Birthday Boy

The birthday boy decided he didn't want cake this year, so I made him these Strawberry Ninjas I found on Pinterest.  They are a little sad and Rob says they look more like Santas.  Next time we will dip the strawberries in chocolate first.

The day was pretty low key.  We spent the morning cleaning.  So not what should happen on a birthday and the afternoon napping.  Then we went out to dinner.  Tuesday was a bit of a better birthday day.  We went to the MoMA for lunch.  The cafe we wanted to eat at was closed for unknown reasons, so we ate at a different one.  Then walked around the sculpture garden.  The food is pretty good, but expensive.  However, we knew that going in, and being members we don't have to pay for the museum.

I love this guy and am glad he gets to keep his special day all to himself.

Due.

Today is my due date.  As of Friday's appointment we are still waiting.  Lots and lots of waiting.  My fingers and ankles and feet are swollen, but not so bad that most people would notice.  Thank goodness I own a pair of flip flops though.  I usually reserve them for the pool or beach, but my sandals no longer fit.  At Fridays appointment I was up 40 pounds, but today it was only 35.  So that is my final weight gain fluctuation.  I'm good with that.  The clothes in these pictures so don't fit anymore, but I wanted the outfit for comparison.  I have enough to get me through a week, but since I'm mostly staying home, I am re-wearing as much as possible.  My waist is still 42 inches around.  Baby boy has definitely dropped.

We spent the weekend cleaning.  And by we, I mean mostly Rob.  I helped some but he did the bulk of the work.  We also have the bassinet table in place.  We covered a remnant piece of plywood with batting and fabric and it is supported under the mattress and on the bookshelf, perfect table for the bassinet (which is also part of the stroller).  The baby will sleep bedside for awhile.  Our living room seems so big when it's clean.  And we also wonder how we fit so much in here to begin with.

"Baby, when are you coming???"

Rob is betting the baby will come Wednesday July 6, on his birthday.  It will be a post of it's own if he has to make his own birthday cake.  I think it will be Thursday or Monday.  Regardless, we check in Monday night for a Tuesday morning induction.

To continue the Birthday Week celebrations we went to see Transformers this morning.  We went to the 10:20AM show.  What we have learned is that the weekend of the 4th is a great time to see movies, because most of the world is at the beach or a BBQ or not at the movies.  Especially not in the morning.  There were about 12 people in the theater, amazing for an opening weekend.  The early morning also meant we aren't taking chances that I "might" go into labor tonight.  I'm not counting on it.  Tomorrow we have a quick doctor appointment then are spending the afternoon at the MoMA and eating lunch in the cafe there.

Here is a quick morphing movie Rob put together of the growing belly.  It hasn't gotten a ton bigger in 7 weeks, but you can see growth.  This is 21, 33, and 40 weeks.  You can also reference THIS post from a few weeks ago with the side by side shot.

Birthday Week for Rob

Today is the official start of Rob's Birthday Week.  He will be 34 on July 6th.  However, there is a chance that the baby will forever ruin Rob's birthday, because if they have to share we all know Rob will take the backseat.  We want to make this birthday a good one, but we also knew we should start early.  When Rob said he'd like to see a show for his birthday I bought the tickets.  For May 31.  To see  The Book of Morman, which is a pretty hot ticket to get right now.

When I bought the tickets there were only partial view seats (boxes) available until mid-August.  But since we live here I just asked for the best available seats in May or June.  That's what we got.  The downside to box seats is we missed action on the far right, but not such a big deal.  The upside is that we were in real chairs so it was easier to move as needed and Rob had LEG ROOM!

Our location also made it a prime spot to scan the audience for famous people.  I am not so great at spotting celebrities.  I once literally walked into Hank Azaria on 42nd Street and didn't recognize him.  Rob pointed it out once I'd apologized for my clumsiness and we were out of earshot.  But the woman behind us recognized Jack Nicholson sitting just below us.  There were also some other well know theater folk in attendance, but I didn't recognize those names.

in the blue and black about to sit down

We had no camera on this outing, so the iPod photos throughout this post will have to do.  I know you can't really tell, but trust me, it's him.

in the blue and black behind the two guys in blue

Happy Birthday Week to my awesome husband who puts up with so much from me!

Also on the agenda for birthday week: 1) dinner this past Wednesday at Salt & Fat, the new hot restaurant in the 'hood  2) Transformers 3 and brunch one morning this weekend  3) an activity or meal TBD  4) cake at home, maybe with a few friends over  5) most likely have a baby

29

I did not give birth on my birthday.  Those of you who suggested it are funny people.  And for the record, I am going to try (like I actually have any control over it) to not give birth on Rob's birthday either.  We like our birthdays as our own - as evidenced by Birthday Week.

Here's what we did do on my birthday:

 

First thing in the morning the doorbell rang.  It was the mailman with a present!  From my Dad.  Notice how only half the present is actually for me.  And the rest is for the baby.  Dad says he's weaning me from ever getting anything for myself again.  I still felt the love.

 

Rob made breakfast and we ate outside.  This is crunchy French toast with bran flakes (we like them better than corn flakes) and strawberries from our CSA share.  I'm also drinking raspberry leaf tea (one of many old wives tales for getting babies out - and my doctor said go ahead and try them all) daily.  If it does nothing else it is delicious.

 

Rob says 29 is not too old for a little silly.  And I post this here because there is a comparable one of Rob later in the post.

 

My hair is doing really crazy things.  Rob did not alert me to this at the time.  So we move on.  After breakfast I did some crafting things.  And Rob baked me a cake.  He really is pretty awesome.

After an afternoon nap we took a walk.  It ended up being a very long outing.  We went to Michael's and got a couple of things I need for the quilt I am starting.  I figure I have 1 - 2 years until the baby will actually need it on his bed, so I have time.
*Gratutious belly shots forthcoming.

We also went to Best Buy to spend the $30 reward card we have.  What is annoying about these is they are free money but they expire.  So we spent as close to $30 as we could, buying Harry Potter 7.1 Blue Ray and DVD (which was on sale) and some more rechargeable batteries.  We paid $1.06.  The guy at the register was impressed.

My other birthday present was received in the mail Friday afternoon.  This shirt I'm wearing from Aunt Cynde.  She knows exactly how I feel, where I don't have many things that still fit, but am reluctant to buy anything new for only a few weeks.  This shirt is awesome because it fits now, but will also totally work post baby thanks to the elastic neckline!

At 37 weeks 5 days I feel like my belly looked small yesterday, but I think it's the pattern of the shirt.  Baby can come anytime he's ready...

After the long walk, which was long because of the 45 minutes we waited in line to check out at Michael's, we dropped off our purchases and went to dinner.

We discovered Mojave in Astoria on our first anniversary.  Pretty delicous southwestern cuisine.  I love the blue crab quesadilla.  This time we also tried the empanadas, we got the chicken and the plantain,  and I think I have a tie for favorite dish.  Rob got some tacos and french fries.  It's great to get lots of options and share.  The fries were covered in roasted garlic and pretty delicious.

 

I think this last picture should be Rob's new profile pic.  He is not too old for a little silly either.

When we got home we watched a little tv and Rob worked some.  Then it was time for birthday cake.

I love my pink cake.  Since it was just the two of us, and I had already changed into pjs I decided to forgo the candles and just eat.  It was delicious.

And lest you think no one sang to me, Mom, Chip, Emily and Scott sang to me via phone and Skype (we only have video for some reason, so we use speaker phone and video...) And Alison, James and Andrew called to sing as well.

I think 29 is going to be a pretty good year.

New Pink Shoes

For my 26th Birthday - I call it the pink birthday - Rob got me a pair of pink shoes.  (He also made me a pink pony cake.)

These shoes have been loved.  And worn well.  But they are starting to fall apart.

 

So when Rob asked what I wanted this year, new pink shoes were on the list.  And I ordered the replacements.

When I opened the box I saw this.

And I was confused.  Because it looks like a gift message from Rob, but how? Since I placed the order.  Then I realized it was just the name of the guy who packed my order.

When I opened the shoes I asked Rob if I got a different color of pink?  He said my old ones were just that faded.  Wow.

And now I have new pink shoes.

Birthday Week: Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday's massage was lovely.  I had no idea how sore my upper legs were until she started working on them.  30 extra pounds will do that to you I guess.  The downside was that My leg muscles were so relaxed that I had a hard time standing or walking the rest of the day.  I have since built up some strength again :)

Wednesday I went into the city to meet Rob and go to the Harry Potter exhibit at Discovery Times Square.  The exhibit is lots of costumes and props from the movies.  It was a little underwhelming only because since Rob and I both work/have worked in film we wanted to know more about how models were used and effects were done rather than just read "this thingamabob was used by so-and-so in X movie"  But we had a coupon to go, and it was a nice evening.

No photos were allowed inside, but here are a couple out front as we were leaving.

would you believe I'm nine months pregnant here?

Afterward we needed dinner so we headed down the block to John's Pizzeria.  This may be the best (thin crust) pizza I've ever had.  They cook it in a real brick oven.  And because it was right as the theater was starting and there were only two in our party we were seated quickly.

Birthday Week & Full Term

It's birthday week!  We take birthdays very seriously around here.  This year I will be 29.  My mom said it's the first time she felt old. 

Last year I posted this as my facebook status: 

rob asked what i wanted for my birthday. i said a puppy, a baby, or to pay off my student loan. i wrote the last big check today. it's so awesome to be debt free!

(*and by puppy I meant baby)

So this year, we are still debt free and the baby is on the way.

This year when Rob asked what I wanted I gave him another three point list.  New pink Converse shoes (the ones he bought me for my 26th birthday are falling apart), a massage, and a margarita.  He said we could do two out of three.  I said how about 2.5 - the shoes have been ordered, the massage booked for tomorrow morning, and we are going to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants on Saturday.  My mom made the very logical point, that I could just order a non-alcoholic margarita (I don't know why I never thought of that one).
Other highlights of birthday week may include Harry Potter at Discovery Times Square and tea and scones in SoHo.  And will definitely include the chocolate cake with pink icing that Rob is making for me.

In baby news:  Full term - 37 weeks.  We'd like him to keep cooking for a couple more weeks, but if he came now he'd be ready.  Last week we had a final ultrasound and baby boy is head down and estimated to weigh 6 pounds 3 ounces.  (That is what my brother weighed when he was born at around 37 weeks.)

I've gained 30 pounds and my waist is 44 inches around.  I have enough clothing to get through a week.  And yesterday I wore one of Rob's t-shirts around the house.  If fit nicely, so I might take a couple more that he doesn't wear for just around the house.  Still no heartburn and the swelling is minimal.  On hot days I can only wear sandals, but on cool days my sneakers still fit!  I did take off my engagement ring a couple of weeks ago and put it away, just in case.  Simon is moving all. the. time. and his feet are totally under my ribs.  I like it, even when it hurts a little.  

I feel great.  I'm tired most of the time, but that is to be expected.  I'm also ready to meet this little guy.  The apartment is ready.  There are a few cleaning / organizational things that need to be done, but I'll get to them after Birthday Week concludes.

Mom needed a picture of Rob and I, so we did a little photo shoot on the roof with the tri-pod.  After getting the picture for Mom, we did some just for us.  The two in this post are two of the less silly ones.  One of these is getting printed and framed for our over-the-bed collage of photos. 

On the Day of my Birth.

I had a lunch time picnic in the park with my love.
He brought cupcakes.I loved my birthday week.

My Birthday Party

In pictures...

FriendsThe BullAnd my new-found love of romance novels.

What a way to celebrate!

a break from vacation posts to wish someone

A VERY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!to one of my favorite aunts.hmmm, do i tell the world how old you really are?i say not a day over 29.
Hope your birthday was a blast.

Happy Birthday to my Favorite 5 year old

here are FIVE of my favorite pictures...



Happy Birthday Grant!

Birthday Boy

Today is Rob's Birthday! And it's been a birthday celebration weekend.
Friday night I surprised Rob with some friends, who came from Boston and Josh, who joined us for the birthday dinner he knew about. Ninja New York. We were served by real live people in ninja costumes with swords and daggers and all kinds of cool stuff. Five course meal - Appetizer, Sushi, Fish, Meat, Desert - I don't know how fancy people used to eat that much all the time. I brought two courses home with me...

Saturday was the 4th. We took it easy. Worked some at home, then took a walk to a street fair and heard the NYPD Jazz Band play for awhile. They are pretty good.

"Sunday we attended to some much neglected chores around the house. But then took a nice long walk through Astoria all the way over to a Sculpture Garden we'd never heard of and a kayak launch point. Nice long walk. Rob then got to spend the afternoon before church playing video game - woo! - while I made his fun-fetti boxed chocolate birthday cake.

He really wanted it for desert last night, so I gave him the candles and birthday some a bit early.


Happy Birthday. I love you.