Happy Halloween!

This time next year, we'll be holding our baby in these photos. eep!

Halloween 2011
Halloween 2010
Halloween 2009

Flashback

Unearthed some old treasures last weekend in the room my sister and I used to share.



Clockwise from top left: 1) my sister's tooth stash. we found one that actually said "thooth". so cute. 2) I think her name is Lemon Meringue from the Strawberry Shortcake gang. I loved that doll so much. I don't know why she's topless though. 3) Mostly Jr. High school IDs. I was a giant nerd. 4) My first English language concert. My very first concert was Andy Lau.

Blue on blue

I know, I know, Fall has finally settled in and it's glorious. But that nip in the air and quick moving daylight always makes me a little melancholy. I can't help it. I love Summer and will always miss it when it's gone.


Blue on blue on PCH across from Malibu Seafood, on a perfect beach day.

Stretchy Pants

I tried on my loosest jeans this past Sunday morning and they did not fit! eeep! I mean, I could still zip and button but boy, it was uncomfortable and unattractive. So I went out and purchased a pair of maternity jeans. And you know what? I love them.

These jeans are like my stretchy pants a la Nacho Libre.



I contemplated a belly band but after seeing one in person and talking to the sales person (who was also pregnant), I decided on the jeans. I just knew I wouldn't feel comfortable with having my pants undone, even with the band. The jeans are supposed to be wearable throughout my entire pregnancy and even beyond while I work to lose the baby weight.



Inspired by a new pair of pants, I managed to put together a cute outfit.

• Shirt is vintage Sears label
• Vest is Guess from way back high school! 
• Of course, my favorite sparkly heart band.do pin holding it all together

Whoosh

13 weeks

I'm 15 weeks (nearly 16) now so this photo outdated. I don't have another good belly one that's not on Sergio's camera so...imagine the bump just a teensy bit bigger. I haven't gained much weight since then and am expecting a sudden spurt any day now.

Anyway, today was a really good day. I had a doctor's appointment in the morning and though there was no ultrasound, I got to hear baby's heartbeat again. The doctor couldn't find it at first which spooked me. I feel so great -- I don't "feel pregnant," which I am ecstatic about but of course, makes me wonder and worry at the same time. The doctor said that the baby is just really active and wouldn't hold still. In fact, I'm beginning to feel little flutters of movement! She finally found it a little lower on my abdomen than expected -- whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh -- so strong, so quick. I got to hear it for less than 30 seconds but it was awesome. Gosh, just thinking about laying there, listening to that reassuring beat is kind of making me teary right now.

The second part of the appointment was about my blood test results which I passed with flying colors. Yay! The second I turned 35, I was placed into a higher risk category for by baby to develop birth defects and other diseases. So today's results were a relief. There is a second half to the big test that we'll get the results for in a few weeks but everything is looking good. We get another ultrasound in three weeks, which is when they will be able to tell the sex. (!!!)

Sigh. It's all happening so fast and so slow at the same time. All you mommas and soon-to-be mommas know what I'm talking about.

The Business of Being Born

Been thinking a lot about this ever since I watched it. Kind of aligns with the less than enthusiastic reactions when I asked about midwife delivery at both my PCP office and the hospital.

Perfect bouquet

Sonya Yruel Photography via Snippet & Ink.

Sergio's Birthday - La Jolla

I took Sergio to beautiful La Jolla for his birthday.



Relaxation was the goal and I think we were successful. It helped to stay at the fancy pants Estancia Hotel and Spa. We went on a gorgeous hike down to Black's Beach, had massages and generally just hung out.


Piatti


One of the most lovely hotel grounds I've seen.


Adobe El Restaurante






Hike down to Black's Beach.






Salk Institute




Our room.





Instagram snaps


We won't be doing any major traveling any time soon, but I really want to try squeezing in these little getaways before baby arrives. Luckily California is one amazing state with endless undiscovered places. Half of me wants to avoid the lure of old favorites and the other half wants to slip them on like an old, cozy cardigan. We'll see.

See full photo set by clicking here.

Top 7 questions since baby news

So yeah, we're gonna be parents. Mind blowing right? Maybe not for you but for us, totally.



It's been super tough keeping the secret, especially in the last two weeks when my tummy really started showing. Mornings were generally stressful as I mournfully rifled through my wardrobe for something comfortable, blousy and not obvious. I asked Sergio daily, "Does this make me look pregnant?" I thought I looked pregnant in everything of course. But now the big news is out and we're so happy to share!

I have received roughly the same set of questions from everyone. I don't mind answering them again and again because I'm STILL super excited!!! (eeeeeee!!)

Questions in relative order usually asked:

1) How far along are you?

About 14 weeks now. That's a little more than three months.

2) When are you due?

Early April.

3) Do you know if it's boy or a girl?

Too early to tell.

4) Are you going to find out what sex it is?

Yes.

5) Was Sergio excited/How did Sergio take the news?

At first I was perplexed that anyone would think there was a possibility that Sergio wasn't excited or would take the news badly. But I totally get that not every guy is into the prospect of having kids. Well, Sergio is and we've been planning this together for quite some time now. In fact, he believed that I was pregnant before I did.

6) Are your parents excited?

My mom has been on my case about giving her some grandchildren since before I got married. Years now. So yes. Sergio's parents are happy for us too though, they are so far away so obviously it's not the same. Sergio updates them quite often though and I hope to blog more frequently so no news is lost.

7) How are you feeling?

Really great so far. I'm lucky to be entering into my second trimester with relative ease. The first trimester was marked by very few moments of nausea, some digestive issues that I learned to overcome by only slight modifications in diet, and fatigue. I guess the fatigue was the worst part. It was like having permanent jet-lag and being underwater at the same time. I still cannot believe how hard the tired would hit. It screwed with my brain to the point where I could not concentrate and probably caused my lack of interest in much of anything. The most interesting thing to me was the couch or bed where I could just lay around and be most productive at yawning. Now I'm already entering what is generally regarded as the "honeymoon" phase of pregnancy so yay!

There have been some changes made in the house already in preparation for baby. I'll share those soon. We're also still trying to find a hospital and doctor I feel comfortable with and will probably interview a few birth doulas. ooo...and we get to finally start registering for baby things. There is so much information to process and decisions to make. Honestly, it's all kind of overwhelming and scary at the same time that it's exciting and happy.

Our Project

Hello there! I would be really appreciative if you took a bit of time to view this little project Sergio and I have been working on. It's less than 60 seconds and there's music so turn on your sound/headphones. Still a rough cut but please watch and let us know what you think!



Thank you for watching! :)

Peering into the future

Five Leaves Cafe, Bar & Oysters \\ Brooklyn > New York

If we lived in Brooklyn, Five Leaves would definitely be a go-to. The sidewalk tables are perfect for people watching and I imagine a fun brunch and summer evening scene. I read good things about this place and was surprised to learn its mournful beginnings. I was intrigued so it was at the top of my Brooklyn to-do list.

We had taken a long (to me) walk to get there so needed a place to sit and rest, refreshment and sustenance for the walk back to our car. It was past lunch and not yet dinner when we arrived. Luckily there is an "in-between menu" from which we ordered a platter of delicious fresh oysters, a beautiful charcuterie plate and a couple glasses of good vino. Exactly what we were craving!


Every last bite was delicious.



The artist hand-lettering signage onto the insides of the restaurant cellar doors was nice to us. We talked about how hand lettering was a dying art but seemed to be making a comeback. He lives right around the corner from Five Leaves and I guess he's done a lot of the signage in the neighborhood. He was cool but didn't want his picture taken. So I promised I would only get his work.


We met these two happy ladies next to us. They were scheming up some plans in a park that sounded arty and fun and maybe a little bit dirty. I wish I remembered what it was.

What a great place. And like the universe heard me, the people behind Five Leaves recently announced that they would be opening a place in DTLA! In the currently in construction Ace no less! I cannot wait to get my brunch on.

Five Leaves
18 Bedford Avenue
Greenpoint, Brooklyn 11222
718-383-5345
{They do not accept reservations}

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From this trip.