Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Has anyone seen Zoe Jones?

So my due date has come and gone and still no Zoe. I told her this morning that I had really hoped that she would show up on time and I even mentioned the fact that she has tons of newborn clothing that she is outgrowing as we speak but no go. So now we are in the daily phone calls and e-mail territory from everyone wanting to know that she is born yet...even random coworkers in Florida :o) We are trying to reassure everyone that they will be notified upon her arrival.

Since I have unprecedented time on my hands which I cannot use to go away on vacation and daytime TV is only amusing when I have just one day off, I have been trying to keep myself busy and out of the house. Yesterday I found a fabulous nail salon where I got a hot stone pedicure. Today I went to the Liberty Science Museum with my sister but it was so wack that I decided to go to the Taqueria and then the mall instead. Tomorrow I get to indulge in having my hair done in the middle of the day followed by some sushi in Edgewater with a girlfriend...I can't wait!

Please feel free to post your suggestions for things to do with my new-found free time :)

Monday, March 29, 2010

The waiting game

So now I get to play the waiting game....I am thinking that a 3 mile walk is in my future to speed things up a bit. Yesterday I managed to take care of lots of mini-projects around the house like organize and label pictures (i have had that on my list for years!), change out light plates and assemble my new lamp. I am still waiting for Todd to put together the bookcase...if it wasn't so darn heavy I would just carry it upstairs and assemble it myself. I have also brought all my projects at work to a good stopping point so I basically have busy work to do for the next week. So the pace of my life is really slow right now but I am going to try to make the best out of having some me-time because it will be non-existent in the next couple of weeks.

Apparently DH has ideas in his mind as to what exactly I am going to do while I am off ... he was talking about me buying the mango that's on sale instead of the pre-cut one since I will have time to cut up fruit when I am off! I had to nip it in the bud and remind him that I am not evolving into nobody's Betty Drapper :o) I might cook more than 3 times per week but I am not a housewife and I will continue to earn a paycheck even if I just so happen to be at the shore hanging out with an infant. I could see why he has those fantasies though; I would love to have a housewife too (but honestly, a butler would probably work just as well for my needs)! Alas, I never wanted to be one myself and I warned him repeatedly about that long before marriage ;)

On a random side note, I must say that I need to start booking a winter or spring break in my future...almost everyone I know has gone of somewhere and it sounds like so much fun to vacation in when it's cold here! I will add that to my new year resolution in 2011 since I am reaching real grown folk territory.

Friday, March 19, 2010

A peak at my pictures

I hesitated up until the last minute but in the end I decided to go for the professional pictures because it's the first time and I am not sure if we will go down this road again so I should have good pictures to document what I looked like...even if they were taken at 9 months :o) I am pretty happy with how they came out...now I just got chose a few and figure out where I am going to put them!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Decorating continues and the countdown begins

This weekend I made an attempt at continuing to decorate my guest room. The only thing that is currently missing is pictures for the wall, the changing table and bookcase (dh wants is waiting for his dad to help him assemble...I could have done it by myself but I will try to play the helpless pregnant woman role on this one). I think the pictures for the wall will have to wait because I haven't found what I want yet. I did not want anything too fluffy in my house so I found these 2 inspiration rooms that are simple and modern:

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/nursery-tours/nursery-tour-baby-ms-modern-nursery-on-a-budget-044981

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/my-room/my-room-cameron-toronto-110798

Here is what it is shaping up like thus far-I put only newborn clothes in closed, the 3-6 month stuff is in the drawers and everything else is in the attic.































So in yoga class this week it looks like it's just me and another girl who are next. All of the 39 and 40 weeks ladies have delivered. I have started having the braxton hicks contractions in the middle of the night which manage to wake me up at 2 or 3 every morning for 15 minutes. It turns out that contractions are nothing but glorified cramps! All along I was expecting something dramatic like I can see my stomach actually "contracting" but that is just not the case. I used to have really bad cramps in my younger days so I have a repertoire of comfortable positions and I just drink water...hmm, I wonder why can't I just take Aleve and go back to sleep?

Dh asks me if I want to go to the hospital every time I get up and I tell him to go back to sleep because I have already verified with the doctor that unless I get 4 in 1 hour there is no need to make any phone calls. At any rate, despite his best intentions, there is nothing that he can really do for me...I know myself and I know that its all a mind-game when I am in pain and I don't want to talk. He seems a bit nervous, which is so weird because he has been cool through the whole thing (no teary eyes, no wanting to come along to every single Dr. appointment, thank God!!!). Fortunately, I am not nervous or worried at all; I have no idea where I got this confidence from but I 'got this.' I did start packing my bag this just in case and I had a talking to with Zoe so I am fully expecting for us to make it through the next 2 weeks ;)

Friday, March 5, 2010

TGIF and let the decorating begin!

It's Friday again, wuh-huh! San Antonio was insightful from a work perspective but totally a bust as far as places to visit go. It somehow managed to be more boring as a destination than Memphis...it was a ghost town every night because nobody lives downtown. I had a burger for lunch every day since I was in Texas but none of them really measured up to the burgers in New York (?!?). So all-in-all, I highly recommend that you not go to San Antonio on vacation nor should you under any circumstances move there ;)

This is a big action packed weekend because as you know I have over-scheduled myself. Tomorrow morning I will be up bright and early running errands and in the afternoon I will get the whole room decorating thing out of the way. I started washing all the 0-6 month clothing that I thus far I have gotten the dark colors done. People have been incredibly generous with new and used clothing so we have a total of 30 outfits and 15 onsies with dark colors and probably twice as much on the light side.

DH wanted to know why I haven't bought clothes with my own personal touch (was this really my dh asking me about why I didn't spend money???). I wanted to buy her a few things but it feels like being wasteful because she has so much clothes that she can only fit for 6 months. I have been buying stuff for the room and necessities like baby Tylenol instead of clothes and I only have like 10 basics left to buy like the breast pump, cloth diapers and swaddle blankets. Then after that I have "nice to haves," the stoller (yes, I consider it a luxury not a necessity, hehe!), the pack n play and books, that can wait until after we have settled our hospital bills. But he is right, so I am going to buy her a "coming-home" outfit on Monday.

The good news is that I am taking a day off on Monday to have some alone time at my favorite spa that may even lead to some shopping at one of my favorite stores...my alone time will have to be planned in the future so here is to my final carefree days :o) Hmm...maybe I should plan something with DH as well to celebrate our last days of DINKs (Double income, no kids).

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

6 weeks to go!

This weekend I am heading out to Texas for a business conference. I was really hoping that it would be my break from the winter but it's snowing in Texas! So there goes my fantasy of lounging by the pool at night...sigh. I do plan on exploring the River Walk and enjoying my hotel room nonetheless. I honestly love traveling for work as long as I go to good places ;)

My co-worker just came back today after 6 weeks and she looks as she did before she got pregnant! She said she only nursed for a week but it all came off on its own in like 3 weeks. I don't know that my body snaps back that well so I will be wearing a band home from the hospital. I actually took my measurements last night to place my order and it appears that my waist has gone from 31 inches pre-baby to 42 inches at 34 weeks. It is my understanding that my stomach will be pretty much the same size as it is today right after delivery just really mushy so the band should help support my muscles (if I ever had any) and organs as they shrink back down.

This weekend my very brave friends ventured into where no Jones has been before: the attic. Yes, we have managed to live in our house for more than 2 years and avoided the attic the entire time. Attics are creepy and I was especially worried about scared of children living in the attic (too many movies). Apparently I am the only person who worries about this and needless to say, all the 2 year old baby clothes have been safely stowed in the attic.

Since I am finally in the final stretch things will move along quickly and before we know it I will be back to my normal self. I really wish we would settle on a name but I know that DH is going to be difficult about it until the last minute. I was lamenting to my home-girl last night about how the baby is coming just in time for me to NOT have the summer off. It has been my dream for 13 years to get just one summer off...I see the irony as another great example of how God has a sense of humor ;)

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Just Checking in

As promised, here is a picture of the great wall of diapers.


I have been making lots of progress on my to-do list this week: Taxes are done, files are cleaned up and I Costa Rica Hotel booking is almost set. DH doesn't understand why I someone else couldn't handle the Costa Rica trip and I see his point but I also know that is far less aggravating if I just handle it; besides, if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it ;)

I am officially 8 months along...it's really happening! I haven't given much thought to labor nor do I intend to take a class (too late anyway to sign up) but I am using my Jedi mind tricks to make the 5-8 weeks that remain easy. I can now fit all my maternity shirts (lesson: I should have actually waited until I really needed them and then I would have gotten them on clearance!). I am still feeling good and my apetite is starting to come back although I really do not have any room to eat yet. I could use a nap during the day but then again EVERYONE would love to have a nap during the day, world peace and not to have to work for a living...

I saw a quote this weekend that read " some people don't have a life until they have children and some people have a life and add children." I love the concept of Zoe fitting into my life and not becoming my life :o) Although I still have my "what did I get myself into" moments, I have no doubt in my mind that my life will continue to be this great adventure. If I ever start to become dull, you have my full permission to stage an intervention.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Let it Snow!

I am hoping for snow tomorrow so that I can stay home and get stuff done on my to-do list (so geeky, I know). I have 4 boxes of baby clothes to sort through and a box of baby toys in addition to working my Costa Rica trip and taxes. I am going to focus on getting my taxes and Costa Rica taken care of because I still have plenty of time to actually convert my guest room.

We did get our "pallet" of diapers...48 boxed containing 160 diapers each! DH managed to stack them up really high in the garage...I will try to get a picture when I get home today

I don't think I do a good job at 'acting' pregnant... my male co-workers make weekly comments about me not really being pregnant because I am too happy. I also made another lady almost choke on her coffee when someone asked me about movement and I said it looks like 'alien' to me when she moves :o) I dont' like people feeling sorry for me and I like to be silly...my bad son, my bad.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

My new year progress continues!

All is well in my little world. As of today in week 30, I can still wear heels, run up stair and walk fast. I can't however finish my food because my stomach has zero room...so it gets exponentially bigger every day but I have no room to eat, ain't that something?
Zoe's room is making some progress as my mom dukes ordered her crib today. This weekend I am going to get the matress and the glidder from Target because I totally want to take advantage of the sales at Target. Also, I went to a photo studio in BK whose work I really admire during lunch yesterday and they shocked the hell out of me by saying that a 11x 14 print would cost $400. They do the type of photography that I love, you can see it at : http://www.robertofalck.com/. When I told DH about my little Brooklyn adventure he looked at me real perplexed and wanted to know why I couldn't just go to Sears. So there you have it, I have Park Slope Boutique taste but Sears money and such is the story of my life :o)

I had the talk with my boss about maternity leave and it looks like they will be bringing in a consultant to fill in while I am gone. I have spoken to this consultant before and she seems qnice but it's always weird to have someone else doing your job; I guess I will have to relax and go with the flow. I have been working consistently since I was 15 years old so being off for 12 weeks is monumental and scary all at the same time...too bad I never got to take this type of time off to travel but it's in my future, I know it!

I have also been working on my big Costa Rica Family vacation for July which I am very excited about. So far we have 8 rooms confirmed and a possible 4 more; so it's going to be most of the cruise people from last vacation plus some fun new faces. I got confirmation that all rooms are available and I am booking hotels this weekend. Next week I can concentrate on planning out the group activities and the party. Fuquita and I were on the phone last night trying to figure out what will be in season in July so that we can get our mouth ready!

This weekend will be crazy busy with stuff going on from 8:30 in the morning on Saturday until well into the evening. I also have to do a massive shopping expedition to Target and Trader Joe's after work tomorrow. On Sunday, I will be trecking out to Westchester to pick up boxes of hand-me down clothes for Zoe. My co-worker is having a boy and they had made a substantial investment in girl clothes for their 1st born so looks like I will be home free for 3 years. I have no idea where I am going to put all these clothes but I am going to not look a gifted horse in the mouth.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Simplifying my life

If you have ever spent a lot of time at my house, you know that I run my home life and my work life pretty much the same way: I have a system, schedules or to-do list for everything. Due to upcoming important new demands on my time, I started working on improving my home system last year to create more free time in my life. Here are some of the things that I did:

-Got rid of clothes that don't work enough, books that I have read and don't plan on ever reading again and all of my papers from graduate school...good ridance!
-Changed the software that I use to manage my budget to Mint.com so that my budget mostly manages itself and all of my bills are automatically paid each month.
-Made a deal with DH: he does all the cleaning and I do all the grocery shopping and cooking. This works pretty well except he doesn't get under every nook and crannie like I prefer so I am going to find a cleaning person to deep clean once per month starting in February.
-Sucked it up and spent an extra $100 to take NJTransit and reduce my commuting time by 15 minutes each way.
-Closed down my IRA and consolidated all of my retirement into one company and just 5 funds (Thanks Lady Ebo for the inspiration!!).
-Cut down my grocery shopping to 1x per month at Target and TJ and 2 orders per month at Shoprite.com. I cook 3x per week so I can plan a month worth of meals (12 meals) and just add in breakfast stuff, fruit, snacks for DH and cleaning supplies :o).
-Bought a fabulous application for my i-phone that has really helped me track my errands and phone calls.

I don't know if any of this stuff will work for you but it might give you some ideas. My goal is to spend the smallest amount of time possible on housework and errands and have more time for family, friends and myself in 2010 :)

Now I just have to simplify getting stuff together for Zoe...I went stroller shopping with my fellow diva this week and it was ummm a challenge.Maybe there is something wrong with me because everyone else in the store seemed to be very into all the gear. I love, love, love to shop but baby stores just have a million versions of the same thing. So I did what I do best, I went online and searched for strollers with extendable handles that will last until she no longer needs a stroller and I came up with 2, please tell me what you think and I will order something in the next month or so ;)
http://www.bumbleride.com/collection2009/flyer-tech-spec.php

http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=88888908


Friday, January 15, 2010

Friday Morning random commentary

A funny thing happened on my way to work today...I got on the train and realized that I had no wallet! I had not train pass and no money at all...how reliant I truly am on my wallet. So I had to call DH and have him drive my wallet to Penn Station New York so I could get to work and back home today. It didn't feel funny at the moment but now I have to shake my head and smile because I am the only person that ends up in these scenarios.

One of the things I really wanted to get done this winter was to finally get my wedding album done. The owner of the studio that I contracted with is a looser and went out of business so I never got my album. I was able to find the photographer who actually did my pictures and he is willing to do the album for the small amount of ...$1750. Yup, that's right, $1750. That will get me 30 pages with 60 pictures. He is a great guy and I have no doubt that his work is worthy but unfortunately my work isn't compensated at that level and it takes me some time to earn that much money. Whoever thought of making weddings into a business was plain ol' genius!

I am really looking forward to the weekend because I have been feeling cranky the last few days...like I literally told the online customer support person at best buy "I really don't' want be transferred, please cancel my order and I will do it some other time!" I usually have lots of patient for customer support people but I just can't be bothered. I think I just need some time to just chill and do what I feel like doing. I am going to go to Yoga and the beautician tomorrow and then I am just going to relax at home taking down my Christmas tree. On Monday I am off but I have a pretty lengthy doctor's appointment after which I totally plan on going to look at a stroller. I am still on the fence as to whether I really need a stroller but I am going to take a look and see how motivated I feel ;)