Over the hump!

It hit me. I am over the 1/2 way point in my pregnancy. It almost makes me sad because I LOVE being pregnant and feel like it's flying by way too quickly no matter how much I try to live in the moment. Wow, I am over the halfway hump....with just a little bump!

Here I am at 21 weeks...and I feel fantastic. I had a check up today and we heard Asher's heart beat pumping away. He was very active this morning and kept moving around so Dr. Morris kept losing his heartbeat! I have gained 7 lbs total to date and I am very happy with this number. I am sure the weight will start piling on in the coming weeks since it has been fairly slow up to this point! She cleared me to continute exercising and running 5 days a week, which makes this pregnant momma quite happy!

Asher has been quite busy these past few days. He likes to move a lot mid morning and/or at night before I fall asleep. He is kicking as I type, AMAZING! He has recently planted himself in some strange positions causing some discomfort that have only been relieved by exercising or running. I am convinced I am rocking him out of the uncomfortable positions (for me!) and into new cozy places till he falls sound asleep from the running/exercise motion.

The nursery is ALMOST done! All of the large furniture is assembled and positioned into place! Philip worked really hard to put everything together over the past week. We ordered an Elfa Closet system from the Container Store and it should arrive this week. We purchased a custom closet system at 50% off during their BIG SALE and we could not be more excited about it! Everything is adjustable and will be covered in a walnut finish to match the furniture in the room! We are slightly jealous that Asher's closet will be WAY more organized than ours. The shelves on the left will be used for basket's that you can see in photos sitting on the floor in the room.

Next week we will pick out the light fixture and hang some shelves we bought at Target on clearance. All of the big things are done, now its just accesorizing. IKEA is getting ready to open up here in Charlotte so we are holding off on bookshelves, side tables etc until then! The bedding won't be in for a few weeks since we had it made so in the mean time we get to stare at the beautiful mattress and springs :) I will also have drapes made once the bedding arrives to complete the room and help with the immense amount of light that the room gets at bedtime. I spent lots of time sitting in the glider with Bella this weekend soaking it all in... I am pregnant!? Wow.... This little growing man inside me still amazes me daily...my little carrot (that is how long he is now!)

The softest glider and ottoman I laid my eyes on for a steal of a price!

Asher's Crib. That is Ox the Ugly Doll in the corner!

The dresser/changing table and some random stuff that needs to be put away!

Philip also put together our Pack n' Play which will remain downstairs as the diaper changing station and hang out area. I love this Pack n' Play because it matches our downstairs!

The Buggster Stroller and Bassinett arrived on Friday and Philip was so excited to put it together and zoom around the house. It will convert to a stroller once Asher is bigger. Confession: I put Bella in it :)

More updates to follow....

Our Baboon....

I am referring to Bella our sweet little Bichon Frise who now looks like a Baboon thanks to her terrible allergies.

Bichon's are highly allergic dogs in general. It comes with the territory of being so pretty.

Bella has suffered for many years and has had many "2nd opinions", steriod, shots, antibiotics etc. She has never gone through a REAL food trial to determine if she has food allergies. Mainly because it requires discipline of her owner's which is lacking. I am a sucker for everything that has to do with Bella and she is spoiled...always has been.

Yesterday I hit my breaking point. Her bottom, inside of her legs, stomach and shoulders are raw. She has licked, scratched, licked, scratched until her skin has crusted over from bleeding. She has knotted up her fur by licking and it is falling off in what we call "Bella Balls" all over the house. Note: This dog isnt supposed to shed! I cant stand to watch her be so miserable even if we "think" it is seasonal.

FOOD TRIAL here we come. No more treats my little love bug. No more snacks from mom and dad. You are officially a dog and will only eat dog food and water. Tough life indeed.

Reasons why we are convinced she has food allergies. She has lost over 3 lbs in less than 1 year. She is eating 2 cups of food a day and a dog her size should only be eating 1 cup. This means she is not getting proper nutrients from her food and/or digesting her food properly to maintain her weight and this case gain weight from the excessive food she is eating.

Day 1 of the food trial has begun. I think I will sufer more than she will.

We are using Iams Veterinary Formula - Fish and Potato.

This will last 6 weeks so I will keep you posted....oh and she got a steriod shot to relieve the pain in the interim and stop the itching.

Husband Post #2: January 20, 2009

Yesterday was a pretty eventful day. It will be hard to forget some of the milestones of 1/20/09 as the years pass because of the tangibility and reality of what transpired . . . There is something to be said about being able to experience change and say, “I am changed because of ___ (you fill in your own blanks)” and I hope that the few times I know I can say that out loud about myself will be because of a momentous event or incredible occasion or by a miracle. Yesterday, I experienced something that truly falls into the category of miracle. Sometimes in life it is hard to pinpoint moments when you realize- in the moment- what is happening to you and how different you will be this same time tomorrow. Usually it takes a day or two for even the most surreal experiences to sink in; graduation from college, marriage, death, etc. Life happens so fast that you have to try real hard sometimes to slow down its progression or not to let it pass you by. So many have come and gone before your time here on earth that many times it is hard to find perspective in life for you or your family or in the world that you are a part of. And sometimes looking back over the years, some things aren’t as special as you once thought they were. Some things are more special and had you realized it at the time, way back when, when it was happening, you could have done so much more to appreciate it. That’s called regret and many people try never to experience that for one reason or another. The sooner one realizes that each minute, each hour, each encounter, each act is meaningful in life, the sooner people will fulfill the innate G-d given talent and potential in their lives and the sooner our economy rebounds- I mean, the sooner we heal the world. I’m positive it won’t happen in a single day. But when something happens to a person like what happened yesterday in my life, the world heals a little faster even if just for a few minutes.

I can say this because yesterday the first part of a dream came true, an idea became real, thoughts and emotions formed action and being. No more ‘what about’ and ‘I think’ . . . it is now ‘here is’ and ‘how are you?’ Yesterday, I experienced something that truly falls into the category of miracle. After all, it isn’t every day that, for the first time, a father feels the movements of his unborn son in his mothers belly. I think I know what it means. And it snowed!!

Lots of Action!

Announcement Announcement... Announcement....
Our baby boy has a name....

Asher Davis Schreibman!!!

Here is the history on his name. In my family we name after the deceased (by the first initial of the name) and in Philip's family they name after the living (same first initial). We decided to combine our traditions and find the letter's we had in common.

Asher is after my great-grandfather Abe whom I was very cloes with my entire childhood until he passed away. He was always the grandfather I remember so well and was always around to joke with us. He outlived 3 women and my memories of him are so fond. Asher is also after Alaiya on Philip's side - our precious neice! Asher is from the book of Genesis and was the Second son of Jacob. It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "happy". Asher was the son that was promised a life blessed with abundance.

Davis is after MANY family members.....Myron David (Philip's grandfather), Aunt Diane (Philip's Aunt), Grandpa Dave (My grandfather) and Dora (Philip's great-grandmother). Davis means son of "David" and is derived from David. It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "beloved". One of the most remarkable personalities in the Scriptures.

And there we have it and I LOVE IT ... so if you don't it's cool....no beef :)

Nursery Update:
The nursery is finished... it looks AMAZING. If you are in the Charlotte and need a painter you MUST CALL our Painter. Not only is he extremely talented and precise and quick...but he is so AFFORDABLE compared to most. We don't paint. I know many of you do and you like it if not love it but we hate it. So we have found this very talented man and I refer him to everyone I know....check out his work.

He painted the nursery ceiling, crown moulding, back of the closet and all of the walls including stripes on one wall. We used Sherwin Williams Duration paint in Ryegrass for the main three walls. Ryegrass, Tansy Green and Celery for the stripes, Dover White for the trim/moulding and celery and the back of the closet. We also re-did the baby's bathroom (paint, mirrors, new towel bar) and still need a new more baby-like shower curtain. We are very happy with the way everything came out! I took a photo in the middle of the process...I also put our new rug in there that I am obsessed with. Its a Shag Rug and it looks like its made out of plugs...





Our Guest Bathroom pre-paint, mirror and towel bars. We painted this room Sherwin Williams: Dewey (almost a light tiffany blue/sea green). I caught a cute photo of Philip at work installing the towel bar with his Tool Belt that I gave him when I told him I was pregnant "Dad's Tool Belt" How perfect for the occassion. He loves using the tool belt!

The Bathroom Finished...

We started off the weekend with the annual Martin Luther King Shabbat celebration at our Temple. Every year we bring a church (typically predominately African American) to join us in our Friday night Shabbat Service honoring the GREAT Martin Luther King...

This year it was Mount Carmel Baptist Church. The preacher delivered a fantastic sermon that brought to light the excitement of this MLK celebration and the upcoming Innauguration.

I hosted an event for the Young Adults prior to the service and we enjoyed apetizer's and wine. over 45 Young Adults came out for food and fellowship which was AMAZING!

I can only imagine what MLK is dreaming about now....the next few days will be days to remember FOREVER! I am amazed by all of it and am so excited to having a baby in this memorable year in History!

Saturday was a busy day....but it ended with our FIRST Bradley Birthing Class aka "The Husband Coached Birth". We will be having Asher at CMC Pineville however our goal is to have as natural of a birth as possible. I will not refuse an epidraul if necessary (FYI). This course teaches you and your partner to utilize each other throughout the labor process and allows your partner to coach you through the birth using several techniques. This course came highly recommended to me and we are very excited about what we have to learn. I do have to highlight that we did experience a little bit of shock and awe at the class....

Our instructor believes in very natural birth's. Her 2nd child was born via home birth (which I am not in support of) and she believes in on-demand breast feeding and not pumping unless you work. I am not afraid to admit that I disagree with both. I will deliver in a hospital and I will breast feed and pump so that Asher can spend time with his grandparent's for extended periods of time and so that Philip can feed him as well. Our instructor also believes it is ok to breast feed anywhere without a cover up. She gave us about a 1 minute warning before she whipped out her BREAST in front of our husbands and started breast feeding her child. Not only was it the highlight of the class but quite a shock intially. This is going to take some getting uesd to. I dont even know her. It's one thing if it was a close friend or family member...but WOW. Maybe my views will change, maybe they wont but I can promise you that unless I know you well and know your ok with it.... I wont be whipping out my breasts without a cover up in front of you to breast feed.

Sunday we spent the entire day (other than the two hours we went to the gym) putting the nursery back together and putting up all of the new things in the bathroom as you saw above in the photos. Everything looks great and we can't wait to pick up the furniture next weekend! More photos to follow. We put together the pack n'play for downstairs and I think that is when Bella really started to wonder what was going on! I also am almost finished with the lamp shade that I custom made for Asher's nursery as well as several more art projects and frames. I am realy excited about the way it has all turned out. We hit up Target's amazing baby sales and purchased a few white shelves for the nursery this weekend too.

I AM HALF WAY THERE!......20 weeks!

This actually saddens me because I love being pregnant. I cant believe 1/2 of my pregnancy is already in the past. I have worked very hard to live in the moment and enjoy each and everyday with Asher in my belly.

Belly update... it is finally growing and showing and man he is kicking away! He loves to wiggle around right when I lay down for bed and when I first sit down at my desk in the mornings to work. Sunday he must have been going through a growth spurt because he was causing me cramping all day. He might have been in a comfortable position but it wasnt the best for me :). I love experiencing these sensations and can't wait till Philip gets to feel them. Being pregnant is amazing and I am in love!

I FINALLY have something to show off :) These photos might not convey how much my belly has grown but I promise you in person I am starting to look more pregnant to people who see me!


I finally figured out pulling my shirt tighter allows you to see there really is something there!

Even if my dad swears I am sticking out my belly... I promise I am not :)

Sucha Deal!

I am not embrassed to admit that I am a huge bargain shopper. I will splurge occassionally but I usually stick to my bargains. Almost every thing I have bought for this baby has been on sale.

I got the steal of a deal today that I have to share....

We bought this fantastic Valco Buggster Bassinett and Stroller in Black thanks to www.shnoop.com

The catch is that it was 70% off..... YUP you saw that right.... 70% off!

After reading reviews I was SOLD....

We will use this as our "umbrella stroller" mainly because it is much more lightweight than our Chicco KeyFit 30 Travel System...and he can use it from Day 1!

For the bargain conscious here are the sites that I frequent...um daily. ha!

www.babysteals.com

www.mamabargains.com

www.babybloop.com

www.shnoop.com

I have purchased some amazing stuff off these sites that has saved me a lot of money. I also like to stock up for gifts because some of the items are just down right cheap and so cute!

Oh and we decided on a name but I am waiting to announce it for another few days :)

I know torture and suspense....but you can take guesses.... if you dont already know....don't ruin it for those that don't know...

19 weeks and months worth of goodies...

As promised some updates on the belly... BUT first we must tell this humorous story.

We dont keep junk food in our house...I am somewhat of a health freak.

But... this pregnancy has been leaving me with these desires for chocolate, even in the smallest amount. Thursday night I asked Philip to pick us up some milk and some sort of cookie with chocolate in it on his way home. I actually fell asleep before he got home and never made it down to see what he brought me. The next morning I went straight to my office to work at 7:30 and around 9 am started to get hungry and ventured into the kitchen (note: I work at home). 

This is what was on the island waiting for me (minus the milk which was in the fridge)..... I almost died and was literally laughing out loud!

Oreos, Famous Amos cookies, Fudge Brownie Mix, a Bag of Bliss Dark Chocolate, Chocolate covered Doughnuts and milk. Talk about chocolate mania. I think Philip took my request to another level, but it was so awfully adorable.  Note: I think the doughnuts and Famous Amos were bought for him because those dont ever appeal to me, not even pregnant. I think we are set for the next 5 months. WOW... overboard and oh so fattening!

So on that note... although I dont look like I have popped much in these photos I promise I have (at least to me and Philip and our family who see us regularly) and if I continue eating the above listed items I can gurantee it will get bigger PRONTO... jkjk.... two cookies here or there a week are fine with me. 

So here is my belly shot entering week 19 NOW!

Sorry its not much to show... I promise it will be very soon!

Our little owl....

We went in for our Level 2 Ultrasound today at 18 weeks 4 days.

I was convinced this baby had done some growing over the past two weeks (since my last appointment) because my BELLY FINALLY POPPED.

Dont get too excited... people still think I am crazy and say they can't really tell.

BUT I CAN :)...pictures to come this weekend of the growing belly!

He definitely grew.... in many ways since the last Ultrasound.

Oh and the baby is DEFINITELY a HE... ALL BOY 100%!

I had to admit... he is quite funny looking at this stage...

He looks like an OWL..... yup you heard me right an owl.

Yup, laugh all you want becaues I did too. This photo actually creeps me out!

See for yourself:

Eyes, eye socket's and all.....

SCARY...but I am sure once he gets some meat on him he will fill in quite nicely.

We were debating if he had the "Schreibman Dimple Chin" but it was too soon to tell. We will have to wait till the 3D ultrasound at 28 weeks. The Ultrasound went really well and everything looks perfect. He is growing right on target and wiggles around in there nicely.

This is his favorite position...looks cozy to me!

Philip bought our little owl a present... an entire Panther's get up to include: onsie, jacket and pants.... I have to admit it's quite cute and the fact that it was the first thing his daddy bought him, it will forever be special.

Cheers to healthy babies, and a healthy new year!

What to do with 11 days off!?

Eat lots of food....Work on Projects, Baby brainstorming and Shopping..... 

Here is what we have been busy doing over the past two weeks...

First we started off the break eating burgers... since one of my cravings is cheeseburger's.

We hit up Big Daddy and Philip created one of the largest burger's I have seen in a while.

He had everything on there from olives to cucumber's....GROSS!

For New Year's Eve we had dinner with our parents at our favorite sushi restaurant Yama (Yes! It was all cooked for me) and then we played board games over at Sarah Kaplan's new condo.

We were in bed by 11:45 :)

We ordered the bedding for the nursery. Since it is custom I don't have a great photo of it to show off...so this might have to wait till it comes in 6-8 weeks! But I LOVE IT~ Vision: Ivory and Brown Toile, Crushed Green Sage Velvet, Brown and Green Polka Dots and Dark Brown Courdoury.....Yum! We also ordered the upholstered glider and ottoman which will be espresso and in the softest fabric I could lay my eyes on. 

We also REGISTERED!!!

Babies R' Us, Target and Locally at Shower Me with Love (704.302.1555)

We finally picked out paint for the nursery.... but the question is... which color(s) did we decide.

We are still undecided about what we are going to do but its looking like three walls one color Crib wall stripes (2 colors), crown moulding one color and ceiling the lighter color of the stripes.....Can you guess which two we chose?

 

I also started several projects for the nursery to include a custom lamp shade and lamp... which is still in progress, a wooden mosquito mobile, homemade picture frames (because I cant stand to spend a fortune on those cute ones when I can make them)...

I finally wrapped up my pottery course and this was my favorite piece from the class...

We also began going through all of the things that I have collected for our nursery. I purged all the girl stuff and am saving it for gifts for friends.... Here is a small sampling of the madness before I went shopping at the Belk Red Dot Sale!

Philip and our buddy Jeff McGinnis put up the crown moulding in the nursery. Jeff is quite handy and so graciously volunteered to help....of course we fed him and filled him with beer and margaritas too. They did a great job and it will look even better once we have our painter come in to paint....(side note: we don't paint.... we know we are sissies and you can make fun of us all you want!)

And last but not least my 18 week belly shot. He is the size of a Bell Pepper!

Pretty pitiful....but its bigger than the last one by a smidgen!

We go back for our Level 2 Ultrasound on Thursday to check all of the organs etc and reconfirm that its a  BOY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

My First blog: Reflections on 2008

Who would have thought that my wife and my's new year resolutions would be so similar?  Having just read her last post, here I am writing my first blog?!  What an amazing coincidence! Golly, need I say more- Are we a match or what?!  

What did you think I was going to say?

2008 was a terrific year.  It passed swiftly and with many good times,  memories and pictures which you can happily re-live by simply reading earlier posts on this blog.  Because believe me, this blog covers just about everything.  2008 in fact, as a married couple was the first year that didn't involve any of the following major life cycle events: changing jobs, moving to a new city, building a house or a wedding.  Pretty low-key you may think.  Not so fast- there was one minor milestone: baby conception.  But of course, who am I talking to?  You likely already know all about this from hows it's done to the paint colors on the inside of the nursery closet. 

And while I love discussing all that great stuff, my planning for the baby consists of three things.  Let him grow tall, taller than his father ever knew.  Let him be swift, more swift than I could ever be.  And he should graduate from college.   Do these things son, and you will make your father very proud.

Actually, there's a forth which Renee and I will be able to finesse a little more than the few things I just mentioned.  Live a happy, hearty and good Jewish life.  I'd like that.

You may have picked up on that we are expecting a baby boy.  I couldn't be more thrilled and that's true regardless of if it would have been a girl or boy.  I know my folks are happy and proud and Renee's folks are happy and proud.  We will be bringing this child into a loving home, family and community.  This will be such a lucky child.  Sure I'm ready to be a daddy but I really don't know what that means per-say.  Because the best dad in the world can't make his child fast or tall.  And I'll have to pick up all the other skills on the job.  So yea I'm ready, bring the ruckus!

That pretty much sums up 2008.  We've got greats friends here in Charlotte and beyond but you all know that we think.  I'm happy at work.  I would be a gym rat exercising and playing basketball all the time if it weren't for classes at CPCC and teaching Hebrew High school.  And now baby planning too- but I really dig picking out paint swatches and researching diaper bags. 

I will see you again the next time I feel I have done something or know something important enough to give to the whole wide world.  ;)  Till then, I'll have my ear to my wife's belly whispering sweet nothings about playing Aussie football. . . . . . . 

Thanks for tuning in.

War digging through endless online pages of children's books for the registry to find every book you remember loving when you were a kid.  I do that.

War installing a nicer closet system in the nursery than the master bedroom.

War Automoblox (check it out)    

   

   

New Year...A New Perspective

For the first time since I can remember I can finally say that my New Year's Resolution has nothing to do with losing weight!!!!! Good grief, what a relief!

I am sure over the next 6 months I will gain enough weight so that next year I can bring back the good ole trusty resolution to lose weight. I can say that I have remained to stay in fantastic shape for the past 3 years and up until this pregnancy kept off almost every single pound of the 40 lbs I lost in 2006/2007!

So on to the good stuff....My resolution for 2009.

Resolutions go along with the whole "What am I thankful concept?" at Thanksgiving, in my mind....it just happens!

My personal resolution is to live in the moment. To enjoy and savor everything thing that is happening while it is happening. I will strive to NOT constantly be looking forward to the next day, the next vacation, the day the baby arrives, the baby's first laugh, the baby's first step. Although these are all WONDERFUL things that take place in Life....they pass by way too quickly. I want to live in the moment and enjoy as much of everything I can in the present.

This pregnancy has been amazing. I have loved every second of it. I love being pregnant. All of you mother's are probably laughing at me and thinking, "Oh, wait till your 38 weeks...tell me if you love it then!" I can admit I might be feeling a little less in love with being pregnant then but for now I am living in the moment. I want this baby to stay as long as he needs to...my body is his! June will come when it is ready....and I am in no rush to get there. I am embracing life and loving it.

My other resolution is to get Philip to start posting some blogs. I feel like I only give one side of our life. Philip is an amazing writer and is so eloquent with his words. I want to capture the next year through his eyes to fulfill the title of this blog: The SCHREIBMAN'S Share...not just Renee Schreibman Share's....

So.... to start off the year right, I present to you Philip for his first blog!