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!

Boy or Girl? That is the question....

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We have a A VERY VERY ACTIVE BOY!

We could not be more thrilled!

Philip really wanted a boy and I have always wanted a boy as my first child (ever since I was little!). We are so excited to prepare for a boy... minus the baby blue :)

Oh and we dont have a name officially...We had the girls name completely picked out but couldnt decide on the boys....so the fun begins.... 

We go back in 9 days for our REAL ultrasound... Our OB wasn't going to do one today as she had previously promised but I begged. I am ordering custom bedding for our little boy and the sale for the bedding ends Dec 31st (30% off!). She said she was a sucker for shopping so she caved (even though she had 21 patients) Not only did we get an ultrasound but she left us in the room (because she started to panic that she couldnt tell the sex) and she left us with the ultrasound machine with instructions "don't drop the wand!" We got to play around with the wand checking out our baby boy for about 15 minutes. Philip was in heaven and it was definitely a once in a lifetime expereince. She she came back she confirmed we definitely had a boy in there and the excitement began! So... in 9 days we go back for the real deal where they will check all of the organs and make sure that everything looks healthy!

17 week belly shot....not much for a belly... but its growing daily. I have gained a total of 4 lbs so far this pregnancy!

I think I like more like a college student that has eaten a little too much ice cream or pizza. Most people don't have a clue and if anything probably think I put on a few lbs over the holidays which cracks me up since I have been in the gym 5 days a week!

Paint the town green, brown and ivory....... no baby blue for us!

After almost 2 years...

I finally got to see Anna!

Over the break we got to see my beloved friend, Anna Wheeler who has been living in Hawaii since our wedding almost 3 years ago.

We met up in Asheville, NC (2 hour drive) where she and her mom were visiting her brother. I didnt get to see her when she flew in last year because of our crazy schedules so I was so excited to be able to see her this year!

Philip was so sweet to drive me up there to meet her for lunch. We enjoyed catching up, she rubbed the teeny tiny belly and eating some delicious food at Tupelo Honey Cafe.....which was delicious and rated one of the best places for Brunch/Lunch in Asheville.

Love you Bananna....and miss you always...

8 nights of Hanukkah

We had to start Hanukkah two nights early since I missed two nights while I was out of town. I decorated for Hanukkah about a week prior and this is what I came up with for 2008. 

This year we had a budget of $100 each. Something tells me that we both went over, but at least we tried...It will be our last year of just the two of us and since Philip loves getting presents I wanted it to be special.

We also gave a $100 Bi-Lo gift card for a family in need. They asked for groceries and this just crushed my heart. I hope the gift card bought them enough groceries to get them through the holidays!

This is the last year that we will probably exchange gifts all 8 nights to just each other so here goes...

Night 1: I got a whoopie cushion and a maternity sweater from Target, Philip got NC State Coaster's for his man room.

Night 2: I got Hanukkah Driedel anntena ears to wear to our Hanukkah Party and Philip got a Shower Clock/Radio

Night 3: I got a Baby Peapod, Maternity Shirt, and New Mom Pregnancy Coupons, Philip got a collapsible box for his car embrodiered with "Philip's Stuff" (mainly for his smelly shoes etc), an NC State Golf Club cover and an NC State Embrodiered polo shirt.

Night 4: Renee got a Fuzzy Navy Blue Zip Up Hooded Jacket from REI and Philip got a Henry Jacobson Tie.

Night 5: I got a maternity outfit, pink tank top and grey and pink top and pants to wear around the house, Philip got a sweater from Bananna Republic.

Night 6: We didn't exchange gifts because we went to the Bass Hanukkah.

Night 7 & Night 8: Renee got chip clips and THE RETURN OF THE MEREDITH COLLEGE RING (I misplaced my ring over 3 years ago - it was causing a rash on my finger from wearing it too much and some how misplaced it. 3 years later and two moves Philip found it in an old purse months ago when he was going through an old box. That was TWO MONTHS AGO. He hid it away and decided to give it to me for Hanukkah on the final night). I started crying when I opened it. This ring means a whole heck of a lot to me and to know that I now have it back feels just like it did when I got it my Junior year of college at our ring dinner. Philip got new black gym shorts and another Henry Jacobson tie. 

Parents: I made both sets of parent's chip and dip sets in my pottery class and custom glazed them for each of them. We got Dad S a nice pull over Sweater, Mom S a chalkboard cheese serving tray which chalk so she can write down what each cheese is on the tray, Mom B a clock that says, "It's time to call Mom" because we talk ALL of the time and a coffee grinder and Dad B two custom embroidered tops (jacket and sweater) with his company logo and a tickle me glove to use on the baby.

Sister and Fiance: This year we gave Eliza the big gift of buying her wedding dress for her wedding so we decided to give them something small. We got Eliza and Rich each a cute top from the Gap.

Bella and Happy (the dogs): got sweaters from the Target $1 section that say "High Maintenance"

We were so proud that we were able to do Hanukkah on a budget and we were able to get almost everything on sale. I shopped for months in advanced so I was able to get the best deals without going broke... we are saving after all for something quite BIG :)

The 6th night of Hanukkah we celebrated with the Bass Family: Steak Dinner, Potato Latkes, Salad, Broccoli Cassserole and some nasty dessert that I attempted to make that was a complete flop. The Bass parents gave out gifts to us kids and we played Cranium. We had a great time and my mom was better than she and my dad both thought she would be! Ultimately Eliza and Rich were the champions and Bella was ready for it to be over!

We were so thankful to be able to spend Hanukkah with our families this year. We enjoyed lighting the candles together each night, singing songs, bringing back old family traditions and creating new ones and celebrating the festival of lights together. Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays... love Renee, Philip, Bella and Baby S!

Where have we been?

It has been quite a busy 5 days for us.

Saturday night was the annual Vodka Latke Party that I helped throw. Last year it was at our house with 50+ people and I just couldnt mentally do it again this year with all of the upcoming stuff I had going on in the week. Our rabbi and her husband graciously asked to host and it was a blast. She had always wanted to have a margarita party at her house so we added Margar

itas and Miracles to the title. We had almost 70 people this year which was a record for our group: NextDOR (which means the next generation in Hebrew). Admission for the party was either a bottle of vodka or latkes. We had a latke cook off contest beteween all of the people that brought them. Here are the winners with their prizes (Vodka!).

The best part of the night was when we realized that their started to form a "keg party" on the rabbi's front lawn. One of the participants makes her own homebrew which I have been told is amazing, and we set it up on the porch. Between folks drinking beer on the front porch and the massive blow up Hanukkah Teddy Bear and Driedel the rabbi's front lawn was a sight to be seen that night.

Sunday I got up super early and drove to Raleigh for brunch with my girls from college. Lindsey and Heather hosted and we all had a fantastic time celebrating together. This was probably the first time ALL of us had been together since graduation. It's amazing how much can change in 5-6 years. 

Heather and I are both pregnant and only 4 weeks apart! 

Lindsey gave us both adoreable NC State sippy cups to congratulate us and they will definitely be put to use! We did a dirty gift exchange and had a blast stealing from Sarah as we always seem to do :). Caroline also got engaged after 8 years of dating her boyfriend. We were all in shock and screaming because we could not believe it had finally happened. Her ring is to die for....gorgeous, but then again after all those years of waiting it was worth the wait!

Next stop was Clayton to visit Cassie, Nathan and their new baby Garrett. I had a lovely time with them and it was so great to see the little man. He is quite cute and I got to hold him for awhole. Cassie also gave me some great breast feeding tips that I will definitely be utilizing wh

en my time comes in a few months!

Finally my last stop was Courtney and Josh's to celebrate the First Night of Hanukkah. I was pretty bummed that I couldn't be with Philip to celebrate, but his work schedule wouldnt allow him to leave Charlotte for a day. Philip has been home working like a crazy man because this is his busy time of year at work. Courtney and Josh put together an amazing Hanukkah dinner. Josh's potato latke's were probably THE BEST I have ever had. My camera died (I can't stand this thing and am counting the days till I order my new one) so I have no photos of the rest of the night. I am so thankful to have such wonderful friends who opened their home to me on Hanukkah. By 8:45 I was exhausted. This was such a long day for me. I made my way back to my hotel room and Anne met up with me. She was in for our girls brunch and visiting her sister. I had two beds at the hotel so it was the perfect chance for us to catch and get a little "us" time. I missed her terribly over the past 5 years while she was working for the Republican National Committee and White House. p.s. She was pretty important :).

Monday I went to the office in Raleigh. I could type a novel about my day in the office. I will leave it at... I could never work in the office and do my job. I am so thankful that I work from home. We did a white elephant gift exchange at lunch and I got Catch Phrase which we are looking forward to playing! Monday night was our company holiday dinner at Bogart's. It was lovely and they definitely did it up right. I enjoyed Flank Steak, Mashed Potato's, Asparagus, Salad and Apple Pie.....I was full and exhausted. It was nice to make a visit but I was completely exhausted. Being pregnant has wiped the life out of me in my 2nd trimester.

Tuesday I woke up at 5 and drove home. I was so ready to be back in Charlotte and to see Philip and Bella and to CELEBRATE HANUKKAH!

What happened to Happy Holidays?

This is driving me crazy and this is one place I can get this off my chest.

Why do some people wish you a "Merry Christmas".... when they don't know you and don't know what you celebrate? Isn't a Happy Holidays sufficient and a little more respectful?

When I am around friends that I KNOW celebrate Christmas I wish them a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. If I don't know your belief's, a good ole jolly "Happy Holidays" will do the trick.

This particularly bothered me when I called a major electric company that is a client of mine and the operator answered the phone, "Merry Christmas". Of course my response was...."Well sir, what someone doesn't celebrate Christmas?" and I just sat there in shock as I listened to him fumble his words and trasnfer me to my client. They don't answer the phone, "Happy Halloween, Happy Easter or Happy Passover". Wouldn't a Happy Holiday's be sufficient?

There are a myriad of holidays afterall that the world is celebrating in the next 30 days, correct?

Ok, just making sure my pregnant brain isnt getting to me any more than it already has.

You are pregnant?

"You are pregnant?"

Yes I am.

"Do you eat?"

Yes... I eat plenty, I just work out 4-5 days a week.

"How far along are you?"

A little over 15 weeks.

"Wow, when I was 15 weeks I was HUGE!"

Yeah, I hear that a lot.

This is becoming quite a common conversation.

Either I am thanking god that I am not showing at all other than some minor body changes that are only visible when I am naked or begging for some type of belly bump to magically appear.

The first photo is Week 6, Second Photo is Week 13, Third Week 15. I guess side by side you can see my "naked difference" but no one else see's it this "revealed". Not as"definted or flat" like it was, but nothing to show off.

I think I can hold off on the begging for a few weeks, ohhh at least 5. Right now I am thankful that my weight gain is minimal to none and my body hasnt really started to "pop" yet, just round out a little. My chest on the other hand is a totally different story and the photos dont do it justice. I think I will guess that I will end up at least an F at some point during this pregnancy.

We find out the sex Dec 29th....less than two weeks away and I am not going to lie I am counting.

Everyone thinks it is a girl....but no one has a very compelling reason.

My gut says .....

...

...

NOTHING ha!

Hugs and Warm Well Wishes to everyone during this joyous time of year!

Hanukka starts Sunday night so if you know anyone Jewish they will be impressed if you remember and wish them a Happy Hanukka!

Blow me up!

The family from across the street that had the ridiculous Holiday lawn set up last year FINALLY set up their blow up madness today. As I worked and watched out the window I watched the dad set up and test all FOUR massive blow ups and one light up Charlie Brown sleigh.

You know I am dying for tonight to take photos of this mess....

We are just so thankful that they only graced us with their prescense for three weeks this year vs. the 6+ weeks from last year! There is a g-d :)

ps. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE white lights, candles in the windows and beautiful wreath's with red bows? Ok... so I am really not that bad of a person. I promise.

Me, the Planner

I have to have it all together and far in advanced.

So as you can imagine I have been brainstorming since we started trying to conceive (really since I was a little girl) what I was going to do for a girls and/or boys nursery...Since we don't know and won't know until Dec 29th I will leave that post and those ideas till later.

In the mean time I can share with you the furniture that we already purchased on major sale that will sit waiting for us (to be ready mentally) to pick it up at USA Baby. The truth is that I want the crown moulding and paint to be applied to the nursery before we bring any furniture in, hence the wait.

I did a lot of research on baby furniture. I am picky all things baby... or mabe that is all thing in general...ekkk. I am not afraid to admit it. I read and re-read the book, "Baby Bargain's" (which happens to be my bible and guide) furniture/crib section, asked numerous friends that have had or just had babies to get their thoughts on the best bang for the buck. I wanted something that looked classy, dark dark wood, converted to a full size bed, real wood and wasn't ridiculously expensive. I found it!

Please meet our lovely nursery furniture by Munire, Newport Collection in Espresso.

We purchased the Universal Crib and the 6 drawer side by side dresser which is not pictured but looks like the one below with additional drawer's instead of a door (no hutch). We will not use a changing table specifically for changing. Instead we will use the top of the dresser.

Items we will be adding over the next 2 months will include: a shag rug that is brown or green, a glider upholstered chair, drapes for the windows, possible bookshelves, a lamp and a table next to the glider...and I am sure many more things I can't think of because after all... I am pregnant!

Project list includes: putting up crown moulding, painting the walls (which will include 3 solid color walls and one patterned wall), installing some type of new shelving in the closet, and a light fixture that emites light.

Did I mention I absolutely love this stuff.... now I need to find the energy to do it!