Lane and I are so excited for Christmas. Mostly because we have sent gifts to our parents sharing the big news with them. We got them both cutsie baby photo albums engraved with "Baby Grover". It will be a great surprise for them, and mostly everyone will find out at the same time. Yesterday morning, Lane and I were talking about how we thought our families would react.
In other news, Week 8 has begun and Baby Grover is now the size of a grape, while my uterus has grown to the size of a grapefruit.
About six or seven weeks ago I started getting the Economist. I'd avidly read as much as I could before the next week's edition came out. But my, have my reading interests shifted. Now all I read is the Pregnancy Journal, From the Hips, and What to Expect in the First Year. When I went to my first appointment last week, I had already read everything that they told me, and there was almost no new information in the powerpoint presentation. So I decided to concentrate on eating healthy, exercising (haven't made much progress here yet), and referring to my pregnancy books when I have a question. I figured I might as well use this reading time to study up on how to take care of a little baby after it arrives :)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Weekend Recap
We finally hung out with our new neighbors on Friday night. The day before Daylight Savings time ended, we found a little pumpkin candle on our doorstep reminding us to "fall back" and wishing us a happy autumn from our new neighbors. (I admit it, I thought Martha Stewart had moved into town and was getting ready to put me in my place)We stopped by to say hello, and even brought some cookies shortly after, but Friday was our first time hanging out.
We suggested Jaleo, but mostly because of the awesome Bolivian brothers who play guitar on Friday nights and sing so beautifully and sound *just* like the Gipsy Kings. We arrived to two IMPOSTERS. Apparently, the one night we try to introduce new people to this place, our fabulous guitar duo had another gig in DC. These other guitarists weren't nearly as good. We still enjoyed getting to know each other. Later on, we went back to the apartment and hung out in the pool table room. Our 11th floor friends, Sean & Jessica jpined us as well. It was good times for Friday night.
We were really excited to see Bill & Julie for lunch on Saturday. We hadn't seen them in FOREVER. Julie is pretty much super-woman. She recently completed an Ironman race - almost 3 miles of ocean swimming, followed by a 100 plus mile bike run, followed by a marathon!!! WOW, congrats Julie!
Saturday night was the official start of the holiday cheer. Our friends Alex & Matt hosted a Christmas party full of delightful friends, holiday songs, a gift exchange, awesome game they MADE UP, and tasty treats and drinks.
Lane had to go into work on Sunday so I decided to start cleaning the house. We watched Sicko, the Michael Moore movie. It really was sick. Lane and I are tempted to move to France or something crazy like that. (like that will ever happen)
We suggested Jaleo, but mostly because of the awesome Bolivian brothers who play guitar on Friday nights and sing so beautifully and sound *just* like the Gipsy Kings. We arrived to two IMPOSTERS. Apparently, the one night we try to introduce new people to this place, our fabulous guitar duo had another gig in DC. These other guitarists weren't nearly as good. We still enjoyed getting to know each other. Later on, we went back to the apartment and hung out in the pool table room. Our 11th floor friends, Sean & Jessica jpined us as well. It was good times for Friday night.
We were really excited to see Bill & Julie for lunch on Saturday. We hadn't seen them in FOREVER. Julie is pretty much super-woman. She recently completed an Ironman race - almost 3 miles of ocean swimming, followed by a 100 plus mile bike run, followed by a marathon!!! WOW, congrats Julie!
Saturday night was the official start of the holiday cheer. Our friends Alex & Matt hosted a Christmas party full of delightful friends, holiday songs, a gift exchange, awesome game they MADE UP, and tasty treats and drinks.
Lane had to go into work on Sunday so I decided to start cleaning the house. We watched Sicko, the Michael Moore movie. It really was sick. Lane and I are tempted to move to France or something crazy like that. (like that will ever happen)
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Happy Birthday, David!
My big brother and fellow east coaster, David celebrates his birthday today. I won't tell you how old he is, but he's seven years older than me. When I was really little I called him Day-ha (don't ask me why).
David protected me when I was little. He also introduced me to a lot of cool music that I wouldn't have heard until years later if it weren't for him. One day he had me go in his room to hear this really cool new song that came out, so he played me the tape and it was Depeche Mode's People are People.
Even though he never let me sing along with the Oompa Loopa songs when we watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (only HE was allowed, apparently), he's still a great brother and friend to Lane and me both. At his wedding, our photographer wanted a picture with David and just his brothers, he said Lane *was* his brother and needed to be in the pic.
Happy Birthday, Bro.
Happy Birthday, Bro.
First Doctor Visit
Like I said before, this doctor visit was just for the initial blood work and to answer questions. I met with a very nice doctor who gave me some prenatal vitamins samples and a year's prescription. He took me in his office to show me a really detailed power point presentation with all the do's and don'ts as well as what to expect for the first visit, info about testing, and recommendations. He emailed it to me at home and said I can email him whenever. The office phone is answered 24/7, so he said to call with any question at any time.
Then the doctor said it was a really slow day, and that if I wanted, I could have a sonogram to see the baby and maybe even hear the heartbeat. Lane and I had talked about the appointments and decided that since I was just getting bloodwork and such done, that he'd come for the next appointment. I thought about how cool it would be to have a little picture and that we could somehow incorporate it into a Christmas gift for our parents, but I declined. I wanted Lane to be there. So hopefully, we'll get one done on the 21st.
These days I've been feeling like I have this huge secret. I also feel as if my body is emanating "I'm pregnant, people!" waves and that everyone can just tell. It's probably all in my head, but it's kind of weird.
Yesterday my boss was talking about how stressed out she is with everything at work and how she keeps getting more things thrown at her. It made me feel really uncomfortable thinking about how to tell her (probably sometime in the next month or so) about our pregnancy. I'm already not sure about wearing quite a few items of clothing - i can make my way into them, but then it seems even more apparent that I'm either "chunking out" or that there's a little baby growing inside of me.
Then the doctor said it was a really slow day, and that if I wanted, I could have a sonogram to see the baby and maybe even hear the heartbeat. Lane and I had talked about the appointments and decided that since I was just getting bloodwork and such done, that he'd come for the next appointment. I thought about how cool it would be to have a little picture and that we could somehow incorporate it into a Christmas gift for our parents, but I declined. I wanted Lane to be there. So hopefully, we'll get one done on the 21st.
These days I've been feeling like I have this huge secret. I also feel as if my body is emanating "I'm pregnant, people!" waves and that everyone can just tell. It's probably all in my head, but it's kind of weird.
Yesterday my boss was talking about how stressed out she is with everything at work and how she keeps getting more things thrown at her. It made me feel really uncomfortable thinking about how to tell her (probably sometime in the next month or so) about our pregnancy. I'm already not sure about wearing quite a few items of clothing - i can make my way into them, but then it seems even more apparent that I'm either "chunking out" or that there's a little baby growing inside of me.
Week 7
According to my Pregnancy Journal, Baby Grover is growing at a phenomenal rate. If our baby grew as fast right after birth as it is growing right now, it would measure 15 feet tall by the time it was one month old! Holy Moly!
The Pregnancy Journal is super cool. Each day has info about a new development in the baby's growth, what the mother should expect (sheesh, I'm going to be a mom!!), and tips for healthy eating. Each evening before we go to sleep, Lane and I read what happened that day.
The Pregnancy Journal is super cool. Each day has info about a new development in the baby's growth, what the mother should expect (sheesh, I'm going to be a mom!!), and tips for healthy eating. Each evening before we go to sleep, Lane and I read what happened that day.
It seems weird that I have this little bump so early. I tried reading online to find out when you start "showing". Basically it's different for everyone. But I did read that if you're really thin, it's much more apparent earlier. My mom has always told me that she got big right away with each pregnancy, so quickly that the doctors always thought she was carrying twins.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Preggers in Miami
Baby Grover is barely seven weeks old and has already traveled to the Dominican Republic and most recently, Miami. All I have to say is goodbye window seats and hello aisle seats. I've always loved sitting by the window and getting a little preview of my destination before even landing. Another benefit has been not being bothered when other people have to get in and out of their seats throughout the entire flight. Well, that is who I have become. It took one flight of being seated next to two tall men, who were fully engaged in their reading and video watching, behind an entire row of people with reclined seats to learn that it just wasn't meant for me anymore. As soon as I got to the airport for the return flight, I promptly switched to an aisle seat.
It's hard to eat properly when you're limited to Cuban restaurant food. It's quite delicious, but full of tons of meat, various fried foods, plantains, plantains, and more plantains, buttery and unhealthy pastries, and very few vegetables, salads, or calcium. After I got home, we spent Sunday at the grocery store stocking up on lots of fresh fruits and veggies and healthy snacks to eat throughout the day. I've been feeling a lot hungrier lately, but also get full much faster.
Over lunch one day with Miami chapter volunteer, she learned that I had been married for seven years, and when I responded to a question of hers saying I didn't have any kids yet, she immediately asked if I had considered adoption. I was kind of taken by surprise by that response. I guess some people don't just spend time enjoying each other's company after getting married or there's automatically something wrong with you if you don't have kids. And there she was thinking how sad it was to be me, unable to get pregnant, when in fact I was exactly that. I told her we planned on having some kids of our own, and yes, we'd actually talked about adopting also, but that's not in our immediate future. I guess I should start getting used to personal/intruding questions and how to graciously respond.
My first doctor appointment is tomorrow.
It's hard to eat properly when you're limited to Cuban restaurant food. It's quite delicious, but full of tons of meat, various fried foods, plantains, plantains, and more plantains, buttery and unhealthy pastries, and very few vegetables, salads, or calcium. After I got home, we spent Sunday at the grocery store stocking up on lots of fresh fruits and veggies and healthy snacks to eat throughout the day. I've been feeling a lot hungrier lately, but also get full much faster.
Over lunch one day with Miami chapter volunteer, she learned that I had been married for seven years, and when I responded to a question of hers saying I didn't have any kids yet, she immediately asked if I had considered adoption. I was kind of taken by surprise by that response. I guess some people don't just spend time enjoying each other's company after getting married or there's automatically something wrong with you if you don't have kids. And there she was thinking how sad it was to be me, unable to get pregnant, when in fact I was exactly that. I told her we planned on having some kids of our own, and yes, we'd actually talked about adopting also, but that's not in our immediate future. I guess I should start getting used to personal/intruding questions and how to graciously respond.
My first doctor appointment is tomorrow.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Miami y el resto del fin de semana
After a short recovery from Thanksgiving madness and requisite left-over feasting, I headed off to Miami for a couple of days to teach class at the chapter on how to do Restoring Family Links casework.
It was kind of a shocker to leave 40 degree weather and arrive in Miami at 8:30 pm to twice the temperature and sticky hot humidity. When the chapter staff found out I was leaving right away, this little old lady insisted that she take a colleague and me out on the town to see at least some of Miami.
So we hopped into her little corolla with extremely tinted windows and made our way to the best Cuban restaurant in town. It’s called Versailles, and apparently all the bigwigs eat there when they’re in town. It’s also where all the Cubanos eat, and gather when there is big news. Rumor has it that when business is slow at Versailles, the owners leak to the media that Fidel Castro has died. I ate so much meat and plantains – fried, mashed, fried, flattened, and then fried again (tostones). And while I’m not a big coffee drinker at all, I really enjoyed Cuban coffee. They serve it in these tiny cups that are about the size of a large thimble. It’s somehow sweet and quite tasty.
Later, our gracious host drove us to South Beach where they had many restaurants and stores out by the Beach, tons of outdoor seating and WOW, were there a lot of lights in that city! Entire buildings were bright neon colors – some even changed color before my very eyes. Bridges were lit up with flashing pinkish purple lights. It was like being in Las Vegas or something. I flew home early on Friday evening.
Lane and I ate at Kebab Palace on Friday night and got together with some friends to play games on Saturday night. It was a relaxing weekend, very welcome after almost a week of Thanksgiving overeating and entertaining.
We’ve been without a dishwasher for a week and a half now. Hopefully, a new one will be waiting to greet us in our kitchen tonight.
It was kind of a shocker to leave 40 degree weather and arrive in Miami at 8:30 pm to twice the temperature and sticky hot humidity. When the chapter staff found out I was leaving right away, this little old lady insisted that she take a colleague and me out on the town to see at least some of Miami.
So we hopped into her little corolla with extremely tinted windows and made our way to the best Cuban restaurant in town. It’s called Versailles, and apparently all the bigwigs eat there when they’re in town. It’s also where all the Cubanos eat, and gather when there is big news. Rumor has it that when business is slow at Versailles, the owners leak to the media that Fidel Castro has died. I ate so much meat and plantains – fried, mashed, fried, flattened, and then fried again (tostones). And while I’m not a big coffee drinker at all, I really enjoyed Cuban coffee. They serve it in these tiny cups that are about the size of a large thimble. It’s somehow sweet and quite tasty.
Later, our gracious host drove us to South Beach where they had many restaurants and stores out by the Beach, tons of outdoor seating and WOW, were there a lot of lights in that city! Entire buildings were bright neon colors – some even changed color before my very eyes. Bridges were lit up with flashing pinkish purple lights. It was like being in Las Vegas or something. I flew home early on Friday evening.
Lane and I ate at Kebab Palace on Friday night and got together with some friends to play games on Saturday night. It was a relaxing weekend, very welcome after almost a week of Thanksgiving overeating and entertaining.
We’ve been without a dishwasher for a week and a half now. Hopefully, a new one will be waiting to greet us in our kitchen tonight.
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