Our $5 Find

So, with baby #2 coming we knew we needed a double stroller, but just haven't gotten around to buying or looking for one yet. So, this morning we thought we would set out and look for some garage sales in Oak Park and try our luck. At about the third sale we found (actually a block sale) there were some folks just pulling some things out into their yard and guess what was there.....a double stroller! It was pretty dirty because they had been storing it under their porch, but her youngest was three years old, so I think it's about that old. When I asked how much she was like, "Oh, I don't care....five bucks...." and we were like "we'll take it!!" They also had some great wood safety gates that they sold us for $1 each! Anyway, we felt really blessed to have found what we were looking for for so cheap! We cleaned it up and washed all the fabric parts, etc. and it's actually in great shape, so that made our day. Also, we checked and our car seat pops right in.

Buddies

Christina and Patrick and Henry came to visit us for the day last Saturday and it was super hot, so we filled up the pool for the boys. Henry was cracking us up by putting his head in the pool and then Gabe decided to follow suit. They're cute aren't they? Then Dan and Patrick took the boys out to this forest preserve to witness the brood of cicadas...yikes (Christina and I took a pass on that one). We had a great time seeing them - it's always nice to get the boys together and soon there will be double the boys!

Stripes!

Ok, so I had this vision of blue, brown and white stripes for the baby's room in varying widths, and Sandi was gracious enough - AGAIN - to help me fulfill by painting dreams. :-) The baby's room used the be the guest room / office, sort of a coral/orange color (yes, it was something I picked). To start we painted the whole room white (my sister did that part) and then Sandi did her magic with measuring and tape and voila......stripes!!! I love it...thanks, Sandi! She should really do this for a living! We have most of the furniture and decs up now, too, so I'll try to get some pics up of the completed room.

Chatterbox

Gabe has been talking a lot for some time now, but sometimes I mean to jot things down that he says because they're cute or funny. This morning he and I were coming down the stairs while Dan was in the bathroom, and he said "Daddy goin' potty." I said "yes, he is. Do you want to try to go potty on the big potty like Daddy?" He said, "No, I'm OK. Only Daddy and only Mommy. That's only for big people."

Then, on the way back from the doctor's office this morning we asked if he was ready for brother to come and he said, "No, not right now..."

Nothing Exciting to Report

Well, today was my 39 week check-up, and the doctor said I was "about the same" as last week and also told me to make an appointment for next week. So, it doesn't look like brother is coming anytime soon. Yes, we're calling him brother because we STILL are undecided on a name. I'm feeling OK, other than just tired and my feet are swollen like marshmallows in this heat. I am definitely in nesting mode and have all these crazy lists and things that I think need to be done before the baby gets here, both at work and at home. In reality, I know that the kitchen cabinets do not need to be re-lined and reorganized before the baby gets here, but right now in my mind they do. :-) I am trying to let go of all this so I am not quite so stressed out and anxious; maybe it's just nature's way of keeping you busy until the baby gets here. Despite all the nesting instincts, there's still PLENTY of cleaning to do and things to get ready! Things are definitely coming along, though. I'm going to post some much overdue pics of the paint job in the baby's room next.

Yard - Before

I meant to post this with the backyard pictures. This is a picture (from the upstairs window) of what our yard looked like when we moved in. It was winter, but it still encourages me when I think we still have a lot left to do to see how much has already been done. Slowly but surely!!

Shower

So, after debating with my mom whether it was appropriate to have a shower for the second baby (I think technically etiquette says that it's not?), she agreed to keep it small and invite family only. It was a great shower and I got lots of necessities and consumable items, like toiletries and diapers, so I feel much more prepared! And I must say, aren't the duck and teddy bear sandwiches creative? My sister helped out lots, too - thanks Mom and Beck and everyone else!

Jus a foo minutes.....

Gabe's new stall tactic when we ask him to do something or tell him it's time for bed is to say "jus a fooo minutes..." as in I want to keep doing what I'm doing for just a few more minutes. I must say, it's awfully cute and convincing and sometimes makes it hard to disagree with him! I have a video that I'll try to post shortly of that. I'm sure we've said "in a few minutes" enough times for him to get the idea of what it means!

The other thing he does sometimes now is if we ask him something like, "would you like a snack?" he'll say "I'm OK," which I'm sure he's also heard us say. It's just funny that he's starting to use more grown up expressions.

Hardwood Floors

I know it seems like this picture has nothing to do with hardwood floors, but there is a connection! On Memorial Day weekend Gabe and I went to Rockford while Dan undertook the massive job of refinishing our hardwood floors upstairs, which entailed two bedrooms, two large closets and a hallway. I have been looking forward to having them done ever since we moved in - they were in pretty sad shape with no finish left, really dirty and miscellaneous marks and paint, etc. Dan sanded them all down and put a new water-based semi-gloss finish on them. They look great and SO much better. He really did a great job and he did it for less than $200! I don't have a great before picture, but I'll try to take an after so everyone can see.

So the story with the picture is that you're supposed to wait several days before putting heavy furniture back in the rooms, so we camped out downstairs for a few nights since our beds were all in the back bedroom! Gabe did surprisingly well and took his naps downstairs on couch cushions also (Meow decided to join him for this one). We now have all the furniture back in and things are starting to get back to normal up there! Thanks, Honey!

Backyard

So, we've been enjoying working in the yard this spring. We've put in our garden and it's already much bigger than this picture. We planted lots of tomatoes, some onions, peppers, cucumbers, beans, cilantro, basil and oregano. We're hoping things do well enough for us to make salsa from the garden and our favorite from last year, pesto. We also mulched the back part of the yard and put Gabe's play area back there, which is nice. There was no grass growing back there anyway! Dan put up a gate across our driveway, so now we have a totally enclosed back yard, which is great. Lots more privacy and Gabe can run free. The main reason for the gate, though, was Dan's new basketball hoop. We know without the gate there would be lots more traffic in our back yard! We still have kids stopping by almost everyday to see if they can play, so Dan implemented the porch light rule: if the porch light is on, they can come and ask to play. :-) We also were glad to see that our bulbs came up this year, for the most part anyway. My daffodils didn't bloom in the back, but we had some decent ones in the front (pic above). There all dead now and are being replaced with impatiens. But as much as we've done, there still tons left to do!!

37 Weeks

Well, today marks 37 weeks, which they officially consider "full term." I had an appointment today and they did the first "check" to see if anything's progressing. So far I am just dialiated to "one" and she said the baby is head down, but not super low. I remember feeling like I could go at any time at this point with Gabe, and I went another four weeks. :-) So, I'm not getting too anxious; I'm guessing it will be at least another couple of weeks. I am definitely feeling it - very tired and this guy just seems heavier to carry! She said that if he was born today she would estimate him being around 7.5 to 8 lbs, so he'll likely be good sized!

I'm feeling like I'm torn between wanting the baby to come as soon as possible, and needing some extra time to get things done. For example, if he came right now, he'd have no where to sleep! I finally went through all the clothes over the weekend and organized them, so at least he'll have something to wear. :-) We're planning on painting the room this weekend and the beginning of next week. I think that will help me feel more prepared, but I'm definitely feeling the need to "nest" and like clean things from top to bottom and I feel like time is running out (plus I feel too tired!) I guess he'll come when the time is right.

Playmates

Friday Gabe and I got together for lunch with Jamie and Hunter. Hunter is getting so big and cute! I thought these pics were adorable. Ever since Friday Gabe's been asking where "Bottom" is (Adam). I think because he was there last time we saw Jamie and Hunter. Bottom, maybe we'll see you next time. :-)

Another List

OK, I'm getting behind again, so I think it's time to make another list. Here are the things I've been wanting to post updates on and will try to do soon:

Garden/Yard Updates
Refinished Floors
"foo minutes" & "i'm OK"
Puzzles
Shower
Baby/Pregnancy Updates