Holy Stollers!

We still have three months to go, but I feel really prepared for baby Reed’s arrival. Most of the decisions that we have needed to make up to this point have been relatively easy. Registering was fun and although there were a lot of options, I have felt pretty good about our picks and have had lots of help and feedback from other mothers.

However, when it came to picking the right stroller, I have been plagued for the last few months! Here is what I needed:

1.       We live in the city - I need something that does well in urban spaces. Boston has lots of coble stone streets and uneven pavement, so I need something durable and easy to maneuver.

2.       We have a small condo – with only 1150 sq ft I only want one stroller. I don’t have the storage space for more than one, so I need a stroller that can take Reed from infant to toddler. I also need something that is light weight, folds up easily and is compact.

3.       We only have one car – and don’t use it outside of driving Matt to and from work other than weekend trips. For that reason, we are not buying a car seat that has a base, but one that stays in the car and again will take Reed from infant to toddler and beyond. So I need a stroller that accommodates an infant without snapping in a car seat.

4.       We are buying a vacation home in the mountains – I am not a runner, but we do camp and hike so I need a stroller that can go off roading with us.

After my first round of research, I was set on the UppaBaby Vista. It seemed like a perfect fit, especially with the removable bassinet. Then a couple weekends ago, I was in New York and every other stroller that passed by was the Maclaren XT. It seemed so much smaller than the Vista, and so the torment continued. Throw in the fact that jogging strollers seem to be the best for transitioning from city to country and I was a mess.

Yesterday, Matt and I finally made our way to a specialty store in Boston to talk to an expert, test drive the different options and make a decision. We walked out with a stroller I had never even considered! The Bumbleride Indie. We had to order it, but I can not wait until it comes in! Who thought that picking out a stroller could be so hard or exciting? I can’t believe I am even writing this blog entry as we speak.

Benefits of the Bumbleride Indie?

·         It is one of the only Jogging Strollers that fully reclines flat for infants. It also includes an infant headrest and shoulder straps. The foot rest even adjusts to lay flat.

·         Has a SPF 45 UV lined sun canopy and the fabric is water repellant for use 365 days a year.

·         Weighs less than 20 lbs and folds compact quickly. If we need to fit it in an even tighter space, the wheels can be removed.

·         The handle bar adjusts for both me and Matt to use comfortably.

·         It is an all-terrain stroller with rear wheel suspension and maneuvers with one hand for both easy use in the city and country.

·         It has the option for a foot muff to keep Reed warm in the winter.

The list goes on and on, but the best part is it checks each of the boxes I needed!! Mission accomplished!

Summer Time Travels

Matt and I have been staying busy this summer, and my blog is suffering as a result. For those who are loyal followers, I apologize for my lapse in posts. So what have we been up to?

After our weekend to the Conneticut River, I headed to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for a work leadership conference that was a lot of fun. Then back home for a quiet weekend at home with a day trip out to Winthrop beach. It was a first for us, and suprisingly nice beach with great views of the city.

The following weekend, we packed up our bags and headed down to Long Beach Island (LBI), New Jersey. One of our girl friends grew up down there and invited us out for the weekend to stay at her parents beach house. It was amazing! The island is only ½ a mile wide and 15-20 minutes long. It is part of the Jersey Shore, but a completely different section from where they film the show. The beach was beautiful and the main strip was covered in boutique shops and local restaurants. I definitely hope we get an invite back next year so that Reed can get started fist pumping early.

To get to LBI, we flew into Atlantic City and out of Philadelphia. Matt and I took advantage and left early Sunday to spend a couple hours walking around and exploring Philly.

The following weekend some of our best friends – The Erbe’s – made the treck up to New York City for a quick weekend meet up. Amanda flew in on Thursday night so that we could spend a little one-on-one time together and then the boys joined us on Friday. It was so good to catch up with them and see old friends! Matt and I tried our hardest to convince them to move up north closer to us, but I don’t think we succeeded.

Best story of the weekend: On Thursday night after dinner, Amanda and I headed up to the rooftop bar ontop of our hotel. When I walked by the bar a guy made a comment towards me which I ignored, found a comfy seat and waited for Amanda to order a drink and join me. About an hour later, the same guy came up to us and asked if it was ladies night out, if he could buy us a drink and join us. I told him, he was more than welcome to buy me another water, but I didn’t think he would have much fun with a 6 months pregnant lady. He turned bright red and all his friends started cracking up. Moral of the story, I felt extremely flattered. Granted, I know he was drunk which is why he couldn’t notice my bulging belly, but still flattering!

In just a couple hours, we are headed up to Maine for our second annual Waco Saco trip. This is similar to floating the river down south. We set up camp tonight, float half way down the Saco River tomorrow, pull our canoes to shore at the campsite and then float the rest of the way down on Sunday. It will definitely be a different experience from last year seeing as I will be the only sober floater, but I am still excited!!

Oh yea, and amongst all the business travel during the week, and vacationing on the weekends, Matt and I have been spending what spare time we have searching for a log cabin in New Hampshire…. and I think we found one! Offer was accepted and inspection is on Tuesday. I’ll update more about that once we are out of the grace period.

Sorry for such a long entry! I really need to get better at doing this weekly ;) Have a great weekend!!

Belly Business - Week 27

How far along: 27 weeks
Size of the baby: Head of Cauliflower (about two pounds and about 14 ½ inches long)

Total weight gain/loss: Weighed in at the doctor’s office today – that is the only time I will step on a scale anymore – and haven’t gained as much as I would have thought. I have gained 15 lbs total. They say you are supposed to add another 11 lbs in the third trimester. If I end the pregnancy at 26 lbs weight gain, I will be a very happy lady!   

Maternity Clothes: I am all over the place. I still wear a lot of non-maternity clothes, and crack myself up trying to put on old pants or skirts. For instance, take a look at my 27 week maternity photo below. The skirt is a non-maternity skirt, but there was absolutely no way to zip it. So thank you to the BeBand in combo with Gap maternity tanks who have saved me from buying a maternity suit. (I luckily have one black suit jacket that ties in the middle – no buttons – and it has gotten a lot of use over the last couple months)  

Cravings: Nothing in particular, but I am still eating lots of sweets. I had the glucose test today, so fingers crossed it comes out normal so that I can continue to stuff my face with desserts!  

Symptoms: My back is killing me!! I know I should be doing yoga and other back strengthening exercises to alleviate the pain, but I don’t have the time. I am crazy busy with work and carrying a combination of my computer bag, baby Reed and my boobs, my back is about to break under the pressure.

Movement: This is my favorite part of pregnancy. Reed loves to move and I love to feel him boogie. He is especially active after meals, and I have found he loves loud music. I have been trying my best to keep up with all our friends and be a good DD for the summer and it has paid off. The loud music at night gets Reed extra active. It’s one thing to feel him kick, but I love when he starts flipping around squirming and just going crazy. I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet him!! Only three more months ;)

Gender predictions: No need to guess, it's a boy

Name: Reed Stewart

25 Weeks -

26 Weeks -

27 Weeks -

Connecticut River

Matt and I wanted a quick city escape this weekend, so we packed our bags and dogs and headed up to the New Hampshire - Vermont border. We set up camp at a state park in Vermont and on Saturday morning rented a canoe to float down the Connecticut River. We spent 6 hours on the river before heading back to camp for dinner. From the pictures, you can see why we love New England.

Belly Business - 24 Weeks

How far along: 24 weeks
Size of the baby: Ear of Corn (about one pound and nearly a foot long)

Total weight gain/loss: Last doctors visit was at 22 weeks and I had gained 13 pounds total. I think I have only gained a pound or two since then. Doctor says I’m on pace to gain about 31 pounds.  

Maternity Clothes: I can still wear some of my old shirts and dresses, but pants are a whole other story. I am embracing maternity clothes and can’t wait to get back to Boston where a box of clothes from my sisters was delivered yesterday.

Cravings: Sweets… or at least I am letting myself eat more sweets. I love ice cream!

Symptoms: Heartburn, back pains and the realization that I am getting slower and burn out faster.

Movement: He is active. Squirming and kicking all the time. Mostly after meals, but there isn’t much that keeps him quiet and I LOVE IT!  

Gender predictions: No need to guess, it's a boy

Name: Reed Stewart

23 Weeks

24 Weeks

You guys not only get to follow the growth of my belly, but all of my hotel journeys ;) I think I only have one or two pictures from home. Here is another good belly shot from this past weekend while camping in VT.

Gifts from Mommy and Daddy

Everyone has told me not to buy anything for the first baby until after the showers are over, but I just can’t help myself! As soon as we found out it was a boy I ran to Target and picked up his first set of sport balls. I know it says for ages 3 and up, but how can these really hurt him?

I also couldn’t pass up the cute footed onsies, especially the New England one in the middle what says “Who’s Crabby?”

Of course I had to make sure he has a nice warm Tech outfit, although I couldn’t find anything for Newborns or 0-3 months. He will still need a warm outfit Feb-April.

This past weekend we took a day trip up the coast to a town right at the boarder of New Hampshire and Maine called Portsmouth. It was a charming little city with some of the cutest shops. One of the shops we popped into had a Christmas ornament I fell in love with. Every year, my mom gives each of us girls a unique Christmas ornament- usually an angel- so I have decided to pass on the tradition and start with this one for Reeds first Tuel Christmas.

I saved the best for last. Matt made his first baby purchase this weekend too. Matt is nearly 100% Irish and spotted a Celtic store in Portsmouth he wanted to check out. Here is what he found (it reads "I drink me milk by the pint"):

Belly Business - 22 Weeks

How far along: 22 weeks
Size of the baby: Spaghetti Squash (1 lb and 11 inches)

Total weight gain/loss: Not sure… haven’t stepped on a scale in the last two weeks. I head to the doctor tomorrow, so I’ll know the official weight gain then. I’m guessing 10-12 lbs total??

Maternity Clothes: Some! The good news is the clothes I ordered before vaca came just in time. The jeans I purchased are amazing and can be worn after pregnancy too. I wore my maternity work pants for the first time this week and they were so comfortable. I can get used to all the elastic. Alex – you were right on the gap shelf tanks. They are amazing!

Cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary – this week anyway.

Symptoms: Heartburn, go away!

Movement: All the time, he is one strong baby boy. I skipped right past flutters into full blown jabs and kicks. He is most active after meals and conveniently when I’m trying to fall asleep.

Gender predictions: No need to guess, it's a boy

Name: Reed Stewart

Today:

21 weeks in Cabo: