thirty-three in, six to go...whoa!

Little bitty boy,

I have been carrying you in both my belly and my heart for the past 33 weeks. Wondering who you will look like, about your personality and your place in our growing family.  There are still moments, some days, where I don't feel very pregnant, likely lost in the daily toddler mama activities, work and household duties.  But, you are quick to give me at least hourly reminders that you are with me and growing big and strong.  You are on the move near constantly these days. Rolling, kicking, pushing out.  Watching you move in my belly has become my favorite source of entertainment in quiet moments.

We have been a bit slow in getting things ready for you.  Slowly getting the room together that you will share with your big brother until we find a new home.  Clearing out space for your tiny clothes.  Starting to stock up on diapers.  While we may be slow in these physical duties, it is no reflection on our anticipation and joy awaiting your arrival.

In no more than six weeks we will find out whether you will look, to my predictions, just like a mini replica of your big brother.  No more than six weeks until we hold you in our arms, give you your name and welcome you to our brand-new family of four.

I love you to the moon and back already,
Mama

dirt and noise and joy...oh BOY!!!

Becoming a boymom to G has been one of the greatest joys of my life.  From holding his tiny, squishy, newborn self to wrangling the super active toddler of today, I have cherished every moment.  And, I have learned so much in these past 21 months.  Being a boymom means:

• Embracing dirt.  The dirt will find it's way into pant cuffs, under fingernails, in their hair and scattered all over the floors.  There will be lots and lots of dirt.  Boymoms: arm yourself with a fully charged dust buster at all times.
• Noise.  There are very few quiet moments in a home where a young boy resides.  Even in solitary play there are grunts, howls, beeping things, shouts of "vroom, vroom", "choo-choo" and (beware this one), "uh-oh!"  Boys are noisy creatures by nature.  Your ears will adjust, I promise.
• Things that go. Anything that can be turned into a vehicle or projectile object (a.k.a. anything not nailed down) will move, fly, be pushed or slid across floors.  Boys like things that move.  Chances are, if it is stationary, it will quickly fall by the wayside.
• Being adored. When people first heard we were having a boy, I was told time and again that "Boys love their Mama."  How true it is.  Boys will love you with a leg hugging, finger-crushing hand holding, sloppy kissed, burrow into your neck and heart adoration. This, above all others, is my very favorite part of this job.  No number on a paycheck could ever compare to the love of my little guy.

Learning and embracing all things boy has been a joy and, coincidentally, has prepared me well for the next step in my journey of mommyhood...

Meeting another noisy, dirt-loving, squishy and sweet little boy in February 2012!

{20 week portrait}

We are already in love and so excited to welcome this little one into our family.

36 weeks...

Baby Boom will be full term at the end of this week meaning, he can make his appearance pretty much any time now!

I have 9 business days left at work and, while I haven't really been nesting at home yet, I certainly have been at the office. It's getting increasingly uncomfortable sitting at this desk (oh, my poor cankles!!!) and I have exacly two pair of work pants left that appropriately fit my belly (although, thankfully, they still fit everywhere else). This must mean it's about time, right? Right?!?!?

On for this weekend's to-do list - install the car seat bases, start getting the wall decor up in the nursery, washing more baby clothes and blankets and playing around with my new camera in the daylight. Hey, I need to know how to use it before I have a need to take newborn photos! Lots to do and little time left...

okay, mr. deli man, i see your point...

Today marks another milestone...35 weeks behind me and 35 days to go until our little guy's estimated due date! Here is the latest belly pic taken yesterday at 34 weeks, 6 days:

The rapid change makes sense when using food comparisons. This week our baby is the size of a honeydew melon!

I went into my favorite deli for lunch earlier this week and the regular guy behind the counter said, "Whoa, big change from last week!" It was said in a nice, fatherly kind of way so I didn't get offended but, it's so funny that even relative strangers are noticing now. So much happening at the moment. Feels that things are both moving too quickly and standing still at the same time. An odd sort of limbo, waiting to meet this boy!

Fourteen business days left now until my maternity leave begins and, seriously, not a day too soon. Sitting here at work and being competent is getting more and more challenging. Nothing strenuous happening at the office and I'm not presenting anymore but, there is still a lot of clock watching happening. Tick tock, tick tock...

32 week, 3 day belly photo...

Excuse me ma'am, there seems to be a basketball under your shirt...
Hoping that my 33 week photos will be amazing - maternity pics are scheduled for this Saturday. Asking Mother Nature for some great weather so that we can take some outdoor shots.

Today was my last trip into NYC for work until next June and I now have only 26 work days left until maternity leave...crazy and very exciting. Wrapping things up at the office is proving much more difficult than I had expected. Since I won't have a temp replacement, I need to leave everything in order for my boss to step in and monitor over a day or two each week, hopefully with some clerical support. So, that's what the next 26 days will consist of: organizing files, writing out procedures, training an admin and training my boss. Then, crossing my fingers and hoping it all runs smoothly for the six months I'll be out!

-- posted from my iPhone

a belly, an app and the fast forward button...

I'll start off first with the newest belly shot (taken today at 30 weeks, 4 days) since I haven't posted one in a few weeks. I don't see a whole lot of change from 26 weeks but, the baby is constantly trying to stretch up and out of his little space, a clear signal that he is growing and getting cramped!
I'm loving this new little photo action - shakeitphoto. If you have an iPhone, it's a great little app that takes any of your camera pics and gives them an instant polaroid effect. Even gives a little vintage wash. Fun!

Life feels a bit as though someone has pressed the fast forward button. Work days are long, filled with activity and trying to organize my office before maternity leave. Weekends have been full of visiting with family and friends, childbirth class (this past Sunday), nursery organizing and just trying to get everything we want done in the house finished before this little guy makes his appearance. That leaves evenings. Well, frankly by the end of a work day I am D.O.N.E. done. Just running on faith that it will all come together in time.

I do have photos to share from a couple of weeks ago with my sister and nephew came to visit and of my cousins' brand-new baby, Bella but - they are held up on Mr. Boom's work computer for the moment. Hoping to get a couple of favorites posted this weekend. Stay tuned!

the one {not) about food...

Just realized that I haven't posted anything other than recipes in the past two weeks so, let's play a little catch up - complete with photos:
The bump at 26 weeks, 6 days. What's the significance? Today marks the beginning of the third trimester and exactly three months until my estimated due date. This pregnancy has gone by so quickly and I know it's only going to speed up as the weeks go on and the holidays approach. Two thirds of the way to holding this baby boy in my arms!
This past weekend was the grand opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, NY. Mr. Boom had inspected this bridge two years ago, hanging from ropes 200 feet over the river, in preparation for the restoration and eventual opening. It was nice to be there for the event and for him to see this through to completion. It's a beautiful walkway and we look forward to going back again and again.
Missing these two a lot right now, my sister and nephew. I'm thrilled that they will be flying down to visit next weekend! We plan to spend one day in Manhattan. The little guy is excited to eat a Crumbs cupcake and visit the huge Toys 'R Us in Times Square. Fun stuff!

-- posted from my iPhone

recipe: autumn apple cake

Autumn is officially here, along with...apples!!! Yesterday, Mr. Boom and I went apple picking with my cousin and our god-daughter. It was sunny and warm - a perfect day to pick the ripe Honeycrisps and Jonanthans. We ended up bringing home close to 9 pounds so, I needed a good apple recipe and quick! I found this heirloom one online this morning, complete with a rave review and lots of photos and had to give it a try.
Apple Cake
Credit to SmittenKitchen

6 apples (I used the two types I had on-hand)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
5 tablespoons sugar
2 3/4 cups flour, sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional -I omitted)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a tube pan or bundt pan. Peel, core and chop apples into chunks. Toss with cinnamon and sugar and set aside.

2. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl (I used my stand mixer bowl). In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, orange juice, sugar and vanilla. Mix wet ingredients into the dry ones, then add eggs, one at a time. Scrape down the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.

3. Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Spread half of apples over it. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and arrange the remaining apples on top. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until a tester comes out clean.

The Verdict: Delicious!!! The house smelled heavenly as this was baking, it rose up nice and high and the top apples got carmelized and golden brown. This is a dense but very moist cake that was simple to put together. The longest step was peeling and dicing the apples. I was a little concerned about the seemingly overly wet consistency of the batter following the instructions as written, but it baked up beautifully. The flavors are rich and deep. I sent a large piece over to my in-law's and, within minutes, my father in law was calling me to rave and give his thanks (and asking if there was still more to go around!). I think this will end up a fall favorite.
As always, if you try this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think!

While we were at the orchard yesterday, my husband snapped my 24 week belly phot0 - apples and all! I think this is my favorite weekly shot so far :-)

and the verdict is...

Feeling very blessed today. Our baby is big and healthy, with a strong heart and "nice" brain (according to the OB!). And...
We had our amazing 20 week ultrasound this morning...got to count fingers, see all of the developed bones, parts of the brain and the heart chambers - truly astounding! When it came time to check the gender this little boy wasn't shy at all and gave us a clear view.

We are completely over the moon!

Baby Boom is measuring one week and one day ahead, which has been consistent with every u/s we've had so, we'll see at my if my doctor will make any due date changes at next month's appointment.

Let the shopping begin :-)

oh, we're halfway there...

20 weeks down and 20 weeks to go...

Today marks the official halfway point of my pregnancy. I can't belive how fast time is passing and I know this is something I'll repeat often as soon as this little one makes his or her appearance, grows and flourishes. The baby seemed to be commemorating this milestone with a party in my womb all day - lots of flipping and kicks (two that daddy was able to feel on the outside). We are about to countdown the hours until we are able to get another sneek peek on Tuesday morning! Today is also bringing another gift - these stormy skies and leftovers from Huricane Bill means there will finally be an end (even if brief) to the high heat and humidity that has been torturing me for the past week and a half. My sweet husband installed the a/c to get us over the worst of it but, I'm hoping we won't need it many more days this season. Bring on autumn!
One more thing: the above is proof that an excellent cupcake can fix just about anything (yesterday's flavor - PB&J). Thank you Crumbs on 87 Beaver, NYC for getting me through the municipal training blahs!

-- posted from my iPhone

much needed updates...

I just typed out a looooooong post and my computer ate it, grrr! So, here's a short version for now...

The belly. At 16 weeks (7/24) my belly finally popped a bit so, I was inspired to try for a photo. Not the best from my iPhone but it's a start. Mr. B took several more that weekend and we'll likely take weekly shots here on out for Baby Boom's scrapbook.

Commuting to the far end of NYC in the summer is not fun, especially with my current aversion to heat and humidity. Steaming subway stations and molten asphalt, anyone? But, I am occasionally required to work out of our Wall Street office. At the very end of Wall Street, past the stock exchange and trough the throngs of warm weather tourists. And, here's proof - taken after crossing the street from the #4 Wall Street station. Check out the crowded chattle line on the left...yep.

But, the commute home is never bad when accompanied by a treat or two. The picks this date were and Iced non-fat Chai Latte and a black & White from Junior's. Yum!

On the scrapbooking front, I finally flung myself back into my beloved hobby after a 4 month hiatus (yes, my last page was completed in March!) at an all-day crop. Not my most productive crop ever but, I had a great time with friends and went home with 4 completed layouts. As soon as I can get motivated to scan them in, I'll post a couple here.

And, about that diaper bag decision. It's on-going:

1. #3, the Petunia Pickle Bottom has gotten some pretty terrible reviews about the fabric wearing poorly and a couple of other things (the need to purchase stroller clips for an additional $20 you say?). And, a lovely reader offered her mom perspective that the messenger bag flap was sure to drive me mad (thank you!!!).
2. #2, the Rowdy seems to be eternally out-of-stock or selling for twice the recommended price if one should manage to come across it. In the end, while pretty, I"m not sure it would be large enough for all the baby goods.
3. #1, the Skip*Hop Studio is definitely still in the running and I'm also considering another of their models that, like the Rowdy, has a detachable small purse for mom (and is in a very chic fabric).
4. Now, am looking at a #4, Fleurville. Love that they use eco-friendly fabrics that that they wipe clean.

-- posted from my iPhone

and a happy 4th it was...

Our celebration started a little early with a BBQ and fireworks on Friday night. My in-laws' backyard has an unobstructed view of the exact area of sky where the fireworks are launched. This was our third year in a row celebrating over great grilled food and a spectacular show - minus the crowds or traffic. Perfect!
On the 4th we took a short road trip to visit my cousin, her husband and daughter in NJ. They live in a picturesque little town right on the PA border with a lot to do this time of year. Lucky for us, the nearby tourist area of Peddler's Village was having a festival. Walking around the beautiful grounds, popping in and out of the shops and eating some treats was a great way to enjoy the perfect weather and the holiday. While pregnancy brain had both my cousin and I forgetting our cameras (yes, she's also expecting!) my iPhone came in handy for this shot of the cute and curious Sophie.
-- posted from my iPhone

this little one is the real reason...

Baby B is due to make his or her appearance in early January!

Mr. B and I found out we were expecting in April, with much delight! Both of us have always looked forward to starting a family and we're thrilled to be on that path now. It's turning out to be quite the year for our little family!

So, the real reason for the lack of blog posting has been due to my serious fatigue over the past couple of months and my need to not spill the beans before now. I've been blessed with an uneventful pregancy thus far and the baby is doing great, measuring a full week ahead of my estimated due date. I'm focusing on relishing every moment of this first pregnancy and looking foward to all of the wonderful moments to come.