Winter Wonderland

Waking up this morning (Friday 12/28) at our parents home in Reno, we're being told a storm is on its way and that its best to, if you are planning on heading over the Sierras, to do it sooner rather than later. There is a chain advisory on 50 and 80 already...soon the roads may close. Lina, Monday and I are packing and saying our last goodbyes before heading back home.

Christmas was great! We spent 6 days in Reno with our folks and brother and sister and their kids. It proved to be very relaxing and loads of fun visiting, chatting and playing the standard Reeth card games until the wee hours of the morning.

Monday is really starting to PUSH the confines of his little Belly Bungalow. His kicks and stretches are much more pronounced. Yesterday we saw the most visible movement to date. Up until yesterday it was a few bumpy rolls and some belly jiggling. This was nothing like the past. Monday either stood up directly - pointing to Lina's naval or he tried to use his foot as a battering ram in a last ditch effort to escape. Its shocking how able Monday is to make his presence known. We love it...nightly whispers to Monday to hurry up and get here.

Tomorrow marks Monday's 30th week - he's finally out of his 20s. They grow up so fast don't they :D

When is average okay?

In utero!

Yesterday we went to the doctor for a check up (bi-weekly) and a more detailed reading of the ultrasound that we had on Tuesday. Monday is doing great - growing at the right pace and all looks perfect. In fact, Monday is in the 54th percentile for growth which, as far as I am concerned, is just about as perfect as it can be! He isn't growing too quickly (too much weight gain, hard labor) or too slowly (too little weight gain, worry about health) he is just above average!

I almost felt like Goldilocks yesterday thinking "that one is too big, that one is too small -- but Monday -- he is JUST RIGHT!" Over the long term, both Tim and I expect our little man to find his stride and succeed where he has passion, but for today, average is just about perfect.

Ah the joys of home ownership

So we are officially in winter out in California, which means it is 55 and raining. This morning we woke up at a more leisurely pace as we were going to work from home in the morning before an ultrasound around noon. As I made my way downstairs to cook us some breakfast, I happened to look up and notice that our skylight above the stairs had a leak in it. Ughs.

Tim got up on the roof this morning and started futzing around with the skylight. It turns out that there were a number of screws holding the seal that had rotted out or were in the process of doing so. On our way to the ultrasound, we made a brief (think of us in a box store at a trot through the aisles) stop to get some items to fix it up.

We then had the ultrasound (Monday is great!) and came home to fix it up. The rain cleared and Tim was up on the roof again. He's done his best to reseal, but we need to see what the deal is after the rain comes again. Thankfully, it is coming soon so we should get a sense of our success by tomorrow morning. If this hasn't worked, we're left with professional roofers, and our first hit to the pocket book (after the big and obvious purchase one) since we moved. Oh well, these are the joys of it all, and I would rather be here than anywhere else in the world.

Out with the old...

Back in 1998 when I got my 2 door Honda Accord, I told myself that I would have it until I was married and having a kid. 10 years ago, I didn't think I would have the car as long as I did, but I did know that it represented my sporty-single years.


I am pleased (and saddened) to announce that we successfully sold it this weekend! We took it in to get detailed and start to focus on getting all the dings fixed when Tim posted to Craigslist. We immediately started getting calls, including from a man in Concord who has been looking for the 4 cylinder that we had for over 9 weeks to get for his son. With the cost of gas increasing, the 4 cylinder appears to have been a hot commodity!! He ended up coming by the detailer and buying it on the spot for a (slightly) discounted rate as he is going to take care of the big dents from my last parking lot fender-bender. We got a great price for the car and are more than thrilled to just have it off our hands - without having to manage all the repairs and love it needed.

As excited as I am about the newest phase of life we are passing into, the sale of this car has always meant for me the transition from my youth - and its with a touch of sadness that I say goodbye to it. What a great car, what a great time of my life... and I am glad I am done with both.

28 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

2/3 Through!

Wow. It turns out I just crossed over into my 3rd trimester! This milestone apparently means a lot of things, like

• - increased doctor visits (check)
• - increased discomfort (check, check)
• - inability to sleep well (oh no)
• - increased trips to the bathroom (good times)

It also means that Monday is going to be here before we know it, and that is incredibly exciting. One of my parent's neighbors used to say "every child is a unique and individual person, and it is your responsibility to get to know him." I just can't wait to get to know Monday.

Timmy's got his hands full....

Wrapping up loose ends...

So it really seems like the move is never ending. Just this week, we had to deal with getting the rest of our stuff out of the apartment at 1111. Though this doesn't sound like a big deal, the only thing remaining was the Honda... which wouldn't start.

After a couple of sessions with Honda maintenance, AAA, and towing kerfufles, we finally did get the car out and running. Now we just need to sell the GD thing. Anyone interested in a used Honda that has been off roading and dented? Hmmm, maybe I should work on my marketing pitch.

Going into the weekend, we need to limit ourselves to only worrying about the high priority items (like Christmas shopping) and a little cleaning on the house. We have both been running so hard, that it is getting to the point where we are fully physically and emotionally exhausted.

All that said, we still have our moments of quiet where the 3 of us bond in our new home... and all the hassles become irrelevant and worth it. We really are in a tremendous place in our lives right now; creating life, shaping a home, succeeding at work. The scary part is that as overwhelming as life seems right now, it will probably never be easier than it is today. It's time to sit back, take a deep breath, appreciate all our blessings, and roll up our sleeves with a smile. Life is good.

27 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?

New Findings on Pregnant Women....

I love the intro to this article...

"Like cushy baby strollers, women's bodies have evolved spines that are more flexible and supportive than men's to keep from tipping over while walking during pregnancy."

Though I am not "tipping over", I am getting to the point where getting up off of lying down on the cushy couch is tricky. But it truly is amazing how our bodies have developed to handle pregnancy and I am awed (and startled!) as my body changes daily.

2 weeks to Christmas... really?

Has anyone looked at a calendar lately? Is Christmas really 2 weeks, 14 days away?

Is anyone else as totally overwhelmed by that notion? Or just us?

To date, we have done little work on what we want for ourselves. And we have done even less for what we will give to others!!! Yikes. I need to get on this ASAP.

2 weeks, really? When did it get to be mid-December?!?!?!?

All my boys a twitching

A couple of nights ago, Tim started to fall asleep with his hand on my belly. He did the pre-sleep twitching thing while Monday twitched back at him. It was an amazing experience to be between them both as they connected to another. And while I still think pregnancy is an odd thing (there is someone literally growing inside me), I am often amazed by the miracle of it (there is someone literally growing inside me!!!) and cherish the moments when I am floored by the pure miracle of it all.

Long time no blog

Mostly we have been overwhelmed by a to-do list as long as my arm (and I have freakishly long arms), but Tim and I have been hanging in, getting through a boatload of it, and not blogging.

Here is a quick recap of the three of us!

• - Monday is doing great! He is busy kicking and punching and moving around and otherwise making himself known throughout the day. Yesterday marked 3 months until due date... which means we have more to add to the to-do list including pediatrician selection, maternity leave and day care.
• - We got our first Christmas tree ever and are decorating the house. Some more photos of the house can be found recently uploaded to Flickr.

• - I am now at the point of going to the doctor every 2 weeks. Our next appt is next Thursday. Monday is going to be here before we know it.
  
• - People still say that I hardly look pregnant, but I am feeling like a house. I had trouble putting on my sneakers last night after dinner as my belly is getting bigger. I also needed to get on my hands and knees to find a movie at blockbuster that was on the bottom shelf. I am not used to an extra 19 pounds hanging off my mid-section, and my thighs, and my boobs, and my face, and my....
• - I finally allowed myself a break from the to-do list on Sunday and actually took a nap. On the heels of a 9 hour sleep, I took a 2 hour nap while Tim raked up the leaves around the house. It felt great... I want to do that again soon!
• - Tim is just jamming at the office right now, but we still get time in bed with the three of us, hanging out, and counting Monday's kicks (quite active little man). It's my favorite time of day. Tim pulled out a book of Bob Dylan's lyrics the other night and sang to Monday for about 30 minutes while I tried to read but was distracted by the delight in the life we are living as a family.
  

26 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber), from head to heel. The nerve pathways in his ears are developing, which means his response to sounds is growing more consistent. His lungs are developing now, too, as he continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when he's born and takes that first breath of air. His testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Busy, busy, busy!!!

For those of you who actually read this, I wanted to let you know that all is great -- but we have been super busy with work, off-sites, the house, cleaning out the apartment, etc.

More updates to come, but we are doing super, Monday is super, and life has never been better (or more frantic!!!)

Exhaustion Has Finally Caught Up To Us

Both Tim and I woke up this morning exhausted. Work, the move, traveling, jet lag, etc, seems to be finally taking its toll. I can't figure out how Tim has been doing it, but he worked several 12 hour days this week.

We are looking forward to the weekend, but there are some mandatory things we need to accomplish, including cleaning us out of 1111 Bayswater. I typically am anxious to get us moved in and unpacked, but think that I will take the weekend off from my neurosis and push to have us relax. After we get our feet underneath us, we can settle into the house, finish off the unpacking, and start getting things more ready for Monday.

Next week, I have the last of my monthly checkups. After that, appointments take place every other week. I'll also need to get my glucose test soon to see if I have developed gestational diabetes. We'll also have another ultrasound to check in on Monday. It looks like I am becoming a heavy user of the health care industry. Did you know that health plans consider pregnancy a chronic condition?

Is it time for bed yet??

In all that is new and exciting...

People who saw me as recently as 10 days ago are astounded as to how much I have grown in the last hours. The whole notion of "popping" now makes me feel like a Jiffy Pop container having been shaken over the stove for 3 minutes as I am now in a rapidly expanding state (without the sound effects though... but how cool would that be!!).

Now Monday is getting big enough that we can watch him at night in bed. It used to be that we could only really see the big movements that I could feel. But we are now starting to see the smaller movements that I can't feel.

I am often overwhelmed by the changes my body is going through, but to know that there is a little man inside my belly that is rolling over on his own accord is one of the great joys of my life.... waistline be damned.

Somewhere over Denver

We haven't fully gotten back into the California time zone for sleep patterns. I figure we are somewhere over Denver as we are getting into bed around 9 and falling asleep before 10, and then waking up around 7, a good hour before the alarm goes off.

We are still showering without a shower curtain, but I am going to try to pick that up today from Target on my way home from the office. We also need other things for the house that I will try to find like:

• New hampers
• New laundry detergent for a front loading washing machine
• Baskets / organizers for the toiletry closet we now have (no vanity in the bathroom)

We've still got boatloads to do around the house for unpacking and cleaning up the apartment to hand it back to its owner. But we had dinner at our dinning room table last night, just the two of us. It's nice to feel like we are adults in an adult home eating dinner at an adult table and not in front of the TV. Growing up can be fun!

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving

So on the heals of just beginning to get settled into the new house, we actually took off last week for 5 days in CT for the holiday. I crawled into bed with Tim last Monday night and said to him (after 3 days of unpacking) "you know the funny thing is that we'll have to pack tomorrow." But we did, and we had a great trip.

We typically don't like traveling anywhere over the holidays because prices are jacked and lines are egregious. But we flew out on Virgin America from the SFO International terminal. I guess we departed late enough in the day when no international flights were leaving as there was no one in line at security... which was great! We sat in the bulk head and had enough leg room to actually have my feet up on the tray table in front of me... which is nice for fat pregnant feet! We arrived on-time and had a wonderful welcome from my folks and Gwynnie of course. There is no getting around dog hair so you might as well get it up front!

Only in New England...

On Wednesday, Mom and I ran up a credit card bill at Destination Maternity where I got my upper body wardrobe for pregnancy tops in the winter. Lots of shirts, sweaters, and a really cool vest that hardly looks maternity that I have worn every day since! That night, Tim and I headed over to Pito & Melissa's for dinner with the little O-man and had a wonderful visit with them. It's really great seeing my brother in his home, with his wife, as a dad. He is a good father and Owen just lights up when he enters the room.

On Thursday, the MOPs (Melissa, Owen and Pito) came over to my parents house. We took my folks' Christmas card photo, had the special Christmas (FATTENING!!!!) breakfast that I love, and hung out. Around noon, we took a walk down to the Belle Haven club where we played on the beach. And by "we", I really mean Owen, but we all delighted in watching him throw rocks into the sound and go down the slide. It is amazing to watch coordination and communication start to come together for an 19 month old. More photos can be found here.


On Friday, Mom and I went uber girly (fingers, toes, and newly plucked eyebrows) while Tim and Dad flexed their testosterone hunting. By the giggles and squeaks at dinner from the four of us, it sounds like everyone had a truly delightful day.
The boys ended up getting around 5 pheasants and 4 partridge and were more than pleased with themselves... Ashton, Pito's antiquated untrained-but-highly-competent hunting dog also strutted her stuff. Pictures can be found here.

Pito, unfortunately missed the hunt coping with a flooded kitchen (ach!!!!), but he and Melissa took it in stride as their kitchen has been pulled apart and turbo-loud fans have been drying the place out for going on 4 days now. We brought lunch and dinner over there to supplement the kitchen, and were amazed at how gracious of entertainers they can be while shouting over the HUMMMMM of fans.

Sunday, I had my first real melt-down of pregnancy. The prospect of leaving CT made me sad. I loved the visit that we had. Everyone seemed relaxed and I finally caught up on sleep. I will likely see my folks again in January before Monday comes, to show them the house and to hang out, but it is unlikely that I will see my brother and his family for months. It used to not be as big a deal to let a year go by without seeing one another, but now that he has Owen, and we will have Monday, life 9 months from now will be very different than it is today. That part doesn't sadden me, its more that we won't have a chance to daily participate in being Aunts/Uncles to each others children. Next time I see him, Owen will likely be in his terrible-twos, and Monday may be able to hold his head up. It just makes me even more thankful to have places like Soda Springs and 80 Otter Rock Drive to come home to. They are plots of earth claimed by my parents that creates a reason for family to come together... and that's really what its all about, isn't it?

In other, non-sappy news, I am trying to be better about taking photos and actually posting them somewhere where we can actually have other people view them. I have added a link in the right hand navigation called "Family Photos" that goes to a Flickr account for the Tim Reeths. I will be posting older photos up there over time, but will try to get the newer ones posted with some semblance of regularity.

25 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after he's born.

In like Flynn....

Well this past weekend, our move in weekend, proved to be a busy one. It actually started at 8:30am Friday morning, when the movers showed up at 1111 - our then home. Like ants the movers ran back an forth from home to truck and back again, carrying twice their body weight (a slight exaggeration), though what they did carry in proportion to their size was amazing to watch. By 12:30 all our belongings were in our new home. With boxes neatly stacked in their respective room and both beds assembled, we tipped the movers and moved on to unpacking.

Lina and I headed to Home Depot for a few items and to purchase a grill. Shortly after returning we were welcomed with a house warming gift from Ma and Pa Chick. It was great to be welcomed on THE DAY we moved in. It felt great!

Mom and Dad Reeth came up on Saturday to help with various chores - Mom was in the house with Lina unpacking and setting up the kitchen, while Dad and I were on the roof clearing gutters full of gravel and setting up the recently purchased grill. We all worked together to layout the house, moving leaf table after leaf table from one wall to another, from one room to another and back. My folks were heroic as they worked with us ALL day to get the house setup like a home. No one could believe we could or would pull off a house warming party 48hours after moving in. Without the help of our folks, we wouldn't have so seamlessly. We thank them for the house warming gift and their time.

Lina and I invited some friends and family for a BBQ on Sunday to christen our new place. At the time of sending the evite, we had yet to close on the house, finish packing, move in or purchase a grill. Nevertheless, it all got done with seconds to spare. Friends showed up and stayed a few hours, enjoying some burgers and franks, wine and good conversation. It was great to host, see good friends and show off Lina's belly, which is one closet short of being called our 5th bedroom (I kid...she looks great and everyone is shocked that she is as far along as she is). It was great to see so many friends and to have the opportunity to share the day with them. Thank you all for coming.

Ready to Move On... and In!

So at 32, with a child on the way and a fabulous husband, I am happy to report that I am more than ready to move on in life. We've been living "month-to-month" for all of our adult lives, and there is something really comforting in the notion of "30 year fixed". I feel like we are finally exiting out of the traffic circle and are on our way to our destination -- and that feels really good and incredibly exciting. As much as I loved my twenties and early thirties as mostly care free and unattached, I am ready to be grounded with my husband, with our child, in our home.

The movers come tomorrow, so tonight is the last night we spend in a month-to-month world, and tomorrow we become fixed... I can't wait.

Sign here and here and here and here and here and

here and here....

Well we did it - all signing at the title company is now done! We also did out final walk-through, which was more of a formality as we are accepting the house nearly "as is". It is in such good shape that there isn't much which requires fixing. There were a few unfortunate new marks and dings on some of the walls as a result of sloppy and careless movers from the staging company. We'll need to patch and repaint, but that I look forward to. Don't all houses need a little personalization via good old fashion elbow grease before becoming a home?

We will be taking ownership Thurs or Fri. We have the movers scheduled for Friday as this was the only time available before the holiday. Hiring the movers is cheap and will free up our weekend to unpack, organize, socialize (planning a house-warming BBQ for Sunday) and unwind a bit from a very hectic few weeks.

We're looking forward to some down time and we'll get it over TurkeyDay vacation. Gobble Gobble.

23 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: Your baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). His skin is red and wrinkled. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare him for breathing. He can swallow, but he normally won't pass his first stool (called meconium) until after birth. Loud noises heard often in utero — such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze your baby when he hears them outside the womb.

Top Heavy

I have been wearing maternity pants for a good month. But today is the first time that I actually reached for the maternity shirt! Erin gave me 3 shirts for my birthday, and today I wore one that is a black sweater that looks like it has a white shirt coming out of the collar and cuffs. I still have a "waistline" if you look at me head-on, but not so much from the side.... I guess Monday is getting bigger -- and me along with him!!!

A weekend well spent but barely enjoyed.

48hrs and 30boxes later...Lina and I are roughly 2/3 of the way through packing up our place. We only left the house once this weekend and and that was to drop off some personal papers for mass shredding and pick up some boxes. Its ok - the weather was pretty rotten anyway.

We are completely out of the downstairs and are most of the way through the two rooms upstairs. All the delicate packing is done (breakables and valuables), the rest can just be tossed into an hollowed container for transporting.

We are doing the final walk through Monday around 3pm and plan to sign with the title company around 4pm. I believe it is then that we will get the rest of the keys (we have one now for discrete use - showing Ma & Pa Reeth and GrandMa Betty the interior a few weeks back.

Lina, as always, was a champ - wrapping and reminding me to wrap our belongings all weekend long. We were very productive as we finally had the excuse to toss so much junk away. While there is still more to go, we managed to reduce our bulk by a respectable percentage. At one point Lina screamed from the other room - I ran in to see what the problem was...she stood blankly staring at me and exclaimed "You have MORE socks?" We had just gone through a throw out session with what Lina will claim was a 100 pairs of my socks, only to find moments later a FULL draw full with more. I moved quickly to remove them from her sight so she could stop squeezing her cheeks in frustration.

We're excited to be this close to moving in and look forward to sharing our new home with our family and friends for years to come.

Its 9:25pm and Monday is on the move a little early. Gotta go - its our time.

atta boy!

Well Monday is growing and with that so is his strength. Our little Lou Ferrigno has become significantly more physical - his kicks, jabs and rolls are far more noticeable. Nightly Lina and I lay in bed reading with hands on her tummy waiting for Monday to move. Its become like clock work - a 10PM ritual. We now believe he is capable of responding to us. I'll give a few taps on Lina's stomach and within in a moment, Monday kicks or elbows. We alternate for about 10mins before either he or I get board. We're still not sure if his responses are that of "Hey out there, I can hear you." or if its "Hey out there, I can hear you and will you please STOP tapping!". Either way, its great to feel the connection and the joy of knowing our little guy is doing fine and is getting closer to the outside world. Can't wait.

Doctor Update

So we just got back from another doctor appointment this morning. Monday is growing as big as he should be. He had the hiccups (too cute!) while we were listening to his heart. It's crazy to think that this little man inside of me has a functioning little body complete with hiccups!

22 Week Update from BabyCenter

How your baby's growing: Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound. His skin will continue to appear wrinkled until he gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his head and body is now visible. His lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath his gum line. His eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and his pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.

Weekend recap

We went to a wedding this weekend in DC where Amity and Ed, good friends from college & San Francisco got married. The wedding was beautiful and Amity looked even prettier. While we carried the camera the whole time, it didn't seem to actually come out much to take photos. We're hoping that Witney and DZ, who sees life through a lens, will have gotten some good ones so I can post those.

After the wedding reception, the party continued down in the club's duck pin bowling alley. It was a perfect way to keep they party going, with a change of atmosphere, and a really fun activity. It was great to see the bride and groom in bowling shoes at midnight -- what great memories!


Throughout the wedding, several people commented on how they thought I looked great! Which was really nice to hear, even though I am feeling like a tank. There were several other preggers there with me, but I did manage to capture how I am seeing myself these days. And while people say I look good from the front or the profile, my view???

Not so pretty is it....

... Plus a farmer's market!!!!

We were at the house yesterday for a walk through with the inspectors (which went great) when we discovered just how much the house has to offer in terms of bounty! We now have:

• An apple tree -- yellow delicious or something like that. Super crunchy, sweet, don't brown easily
• A persimmon tree -- not the kind for persimmon pudding, but good all the same
• An apricot tree
• 2 cherry trees -- apparently they don't fruit if you don't have 2
• PLUS, our neighbor's trees hang into our yard and include a fig tree and a plum tree!!!

We may never need to go to the store for fruit again!!! It's funny to think that on the first go, we got our dream house... that also came with a dare-to-dream garden!

The Hunt for "Home Sweet Home" - Part 2

In our first post "The Hunt for Home Sweet Home", we shared that we had found a beautiful white picket fence, two story, 4 bedroom, 3 bath house and hoped we would get it, though doubtful. We also stated that our offer would be for less than the highest bid and it would be pure magic if our offer was accepted. Well...Abracadabra - we got it!

Here she is - our first home!!

View from quiet, tree lined street.

Living Room with view into Dinning Room.

Lina's playground - the Kitchen with view of children playing in the backyard.

Master Bedroom with front facing street view - hidden by trees.

Monday's Room - upstairs next to us.

Today we will walk-through the house with the inspectors (home and roof) and if all turns out ok, we will lift the contingencies and move into escrow.

More Photos: HERE

List of things left to do:
Find and buy a Corgi

Happiest I have ever been

So Tim and I more or less have spent the last 10 days thinking about homes and houses (and house in particular) for our burgeoning family. We've spent hours on websites, days in Quicken, and enough time to go blind in spreadsheets. We've had some great conversations about budgets, spending, income, goals, and time lines. We've obsessed down to the penny on how we stack up, and the good news is that we stack up pretty well financially -- a life time of saving seems to be paying off. But better than that, though, is how we've spent the last 10 days as a couple working through hard financial topics. We've done it with complete honesty, integrity, tenderness, love, and patience.... I own the fact that I got a little cranky on Saturday (sheepish grin).

Last night, I lay awake reading like I always do, as an exhausted Tim fell asleep with his hand on Monday. I could feel Monday moving around and I could feel Tim on my belly, and never have I felt more connected and where I am supposed to be than I felt last night before I went to sleep. I then proceeded to have the best night sleep in a very long time. I have woken up elated, optimistic, and full of hope.

I dreamed of Monday as a child for the first time ever. He was in our back yard and had fallen in love with a tree who loved him back -- though I am not sure what that actually means, if we can provide a fraction of the loving environment that Monday-of-my-dreams felt in our back yard, then we will succeed as parents and a family.

Update from the Naval Front

...still an inny.

21 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. And you can certainly feel him move. He's oblivious to your schedule, though, so don't be surprised if he starts working out just when you're settling down for the night.

Finally starting to feel pregnant

Tim asked me the other day if I was starting to really feel pregnant. The immediate answer was "yes!" Previous to this, I have just been feeling tired, or heavy, or cranky... all super feelings for the mental health.

But recently, it's become real.

In the last few weeks we have hit some major milestones and the outcome of it is that I am really starting to feel like a soon-to-be Mom. Here's a quick recap of the last 3 weeks:

• Grew out of all my clothing :(
  
• Started wearing maternity clothes :)
• Found out Monday is our little man :)
• Felt Monday for the first time :) :)
• Tim felt Monday for the first time :) :) :)

We now spend our evenings with our hands on my belly waiting for Monday to let us know he is doing well. Is there a better evening than that?

Growing Pains

His growing, my pains.

According to Baby Center, my resource for everything these days, I am experiencing "round ligament pain", and it's caused by the stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support my growing uterus." Awesome.

That basically means that I get quick sharp pains throughout my belly and into my groin area. I am thrilled that it means that Monday is growing, and he is if my girth is any indication, but I could do without the constant achy reminders...

Willful Little Monday

So I've gotten my first dose of wanting Monday to do something, and Monday not participating. He isn't even born yet and already establishing his own time-frames and actions. (I'd throw in "decisions" for hyperbole, but I don't think that Monday is focusing on decision-making these days as he still needs to focus on building things like "vernix caseosa".

So here's the back story.

Last Thursday, I went into the cafeteria at the office and the only thing that look even slightly appetizing was a tuna melt - so I had one. The trouble began on Friday when I decided that, again, the only thing that I wanted to eat was a tuna melt. At some point in the middle of the afternoon, I freaked myself out by the notion of ingesting too much mercury. I got home a little scared that night and told Tim that all I really wanted to do was make sure that Monday was okay... and to do that, I really needed to feel him.

He didn't move much. A little, but not a lot... not that he had EVER moved a lot. But I decided I wanted him to, and he just wasn't.

It's taken about 3 days to realize that Monday is actually resting most of the day, and only comes out to play every so often. So now, with the understanding of his schedule, I am getting a little better at learning when he is ready to make himself known. Thankfully, it's around dinner time, and right before bed, so he does give us some good time to visit with him... it's just on his terms.

Boy (pun intended), do I need to reframe my thinking...

20 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.)

A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.)

Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).

The Hunt for "Home Sweet Home" - Part I

Now that we know what color to paint the nursery, all that is left to do is pick up the paint and buy the home - in reverse order.

This weekend Lina and I went on a tear throughout the Peninsula looking at houses we'd hope to call home. We loaded up on coffee (decaf for Lina) double high octane for me, punched in the addresses into our GPS and set out for what would be an exhausting 8hrs. of sorting through, well lets just say...some nice and some not so nice homes. Feels like some people are late to the over-inflated property party - listing shacks for embarrassingly (for the seller) high numbers. After many hours we finally found a diamond in the rough at Hope Diamond prices. Its spectacular and is the only house which we could visualize ourselves making home. Lina stood in the kitchen and said, as she peered through the window, "Oh, I could watch the kids play in the backyard from here." While its a long shot, we're giving it the 'ol college try and putting together an offer. We've done most all we can to woo the Realtor and learn what we can about other interested parties, their offers and the preference/state of the sellers.

...more to come as we pull out all the stops and make our move, which includes getting the house cheaper than the best offer - now that would be magic.

Thanks Muffy...er, um, Amanda!!!

Lina and I received a sweet email from our dear friend Amanda "Muffy" where she commented on a number of our blog postings. We just saw Amanda a week or so ago at Wit and Dz's wedding. Amanda sent in the email a link to a website which models the popularity of names over SEVERAL decades. Its really cool and a great tool for Lina and I as we start sifting through the many possibilities. Take "Ocie" for instance...who knew that Ocie was a word, let alone a name. Ocie was a popular name at the turn of the 20th century...but fell out of the top 1000 in the 1920s. This is very good information to have when considering names such as "Ezell Hillard Reeth" or "Kermit Tanner Reeth".

Check it out...fun for all - see where your name ranks.

http://babynamewizard.com/namevoyager/lnv0105.html

We're still waiting on and are in need of some boy name suggestions - do we have to run a "Best Boy Name" contest in order to get submissions? We'll do it :)

Ah nuts! (get it?) Thoughts on our little man...

Oh my, I am surrounded by men...

As Tim mentioned in our last post, the news of Monday's male-ness was initially a weird feeling. I was certainly enjoying the daydream of both, but I am thrilled with the news that Monday is our little man. And no, we're not going to change Monday's name (even though there are those out there who think that "monday" is a girls name... which is weird, it really is just the day of the week). As you've seen before, I already sometimes call HIM (still adjusting) Mons, and that does sound slightly more masculine. If I am channeling the hip-hop culture, you may even see a Munz... but that's just crazy talk.

As much as we want a little girl in the future, I am ecstatic that if we do get one, she'll have an older brother. Thinking back on my life, I think my older brother had an indellible impact on me and who I have become, simply be playing his role. He taught me how to be strong, tough, straight-forward, competitive, not-intimidated, and (though this took years) not to be a whiny little girl. Without knowing, Pito has shaped me at the core of who I am. I am incredibly thankful to him, and I am thrilled that whoever follows in Monday's footsteps, will have an opportunity to be shaped by an older brother the way I have been. It really is a blessing.

20 weeks, 10 pounds, and a headache for 6 days

Wow. I can't believe that tomorrow will be exactly half way through this journey. When we started counting my life in weekly increments as opposed to monthly, life seemed to creep to a screaming halt. However, when I look at a calendar, I can't believe that it is getting on towards the end of October. I seem to be in a weird time-warp where I just can't get my grounding.... but maybe that's just been the headache I've had since Sunday. Good times.

We were going to head up to Soda Springs and Reno this weekend to help with the burn. But the headache has me worn down, and I really want to get some good sleep, naps, and some (heavy) cleaning done this weekend. Hopefully that may help me get my feet underneath me. Besides, the last 2 weekends have been crazy busy, and I am looking forward to a little down-time.

TJPRJR

Its as official as it can be at this stage...our little Monday is a BOY - a little Timothy John-Patrick Reeth Jr. (TJPRJR), though that will likely not be the final name. That said we are now on the hunt for boy names, so all reading, please feel free to comment on this posting with names you like.

Monday is perfectly healthy!!!! Two arms, two hands, two legs, two feet and - of course...two little boy marbles. His heart is in great condition and he is very active. Lina and I are so happy and relieved that Monday is doing great.

Its an interesting emotion we're feeling; we spent some time talking about how we now feel after learning the sex. Its mixed. We were both equally happy with either a boy or girl - we were aiming for healthy. While we're completely happy and excited there is this small feeling of sadness for both of us...not because its a boy INSTEAD of a girl, but that part of the experience thus far has been the day dreaming of both. Half of our time we'd speak about Monday as a he and the other half as a she. In the baby clothing shops, we'd browse miniature sport coats and corduroys, while in the same session a tutu would be snatched from the rack and we'd laugh at the thought of a girl parading down the Ave. Lina articulated, as she always does, what we believe is the cause of whatever bit of sadness we may be feeling from knowing. Its that half of our day dreaming is now gone, that Monday had to be one or the other and that not knowing was fun and enabled us to visualize a much larger set of experiences.

So now we know what perhaps others instinctively knew for some time. Pito & Melissa for instance sent us a "King of Hearts" onesy (sp?) when they first heard the news and by the latest images from the Ultrasound, our little "handsome pants" (thanks Lina) will turn out to be a real heart breaker. Check him out!

He's such a handsome little man.

More images and videos to come!

19 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing 6 million eggs in her ovaries. They'll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she's born.

Take 2

Lina and I are off to the doctors tomorrow for the second ultrasound AND this one will provide us some idea of the sex. I say 'some idea' because we've heard that there are some instances where the sex of the baby was thought to be one...and turned out to be the other. I can say it truly doesn't matter to us - we're only hoping for a healthy child...whether Monday is a boy or girl will have no impact on Monday's future as a high-school and collegiate wrestler. :-)

We've made another run at recording little Monday's heart beat. We still think we can do better and will continue to try until we achieve Dolby quality.

Have a listen, again!!!

Wiggle, wiggle. Is that you, Mons?

Or will I simply fart in a couple of minutes?

So last Wednesday, I was leaning back in a chair at the office in a meeting, when I thought I felt the first flicker of Monday in my belly. I've been paying attention since then. When I watch TV or read, I've had a hand on my stomach to see if I could get some external validation of the internal sensation.

Well tonight I did. I was reading my book in bed and felt a thump against my hand that corresponded to the thump on the inside. I called out to Tim that I really felt like I was feeling Monday at the time, so he came running in. A couple of sweet moments past while he rested his hand against my belly when all of a sudden Tim's eyes widened and he exploded in a smile as we felt Monday together.

Hi Monday. Welcome to the physical world, we're so glad you're here.

Some Weekend!

Saturday evening, the three of us attended Wit and DZ's wedding - it was wonderful and such an honor to be there. The wedding was at the Asian Art Museum and it was an absolutely divine setting and screamed Wit and DZ. Lina looked FABULOUS in her sexy red (1st of soon to be many) mother to be dress.

Mother and I danced the night away; as much as Lina's feet could handle that is. I was so impressed with Lina's staying power as the party roared on into the early hours. The food was exquisite, perfect in every way. The band was exceptional, made clear as all attending were up on the dance floor from first note to last. After the reception, a number of us stumbled to an after hour party - it was a great idea and treat to offer a place to go and extend the evening; which seemed to evaporate out from under us. Truly an enjoyable wedding and we're so happy for our friends and excited for the years ahead.

Sunday we helped my parents move into their new apartment in Los Gatos, CA. I was still feeling the effects of some late night lapses in judgement, which resulted in my over-indulging a bit in some Macallan 18yr. It was a gift and I accepted it graciously but not wisely. With hangover in head, Lina and I managed to get some morning errands done before heading down to Los Gatos. On our way down Lina and I had a great discussion where we regarded my parent's adventurous selves. Its something to witness your folks packing up there lives once again and setting off into another phase of their lives. I felt like I was practicing for when Lina and I move our kids in and out of their dorms, apartments, homes. Lina made a great comment that struck me - attribute it to emotions aided by a hang-over - but it was said so well (here is where I paraphrase and screw up the sentiment) "Your parents are on their life's journey together and we are on ours." We are...while the road will twist and turn and destinations will change its the trip we will look back on and regard.

wacca, wacca, wacca (cont.)

Today Lina and Monday had another check-up (dad was there to listen, learn and listen some more) - it was sort of a kick the tires, change the oil type of check-up. We're happy to report that all went perfectly well. Lina's tire (sorry for the pun love) is inflated to expected and normal safety standards for a vehicle her size (compact) and under the hood all is well with Monday. Monday is purring along like a little, finely-tuned race car.

Have a listen!!
(we will work to get better audio for upcoming posts)

Our StorkRadio has arrived and for the past 3 days, we've played with it quite a bit. Its accompanied us to the dinner table, couch, bed and even to the back seat of the new Lexus, where we gave a private listening to the Grand-Reeths after Lina's celebratory birthday dinner. This morning the doctor asked if I'd like to try and find Monday's heart-beat...I declined, telling her we have the SAME device at home and have become pros at locating Monday. I did point her in the direction where optimum acoustics could be found.

18 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life's changing: Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline increase. Look for specially designed maternity clothes that can accommodate your expanding belly.

You may have heard that you should avoid lying on your back during your last two trimesters. Here's why: When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein (called the inferior vena cava) that returns blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your side (or even partially tilted to the side), particularly your left side, prevents this compression and improves your blood flow. Try placing a pillow behind you, or under your hip or leg for comfort.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during your second trimester your blood pressure is probably lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

Overindulged

Practically without fail, I have had lobster on my birthday for years. Last night was no exception. The store only had small lobsters, so I bought 3, one for each of us: Tim, Lina, and Monday. As Monday isn't eating solid food yet, I graciously obliged to get Monday's lobster to him/her through my own blood stream. It's what a thoughtful mother-in-training does, right? It turns out, however, and this isn't too much of a surprise to me, but Tim doesn't have quite the passion for this creature as I do, and I ended up eating mine, Monday's, and a couple of bites of Tim's. Tim, however, overindulged on the biscuits, which is his favorite.

Birthdays are a funny thing. They really feel like they stopped meaning something after my 30th. However, it is really wonderful to get flooded with emails, phone calls, and cards from people in your life - and for that, yesterday was a truly wonderful day.

I haven't figured it all out yet....

But I have figured out what a nursing bra is. Winnie, on the other hand, thought it was a mask. As she posed for me in the maternity store, I heard Darren say "why do I have a feeling we'll see this again... but bigger." You may, Darren, but in the meantime, this will just have to do.

So much good stuff...

We had an amazing weekend this weekend. Erin & John Knight from DC + Winnie & Darren Stephenson from Seattle came to San Francisco to hang out. I got to plan the weekend and show everyone San Francisco at it's finest -- also Fleet Week.

On Friday night, which I didn't plan, I ended up coming up to the city, meeting Erin and the crowd for "drinks", which meant water for me. Tim joined us when he was done for work, and we all went out to a nice dinner... always good times. Everyone seemed to be either jet-lagged (Erin & John), work lagged (Tim & Lina), sick (Winnie) or just tired from a super early flight (Winnie & Darren), so we called it a night around 10 and we headed back home.

On Saturday morning, we all met at the farmer's market in the Ferry building and picked up various items for a picnic. We then threw all the stuff in a cooler and walked up the steps on the back side of Coit Tower. Everyone else seemed to breeze up the steps, but I huffed and puffed, and blamed it on the large onion in my uterus... it surely would have nothing to do with the fact that I am in terrible shape!! From the top of the hill, we got to see the first of the parade of ships coming under the golden gate bridge.

Tim and I then headed back down the stairs to get the car and cooler while the rest of the group headed over to Aquatic Park to stake out some territory to watch the air show. Tim and I had a couple of moments in the car as all the parking anywhere near the area was taken, but we eventually found parking and headed to meet our friends. Tim ended up walking several San Francisco blocks with an over sized cooler on his shoulder... just practicing for Monday!


We got there right as the first planes started coming in. Some of it was pretty cool, most of it was just being outside, people-watching and laughing with good friends, and eating some pretty great food. The Blue Angels came on at about 3:00.

We scooted out of there before they ended their show, and took up camp inside the Buena Vista for a couple of Irish Coffees for all those "Not Expecting". We were right by the window and got to see them as they passed over heads. We were more than thrilled with our timing as the streets were packed and the bar overflowing by the time the show actually ended.

We then headed back to everyone's hotel where, after 2 bottles of festive champagne and more laughing, Tim ended up getting us a deal at the same hotel for about 1/2 price.... plus free breakfast for 6! I think Tim's best line of negotiation was (and we only heard 1 side of the phone conversation) "What's the very best you could do?... $289? I wouldn't brag about that!" Soley by his charm, he ended up getting us another $50 and an upgrade from a room with 2 twin beds to a king size... I adore my little negotiator! We then headed out for more walking, food and drinks, and called it a night around 11.

The next morning, we all met to enjoy our free breakfast, and then headed to the maternity store. Needless to say, John & Darren weren't all that into the experience, but Erin and Winnie couldn't have been more excited and energetic about the experience, which made something I had been dreading pretty wonderful instead. For my birthday, Tim got me 3 great pairs of pants and 2 shirts. Erin also gave me 3 beautiful shirts for my birthday. I told Tim as we got into bed that night that I was actually looking forward to getting dressed the next day, which I had hated doing for about 2 months. After shopping, we headed our separate ways: Tim and I back home to spend a little vegging time, Erin & John up to Napa to celebrate their anniversary, Winnie & Darren to hang out with her Aunt in the area. All in all, I had the most wonderful weekend, with the most wonderful people. Good friends are such a gift.

Final Downs Bloodwork A-OK!

So I just got a call from the Doctor on the last blood test in the series for Downs Syndrome and everything came back negative. I am still at a 1 in 10,000 chance for having the illness, but that apparently is as high as it goes - so we are as much in the clear as you can hope to be.

The only down side of last week's test is that my nerves in my hand are still not behaving. I get a shooting pain in my ring finger when I try to reach for something, but it feels more like pins and needles than numbness, so it seems that my nerve is just waking up again.

All in all, no lasting effects, and very positive news. YAY!

Poochin' Out

So it seems like I am getting my little belly. This morning while I was brushing my teeth, Tim from the other room took a look at me and basically said "Wow, little Monday is finally coming out." Not only that, he's begun telling people at his office that I am getting a little belly and am (finally) beginning to show.

People at my office still can't believe I am 4 days shy of 4 months and am still as little as I am. But I know differently. I was wearing a fleece jacket Kevin & Debbie gave me 2 years ago for Christmas and realized that I had my hands in my pockets at my waist just to cradle my little Monday bulge. It was like my own little secret that I got to experience as I walked through the halls. Such a great little break from the hectic work day.

Can you hear me now? How 'bout now?

At our last visit to the doctor, where we got to hear Monday's heart again, I asked the Dr. if we couldn't borrow the doppler device they use to conduct the ultrasound. Though, and as expected, the Dr. said no they don't lend them out; she did say we could buy or rent one. So we did some research and was able to locate dopplers for reasonable rental rates. Lina found a great site which has high satisfaction ratings and reviews - http://www.storkradio.com/



In days we will have a little ultrasound of our own to play with. I have a feeling this will become a regular night time activity...to occur just before the Tummy Lube session.

Don't block my path to the food

So it seems that Monday's little growth spurt is also a growth spurt for Mom. I seem to be getting a little pooch right under my belly button. I also seem to have quiet the appetite and am eating everything in my path. I have gained another pound, but am still "under" the curve. I think I am within a normal range so I am not going to worry about it. (Progress!!)

17 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he's around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

Big Weekend

So this weekend was about as jam packed as one could get. Friday night was our only down time, but we mistakenly stayed up too late watching a terrible move (MI-3) and didn't get to bed until around midnight.

On Saturday morning, we got up and headed out (again) to do the car thing. This time we went up to Colma, the dead-person-capital-of-California (more graveyards than homes) to see some dealerships up there. We ended up at the Lexus dealership looking at used late-model RX 350s. After we talked to the salesman for a while, it became clear that it was the last weekend in the month, the last month of the quarter, and they wanted to move some cars.... which worked greatly in our favor. Before we knew it (ok, 4 hours later), Tim had negotiated down the price of a new RX350 2008 to only $2k more than what they were offering the used models for, only $500 above invoice, with all the sales tax of any service we get there over the next 4 years on them. So we walked out of there (6 hours later) with a new car!

I am a soccer mom now!!!

Corgi not included - yet.

This has truly been my dream car for a while, and I couldn't be more excited. We got a great deal on leasing the car, and if we need to go bigger in 4 years, we can!

That evening we took the new wheels down to San Jose to see Francis and Dirk, the couple who rang the bell at our wedding, for dinner and some games. Dirk just got Francis a new Boston Terrier named Gabby that they picked up that day. We spent some quality time on the floor with poor scared Gabby, and had a wonderful dinner. We ended up playing Pop5 until about midnight - for the record, Dirk & I beat Tim & Francis 2 games to 1.

Then yesterday, our friends Brandon & Jen invited us to the 49ers game. Brandon's family has sweet season tickets that his grandfather got decades ago. We were in row 15 at the 40 yard line behind the opposing team... and directly in the sunlight all day. Although the Niners got their butts kicked (23 - 3) by Seattle, we had a wonderful day being outside with friends in gorgeous weather.

They then came over for pizza and Pop5 (I guess we were in a game-rut) until about 8. At that point, I just crashed. Tim kept thinking something was bothering me, but I just needed my sleep, which I got about 10 hours of starting at 9:30.

Comments Accepted

So I have been fooling around with settings this morning, and believe that comments can now be accepted by anyone. If that is the case, and you feel so moved, drop us a note and let us know what you think about our progress!

March 10 +/- 3 Weeks @ 82% Confidence

That is how we talk about launch dates in technology -- and while Monday isn't software, the title is "code" (get it?) for finally telling work that we are pregnant. There is a huge punchline to this story, but let me fill you in on the steps first.

• On Monday morning, I had my weekly 1x1 with Kristy. I spent the first 50 minutes giving updates and status to Kristy on all that is on my plate. Once I got through my list of discussion items, I just blurted out "and finally, I am pregnant." And I couldn't have asked for a better response. Her first comment was "Oh congratulations!!!!! Yay, I am so happy for you." Then we proceeded to talk about how far along I am, how I've been feeling (the headaches finally make sense) and when I am due. She was genuinely happy for me and I was thrilled with the conversation. She asked me if this was public yet, and I basically said "as of now, yes!". After that, I went and told the people that I immediately work with (3 people) the good news. Everyone was really happy for me, and I didn't get a ton of work done that day.
• On Tuesday, I further went around telling people, but was already surprised that the information was seeping out as people started coming up to me saying "hey - I can't believe I had to hear your news through the grapevine!" How quickly news travels.
• Wednesday was very much the same thing, telling people the news, celebrating with colleagues, and all in all being less productive than I usually am. It's funny how hungry people are for good and happy news to share. (Side note and later plot detail: we had a media training refresher with the PR team where we had to share where we speak publicly and what we think are our opportunities for improvement. I said that my focus was that sometimes I have heard that I am emotive to the point of distraction, also that I sometimes get too excited, speak to quickly, and forget to breath.)
  
• So yesterday.....
  

Yesterday started the same as Wednesday with telling people I work with slowly and quietly. I was getting water in the afternoon when Peter Karpas (our SVP/GM) walked by and said hello. He came back around the corner and the conversation went something like this:

• PK:Oh, I have some advice for you.
• LCR: What's that?
• PK: Breath.
• LCR: What?
• PK: I was talking to the guy who lead the media training and he was really impressed at how self aware the team was. He mentioned that you get overly excited and sometimes forget to breath. So I am reminding you to breath!
• LCR: Thanks - I do forget to.
• PK: Oh, and congratulations! Is it public information?
• LCR: It is.
• PK: Then CONGRATULATIONS!

This was a seemingly happy and innocuous conversation... until the all-hands later that afternoon.

The all hands (all 80 people in Quicken Health in 1 conference room and over the phone) started like it normally does, with the introduction of new team mates. A slide was brought up on the screen when someone over the phone asked if the document was being shared online, which it wasn't. Peter asked someone to come up and do that... and all of a sudden, he needed time to fill before he could move on, and I was directly in the line of sight in the second row.

• PK: In other good news, we have another sort of delivery coming in March. (he looks at me.) March, right? (I turn red.) Lina is expecting.
• Crowd: OOOhhhhh!!!!!!! Hah aha ha hah ahah ahah ah ah... YAY!!! (goes on, as I get redder.)
• PK: Oh look, she's blushing. I was going to tell another story, but I am not going to.
• PK: Oh, what the heck. Lina had media training this week where she told the group that sometimes she gets excited and forgets to breath.
• Crowd: AHHA HAHA HAHAHAH
  
• PK: And I have this vision of Lina in March, certainly excited, forgetting to breath!!
• Crowd: ROOOAAAARRRRR AH AHAHAHAHAH. (Lina gets redder and redder.)
• PK: So I think Lina certainly needs to practice breathing over the next couple of months.
• PK: Lina, you're even redder. Turn around so everyone can see how red you are.
• Phone guy: Yeah, get up and turn around because you won't be able to in a couple of months.
• (Lina Turns)
• Crowd: RRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR. AHAH AH AH AHAH AH AHHA HAHA AHA AHAH AHA.

So that's how my entire organization found out I am pregnant. Though Kristy came up to me and apologized later, I know the team wasn't laughing at me, they were celebrating with me. The team really needs some good reasons to laugh, and if I can help facilitate that, then I am happy. Besides, I don't have to go around telling people anymore, so in a way, my life is a bit easier.

Money, Money, Money

That's the title of Chapter 4 in the "The Expectant Father". According to the book, by now I should start experiencing some concerns relating to finances. What the book doesn't know is that I'm ALWAYS thinking about finances - how best to secure a secure present and future. The chapter covers investment options, advice on saving for college, life insurance etc, etc, etc. Funny, I wasn't nearly as 'worried' until I read the paragraph on college tuition. With sweaty pits, chest pain and blurred vision, I set out to do a little research...here is some of what I found.

• On average, tuition tends to increase about 8% per year. An 8% college inflation rate means that the cost of college doubles every nine years.
  
  
• For a baby born today, this means that college costs will be more than three times current rates when the child matriculates in college.
  
  
• Parents should expect to pay at least half to two-thirds of their children's college costs through a combination of savings, current income, and loans.
  

During my 3min lunch break, I spent a little time working through our portfolio - LLNW is up 18% since buying it a few weeks ago, TIVO is still floating around 50%, APPL helping out at 40% and BBBB is up over 150% since purchasing in '05. Today, much of our portfolio is in the green; so banking that Monday will have the pick of his/her college, its hopeful Lina and I will not have to eat rice and beans in order to afford it.

While researching the holdings of some of our mutual funds, I came across an article entitled "The 50 Best Stocks in the World". We already own a number of these, either as individual stocks or as holdings in mutual funds.



Have a read - see if you agree.

Now back to work and onto Chapter 5 "The Lights are On and Somebody's Home"; referring to Monday now becoming more active and able to hear what is going on outside.

Numb Fingertips

So I had the last test for the Combined Down Screening first thing this morning. I thought that the blood work was going to be like the first blood work, which was a finger prick and 5 drops. Unfortunately it turned out to be real blood work. Though I am not a fan of having blood drawn, I typically don't have a problem with it.

Typically.

I am not sure what happened, but when the nice (young) lady said, "okay, now take a deep breath" and stuck the needle in me, I got a huge fire that went from the midpoint of my arm straight into my fingertips. I thought that was odd. Then my fingertips of my middle and ring finger went numb. Once she was done, I almost fainted, and was sent on my way.

So here I am at the office, having started the day off poorly, and irritated that my fingertips are numb. Needless to say, I am not sunshiny and rosy this morning.... ah the things we do for our children.

In better news, we get the results of this blood work in a week, and then have another ultrasound on 10/17 where we can hopefully find out the boy/girl question. I can't wait for that!!

Worry Du Jour

So I used to believe that I was more or less a happy go lucky kind of person.... until I got knocked up. Now I find myself with an inexhaustible list of fears that do everything from distract to keep me awake. Sunday night's anxiety on the car we never bought is a good example of that one.

This week, I find myself concerned that I am not gaining enough weight. Maybe it's just that I can't feel Monday yet (other fear) and that I don't have another appointment for 2 more weeks to hear Monday, but I am all in a twine about not gaining enough weight. Upon research, it seems I am only about 2 lbs under what I should be, but percentage wise, it's like only 70% of where I should be. 2 weeks ago, according to the doctor's scale (all my clothes on after breakfast and trying to hydrate so I can pee) they had me at only gaining 2 pounds and they were not at all concerned.

All rationale thought tells me not to freak out.... I am just not so rational these days...

16 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Dreamer's Remorse

So I spent the better part of last night awake. I woke up at 12:57 and didn't get back to sleep until after 4:33, and then fitfully from 6 - 7:30 as the world woke up and the streets were cleaned. I tried all my tricks to get back to sleep, like reading (twice!) and biofeedback relaxation (which finally worked) but I couldn't stop thinking about the car. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am saver. This purchase will be the single largest purchase of anything for myself ever and I am finding myself totally unnerved. Cars are expensive! And when I finally found one that I liked, wouldn't you know it, it was outside of our "range" and clearly (now) outside of my comfort zone.

Tim and I spoke this morning and I told him of my angst. He looked at me a grinned (as much as you can when you first wake up) and said, but we didn't buy it -- and we don't have to!

Which is true... but we still need a car...

Monday Preparations - Phase I

Today (Sunday) Lina and I spent ALL day on Stevens Creek Blvd.; if you are familiar with the area, you already can guess what we were doing ALL day. For those who are less familiar with Steven Creek, it is the Peninsula's car dealer thoroughfare. Car heaven if you like that kind of stuff. Every make and model lined up, glistening in an assortment of colors - like two and a half ton jelly beans. Lina and I decided, finally after some 4 years talking about it, to upgrade to a new or newish vehicle. The reason - Monday of course. We feel it is time to put Lina in a larger and more safe vehicle...considering the size of the trucks these days, our Honda, though peppy an fun to drive, is no match against today's SUV if something were to go wrong. We've looked at EVERYTHING, except Subaru (ran out of time). At present, the Lexus GX 470 has taken the lead over Chevy's Tahoe and ... well, we don't really like anything else that much. Toyota had no Land Cruisers to look at, so we'll hold on deciding until we see the '08 or an '07 - if one can be found. Whatever we decide, it will be done with Monday and mother's safety in mind.

If anyone is interested in how the voting went to tip the scales in favor of the GX 470, here it is in vivid detail.

We rank the trucks based on size, options, warranty, cost, reliability and satisfaction ratings, residual value...add them all up, then Lina points at the one she wants to drive and thats the one that wins :) Between the two - hands down the Lexus is BEST and as usual, Lina and I are in complete agreement.

Most of the cats are out of the bag...

After thinking about it for a couple of weeks, and not having the time or energy to call all my favorite people, I just sent out a mass email to my friends about Monday. I am glad to have everyone find out, but am a little disappointed in myself that I couldn't call everyone individually.

Now I just have to tell the office, and we'll be completely out of the closet....

15 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the sex depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)