Baby shower

So there is major nesting going on at our house... Everything is being cleaned out, reorganized or redone... Which is great because we have nothing but time.... Ok so maybe not, but we are still trying to set everything up for the baby. T even cleaned the windows which watching the masters this weekend... See everything is being organized.

On Monday my office threw a baby shower for me... It was really nice. Apparently they contacted T to see what I might want and he mentioned that I have been staring at this Pottery Barn bassinet. The one that costs about the same as a crib. I had decided that it was not a wise purchase and so tried to put it out of my head but the "this is the last baby I will have" thoughts kept coming back to me and I kept dreaming of THE bassinet. I know - completely illogical. Anyway everyone in the office suprised me with the beautiful bassinet... Fantastic.

The sweetest thing was that they got a gift for K... As they know she loves horses and pink they tried to find a cold pink horse. Instead they found a cute little dog and on the way out the salesperson found them a horse with a bit of pink ... So she ended up with two things - a pink horse and a pink dog that kisses. She loved the suprise and thought the bassinet was quite a boring gift... I am sure once we set up the bedding and she figures out how to put her dollies in there the gift will be much more interesting. I however am in love.

Easter

K and I had a great Easter weekend. Daddy had one more mancation planned coupled with the Masters (the same Masters I was supposed to have the house painted so he can get the man tv which I still don't have done - yuck) and so me and K hung together.

On Sat we went to ballet followed by two hours at the park... She was in heaven.

On Sunday we had a family breakfast out where she was treated to easter eggs . Me and K followed breakfast by a fantastic Easter egg hunt at Shoup Park in Los Altos where we met up with M and her family and some friends. They loved finding the eggs and playing in the stream afterwards.

The best breakfast ever

Ever since I have been pregnant T has been bringing me and K an apple or little snack in bed to help with nausea which comes on like a ton of bricks when I leave the bed. As of late the nausea has gotten so bad it wakes me in the middle of the night and I secretly dream of going downstairs to eat food. I even have had dreams of brownies and hot fudge sundaes - thank goodness we keep neither in our house, otherwise I would definitely be eating in the kitchen. Whoever thought I would be brought breakfast in bed every morning.

This morning I heard K waking up and moving around and expected her to come into our room as she does every morning. Instead I heard her chatting with MoCa and hanging out. Assuming that MoCa was upstairs I didn't think anything of it until I heard her come up to me and I opened my eyes...

K had gone downstairs, gotten a bowl and got an orange out of the fridge for us to share.... She proceeded to scream into the bathroom that Daddy didn't need to cut up an apple because she had already gotten us breakfast... I was beyond touched and definitely think that was the best orange I have ever had... She continued in her princess ways and got dressed by herself, went to school without needing to gather fifty things from the house and ran an errand with me on the way... I think I am more in love with her today than I was yesterday, if that is possible!

A 12 hour holiday

Last night we decided to take a 12 hour holiday.... We picked K up together after work and headed to Half Moon Bay for dinner at this little restaurant that is right on the water. We went over to the Ritz for dessert and came home. This morning my doctor's appointment was at 9am instead of our standard 7:45 appointments and so we continued our little holiday and went to Peets. A nice mid week adventure.

A few pics

The countdown is on!

I really see the light now... We are almost at the end of some of the toughest nine months we have had as a family... I guess I really needed to take some time and appreciate how important being healthy is.... And I so do... especially as I sat in class last night and plotted ways to steal another chair to sit in... Desks are not made for pregnant girls and for some reason none of my classes are in the new b school this quarter and I am stuck in an actual desk... Yuck! We are almost there!!!!

Since I didn't make an 09 resolution... it looks like I am carrying over my 08 resolution. A and I were randomly chosen again to run in the Nike women's marathon. Guess that BOB will be getting more use with Baby C while I am on maternity leave when I start to train. (I haven't worked out in quite while - embarrassing, but true!) If I completed the 1/2 completely sick last year I can only imagine how much better this year will be. Especially the day after.

The shower

The shower this weekend was loads of fun. The theme: Sugar and Spice Manhattan style was organized by my girlfriend A... Virgin cosmos, little brown bags as favors in honor of bloomie's shopping bags, loads of good food and really originial games.

K joined in on the shower... She loved decorating the onesies that were out for painting. They are rather cute, but two days later they are still wet due to the heavy painting. She also took photos of everyone and was thrilled to win first prize for the best onesie... The other highlight was Gma S's super present - a big sister shirt. She wore it for 24 hours. We got it off at bathtime last night, but she showed it to everyone. Her other favorite a chocolate egg from A to help her feel more comfy with the presents filled with Joseph Schmidt truffles - I already have to admit to stealing one.

Since most of the gifts were geared towards adults K won a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the local ice cream shop which she redeemed Saturday night. As I was freezing we went into the local coffee shop to sit. Apparently they have music on Saturday nights and so there was a band was setting up. K requested they sing Mary had a little lamb as she is only used to the artists at the farmers market. Unfortunately and not suprisingly they didn't play it for her, but we left before they had started to play. It was still really cute to see her ask.

An awesome shower, but what has been even more wonderful is having A back in the area. We have been lucky to be able to see each other almost everyday which is fantastic despite crazy schedules. It is great.

On Sunday we did our standard market coffee shop run before heading back home to continue the organizing of the house before the baby arrives. I think we will be at Goodwill daily for the next three weeks. K is getting so that she can walk all the way into town with only tiny breaks on the stroller. I think it is about 2 miles so we are rather impressed. Despite garage cleaning K and I also went for a walk last night where we made daisy necklaces... Lots of fun epecially with this great weather. And one of the nicest parts of the weekend... date night with my fantastic husband.

Loving Mommy's summer finds in Europe

I don't dream

K and I normally read books together in the morning for about 30 minutes before adventuring to start our day and the process of actually leaving the house... This morning she stated Mommy, I don't dream. In fact I never have dreams. (Yes she really did say in fact, just like she loves to say actually and perhaps in sentences).

She proceeded to spend ten minutes talking about her non existent dream of a fox. I am not sure how she has gotten so chatty, but in the last six months it has been hard to get a word in while she chats away.

Our weekend

We decided to meet T in the city after golf to enjoy the beautiful weather. We went to Cafe Balboa in the Marina for a really nice meal. After lunch we decided to take K over to the local fire station. They were really nice and let her explore the truck, try their gym out and ring the bell. She loved it. The weather was great and so we wandered the Marina, took her to the park and just explored. We also took her down the windy part of Lombard, which she loved. We tried to go to North Beach for dinner, but couldn't find parking so we took her home for the global light's out hour. She loved dinner by complete candle light and seemed to have a great day.

On Sunday we met up with Gma S for the farmers market. Gma bought K flowers and we all wandered to her house for lunch. Later in the evening Aunt J came over and we hung out, played cards and went out for sushi. Lots of fun.

K camping...

After we put her to bed Sunday night, T found K had made her own bed on the floor. She also decided she wasn't ready to stop playing Candyland and so set it up again.

Trip

The trip was really good although really busy.

London gave us a few days of sunshine allowing us to sit outside without coats. A rarity. We went to some neat exhibitions at the Royal Academy and National Portrait Gallery, met up with some of my friends from when I was a kid for really fun meals, shopped in Sloane Square and Covent Garden and just soaked up the weather. One day we ventured over to Oxford and explored the high street, visited the botanical gardens, wandered some of the colleges and just enjoyed the town.

Southern Spain was really great. We had a wonderful time at the Allahambra, exploring the Moorish quarters of Granada, had yummy food and most of all loved the spa hotel. The hotel was stunningly beautiful and the spa didn't let us down. We also went to Cordoba, where we visited the largest mosque in the Western world, Ronda and Maravella. Ronda is a beautiful town nestled in the mountains with great views... Maravella is less attractive and rather built up, but the weather didn't disappoint.

Now the countdown has begun for C's arrival...

A quiet weekend

With finals behind me we ended up spending the weekend at home relaxing and hanging out. It was really peaceful. On Fri night we went to dinner with M&J where we watched what happens when non parents sell food to get our girl to eat... The food Daddy provided looked unappealing, but when J sold it to her as bite size appetizers she ate everything. Marketing I tell you.

On Saturday we went to a fun 80's party although I can't say I looked the part. Getting dressed these days is a challenge let alone in costume... And on Sunday K got to go to M's for a play date while we hung out and went out for a late breakfast. I forgot that there can be a line for breakfast when you go at 11am. Sunday we also met up with S&R for dinner, making Gma S our super hero covering two nights in a row.

K has been really into the card games she received for her bday and so we played cards last night. When Daddy didn't win she ran over to him and said "Daddy, it's ok. It's not all about winning."

Being grounded

Spring break starts tomorrow afternoon. Needless to say I am thrilled.... Taking courses while feeling like this has only been possible because I have the best husband, daughter and mom in the world... They make life much easier.

MoCa seems to be bothered by the pillow and the large belly taking over the bed, but luckily she doesn't mind the extra petting she gets as I lay there awake in these last few weeks.

Today K told me I would feel better in this lifetime... Let's hope so as I only have seven weeks to go and realize the doctor was not quiet honest... You can feel gigantic, nauseous and full all at the same time. The rest of the symptoms that have developed... well not enough space on the blog for the list. I am getting the countdown calendar on the first of April!

In the meantime before being grounded I have decided on one more trip during spring break... That's right I couldn't convince my husband to come with me as no one has the travel bug the way I do, but he volunteered to cover the home front so I can go on one more adventure before being grounded... The doctor cleared the air travel and even gave me a note should I need it so that I can go. I am leaving for London later this week to meet my sister in law. After a couple days in London we are heading to the South of Spain for spas and shopping, I mean historical sights...

It should be fun... even though planes are not my favorite thing. I now understand the torture T experiences being jammed in a coach seat while I casually cross my legs and try and take as much of our row as possible...

K will beyond bummed to miss her Aunt on a trip... But since she tells most people my trips are for the sole purpose of buying her presents I think she will be ok with Daddy so that I can shop. Especially since Aunt S will send a few presents her way in my luggage knowing T's family.

K enjoying the packages from NYC shopping

K and Daddy!

Want to go to the moon?

Last night I took a break from working on finals to call home. Yes it is the nasty week of finals this week.... K answered and mentioned they had her and Daddy had all the lights off and were looking at the moon shadows. She said they had decided to ride in a rocket ship to go to the moon. Lucky I had good timing and rang as she said I could come to if I wanted.... Of course T immediately mentioned that of course I would go to the moon as after all it was another trip. So now we have decided we must travel to the moon in a rocket ship. Way to make my trip planning for 09 look rather lame!

This weekend

Hurrah I got out of a business trip this weekend and didn't end up having to travel... Instead we got to be together as a family!

On Friday night we returned to the creamery with Gma S... K remembered the place from the last time and still loved the barstools. It was really fun especially as we all hit the bookstore and took turns reading to her. Sat K had another bday party for Tre. where she got to play with balloons as swords and of course play with all the other big four year olds! We went to Los Gatos where she played jumprope with girls she met at the park and wandered around. It was really nice to be together.

Sat night Gma S covered for me and T so we could celebrate our 10 year anniversary of being a couple. 10 years of true bliss.... we are so lucky!

Sunday we headed up to the academy of sciences where we got to check out the planetarium and just enjoy being in the city. We hit Citizen Cake finally and shared a nice lunch there before heading back so I could go to an Indian dance performance with Gma S.

Lots of family time and just enjoying one another... Awesome!

Last weekend

On Fri A presented K with her bday present... K received her first Cabbage Patch doll. Dolores Vivian and K took their oaths to be a wonderful Mommy and daughter team Fri night at Gma S house where we all had dinner. Loads of fun... Dolores has a very clean diaper... I think that is the best part of the dolly in K's opinion. She keeps changing her.

Sat I had class for 12 hours... A cruel thing that should not be forced on anyone. K went to Fi's bday party with Daddy at Hidden Villa. Her favorite moments the chickens...

Sunday I had to fly to Texas for work and so thanks to wonderful Mom group friends, Gma S and Daddy K got to LG's Tinkerbell party. K loved it and especially loved the face painting. She took her stickers to gymnastics on Monday and shared them with everyone. Especially T our teacher who we LOVE!

T and K picked me up Tue night from the airport and we all went to Il Postale for dinner. It was awesome to be together as I had spent so much time back east and traveling for work recently. K kept giving me big hugs and kisses... These are normally hard to come by... The flight home was rather eventful as we had to make an emergency landing in El Paso due to mechanical issues. Luckily the airline fixed the plane in two hours and we even made it home that night, late but still that night. Definitely the first time K ever got to go out for dinner at 9:30 at night.

The closing keynote at my event this afternoon

SF fun

K had a fantastic weekend. On Friday night we had A over for homemade pizza. Still one of K's favorite activities. K loved loved playing crazy 8s, tiger and everything else with A. It was really fun.

Sat we headed up to the city after ballet for an afternoon in the Marina followed by a group gathering with T's sis etc. K finally found another park with a tire swing in the Marina, did more swinging and explored all the kid shops. Somehow we used up all our time at kids shops and I didn't even make a purchase....

The dinner with T's family was a great preview into K with C. One of the babies there was just three months old and so K loved spending time with her, making her laugh and treating her like a real live dolly even getting to hold her.

I had to take a red eye to NYC last night and so today I spent the day in NYC. Despite looking horrendous in maternity clothes, a coat that barely buttons, weather predictions of snow and rain... I had an awesome day. I stuck it out and wandered in SoHo, West Village, had lunch in the Meatpacking and shopped. I even got to read the Sunday NY Times... Really a nice day.

To my perfect valentine!

The Ritz, beach, hay rides, train rides, horses, baby goats, jumpy houses and best of all friends

Celebrating at Gma S & Pmogis

Celebrating at Il Postale

K wanted penne pasta for her bday so we went to our favorite Italian place... They surprised her with a big bunch of balloons as T called for a reservation and well we have been going there forever... One of her favorite presents were sunglasses like Mommy's.

We can't carry cars

Today on the way to school K started to analyze cars. She mentioned to me that we couldn't carry cars because they were too big.(The conversations we have these days are too funny.)

Of course this brought up her favorite subject, baby sis C. She mentioned that we would hold baby C a lot. I agreed and pointed out that we used to hold her a lot especially when she was younger. Of course this brought up her other favorite topic, when she was a baby. I frequently have to draw up memories from a sleep deprived era to explain what she did when she was little.

So we talked about her baby period when I apologized for not being able to hold her as much as I like right now because of the baby. The energy still remains low, and well no sense going on about the list of complaints associated with this pregnancy. Let's just say T continues to be our hero picking up as much as he can at home.

K as always was a sweetheart and reminded me that I held her just last night. (I stole her off Daddy's lap for some snuggles. Yes the same one that is trying to be two parents and doing brilliantly.)

K continues to be amazingly patient with Mommy's limitations. Not that these got in the way of an awesome bday week of celebration to help her celebrate turning 4. Details to follow.

Oh how I miss...

I am missing my closet these days.... I am proud to say I have spent a total of $300 on maternity clothes this time by augmenting what I have left from my pregnancy with K.... Not that I spent much more last time around either.

However last night at school I saw a girl with a skirt with a real zipper, while I was leaving the bathroom for the millionth time and I had to comment. I must have looked really pathetic as she even asked how the pregnancy was going... I am still bummed to say it is still hard... I never thought I would still be sick this far in, but there you go.

I can pull all my clothes from one tiny box in my closet... I didn't even bother to make room to hang anything so everything is on a box on a shelf... Of course the end result is worth it, but I must say I am ready for some real clothes... I guess I will have to go buy a purse or something.

Mommy have some milk

The other night K was sitting on my lap after dinner. She kept offering me some of her milk. I kept saying no, but finally since she had been offering for so long I took a sip. At which point she leaned into my tummy and yelled "C I gave Mommy some of my milk so that you could have some. I hope you like it."

K in ballet class parking lot

Welcome home

K and Gma C made us a huge welcome home sign that went from the ceiling to the floor. It was very cute. K is really really into drawing these days. Everyone really helped out so K was able to do all the things she would normally do if we were home. Gma S came over and played, took K to school and gymnastics. Pmogi took K to school and ballet. Gma C covered nights and mornings and took K to a candy store and to the farmers market. Mommy J kept the girls over at their house for picnics and lots of playing. We are very lucky...

T and I had a great trip. We went to our favorite breakfast place in Santa Barbara, did some shopping on State Street before holing up in Ojai at the hotel. The weather was incredible. We were treated to 70 to 80 degrees everyday. It was cold at night so we got to enjoy our fireplace and one night had an amazing meal by our fireplace in our room... We went for morning walks, tried new breakfast places in town, went to some of our favorite dinner places and just spent time together. T got three rounds of golf in and I studied for my actg midterm every afternoon while he was gone by the pool, by the spa and everywhere else. Not ideal, but still nice to get to spend time together. I went to a yoga or pilates class everyday not that it was very graceful with my lack of balance, but it was still great. We also spent a lot of time just wandering on the resort and enjoying their gardens, dining at their fancy restaraunts and reading the paper. All in all it was awesome to be together.

Yesterday we grabbed dinner in Santa Barbara before heading home and making it home in time to give K a kiss good night. We had found her a cute little backpack with a horse for her to take toys and things to the coffee shop when we go, which she loves. She used the backpack as a pillow as it was fuzzzy and the horse is at school with her today.

Couple time!

Off to Ojai... Thanks to the best Gmas in the world we are off for four days of couple time in Ojai at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. This has been an awesome tradition to implement since having K.. Time to relax and enjoy being two. This trip is extra special as we know we are in for some sleepless nights in a few months and that life is going to change. In the meantime we are very appreciative that we are three soon to be four.

My first Spanish love letter

K has been mentioning that she wrote us a letter at school the last couple days. I didn't expect anything big until I opened the note and found she had written us this in Spanish....

To my love mama

To my love papa

What more do you need to melt your heart (especially when hormonal due to pregnancy).

Our first haircut

The other day N was cutting the kids hair and K really wanted to get her haircut. I have been trying to convince her to get a trim since the holidays, but she really really didn't want to. However as we know N's is an alternate world where wonderous things happen.... so after getting the ok from us, K got her haircut.

Last night she came over with a beautiful haircut... We are all excited.

LA

I spent a long weekend in LA helping A move back to the Bay Area. Very exciting.... After she moved away to go to college we have only gotten a few million hours of phone time, a couple weekends together every year and an epic Europe tour a couple years ago. Now she is back living here so loads of fun ahead. And loads of crazy papers. Last year she and I created the most perfect admissions essay for SCU. Since I had a paper due yesterday we spent part of the weekend editing what I am sure was a masterpiece. As T said when we mentioned we were editing my paper... he would need galoshes. Two English majors together can come up with some umm good writing. Especially at 2 in the morning and this time no wine was involved.

LA was nice and a bit warmer... We packed and organized, but still found time to go shopping in Old Town Pasadena, go to the spa for facials, pedicures and massages, multiple lattes and some really fun dinners. We checked out a really cool and trendy Mexican restaurant on Sat and had yummy Afghani food on Mon. Driving home was of course fun with loads of laughter and chatting. Lucky for me she also knows where all the clean bathrooms are between here and LA after ten years of driving the 5 so even a pregnant girl could make the journey.

K had a great weekend with Gma C and Daddy.

T and I had a date on Fri night and finally tried The Counter. Funnily enough we finished our date at Target and Whole Foods. Ok not quite a first date experience, but still fun.

S turned 4 this weekend so K spent the weekend with her playing at her house and our house. Back and forth the two went, which is fast becoming the theme of every free weekend moment. K had her first ice cream cake as that was S's bday request and was thrilled. Especially thrilled as they bought two cakes and left one with us.

The rain

If you are wondering why we lost our beautiful weather, it is because I got both my and T's cars washed on Tuesday. That's right now we know why all the dark clouds appeared on Wednesday.

In much brighter news, Gma C has just arrived for a month long visit and to be here for our girl's bday.... K is thrilled. The dynamic duo are happily reading books, playing with play doh, taking care of baby dolls and drawing pictures. Mommy and Daddy don't really even exist and so as is the way when Gma C is here we have returned to the back up staff, making dinners, cleaning up and staying out of the way so the two girls can have fun. K had to wait almost seven months for this visit as Gma C was in England and so the lovefest is in full swing.