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Monday, August 31, 2009

For Dads-to-Be: 10 Things you need to know about dealing with a pregnant woman


Dads-to-Be (and everyone else too!): 10 Things you need to know about dealing with a pregnant woman


1. She probably has to pee, right this moment.

2. Her mood may change at any moment.
... and then change back. Then back once more.

3. Morning sickness does not just occur in the morning.
Some women experience morning sickness all day, or feel worse into the evening. Be sympathetic.

4. She looks at you differently now.
This can work both ways, if you actively engage in preparing for the baby, she may love you more deeply. If you don't, she may be weary of your suitability as a father.

5. It takes a fraction of the time for her to get upset that it previously did.
Probably about a quarter of the time it used to.

6. You will hear the female anatomy discussed with unparalleled candor.
It might make you uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. You won't look at women the same way, but hopefully that is OK. Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the most amazing, natural things a woman's body can do and you should respect that.

7. She will get freaked out.
Probably by some article she read or something she saw on TV, it is your job to find another article that says the first article is wrong.

8. If you don't sympathize with her, you will drop in her estimation.
Demonstrate some empathy for her aches, pains, nausea and fears or your relationship will be strained.

9. Don't expect her to maintain her pre-pregnancy activity levels.
She tires easily and won't be able to keep up with her normal activities, from her job to anything she might do around the house. You will have more to do, and she will be so grateful when you offer to help without being asked.

10. She has to pee again.
Seriously.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Zoey's Collage!


One of my favorite "crafty" activities is making collages and collage cards. Since I recently acquired a whole paper bag full of magazines in preparation for a work-related event, I decided I might as well use them for a personal project as well. And it was perfect timing because we've been in a creative and decorating spirit lately, preparing Zoey's nursery ready for her upcoming arrival! So I flipped through lots of magazines looking for pretty images and sayings that inspired me, and kept my eye out for clippings that remind me of my growing daughter, my pregnancy experience, and my dreams and hopes for our future life together. I topped it off with some colorful stickers from my collection, and here is the result! I am very proud of this collage and it looks perfect on the wall in her nursery. I hope that she likes it too! : )

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

30 Weeks & Silly Oliver

Here's a 30 week belly shot, just to keep you in the loop with my growing tummy! : )
And a cute kitty pic just for fun - some mornings Oliver loves to curl up in my work bag, as if he's protesting the fact that I have to leave him alone all day. Poor, strange little guy! : )

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

30 Weeks!

Throughout my pregnancy I have enjoyed turning to babycenter.com for most of my information and health/baby-related resources. I love the way this site is setup, and I especially love the week-by-week updates and the message boards. I officially hit 30 weeks on Sunday.....just 10 weeks to go until my due date! Wow this pregnancy has sure flown by fast! Here is the 30-week update...so cool!

What your baby looks like - 30 Weeks

30 Weeks - How your baby's growing:
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)


How your life's changing:
You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

More progress on Zoey's nursery!

Today David and I decorated the wall above the crib in Zoey's nursery with a set of cute applique stickers that match her bedding and room decor. We figured this was an easy and inexpensive alternative to paint or wallpaper. We pooled our creativity to design the layout for the stickers, I am very happy with the turnout - her room is so cute!



Saturday, August 22, 2009

Brunch with an old, dear friend


I had brunch on Saturday morning with Desi, one of my oldest, dearest friends. We met up at Mimi's Cafe in Dublin and enjoyed a relaxing, leisurely brunch while catching up over stories and laughs. It was great! I didn't remember to take any pictures, but here's a pic from my 30th birthday back in April. I love you Des! : )

Thursday, August 20, 2009

The First Lady Wears Shorts - OH MY!?

"Michelle Obama's Short Shorts Spark Long Talks"

I saw this article on MSN and it honestly made me laugh - really people!? Supposedly some conservatives out there felt it was inappropriate for our First Lady to wear shorts out in public....even though she was on vacation with her family in The Grand Canyon in the middle of summer!! And um....her shorts aren't even that short - they are actually quite conservative in my opinion! Maybe if we were living in the Victorian Era I'd understand these comments, but HELLO this is the 21st century people! In general I think that Mrs. Obama has great taste and a very classy style, always wearing something very appropriate yet stylish for her important public appearances. I guess Obama naysayers will take a stab wherever they can....

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Good Morning!

Not much to blog about today, but I just wanted to say hello and wish everyone a great Wednesday!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Lovely weekend in Tahoe!

The weather was sunny and warm, the lake was gorgeous and bright blue as always, we went on a great hike up to Eagle Lake near Emerald Bay, we picnicked and lounged at the lake, and ate some yummy food. What a great trip!








Friday, August 14, 2009

Tahoe here we come!

David and I are headed off to South Lake Tahoe this weekend for a little getaway - I can't wait! We're staying at Tahoe Seasons where David's parents have a time share, and we plan to spend some time relaxing and picnicking at the Lake, playing some nickel slots at the casinos, eating some yummy food, and just soaking up the beautiful scenery of gorgeous Lake Tahoe!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Berkeley friends and mini horses......

Well since my blog IS called "The Randomness of Life", I thought I'd share two random thoughts with you this morning. First of all, I have some amazing friends that work with me at UC Berkeley - I love you my Cal advisor ladies! A few of us met up for lunch on Tuesday to have pizza from The Cheeseboard and cupcakes from Love at First Bite....yum! And it was so great to see Torrey and Dave who are visiting from Amsterdam for the week!

And I also saw these pics of an adorable mini horse on Cute Overload the other day and my heart just melted! I just wanna hug and snuggle this little guy - too cute!



Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tuesday Evening

I made a delicious recipe for dinner last night - Chicken Marsala with whole wheat cous cous and broccoli. It was quite tasty, if I do say so myself. : )
Then after dinner Oliver decided he wanted to cuddle on my lap for awhile. As my belly grows, the available lap space for kitties is slowly shrinking....but they make do. I was hoping Zoey would kick or thump hard enough for Oliver to feel her, but I think he was too sleepy to notice.


Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Monday, August 10, 2009

Sunny Delight uses new "Peel 'n Taste" technology to sample new products


So apparently Sunny Delight has introduced a new technology that will allow consumers to sample their new smoothie products in the store while shopping. And we're not talking about expensive in-store promos offering free samples - instead this technology involves a "Peel 'n Taste" dissolving strip available at aisle displays that will allow consumers to experience the unique taste of the product in a more cost effective manner. Interesting.....

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Making progress on Zoey's nursery!

David and I spent several hours of our weekend working on Zoey's nursery. David reorganized our closets and storage shelves to make room for more stuff, he hung the valance and wall hanging that match our crib bedding set, and I sorted through 6 huge bags of baby clothes that were donated to me by our sweet friend Jen and stocked her dresser with newborn items. As you can see, Oliver helped too. : ) We still have lots of work to do to prepare for Zoey's arrival, but we're definitely making progress!



Friday, August 7, 2009

Execs still get raises as UC cuts staffing & pay : (


I saw this story on the news this morning and it REALLY IRKED ME! While thousands and thousands of UC employees, myself included, are taking pay cuts between 4-10%, over 2 dozen high level execs were just given a pay raise. REALLY!?!
I am so angry right now......at least today is Friday! Read the full article below....
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Execs still get raises as UC cuts staffing, pay

(08-06) 19:10 PDT -- On the same July day that the UC Board of Regents cut $813 million from UC budgets - setting in motion pay cuts, layoffs and campus cutbacks - the board quietly approved pay raises, stipends and other benefits for more than two dozen executives.

University officials were quick to characterize the increased pay in a positive light.

"It's really a story about cost savings," said Barbara French, a UCSF spokeswoman, adding that three people on her campus who won hefty pay increases took on new duties and deserved to be compensated.

French said they are all filling in for Chief Operating Officer Tomi Ryba, who left in January and was not replaced, hence the savings. She earned $547,600.

But critics - from janitors to physicians, whose salaries have all been slashed - said that people earning between a quarter million and half a million dollars can afford to take on new duties without extra pay. After all, they said, they themselves are now paid less money for more work.
"These are outrageous actions, taken at the same time as UC has been pleading poverty, giving layoff notices, forcing staff and faculty to take furloughs and hinting at more student fee increases," said library assistant Kathy Renfro, chairwoman of the UC Berkeley Labor Coalition.

Continued.....

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Michael's 30th Birthday Dinner @ Townhouse

What a fun night with good friends! We celebrated Michael's 30th Birthday with a delicious and fun-filled dinner at The Townhouse in Emeryville. Good times indeed - Happy Birthday Michael!


Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Top Chef Season 6!


I was so excited to learn that a new season of the BravoTV hit, Top Chef, starts on Wednesday, August 19th - yay! This time around 17 contestants will gather in Las Vegas for another exciting and delicious season. I love cooking and I love reality TV, so this show is one of my favorites these days!