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.