My date last Thursday!

Ladies & Gentlemen, I am proud to introduce you to the new addition in the lives of Rachelle and Trevor....Nathan Riley!!!! He was born March 15th, 2008, 5 days before his due date! Nathan weighed 6lbs 4oz and measured 20 in. long! I spent Thursday afternoon oogling over how cute he is and watching him slowly begin to process everything outside the womb!

When I got to the house, Nathan was just waking up from a nap and was a bit squirmy! Of, course he was...he had a dirty diaper. I followed Rachelle into the nursery so we could chat and I could stare at the baby and guess what he did! AS SOON as the diaper came off, Nathan made a red face, pooped all over the changing pad and sent a yellow rainbow up into the air onto his mom and all over the floor. The two of us let out a shrill "oh no!" and as Rachelle covered the fountain shooting up from her 12 day old son, we keeled over with laughter and it took a while to catch our breath. By the time we did, his Dad, Aunt, and the dog were all in the room trying to figure out what was sooooo funny.

As soon as he was done making a mess....of course he was hungry! He had a quick snack and then I FINALLY got to hold him! I forgot just how little they are when they are just born! They always smell good, and their skin is soooooo soft! I propped him up on my shoulder in attempts to get him to burp, but no such luck. The little guy had his eyes wide open and was tossing his head around as he looked at me, the wall, the couch, the dog...everything! I couldn't believe how alert he was...then, he pooped again! Dad took this diaper and afterwards we all headed out into the sunshine!

Sydney, the dog, was soooo happy to be out of the house and knew instantly that Trevor had a ball tucked into his pocket and kept him within 2 feet the entire walk to the beach. In fact she kept trying to dig the ball out of his pocket and would have been much happier if we all RAN to the beach rather than taking a leisurely stroll! Nathan squeeked a little on our short walk, but obviously loves his stroller and was quite content until he was ready to eat yet again.

The beach was beautiful, it REALLY made me miss Santa Cruz. We sat in the sand and the sun for a good while and talked about the labor, delivery and the sleepless nights. Rachelle shared the joys of being a Mom, and Trevor beamed with a sense of love and pride. Sydney ran up and down the beach, in and out of the water and panted with excitement as Aunt Katelyn or Dad tossed the ball around. After Nathan's 6th lunch, we headed back to the house, though we could have sat by the water until the sun went down.

As we left the beach, somehow, I managed to step on something and cut my toe :( I am not one to do things half way you know, so I did a pretty good job on it and hobbled back to the house. It still stings a bit and being that it is on the bottom of my big toe, walking around on it doesn't seem to help it heal! Anyway, after cleaning it up and putting a band aid on, I immediately forgot about it as I walked into the living room and saw Nathan wide awake again and wiggling around on the couch! I snapped a few pictures, gave the new parents another congrats and PROMISED that I would be back soon!

My visit gave me a quick baby fix, but made me want to meet our little man just that much more! The whole visit, I was getting kicks and bumps and flutters and watching Nathan squirm further encouraged my visualizations of what was going on in my womb! Now, we are only 27 days (or less) away from meeting Chesna and Damien's little man and anxious as ever! BABIES BABIES EVERYWHERE! Noah is going to have sooooo many little friends and a cousin who is only 10 weeks older than him!

I was TAGGED again...

This was fun...forced me to look a bit into my past as well as help me procrastinate and put off all the stuff I should be doing..hence the "5 things on my to do list today." Thanks Amy! The last "tag" I had, didn't turn out too many results, so I am not going to tag anyone, BUT I would be happy to read anyone else's answers to these questions!!

10 Years Ago: I was 15 years old and actually quite a jerk. March of 1998 I was a teenage runaway! LOL! I can laugh now but it really wasn't too funny. I had quit going to school and was living like a rock star with some pretty nasty people. April 20th, 1998 was the day that saved my life and everything changed. It wasn't pretty and I will spare the details, but after 90 days, I came home on the 4th of July with a new attitude, a new outlook and a determination that brought me where I am today! I don't have any regrets, sure I made it harder for myself and my POOR PARENTS, but those experiences have made me who I am and taught me lessons that I couldn't have learned any other way. Karma may have something big in store for me with my own kiddos, but I forewarned Jason and he still chose to have kids with me!!!!!

5 things on my to do list today:
do laundry
practice some yoga...stretch out my back
go to Michael's and work on some of my crafts!
go to the chiropractor
heat up leftovers for dinner and watch the Idol results show!


6 things I would do if I was a billionaire:
pay off our debt...ALL OF IT!
buy a home by the Santa Cruz beach and one in Tahoe too.
GO SHOPPING - for me and the baby...Jason too.
travel all over the world
help out the fam with their $ probs!!

(wow...i think it is the same as you amy!)

5 years ago I was: I was 20 years old...and it was the year I met Jason! I had been in Santa Cruz for about 2 years and was getting ready to start at UCSC. I moved into my first place without roommates...it was sooooooooooo small. I had a mini fridge, two burners and a sink. I couldn't have my coffee pot and my toaster on the counter at the same time, and you had to step into the shower sideways...my futon was my bed and my couch and, if it was open, you couldn't get through the one room in the house! BUT, it was 1/2 a block from the beach and I spent most of my time at school, work or out with friends, so I didn't care! It housed my stuff, my plants and gave me a place to sleep without dealing with 5 other people!

3 bad habits: I can proudly say that SMOKING is no longer a habit of mine...7 months smoke free...I am a breather!! However,

I can always find room for dessert, even at 2 pm
I am ALWAYS late
I check my email/myspace all day long, and surf the web too much....the computer sucks me in.

5 places I have lived: There was a period where I moved 6 times in 3 months....so I will just stick with 5 cities I have lived in...
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Gardnerville, NV
Felton, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
San Jose, CA

5 jobs I have had: I have had a lot of these too....top 5
Substance Abuse Counselor @ Janus of Santa Cruz
Staff Liaison & Training Coordinator @ Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live Partnership
Server @ 99 Bottles of Beer in Santa Cruz...I was also the hostess and door person for a while, seriously, me as a bouncer checking ID's!!!
Special Projects Intern @ Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Department - I was technically a volunteer because I never got paid, but this was my first "non coffee shop/restaurant job" and was my break into the social services field.
Barrista @ Alpen Sierra Coffee Company...we had some good times and great friends at this place....awe I am getting a nostalgic!

things most people don't know about me: I like to think that I don't hide much from anyone, and the embarrassing stories I want to hide, my dad shares over the mic at my wedding!!! Lets see... I followed around a band for a summer in 2001...yes hippy style with camping and unshaved legs, the whole deal.

On the other side of the spectrum, most people don't know that I was a cheerleader for a season. It was for pop warner, I was in 5th grade and we made it all the way to the big state competition...we took 6th place there I think. I didn't really fit in with that crowd though... surprise!

99 days....again....

I thought I was done, after writing "100 Days"....but I read my old blog again, and it just seems so appropriate. Though I talk about the 20's, I think that no matter where you are at in your life cycle, time goes too fast and there is a constant change that evokes emotions from one extreme to the other. Rather than a 20 something, looking at friends and parents, you may be a parent of a 20 something and or a grandparent experiencing the same life changes just from another perspective...watching your kids get married, your grandkids come into the world and saying goodbye to friends and family. I added a few things in red, but for the most part, this reflection from a year ago fits right into my reflection today!

"99 Days to go!" February 28th, 2007

This last year has been absolutely amazing. It has been full of all that life has to offer...all the joy, laughter and love, the tears, sorrows and pain, the excitement, nerves and calming moments...I could go on and on. Though uncomfortable, even the difficult times were necessary because I was able to learn from them and understand more about myself and the people in my life. I am grateful for each and every one of you...yes, even the ones who pissed me off and pushed me to my limit...I could not be sitting here today without the support, encouragement, and honesty that you have given me. I only hope that I was able to reciprocate your love and encourage you to strive for greatness.

With all the up's and downs from this last year(s), I have come to realize that there is a big secret about the mid 20's that no one ever warned us about. (I think this should be my next Thesis Proposal-ha!) "They" say, Change is the only thing constant in life, and I have always believed that, but as I grow older the reality of that statement becomes more and more apparent.

The mid 20's is an exciting and yet trying time where so much in our world CHANGES. Whether it is school ending, work starting, getting our own insurance or lack there of, moving, saying good bye to friends, saying hello to new ones, getting married, starting a family or trying to maintain friendships while keeping up with the never ending rat race and still holding true to our values...it all moves at a pace faster than I have ever experienced and in a blink of an eye, years have gone by since you last saw your college roommate or best friend from high school. But, somehow, through it all, we manage to come out swinging and with a smile on our face as we toss back a pint with the people who mean the most to us.

The mid 20's are also a time where we experience HUGE life events; in our own lives and in the lives of others. It is an age where our emotions ebb and flow like the tide...extreme highs and devastating lows.

On the high note....We are at an age where ALOT our friends are getting married and/or having kids (give or take a few years). These are life events full of love, joy, laughter, tears of happiness and elation. This last year Jason and I were invited to 7 weddings, and began planning our own! I was ecstatic to be the maid of honor in Cerissa & Steve's wedding (09/02/06) as well as Angel and Rich's wedding (11/11/06). There is nothing like watching and honoring the marriage of your best friends.

Equally as exciting, is celebrating the birth of a new baby or chatting with friends about their plans to start adding to their family! There has been soooooo many babies blessing the people in my life. Including my little sister...I am going to be an Aunti again and I can't wait....and my little sister is back in my life...about to be a mom...it is just amazing! The whole process is AMAZING!

On the flip side....the low tide....the 20's are also an age of extreme loss and fear. Our parents are all at an age where their bodies are starting to....well, for lack of better words....break down. My mom, my dad and my step-mom have made trips to the hospital and had an extended stay (3 heart attacks and a ruptured appendix between the 3 of them). Jason's Uncle was diagnosed with cancer and despite hospitals and modern medicine, within 6 months we had to say our goodbyes. Those phone calls are devastating and nothing can prepare you for it.

We are also at an age where our grandparents are passing on to the next chapter of their existence...what ever that may be. My grandma and grandpa are very sick, Jason's grandma passed away, Angel's grandma is very sick....and despite our best efforts, we are going to have to face their passing and in turn, face our own mortality. We always knew that this time would come, but who knew it would happen this fast? While we are starting families of our own and eager to share them with our grandparents, we are having to celebrate new life and a life that has passed....each celebration evoking an opposite emotion.

In this last year I have attended more weddings, baby showers, hospital rooms and funerals than I have in my entire life. It has been an emotional roller coaster with an extreme high one day and devastating low the next...sometimes within the same hour! It is amazing what our mid 20’s throw at us. Yet, somehow we all seem to stand together to help one another make sense of all the chaos. The mid 20's are a difficult but amazing time in our lives, and it is a wonder no one ever told us about what we were in for.

With 99 days and counting to the day I marry the love of my life, (and 100 days until we meet our son) I look back at what I…we… have been through, look forward and welcome what is to come, and try to slow down and really appreciate every second of every day because life really is too short and time does move too quickly.

THANK YOU to all of you who have made this last year possible. I...we... could not have made it though so strongly with out the love and support from friends and family....and know that when you call (even if I don't answer immediately) I will be there in a heart beat to stand by you as you move trough the ever changing tides in your life!

100 days

Last year, we were counting down the days and weeks to our wedding. It became a big joke at my work, and every day when my boss walked in my office, the first thing I would say was, "Nancy, ## days left!!!" I even called her during our rehearsal dinner to count down the final hours! So, when we found out we were having a baby, the countdown started all over again. And yes, I went to my boss and said, "Nancy only 38 more weeks left!" She rolled her eyes, let out a big sigh and we had a good laugh. Today, our countdown hit 100 DAYS.

Last year, around the same time, I wrote a blog with the same title...well close enough, "99 Days", and I figure I would follow suit. It seems like a good milestone to stop and just reflect a little bit on the last year. I pulled up my blog from the wedding countdown, had a good laugh and cry,then realized that I could simply cut and paste the text to reflect the same feelings this year.

Time continues to move faster and faster and the joys and sorrows of life continue to weave their way through leaving smiles, tears and memories in their wake. From the time we got engaged, we had a every weekend booked until the wedding. Then, after the honeymoon it slowed down. Well we are busy all over again. We have 3 weekends with out plans (yet) until mid June. This year, it is baby showers, birthdays, and yep we are in another wedding on June 14th! I will be 18 days from my due date at Justine and Matt's wedding and after that, I have permission to deliver the baby.

Last year I wrote about the 7 weddings we were invited to, this year, there are 10 of us having babies! Sarah was the first with her beautiful daughter last April, Lily Matsue. Then Angelina & Rich with Mr. Tristen Michael in December. Those two kicked off the boy trend...there are only 2 girls out of the 10 pregnancies we know of! It is so exciting to have so many friends having babies at the same time, not only can they relate to our chaos and elation now, but our kids will get to grow up together and we will be able to relate to the chaos and elation of being parents later!

I can only imagine what the next year has in store for us. Just since becoming pregnant with our son, our lives have changed quite a bit. Our daily tasks have changed, our conversations are different, our weekends are spent doing different things, we have new goals and our old goals have a new meaning. I feel like over the last few years we have gotten closer to our families and with babies on the way we seem to be getting even closer. In 100 days or less our lives are going to change forever and we look forward to every moment of it. We have so many great people in our lives and you all have made the last few years perfect...we look forward to walking through whatever the future holds, with the friends and family we have, there is nothing we can't accomplish!

25 Weeks!

Best news of the week....Jason got to feel the baby kick and we can now see the big kicks from the outside! It is pretty amazing! Though our little guy is very stingy about sharing his presence with Jason, or anyone else for that matter, it is possible if you catch me at the right time!

On the down side....my back problems are flaring up again :( I had about a month of relief, but yesterday afternoon I started to feel some discomfort. Then, last night I was stuck on the floor from about 9 - 10 pm and could barely even crawl around the house. Jason held on some ice packs and attempted to massage it but ended up getting out the old crutches for me...lame! I just can't seem to figure out what triggers it or how to fix it. I exercise, I see the chiropractor and don't lift anything...and yet I still get stuck on the stupid floor. Any suggestions?

We saw the Dr. on Tuesday and everything is a-okay! She said, "baby is now viable," and followed with, "it's kinda scary." She then discussed that she doesn't like to deliver 24 or 25 week old babies but if she had to he could survive with help from a NICU. So, ummm yeah I guess it is a bit scary to think about that, but there are no signs of that happening. I am rooting for delivery at 38 weeks but NO LATER THAN 40!!!

We also discussed the swelling, stretching pains, braxton hicks and some questions I had about the use of vacuums and forceps.

Answers;

Swelling....it gets worse put your feet up often
Streching pains...they get worse and your rib cage will probably start to expand soon,
Braxton hicks....they get stronger.

As for the vacuum and forceps answer......she said that vacuums are typically used when mom has an epidural and because she is numb, her pushes aren't effective at pushing the baby down and out. Pretty much the same thing for forceps....drugs and eppies increase the likelihood of needing them! This only reinforced my desire to deliver naturally without drugs or intervention.

On that note, Jason and I signed up for our classes this week!!! So, here are my thoughts on the whole deal....the hospital offers basic child birth classes, breastfeeding, infant care, etc. and does so at a cheaper rate than a private center. However, the hospital is also restricted as to what they can say and I feel that they typically advocate the drugs, leave out the natural pain coping techniques and have the hospitals agenda in mind rather than the mom's. I guess I see child birth as a natural process, not a medical emergency or a routinized standard practice. Granted, I am also aware, that despite all my efforts, things may not go as we plan, and in the event of, I will do what is necessary. But as of now, I'm healthy, our baby is healthy and my husband is on board to support me through however many hours of labor we have a head of us.

Anyway, we are registered at Harmony for their 9 week Bradley Method series starting April 20th, along with single classes throughout the next few months for; Breastfeeding, Infant Care, and Postpartum. I am still taking weekly yoga which has not only been great exercise and provided bonding with other pregnant women, but has been a HUGE resource of information for everything a pregnant woman's brain can think of. Though I have occasional anxiety about labor and delivery, I am slowly gaining the information, practice and strength I need to finish this journey au natural.

So, quick baby milestones:

• He weighs about 1.5 lbs. (and should double in weight every month from here on out says the dr.) and is about 13.5 inches long.
• He has definite sleeping & awake periods and is opening and closing his eyes accordingly. (he likes to be up and about in the middle of the night with every trip to the bathroom)
• He is at a stage where he will move about all over the womb and likes to play....his only toy is the umbilical cord which he will grab, pull, swing or suck on for entertainment!
• Only 15 weeks left...13 if I'm lucky!
  

A night with friends!

So, this is coming about a week late...but better late than never right?! Remember when you were younger and your birthday lasted about 3 weeks? You know, you would say things like, "my birthday is next week..." or "my birthday was last week..." or even, "my birthday was yesterday..." These phrases were often followed by some sort of request; an extension on your homework, a new pair of shoes, lunch on a friend or as reason/excuse to do something cool.

Kelly (yes you out in Kansas), I think your birthday lasted for about a month while we were in jr. high!

Well, last Friday we used our birthdays as an excuse to have dinner and drinks with some close friends! A good 9 or 10 days after our actual birthdays! Though we had an amazing celebration together at the Tea House, what is a birthday with out friends? Because our birthdays were in the middle of the week, dinner and drinks didn't work out. And conflicting schedules nixed out the weekend immediately following.

Regardless, we all wanted an excuse to try and dress up, go out to dinner and, for those not pregnant, toss back a drink or two. So we did!! And we did it at PF Changs! That same night a group of teeny boppers also reserved a spot and had an 80's party. Geeeze it was a scary sight.....thank god the days of spandex and neon are over...it was REALLY BAD. Sadly, I didn't get any pics of the awful outfits those girls put together.

Anyway, this year 3 of us are pregnant and the other couple is getting married! It made for some interesting dinner conversations and A LOT of food being ordered. There were 4 couples, so each couple chose 1 entre and we orderd 2 of everything, plus 3 appetizers and 3 sides. As the server read back our order, we all gave glanced nervously around the table wondering if we ordred too much....WE ATE IT ALL!!! and loved every bite.

We also got some awesome gifts....a gift certificate for the 4d ultrasound from Chesna & Damien and from Lisa & Nathan we got a National Geographic, "In the Womb" DVD and Bee Movie! Thanks guys we love um (and the bee totally looks like Jason)!!!

Here's some photos from our extended birthday party...


US!
(baby boy
expected 07.02.08)

Chesna & Damien
(baby boy expected
04.25.08)

Lisa & Nathan
(baby boy
expected 08.03.08)

Justine & Matt
(wedding 06.14.08)
(lisa & i are both going
to be in the wedding!!)

What excuse can we use to do this again in the near future?!!

An Amazing Visit with Obachan!

My Mom came to visit last weekend and we had soooooo much fun! We call her Obachan, it means grandmother in Japanese and it is what I called my grandmother! She arrived Friday afternoon and we spent a few hours "catching up." Then we went out to dinner and stayed up late talking and knitting away!

Saturday, Obachan slept until noon and we actually had to wake her up...she probably needed it and would have slept all day if we let her! Jason and Obachan spent the majority of the afternoon measuring the nursery, cutting the molding, measuring again and sometimes cutting again! It was quite a show to watch the two of them maneuver 12 feet of molding up and down the stairs, and even more entertaining to watch Jason operate a power saw in the living room...the sawdust went everywhere! By the end, they had quite a system going which included positioning the saw just right so that the saw dust blew out the front door and onto the patio instead of into the living room! Jason made perfect cuts, and the molding fit perfectly!!!

Then came the paint! I wasn't allowed to get near the baseboards, (a little paint on the carpet episode a few weeks ago) So after Obachan and I painted the molding a chocolate brown, my mom took on the base boards, while I painted the trim elsewhere in the room! After lunch, we put on a second coat and we headed to the arts and crafts store to get supplies for painting polka dots. Yes, polka dots! I love them!

While I cooked a gourmet dinner (filet mignon with a red wine and blackberry reduction sauce, with herb roasted red potatoes and grilled aspargus), Obachan and Jason cut out stencils for the polka dots and after the clean up, we returned to the nursery to paint the dots, mix some paint and mount the molding! By midnight, it was done! It came out perfect, and 3 tired workers slumped onto the floor to admire our work...and enjoy some girl scout cookies!



before we made it beautiful!

painting polka dots!

Obachan mixing the paint!

putting up Jason's molding!

Obachan holding the molding...

while Jason secured it to the wall...

and I watched with a smile!

midnight, all done!

soooo tired and

soooooo happy!!!

Sunday, we went and worked on our baby registry, went to the Japanese market for some delicious treats and then rented a movie! Monday, Mom and I went to a Japanese bookstore and got some fairy tales that I grew up reading! Sadly, from there I sent Obachan on her way home and we both headed back to the real world...

How To Leave A Comment

I have had soooooo many people tell me how much they love reading my blog, and it really makes me happy to know that there are so many loyal readers out there....had no idea...why? NO COMMENTS!!!

So, I also get sooooo many people telling me that either don't know how to leave a comment or that they try to leave a comment and it doesn't work. So, here is the promised blog to help you out!

~ At the end of each blog post on the right hand side there is a link that has a "#" and the word "comments" next to it. Click it!


if you don't have a gmail or blogger account, there are 2 ways to do this:

1 - create and account: google will not spam you if you do this!

select "google/blogger" from the list under "choose your identity" Then, select the blue link that says "Sign up here" and fill in your info. Click the "continue" button and you will then be redirected to my comments page where you can write your comment and click "publish your comment."

*next time you want to leave a comment, you just sign in*


2 - sign in as anonymous:

write your comment in the box and sign your name after your text. Select the button next to "Anonymous" and then click "publish your comment."

if you are a gmail or blogger user:

it is super simple, write your comment in the box, select the "Google/Blogger"button, sign in and click "publish your comment"

Do You Feel Different?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Today has just been a great day...I slept in, had breakfast, read a bunch of "Happy Birthday Wishes" from loved ones, had an amazing yoga class and a super yummy lunch! Now, I am looking forward to a nap and then cooking my favorite for dinner, "Mom's Mac & Cheese"!

Yesterday I talked about the "inevitable question" that is asked every year..."Do you feel different?" My mom asks this question every year, which, when I was younger probably resulted with a more enthusiastic answer, or a snotty remark, but over the years it has just become one of those automatic "ask and respond" kinda things. But since I wrote about it yesterday, I have been giving it some thought....different huh?

Different from yesterday? Overall no, the heartburn is a result of "x" instead of "y" and my back is a little more sore but overall, No! I don't feel different than yesterday. Different from last week? Again, for the most part NO...sure I feel a little bigger and feel the baby move more, but, I still feel pregnant and still have heartburn. I guess on the day to day and in the not-so-distant past, the differences aren't so obvious! But... in the larger scheme of things, heck yeah I feel different!!

The other night I was talking with my amazing little sister, Rose. She is quick, insightful and more intelligent than most (and running for President in 2031). Rose said something that fits perfectly with this blog. I mentioned to her that Jason and I forgot about our birthdays and was laughing about how my mom had to remind me, and she replied,


"I think it is funny how when you are my age [12], you can't wait for your birthday, to be another year older. When you are your age [25], it's no big deal and doesn't really matter. And when you are Mom's age [##], you don't want another birthday and pretend it's not here!"

Needless to say, I laughed out loud and agreed with her. We can't wait for 16, 18, and 21, and usually lie about our age until we get that new ID. After that, we kinda quit paying attention and eventually start lying in the other direction...or celebrate our 32nd birthday every year until someone throws you an "Oh no 4-0" party and totally blows your cover!

I feel much different than I did when I was 5, 12, 16, or 21. My dear old friend Jennifer gave me a flash to the past in a birthday card this morning...remember New Kids on the Block? Yeah, we were huge fans back in the day.....and I am proud to say that I am WAY different than I was when we saw that concert at the age of 7!

Heck, I even feel different than I did at 24. So much has changed in the last year...my sister had a beautiful baby, I became a Mrs., I am a Mom to Be, and I am not working! I am not in college, or waiting tables, or throwing back another beer at 1:50am before the bar kicks us out. But instead, I have a Bachelors Degree, 2 1/2 years in a rewarding career, an amazing husband, two insane cats, and I am now preparing a home for my first child! What? How did that happen?! Yeah, I feel a bit different!

I say to Jason all the time..."When we grow up..." It is usually tied into one of the endless wants that I have; "when we grow up can I have...a magnolia tree in my front yard, a washing machine & dryer, a back yard, a garage?" Well, despite the fact that I don't have a washing machine & dryer...I think we are all grown up, and have been for a little while! HA! HA!

Now, I wouldn't say that I feel old....well maybe when we go to the movies on a Friday night and want to smack all the tweens in the theater or when the cashier at the grocery store doesn't know who Sublime is...but, I do feel older and I am totally ok with it!

I don't miss the insecurity and fear I had at 18, or the hangovers I had every Friday morning throughout college. However, I often miss the innocent and unjaded views that Rose shares each time we talk, having my mom cook dinner every night and the worry free attitude that allowed me to snowboard all day or shop without concern or guilt.


But, as I get a hug from my husband and feel the kick of our son in my tummy, there isn't anything more in the world that I could ask for. Growing up isn't so bad, and as we start our own family, it can only get better!









Today, on my birthday, and everyday, I think I am a little bit different and I love it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Recap!

Last night was a blast! We ate dinner at the Crepe Place and dessert was my favorite part! We had "The Whole Thing" (butter crepe with bananas, chocolate sauce, walnuts, strawberries and ice cream!)

Then to the Tea House Spa...massage and hot tub! It was as relaxing and wonderful as you think it was!

We returned home to a silly message from my dad wishing us as Happy Birthday...his messages always make us laugh! Jason also got his yearly "song" on the machine from my Mom, Chirs, Rose, Sarah, & Lily! It was perfect because at dinner, Jason was saying, "hey, I didn't get a call from your family with my birthday song!" THANKS GUYS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JASON!

The first thing I said this morning was, "" which was followed by a groggy, "Thanks." Then came the inevitable and annoying question that alway elicits a chuckle and the same answer:

Q: "Do you feel any different?"
A: *chuckle* "NO!"

Only this year Jason followed with, "it's just another day!" Despite my overenthusiastic antics, Jason has never been a big birthday person. Well, with the exception of the year he proposed and gave me diamonds!



Anyway, we have been getting cards all week and questions as to what our plans are, but honestly, we kinda forgot! Jason was very "blah" about organizing anything...So, yesterday I booked a couples massage and hot tub at the fabulous and always relaxing, Tea House Spa. It has become quite a tradition and though I can't jump in the hot tub this year, we are really looking forward to a great dinner, an hour of relaxing massage and a quite hour overlooking the Japanese Gardens!

Then, at midnight.....we get to celebrate all over again!!! I do love birthdays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON!

my CATastrophe

I ALMOST FORGOT TO SHARE THIS ONE WITH YOU!

Remember these cute little guys:

Bashful, we adopted in 2005. His name really says it all about him...well it used to. He would hide under the bed, the couch, a chair, anything to avoid people and occasionally he would need some love and demand that you pet him. Now, he is all over the place! He thinks he can talk and walks around making all kinds of noise, he gets into everything, he looks at me and acts as if he is going to claw my furniture and the other day he had the nerve to rip a knitting needle out of my hands. The only good part about his change, is that I caught him playing the other day with some of the fake mice we buy his little brother...he never plays!

Sneezy...yes, he sneezes! We adopted this little guy in 2006 when we moved to San Jose! Bashful used to be an outdoor cat, but our complex doesn't allow them to be out and about. We felt bad for him so we got him a friend...Sneezy! He has the most beautiful markings and really loves everyone! He is super curious, super clumsy, and just wants to play, play, play, and be pet, pet, pet. He will continuously walk around in circles when you pet him rather than take a seat. If there are other people in the room, he will walk in between everyone getting a few pets from each before turning around and starting over. This one is usually responsible for any destruction in the house and is very obvious about it. But lately the two of them have become partners in crime!

Ok, so the CATastrophe... a little over a week ago, I got home around 5pm after running errands and was have a rough day (this included losing my lunch in a Babies-R-Us parking lot about 20 minutes before I got home). I sat on the couch, put my feet up and relaxed for a few minutes with a kitty on each side of me. As I stood up to get a glass of water, Bashful assumed I was getting up to feed him and he ran as fast as possible into the kitchen. Sneezy then realized that Bashful was running for food and decided he had to get there first. Apparently I was just in the way and he tripped me, and I let out a shout as I fell to my knees. My feet and my scream scared Sneezy and he ran full speed into a wooden stand that held up a ceramic crock, 3+ gallons of water and a glass cup!

First the glass flew off the top and shattered, then the water jug flew off and sprayed water everywhere. It hit the floor at the same time as the ceramic crock, which shattered and spilled more water onto the floor, and the wood stand clamored down just behind it. It ended with the water jug rolling across the kitchens making a sloshing sound each time it spewed a little but more water onto the floor. All noise and the water sent the cats fleeing upstairs (and under my bed I'm sure), and left me on my knees at the edge of the kitchen in tears. :( This was just the cherry on top of a miserable afternoon and I couldn't take anymore. I cried for a good 30 minutes and was pulled out of my wet, sulking mess when Jason came home an hour early by surprise.

There was about 3 gallons of water on the floor, and parts of the shattered ceramic were embedded into the kitchen floor. The cats stayed hidden for at least an hour before slowly peeking down from the top of the stairs. This resulted in them getting yelled at by Jason or me and them returning to their safe haven under my bed. It took a long time to clean up the mess and even longer for me to talk to the cats. I keep telling them, that they are luck they're cute! Oh, and I often need to repeat the mantra:

"I love my cats. I love my cats. I love my cats. I love my cats. I love......"