If I owned photoshop I would have removed my right arm so Banjo looked like he actually cared more about my bump than snagging the stick – but hey, it was the only way I could figure out how to grab and hold his attention until the camera clicked. Taking this picture was no small feat. In fact, people may not realize but only a couple of my “bump pics” have been taken by someone other than myself. The majority of the time I drag out my tri-pod and put on the self timer. So you can see where having 10 seconds from once you push the button to run to your spot and get a dog to do what you want is so much easier said than done. Although funny enough the first couple of times I was trying to woo him, he happened to jump for the stick right as the shutter went off – talk about perfect timing!
Seriously, the boy has hops. Which is ironic considering our other dog is bigger and more athletic looking, yet is too scared to even consider letting all four paws off the ground at once. Eric and I talk all the time how excited we are for Parker to be raised with our two dogs. While there is definitely going to be a learning curve I know Knuckles & Banjo will turn into protective big brothers and will probably trade their cuddle time with us in order to be with their baby brother. Our biggest issues are going to be the dogs licking him to death and thinking the baby toys are dog toys – which I can’t blame them for that one – ever notice how baby toys are made with similar materials and the same annoying sounds?
But as an update to the pregnancy everything is great! In fact, besides no longer being able to see my toes I pretty much feel like the same ‘ol non-pregnant Mel. I feel Parker do his water aerobics every day and that’s enough to keep me sane. I think he can already tell I’m the worrying type because sometimes I’ll start thinking it’s been too long since I’ve felt a movement and within seconds he’ll always kick as if to say, “don’t worry about me mom, I’m still here! Just taking a quick cat nap before tidying up the home!” At least that’s how I imagine he spends his time. After all, what mom doesn’t want a son that likes to clean their room?
Speaking of rooms. We haven’t done squat to the nursery since my paint job a few weeks back but we are in the middle of ordering carpet. I’m a wood floors person at heart, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and be practical. Our master bedroom and the nursery are always the coldest rooms in the house. Since Parker will be born in February and since you can’t cover a baby with a million layers of blankets (like Eric and I do in our room to stay warm) we decided it was in his best interest to carpet his room – and ours while we’re at it – to hopefully help the temperature come winter. We also seal our windows, but if anyone has other ideas on keeping in the heat I’d be happy to hear them! More updates & pictures of the carpet after it happens!
Finally, Happy Halloween everyone!! Eric and I finally carved the pumpkins we picked a couple weeks ago. Eric free-handed it with a knife, while I tried to get fancy (read: lazy) and use the electric drill method. We don’t normally get any trick or treaters at our house – but that doesn’t mean we still don’t buy loads of candy 🙂
Eric
Melissa
Family Mattos 
We got a space heater when Lyric was born (in December, brrrrr). Of course we didn’t use it in her room, but she slept in our room for the first few months so we’d use it at night when we were right there or even in the living room to make sure she was extra warm like the womb she was used to =)
As of now our plan is to have him sleep in his room from the beginning (our bedroom is really tiny), but if that changes then a space heater would be a good idea! Thanks!