This Year's Reading - Baltimore, MD. - February 2012

This year I received a challenge from the Hub...

Well to be honest it wasn't an "I challenge you..." exactly, but he sometimes teases me for the lack of, let's call it "Educational Content" in my reading list.  Don't get me wrong, if you've been following this blog long you know I'm an AVID reader but I tend to gravitate toward what some would call "chick lit".  You know, funny girls, strange situations.  I definitely don't think there's anything wrong with that genre, but he got me thinking which is ALWAYS an exciting ride.

I LOVE staying home with our daughter but one common theme I've found with my fellow Stay at Home Moms is finding a way to keep your mind active and continue learning and growing as a person, not only for your kids sake, but also for your own sanity.

So starting in January I decided that one way I could do this is by changing the way I read.  I still read the fun stuff, but I'm also throwing in some non-fiction and have been pleasantly surprised!

Here's what I've read so far in 2012.  

 On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Non-fiction

Nut Shell Review: I've read this about 6 times and always turn to it when I'm needing to re-motivate myself to write.  I LOVE IT!

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard

Non-fiction

Nut Shell Review: I read these 432 pages of non-fiction on the edge of my seat.  I knew Roosevelt was a humble adventurer, but had no idea the depths to which it extended.  Candice Millard is a phenomenally talented writer and I can't wait for her next project.

Destiny of the Republic: A Tail of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard

Non-fiction

Nut Shell Review: James A. Garfield could have quite possibly been one of America's greatest presidents, but only a few months into his presidency he was shot and the story unfolds from there.  This is one of the most incredible untold stories in American history!

Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassonation that Changed America Forever by Bill O'Reilly

Non-fiction

Nut Shell Review: O'Reilly takes you back to the tail end of the civil war and shows you this iconic event from all sides.  I had no idea how many people were involved in Lincoln's assassination plot. There's a lot of history in the beginning that can be a little hard to swallow but I came out on the other side with a lot more knowledge of where this event fit in the context of history.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaackson

Non-fiction

Nut Shell Review: Isaackson captured Steve Jobs like I believe no other author could.  He was granted access to Jobs in a way that no other author was allowed and does a brilliant job of telling his story like it was.  No sugar and spice and everything nice.  He captured the temper tantrums, the innovation, the melt downs and the introspection of a man that literally changed the face of computers, music and movies, just to name a few.  One of the BEST books I've evr read!

Prescription For A Doctor's Wife by Debby Read

Non-fiction

Nut Shell Review: This will probably become one of those books I read over and over again. The common theme that just as our husbands are "called" to be healers, we are "called" to be their wives supporting them through the peaks and valleys of their careers and our lives together, are incredibly convicting. What a blessing Debby's book has been and what strength she had to tell her story.

I'm Currently Reading

11/22/63: A Novel by Stephen King

Fiction

My goal is to read 50-60 books this year and I'd like for at least half of them to be non-fiction so I'm off to a great start.  Let me know what you've been reading, fiction or non-fiction.  I haven't picked out my next book yet and I'm already half way through the latest Stephen King thriller (YEP, it's that good!!!), so I'm definitely open for suggestions!!!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Fall Travel Catch up: Florida - Eglin AFB, FL - September 2011

I mentioned in an earlier post that The Monkey and I had done some traveling this fall that I'd hoped to post about.  There were three trips, and the first was to Eglin, FL to meet up with two of my best girl friends, Robyn and Sarah.  Since the last time we've all spent time together all three of us have had babies and we felt it was necessary that our little ones meet and that their mama's have some quality hang out time.  The fact that the beach was there and the temperatures were in the 80s was just a bonus!

This was El's 2nd time at the beach and she still has a deep hatred for sand.

I did discover that she loves the ocean (minus the sound of the crashing waves).

We ventured beyond the breaking waves where there was a little less noise and she actually relaxed and started splashing.  Maybe there's a beach baby in there somewhere, but for now, she and Elias will just be beach blanket babies.

Besides, the blanket is where the snacks are!

Elias and El loved watching JB, the "Big Boy" and learned all sorts of fun stuff from him.

Drum banging and other loud instruments.

Eating with a fork like a big kid. 

and playing behind the curtains.

What would a trip to Florida be without a sea food dinner...

(Sarah and Elias)

(Robyn and JB)

(Lili and El)

Complete with a BEAUTIFUL Florida sunset!

We also made time for some outlet shopping which Elias really got into! =)

But the best parts were when we were just hanging out, making time to snuggle with our dear friends that we don't get to see often enough.  Thank you so much Robyn for opening your home to us!  We miss you so much and can't wait to see you again soon!

Three babies, that are growing up so FAST!

Their mama's hope to make this a more regular event.

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

37 Weeks - Baltimore, MD. - February 2012

Holy Cow, has anyone noticed my count down to baby counter is below 20 days!  In fact, at this very moment it says 17 DAYS!!!! (...minus the exclamation points of course.)

I must start by saying, I've never been this pregnant before.  I was induced with El at exactly 37 weeks so at this point she was 3 days old.  CRAZY!

I'm starting to feel much more relaxed about "Little Sticks" arriving.  We've gotten a lot accomplished in the last month which has set my mind and body at ease.  The Children's room is pretty much complete and I have everything I need to pack both El's bag for staying with our friends while we're in the hospital and my bag for the hospital.  I think my bag will be a lot easier this time around because I pretty much just need my wallet, a tooth brush, hair brush, hair dryer, and something to wear home.  The hospital pretty much gives you everything else you need.

The service that the Hub is on this month has a much better schedule so he's been able to be home a lot earlier and that has been a HUGE help with the Monkey!  Most day's I'm tired, but that's just part of it.  It's all prep for when this little one arrives.  I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Here are a couple of new belly pictures.

 32 Weeks

37 Weeks

And here are my "stats"

How far along? 37 weeks and 3 days

Total weight gain/loss:17lbs

Maternity clothes? Yep, except for a pair of Gap size 4 Curvy jeans that are low enough to accommodate baby and are SUPER comfy.

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Getting better.  A couple of weeks ago, in the middle of the night I got pissed at all my pillows and threw them all out of bed. That night I discovered that sleeping with NO pillows, except one tiny air plain pillow wedged under my belly works for me.  Go figure!

Working out? Not so much, unless toddler wrangling is considered "working out".

Best moment this week: Getting to be a part of "Father Daughter Night" on Wednesday.

Movement: Still ALL THE TIME!!!

Food cravings: Fruit and Red Robyn root beer floats!

Gender: Not finding out!!

Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks contractions (Who is Braxton Hicks?)

Belly Button in or out? Non existent

What I miss: Sushi and family

What I am looking forward to: Meeting this little person!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Drink more water!

Milestones: I guess the baby getting lower would be considered a milestone.  Also the children;s room is ready!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Here Comes the Snow... Maybe - Baltimore, MD. - February 2012

  

The year we moved to Baltimore it snowed over 80 inches.

(My friend Katie took the above picture)

The second year we were blasted with a storm that weighed in at 26.5 inches. It was the 2nd biggest snow storm in Baltimore's history.

(My friend Katie took the above picture)

So this year, so far, we've been a little spoiled.  No really substantial snow.  Now, only a week after the 2 year anniversary of what the news shows called "snow-mageddon", they are calling for 3 inches of snow.  I'm sort of laughing inside because of the previous 2 years snow totals.

So the Monkey and I headed out this morning to run a couple of our last few errands to prep for the arrival of "Little Sticks".  We left just affter 10am because I wanted to get back well before the estimated start time of the "storm".  The more places we went the more tickled I got at how the people of our city prepare for the snow.  I thought you guys might get a kick out of it too.

First stop the bank...

Pick up truck converted to snow plow...

The snow is big business around here.

 

Second stop was Goodwill (part of my industrial nesting has been closet and dresser drawer purging).  There was nothing out of the ordinary there, but on our way to our next stop we saw the infamous "lawn chair in the parking space".

(I couldn't get a picture, but this was from the last storm.  Basically it's people saying "Hey, I shoveled it, so it's mine!")

Then on the way home we saw this...

The Hub and I call this the "Baltimore Wiper Blade Snow Salute".  This is what it looks like after the snow.

I still have yet to understand why people do this.  If you know, please inlighten me.

My hope is that these guys can get out there and people stay out of their way so they can clear the roads, and the Hub can get home and join the Monkey and I for dinner; lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.  Yum yum!!!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Stroller, Party of TWO - Baltimore, MD. - February 2012

After literally MONTHS of research, (Ask my dear friend Sarah who listened to my agonizing debates day in and day out and she'll tell you I'm not exadurating!) I finally decided on a stroller for TWO. 

Meet the Britax B Ready

a

It's both a single stroller and can be converted to a double in-line that rests in the footprint of a single.  This feature was a vital part of the decision making process because of how much we ride the metro and the limited amount of space you can occupy without ticking off the other people on the train.

There are 14 ways to configure it.

In the beginning we'll set it up like this... 

(More about THIS car seat in my next post)

Then once "Little Sticks is big enough, we just snap on the second seat...

And this is how we'll roll.

The color I wanted (silver) wasn't available in stores so I ordered it this morning from Amazon and should get it some time next week.  I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Just in case you wanted to see the product demo

Pretty fancy, right!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Front Hall: Round 2 - Baltimore, MD. - February 2012

I originally put this hall together in September 2009 and documented it in THIS post.

 These days, our needs as a family are a little different:

• A place to quickly hang coats and sweaters so they don't get thrown on the table or kitchen island.
• A place to display rotating snap shots, thank you cards, baby announcements, wedding invites, etc.
• A place for putting on shoes (putting shoes on toddlers and pregnant people isn't the easiest thing to do while standing).
• A place to tuck our "regular" shoes and boots while not in use (If shoes are left out in the open,  Toddlers have a propensity to make one or both of a pair of shoes disappear.  This is the reason I own 4 pairs of almost interchangeable, identical black flip flops.)

Over the last couple of months I've been putting together a new vision for this little, but important space.  After 3 days of pulling nails, and screws, then filling the holes, and touching up paint on both walls, I put my plan in motion and completed it this morning just before lunch time.

A couple of things I've learned as a mom:

1.) it isn't the best idea to bang on walls while the wee one is sleeping.

2.) it's very important to remember that any project done with a toddler under foot is not going to be a quick undertaking, but tackling projects that involve a hammer and drill are best done while the little ones are awake.  I did do almost all the prep work during nap time.

One of my biggest problems with home projects is that I can't draw a straight line if my life depended on it.  I've tried one of those laser lights, but still manage to not get things quite right,  I do a lot better just eyeballing it and I'm, surprisingly enough, pretty accurate doing it this way. However, when dealing with an entire wall I don't always trust myself, so I figured out that if I stretch a piece of tape...

 Then check it with my iHandy Level app...

 Then stretch and adjust the tape until it's at 0.0.

 Then I know that everything I place on the tape line is straight and level.

 I got these 4 ribbon boards from Walmart about 2 years ago but this is the closest I could find on their site today.  Looks like they're $8 each.

The hooks are Lillholmen Hooks from Ikea that the Hub and I both liked.

 We also purchased this FIXA screw with plug set while we were there so we'd have everything we needed even if we weren't lined up with studs. (Also the hooks aren't sold with mounting screws)  

The Hub's dad made the bench when he was just a little guy! It's one of my favorite pieces of furniture in our house. 

(I love those tiny snow boots)

I'm also going to get a cool frame to hang my JDC Monthly art print and put that over the hooks but other than that it's done.  

There is also a mirror hanging on the adjacent wall which keeps The Monkey occupied while I'm putting her shoes on.

 (She just woke up from a nap in this picture so it's not one of the classic funny faces she makes at herself)

We're in the middle of a few projects right now: The children's room re vamp, an office nook project,, Pantry and storage closet re organization, and maybe one or two other small things.  My friends say my "nesting" instinct is Industrial sized!

Only 3 and 1/3 weeks till baby, so stay tuned, because there is lots more to come.

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!