tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76147839722495408152024-03-13T01:19:37.026-07:00Besos and BubblyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-42719397406527138332015-02-24T12:31:00.001-08:002015-02-27T18:23:20.023-08:00Bump Update: 40 weeks and counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I was sure I had completely run out of room in my belly, and that there was no way I'd see my Feb. 20 due date, but here I am, 40 weeks and 4 days in, and waiting for this little one to come. As a person who very much likes to plan and be on time, and as someone who gets anxiety from the well-meaning, "Did you have your baby yet?" calls and texts, as well as the "Have you eaten spicy food, walked, had sex, etc.?" questions from unsolicited pregnancy counselors, I had a bit of a meltdown a couple nights ago. Flavio, like he always does, talked me off a ledge and reminded me of some very important truths. I am writing them here, in case I need to come back to this as a pep talk in a week.<br />
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:: Everything in our society is scheduled and controlled; there is nothing like the mystical experience of waiting for a baby in modern-life. Planned c-sections and inductions are big in Southern California, I think mostly because people are so uncomfortable with unknown timing. (A few people have told me I should just go get electively induced. It's crazy.) Due dates are not expiration dates. They are guesses with a <a href="http://news.discovery.com/human/health/should-due-dates-be-replaced-by-due-months-130806.htm" target="_blank">5-week margin of error</a>. And in the end, it's up to the baby to decide when they want to come. Period.<br />
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:: Every day the baby is in the womb is a good thing. There have been countless <a href="http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/full-term-baby-birth/" target="_blank">studies </a>showing that babies born at or after term are healthier. I talked to a mom yesterday who gave birth at 41 weeks and 3 days, and she told me that her son was able to latch on to the breast at birth with no problem, and has reached all of his developmental milestones early because he was "fully cooked" when born. Brains, lungs, immune systems etc. are still developing in utero and every day in there counts toward the longterm health of the baby.<br />
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:: According to my midwife, most first babies come late. Even <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2373794/Kate-Middletons-baby-WAS-overdue-sources-reveal-did-effect-Royal-babys-birth.html" target="_blank">Kate Middleton was overdue.</a><br />
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:: Parenting is about flexibility and patience. This is a good lesson in that.<br />
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:: Trust the process. Somehow, my body put together a whole human. Somehow, my body will tell me when this human is ready for birth.<br />
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:: I am enjoying my freedom while it lasts. I can do anything I choose with my days. That will all change very soon.<br />
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:: Finally, I have loved being pregnant, and still feel really good. Even though I am anxious to meet our baby, I am also a little nostalgic about the pregnancy ending. I am the only one that gets this kind of special time with our little one, who gets to enjoy all the kicks and pokes and bonding time - just the two of us, so I am remembering to soak it all in and enjoy these last few precious days with our little baby on the inside. He or she will choose their own birthday, and it will be here soon enough.<br />
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<i>Edited to add:</i> <a href="http://www.mothering.com/articles/the-last-days-of-pregnancy-a-place-of-in-between/" target="_blank">this beautiful article on the last days of pregnancy.</a> It so resonates! Sent to me by my friend Krissy.<br />
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All previous bumpdates <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/search/label/bump%20update" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-46171140375775415872015-02-17T11:20:00.001-08:002015-02-17T11:27:30.381-08:00Baby C's NurseryWe are so beyond ready to have this baby! I have nested and re-nested, our house is sparkling, our birth center bag is packed, I've spent my days walking in an effort to encourage this baby out, and now it's just a waiting game. I guess babies come when they are ready.. And whenever this little one decides to come, we're excited to spend time in the nursery we created. We knew we wanted to do a safari theme, because it's gender neutral, and because we are still obsessed with all things Kenya after a 2007 trip there, and we had a lot of fun putting it together. I think it's simple and classic, and is filled with sweet gifts from wonderful friends. I hope our baby loves it as much as we do.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-33794606012326564152015-02-06T18:21:00.002-08:002015-02-06T18:21:35.489-08:00Noted on a Friday<div style="text-align: left;">
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We're mostly taking it easy this weekend. I'm feeling very pregnant, and keep wondering if I'm going in to labor (regular Braxton-Hicks and some light cramping at night) so we'll be keeping it very low-key. We are having dinner with Flavio's dad tomorrow night (who we haven't seen in <i>forever</i>), and I'm getting a pedicure on Sunday, as I can no longer reach my toes. Should be delightful. Hope you have a good one! xo<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{branch manager}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3cxLEGy54S8n5iePF33sEozaBFVT9Uwgf5CkpIQ9YgRpxm95aLtUwlvc7WCZnRpgzoCYnkYYQ2SjB4mMRDXg7Ms7MAlTQWN7ASyiaqzQEtQp6enfl4U1we6Epz_lGAYk6meVwTK9bOsS/s1600/swaddling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3cxLEGy54S8n5iePF33sEozaBFVT9Uwgf5CkpIQ9YgRpxm95aLtUwlvc7WCZnRpgzoCYnkYYQ2SjB4mMRDXg7Ms7MAlTQWN7ASyiaqzQEtQp6enfl4U1we6Epz_lGAYk6meVwTK9bOsS/s1600/swaddling.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Newborn Care class -- very proud of my swaddled baby}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Practicing at home. Flavio is the better swaddler.} </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Flavio making fun of me for double-fisting samples at Trader Joe's}</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-21976871078204868272015-01-23T09:20:00.001-08:002015-01-23T09:20:25.422-08:00Noted on a Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{winter in San Diego}</td></tr>
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Somehow, this has been the busiest week and I'm not even working. There was a huge amount of running around, a long visit with an out-of-town friend and her sweet baby yesterday, trips to Ikea, two doctor's appointments.. I thought I'd be bored not working but turns out, I'm loving it so far and the days just fly by. People keep telling me to stay active in these last few weeks of pregnancy and live it up without the responsibility of a baby, so I'm maintaining a concerted effort to make plans with girlfriends, go on dates with Flav (we're off to see <i>American Sniper</i> tonight), take lots of walks, and overall, fight my natural tendency to stay in and nest. Should be a good weekend. Enjoy! xo<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{giant owl spotted at the dog park}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSBHUIwrRq8GkoVRiuKqqKqO5BITjk0_EPl2FmazrzpOKClwA0ZEy2lEA785bss-U9CztgKKMEN5svG9ir_YiW_AEuNkr1TPHnv4G9A3QhvUaGb5ibmdK2c_02wl_7Sry-EZZ5bVW9I2S/s1600/blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSBHUIwrRq8GkoVRiuKqqKqO5BITjk0_EPl2FmazrzpOKClwA0ZEy2lEA785bss-U9CztgKKMEN5svG9ir_YiW_AEuNkr1TPHnv4G9A3QhvUaGb5ibmdK2c_02wl_7Sry-EZZ5bVW9I2S/s1600/blog+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{I'm really in to pears right now, and seeing them on my windowsill makes me happy}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKzxlgpMM9AL1IDgrosGGuLzW_Nnw02LundwM73f70HM02UWeJRI0vd7TGafNYjswRFbdJyEt-cpcoqmQPt42DLdEW-WT9f26T1RoZ_aHoK4XfspuoYM6TotgZIGWwMnIVablCKvajpBh/s1600/blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKzxlgpMM9AL1IDgrosGGuLzW_Nnw02LundwM73f70HM02UWeJRI0vd7TGafNYjswRFbdJyEt-cpcoqmQPt42DLdEW-WT9f26T1RoZ_aHoK4XfspuoYM6TotgZIGWwMnIVablCKvajpBh/s1600/blog+3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{my favorite barista at our neighborhood coffee shop makes me her Preggo Special - extra milky coffee in a teeny shot cup}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmcS9-2r6hUNrclVaVJHBf-Ep-ZObT9yCY_6kCSJHwkRMjjFBWfVQPb_9hQTkPsL5ANmAQYj5yutxR9BWqzOQhMZczBTbHgN_P1uNmC2qei3NC0iuLd3L6nJPkJsF7uvvVGrWxotAVtOx/s1600/blog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmcS9-2r6hUNrclVaVJHBf-Ep-ZObT9yCY_6kCSJHwkRMjjFBWfVQPb_9hQTkPsL5ANmAQYj5yutxR9BWqzOQhMZczBTbHgN_P1uNmC2qei3NC0iuLd3L6nJPkJsF7uvvVGrWxotAVtOx/s1600/blog+5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{these two are in love and they love watching <i>Friends </i>reruns together}</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-61942112699123304012015-01-14T08:45:00.004-08:002015-01-14T10:57:59.247-08:00Bump Update: 35 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwwpGLTGLpadPYSriwbMguNf5By2Sa7YRmZL149_E6p4yOGneck6YH8MVLa_guqU4-34m4Bgi2JMLHKKY6fQ8JmaW0Ac9-aoKGApyrpWUGBqiEuVMjiUcju0rWIsrv4IVXhwKHOZt5Pac/s1600/Bug+35+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwwpGLTGLpadPYSriwbMguNf5By2Sa7YRmZL149_E6p4yOGneck6YH8MVLa_guqU4-34m4Bgi2JMLHKKY6fQ8JmaW0Ac9-aoKGApyrpWUGBqiEuVMjiUcju0rWIsrv4IVXhwKHOZt5Pac/s1600/Bug+35+weeks.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />
Guys, we're in the homestretch. As of Friday, I'll be 35 weeks, which means we have 35 days 'til our due date. When I found out I was pregnant (in June, on Father's Day and World Cup weekend), February felt a million years away. It seemed like we had all this time to read parenting books, prepare the nursery, decide on a name, etc. But now that it's January 14 about a month from the big day, things have moved at warp speed and most of those tasks remain undone. Eek! Thank god for Flav my voice of reason, who keeps reminding me that if I've got my vagina, I'm packed for the hospital, and that we already have the bassinet, crib, clothes, car seat, and my boobs, so we've got the essentials in case the baby decides to come early. Here are some of the things I'm feeling right now...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">35 weeks</span><br />
<br />
The baby is the size of:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A honeydew melon</span><br />
<br />
I'm feeling:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Excited and unprepared. There is so much information to learn, from how to birth, to how to breastfeed, to how to diaper, to how to generally keep a newborn alive. It can feel overwhelming. But at the same time, I am getting really excited about all of it.</span><br />
<br />
Food love:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Still loving spicy, salty, sour foods, but I am eating everything under the sun. The mother's stomach is squished during pregnancy, which means while I want to gorge on massive amounts of food at one sitting, I can't. So instead, I feel like I'm eating a little bit all the time, grazing all day. Cheerios with banana and milk are a favorite snack (weird).</span><br />
<br />
Food hate:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">None. I'm ravenous.</span><br />
<br />
The best things about this week:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. Flavio helps me put on my shoes, builds a nest of pillows for me at bedtime, rubs my back and feet, and generally does sweet little things to help me. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. When the baby kicks, I press on my stomach, then the baby kicks, then I press. It's a fun little game we have. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3. Bedtime stories. Flavio reads <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Night-Gorilla-Peggy-Rathmann/dp/0399230033/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421253330&sr=8-1&keywords=good+night+gorilla" target="_blank">Good Night Gorilla</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Moon-Margaret-Wise-Brown/dp/0694003611/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421253365&sr=8-1&keywords=good+night+moon" target="_blank">Goodnight Moon</a></i>, and other sweet stories to the baby (and Guiri) in Spanish while we're all cuddled in bed. Tender moments.<br /></span><br />
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The worst things about this week:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. I'm so weepy! I find myself crying for no reason. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. The baby turned from head down to a weird sideways position at my last appointment, which has me a little stressed out. Everyone keeps assuring me there is plenty of time for the baby to turn back, so I'm thinking optimistic, head-down thoughts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3. Generally exhausted each day by 3pm.</span><br />
<br />
Interesting turn of events:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. My belly button is now completely flat. It's not an outtie or an innie -- it's an inbetweeny? It's non-existent.<br />2. My rings no longer fit.</span><br />
<br />
Really looking forward to:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Packing our hospital bag, finishing our nursery, and meeting this little person. It's so fun not knowing if it's a boy or a girl. :) </span><br />
<br />
Daydreaming about:<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Who this baby will resemble..?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">All previous bumpdates <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/search/label/bump%20update" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-34600419008777635122015-01-09T15:28:00.001-08:002015-01-09T16:31:09.150-08:00Noted on a Friday - Quick Holiday Re-Cap<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAia2mDnR1K6RV_ixmZmkisY-dYi5VzKhqvGA0POj4wqsZSGJ6cD83_j5uiqLaUrEDvh6DZ_1tWd_HE7QGquKwXkcFdYTxv6U53WqmcF9C7iRIz3sWngamLnI1bsxkQ4BVqamEwgLaCftB/s1600/blog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAia2mDnR1K6RV_ixmZmkisY-dYi5VzKhqvGA0POj4wqsZSGJ6cD83_j5uiqLaUrEDvh6DZ_1tWd_HE7QGquKwXkcFdYTxv6U53WqmcF9C7iRIz3sWngamLnI1bsxkQ4BVqamEwgLaCftB/s1600/blog+5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{NYE 2014}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
December and the first part of January ended up being crazier than anticipated. Flavio came down with a cold/flu? over Christmas week, and then I got it over New Year's week and it felt like we were still running around and overcommitted despite our maladies. But, the actual holidays were quiet and nice. For Christmas Eve we went to my mother-in-law's for tamales and Christmas movies, and for NYE, we got Indian takeout, built a fire at home, and snuggled up for our last night of 2014. Although I was under the weather, it was somehow a very memorable and magical NYE.<br />
<br />
January, which usually drags, is flying! I've been doing some major cleaning (the nesting instinct is real, people) and have started reading baby and parenting books, thinking seriously about baby names, and generally doing all the prep stuff I had no time to do during the semester. We've also been making it a point to get out and get together with friends before we disappear into babyland, so that's been nice. I haven't had much time for reflection on the previous year as I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the changes that are coming our way quickly, but I'm looking forward to a quieter weekend in, working on some projects around the house, cooking, and generally getting my head on straight. I hope you have a great one. xo<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc4WS18tjxTSfQ7Q6bs6en5QKjxNGAe98e5sh2IeXRdBGBcPy3RzVrY_8ISWVgQH9JKbBojFE_wkqu-SvAIAo6DvvuY_tJ7aPRyBmrwD-lY-QFKMywKLC8_KvxGBAHHLqtddtoE6UkdGT/s1600/blog+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc4WS18tjxTSfQ7Q6bs6en5QKjxNGAe98e5sh2IeXRdBGBcPy3RzVrY_8ISWVgQH9JKbBojFE_wkqu-SvAIAo6DvvuY_tJ7aPRyBmrwD-lY-QFKMywKLC8_KvxGBAHHLqtddtoE6UkdGT/s1600/blog+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{As the kids say, #nofilter}</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzrgdZ6p47Wxp6xmbGlSSqbobdq00MvY9um9PM98XH7JWQV0uwKnHR0kqk7dR3DSZXEcjYDeCz8IuNpwfMd4b9eHvd1XCKsRxxyngKSVXmcZyhLmHVYs-FTyOTUAYg2RxhiVPOheT9ZD0/s1600/bug+32+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzrgdZ6p47Wxp6xmbGlSSqbobdq00MvY9um9PM98XH7JWQV0uwKnHR0kqk7dR3DSZXEcjYDeCz8IuNpwfMd4b9eHvd1XCKsRxxyngKSVXmcZyhLmHVYs-FTyOTUAYg2RxhiVPOheT9ZD0/s1600/bug+32+weeks.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Christmas Eve, 32 weeks}</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaAVhE7Bv6qf-0hU216I8cJfSnTE3Im89C_HF3hkER0a4PVKkl_-JpDBUYsYK-4yY58tN6_lH6io0Zplg6iOpkO0kYeFSRj5r5RgFNO4rr27cmNx55mG_kmVoE_0E__CHYhPFPxKcD1i_/s1600/blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaAVhE7Bv6qf-0hU216I8cJfSnTE3Im89C_HF3hkER0a4PVKkl_-JpDBUYsYK-4yY58tN6_lH6io0Zplg6iOpkO0kYeFSRj5r5RgFNO4rr27cmNx55mG_kmVoE_0E__CHYhPFPxKcD1i_/s1600/blog+3.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{While I've previously done <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/11/cinnamon-rolls.html" target="_blank">cinnamon rolls</a> for Christmas morning, I might switch the tradition to this easier and equally delicious <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Overnight-French-Toast-2083" target="_blank">overnight French toast</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW0NT97LtTfv-Qw8RSbLWYWNKLjiqA6VZx7l8KwcjokwXBllGD81aDpIUWLlAnl3lkard9bBms34C57_0mwoY7_qN0k6Fn67oXAsw0bMJnl4d4qzXEFEx8iyluHA6VwLZTU5j6Vz9TluM/s1600/blog+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW0NT97LtTfv-Qw8RSbLWYWNKLjiqA6VZx7l8KwcjokwXBllGD81aDpIUWLlAnl3lkard9bBms34C57_0mwoY7_qN0k6Fn67oXAsw0bMJnl4d4qzXEFEx8iyluHA6VwLZTU5j6Vz9TluM/s1600/blog+9.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Christmas morning, Guiri's gift}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ6Pot6_duRy1llACxwnFOWVn9eMOM5mtsytlGicNcoXs1ylV1gaD1GOccJjr9h9G490rDoGD2V4xne4gP4HrYRjKJs8OrVV1SUXhyphenhyphenkIyXUaCRb_K4s0NyLQjCB6AYxjTkmHLeCn6zmmA/s1600/blog+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ6Pot6_duRy1llACxwnFOWVn9eMOM5mtsytlGicNcoXs1ylV1gaD1GOccJjr9h9G490rDoGD2V4xne4gP4HrYRjKJs8OrVV1SUXhyphenhyphenkIyXUaCRb_K4s0NyLQjCB6AYxjTkmHLeCn6zmmA/s1600/blog+7.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Rosca de Reyes, delivered by my mother-in-law}</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-85248057266185742852014-12-19T17:40:00.000-08:002014-12-19T17:40:56.932-08:00Noted on a Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Whew! I'm exhausted. Tests are graded, students have been hugged, classes are all wrapped up, and my five months of (unpaid) maternity leave starts now. Surreal. I feel like I can finally breathe. We have a busy weekend ahead, but come next week, I'll be able to cookie bake, finish my Christmas shopping, and get ready for the big day - hopefully while donning a variety of comfy jammies - which I plan to wear for at least three days straight. And maybe the following week, too. Can. Not. Wait! Cheers to some much-needed downtime right around the corner. I hope you have a lovely weekend. xo</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-__CY4g1cKdlRND63fYNcerW0CmT0m1lA65J_psSE35F3ed3W1L_NgBQCXdRC4BtsLi2DL82CJ42_3Zv2wEEV2ENdtKNB868RKyeQeNAjogJHSnm9qkuB9oNGAof3S3qfvCDe0yslevD/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-__CY4g1cKdlRND63fYNcerW0CmT0m1lA65J_psSE35F3ed3W1L_NgBQCXdRC4BtsLi2DL82CJ42_3Zv2wEEV2ENdtKNB868RKyeQeNAjogJHSnm9qkuB9oNGAof3S3qfvCDe0yslevD/s1600/sunset.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{December has the prettiest sunsets}</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYdnTJpvT1EhGQU9XX3zN0eITa1pniAfbMjNTtKlOXVkYTaDj5S3WopkHptG1rpRwNQwZQ412vVtqoSzQ5TXnfxc_yUej5xS4CGtCDhdhJHJotYmk3ItQPS7ps_h9QzDWYcEVzRuRMGg0/s1600/cupcake+for+flav.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYdnTJpvT1EhGQU9XX3zN0eITa1pniAfbMjNTtKlOXVkYTaDj5S3WopkHptG1rpRwNQwZQ412vVtqoSzQ5TXnfxc_yUej5xS4CGtCDhdhJHJotYmk3ItQPS7ps_h9QzDWYcEVzRuRMGg0/s1600/cupcake+for+flav.jpg" height="636" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{birthday <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/bestof/toprecipes/bestcakerecipes/recipes/food/views/Double-Chocolate-Layer-Cake-101275" target="_blank">cupcakes</a> for Flav}</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpz4uZtxY-TowqmByfszA17eTcZJSwAlp7Lol_lOMql2Q2jS5B3E1xAmiIJMu6vKuQDP4T7gOAxH9zJNPodXO_ONu7M-77pel53Vxv8C2Q6EDLl044qzjw7Q3tGvpx_ohn0XlDW9GXMc/s1600/angel+chimes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpz4uZtxY-TowqmByfszA17eTcZJSwAlp7Lol_lOMql2Q2jS5B3E1xAmiIJMu6vKuQDP4T7gOAxH9zJNPodXO_ONu7M-77pel53Vxv8C2Q6EDLl044qzjw7Q3tGvpx_ohn0XlDW9GXMc/s1600/angel+chimes.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{we've been lighting our <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/12/angel-chimes.html" target="_blank">angel chimes</a>}</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QWnUR1osYwgvQWaWdDG1iS22DBqoKs5U9R9JWE-bYz2s6C0MypuD7E50JKRZrJaTn08NS6p1GyTxwUKxDoZ61dSWufK1CDjZodJz191FZ5SIMbN0ft3veTuKaE2yyq73EySYOml78l6z/s1600/rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QWnUR1osYwgvQWaWdDG1iS22DBqoKs5U9R9JWE-bYz2s6C0MypuD7E50JKRZrJaTn08NS6p1GyTxwUKxDoZ61dSWufK1CDjZodJz191FZ5SIMbN0ft3veTuKaE2yyq73EySYOml78l6z/s1600/rainbow.jpg" height="604" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{the faintest rainbow on my way to work}</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTAKNMCWr7BMTpIKaRlYJ2eqcWP7knbE7iSaJaND7WIew2U6Ubmg7g4lCQk0HbXi1UZH4636tP4Tyd6UyEjdAU66G59hLf5g47i8xcbGvInu0UdnXw-tb32hyphenhyphen4slcS9E5hjPGk2Q1d3uL/s1600/soup+prep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTAKNMCWr7BMTpIKaRlYJ2eqcWP7knbE7iSaJaND7WIew2U6Ubmg7g4lCQk0HbXi1UZH4636tP4Tyd6UyEjdAU66G59hLf5g47i8xcbGvInu0UdnXw-tb32hyphenhyphen4slcS9E5hjPGk2Q1d3uL/s1600/soup+prep.jpg" height="542" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{soup prep}</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-80396158692168816552014-12-12T17:11:00.001-08:002014-12-12T17:20:07.265-08:00Noted on a Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwDjoUZ8FwQypBNbaAlHQFRYioRJ7TtpK_Kjmy64ab1ZKCE3qwK6dQqoAl_Zw9PLri_2ctL17CVCLXYOAED6ZFINcEg6WXkMycF-UkMqEy5uOZ9a2XOsJYCPYlvrMxbsUpuf7cTVu2oEP/s1600/rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwDjoUZ8FwQypBNbaAlHQFRYioRJ7TtpK_Kjmy64ab1ZKCE3qwK6dQqoAl_Zw9PLri_2ctL17CVCLXYOAED6ZFINcEg6WXkMycF-UkMqEy5uOZ9a2XOsJYCPYlvrMxbsUpuf7cTVu2oEP/s1600/rain.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{this morning's rain, tree}</td></tr>
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The end-of-semester + holiday rush is in full swing around here. I've been up to my ears in work and we've had lots of holiday gatherings to attend, including a cookie exchange, two white elephants, and a holiday potluck (!) It's been insane this year. My work threw a really enjoyable joint 3-mama-to-be baby shower today (there are 3 of us expecting within 2 weeks of each other!) and overall, there's been lots of celebrating, gift giving, shopping, and eating. But, it feels like December is speeding away from me. I would like to lobby to make Thanksgiving one week earlier. It all seems so hurried and I'm wishing for more time for doing activities from <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/12/activities-advent-calendar.html" target="_blank">our advent calendar</a>, movie watching, warm drink sipping, and leisurely baking. You know, more time to savor the best parts. <br />
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I go in to finals next week, and I'm having mixed feelings. Come next Friday, I'll be done teaching...until May! I have always worked, and a part of me is looking forward to spending my days nesting, going to yoga, reading, setting up our nursery, etc., but the other part wonders what I'll do with myself all day. It will definitely be a change of pace. I'm sure I won't be at a loss for things to do when the baby arrives in two months..<br />
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It's a rainy Friday, and we're spending tonight in. My favorite <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-best-chicken-soupever.html" target="_blank">chicken soup</a> is bubbling away on the stove and we're planning to light a fire and watch <i>Elf</i>. We have hypnobirthing class and one last holiday party tomorrow and then Sunday is Flav's birthday! He requested a family day with homemade <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/bestof/toprecipes/bestcakerecipes/recipes/food/views/Double-Chocolate-Layer-Cake-101275" target="_blank">cupcakes</a>, so it will just be us and a couple fun outings. I can't wait. xo<br /><br />
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Fun work baby shower cake. I'm definitely hoping for a good baby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HtHLZIEbgTBvcaYAMAcqH-fyAJ7HSCxVydWF55xQ0IK1-2wmdS_pvga-530MMpa_FanabnWJIHe9P_uQ8vWzxlOUDH6o8v8HWdl4dF5YWWVvt_1DE3C-N2gDwRg7d_gJXusWUf2E5yNz/s1600/shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HtHLZIEbgTBvcaYAMAcqH-fyAJ7HSCxVydWF55xQ0IK1-2wmdS_pvga-530MMpa_FanabnWJIHe9P_uQ8vWzxlOUDH6o8v8HWdl4dF5YWWVvt_1DE3C-N2gDwRg7d_gJXusWUf2E5yNz/s1600/shower.jpg" height="568" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even though our front porch/yard is a construction zone, Flav still put up the lights. Happy wife, happy life.</div>
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2-week old shower flowers, still going strong.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hxGopj7FIe0iXxokpliUPxFmoUIllWKa2ZwmgufbB_JMFYKA-ecS-GyOWV3LFrfg3UY8RJq0FSMEWqar0bgjjnvaOac3mox_5DQudg_0HmVLdEGsarZ7Aw0qBg5GOcYtC4HixlctlNDG/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hxGopj7FIe0iXxokpliUPxFmoUIllWKa2ZwmgufbB_JMFYKA-ecS-GyOWV3LFrfg3UY8RJq0FSMEWqar0bgjjnvaOac3mox_5DQudg_0HmVLdEGsarZ7Aw0qBg5GOcYtC4HixlctlNDG/s1600/flowers.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cookies in progress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f7you7lOWX-KBUhZAvURUtKvdbj5R2KiYLdjavHiLNAKIJVPNcTrqw7qYty90R6AyxmJfyU_5Nv0E9K-M1ele9ARXykE371EG1wh3pPHu81C49hFuEQT2JKnFqp6QbhMx6chGUHcrYJp/s1600/cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f7you7lOWX-KBUhZAvURUtKvdbj5R2KiYLdjavHiLNAKIJVPNcTrqw7qYty90R6AyxmJfyU_5Nv0E9K-M1ele9ARXykE371EG1wh3pPHu81C49hFuEQT2JKnFqp6QbhMx6chGUHcrYJp/s1600/cookies.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Smiling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxEqVL14z3FXyGyAJxoEqQY-4QsUBklnTexZmoEA7QzeNSK-fSPqqKAWyzViRGNG0uNnzKiGAVa9hXFeBOCoCe-WXt2ldLfqw2pxUS6-eaqFHm49iRs2zquL-bDZX88YXXSD5hgD5k5um/s1600/smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxEqVL14z3FXyGyAJxoEqQY-4QsUBklnTexZmoEA7QzeNSK-fSPqqKAWyzViRGNG0uNnzKiGAVa9hXFeBOCoCe-WXt2ldLfqw2pxUS6-eaqFHm49iRs2zquL-bDZX88YXXSD5hgD5k5um/s1600/smiling.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-79576378935324758292014-12-02T15:33:00.001-08:002014-12-02T15:33:47.999-08:00Our Baby Shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9ca5o4pbhKvmSiq8opFBrZjkeMe6ceJjYkbzV-pC2ImO4ZavH4zvAIJ7ZUpcOQ6zunu914TQ1UYpLF97MdONgu4Osu03PWpcnFbOA0ERd3T3JwSZsqAioThTxAMIJffSEh9loyRvIAL4/s1600/DSC_1365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9ca5o4pbhKvmSiq8opFBrZjkeMe6ceJjYkbzV-pC2ImO4ZavH4zvAIJ7ZUpcOQ6zunu914TQ1UYpLF97MdONgu4Osu03PWpcnFbOA0ERd3T3JwSZsqAioThTxAMIJffSEh9loyRvIAL4/s1600/DSC_1365.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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At first I didn't think we'd have a baby shower and I was okay with that. As our little one is due in February the holidays seemed conflicting, plus I hate the games, have an irrational fear of opening gifts in front of others, and no one had immediately offered, so I figured we'd just skip it. But then, Flavio told me he'd been talking to his mom who said she'd like to host a traditional Mexican shower with any food I wanted (I picked my craving, Chinese), a big cake, and no games. I was still unsure, feeling like a shower seemed a little grabby - especially during the holidays when people are already spending so much money (it's so weird that we ask people to buy us gifts for weddings and babies!) but, Flavio reminded me it's a celebration of the coming baby, and I was in. Turns out, it was the best day.<br />
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There were adorable safari-themed decorations all over my mother-in-law's house, piles of Chinese food, and the most amazing tiramisu from Extraordinary Desserts. Mexicans give everyone a <i>broche</i>, a decorative baby-themed pin to wear, and the mother-to-be sits in a decorated chair. Flavio and I are big believers in bedtime stories, so Flavio had the idea that in lieu of cards, guests bring their favorite childhood books with a message written inside, which I loved! We got so many amazing children's books, in English and Spanish, and I'm happy that the books, with their sweet inscribed messages, will be keepsakes for our baby.<br />
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While my dad and Flavio were there, the other guests were all women and throughout the afternoon, many of them shared funny parenting stories and gems of motherhood advice. "Coconut oil works wonders for diaper rash" and "Rice cereal at 4 months will help your baby sleep through the night", and "Walk hills and have lots of sex to induce labor" and "Do what feels right to you and your family and ignore everyone else's opinion." We talked about how parenting advice comes and goes (apparently, all doctors used to advise babies sleep on their tummies, and now we're told babies should only sleep on their backs), and one woman shared her natural birth story with me.</div>
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Overall, the day was surprisingly empowering. Pregnancy can sometimes feel very personal and individual, but I couldn't believe how excited all these women were to meet our baby and how encouraging and bolstering the whole afternoon was. Suddenly, my pregnancy felt beautifully <i>communal</i>, if that makes sense. The whole thing felt like an important milestone from pregnancy toward motherhood, like I'd suddenly become initiated into this other tribe, and I could feel everyone's maternal strength and positive vibes. It was such a sweet and touching afternoon, one that I'll never forget, and it's now clear to me why showers have become a time-honored tradition around the world. Plus, cake! :)<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3PXIjgLVzlyP-diJ5oVyvfuYhK45VYR0BC0InzM5_hOoXAXAFPEzURQMVNIlj6GmcPAkv2GbZJE4byhjtWwGNjiW9INbyStS0prM-s_a_qyOxbV3FT5TA3HGzbT4AMu5ym5RaktdWEnq/s1600/DSC_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3PXIjgLVzlyP-diJ5oVyvfuYhK45VYR0BC0InzM5_hOoXAXAFPEzURQMVNIlj6GmcPAkv2GbZJE4byhjtWwGNjiW9INbyStS0prM-s_a_qyOxbV3FT5TA3HGzbT4AMu5ym5RaktdWEnq/s1600/DSC_1318.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{stork, gifts} </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fZ7lpdItEb-vWySkPJqYPOw7nW6ydk3J5yNnqCwSkd0nFZTtY-tzy9yxCAwtDn1rH0FnstmSBpG_H5DWddsZZYXmjC1TvJQiCOyP-oNEEc8Zr6xMPj82uDUv_UpNqLGEff7d9huGI1RV/s1600/DSC_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fZ7lpdItEb-vWySkPJqYPOw7nW6ydk3J5yNnqCwSkd0nFZTtY-tzy9yxCAwtDn1rH0FnstmSBpG_H5DWddsZZYXmjC1TvJQiCOyP-oNEEc8Zr6xMPj82uDUv_UpNqLGEff7d9huGI1RV/s1600/DSC_1321.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{tiramisu and my mother-in-law}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr-WGJ8Bg60JYNkSukmtzXec_fd5J2xlOFg_wTXILL0HnPEIUnHUsjKTeLR3YM3HHVno7NJ0xo-aWcztZVqGcMpKtqYv83SnupCJOL7ROFbkdKqriNqua-CpVrv5uSS2F2bTVEQsJ6Yhj/s1600/DSC_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr-WGJ8Bg60JYNkSukmtzXec_fd5J2xlOFg_wTXILL0HnPEIUnHUsjKTeLR3YM3HHVno7NJ0xo-aWcztZVqGcMpKtqYv83SnupCJOL7ROFbkdKqriNqua-CpVrv5uSS2F2bTVEQsJ6Yhj/s1600/DSC_1327.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{My mom and Flav} </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYK_60L0MvIFruOl1QGXvngHQPj0muAe5cYOtgguePs9e1S5mms0PrEekLjuXaInMPl2I0jV_c92h2qWewwStda-fmDRR2kaiNLORRC4XgoV7iB7QDajdeQ0yz_xbnSD0ymSpjI85pej9b/s1600/DSC_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYK_60L0MvIFruOl1QGXvngHQPj0muAe5cYOtgguePs9e1S5mms0PrEekLjuXaInMPl2I0jV_c92h2qWewwStda-fmDRR2kaiNLORRC4XgoV7iB7QDajdeQ0yz_xbnSD0ymSpjI85pej9b/s1600/DSC_1347.JPG" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{books galore!}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw57dJciN7L5RC7levBbUtz3qU5a06yzVdsHsxucbbw-WJ6Y42_rMZ7H-aX05wJlV3yq61GDqNYW7vqhH1QeTPtbOicDZkQNho5AGhxcaXIlYJwxkkUP-i6TSh-mkZnsoE8MbeZQb2WPU/s1600/DSC_1339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw57dJciN7L5RC7levBbUtz3qU5a06yzVdsHsxucbbw-WJ6Y42_rMZ7H-aX05wJlV3yq61GDqNYW7vqhH1QeTPtbOicDZkQNho5AGhxcaXIlYJwxkkUP-i6TSh-mkZnsoE8MbeZQb2WPU/s1600/DSC_1339.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{serving cake}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69C0BveRDL8DzlYOHGJxTXgspzukjgQ3svqYoAAXiINBWLiH2S3zFDLINuZU1OkX7yjHWDc3M-Q4NHybgCtfIkpm8t_RNMHWh1b4M_QPYqIIvWXrpUVHzQAiFuSYlc8UJ6JbKNDlOqzOZ/s1600/DSC_1387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69C0BveRDL8DzlYOHGJxTXgspzukjgQ3svqYoAAXiINBWLiH2S3zFDLINuZU1OkX7yjHWDc3M-Q4NHybgCtfIkpm8t_RNMHWh1b4M_QPYqIIvWXrpUVHzQAiFuSYlc8UJ6JbKNDlOqzOZ/s1600/DSC_1387.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{happy tears - it was such a great day!}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLX3kUuWdL93oKmxfFVXeDFkO2bAHTpdj3WpyMZo0nMYj2MmFl8hSryGZBJQykSVmSmDsGM3GyaLZy4EbTa0w229SWzvpAz4F0oHIwSWXoq_FC5gj0i5dkOATDs5Jn84hu5On2zmd1b65J/s1600/shower+invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLX3kUuWdL93oKmxfFVXeDFkO2bAHTpdj3WpyMZo0nMYj2MmFl8hSryGZBJQykSVmSmDsGM3GyaLZy4EbTa0w229SWzvpAz4F0oHIwSWXoq_FC5gj0i5dkOATDs5Jn84hu5On2zmd1b65J/s1600/shower+invite.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{part of invitations}</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-57014020757072458962014-11-30T16:54:00.000-08:002014-11-30T16:54:03.954-08:00Thanksgiving 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV5PXKljZme2W3T8jFdbKTMc7jDUG30uRm-CaGqjQES4hgI39tLbsCY61QTCRbFxle-9-3ria6L7SOjf5AmrtcwBh7PFt5zBDb7fbLjx5vmjl55ZqdvxmzZX3TlZlTZXgnYsHdqD-oFm4/s1600/turk+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV5PXKljZme2W3T8jFdbKTMc7jDUG30uRm-CaGqjQES4hgI39tLbsCY61QTCRbFxle-9-3ria6L7SOjf5AmrtcwBh7PFt5zBDb7fbLjx5vmjl55ZqdvxmzZX3TlZlTZXgnYsHdqD-oFm4/s1600/turk+dinner.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This busy Thanksgiving weekend knocked me flat. But it was wonderful.<br />
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Thanksgiving looked a lot like <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/12/thanksgiving-weekend-2013.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, except with the addition of my beach ball belly, swollen feet, and 80 degree temperatures, and I was generally a little more tired this time around. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked - I mostly sat chatting with our guests, a cold drink in hand, and my feet elevated. But as this holiday weekend winds down, I am thinking about all the things I am grateful for right now. A husband who brings me multiple servings of mashed potatoes, rubs my feet, and sings to my belly. Parents I don't just love, but actually really like - <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/06/when-parents-become-friends.html" target="_blank">my parents are our friends</a>. A mother-in-law who injects stories and music into every gathering (and planned me the most amazing shower -- more on that soon). Silly Thanksgiving games, including turkey trivia and Thanskgiving Scattergories. The softest Australian Shepherd who snuggles up next to you, gives you kisses, and loves you unconditionally. A beautiful celebration of our baby and tons of wise parenting advice at my shower on Saturday. A visit from our hilarious Norwegian friend David. A bounty of leftover cheese and crackers. And pie. I don't have photos of all of these things, but they exist.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6989svkflhn92SxM6EDVCnCPRxbWPBsB6qOc0XrENFcEHqRAr5axef5SgvFVXeYKMOeebQ5Bj3-MCdHbc-4_IXJZ4SCL6w5xncrbcNlyB1wNa7drGZAEise43_MevbPI4UinIVUuloIbp/s1600/skirts!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6989svkflhn92SxM6EDVCnCPRxbWPBsB6qOc0XrENFcEHqRAr5axef5SgvFVXeYKMOeebQ5Bj3-MCdHbc-4_IXJZ4SCL6w5xncrbcNlyB1wNa7drGZAEise43_MevbPI4UinIVUuloIbp/s1600/skirts!.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{matching!}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHSYUGx7ocAMyh238I9eHzhFKi_vB5_zrxKXhwZy1RTcykfrEezidZp4w6Rw-5tX0rtJWMZRpNffVGM-paNIbtUzlZlCDbmYdxpWRqdR6FWuXTZtaqJjarGG1udugLsoQHp1fvMa2vCrQ/s1600/after+din.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHSYUGx7ocAMyh238I9eHzhFKi_vB5_zrxKXhwZy1RTcykfrEezidZp4w6Rw-5tX0rtJWMZRpNffVGM-paNIbtUzlZlCDbmYdxpWRqdR6FWuXTZtaqJjarGG1udugLsoQHp1fvMa2vCrQ/s1600/after+din.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{after dinner chatting}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVF8uu5RkZAlDU2FUPNhpF8-OjFqDdaWEQwEkV3oFHEyOHRQ1mFZ_VTYuzkUe9gkQG-76_1blfa40dx2wDF1bjM91l61UDhDVZOk116B542QbKMeIQGiCnGKhf-sPuhH5XMdIDld8ihYt/s1600/games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVF8uu5RkZAlDU2FUPNhpF8-OjFqDdaWEQwEkV3oFHEyOHRQ1mFZ_VTYuzkUe9gkQG-76_1blfa40dx2wDF1bjM91l61UDhDVZOk116B542QbKMeIQGiCnGKhf-sPuhH5XMdIDld8ihYt/s1600/games.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{games!}</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-89415534664608377512014-11-27T09:35:00.001-08:002014-11-27T09:36:11.679-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The turkey is in the oven, our house smells divine, we're eating yogurt parfaits, snuggled up in soft jammies, watching this hilarious movie. </div>
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I can't believe we'll have a little one this time next year.</div>
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So much to be grateful for and I'm thankful there's a holiday to celebrate it. Hope your weekend is filled with all the things and people you love.</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-84156123201230244302014-11-21T17:29:00.002-08:002014-11-21T17:29:43.819-08:00Noted on a Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUUiDUKEsOHp3lR8iRpNYOwDvBTEgh95ryAsHcY4A9U25_R9WVNX_Hxw_NRdh26UrryATNZbc27grG12kmt2uhqDrjUlE0-iL2nl_krOTu0lkaxlcJkWhJxCOn2LVVaZGC3fDE9pnuTku/s1600/pho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUUiDUKEsOHp3lR8iRpNYOwDvBTEgh95ryAsHcY4A9U25_R9WVNX_Hxw_NRdh26UrryATNZbc27grG12kmt2uhqDrjUlE0-iL2nl_krOTu0lkaxlcJkWhJxCOn2LVVaZGC3fDE9pnuTku/s1600/pho.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{rainy day pho}</td></tr>
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It was a whirlwind birthday week and truth be told, I could use a drink right about now. It's been a great few days, nothing bad has happened, but I feel like I've been going, going for the last two weeks and would love a smooth and relaxing cocktail on this chilly Friday evening. A warm bath and fall-scented candles will have to do. What are you up to this weekend? We have our second hypnobirthing class tomorrow (I love it) and then I'm planning to nest -- re-arrange, clean out, and make space in our home. Then we'll be meeting up with old friends and doing some major grocery shopping on Sunday. With out-of-town visitors, Thanksgiving, and my baby shower (!) all in the next 10 days, I can't wait to spend this weekend chilling out and reenergizing. I hope you enjoy. xo<br />
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Some photos from the last couple weeks...<br />
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Tooling around on my parents' golf cart.<br />
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Sweet surprise from Flav.. an assortment of heavenly cupcakes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KrYRTbSsPLUWDM_m7k11jOY_Ep-iAjRN7gZDSRhwK-P6PEuRebOq3xUUpdMsjY0Y3OAEWUH76YEQ71_MZuOzFJpQHdIUx-89vSFk_qJS1wQFXCl_1STMnMsvqFqjMk_o_A-HHPaBodP2/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KrYRTbSsPLUWDM_m7k11jOY_Ep-iAjRN7gZDSRhwK-P6PEuRebOq3xUUpdMsjY0Y3OAEWUH76YEQ71_MZuOzFJpQHdIUx-89vSFk_qJS1wQFXCl_1STMnMsvqFqjMk_o_A-HHPaBodP2/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Birthday morning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNKWdAE1Pu1_OkMmpJLwSFCNRJ82s3GRsP8dfZDTT52e14fEBXK_revgdTButEtzg1xd-ltuoCOyLqTaCLGb42sKsSZGL0z8ElnMbXCtqaqWv7MPx1xa_DHD_Md27OW8zJ1RYKbdqO3k5/s1600/bday+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNKWdAE1Pu1_OkMmpJLwSFCNRJ82s3GRsP8dfZDTT52e14fEBXK_revgdTButEtzg1xd-ltuoCOyLqTaCLGb42sKsSZGL0z8ElnMbXCtqaqWv7MPx1xa_DHD_Md27OW8zJ1RYKbdqO3k5/s1600/bday+gift.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Guiri sleeping on my shirt.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-16117391025869663232014-11-20T15:10:00.000-08:002014-11-20T15:10:26.721-08:00Thanksgiving - 2014 Blueprint<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyt5F05mNcH12Q2Ea6AAWdcRu39WLnIl3WUvbtW_Jc3oXd0SQTkOqc07_1ERgZSPrxU4JXkkqC7gOPKxe893g7zLAjAnUHkQ7AxRiBfdQLhYn7LNOkorLXfoLXCUxHVa2pdmHmWZioYFW/s1600/tgiving+scheming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyt5F05mNcH12Q2Ea6AAWdcRu39WLnIl3WUvbtW_Jc3oXd0SQTkOqc07_1ERgZSPrxU4JXkkqC7gOPKxe893g7zLAjAnUHkQ7AxRiBfdQLhYn7LNOkorLXfoLXCUxHVa2pdmHmWZioYFW/s1600/tgiving+scheming.JPG" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{2013 planning}</td></tr>
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We are one week from Thanksgiving, friends, and I am getting excited to host again. We'll have a relatively small party this year, with just 6 people, but I'm excited to use this weekend to start the shopping and prep. Re-visiting <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-2013-blueprint.html" target="_blank">last year's Blueprint</a> helped, so I'm doing it again this year. This may be of no interest to anyone else, and after hosting for many years I could probably pull together a decent Thanksgiving in 6 hours, but I love the holiday scheming and dreaming, so here goes.<br />
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This year's Menu / Who's bringing what<br />
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<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Cider-Brined-and-Glazed-Turkey-233148" target="_blank">Cider-Brined-And-Glazed Turkey</a> (the most mouthwatering, fall-off-the-bone recipe there is)<br />
<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Apple-Sausage-and-Parsnip-Stuffing-with-Fresh-Sage-233154" target="_blank">Apple, Sausage, and Parsnip Stuffing</a> (make half unless you're feeding an army)<br />
<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sour-Cream-Mashed-Potatoes-51198930" target="_blank">Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes</a><br />Clinton Beans aka <a href="http://cooktj.com/trader-joes-recipes/holiday-green-bean-casserole" target="_blank">Green Bean Casserole with Gruyere and Criminis</a><br /><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Double-Dutch-Mac-and-Cheese-with-Chard-352670" target="_blank">Double-Dutch Mac and Cheese with Chard</a><br />
<s>Yams</s> - Decided not to do this year because I am the only one that eats them<br />
Cranberry Sauce - buy pre-made at Trader Joe's<br />
<strike>Silvia's Famous Enchiladas</strike> -Flavio's mom is bringing<br />
<strike>A really good salad</strike> -- Flavio's mom is bringing<br /><s>Dinner rolls</s> - my mom is bringing<br />
<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pumpkin-Pie-with-Spiced-Whipped-Cream-108860" target="_blank">Pumpkin Pie with Spiced Whipped Cream</a> (making 2 this year as one went so quickly)<br />
<s>Apple pie</s> - my mom is bringing<br />
<s>Wine - red, white, sparkling</s> - various guests are bringing<br />
Beer<br />
Coffee<br />
Sparkling water and limes for me<br />
Flavio will be mixing this year's signature cocktail: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/poinsettia-cocktail-recipe.html" target="_blank">Poinsettias</a> !<br />
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So far I have:<br />
Done nothing except write this post and delegate food for guests to bring.<br />
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Tomorrow I will:<br />
Make my grocery lists.<br />
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Sunday I will:<br />
Do the first round of grocery shopping<br />
Make and freeze my pie crusts<br />
Cube and dry bread for stuffing<br />
Make sure Flav picks out festive beer<br />
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On Monday I will:<br />
Work all day :(<br />
Spend the evening making our annual Thanksgiving trivia game<br />
And maybe come up with one other table game -- I thought <a href="http://www.dinneralovestory.com/giving-thanks-on-thanksgiving-2/" target="_blank">these mad libs</a> looked fun<br />
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On Tuesday I will:<br />
Make one last grocery stop<br />
Do all the prep -- chop, measure, store<br />
Brine the turkey Tuesday evening<br />
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On Wednesday I will:<br />
Make the pies<br />
Clean the house<br />
Set the table<br />
Buy fresh flowers, gourds, and other decor<br />
Make the mac n cheese<br />
Make the stuffing Wednesday night<br />
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On Thursday I will:<br />
Wake up early, put on music, stuff and get the bird in the oven<br />
Peel and make mashed potatoes<br />
Make the Clinton Beans<br />
Bake remaining stuffing<br />
Make spiced whipped cream for pies<br />
Reheat the mac n cheese<br />
Take Guiri to the park and exhaust her so she is not a psycho when everyone comes over<br />
Watch movies throughout the day, revel<br />
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Most importantly, I plan to be conscious of the meaning of the holiday. It's so easy to get caught up in the rush without stopping to slow down, feel grateful, savor, and enjoy family.<br />
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Some related links:<br />
Photos and re-cap of <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/12/thanksgiving-weekend-2013.html" target="_blank">last year's Thanksgiving</a><br />
The ultimate guide to <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/holidays/article/thanksgiving-etiquette-guide" target="_blank">Modern Thanksgiving Etiquette</a><br />
Last year's signature cocktail, <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-cocktail-cranberry.html" target="_blank">Cranberry Margaritas</a><br />
One of my favorite quotes on <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013_11_01_archive.html" target="_blank">gratitude</a><br />
An essay: It's <a href="http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/its-decorative-gourd-season-motherfuckers" target="_blank">decorative gourd season, motherfuckers</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-61194029103135091522014-11-18T14:15:00.001-08:002014-11-18T14:15:32.668-08:00A Birthday Bump Update: 26 weeksToday is my cake day and it has been a regular Tuesday, but my birthday always makes me feel <i>different </i>in the best possible way. After a busy weekend and Monday/Tuesday, I'm excited for Flav to get home so we can go out for a fun dinner and to see the very classy <i>Dumb & Dumber To</i>. I'm 34 which means I've officially reached my mid-thirties. Woot! I know people say your twenties are the best time of your life, but I definitely prefer my thirties, and this pregnant birthday feels incredibly special.<br />
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I haven't done a bumpdate recently because despite my rapidly expanding belly, there isn't much new to share from <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/search/label/bump%20update" target="_blank">my last report at 22 weeks</a>. I'm still feeling really good. The baby is still measuring big (I'm terrified this is going to be a 10-pounder!), and his/her kicks have me wondering if this little one is a soccer player already. I know I've already said it, but I've never felt better or more exhilarated in my life. Now on to dinner and a big slab of cake. :)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-73523458862696937162014-11-07T08:15:00.000-08:002014-11-07T08:15:15.223-08:00Noted on a FridayGreetings from Vegas! We got here yesterday and we're looking forward to a long weekend of relaxation <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/08/reasons-i-love-my-parents-house.html" target="_blank">with my parents</a>. It's likely our last trip here before the baby comes, so we fully intend to soak up the comfort and be the carefree "kids" for maybe the last time. We spent yesterday evening chatting with my mom about all things pregnancy, labor, and baby, and I can't believe I'm going to be a mama-bear myself very soon. Is this really happening? I feel simultaneously ready and terrified. Happy weekend. xo<br />
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Eggy, sweet pan de muerto, via Tijuana and my mother-in-law.<br />
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Somebody doesn't mind daylight savings. Or my pregnancy pillow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIbSAbjGZZPcvS01Jm4MvM9TxE4BcI6he5H-y2MKfvPR5CORz4ScR7EsI-uSCvLyjHwAzhgHsjyGhyphenhyphenHXZD1jKepFzJJ1f0SgaSkB3VeZiUH8bGIopd8Nwa2lEH2ffH__MEDpf7xRGo75E/s1600/mimis+goose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIbSAbjGZZPcvS01Jm4MvM9TxE4BcI6he5H-y2MKfvPR5CORz4ScR7EsI-uSCvLyjHwAzhgHsjyGhyphenhyphenHXZD1jKepFzJJ1f0SgaSkB3VeZiUH8bGIopd8Nwa2lEH2ffH__MEDpf7xRGo75E/s1600/mimis+goose.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Mario, Luigi, and the Princess on candy duty this Halloween.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAlMQPQTloqsxdsP1SmOxP4KPuJRUbvai6VBvNDFPdKJ3Gd9onIniLzN42bZZUFFyyBpvlhLMt6YUA6MdSoTQTtwYuIttGjoKlr8Odi0cgiM-AlTwt1ysxqIpkn2BpIYVFJgIp75A2PnM/s1600/Halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAlMQPQTloqsxdsP1SmOxP4KPuJRUbvai6VBvNDFPdKJ3Gd9onIniLzN42bZZUFFyyBpvlhLMt6YUA6MdSoTQTtwYuIttGjoKlr8Odi0cgiM-AlTwt1ysxqIpkn2BpIYVFJgIp75A2PnM/s1600/Halloween.jpg" height="640" width="580" /></a></div>
<br />
Flores para los muertos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QMxx30WPP7XBAmNyDCrNYLujGV0loSKgJvSAEo1HuV3YDnbOrDn0HnwQGxvIuRJTy3AqbxAk6Aj3zTRg720gG3ySRj7xFxLaXLij83sck2nKTos-qqDpkN2AVHa7B1MqhTE5IFHgT4G5/s1600/flores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QMxx30WPP7XBAmNyDCrNYLujGV0loSKgJvSAEo1HuV3YDnbOrDn0HnwQGxvIuRJTy3AqbxAk6Aj3zTRg720gG3ySRj7xFxLaXLij83sck2nKTos-qqDpkN2AVHa7B1MqhTE5IFHgT4G5/s1600/flores.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Requisite Dairy Queen stop <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2013/08/road-trips.html" target="_blank">on the way to Vegas.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OrEuTfHFto0mwzoghTN225wdNvVH7C1lG_mjnSeYy9HHzVHMyd_rAkF0Gi0Hh1Gh0mtEiFSN803X_71lbrAJV7yxhd46TIhmzQJqDDUMOVY6UtDsmuy-nm4HDlYiP-jWJj2WYUSnQgW2/s1600/dairy+q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OrEuTfHFto0mwzoghTN225wdNvVH7C1lG_mjnSeYy9HHzVHMyd_rAkF0Gi0Hh1Gh0mtEiFSN803X_71lbrAJV7yxhd46TIhmzQJqDDUMOVY6UtDsmuy-nm4HDlYiP-jWJj2WYUSnQgW2/s1600/dairy+q.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-55343571076310467202014-10-31T10:47:00.000-07:002014-10-31T10:47:26.440-07:00Noted on a (Halloween) Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUemvPpFEjSFNzVR4Lz3FveoW41wYGtPcs0rsWEDoyBT5K7oFbzYGCNx0aTTtZuNs7eNEJyNkDLpq7pRBMIy5CGrho6w2U3BHHWM3kg4gB8MTj1lVIi28gvhAIaCNVhSGT8FKcZKJ433gl/s1600/white+pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUemvPpFEjSFNzVR4Lz3FveoW41wYGtPcs0rsWEDoyBT5K7oFbzYGCNx0aTTtZuNs7eNEJyNkDLpq7pRBMIy5CGrho6w2U3BHHWM3kg4gB8MTj1lVIi28gvhAIaCNVhSGT8FKcZKJ433gl/s1600/white+pumpkins.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ghostly pumpkins}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy Halloween! After being gone last weekend and a hectic work week, I'm excited to spend this evening dressing up, passing out candy, eating homemade soup, and doing a little trick-or-drinking (beer for Flav, gingerale for me) at home. We'll be watching movies and enjoying all the costumed kiddos on our doorstep. I hear rain is in the weekend forecast, so I'm looking forward to making room for the nursery, celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday, and spending time with our San Diego parents, Jan and Gary. It's my favorite time of year and this Halloween feels more special than ever before. Enjoy. xo<br />
<br />
Some scenes from Halloweens past...<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdomPvobkPy-ovjHQRPvhC_pE2h8LrDuVQnmy0hyphenhyphen5whu7yv8RTjV7TljnBCF21avGLEprOgm1XWrXGcIOoTeWR3mq81MUgvjxMVVIqyag4UHlIAgBK378PeMzTMEtBzOPyENLw2EjYg32/s1600/Halloween+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdomPvobkPy-ovjHQRPvhC_pE2h8LrDuVQnmy0hyphenhyphen5whu7yv8RTjV7TljnBCF21avGLEprOgm1XWrXGcIOoTeWR3mq81MUgvjxMVVIqyag4UHlIAgBK378PeMzTMEtBzOPyENLw2EjYg32/s1600/Halloween+2013.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Halloween 2013}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54cu1zf6B1825Ioo1XAANpEvEhUpCOiGIxppCoJ4srJcT2mvJU1c74od-LA8o3biOYNx07cwpNmcydhhIA1lQeT1CZaLRBQ21FJ6Oa7Z-FtFpOdvu8YazB3hu7i2NsDeTNnMEhWdEk9Fx/s1600/Guiri+Halloween.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54cu1zf6B1825Ioo1XAANpEvEhUpCOiGIxppCoJ4srJcT2mvJU1c74od-LA8o3biOYNx07cwpNmcydhhIA1lQeT1CZaLRBQ21FJ6Oa7Z-FtFpOdvu8YazB3hu7i2NsDeTNnMEhWdEk9Fx/s1600/Guiri+Halloween.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Pirate Guiri}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAsbQkNj58ouI1OFDHLhUhAwM7VuauIXyguxLRLGRhjyC_CWdwFkBhEDKdz4wNNup5MGkRFyE8LRSV9bzH3qbRRN_4yc4FIsvLtir1BGdbMMKKmAlAVuORkMOuCRRT59aNImuqZNOeZiR/s1600/Halloween+2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAsbQkNj58ouI1OFDHLhUhAwM7VuauIXyguxLRLGRhjyC_CWdwFkBhEDKdz4wNNup5MGkRFyE8LRSV9bzH3qbRRN_4yc4FIsvLtir1BGdbMMKKmAlAVuORkMOuCRRT59aNImuqZNOeZiR/s1600/Halloween+2006.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Halloween 2006}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-17004398810639011012014-10-24T14:41:00.000-07:002014-10-24T14:41:27.610-07:00Noted on a Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZ5giZ0j3oPJf9-j1oRUZtuVSv06Ibw7UZelLuOvQAzxzGpw6vN3otGQtki6tGN_6J50JXlVkeMTL3Qg4oToHpriPxDgIXKaL6dwAP3wJDb_LbBYYXN9_w7yuFcHFgBdkpz57GwAdOg7N/s1600/pumpkin+spice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZ5giZ0j3oPJf9-j1oRUZtuVSv06Ibw7UZelLuOvQAzxzGpw6vN3otGQtki6tGN_6J50JXlVkeMTL3Qg4oToHpriPxDgIXKaL6dwAP3wJDb_LbBYYXN9_w7yuFcHFgBdkpz57GwAdOg7N/s1600/pumpkin+spice.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.cooks.com/recipe/fx5q696e/pumpkin-spice-muffins.html" target="_blank">pumpkin spice muffins</a>, fresh from the oven}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week went by in a flash and I can't believe we're almost into November. It feels like October through December always go by so fast, whereas January, for example, feels like it's moving backward. But, I'm embracing all the fun that's coming with open arms, including this weekend when we're heading to LA to hang with my cousin and her two babies. It will be good to soak up some parenting advice and practice being with little ones -- a pretty foreign concept for Flavio and me. I hope you have a great weekend. xo<br />
<br />
Watching the world go by.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPFIAmnEAQUb_d1VPHQ7YVqkqzKn_YZOlyD2OXRdm-zQfn-k-mNy6gIrA-oCPkpfy2U1AxjChQDnUWnd64CoSjW3prGeLu7tyCo_83YvXm3F89LvosmQElTRxswRKfVWrrNNAcK26qGvp/s1600/goose+at+window.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPFIAmnEAQUb_d1VPHQ7YVqkqzKn_YZOlyD2OXRdm-zQfn-k-mNy6gIrA-oCPkpfy2U1AxjChQDnUWnd64CoSjW3prGeLu7tyCo_83YvXm3F89LvosmQElTRxswRKfVWrrNNAcK26qGvp/s1600/goose+at+window.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Love this stuff.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMghHohjbdv_Pu-fsrONWxVNbPIsFxm3kmEmtPNzQGpjbDXnCILLMQxZ_4qEXgJ3RVAf8bwulwCOx60H9v8qf4NB2rlF22kahyphenhyphen6PtVWqotFBZdffDSlHPJ29sJstwgCcLCMEl3JQNqoTTO/s1600/belly+butter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMghHohjbdv_Pu-fsrONWxVNbPIsFxm3kmEmtPNzQGpjbDXnCILLMQxZ_4qEXgJ3RVAf8bwulwCOx60H9v8qf4NB2rlF22kahyphenhyphen6PtVWqotFBZdffDSlHPJ29sJstwgCcLCMEl3JQNqoTTO/s1600/belly+butter.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A mid-week sushi date with friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyddHtHDjjrVa20sUviYt6DP5WsBobKuZhHREbRMeOd3U4oW6XVZ3MNYvuwnwYqZJhBxaMUKyba7qRP2vlwxCAExwBQIqrlcfhaSPs3G7Vw2lcFK2fs8-pYr0zYJei3e1OMa0b-5fr3-vi/s1600/sush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyddHtHDjjrVa20sUviYt6DP5WsBobKuZhHREbRMeOd3U4oW6XVZ3MNYvuwnwYqZJhBxaMUKyba7qRP2vlwxCAExwBQIqrlcfhaSPs3G7Vw2lcFK2fs8-pYr0zYJei3e1OMa0b-5fr3-vi/s1600/sush.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-8704593083381482702014-10-21T12:31:00.002-07:002014-10-21T12:31:54.721-07:00Bump Update: 22 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While there are the occasional discomforts, I love being pregnant. It's basically a 9-month detox and I feel so healthy and alive. All the pokes and movement make me feel so close to this little person, and I am pretty much obsessed with being near Flavio at all times. The love and happy hormones are flying. It's just a wonderful time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjny_7VeiMPYGlzzMKFPBsTu9E0y3_b0U8qNW1hXRwUbE3go5hjOiEVSEvngqnoDQFmGT5sYZkTFAMQugcSAm_zIWdhFmmaIFQlT3AFO7jwETCz0FKha3fR6Aj0PJk-3YIWFEA_E-IYLYbK/s1600/Bugg+22+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjny_7VeiMPYGlzzMKFPBsTu9E0y3_b0U8qNW1hXRwUbE3go5hjOiEVSEvngqnoDQFmGT5sYZkTFAMQugcSAm_zIWdhFmmaIFQlT3AFO7jwETCz0FKha3fR6Aj0PJk-3YIWFEA_E-IYLYbK/s1600/Bugg+22+weeks.jpg" height="640" width="446" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">22 weeks</span><br />
<br />
The baby is the size of:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A papaya</span><br />
<br />
I'm feeling:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Elated. There's something really wonderful about being pregnant during my favorite time of year. It's been great to start nesting and even do a little fall-inspired baking, even though my sweet tooth isn't fully back.</span><br />
<br />
Food love: <br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I love and eat everything now, but mainly crave spicy, salty, sour foods.</span><br />
<br />
What I miss: <br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. Coffee. I gave it up <a href="http://besos-and-bubbly.blogspot.com/2014/01/cold-turkey.html" target="_blank">last January</a> and I still crave the taste and smell. Per my midwife, decaf and most teas are also off limits, so I'm suffering. I'm planning to breastfeed, so there is no coffee in my foreseeable future. Sigh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. I miss sleeping on my back and stomach.</span><br />
<br />
The best things about this week:<br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. No anxiety. I feel so relaxed and optimistic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. Full-on kicks and punches, often at the same time. We can even see my stomach move on the outside...big changes are happening!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3. Seeing our little one at the 20-week ultrasound. He/she is measuring more than a week ahead and was happily bouncing, stretching, and hiccuping on screen. So cool.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hef_HfX-xfaFIRpZWrIm_365yut7fn3mgyW2UALqIF12QzJtNITIlosNuA-x9tgtywgRSeHcS8RLsq0a2Kf1Af35CI9PDE53SKc5p9GoGytRykpuwb-7rwdUefHf4RZZ6UB_A7F1KO7L/s1600/classic+sono+Baby+C+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hef_HfX-xfaFIRpZWrIm_365yut7fn3mgyW2UALqIF12QzJtNITIlosNuA-x9tgtywgRSeHcS8RLsq0a2Kf1Af35CI9PDE53SKc5p9GoGytRykpuwb-7rwdUefHf4RZZ6UB_A7F1KO7L/s1600/classic+sono+Baby+C+2.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{definitely my nose}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
The worst things about this week:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. The constant need to pee. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. Crazy dreams.</span><br />
<br />
Interesting turn of events:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. When Flav talks to my belly, the baby kicks harder. We think it's his/her way of saying hello. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. Also, people are really nice to pregnant women. Now that I look preggo, strangers ask me questions and let me go ahead in line, hold the door open for me, guess whether it's a boy or a girl, etc. It's fun!</span><br />
<br />
Wearing:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Tops and bottoms that stretch. A mix of maternity and non-maternity.</span><br />
<br />
Really looking forward to:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Settling on names. I think we have our girl name nailed down but boy names are sooo hard. We want something that works in English and Spanish and we are open to suggestions - if you have any. :)</span><br />
<br />
Daydreaming about:<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">An upcoming prenatal massage, my first! </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-12054988741883004522014-10-17T15:28:00.000-07:002014-10-17T15:29:29.062-07:00Noted on a Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvemHxfxdlEWMh0ovvFZEJ_IX2QYFeXb0IdDZ0FRfuvU4pDw_bWMhlxY7wZeImOOdEwwn02F478n-pU8zr5Vtm9Jq-Oo5jGOE9Ub1M8BNt3drClHta9o7WmWiULwkHLAHf6EIfqBK9E2sp/s1600/fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvemHxfxdlEWMh0ovvFZEJ_IX2QYFeXb0IdDZ0FRfuvU4pDw_bWMhlxY7wZeImOOdEwwn02F478n-pU8zr5Vtm9Jq-Oo5jGOE9Ub1M8BNt3drClHta9o7WmWiULwkHLAHf6EIfqBK9E2sp/s1600/fall.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{signs of fall in the neighborhood}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Welp, this week was a weird one complete with an emergency trip to the vet and for a broken pawnail, and an <a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/oct/16/southwestern-college-ebola-student-closed/" target="_blank">Ebola scare and evacuation</a> during my Thursday morning classes. TGIF. Despite these obstacles, things feel abuzz on the homefront. Halloween decorations are mostly up, costume ideas are in progress, and I can't help but feel giddy about all my favorite holidays on the horizon. We've got an action-packed weekend ahead complete with a friend's birthday brunch, some baby shopping and registering, and a fall-themed potluck on Sunday. I'm hoping to squeeze in some baking, Netflixing, and general relaxation in this lovely cooler weather. Here are some memorable moments from this week.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF2baaGFEakcg_iK30uyxCLzW4OMlIFyqyUq-2FnSDbK6LRnVwkyctBguFjtzcRXmNU27rUBOu4XWIoZc-LzDVTXrNfDg6MeuFDa72XjHm2ftoY-4aIQ-ZJLIIKE6YpjX8kbA6332C7rj/s1600/bandage+on+goose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF2baaGFEakcg_iK30uyxCLzW4OMlIFyqyUq-2FnSDbK6LRnVwkyctBguFjtzcRXmNU27rUBOu4XWIoZc-LzDVTXrNfDg6MeuFDa72XjHm2ftoY-4aIQ-ZJLIIKE6YpjX8kbA6332C7rj/s1600/bandage+on+goose.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{her bandage melts me}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wmCMwEmMYUZd4HJt3bILDFfCvkENDsV5Qoke8ylJDjBbxosrYfvm-DFmSvktRis2YOgGRfd_VjeAfylCxuPBBuSEJZ09iquAItZDLN29nnm3uaJHqrnSh57GZca0XbzFkp-FQt8y49jh/s1600/soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wmCMwEmMYUZd4HJt3bILDFfCvkENDsV5Qoke8ylJDjBbxosrYfvm-DFmSvktRis2YOgGRfd_VjeAfylCxuPBBuSEJZ09iquAItZDLN29nnm3uaJHqrnSh57GZca0XbzFkp-FQt8y49jh/s1600/soup.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{my favorite kinda lunch: homemade pumpkin <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Farmhouse-Butternut-Squash-Soup-351412" target="_blank">soup</a> with cheese/crackers}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQj3eZ0DpSWQBNzArRNUaiydbXyzFNzp440U8X5rfOumi4RE5BScWwW3-dskuba6jxdhEluXGAhhYjjpSw2BIf0d_-0PPmbw_CSi-8fEuEN6Qru6EY2t8EA5VJ93GdmBUWycuhH6dDe74/s1600/gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQj3eZ0DpSWQBNzArRNUaiydbXyzFNzp440U8X5rfOumi4RE5BScWwW3-dskuba6jxdhEluXGAhhYjjpSw2BIf0d_-0PPmbw_CSi-8fEuEN6Qru6EY2t8EA5VJ93GdmBUWycuhH6dDe74/s1600/gifts.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{delighted by the recent baby gifts that have arrived on our porch}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFlMcPcdaw0o4uPx-ZTAd5TTbQU5vNYj6PWtjd0DwaugCkOCvwOBRA1-bnX-SOGMxnipMj9XcdQ5pO5kQXnf7EmiV_IYa82FXXyED3j3ockHYfW5tKhvGUYLDWkzH5AUQfVkPBFlNb3Og/s1600/house+halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFlMcPcdaw0o4uPx-ZTAd5TTbQU5vNYj6PWtjd0DwaugCkOCvwOBRA1-bnX-SOGMxnipMj9XcdQ5pO5kQXnf7EmiV_IYa82FXXyED3j3ockHYfW5tKhvGUYLDWkzH5AUQfVkPBFlNb3Og/s1600/house+halloween.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{'tis the season}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-36162263959556119952014-10-12T14:24:00.001-07:002014-10-12T14:24:26.708-07:00How Parenting Kills MarriageHave you read <a href="http://qz.com/273255/how-american-parenting-is-killing-the-american-marriage/" target="_blank">this article</a>? Its timing is impeccable as Flavio and I have spent much of this pregnancy strategizing how we will keep our marriage first priority after the inevitable stress of children comes along. Children will grow up and move on, but the marriage endures and must be nurtured in the meantime. A fantastic reminder.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlgS8TcMK9vD33IU-p4_C0dS5zQnScCkgWUKfotk-N_Eueh8K_FzC977wt6TPFEfqmIxo5VpuWBahr0INCb6IKLHu0cm-IlA5QwQonG-if2Z0PljwIgpWV094IYgGxrIYoSwOYD6ZK7To/s1600/flowers+from+flav.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlgS8TcMK9vD33IU-p4_C0dS5zQnScCkgWUKfotk-N_Eueh8K_FzC977wt6TPFEfqmIxo5VpuWBahr0INCb6IKLHu0cm-IlA5QwQonG-if2Z0PljwIgpWV094IYgGxrIYoSwOYD6ZK7To/s1600/flowers+from+flav.jpg" height="640" width="522" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Delighted that after all these years, Flav still brings me flowers. It's the little things.}</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-64139070481533613862014-09-30T17:13:00.000-07:002014-09-30T17:24:14.599-07:00Bump Update: 19 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This pregnancy is speeding by. I can't believe I'll be at the halfway mark (20 weeks!) this Friday. I'm really excited to be growing our little family... literally. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkIHkITyi3HiDjEMzyQV-JOpb4J2sPIKjP0vbnZeikShjT3lVcPUWCQb9E1XWhO29vuI1pE_iSSOBj2WJCrpjxdUfiBXQx9FvUZsEZapGvcAWMd0MWC1ffQJCFkFTqOtmeatq7-hcbKTi/s1600/bug+19+wks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkIHkITyi3HiDjEMzyQV-JOpb4J2sPIKjP0vbnZeikShjT3lVcPUWCQb9E1XWhO29vuI1pE_iSSOBj2WJCrpjxdUfiBXQx9FvUZsEZapGvcAWMd0MWC1ffQJCFkFTqOtmeatq7-hcbKTi/s1600/bug+19+wks.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">19 weeks</span><br />
<br />
The baby is the size of:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A mango</span><br />
<br />
I'm feeling:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Really great, still. Things have been crazy at work (I'm teaching an overload as I won't be working next semester) but I'm surprisingly relaxed and generally optimistic. I'm convinced this is a happy, peaceful baby.</span><br />
<br />
Exercise:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Started going to prenatal yoga and I love it, both for the workout and the chance to chat with other mamas-to-be, compare symptoms, etc. I try to go a few times a week, and really look forward to it. <br />Also, my midwife is encouraging me to walk 2 miles a day, so I need to get on it.</span><br />
<br />
Food love:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Bagels and cream cheese, and salty proteins. I've had the appetite of a trucker.</span><br />
<br />
Food aversions:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Still not into sweets or eggs, but no major aversions. Pretty much eating everything in sight at this point.</span><br />
<br />
The best thing about this week:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Feeling first flutters. When I drink something cold and lay still, I can feel the little bubbles that are the the baby's movements. It's exhilarating.</span><br />
<br />
The worst thing about this week:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hip pain while sleeping and overall, restless, interrupted sleep.<br />Also, bloody noses and bloody gums. Lovely.</span><br />
<br />
Interesting turn of events:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Veins everywhere! My stomach looks like a roadmap. Fun fact: a pregnant woman's blood volume doubles during pregnancy (see bloody noses/gums above).<br />Also, my hair and nails have been growing crazy fast.</span><br />
<br />
Favorite pregnancy items purchased: <br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Snoogle-Total-Body-Pillow/dp/B0000635WI" target="_blank">Snoogle</a> Pregnancy Pillow is pure heaven. You wrap your arms and legs around it, and it's helped my nighttime hip pain tremendously. Flavio steals it when I get out of bed and Guiri loves to cuddle up next to it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMTQCn4NiYJFVRWxb9tXv4iTDeVaNYw9Sij8hcFEZPe7gaXtuOkA0Lwezp_3qBMxQZGm9xNac6dgwzxngmfYxG8PWbCia_hTc5IzeBfcC6nL8KuGYccoK9ZJ4c-YHVC032fhW2k9yTQSp/s1600/snoogle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMTQCn4NiYJFVRWxb9tXv4iTDeVaNYw9Sij8hcFEZPe7gaXtuOkA0Lwezp_3qBMxQZGm9xNac6dgwzxngmfYxG8PWbCia_hTc5IzeBfcC6nL8KuGYccoK9ZJ4c-YHVC032fhW2k9yTQSp/s1600/snoogle.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Wearing:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Leggings all weekend, and mostly maternity skirts for work.</span><br />
<br />
Reading: <br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156" target="_blank"><i>Ina May's Guide to Childbirth</i></a>. Hoping to birth this baby drug-free.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<br />
Really looking forward to:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Feeling more powerful kicks, so Flavio can feel them, too. <br />And, our 20-week ultrasound next week; seeing the bouncing baby playing on the screen is mind-blowing.</span><br />
<br />
Daydreaming about:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Transitioning our guest room into a space for the baby.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-39364016159384940722014-09-26T13:08:00.000-07:002014-09-26T13:23:47.077-07:00Noted on a FridayIt feels so good to be winding down the work week -- it's been a busy one. We're treating my mother-in-law to dinner tonight, and then I'm looking forward to recharging this weekend with some early Halloween decorating, catching up with the <i>Parenthood</i> season premier, and maybe a trip to the movies to see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhULZJDXLaE" target="_blank">this</a>. I hope you enjoy. xo<br />
<br />
Butterfly fluttering by.<br />
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So excited!</div>
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Friends at the park. :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZp6YoZXB36PaQZ72XAeBSbCN2Ag4kRcsa5FsLqC5RqXQdTStB1GGUHeECS0CbxtTyLbSAjJU4T830NVmMNrrYtDX2v-Y73ncIlPoE80gamMSr2Q5XTxhQSfMPI7wn0adIdn6aokp56Dru/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZp6YoZXB36PaQZ72XAeBSbCN2Ag4kRcsa5FsLqC5RqXQdTStB1GGUHeECS0CbxtTyLbSAjJU4T830NVmMNrrYtDX2v-Y73ncIlPoE80gamMSr2Q5XTxhQSfMPI7wn0adIdn6aokp56Dru/s1600/friends.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Colorful decisions at a Wednesday pedicure.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-57011573474698215452014-09-19T10:37:00.000-07:002014-09-19T10:37:22.584-07:00Noted on a FridayThis past week was an effort to bid this long, hot summer farewell. We barbecued, enjoyed cold drinks at our local bar (ginger beer for me), hung at the dog park, went on long walks in the warm evenings, and generally spent our after-work time outside. San Diego even had its own mini-hurricane this week (at least that's what I'm calling it) and I'm just waiting for the autumnal weather to come rolling in... The first day of fall is this Tuesday. Fingers crossed!
<br />
<br />
Some little things making me happy lately...<br />
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Though it was nearly 100 degrees this week, these leaves are telling me my season is right around the corner.<br />
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Can't stop staring at this photo of Baby C. at 12 weeks. Life is such a miracle.<br />
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Guiri and her boyfriend Bowie had their first sleepover at our place. Love bugs.<br />
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The tastiest deep-fried catfish at <a href="http://phuongtrangrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Phuong Trang</a> with Jan and Gary.<br />
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Monday Night Football at <a href="http://www.sycamoreden.com/" target="_blank">Sycamore Den</a>.<br />
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Minding our own business at the dog park when rain and 70 mph winds flashed through. Wild.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614783972249540815.post-82756257078861921652014-09-16T07:35:00.000-07:002014-09-16T07:35:21.227-07:00Bump update: 17 weeksSo this summer was tough. I felt like I had a 2-month hangover, and while I was just teaching one summer school class, I struggled. On a scale of 1 - <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/kate-middleton-morning-sickness-royal-pain-article-1.1212428" target="_blank">Kate Middleton</a>, I'd say my morning sickness was a 7. The blog, and pretty much everything else, fell by the wayside. I was so zoned out, headachy, nauseated, and constantly fatigued. It's true: the first trimester is just as miserable as everyone says it is. But, at about 13 weeks, I started to feel like my old self again, and it's also true: the second trimester is a magical time. I'm feeling better than ever! Because this site is sort of my personal time capsule, I thought it would be fun to keep track of my pregnancy, documenting my shifting feelings and rapidly changing shape here. I'll pop in with bump updates sporadically.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{17 weeks}</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">17 weeks</span><br />
<br />
The baby is the size of:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">An onion</span><br />
<br />
I'm feeling:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Completely energized! I feel so positive about life and really <i>alive</i>, if that makes sense. I haven't had a bad day in weeks.</span><br />
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Food cravings:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Bread, potatoes, beef, fish, Chinese and Mexican food. All savory. All the time. It's really put a damper on my baking.</span><br />
<br />
Food aversions:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eggs. Do not put them near me. Weird, because I was such an ovatarian previously.</span><br />
<br />
The best thing about this week:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The baby can now hear, so we've been singing a lot and listening to happy music around our house. Flavio speaks Spanish to my belly at night, quietly whispering sweet nothings to the baby. It's so tender - makes me tear up every time.</span><br />
<br />
The worst thing about this week:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Depending on what I'm wearing, I'm still at that awkward stage where people glance at my belly, and wonder if I've just had a really great summer with a lot of food and beer, or if I'm pregnant. I can't wait to have a full-on bump to stop the questioning stares.</span><br />
<br />
Interesting turn of events:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Guiri seems to sense the pregnancy. She stares at me with her head cocked, looking confused. It's hilarious. Someone told us dogs can smell and hear the changes? She's also overly protective of me at the dog park, chasing off any other dogs that come near. Sweet girl.</span><br />
<br />
Best reaction to our pregnancy:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Besides Flavio, my parents! They were shocked and elated, and shocked! I wish we'd gotten their reaction on film. We gifted them <a href="http://shop.hallmark.com/baby/baby-gifts/grandbaby-digital-countdown-clock-1BBY4302.html" target="_blank">this little clock</a> and they didn't quite know what to make of it at first, but after it set in, there was cheering and hugs and tissue-paper flying, and pure joy. One of my all-time favorite life moments, and so glad we got to tell them at their 50th. </span><br />
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Currently living in:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Lots of loose dresses and skirts that still fit and my beloved pair of H&M maternity jeans (see photo above) which are the comfiest pants <i>ever</i>. </span><br />
<br />
Really looking forward to:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fall! My favorite.</span><br />
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Daydreaming about:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Whether this is a boy or a girl. We're not going to find out the sex, but I can't help but wonder.. My intuition says boy. We'll see in 5 short months.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2