Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Manipulation, thy name is Duke

Meet our doggie, Duke.
Duke Diego H., to be exact.


He looks innocent enough, right?? Don't let him fool you.

Duke is not allowed on our furniture. He sheds too much.. plus he is a dog and therefore rubs around in the dirt outside and gets dirty and does not wash his hands enough for my liking and I make the rules around here, so that's the rule. Got it? Okay, there are a few exceptions. We let him sit on one particular chair with one of us, IF we invite him up there. No jumping up there alone. That's not to say I didn't catch him making a little nest for himself one fateful week on the Snuggie I left out on the ottoman (a warm blanket and an unusually casual dog when you walk in the door are dead giveaways), but we'll let bygones be bygones.

To my point.

A few short months ago, hubby started mentioning that maybe we should let our little buddy join us on our marital bed for some "family time." Huh. I wasn't so sure about this idea, but after lots of puppy dog eyes and pleading and extended pros and cons lists, I caved. My one stipulation was that he must lay on some specific towel or blanket, because oh, the shedding.

pure bliss

So now, a few times a week, we will let Duke come up with us on the bed for "family time," aka lounging in bed watching tv. And yes, he definitely does watch tv. However, it is very obvious to us that Duke seems to think that every night should be "family time." If we get into bed at night (and anytime, really), he immediately comes to the side of the bed and starts hopping around excitedly, does a little butt shake and whines. If he gets no response, he'll circle around to the other side of the bed to see if he has better luck with the other parent. Then he'll stand up on his hind legs to get a good look at us and our bed of doggie paradise. Sometimes we cave, sometimes we don't. No big deal, right? If he gets a "no" he hangs his head in utter defeat and pitifulness and sulks back to his doggie (ok, cat) bed and if you just don't look at him you feel no remorse. At least I don't.
I have a heart of stone, didn't you know?

Then last week he decided to pull out the big guns. He had done something similar to this before, but this time he went full force.
After suffering another "family time" rejection, Duke went straight over to my dresser, under which we store the blue fleece blanket (purchased for a measly $37 on the plane ride back from Hawaii) that he lays on when he's on our bed. He proceeded to wedge his fat belly under there and curl right up on that blanket. Then he alternated between staring forlornly at the wall and peering up at us with heartbroken eyes.

Sorry for the scary camera flash eyes.



His intent was clear.

We both laughed at it, after getting over our initial "what in the world is he doing?" It was just so hilarious and sad! But while I was content to let him lie there if he wanted and continue watching Seinfeld reruns, hubby couldn't let it go.

It was as though Duke had shot an arrow straight through hubby's heart.

So again with the pleading and "he just wants to be near us," and here I am having to be the strong parent and hold my ground, with my "but what would you be teaching him if you let him up here now?" and on and on. Finally hubby won out and our poor, depraved dog came up on the bed so he wouldn't miss any of the 10pm news.


Sidenote- this whole debacle has been VERY telling of what our future as parents will look like.

Then last night, he does it again! Only this time he doesn't want to go through the effort and humiliation of squeezing his ever growing tummy under there, so he just tugs at the blanket until it's out and in the perfect position to stare squarely up at dad and let the guilt set in.


Do you think he made it up to the bed??


You better believe it, that little stinker! I have a total mutiny on my hands.

What are we going to do when it's a cute little brown-eyed girl asking her daddy to come up on the bed, or one more cookie or new shoes or a diamond tennis bracelet??

Gaaahhh! I guess I'm off to bedazzle myself a "Bad Cop" baby tee.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Knitty Dreams

Since our little bundle of joy will be a winter arrival,
I think it's only right that she be decked out in some sweet little hand-made knit outfits. Don't you?

I've already been working on a blanket (a neutral chocolate brown, since I started long before we knew the gender), but I've also got my eye on a few other items I'd like to whip up:


She'll need this immediately, for photo shoots and Christmastime lounging by the fire.



Aren't these stripes adorable? Like a little candy cane. :)



I just love these one-piece numbers. So sweet.
We'll let Daddy be on diaper duty that day.



Look at that little peanut! This is a must-have. Who needs arms?




Can't you just picture her with dark pigtails and sassy little colorful leggings under this sweet dress? I can!!


Isn't everything so much cuter in miniature?? I better get started on all of this!
Hope you all have a great weekend!


**All photos courtesy of Ravelry.com

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

16 Weeks: It's a... !!

Thanks for participating in my little poll! Since I know that this is the information you're dying to know, here are the very scientific results:

Baby H is a...
  • Boy !! 40%
  • Girl !! 45%
  • One of each 15%
  • Hmmm, I haven't decided 0%

What am I supposed to make of these results, people?? This basically tells me nothing!!

Sheesh.

Well, here's our bean! The pictures today were not the best :(
I was a little bummed that I couldn't see more profile or details. The little booger looks kinda squished in there! I guess he/she could take it up with management..

ANYway.

The doc says...


We're having...


a.......





GIRL!!



..:maybe:..


Yeah, that's right. He's 95% sure it's a girl. What kind of answer is that? Doesn't he get paid the big bucks to know for SURE??? Bllaaaaahhhhh!

Oh well. In all likelihood there's a mini me kickin' around in my belly. We were a little disappointed to not know for SURE sure, but what can you do? Ground her? I already tried that.

Everything looks great and on schedule, though, so we're very thankful for that! I don't really feel like I've grown much yet, so I have to say I'm relieved to see that she's right on track!

Now to the belly shot.

You would not believe how hard it is to stage a bathroom photoshoot all by yourself.
This is frame 17 of 41:

16 Weeks

The doctor did ask me if I'm eating enough.. said I haven't gained much weight (3 LBs, kids) and kind of gave me the stink eye and some fatherly schpeel about how sometimes the "thin" girls can be a little vain and don't gain enough weight. I almost bonked him on the head with that ultrasound wand but hubby saw it coming and held me back.

VAIN? Are you kidding me?

Okay, okay, it wasn't as bad as all that, but I was a little defensive. I've been trying to eat really healthy and more frequently and I've certainly NOT been dieting! A girl just can't win.

So now I'm off to do what any hormonal pregnant gal would do- head to my favorite Mexican joint and go to town.

Boy or Girl ???

Today is the day! We have our 16 week appointment this afternoon and are supposed to find out if this Christmas will bring Sugar and Spice or Snails and Puppy Dog Tails!

I'm planning to post this evening when we find out, but in the meantime, tell me what you think! Am I baking a little boy or a little girl in this oven?


Baby H is a...
Boy !!
Girl !!
One of each
Hmmm, I haven't decided
pollcode.com free polls

Can't wait to share our big news! My plan is to drink some Dr. Pepper right before the ultrasound to be sure the little bean is awake and shaking his/her bonbon. We want that money shot! I think hubby will have a mental breakdown if we can't find out! He is DYING to know. :)



Friday, June 11, 2010

Bad Romance

OMG. This is not a typical post for me, but I came across this video on the hilarious Lincee's blog today and had to share. I don't know if you like Lady GaGa or not.. I have mixed feelings and find her slightly revolting, HOWEVER, love to shake a bon bon to her catchy beats. Can't help it. These hips don't lie.

ANYway, this video tickeled the crap out of me and I had to share. I'm not even sure I've ever seen Newsies all the way through, but it doesn't matter. Christian Bale is dancing. To Lady GaGa.

Pure awesomeness.



Thursday, June 10, 2010

A Pregnant Pause

So the other day I'm minding my own business, contemplating my 5th snack of the day. Nothing new. Since I am now responsible for another human being's nutritional intake, I have really been trying to eat more fruits and veggies. And fruit is very easy to grab and take with me to snack on at work.

So anyhoo, I'm looking down at my little orange, thinking how fresh and tasty (although messy) this little snack will be.


Mmmm, don't you look delish.


Wait a tick. Something is familiar here.. and off.

If I'm not mistaken, the WhattoExpectWhenYou'reExpecting/BabyCenter/TheBump/YOU:HavingaBaby gurus say that my baby is the size of a lemon this week. Which is alarmingly similar in size to this very orange.


Hello Baby.


Suddenly I'm totally freaked out. I mean, is it okay to eat this now?? Is this totally weird, or what? Who's idea was it to liken your growing child to a veritable fruit basket, anyway? Freakin' marketing department. Clearly they didn't consult with any doctors before dispersing their fruit comparisons as the end all be all. Surely the docs would have seen right away that it's not a good idea to confuse and disorient this hormonally charged demographic. Right?? I mean, I can't be the only one weirded out by this.

Ugh. I like fruit. And now I think I'm going to have a tricky time with this until my baby reaches the size of something obscure, like a kumquat. Because who the H knows what a kumquat is? NOT ME.

Thank God there will never be a week when little baby resembles a banana, because then we'd have a real problem. I'm fairly sure I single-handedly keep a third of the banana industry afloat. You're welcome Chiquita.

So what's a girl to do now? Start busting out broccoli florets at 9:30 am? Oh the fun never ends..

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Nursery 0.0


This week I decided it was high time I got to work on the nursery. Now that I have 7.315 oz more energy in my system, I figured I needed to get with it.


First up?

A classic and downright embarrassing BEFORE photo:

This is where things go to die at our house.

Gosh, doesn't it just look inviting and cozy and safe for a wee one?

While I have tons of decorating ideas bouncing around in my head for this room, I've been squarely held up by the fact that it looks like this. I mean, we shove all this junk here for a reason- there's nowhere else to put it!

(Take no offense to the fact that our dog sleeps in this catch-all room. He happens to love it.)


First things first, I really needed to go through everything and organize and toss and donate. But naturally, I decided to shove some stuff to the side and tackle that chair rail first, instead:


That baby had to come down!
I got two walls done all by my lonesome on Memorial Day while the hubby drank beer and partied it up at the pool.
Kidding! He was hard at work on other areas of the house.

I have big plans for moulding and wall treatment in the nursery, but they don't include this chair rail or royal blue walls. If you look closely at the first photo, you can also see that there used to be a border above the the chair rail. That A-B-C, primary color goodness came down the moment we got the keys.

I'm hoping to tackle another wall or two this evening, but no promises. In no way do I try to fight the pregnancy fatigue. If I'm tired, I plop myself right down. Sometimes I feel like a little wind-up toy that's on the last leg of his wind up.. going strong and then out of nowhere, a weird buzzing sound before he deflates to a complete stop.

I was able to do some sorting yesterday, though, so that's progress! I loaded up the car with stuff for the Goodwill and dropped it off before I had the chance to change my mind or let hubby sift through my pile. Out of sight, out of mind!

I'll keep you updated on my progress. I've actually already scored a great fabric I want to incorporate, but I'm not sure I can make it work in the room if the little bean's a boy. So I'm trying to focus on what I can do for now, until we find out exactly what we're having. Only 2 more weeks!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

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