Offline for almost a month...

I read about a man who went offline for a whole year in order to find out what the internet had "done" to him, following the hypothesis that the internet is a negative factor in people's lives. What was interesting was that he discovered he was just as messed up, if not more, without the internet. For the first several months he was more productive and even lost weight, but soon he turned to other destructive habits like not leaving the house and playing too many video games. He was just as antisocial, wrote less, and in the end found that his life was actually better with the internet, because as he says, that's where the people are. 

We haven't had internet here at the house, or cable, for over a month now. I just gave my phone to my brother because I don't have the money (or desire) to pay for it anymore. So we're all a little cut off, and me especially. But I'm still able to use the internet a couple of times a week at a coffee shop or friend's house (like right now). Unlike this guy, I think that we're all doing a lot better off without the internet. But like I said, I still use it, I just have to leave the house. I think this is a better "middle path" than cutting yourself off completely. Diego isn't glued to his DS watching mind-melting Spongebob all day (instead watching better PBS type cartoons), I've finished two books this week, and in general we're all spending more time together going out and playing games here at home. I couldn't NOT have the internet, if only just for my online class, which I'll be taking 3 more of in the fall. Going out for the internet makes me have to choose what is really the most important. I have a time limit, because of Julian, so I don't want to be gone for more than two hours. It's enough to check my emails, download a few articles to read later on Evernote, and download my classwork for the week. If I've got extra time I update Facebook with a couple pictures or post something to my blog. I haven't watched a single Youtube video since this has started. That was my biggest time waster. I would sit for hours watching hair and makeup tutorials or mommy vlogs, especially when I was eating. It's the biggest thing I'm jonesing for but also the best thing for me to get rid of. 

Plus, going out for internet has some other perks. I have an excuse to get some Starbucks, which I always enjoy ;) Also I just get out of the house which is especially important after having a baby so I don't become a shut-in. We're also clearly saving money by not paying for internet at home, but that's probably outbalanced by the frappuccinos... oops!

One More Week

Getting ready in style for my baby boy J.

Today I officially hit 39 weeks! I can't believe this day has come. Looking back, every day seemed a million years from this point. And in reality, there's practically a million more! I could go all the way to 42 weeks... but I really, really don't want to!

So last night around 1 AM I gave myself this great baby manicure. I hope it will still be here when he arrives (so don't be late, Julian!) My nails had grown insanely long and I was scratching myself and Renato all the time, so they had to go so I don't hurt my little one.

They started out simple but quickly spiraled out of control. I guess they're better for a baby shower (that's what I Googled anyway for some ideas), but I think having cute nails for my delivery will give me a little motivation, or at least be something to distract me.

The color is off here, but the image is a little sharper... 

I was worried about completely butchering the design on my right hand, but it came out surprisingly well! Practice makes perfect ;)

Now I just need a pedicure to match... sadly we're totally broke and my fiancee is too manly to paint my toes for me. (In case you didn't know... Most pregnant women can't see their feet let alone put socks on without help. Painting my toes would be a nightmare).

Everything is coming together for Julian. I'm so ready to meet this little guy! We finally set up our crib. Seeing it brought me to another level of "Whoa, this is real". We're sharing our room with the baby so our "nursery" is really just one wall of the room, but does a 7 pound baby really need an entire room for itself? He can't even lift his own head. I want to co-sleep as much as I can anyway, so we got the "By Your Side Sleeper" at Target, which is basically a little basket to protect the baby while he's in bed with you.

Julian's "nursery". We kept it to just the basics: a dresser for all his little things (and to change him), a crib, plus a comfy chair just out of frame. We didn't get a swing or any of that extra stuff. There's my diaper bag and Boppy in the crib ready to take to the hospital.

Although I'm excited to meet this guy, of course, I also have my moments of being scared. Right now I don't really feel that way about delivery though. I think I'm starting to get more anxious about all the time after he'll be born. I've never had a baby in my life before, so this is going to be new for me in a thousand ways. Renato had his little brother when he was 10 and so he can remember a lot about him growing up. I've never fed, changed, or bathed a baby. I've probably only held 2 or 3 in my whole life! 

Giving birth will be over and done with in a day. Billions of women have done it and survived. But actually raising a baby to grow up and be a good person? A lot of people have failed at that.

Well that's kind of a downer to end this on, so sorry about that! Being negative about this baby is the last thing I want to do, because then I'm just setting myself up for failure. We're both so happy to be having him, and everyone in both of our families are too. We turned out OK despite not having perfect parents and I'm sure Julian will only get the best from both of us (so he'll be incredibly handsome, of course!) 

Let's all hope I'm in labor by next Tuesday, 

Lily

Baby Julian's First Car!

FYI Julian is the name we're going with for our baby :D
We haven't decided on a middle name though, although we want it to be something with an "R". 

Our new Grand Marquis! Isn't it marvelous? 

Renato and I got a new car last Tuesday! It all fell together perfectly. We had to get a new car for Julian, because our old one did not have backseats. So, with only two weeks left before my due date, Renato posted Monday afternoon on Craigslist to sell the CRX (the car we had). It is seriously a popular car because he got a text message almost instantly, and had dozens more throughout the night. But one in particular really caught our eye.  Renato had mentioned we were selling because we needed a family car. And someone offered a trade for just that!

We went to see the car that night. It was dark so we didn't get a great look, but we were able to drive it and it didn't have any obvious problems. It was a fast decision, but it's a week later and we do not regret it. We made the trade Tuesday afternoon. The guy seemed a little sketchy at first, but he offered to buy some more stuff for the car to make sure it was ready for us and turned out to be a nice guy. So the CRX is with him now. It's his hobby to fix up cars and resell or trade them. Hopefully he can fix it up like we always wanted to :(

Our first baby, the CRX. We'll miss you!

There was a couple problems starting the Grand Marquis after we got it home. We bought a new battery for it after seeing a mechanic, but in two more days that one was dead too. Saturday we tested it at Autozone and it turned out we needed a new voltage regulator. The guy we traded with had let the car run with the battery disconnected, and we found out that can cause a lot of damage. So don't let anyone ever do that! There are better ways to check the alternator. (like a meter made specifically for checking the alternator, duh!!! Just go to Autozone, they check a bunch of stuff for completely free)

So the rest of the weekend and today was spent fixing, cleaning and getting the car street legal.

Almost 39 weeks pregnant and I can still work on a car :)

At the emissions testing center. It passed! 

This car is huge and the complete opposite of what the CRX was. It is a big adjustment (and frankly pretty scary!) to drive this yacht. But we've grown to really love it this past week <3 If we keep it long enough though, we might just paint it yellow in memory of our first car, the CRX (and add giant chrome rims, of course. It's just that kind of car)

Dedicated to all the "First Cars" out there, 

Lily