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Friday, July 31, 2009

Family Camping trip here we come!


We've finished packing up the car and David and I about to head off for a weekend of family fun and camping in the great outdoors! We'll be "unplugged" for the next few days - a much needed break awaits us!

We'll be camping at a group campsite called Capps Crossing. It is located on the North Fork of the Consumne River at an altitude of 5100 ft near Pollock Pines off HWY 50 in the Eldorado National Forest.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Mourning Doves



I've blogged before about the Mourning Doves that live in the trees outside of our condo, but this morning I was inspired to write about them again because they are so cool! I love waking up to the peaceful, mysterious calls of these doves - the sound of their coos makes me smile. Listen for yourself!
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Jo Koy - Hilarious!

David and I absolutely LOVE this comedian Jo Koy...if you haven't seen his stand up on Comedy Central, check him out! Here is a hilarious clip from one of his best specials...LOL!
Jokes.com
Jo Koy - Crazy Midget
comedians.comedycentral.com
Joke of the DayStand-Up ComedyFree Online Games

Monday, July 27, 2009

Pregnancy and food.....

So I've always LOVED food...who doesn't love eating, right? One of life's finest, simple pleasures. But honestly, I've never enjoyed eating more than I do now as a pregnant woman! For some reason, food just tastes SO much better and more flavorful...and eating brings me so much joy - ha! I'm not sure if it's because my hormones have actually altered my taste buds (?), or if it's because I'm actually letting myself eat without stressing about calories for the first time in my adult life....but either way, food is my friend! So since I'm thinking of it now, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite foods and strongest cravings. For the record, I loved and craved most of these foods even before I was pregnant (with the exception of orange juice), but the intensity of the cravings have definitely increased! Hungry anyone?!





Saturday, July 25, 2009

Day Party @ Mclaren Park, SF

We had a great Saturday out in the sun enjoying a picnic lunch in Mclaren Park, listening to some good music, and catching up with great friends!





Friday, July 24, 2009

25.5 Weeks!

The belly and Zoey are growing as we speak! : ) I can't believe I'm just a couple weeks away from my 3rd trimester - pregnancy is such an exciting time!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Hayward Kaiser Hospital


So after touring the Labor & Delivery units at both the Hayward and Oakland Kaiser hospitals, I have decided that I want to deliver Zoey in Hayward. I am more attracted to the Hayward hospital because unlike Oakland, they have midwives on staff that perform most of the deliveries and assist laboring women, whereas it is solely doctors and residents in Oakland. Also, Hayward is certified as a "Baby Friendly" facility, known for their focus on encouraging breastfeeding and early mother-baby bonding, and their strong lactation consultation services. Also, I just got a better overall "vibe" from Hayward. And lastly, their parking and access to the building is SO much more convenient and accessible 24 hours a day. Their website also has a link to a virtual tour of the facility.

Going on these tours has helped to make my pregnancy feel much more REAL! Now that I'm beginning to think more seriously about giving birth and signing up for labor, breastfeeding, and infant care classes, I am getting both more excited and nervous for what the future holds. But most of all, I can't wait to meet little Zoey and begin the journey into parenthood with David. : )

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Full Solar Eclipse today, July 22nd


This happened earlier today on the other side of the world, but I thought it was quite interesting; especially the Indian superstitions surrounding the eclipse and the possible resulting violence, natural turmoil, and the effects on pregnant women!
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This summer's total eclipse of the sun promises to be one of the most spectacular natural events of a lifetime.

On Wednesday, July 22, the moon will move between the sun and the earth, plunging swathes of Asia and the Pacific ocean into daytime darkness. The eclipse will last more than six minutes - the longest for several hundred years - and won't be surpassed until 2132.

The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reaches 6 min 39 s. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes most of eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean.

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The following excerpt was taken from an article called "Eclipse pits superstition against science":

MUMBAI (AFP) – Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a sign of potential doom.

But astronomers, scientists and secularists are trying to play down claims of evil portent in connection with Wednesday's natural spectacle, when the moon will come between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun.

In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.

Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors to prevent their babies developing birth defects, while prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are encouraged.

Shivani Sachdev Gour, a gynaecologist at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, said a number of expectant mothers scheduled for caesarian deliveries on July 22 had asked to change the date.

"This is a belief deeply rooted in Indian society. Couples are willing to do anything to ensure that the baby is not born on that day," Gour said.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Aimee's new toy.....and she even plays fetch!

My baby girl Aimee LOVES playing with twirled up pipe cleaners. She'll bat it around the house, bite it and chew it, carry it around with her in her little kitty mouth, and even play fetch with me just like a puppy! I was sitting on the couch last night, and she brought her pipe cleaner up to me in her mouth and dropped it next to my leg. I picked up it and threw it across the room, and she immediately ran over to it and snatched it up, and brought it right back to me! What a talented, silly little kitty. Some of these pics are blurry, but you get the idea. : )




Monday, July 20, 2009

Riley's 1st Birthday







Saturday we headed out to San Bruno City Park to celebrate the 1st Birthday of our friend Jen's daughter, little Riley. We had a great time hanging out in the sunshine, spending time with Leah, Lukasz and Hayden, and watching Riley devour her birthday cake!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Saturday, July 18, 2009

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Pregnant Woman...

Rude Comments about Pregnancy
10 Things You Should Never Say to a Pregnant Woman


Naomi Rockler-Gladen
Jun 29, 2007

No touching unless she offers!
Pregnant women get lots of smiles and good wishes-- and lots of comments that are shockingly rude! Here are some comments that are thoroughly inappropriate.

When a woman is pregnant, most people around her act appropriately. They ask her how she's feeling and express excitement about her upcoming delivery. They open doors for her and offer to carry her groceries to the car. In addition, they continue to treat her like a normal and intelligent human being. Unfortunately, a surprising number of people seem to become socially inept as soon as they stand before an expectant mother. Here are some things you should never, ever say to a pregnant woman!

1) Any and all comments about how big she is. If you're going to say anything about her appearance, it should be along the lines of, "Honey, you look gorgeous!" Don't compliment her on her lack of weight gain either-- err on the side of good manners and don't comment on her size at all. Here are some of the rude comments pregnant women often hear about their weight:
* "Oh my God, are you having twins?"
* "You're only seven months along? Geez!"
* "Wow, that baby's going to pop out at any minute!"
* "You know, my sister only gained 20 pounds when she was pregnant."
* "Oooo, your booty's getting big!"

2) "Can I touch your belly?" Don't even ask. The answer is NO. Since when did it become okay to touch strangers? If the pregnant woman is a close friend or relative, it may be appropriate to ask, but never touch without permission.

3) 'Oh my God, you're having another baby?" It doesn't matter if this is baby #4 or baby #14. Congratulate her and keep the snarky comments to yourself.

4) Any and all unsolicited advice about baby names. If she asks you if you prefer Molly or Madeline, then tell her. If not, compliment her on her name choice (and if you hate it, smile and nod). All of the following comments are inappropriate.
* "You're naming her Molly? I prefer Madeline."
* "Aiden? Wow, that's such a trendy name."
* "Arwyn? Well, that's... different."
* "Don't you think you should name your son after your grandfather?"

5) "Are you going to get him circumcised?" This is only an appropriate question if you know the woman well. You wouldn't ask a stranger about her husband's genitalia. Why would you ask about her son's?

6) "You're not going to eat that, are you?" Let the lady eat her brownie in peace. And spare her lectures about the dangers of blue cheese or honey or fish or whatever it is that you heard on the news. She's not a child, so don't tell her what to eat.

7) "Did you use fertility drugs?" This is a question pregnant women get if they're 42 or if they're having multiples. If she wants to share this information with you, she will, but it's not polite to ask people about the contents of their medicine cabinet. Besides, does it matter? However it happened, she's pregnant.

8) "Was this an oops?" The only person who should be asking this question is an OB-- or maybe a woman's best friend or mother.

9) "So do you have hemorrhoids? Mine were just awful." Lots of pregnant women love to share details about their icky pregnancy symptoms, but many do not, especially with strangers. A simple, "How are you feeling?" is sufficient.

10) Any comments about the PAIN of your own birth - "So this is your first? Oh my God, with my first, I had horrible back labor for THIRTY hours, and then I needed a C-section and was in pain for WEEKS and the baby didn't sleep through the night until she was two years old..." You get the idea. She'll know soon enough what labor feels like, poor thing, so spare her the horror stories.

Friday, July 17, 2009

University of California Furloughs & Salary Cuts... : (


On Wednesday, the UC Board of Regents officially approved President Yudof's proposed furlough and salary reduction plan to help address the staggering $813 Million dollar budget shortfall our system is currently facing. This salary cut/furlough plan is being taken by ALL UC employees across the 10 campus system, in addition to a mandatory 20% budget cut that all individual departments are required to make. So despite the salary cuts, layoff are almost inevitable in many departments. And sadly enough, student fees will also be increased by over 9% in the coming year. It is a sad, sad situation.

What this means for me and others in my pay class, is a mandatory 16 day furlough, which translates into a 6% salary cut that will be taken off the top of my paycheck. Joy. What great news to an expectant mother/new home owner with a little baby on the way! But we're hangin in there, trying to stay optimistic, and having faith that everything will work out....somehow.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wonderful baby quote - tearjerker!

The quote below was taken from one of my favorite pregnancy-related blogs that I peruse regularly, "His Boys Can Swim". On a side note, this blog is hilarious and entertaining, and tracks the journey of a young couple throughout their pregnancy with entries from both mom aka "Jane", and dad aka "Tarzan".

“When it is time for your very first snuggle with your very own baby - savor the moment. It’s one of the most magical moments you’ll ever know and once it passes, it’s gone, never to be duplicated.

You may be weary and shaking or wired and floating as you gaze for the first time into the eyes of this tiny stranger whose heart has been beating in concert with your own for the past nine months.

Your baby knows you, your voice, your smell, and wants nothing more than to be cradled close in your arms, held snugly to your breast. Lying with your newborn, there is no pressure to perform, no words to be said, no expectations to be fulfilled. For this little while, this too-brief moment, you can finally rest and allow yourself to simply be.

The person you were, the woman who didn’t know her own strength and doubted her capacity for love is slipping away now, though it may be a while before you truly believe that she’s gone. Try to catch her eye as she leaves, and thank her for taking you this far. Everything you’d dreamed and all that you feared is behind you–and in front of you.

You’re a mommy for real now. You’re a warrior. And this is what it means to be reborn.”

-Sheri Lynch (Hello, My Name Is Mommy)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

2009 MLB All-Star Game tonight

Considering that I was just in St. Louis where I visited Busch Stadium and toured the Gateway Arch, I LOVED seeing this unique commercial for the 2009 MLB All-Star game tonight!
And a huge plus - Giants star pitcher Tim Lincecum is the starting pitcher for the National League this evening.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Family weekend in Manteca & Lodi!

My Aunt Karen & Uncle John recently put in a new pool at her house in Lodi, so we all decided to have a family get together and enjoy it! I love my family, and I love summertime! : )



Thursday, July 9, 2009

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

My silly cats.....

...love to sit, play, and cuddle up in silly places!