. My boss even said she would be happy to help out babysitting. Hopefully we won't need to rely on that but it's nice to have the offer if we ever needed the help. One of the guy's I work with has two young kids, he doesn't make much and his girlfriend doesn't work. He struggles to pay the bills but does what he has to to keep a roof over his family's heads. Instead of buying eachother gifts last Christmas, we all pitched in and helped him pay for Christmas gifts for his kids. I know he had purchased gifts, but had to return some of them in order to pay his bills. It was pretty hard on him, but we helped him get those gifts again. I thought it was great. I like to give as much as I can, I don't care what I have anymore. Life isn't about getting, it's about giving and helping others. The older I get the more I realize that.

Week 21 Day 1

11:45am

Break time. Haven't heard much from my wife. She must be staying busy at work. Which is good for job security. I will be cutting again today at work. I even got a training manual. My boss said it's like my "meat bible".

Another beautiful day outside. 75 and sunny right now.

2:11pm

On lunch, going to start cutting when I get back. My store manager just talked to me about how he is proud of me but at the same time counting on me as well. Only a few people company-wide were given the same position as I was. It's actually pretty rare. So he said luckily he acted on it right away when he saw it was available and was able to help me get the position. Guess I better not slack!

9:49pm


Go Bulls! I'm not a huge basketball fan but game 1 of the 2nd playoff series against the Miami Heat was pretty entertaining. The Heat are on fire, but the Bulls beat them. Even without a lot of their main players.

Had some jalapeño burgers for dinner that my wife made. We have both been really tired today. Not too sure why. Hopefully I'll have some more energy tomorrow. I have to work but then off on Wednesday and Thursday. We get our dining room set delivered on Wednesday. So that's exciting! Still have to make some room for it.

Felt some more kicking today. Wasn't as strong as the last time though.

Week 20 Day 7

11:59am

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

As Ellen Degeneres says "I love Cinco De Mayo! Cinco stands for 5, and De Mayo stands for Shots of Tequila!"

Beautiful day here at work. My first day back after my vacation. Walked in with a coat on, now I'm outside on break, and it looks like I will be leaving it in the car. 76 and sunny.

I want everyone to remember that, whatever I post on my blog is what I am feeling/doing at that very moment. Hence the dates and times when I post. Feeling and emotions change daily. Everything I post I think twice about. If I feel it's going to cause a problem, I have already thought about it. Remember, this is a diary. It's meant to be read from the most recent post, to the oldest. That's all. Just because I feel a certain way one day, doesn't mean that won't change on the next. At the same time, things need to be brought to other's attention. Whether it be straightforward, or generalized. If it gets through then the point was made. And hopefully it helps or makes things better in the long run.

Wife is getting her nails done. Then hopefully she goes through some of her clothes because like every girl, she has way too many! Our closet needs to get bigger or something!


11:02pm


I was able to start cutting a little bit today at work. I did some basic boneless meat, and then they had me cutting bone-in pork on the bandsaw. I was nervous at first, but after a few chops were cut, it was no big deal. Just have to be careful with my hand placement and always respect the saw. The guys that don't, are the ones that cut their fingers off. 

We had some Mexican food for dinner. Tried a new local place that had good reviews on Yelp. I had a torta and my wife had flautas. It was all really good, perfect for Cinco De Mayo. Relatively cheap as well.

The baby was kicking while we were eating. Maybe she doesn't like Mexican food and was ticked off. Or maybe, if she is anything like her parents, she already LOVES it. We are both huge mexican food fans. Actually we like just about any ethnic food. Mexican, Polish, Italian, Indian, German, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, American, you name it we like it. But, this was the most prominent kicking I have ever felt. The first few times were more like a barely, "I think I felt it" kind of thing. This kicking was FOR SURE. A great experience but almost a little freaky for me. It's just weird to think that there is another human being inside her body. Soo weird!


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Week 20 Day 5

9:02am


Up and awake, waiting for Ashely Furniture once again. Their time window for delivery this morning is 8am-12noon. It is a little after 9am and they aren't here yet. I moved everything from the stairway and living room that could possibly get in their way. It is raining a little bit out, so maybe that can be their new excuse.

I think we have to grab some groceries once my wife gets home from work. We need some basics like eggs and milk. She also wants to get her nails done... BORING! Although, I have heard that men should get pedicures as well. My feet are pretty rough, maybe I should try it out.

Yesterday I emailed a company for some more info about Cord Blood Banking. I don't really know much about it other than they use the Umbilical Cord in the future to help treat medical problems your child may have. It has been proven very successful and safe. However it is 2000 dollars to do, and another 100 or so a year to store it. You can finance the cost, pay in full, or create a registry. I'm not sure if we are going to do it or not. Something to think about still.

Some more info available here - http://www.cordblood.com


11:48am

WE HAVE LIVING ROOM FURNITURE!! Such a long wait, but after the refunds and everything, it might have been worth it. We got such a great price for a really comfortable couch set. And then everything else included was just a bonus. See picture.



 4:36pm


Waiting for my wife to get home, she gets off at 4:30pm. I'm not sure what we are going to do today. We need some groceries still, and now have to get lightbulbs for the new lamps. So maybe we will go take care of that. We also need to look at some new dining rooms sets. I called my work today and I have to go back on Sunday. So tomorrow is my last day of vacation. Bummer. Sometimes they give me Sunday, and Monday off as well. Makes my vacation a little bit longer, but at the same time I have to work 6 days in a row then until my next day off. Which isn't very fun, so going back Sunday is OK with me.


I know that she is going to come home and want to rearrange all of the furniture, not because it needs to be, but because that way she can say that it was her idea and not mine. But that's OK. That's what I like about her, she knows what she wants and she will always find a way to get what she wants. Sometimes that's not the best thing but for the most part it's good. (I'll let you know later on if I am right!)

I have a tanning membership because I am the type of guy that likes to try to take care of myself. I work out, tan, try to eat healthy, and dress decent. (Not always, not quite as much lately as I used to either) But today I ran to Target and got some self-tanner and regular men's lotion. I bought Banana Boat Summer Color. I did some research on Amazon.com and read reviews on the different options. The Banana Boat one had really good reviews. So I tried it out, and we'll see how it goes, I have had it on for a couple hours now and seems to be working pretty well. I don't want to look orange, and it shouldn't based on reviews. If it saves me from the monthly cost of the tanning salon, and even better from getting skin cancer, then I will just start using this stuff from now on. It's only 6 bucks a bottle.

Living Room Set (temporary arrangement)

8:23pm


GO HAWKS!


We are looking online at baby shower invitations. There are way too many different options. Every time we narrow it down to a couple choices, we find a new website with even better cards. I guess we should stop looking for new sites!


Some good websites we found:

http://www.storkie.com

http://www.tickledpinkinvitations.com

http://www.tinyprints.com

Week 20 Day 3

10:16am


Well I have been playing around with my blog all morning. I created a Facebook Fan Page for it so check that out if you are interested!

Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/pregoformen) 


Last night she wasn't feeling too well. She laid down for about an hour while I finished up laundry and dishes. I rubbed her belly for a while because she was complaining that it was really bothering her. After a few minutes of that she felt a lot better and was able to get up and make dinner. A mexican feast that was delicious! (see pic)

While we were just finishing up eating, a bunch of emergency vehicles were piling into our subdivision, a few buildings across from us. So we decided to take a walk (good for pregnancy anyways). All the neighbors were outside watching as the firemen climbed up into a second floor unit(identical to ours). From what we could hear amongst people talking, it sounded like someone called because of smoke. Turned out to be nothing I suppose. But man did it bring the neighborhood out. We continued our walk around the subdivision because it was still a beauitful night. It hit 85 degrees yesterday and was sunny.

We came back home and because I had washed/waxed my car in the garage, I had my bike sitting outside. I needed to move all the cars around so I asked my wife if she wanted to take a quick joyride on the bike while it was dusk and still nice out. She said ok and we went for a quick 20 minute ride around town. I love when it's still nice out while getting dark. She mentioned while we were riding that she's not sure how much longer she will be able to ride for with her pregnant belly. I said we need to buy a cruiser bike so that it's more comfortable anyways. The sport bike just isn't cutting it for "cruising".

She has been taking her prenatal pills on a regular basis now for a few weeks. She hadn't been before, a lot of other stuff going on in our life that it was easy for her to forget.

OH! We are getting our living room furniture today! How exciting! Finally! We have been waiting about a month now for it. We were supposed to have it last Saturday but they pushed it back(typical). However, we talked to Ashley Furniture and they credited us back a little over 200 dollars, which I received today. So I would say that's fair. We got a steal on the set anyways.

I only have one load left of laundry to do and then it's free-time for me for the rest of the day. I might run to the store and pick up some tire-shine for my car since I must have left my last bottle at her sister's house before we moved.

2:29pm


Just got home from a nice ride on the bike. Filled up the tank and stopped at Autozone for some tire shine for my car.

The furniture delivery should be here anytime now. Kind of ruins the day since they give you a 4 hour window right in the middle of another beautiful day! But it is what it is...



6:04pm


EDITED

Going to try to keep this blog positive from now on. Didn't intend to hurt any feelings. Sorry to anyone offended.



10:05pm


Had an easy dinner, I made some homemade buffalo chicken strips and fries.

Ashley Furniture called us 20 minutes before the end of their "delivery time window" to tell us that the brakes on their truck were starting to fail. Whatever Ashley! The warehouse closed at 7pm. Do I really believe that your brakes are faulty at 6:30pm? No, you just want to go home. We ordered this living room set in March, and have now had the delivery date pushed back twice. It would be a different story if we had living room furniture already and were just replacing it. But we don't. We have a useless living room. They have given us a couple hundred dollars back for the first delivery problem. Now we had to call and get the run around again and they are giving us a gift card this time. Big deal. We don't even want to buy anything from them again after all of this. Maybe by 2014 we will have a living room... A new delivery is scheduled for Friday. I won't get my hopes up this time.

Got to feel our little girl moving around again today. She is the size of a banana now and definitely a mover. Pretty cool moment in a guy's life to feel his first child moving around in their mother's body.

We ran to Dairy Queen for a treat with this nice weather. I got some brownie peanut butter blizzard of the month. My wife got a.. wait for this pregnant moment.... a banana split, minus the strawberries and chocolate syrup, just extra pineapple. And then instead of a regular bowl, she wanted it in a chocolate dipped waffle bowl. So weird...  Even the girl working was like what??