Seven Years

Today marks 7 years for Phat Daddy and I.
It's hard to describe the past 7 years. We've grown up a lot in 7 years. The years have been filled with 2 incredible children, 6 different residences, 3 different pets (not including the fish), 3 cars, and many many ups and downs.
But, when I look where we are now I realize I am more in love now than I ever thought I could be.
Life hasn't been perfect. We've argued a lot. We've learned to put up with each other's quirks and to accept each other's imperfection. But, we've also discovered some pretty great things about each other that we never knew 7 years ago.
So, happy anniversary to the man I love. the one who knows how I take my coffee (and knows to just hand it to me and not bother talking to me till it kicks in), who stays up till all hours finishing the craft projects I start, but can't complete, who makes sure that our computer, tv, and every other electronic device works properly and who makes the world's best mac and cheese, apple pie and scrambled eggs.
I love you!

Ahhhhhhhh,,, Quiet (for now)

It's almost 4pm.
In 5 minutes I have to go upstairs and wake my boys up. (I'll let the baby sleep). I sent them both upstairs for "quiet time" aka a nap to get themselves ready for Doodle's birthday party tonight.
Then I fed the baby and once she was asleep I put her in the bedroom also, so all three of them are asleep in one room.
And I'm sitting here, in the quiet, with the tv off, enjoying the peace for just a few moments before I wake everyone up, start bath time for Doodle, and get Phat Daddy packing the van for the play place where we will hold Doodle's party.
I think we have everything ready. Yesterday my mom came over and filled lootbags with me. Phat Daddy made an AMAZING arial firetruck cake. We have ordered pizza and of course sent out invitations. I'm not sure of the exact number of people coming tonight. It was a little dumb to send out invitations the week I was giving birth. Phat Daddy would sit in the hospital checking our voicemail and say "Robert is coming" and we'd be happy, and then neither of us would write it down.
So, we have a guesstimate, and I've hired a couple of babysitters to help curb the madness, so we should be set.
And then tonight, well, I'd say we'll all sleep well. But, I will be awake every hour or 2 feeding the baby. But, hopefully in between feedings I'll sleep well.
The important thing is that tonight Doodle enjoys his party. He's been incredible with his baby sister. He kisses her all the time and hugs her, and always wants to help in some way. And, there's been a lot of change in the last few weeks.
So tonight I want it to be about him and his friends. Maybe I've gone a little overboard (as usual) trying to make it perfect, but truthfully, I want him to know that no matter what he's special to us. I think he knows that. But, I like to remind him as much as I can.
Gotta go wake him up. And, I have to find him matching socks. Both of those could be huge feats in themselves.

Sick and Tired

Ugh.
I'm sick and tired and need a break.
I think there comes a time in every pregnancy when you realize you're done. And that, for me, has been this week.
I have 5 weeks to go as of today. That seems like forever. Three of those weeks are work. And ughhh. Work is dragging. And I'm sick.
I came down with this stupid cold that makes me feel like crap. I'm tired and I can't stop sneezing and coughing. And whenever I cough my stomach hurts. And it seems like all the constant sneezing and coughing keeps the baby wide awake and kicking. Ouch!
Normally I'd say TGIF, but because we have some ongoing projects I'm going to end up going to work on the weekend. Ick.
I know - whine whine whine.
It's all I can muster.
I've told Phat Daddy we need a vacation, so next weekend we're going to Buffalo for a couple of days. I know it's not exactly an exotic vacation, but there are some baby things I want to buy that are cheaper there than here. I like the idea of staying in a hotel, and I know Doodle will love swimming.
And, I'll have the opportunity to don my stunningly HOT royal blue maternity bathing suit a few last times before I give birth.
But most importantly we will be able to eat at Cheesecake Factory. I'm already thinking ahead to all the eating options available to me.
I did a little research on the Buffalo area. Did you know there is a Kazoo Museum and a Toy Museum? Fascinating.
But, I still have to get through next week at work which I'm sure will be interesting to say the least. This would be so much better with more sleep and a body that is not producing excess amounts of mucus!
But, Phat Daddy is helping me get through it all. While I've been going to bed exceedingly early, he's been putting Doodle to bed and doing dishes before heading back to work to put in extra hours. I'm not quite sure how he's keeping it together either.
I know from experience that you get more tired when a new baby comes, but I sort of feel right now that I'm not sure quite how much more tired we can all get.

Jeans

So amid our weekend excitement of painting and decorating we did something else I've been wanting to do for awhile. I took Phat Daddy shopping.
If there's one thing that drives me insane about Phat Daddy (and admittedly also what drew me to him in the first place) is that he's not image obsessed. When we first met I was dating someone who was pretty much in love with his appearance. He spent a ton of money on cologne and name brand clothing and went to a high-end salon to get his hair done. He was higher maintenance than I would ever think to be.
And Phat Daddy was his friend. First of all, Phat Daddy is good looking even when he needs a haircut and if he's wearing jeans from Walmart. But I'll never forget looking at one guy who was so coiffed and growing increasingly unattractive and then seeing Phat Daddy who was relaxed and stunning and couldn't define the word "product" (as it relates to hair) if you paid him to..
But, as much as I loved him for that laid back attitude, as the years have progressed I have tried to introduce him to certain things.
First it was regular haircuts (still an ongoing argument) and hair gel. Then it was the introduction of a nicer dress shirt. I've since bought him a few suits.
But the one impasse we were still at - JEANS.
For the life of him he cannot understand why I fuss over jeans.
I have a problem spending $250 on jeans for myself. But, I do believe it's worth it to spend a little extra money to get a nicer pair of jeans that actually fits.
I'm sorry. But, sometimes Old Navy does not fit the bill.
Phat Daddy is tall. And he has a larger build. And Old Navy jeans never fit right. But they are cheap. And, for some weird reason his size is ALWAYS on the sales rack. Seriously. He can often find jeans for $10.
But, since the last pair he bought was giving him plumber's butt and made him look like he had no ass. It was not a good look.
So, I suggested jean shopping. At a store for men his size. A big and tall store. At 6'3 he's tall. He fits the bill.
I'm happy to report that Phat Daddy got himself an attractive pair of jeans. And a belt to keep those jeans up. He discovered the joy of low rise. He was not impressed when the sales guy and I teamed up and made him try on MANY pairs of jeans, and when we both made him turn around and show us how his butt looks in every.single.pair.
The result?
The Buffalo low-rise jean. There were 2 pairs we liked. He agreed to purchase one pair.
Thank goodness I have my attractive husband back with no more plumber's butt.
As for his hair ... he has until the week before the baby comes because I want him looking good in all our pictures.
I know - I'm hard to live with.