Day 27 - Upside Down Saturday

2:27pm

Iʇ,s ∩dsᴉpǝ poʍu Sɐʇnɹpɐʎ˙ Hǝɹǝ ɐɹǝ ɐ ɟǝʍ oɟ ɯʎ ɟɐʌoɹᴉʇǝ dɥoʇos' qnʇ ɟlᴉddǝp¡

For those who are challenged, the above sentence reads "It's Upside Down Saturday. Here are a few of my favorite photos, but flipped!"

Does your neck hurt yet? 

Good. 

If I can have some sort of effect on your life with this blog, it's that I want your neck to be in pain. 

No, not really. 

Week 29 Day 7 - Bathroom Painted and Beignets

10:54pm


It's a late post tonight. I came home from work to find the bathroom basically painted. My wife did it all, while pregnant! She is crazy. She painted all of the walls, including the ceiling, and also did the trim and door. We did a neutral, "chocolate milkshake" color. I like to call it that color, because it's what it reminds me of. I don't know the actual name. And I really don't care, to be honest. Milkshake it is. Speaking of milkshake, I could go for a Wendy's frosty right about now.


We walked over to my uncle's house. They just got back tonight from Nebraska, where our family reunion was. I couldn't go because of work. It was over the 4th of July, can't remember if I mentioned that already or not. But my dad and stepmom were there for the night, they are leaving tomorrow and heading back to their home on the east coast. We had pizza with them for dinner. My stepsister recently went to New Orleans and she had a picture of it on Facebook. I commented on the picture for her to bring me back some Beignet mix. Basically a creole donut. They are really good, and just melt in your mouth. Of course, it's better when you get them made there, but this is close enough.

Beignets from Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans, LA

Sometimes my wife still feels sick, even almost 30 weeks into the pregnancy. Like a morning sickness feeling. It supposedly is somewhat common for a pregnant woman to feel some of the morning sickness symptoms again in the third trimester. Luckily, they are nowhere near as severe as the first trimester. She was throwing up daily. Remember I had the PUKE FACTOR count at the bottom of each day's blog post? Yes, you do, if your a true follower.

Anyways I stumbled upon an article over at MommyEdition.com that thoroughly explains morning sickness and ways to cope with it. Check it out - here.






PUKE FACTOR = 0  (just kidding, she hasn't thrown up in months...)

Week 27 Day 7 - Nursery Paint

6:59pm

Short and simple. Met my wife at Home Depot after work to get a gallon of paint for the baby's room. We ended up getting Behr Premium because the associate told us that it is the least amount of fume's. He seemed genuinely interested in my wife's health, being pregnant. He told us that you can buy Benjamin Moore's all-natural paint. Which is probably the best, as far as health and natural ingredients are concerned, but is also double the price. 

I think we can just go outside for a while that day instead.

I have been gaining fans via my Instagram account. I post lots of pictures daily, about the pregnancy and our life in general. Become a follower @PregoForMenBlog.

Snapped a pic of my wife making me lunch this morning. Look at that bump!

In case you were wondering what I do at work! That's a whole pork loin. Yum, pork chops!

Some cool storm clouds rolling in this evening.

9:42pm


Just got back from Target. My wife decided at 8:30pm that we needed to run to Target, which closes at 9pm. I'm the type of person that doesn't really like to rush when I am shopping. But she will. We had to look at some lamp shades, and make sure that fit right. She has them on her baby registry, and since invitation are going out shortly, the registries have to be figured out and set. We got everything figured out, and also got a tablecloth. Finally, we can't be scratching our beautiful new table!

Look at my two babies making us dinner! (Not her boobs!)

We want one of these! Any opinions?

I'm not much of a lamp guy...

Baby bathroom stuff. I didn't know there was so much.

Aww! Towels for her.

Week 27 Day 6 - Men's Pregnancy Symptoms

10:11pm



Hawks win! I haven't had a change to update today until now. Pretty busy at work all day, then came home and helped my wife go over our baby registry for the final time. Trying to narrow down everything so that we get exactly what we need, and with no duplicates across different stores either. It is very time-consuming, she has been working on it for a few weekends now. I think her mom and sister are coming over tomorrow to help figure out the baby shower stuff. We have the invitations picked out. Just have to get the invite list and addresses all straightened away. Another pain in the butt!


I think with the whole pregnancy thing, I have showed some symptoms as well as my wife.

1. Weight Gain - I have gained probably 10 or 15 pounds since we found out she was pregnant. Stress probably plays a factor, baby's room used to be my workout room, and time consuming planning activities doesn't help either. Plus healthy food is expensive.
2. Attitude Change- My attitude has become more "serious". I don't think like a boy anymore. Now I know what it feels like to "grow up" quick. I don't care about going out, or buying new things, it's all about baby now, and providing for the family.
3. Hair Loss - Stress causes hair loss! I'm sure I have lost some already. Plus I am just getting older and that's what happens, I guess. Time for some good hair loss shampoo! I have heard good things about Regenepure DR. It's 25 dollars a bottle, and contains Ketoconazole, which is proven to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth by disrupting the production of DHT. It's also anti-dandruff. You can get it online at www.regenepure.com.
4. Tired Constantly - With all the stuff there is to do, I am exhausted. I feel like all we ever do is work, or baby stuff. The occasional hockey game is watched, but usually while balancing some other tasks too. I can't even imagine how busy we will be the first couple years of our baby's life. Yikes!

While we were going through the baby registry, my wife showed me a gadget that you set reminders on. It reminds you when to check the diaper again, or check on the baby sleeping, or feed the baby. Kind of like a "How to have a baby" for dummies book. But not a book. She said it's for dads and that I should have one. What is that supposed to mean!? Why do I need a reminder? Because I forget everything? I guess she has a good point.


Found it - "ITZBEEN" Baby Care Timer

Week 27 Day 5 - Jacked-In-A-Box Review

8:10pm



We both had long days today. I just feel exhausted. Not too sure why, work wasn't that bad. She said that she was non-stop at her job today though. She didn't even take any breaks.


I was thinking very seriously about something earlier while I was at work. "I could get a lot more done, if there was less to do." Stupid, I know. Almost as stupid as "North West", Kim and Kanye's new daughter's name. Really? I hope it's a media hype, and they announce that it's not the real name in the near future. They are good at making money off of hype's like this.


Who's ready for a new prego picture?

Oh, did you want one of my wife? Here you go...

Almost to the Third Trimester!

Jacked-In-A-Box

www.jacked-in-a-box.com

$15 a month

Guy's this is one for us! If your into hitting the gym (like I am, or I should say "used to" since I haven't as much as I should!) then this is something to be interested in. Every month you get a box with 5-7 samples handpicked by Jim Stoppani and other editors of Muscle & Fitness, FLEX, and Men's Fitness magazines.

I got lucky though. This month featured MuscleTech products, which are normally the most expensive. It looks like they teamed up with them to provide some extra products. Check it out!

Thanks MuscleTech for giving me even more great stuff!

T-Shirt, X-large, a little too big for me :(

Nano Vapor, a pre-workout drink, this stuff works! Gives a ton of energy, not for the faint of heart!

MSRP is around 60 dollars I believe.

A shaker cup. A really NICE shaker cup. You put your protein in the bottom and liquid in the top, mix in when you are ready. The strainer looking piece, blends the mix while you shake. These are usually at least 10 dollars a piece.

More samples included!

Everything from the box.

I have had N.O. Xplode, and Assault. Both were great products. Ate one of the protein bars on the way to work today, it was actually good.

Great offers for Muscle & Fitness magazine subscription included as well.

This box is FOR SURE worth the price. Men love this stuff. I am willing to bet that at least 80% of men out there have had some sort of interest in working out. Most need the boost from supplements. It really does help, and this box gives them the opportunity to explore some of the options out there. Would make a great gift. Good age ranges for this stuff are 18-30 years old, I would say.

www.jacked-in-a-box.com

*Disclaimer - I did not receive any compensation for reviewing this product. I do get them at a reduced rate, or free. I will never recommend a product that I don't honestly approve of. My guarantee to my readers -  PregoForMen

Week 26 Day 5 - Passed Test & State Farm

12:10pm

Lots to do at work as usual. Not much time to write today. But I did want to say that she passed her gestational diabetes test. Meaning that she isn't required to go back for the 3 hour, more-extensive test. So that's good news. 

Gestational Diabetes:

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (diabetes) that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy.

Also learned that because of our address change, our insurance went up 60 dollars per month. That is a lot! And we moved to more rural area. I would have thought it would go down. Insurance is such a scam. Thanks a lot State Farm! Looks like the bike is really going to have to get sold. Darn!

9:17pm


Wife and I just got back from Chipotle. It's so good, but it always makes me sick. Probably because I like the hottest salsa that they have. Ever hear the expression - "Hurts so good"? That's how my relationship with Chipotle is.

We are going to spend some time going through the baby name book. I thought we had it narrowed down, but going to do another run-through just in case. This is harder than I thought it would be.

Week 26 Day 2 - Stretch Mark Remedies

9:51am


Baby was really moving around yesterday. It's cool to watch because you can clearly see her moving around in my wife's belly. She said that baby had been sitting at an awkward position for a few days and it was bothering her, and uncomfortable. But yesterday she must have moved around, because she felt better. Whenever I talk to her belly, the baby always moves around, she wants her dad already!!




Yesterday I asked my Twitter followers what they used for stretch marks, because my wife is very afraid of getting them. She has been using the Burt's Bees Belly Butter. I told her she will still be beautiful, whether she gets them or not, and that it wouldn't bother me one bit. Here are some of the responses that I recieved:

• @pregoformenblog all about the Bio Oil :)- at this rate I have been pretty much spared!
  — kristalsmile (@kristalsmile) June 10, 2013

  
  

• @pregoformenblog Palmers "massage lotion" and "tummy butter, intensif treatmen". I use both of them where I have stretch marks. It works!
  — Pregnant Problems ⚓ (@Preg_Problems) June 10, 2013

  
  

• @pregoformenblog I just used vaseline with cocoa butter. No stretch marks for me!
  — Solo Mommy (@_NoDadNecessary) June 10, 2013

  
  

• “@pregoformenblog: Anybody have luck with any stretch mark creams?”Stretch marks are usually based on genetics. If her mom had them she may
  — MILF Paparazzi (@MILFpaparazzi) June 10, 2013

  
  

• @pregoformenblog I soaked in baths filled with vitamin E and coconut oil. Worked for me!
  — TN MILF (@TNMILFxoxo) June 11, 2013

  
  

Thank you Twitter friends!

My wife currently uses this for stretch marks. She doesn't have any yet, could this be the reason?

Alright I have to go drop a contact lens off to my wife at work. Hers ripped or something on her way there this morning. Since I am the best husband there is, I will bring her a new one. (actually it's beautiful outside, and it's a good reason to take out the motorcycle).

Week 26 Day 1 - Hungry Globetrotter Subscription Box Review

8:56am


I want to share how great of an idea that I think this whole "subscription box" trend is. You pay monthly and recieve a box of just about anything, each month. There are so many different companies out there doing this now. It's pretty cool. Look it up sometime. Remember Mama Lana?

The Hungry Globetrotter is a great idea because they put together a hand-picked box of recipe ingredients, for different cultures. The boxes come quarterly (4x a year) and cost $34.95 per quarter.

For example: I received their "World Dinner Club" box and it is inspired by the country of Peru.

Customized Boxes

8x8x4, not a huge box

Recipe cards

Recipe card, grocery list, information about the included products

A little history of the country. In this case, Peru

The contents safely packaged

Kaniwa Whole Grain, a crunchier cousin to the popular Quinoa

Zocalo Aji Amarillo Chili Paste, a staple in Peru

Spicely Organic Ground Cumin

Spicely Organic Oregano

Everything laid out

The recipe that these ingredients are intended to create is a very popular Peruvian dish: "Pollo a la Brasa". In English that translates to Peruvian Roast Chicken with Spiced Kaniwa. The recipe sounds great, and I can't wait to make it(well, my wife will most likely make it). The secret of Peruvian food is that it blends ancient grains with Japanese and Chinese zest to produce wonderfully distinct flavors.

The ingredients that they supply are high quality, and looks like mostly organic. If you have ever checked out organic spices at the grocery store, and even quinoa, they are extremely expensive. Which is what makes the cost of 34.95 for this box, a big DEAL. Plus, you experience flavors that you won't find in your area unless you vacation to the country itself. I remember going to Costa Rica and LOVING the food there, only to find that there is nothing that can recreate that flavor around here. And I am in Chicago, one of the most diverse food cities in the United States. Also, would you go to the store and think to yourself - "I think I am going to make a Peruvian dish tonight for dinner." Probably not, but these kits give you inspiration to try something new, and different. Just remember, each quarter is something new, not just Peruvian food. I think it's a great idea. Thanks Hungry Globetrotter.

They also have a new Heat Seekers Club, which is a monthly subscription service for hot sauces from around the world. Not burn-your-face-off hot sauces, but medium heat that represents different flavors. I am really interested in this club as well. I love a little heat! $14.95 per month.

The Hungry Globetrotter
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Week 25 Day 6 - Patio Furniture

3:29pm

We are so fortunate to have generous families. They always help us out and get us great gifts. This morning my Grandma and Grandpa dropped off a gift for us. I must have mentioned that we still needed outdoor furniture for our porch. Sure enough they bought us a beautiful set that we had already seen and liked previously. So Thank You Grandma and Grandpa!

We love them!

Can't wait for happy hour time on a nice day. You can find me out there!

My mom and her are shopping right now looking for baby bedding sets. They aren't having much luck finding something that she likes though. She has an idea of what she wants, but I think it will have to be custom made.