Happy Happy Birthday

Today is Mr. Harvey's 31st birthday so I'm taking the day to run around town while he is at work to pick up some stuff to surprise him!

We don't have any big plans but I can assure you we'll be indulging in some cake and a few gifts because that man deserves it!

Hope you all enjoy your Wednesday!

Be back tomorrow with my 30 Week Post!

I don't think he's coming back...

pictured cuddling with Aidan in the backyard

Our cat Bentley was quickly dubbed "Uncle Bentley" around here because he was always taking care of the other animals.  When we had our dogs Lucy and Frasier, if one of them was uninterested in playing with the other, he would come in and let them roll him around on the kitchen floor and run back in forth in the backyard while they chased him.  When two of our cats had kittens and wanted to go out and party at night, he would stay in and make sure the kittens were tended too.  After his sidekick and my childhood cat Patrick passed away, he would sit at the foot of my bed when I didn't feel good and when Aidan came along he would sleep on the rocker in his room guarding his crib at night.  He would sleep on Adam's head making it impossible for him to breathe and even more impossible for him not to warm up to the fact that he might be married to a crazy cat lady.  All things Pat the Cat had previously done.

Of all the animals that have come and gone around here Bentley was an OG and tough as nails.  He had survived being dropped in a dumpster at my old job,  his brother being kidnapped and never returned by neighborhood kids, raccoon attacks, numerous cat funerals in our backyard and Aidan the horrible cat wrangler.  When Scout came along, they must have had a chat because Scout never bothered him.  All of our neighbors loved him!  We literally were always joking that Uncle Bentley would always be around. 

Until he wasn't.  It was the weekend after July 4th when I made mention to Adam that I hadn't seen him in a day or two.  He assured me he was probably just shacking up at a neighbors house for a couple of days (this was not unusual) and would be back soon enough.  But the days turned in to weeks and now here we are in October and he never came back.  I've spent more time than I would like to admit asking neighbors if they have seen him, checking the Lost Pet section of our county website and making trips back and forth to Animal Control.  It wasn't until two weeks ago when Aidan and I tried to convince ourselves that a grey and white cat with no tail was our Bentley that I started give up hope that this outcome is looking grim. We probably won't ever know what happened to him but I like to think that he found a nice new family where he is the only pet and king of the castle and they feed him turkey all day long. 

Fair

We made the trek up to Shelby this weekend to attend the Cleveland County Fair.  Adam used to go when he lived up there during his high school years and every kid loves a fair.  I love it because it takes me so far out of my element! 

The second we walk through the gates the boys are off to the races! Adam lets Aidan play anything and everything and he will ride whatever he wants with him.  Aidan hit the Dad jackpot!

 

 Waiting in line so Mommy can have a funnel cake. Obviously.

 

 They didn't win this one...

But they won the next one.  And this giant dog was the prize.  Hilariously tacky. 

 

I didn't ride anything this year because of my fear I would have to tell people "I went in to labor early on the Ferris Wheel at the Cleveland County Fair". I'm deathly afraid of heights so this would have been it for me.  But Aidan wanted to go up and so his father obliged.

 

I happily watched and waved from the ground! And brushed powdered sugar off of my belly every few minutes from my funnel cake. 

 

We paid three bucks to see Sampson the world's biggest horse.  We couldn't decide if he was really THAT BIG or if his enclosure was just really that small.  For what's it's worth, someone seems to take decent care of this horse.  He was gorgeous.

 

We finished the night off with the Tractor Pull.  Always a good time!

 

 A boy and his carny dog?? watching the Tractor Pull. Aidan was much more impressed with the Demolition Derby we caught last year.

 

The people watching alone is always worth the drive for me and a silly as they often are, the memories we make are ones we'll always have!!



 

 

Batman and Robin

While searching for Halloween costumes for this year:

via Pinterest

Me:  Hey Aid, what about Batman?

Aidan: Noooo. I think next year I will be Batman and Kellan can be Robin.   

Me: Big brother, baby brother tag team?

Aidan: Yup.

Me: Great idea bub!




Melt my freakin' heart.

29 Weeks

Weight Gain: 9lbs. 8.5 of those (at least) are in my boobs.  This is the same from last week. I don't weigh myself at home but I am sure I have gained some weight this week!

Baby's size: 2.5 lbs. 

Sleep: It's better. Thank You Tylenol PM and Benadryl.  I am back to being tired all day!

Maternity Clothes: Love my maternity jeans. 

{from the front, holy baby, hey boobies}

 

Food cravings: This week everything sounds good and then sounds gross.  So weird.

Food aversions: No ice cream. I'm forcing myself to eat a little meat to get some protein.

Symptoms: A lot has subsided this week. I'm feeling pretty good!

Doctor’s Appointment: Next week for my O'Sullivans test. I hope I pass. I hate needles!

Gender: Boy! Kellan Adam

Movement: He's been kind of quiet this week.  Still moving a lot but no new tricks. 

 

Belly Button: Still an inny. But it's getting wide and shallow.

 

What I’m looking forward to: Nursery painting will be done tomm!

 

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and sushi. Gosh I miss sushi. 

I can hardly believe that I will be term in just 8 weeks!!! How nuts is that? I fully expect him to be right on time or late but this pregnancy is quickly coming to an end either way.  We are a still a little unprepared for his arrival but we CANNOT WAIT TO MEET HIM.  I spend so much time daydreaming about what life is going to be like when he gets here!  Once the nursery is painted we will be waiting on the crib and bedding to come in October.  The nursery is really neutral and although I have no idea what the finished product will look like (I have an idea in my head) I will feel so much better when it's done! We are taking a refresher childbirth class and a breastfeeding class and Aidan is going to do a sibling tour of the hospital and then hopefully we will all feel a little bit more prepared!  

Aidan for Fall

This season I have had the hardest time shopping for Aidan.  It's not that my taste is super traditional  but it's definitely more traditional than all the skinny jeans out there for boys.  They look great on some kids, just not Aidan.  I have literally spent hours with him in dressing rooms this season trying on different pairs of jeans/pants because I just don't know how they'll fit.  Luckily, we have found some and a few pairs from last year fit as well. 

Every year I go through his clothes and assess what he will need for the fall and winter months.  I make a list and then I shop.  I don't buy anything I can't live without and I am a huge advocate of staple items.  A few good pairs of jeans, solid color tops, some fun shoes and sweatshirts/sweaters that make it easy to layer, layer, layer.

Here are a few of the things we have purchased this season:  You will see some repeats.

 

Aidan looks great in stripes so I load up on them.  This pull over we bought last year in grey as well and it still fits.  



LtoR: JCrew, JCrew, GapKids

Aidan is OBSESSED with Star Wars right now. I don't know where it came from but he picked the right time to be in to them because there is tons of it out there.  Typically I wouldn't buy something with a theme but he was dying for this hoodie and top so I sprung for them.  The black jersey knit pants are great for lazy days and when they have gym day at school. 

LtoR: GapKids

 

 

Simple. The hat is so cute in real life. He looks adorable in it and he picked it out himself.  I have found that sometimes spending my money in accessories is the way to go because they make outfits.



 LtoR: GapKids, Jcrew, GapKids

 

Last year my aunt bought Aidan a pea coat and it was too big but this year it fits! We're so excited.  This sweater we actually bought in grey but they didn't have that color online.  

LtoR: JCrew, GapKids, GapKids

 

More stripes.  These Gap khakis are so soft. So is the polo.

 LtoR: JCrew, GapKids, GapKids

 

 

We have the best luck with North Face products for Aidan.  Last year on Sale we bought him two fleeces and this year I bought this. We haven't received it yet but he looks great in vests.

 LtoR: North Face, JCrew, GapKids

 

The weather is so unpredictable here in NC that I love the idea of being able to layer.  This zip up hoodie is perfect for that.  If was a little bit cooler I would probably layer one of his tshirts over this top.  We bought this top in a few colors as well .  Staple items people.

 LtoR: JCrew, GapKids, GapKids

 

 

Again another hoodie for layering.

LtoR: JCrew, JCrew, GapKids

 

 

 

I'm sure you noticed all of this stuff came from the same couple of stores.   All of them run great sales and you can get their stuff at fractions of the original price.  We also always find good deals on BodenUSA and at Nordstrom.  Anyone have secrets of where to get good clothes for little guys? 

Singer Sewing Machine

My first sewing machine was super inexpensive and a gift from my parents for Christmas a few years ago.  Well, it jams more than it sews. Now it is completely stuck and rather than spend the money to fix it, we "totaled" it out and I have been sadly without a machine.  Until this weekend. 

I spoke to the woman at the sewing machine store about my sewing abilities and what I planned to do with the machine and she recommend {after laughing at me} the Singer 160 Anniversary Machine. Seen below. The black is not my favorite but it's growing on me.  The table is nice and big and the stitches are computerized.  Bye, bye stitch dial!


 

I dragged Adam along for the purchase because I've found when I include him in purchases he holds me accountable for using them.  I am planning on making a stack of bibs and fun burp cloths as my first projects on this thing.  I'll let you know what I think about it and how it turns out!