Oh no, this can't be good... but, it's so cute!

I have three guys in my life: my amazing husband and love of my life, the precious little boy on the way, and, the most pampered, G (meow), who has been our little muse since we started dating.

AKA: G, Shwin, Schwinner, Gersh, Love Bug

While G is an angel, I'm a bit concerned about how he is going to take to not being our center of attention. For the first couple of weeks, since the crib was delivered, he was a bit confused and hesitant to go into the nursery. Since then he's started roaming in and out of the room, guarding the doorway, finding a cozy hideaway underneath the crib.

UNTIL NOW...

Getting back to pampering. Throughout the years, we've tried to accommodate G with a variety of posh sleeping arrangements (you can probably already tell what I'm getting at): store bought pet beds, home-made cat beds- none of which he'll have anything to do with-; but yet, he always seems to find the most comfort nestled, dreaming about all of his little gray men, in the silk duvet bedding of ours.

UNTIL NOW...

... I thought so.....

CAUGHT

*$Cat-in-the-cradle*$. Well, this certainly cannot be good, and should definitely be discouraged before Ethan finds out his bed has already been taken. At least we know it is super comfortable.

Simple solution: What is one thing that G doesn't like to sleep in?
Answer: a cat bed

Try again.....

It can't possibly be comfortable...
...but, it is certainly cute!!!!!

I know there is already a netting made for this particular issue- obviously, we're not the only ones with a cat who has already warmed up to its future companion. I wonder what else will deter this little guy's ambitions.

Strolling thoughts

I'm absolutely looking forward to taking E out and about. I'm thrilled that I'll finally be able to have someone to go on long walks with (though I've been waiting for a little pug for a while), especially to help take off all the maternity pounds. E's going to be born at a wonderful spring time, so we'll be able to get outside rather early.

We've put a lot of thought into what kind of stroller we should get for him. We've looked at tons of models, test drove some, like several (Chicco Cortina, Graco Catalina), but keep falling in love with the Maxi-Cosi Foray. While it is rather pricey (plus, the cost of the compatible carseat carrier), I don't think we'd ever need another stroller. Several people I've known have gone through several strollers just within a matter of a couple years: the stroller gets worn out, stops working properly, they have another child and need to get a different color, dislike certain features, buy a jogging stroller, upgrade, or buy something more lightweight- that cost certainly adds up.

After reading a substantial number of reviews on the Foray, watching videos, and test driving it last night, I have to say that the stroller is pretty amazing! The stroller is the closet thing to an ATV: the back wheels are like our mountain bikes' and can conquer any terrain (hikes, beach, sidewalks, or the mall), and the maneuverability of this thing is incredible. One of the features I like the most is that the seat can be positioned facing the world or at mommy and daddy, tilted at various degrees for some comfortable snoozing, not to mention that the seat pops off to accommodate the infant carrier earlier on. Additionally, there is a rainhood -very useful, say for instance, if shopping at DeerPark or Old Orchard. Other nice features include the drawstring/zipper storage compartment on the bottom (although not very big, we're not pack rats), mommy cupholder (having an additional attachment would be nice), expandable canopy, lockable 4 wheels, and adjustable-height handlebar. Perhaps two of the best, and most important, features of this stroller is that it is very lightweight (light enough for me to carry it, take it in/out of the CRV) and folds compactly (small enough to store in our foyer closet).

Referring back to walking off the mommy pounds. This stroller has a very modern design, while remaining very safe and stable. I do like the idea of being able to use this stroller to 'jog' around the neighborhoods and local parks, which is something we wouldn't be able to do with a bulky Graco or Chicco, or a flimsy lightweight stroller.

I've changed my mind too many times over which stroller to get, but I think, after having test driven it yesterday, loved most of the features, that this would be the ideal stroller for us, and each one of our kids to come.

Now, if we could just get beyond the expense part of it..........................

Happy 2009!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

1999- Hanging out (like all other high school friends: movies, inexpensive restaurants, instant messaging every hour...)
2001- Official first date (very romantic picnic- a little Sinatra, chocolate covered strawberries, a rose....)
2003- First place (gorgeous apartment in Evanston)
2005- Engaged (at our beloved campsite at Mauthe)
2007- Married (a gorgeous day at the shore of Lake Michigan and the exquisite Stained Glass)
2009- E (a precious baby boy to be born to two people who so deeply love each other)

It's amazing to think that we'll be having our first child this year!!!!!!
2009- The year of E!! What an incredible year it will be, with many, many more to come.