Birthworks is the best!

We went to our first childbirth class last night. It was actually the last class of the previous session. The instructor suggested we attend this class on postpartum and breastfeeding, so we don't miss it in case Baby Grover is born early. (The last class is scheduled for July 1)

Susan, our instructor, holds classes in her home. There are no more than 6 couples and it's a really intimate, friendly setting. Everyone raved about how wonderful the class was and how they'd all gotten to know each other very well and how much better they felt about the process.

I'm really looking forward to learning tools to help us through the birthing process, to becoming more confident about it all, and also to make some good friends along the way. I just wanted to hug Susan when we left!

I think this class is right up my alley. I even cried last night when class was ending (oh, the hormones!) but seriously, we lit a candle and said this blessing:

Bless these babies' minds that they may be filled with wisdom and dreams
Bless these babies' eyes that they may have clarity of vision and see goodness.
Bless these babies' hearts that they may give and receive love.

I bless this baby to be filled with my unending love. From the center of my heart, I nurture, guide and teach this child and wish the best upon this precious new soul.

Actually, I read along, I was too busy crying to vocalize the words.

I have such a good feeling, not only about this class, but this insanely calm feeling about giving birth. I don't really feel scared or intimidated. I only hope this feeling continues and gets stronger as we get closer (only 11 weeks to go!).

Looking forward to class next week.

Week 29

Guess who's feeling much better!

According to my sources, Baby Grover should weigh about 2.5 to 2.7 lbs right now. She is already a little overachiever - our ultrasound yesterday indicated she weighed 3 lbs 1 oz. It's extra important that I get enough calcium these days because the baby is soaking up tons of it to strengthen her skeleton. Her head is also getting bigger to make room for her developing brain. Baby Grover's eyes continue to develop, and can distinguish bright lights through the uterine wall. My sources also say that this is the height of Baby's fetal movement - and whoa, they aren't kidding! I think I felt her moving around ALL day yesterday!!

Sunday evening, as Lane and I were watching my tummy, it popped out on one side and just kept rolling down the side of my stomach. It must have been one of her little legs or arms stretching out or something. Pretty wild.

No promises about when we'll get this week's picture up - Tonight I'll be home for maybe 1 hour after work, during which we will scarf down some dinner and then head back to the city to our first child birth class.

Baby Check Up

So we had our last ultrasound today. The doctor wanted to check us out again since the placenta was extra close to the cervix last time. They say if it's less than 2 cm away, they might have to do a C-Section because the placenta could detach prematurely, putting the baby in danger and causing way too much bleeding for a normal delivery. yikes. At my 20 week ultrasound the measurement was only 1.8 cm.

I'm pleased to say that Baby Grover and her placenta are on their good behavior and the distance is now 3.4 cm. She is doing really well - the sonographer checked her bladder, stomach, and kidneys and measured her all up. Baby Grover currently measures at 29 weeks and 3 lbs, 1 oz. We could see her heart beating and see her practicing her sucking and swallowing. We just think she is a cutie pie!

Yesterday we tried to visit the hospital for a Maternity Tour, but we left late AND got a little lost so it didn't quite work out as planned. We are going to try Take Two next Sunday. We still drove there to find out where it is so we don't get lost next time. Wish us luck!

Out on the Town

We had a really fun weekend out on the town that started out in our old digs, Reston. Our friends, Wes & Ioana, invited us out to dinner with some friends of theirs. The outdoor seating was lovely and we shared a tasty assortment of tapas. We finished off the evening on the rooftop deck at Wes & Ioana's. The weather was great and they have an awesome set up there - benches and tables and chairs and lamps and planter boxes, all with views of the DC skyline.

I tried something new on Saturday - I made a fritatta. It turned out great. This just may be my new favorite breakfast technique. I sauteed some ham, onions, and garlic, threw in some diced, boiled potatoes, some grape tomatoes and tons of fresh spinach. Then, I just set the whisked eggs on top. Once it had cooked for a while, I crumbled goat cheese and an italian blend of cheeses on top. Then I transferred it to the oven for about 10 minutes or so. It got all light and fluffy and looked so pretty when I cut it, with all the layers of delicious goodness. mmm. I only wish I'd had some fresh herbs to chop up into it.

That night we went out for dinner and drinks at a place in Georgetown with a bunch of friends, and then transitioned to a house party in Dupont Circle. The party was in a gallery and I think the only girls there were in our group of friends. I also think I totally ruined the gay guy vibe with my big pregnant belly.

Yesterday we met up with Malia and explored Old Town Alexandria. We went in a few shops, enjoyed the walk, even though it was a little chilly, and we dined at one of the 8 or 9 French bakeries there.

We finally sat down to watch Sweeny Todd after an eventful weekend, but I must have been really tired because (again) I fell asleep watching the movie. I'll try again later this week.

Nana's Coming to Visit!!

I was so happy to hear my mom made her flight arrangements. She arrives on July 21st - so that is now my official due date by which to have this little girl. Baby Grover can't wait to meet her Nana : )

April Babies

I haven't been good at my birthday postings so far this year. But April is such a busy month for us with family birthdays, I figured a shout out was in order.

April 3: My Nana April 4: My "little" bro, Matthew April 6: Lane's bro, Ian

April 8: Grandma Chaney
April 14: Lane's dad
April 14 (again): our wonderful niece, Christianne

This isn't even counting our good friends Malia, Scott and Tim who celebrated their b-days on the 6th, 17th and the 19th of this month! Holy April Babies!!

Preggo Sicky

I started to feel the sore throat madness on Sunday night. It has made some new friends including a stuffy nose, and as a result is having a hard time saying goodbye. I guess it didn't help that I had to go out of town to co-teach an 8 hour course and talk all day, but I'm still a total sicky this Friday am. I've been staying super hydrated, coming home from work early and resting, drinking tea, eating soup, and gargling with Listerine to soothe my throat, taking some tylenol, which is the only medicine I know I can safely take. I don't know what more I can do to kick this sore throat. grr.

I also seem to have my first trimester pregnancy hormones back in full swing. It was kind of funny because we read our Pregnancy Journal for the day and yesterday's entry said pregnancy is one of the three times in a woman's life (puberty and menopause are the others) when she has a lowered ability to deal with the emotional experiences of life. We went to bed later, Lane had his arm around me, and then he rolled over (away from me). I don't know what my deal is, maybe the combo of sickness and hormones, but I BURST into tears and I couldn't stop crying. It's totally ridiculous.

Lane is such a sweetheart though. He just held me and was so patient, loving, and understanding and not at all frustrated or acting like I was a crazy. I was thinking about how wonderfully he reacted and all the other ways he could have and it warmed my heart so much I cried a little more.

Week 28

Well people, we have just entered the third and final trimester of this pregnancy! We are only plus-or-minus 84 days away from meeting this little cutie-patootie.

This week, Baby Grover weighs just about 2.5 pounds and is approximately 15 inches long. She is able to blink her newly eyelashed eyes and her main job these days is packing on the pounds. Her momma seems to be doing the same.

I have been so proud to say I haven’t been sick this entire pregnancy. That is, until now. A sore throat made an unfortunate and unwelcome appearance over the weekend, and I’m starting to wake up lots during the night these days. So goodbye restful nights of full sleep, I’ll catch you again in about three years or so. And by the way, you can peace out any time, sore throat. I won’t miss you one tiny bit.

In other blogworthy news, Betsy, my wonderful volunteer presented me with another gift for Baby Grover last week. Before revealing this present she told me that she was going to give me something no other moms around here would have. She said not even my doctor or the baby’s pediatrician would have one, or even anyone else at the hospital. Of course I was getting very curious. She also said that it was from Japan, where her daughter lives, and that she had given one of these gifts to a cousin before. When the cousin saw it, she thought it was the grossest thing ever, but now she really likes it and asked her to bring back more on her next trip to the US. So Betsy said her daughter brought a bag full, and she snagged one for me. Aren’t you just dying with curiosity?!? I sure was. And here it is:



Apparently, you put one end in the baby’s stuffed up nostril, and the other end in your mouth. Then you suck out all the yuckies so baby can breathe again. Don’t worry, it goes in a separate area, not in your mouth – that would be gross. But it’s still a little strange. Apparently, it’s supposed to work much better than those blue suction things you get at the hospital. I’ll let you know how it goes. I have to play it by ear though, because I can’t understand any of the instructions on the box.

p.s. Right now the last thing I feel like doing is taking a picture. I'm so tired and sicky feeling. But don't lose hope. I may still suck it up and take a picture before bedtime.

So those are tears in my eyes in the second picture - Lane made me laugh so much I started crying and that happened to be the best belly pic. Go figure.

Game Night and Adventures with Earth Day

Thank goodness for lazy Saturdays – waking up late, eating delicious breakfast and somehow getting to take a nap!

We ventured off to the grocery stores late in the afternoon. As soon as we returned, Lane raced to make his famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and while I put together a quick dinner. We ate and in just enough time, made it downstairs to our neighbors for a fun evening of games, laughs, and good food. I realized how much I missed game night. We played 25 Words or Less – a very fun game that Sean & Jessica introduced us to, and by request we brought Pop5, a Cranium pop culture game. We were having such a good time that the night was over before we even realized.

While Saturday’s weather was absolutely gorgeous, the Sunday weather totally sucked. Of course, Sunday is when the big Earth Day festival was scheduled on the National Mall. We were really excited to go because our friend Raquel was helping to organize it and offered to get us VIP passes; this offer was all the more enticing when we heard that Gov’t Mule and Warren Haynes were going to be performing! I knew the forecast had lots of rain, but I figured it would be drizzly/light sprinkles kind of rain. Besides, I’m always disappointed when the forecasted thunder and lightning storms never turn out.

So we packed our umbrellas, a delicious lunch, and everything else we thought we needed. After walking around the booths for a little while, running into our friend Ben, but not finding out the performance schedule, we decided to sit down for a little while. And the rain began. And it POURED. We got out our umbrellas, only to find that one of them was completely useless. After we realized it wasn’t letting up any time soon, we headed to the American Indian Museum for some shelter. Now, remember people, I am 6 months pregnant and can’t walk nearly as fast as I used to. So my jeans got soaked on the walk there.

After hanging out for a while at the museum, eating some of our snacks, and checking on the rain, we decided we should head back, even though it hadn’t stopped yet. As we walked, we quickly recognized Warren Haynes’ voice and fancy guitar playing. We caught half of one song. And then he was finished performing!!! Just our luck. We didn’t see the rest of the band, and hoped that Gov’t Mule was scheduled to play later on – maybe this was why they had the singer listed separately from the band. So we saw Edward Norton and Chevy Chase speak and as we stood cuddled under one umbrella, the rain got stronger and stronger. So strong, in fact, that they announced the rest of the event was canceled due to electrical storms and asked everyone to vacate the national mall. Curses!

We proceeded to get more and more soaked as Lane walked slowly for me and I waddled to try to keep up in the pouring, very slanted and umbrella defying rain. By the time we got to the metro, I could feel water dripping down my backside. Several people sweetly offered me their seats on the metro, but really, who wants to sit down in a sea of wet clothes?? I mean, my underwear was soaking wet!!!

We got home, got into cozy clothes, Lane made me some tea, finished baking the cookies, and we ate our lunch at home for dinner. We also watched a really interesting film on babies and how they start walking, thinking, and talking.

Maybe next year’s Earth Day festival will be much drier and less anti-climactic.

A week without groceries = lots of date nights

For one reason or another, Lane and I didn't get around to grocery shopping this week. I was kind of frustrated at first, but it gave us the excuse to go on lots of dates.

On Monday, I knew Lane would be exhausted from his Vegas shenanigans and the effects of going from staying up until 4:30 am Pacific time to waking up at 5:00 am Eastern Time. I suggested he take a nap while I met my good friend Katie at the pizza place across the street, and then he could meet me for dinner. Katie and I had lots to catch up on. I really missed her, and hope we get together sooner than later. Lane came and we shared some delicious greek pizza, a sausage and pepper sandwich, and tasty mint chocolate gelato while he told me all about adventures in vegas.

I was all set for us to do our shopping on Wednesday when I got an email that I'd won tickets to a pre-screening of Al Pacino's latest movie 88 minutes. We were torn, but decided we better take the opportunity to go out now, before the baby arrives. So Lane and I met up and went to Matchbox in Gallery Place where we sampled the mini burgers they are famous for and a spinach salad. By the time we got in the theatre, the only seats left were reserved for the press, and there were a lot of them! So we sat down in some of the seats, I practiced looking pregnant and huge, and we figured we'd just get up and go if someone said we couldn't sit there. Lane took out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote "88 Minutes" on it and looked very convincing as a member of the press. The film was entertaining and interesting, but totally implausible and over the top.

On Friday we tried the Greek restaurant, also down the street from our apartment. It's off of the main "restaurant row" but was still very busy and very authentic. We decided the ambiance was better than the food was tasty, but we still enjoyed ourselves. The weather was gorgeous, and very comfortable, even after the sun went down. We sat outside for dinner and even took a little walk before heading home. As we walked home and rated our dinner, Lane told me that he's just spoiled with all the cooking I do for him.

Wish us luck that we'll get that grocery shopping done this weekend!!

Vegas Pics

It sounds like the Grover Boys had a blast living it up Vegas Style. They stayed at the Mandalay Bay, went to the pool, went to the spa, dined at super fancy restaurants, went out to clubs without waiting in lines, had table service at the clubs, and even caught a glimpse of Eddie Murphy's B-day party. Ann made a special appearance for part of the weekend and they all saw a Cirque de Soleil show . I have to admit, I'm a little jealous but I'm so glad Lane had this time with the fam :)

Week 27

Exactly 3 months from today or 13 weeks from now, is Baby Grover’s estimated due date. The thought that she could even be here sooner than that is a little stressful, since we have so much preparation to do still, but we are very excited. Time is sure flying by.

Baby Grover weighs just about 2 pounds right now, and if she stretched her body all the way out, she’d measure almost 14.5 inches long. Her eyes, which have been closed for the last few months, should begin to open any day now and her eyelashes are forming. She continues to gain layers of baby fat and her lungs are capable of functioning now, should she be born prematurely. This girl likes to move around a lot! She gets more and more active each day!

And, I’m starting to feel more and more pregnant as the weeks go by. I walk much slower these days, and don’t even bother trying to catch the train when I can see it’s arriving in just one minute. Last night I had to take off my wedding rings because my fingers are getting a little swollen. I also noticed my shoes were extra snug this morning, so my feet must be swelling up as well. When I put my rings away, I came across a ring my mom gave me a long time ago. She said she used to wear it when she was pregnant with me. The ring is usually a little big on me, but fits me just fine now. And I think it’s only fitting that I wear it while I’m pregnant with my first daughter.

I can’t believe we start our childbirth class two weeks from today!

All By Myself

So this weekend I was all alone without my dear husband. I thought I might enjoy some me time, but I mostly got an attack of pregnancy hormones and really missed Lane.

I decided that there is no joy in cooking for no one, so I just avoided it all weekend. Friday was beautiful weather so I took Baby Grover on a date to a new sushi restaurant down the street. We shared a Bento Box and sat outside. It was really pleasant to just be outside in the evening in a tank top and capris and be totally comfortable. Could spring really be here? I sure hope so.

Yesterday I had great plans to walk to the nearby shopping center for some comfy pregnant lady shoes. I packed a little bag, even brought my book to read out on the patio at Pentagon Row. When I walked outside, it was a little cloudy, by the time I started crossing the street it was drizzly, and by the time I walked about 30 more feet, it was steadily pouring rain. I got discouraged and turned around and went home. So there I was feeling defeated, in my warm and stuffy apartment. Opening the window was no use, as it was muggy and rainy outside. I just sat on the couch feeling pathetic - I was a hot, uncomfortable pregnant lady in APRIL. And, as if just to spite me, the brilliant sunshine suddenly appeared in the window. I didn't gather the motivation to venture back out on my mission until 7:30 that evening. It was a successful mission on all accounts - I arrived without getting rained upon and I found two pairs of comfy shoes.

Today I got to visit with an old friend from high school. We made it over to National Geographic to check out the Frogs around the World exhibit. It was totally rad! The frogs were amazing colors, came in all different sizes and shapes and were really quite fascinating. Not only that, it was fun to just chit chat and catch up with Morgan.

We met up later that evening with her husband, Andro and feasted on Ethiopian food down the street from our apartment. I hadn't ever been to that restaurant before. It was really tasty.

I learned Morgan might be coming back in September for a wedding. Hopefully we'll be able to meet up with her and introduce her to our newest littlest Grover.

Thoughts on Child Birth

So many people ask if I'm going to go for the drugs during labor. I've been really hesitant to make a decision either way. It's so intimidating - not only do I have NO idea what to expect, I don't want to feel like I've failed before I even start being a mom. But I feel like I know what direction I want to go in.

This weekend I finished reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. It was a fabulously enlightening book, and incidently, the same book the Lieutenant Commander on the Metro recommended to me ages ago. The first half is a ton of birth stories from women who had natural childbirths. The second is more informative, talking about how deep the connection between the mind and body is during labor, what happens during childbirth and labor, how to cope, and the differences between medical/technological care and midwifery care. I highly recommend it.

While most stories you hear about child birth are these horrific and terrifying war stories, all the stories in this book were very positive and encouraging. Don't get be wrong, these ladies weren't saying it was easy breezy, but they were definitely more in tune with their bodies and how to respond.

I also just saw this documentary today called The Business of Being Born. I was a little nervous to watch it because it's about the pros of at home births and produced by Ricki Lake. I was sort of expecting a sensationalized expose on the absolute horrors of hospital births. But it was actually quite balanced while showing numerous home births (including Ricki Lake's which was a little weird).

Ina May was interviewed in this film, she wrote the book I just finished, and she's on the board of Birth Works, the child birth class Lane and I just registered for.

Basically, the philosophy is belief that the woman's body instinctively knows what to do. They focus on building confidence and providing tools and resources to use during childbirth, without prescribing a certain way to give birth (natural or not) because they believe every birth experience is unique. I am really excited about it.

I guess after all this, I'm finally ready to say that I want to try the natural childbirth experience. I want to believe in my body's ability to guide this baby into the world. I'll have some challenges I think by doing this in the hospital, but I'm willing to give it a go.

I am pretty much decided about next time already. Next time I'll go to a midwife and have the baby at a birth center.

Wish me luck as I try to prepare myself for this!

Viva Las Vegas

Well, Lane left yesterday to spend a long weekend in Sin City with his three brothers. I'm really excited that he gets to spend time with them all. They should have a blast - staying at the Mandalay Bay, seeing a Cirque de Soleil show and living it up Vegas style. I just miss him already and he won't be back until late Sunday night. I sent him with the camera in hopes he will get a good picture with ALL of them. Most of our grover bro pics look like this:

With Noal & Nate in SF and Oakland, Ian down in Santa Barbara, and us in DC, it's rare that we have a picture with all four boys.

I hear Ann, Lane's sister, might be stopping in. Extra super bonus points to Lane if he gets a picture with the FIVE of them.

My husband, the chef

Lane made a delicious dinner last night. I am so proud of him for experimenting. I try to tell him that recipes are guides for inspiration, and this time he got inspired. Lane did a homemade macaroni and cheese, but instead of regular cheddar, he used horseradish cheddar. But the madness didn't stop then - he sliced up bunches of grape tomatoes, broccoli florets and mixed in tons of spinach and put some bread crumbs up on top so it got nice and crispy.

Not only was this a delish dinner, he topped it all off by doing the dishes and giving me fresh strawberries (from Watsonville, CA) for dessert!

Restaurant Weekend

Lane and I went on a date on Friday night to the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse. They show films on a big screen with tables and chairs and servers come and take your orders for food and drink. As my brother Tim would say, it’s a good idea in theory. Unfortunately, the food was pretty lousy. We did, however, enjoy watching Juno. It was endearing and comical, and I cried my eyes out at the end. I’m blaming it all on my super-preggo status. Next time we’ll just order drinks and eat before or after the film.

Saturday we enjoyed sleeping in, making a nice breakfast in the morning, and then Lane played some computer games while I took a nap. We ventured to the Junior League’s annual Tossed & Found sale where I got some board books for the baby in excellent condition. I also got a practically brand new copy of Super Baby Food – an item that has been on my wish list. Lane got all but one of the Bourne book series and I found a few baby clothing items (this is excluding the whole separate trip I took on Sunday).

That afternoon David & Cynthia and her friend Brooke got into town. We had a late lunch and had to make an emergency trip to the mall. Poor Cynthia’s bag did not show up when they got off the bus. Of course, she brought all her favorite make up, clothes, a jacket I gave her for Christmas, AND a present for the baby. She was obviously bummed and very frustrated about that. I’m still hoping they’ll call her with her bag, but it’s not looking good.

That night we feasted on Thai food galore at Neramitra, right outside our apartment building. Before we were even finished eating, David was already making plans for eating Kabob Palace later that night. The plan was to go dancing, but I had to excuse my big ol’ pregnant self. I’m not much for standing for long periods of time, or walking for that matter. So Lane and David and Cynthia and Brooke went up to Adams Morgan for a night on the town. I am sad to say I missed such events as Cynthia getting told by a stranger that he wouldn’t sleep with her and that she was ugly, Brooke being spit upon, David almost starting a fight, a $15 cab ride to travel about 0.5 miles, and a 3 am Kabob Palace run that included a 40 minute wait for the food. This loveliness ended around 4:30 or so in the am.

Since I was so well rested, I got up before everyone and spent some time reading my book at the coffee shop. It was very relaxing, I just might end up doing that some more. Lane and I headed to Harry’s Tap Room for a delicious birthday brunch for our friend Leanne where we enjoyed spending time with our friends and meeting new people. As soon as we got home from brunch, Malia called to say she and her Aunt Debbie would be in Crystal City for lunch and they invited us to join them. Even though we were full to the brim, we couldn’t refuse a chance to visit with Malia and Aunt Debbie – especially since it was Malia’s birthday!!! After our leisurely conversation we took some pics and then headed back. This was when David advised us that he and the girls were at TGI Fridays (of all places) and we should meet them there. So we trekked to our third restaurant of the day to hang out.

The weekend ended quietly with the girls and Lane and I renting some movies and eating kabob left overs. I don’t really know what it was about because I snuggled up to Lane and went right to sleep, but I woke up just long enough to cry about some part of the movie. Hormones, sheesh!

Week 26

Baby Grover is just about 14 inches long now. The nerve pathways in her ears are finishing developing, which means she should be increasingly more responsive to sounds. Her eyes are almost fully formed, her lungs continue to develop and she’s working on strengthening her spine. What a busy little bee!

I’m finally starting to feel like a pregnant lady. Actually, I feel more like my body is broken. I have some lower back pain, and am not able to move around as quickly as before.

On Thursday I started my prenatal yoga class which I found to be relaxing and helpful at the same time. Our class ranges from people who are 8 weeks Prego to about 36 weeks! Today I registered for May’s prenatal yoga class, in addition to a child birth class for the Birth Works childbirth method that starts at the end of this month. I’m reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and getting bigger by the moment.

The third trimester is just around the corner!

More Pics From Ian & Adie's Trip

Belly Love from the Grovers

Less than 100 days to go!

I can't believe how quickly time is passing by with this pregnancy. I'm starting to get nervous I won't have enough time to do all that needs to be done.

Right now I'm trying to get registered for a child birth class, find the right pediatrician, research day care centers, schedule a tour of the hospital, get my Family Medical Leave Act paperwork taken care of, find local La Leche League meetings, read, read, and read some more, and lots other things!!

In fun news, I got lots of baby stuff at this Junior League sale that was in the Crystal City Underground right next to my apartment. I got 2 sleeper gowns, 1 sleeper, 2 pairs of pants, 1 sweater, 1 outfit, 3 pairs of tights, 7 pairs of socks and 2 board books - all for $21!! I love good deals!

Lane, my loving and attentive, faithful back rubber, and dependable photographer of a husband is finally in some pictures with me and my big belly.

Baby Grover must have been a good girl...

Because she has been getting presents left and right!!! A woman who volunteers at my work hand knit two bibs and a burp cloth for Baby Grover. They are very sweet and will definitely come in handy. Betsy has these labels she sews into the items that say "Handknit by Grandma Betsy".

Ian & Adrienne and Claire & Natalie got some of the sweetest baby girl outfits around and a mermaid and fairy book for Baby Grover. Then, they read her the stories all week long.

And just yesterday, we got a lovely Hawaiian gift package from Andrew & Malia that included a onesie that says butterfly in Hawaiian, a book about the Hawaiian seashore and, get ready for it ... a HULA OUTFIT!!! I can't wait to take a photo of Baby Grover sporting her hula outfit and showing off her hula moves.

We are so lucky that everyone has been so generous and loving to Baby Grover already!! Muchas Gracias!

Andrew Needs Your Votes!!

Okay, people. The competition is heating up. Andrew is currently in a close second place. If you've already voted for him, thanks! If you haven't, please take 2 seconds to vote for ANDREW TAYLOR as Hawaii's Athlete of the Year.

Just earlier this month he *won* a marathon in Hawaii on the Big Island.

The best part about voting is you can do so once a day. And if you are really super duper supportive, you can vote from home AND from work.

We really want him to win and appreciate your help!!

Here's the link for your voting pleasure: http://www.athleteshi.com/athleteoftheyear2008.php

April 3, 2008

Happy Birthday, Nana. I miss you.

Goodbye Grovers

Natalie and Claire loved riding the metro around DC.

We had a wonderful week long visit with Ian, Adrienne, Claire & Natalie. A week never felt so short! Even though they will be spending the rest of the day in town, I had to say goodbye and head back to work after meeting them for lunch today.

Luckily, Lane was able to take Friday and Monday off from work, and I was able to take off Monday. In between tons of sight seeing, there was much belly love to be shared. Claire and Natalie presented me with some baby books and super adorable baby girl outfits for Baby Grover. They also her read stories every day, kissed my belly, talked to her, felt the baby move around, and gave me a long list of possible baby names to choose from. They just love their little cousin!

In between playing games, cooking adventures, tickle sessions, and other fun times at home, our guests managed to visit the American Indian Museum, go to the park, spend all day at the zoo, tour the Capital Building, visit the Botanical Gardens, see the White House and Washington Monument, walk the cherry tree laden Tidal Basin, visit the Jefferson Memorial, go in the paddle boats, visit the Air & Space Museum, visit the Natural History Museum, check out the live frog exhibit at National Geographic, AND the National Aquarium. WOW! We are impressed. Ian and Adie even had a date night where they saw a show at the Kennedy Center, went out for dinner in Georgetown, and saw a movie being made at a metro stop!!

The girls got to experience some cold weather too. They are from Santa Barbara, where it is usually about 68 degrees and sunny all year round. Claire isn’t even used to wearing pants, and when we tried to get her to bundle up for the 40 degree chilliness, she assured us she would put a sweatshirt on before going outside. After one day outside, we managed to convince her and her sister to bundle up a little bit more.
This is how the boys spent much of their time walking around the city.

Natalie LOVES to change her clothes. In fact, she promptly emptied her suitcase and changed outfits as soon as she arrived to the apartment. On Saturday, as we were getting ready to go to the park, Natalie asked for a bag for her clothes. I was really confused, and suggested she just put them back in her suitcase. Silly me, I didn’t realize she needed the bag so she could fill it up with clothes to take to the park! (just in case, people!) After we denied her request, she decided to bring a purse along. As soon as we got there, she pulled out a skirt and top she somehow managed to stuff inside.

One of the girls’ favorite pastimes was to put on their fluffy socks and use them as “ice skates” as they performed dance routines for us on the wood entry way of our apartment. Not only did they put on special socks for these performances, but they had to get into full costume, by putting on their hats, scarves, and gloves. One afternoon they asked Uncle Lane if he would participate in the performances. Lane disappeared for a few minutes and came back all ready to participate. I cried so hard from laughing when I saw him all dressed up in HIS hat, scarf, and gloves (and short sleeved t-shirt), pirouetting across our entry way with the girls. He was a total hit!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for coming to visit, Grovers! We had so much fun and hope you can come again soon to meet your newest niece and cousin!!!

Week 25

Baby Grover is so flexible. She can touch and hold onto her little feet. Her nostrils have just opened up and she's moving around all the time.

She was lucky enough to meet two of her cousins this week, Claire & Natalie. They are such loving cousins. They read Baby Grover stories, talk about her all the time, and kiss my belly. They have also come up with lots of ideas for her name.