Noted on a Friday

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 forever), 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

{branch manager}

{Newborn Care class -- very proud of my swaddled baby}

{Practicing at home. Flavio is the better swaddler.} 

{Flavio making fun of me for double-fisting samples at Trader Joe's}

Noted on a Friday

{winter in San Diego}

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 American Sniper tonight), take lots of walks, and overall, fight my natural tendency to stay in and nest. Should be a good weekend. Enjoy! xo

{giant owl spotted at the dog park}

{I'm really in to pears right now, and seeing them on my windowsill makes me happy}

{my favorite barista at our neighborhood coffee shop makes me her Preggo Special - extra milky coffee in a teeny shot cup}

{these two are in love and they love watching Friends reruns together}

Noted on a Friday - Quick Holiday Re-Cap

{NYE 2014}

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.

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

{As the kids say, #nofilter}

{Christmas Eve, 32 weeks}

{While I've previously done cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning, I might switch the tradition to this easier and equally delicious overnight French toast}

{Christmas morning, Guiri's gift}

{Rosca de Reyes, delivered by my mother-in-law}

Noted on a Friday

{rainy day pho}

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

Some photos from the last couple weeks...

Tooling around on my parents' golf cart.

Sweet surprise from Flav.. an assortment of heavenly cupcakes.

Birthday morning.

Guiri sleeping on my shirt.

Noted on a Friday

Greetings from Vegas! We got here yesterday and we're looking forward to a long weekend of relaxation with my parents. 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

Eggy, sweet pan de muerto, via Tijuana and my mother-in-law.

Somebody doesn't mind daylight savings. Or my pregnancy pillow.

Mario, Luigi, and the Princess on candy duty this Halloween.

Flores para los muertos.

Requisite Dairy Queen stop on the way to Vegas.

Noted on a (Halloween) Friday

{ghostly pumpkins}

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

Some scenes from Halloweens past...

{Halloween 2013}

{Pirate Guiri}

{Halloween 2006}

Noted on a Friday

{pumpkin spice muffins, fresh from the oven}

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

Watching the world go by.

Love this stuff.

A mid-week sushi date with friends.

Noted on a Friday

{signs of fall in the neighborhood}

Welp, this week was a weird one complete with an emergency trip to the vet and for a broken pawnail, and an Ebola scare and evacuation 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.

{her bandage melts me}

{my favorite kinda lunch: homemade pumpkin soup with cheese/crackers}

{delighted by the recent baby gifts that have arrived on our porch}

{'tis the season}

Noted on a Friday

It 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 Parenthood season premier, and maybe a trip to the movies to see this. I hope you enjoy. xo

Butterfly fluttering by.

So excited!

Friends at the park. :)

Colorful decisions at a Wednesday pedicure.

Noted on a Friday

This 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!

Some little things making me happy lately...

Though it was nearly 100 degrees this week, these leaves are telling me my season is right around the corner.

Can't stop staring at this photo of Baby C. at 12 weeks. Life is such a miracle.

Guiri and her boyfriend Bowie had their first sleepover at our place. Love bugs.

The tastiest deep-fried catfish at Phuong Trang with Jan and Gary.

Monday Night Football at Sycamore Den.

Minding our own business at the dog park when rain and 70 mph winds flashed through. Wild.

Bump update: 17 weeks

So 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 - Kate Middleton, 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.

{17 weeks}

17 weeks

The baby is the size of:
An onion

I'm feeling:
Completely energized!  I feel so positive about life and really alive, if that makes sense. I haven't had a bad day in weeks.

Food cravings:
Bread, potatoes, beef, fish, Chinese and Mexican food. All savory. All the time. It's really put a damper on my baking.

Food aversions:
Eggs. Do not put them near me. Weird, because I was such an ovatarian previously.

The best thing about this week:
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.

The worst thing about this week:
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.

Interesting turn of events:
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.

Best reaction to our pregnancy:
Besides Flavio, my parents! They were shocked and elated, and shocked! I wish we'd gotten their reaction on film. We gifted them this little clock 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. 

Currently living in:
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 ever. 

Really looking forward to:
Fall! My favorite.

Daydreaming about:
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.

Three Plus One

We have some very happy news...

...we're expecting our first baby this February!

We are over the moon, and I've been dying to write about it on the blog, but we wanted to make sure we told all of our family members before putting it on social media. So, now that the cat's out of the bag, I can't wait to post about this exciting time here. So much to look forward to! xo