Baby Shower

Well, first of all I have to say a HUGE thank you to my Baby Shower hosts: Becky (my sister) and Robin (my best friend). They put together a fabulous shower at the Central Park Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

They really did everything to make this day really special to me. Jimmy even got a gift of his own - his very own Daddy Toolkit!

Emily received so many generous gifts and adorable clothes that it blew me away!

Here is the infamous belly shot - the start of my 9th month!


More pictures available in the Photo Album!

Big Pine and the Search for Methuselah

This year's annual camping trip was as great as ever. Our site this year was right up against the creek. The constant sound of running water made for some very peaceful sleeping. We drove up on Thursday on the scenic route which took us through Red Rock Canyon.
We set up camp in our little pop-up trailer. We love our little trailer that was a gift from the Wahl's. It has been well loved since 1972 and is holding up great. I can cook, have running water and bed to sleep in that isn't on the ground. (Especially nice since I'm having trouble getting off the ground these days!)

I did make a terrible packing mistake this year - I forgot pillows!! So we had to do with throw pillows from our friends' trailer and the back pillow I brought.
Jimmy insisted this year that I do some fishing with him. So Friday morning we woke up and grabbed our gear. Jimmy tied the lure and even casted for me the first couple of times. Then he walked me through when to reel it in and when to jig. Sure enough I got my first bite. Again, he talked me through how to reel my big catch in and voila! I caught a fish.

As you can see I didn't want to touch it so Jimmy gave we a rag to hold it with. I felt really sad watching it die. But what we are catching is dinner for Saturday night so I had to come to peace with it if I wanted to eat. I got two more bites later that day but both escaped.

One of these is mine.
Later that day Dave Wahl (Mike's brother) joined our camping trip. I was disappointed because I was hoping his wife Maria Elena was going to come because she is preggo too (about 2 months behind me)! But unfortunately she couldn't make it this year. Dave is a geologist/college professor and works for the National Geological Society and National Geographic. He told us of this great hike that is in the area where the oldest living thing in the world grows. Well we couldn't pass up that opportunity so........
On Saturday we went to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. This forest is home to some of the oldest trees in the world. Who knew! Led by Dave, all of us (Cheryl, Brad, Danny, Mike, Robin, Alyssa, Christina, Travis, Kevin, Jimmy and I) went in search of the 4,800 year old Methuselah Tree. This tree is one of our nations biggest secrets. Believe it or not. There are no pictures nor will our government print where it exactly is. Dave has a friend that has actually taken a core sample from the tree and described it to Dave so we thought we had a good chance of finding it. Our 4.5 mile hike at approximately 10,000 feet elevation took us down 400 feet then back up 400 feet at it's end. And yes I did it at 7 months pregnant. (My doctor had to pick her jaw up off the floor when I told her.) It took us about 5 hours but that is because we stopped at every tree that was close to the description we had and inspected it thoroughly. And every mile for a short rest, water and a snack.

In the end we never did officially find the Methuselah Tree. We did come across three finalists though.
That night we had our group fish cook out. Jimmy ened up contributing about 6 (plus my big catch!) for a great dinner. We sang songs around the fire pit and ate s'mores.
The next morning is all about breakfast and cleaning up. We had breakfast at the Wahl's camp of omelets made in a ziplock. This is a camping favorite! Then packed up our trailer and headed home. Another great camping trip was complete! Check out our photo album for hundreds of photos of our trip.

Just Beachy!

We all had a great four days camping at Leo Carrillo State Beach. Jimmy got in a little ocean fishing and even got my brother-in law and nephew in on the action. This was a huge camping trip that included not only us but the Egnew's, the Barr's, the Moore's, the Wahl's, and the Reaben's. All together I think we had 24 people on the trip!! The weather was great, hot but breezy! The beach is pretty isolated to only people that are camping so it seemed like we had the beach to ourselves. On Saturday night Cheryl was telling us about a great campfire dessert but thought she didn't have enough bananas. But with 5 families all camping together we were able to pull together all the ingredients for the banana smores (no gram crackers needed!). Yummy!!!

4th of July!

This year we celebrated the 4th at Jimmy's Mom's house but with a twist. Jimmy and I threw the BBQ and we had all of my family and our friends, the Wahls, join us. Jimmy made his famous ribs and sweet potato salad. I'm so lucky to have married a man who loves to cook! We all had a great time swimming, eating, and watching the neighborhood fireworks from the driveway.

It's a Girl!!

Sonogram at 21 wks and 6 days

Jimmy and I couldn't be happier. She looks healthy and perfect. Jimmy wanted a boy and was disappointed for a few minutes but that wore off quickly. He can't wait to take her fishing and camping anyways. The Grandmothers are so excited now, it has finally become real to them. When we first said we were pregnant we got the same response from both of them - "Oh, that's nice". Like we just told them we won $5 in the lottery. But now they are both ecstatic! The other grandchilden for both sides are all at least 14 years older so this is really special for them. My sisters are all very excited too and can't wait to have another little girl running around.

Babymoon

Jimmy and I woke up Saturday with an itch to do something this weekend so we decided to go to the Hoover Dam. We have both driven over it at some point in our lives and we've watched a few shows about it on the discovery channel but we've never actually "been" to the Hoover Dam.
Before we left the house we needed to get a hotel room for the night up in Vegas so we played "Priceline" roulette. Where you tell them where you want to stay and for how much, you give them your credit card and then they pick a hotel and book it without you knowing where you'll stay ahead of time. It's kind of fun to do if you don't care where you want to stay and you want to live a little dangerously.
We stopped for lunch at the Barstow (original) Del Taco and had their famous tacos. Then proceeded up to Vegas where we'd stay the night at a Courtyard just south of the strip. Very nice and clean hotel and we were actually happy not to stay on the strip directly.
Once in Vegas we visited a few of the casinos so Jimmy and I could do a little gambling. Jimmy for once came out ahead on blackjack while I was quickly out of money on the craps table. A complete role reversal for us normally. Then off to dinner at Terrible's because Jimmy wanted the 9.99 steak dinner - which of course sucked but I could have told him that. Why else would it have been 9.99? But my dinner, a prime rib sandwich, was great (and cheaper then his steak).

The next day we woke up early to catch the first tour of the day on the dam. We were given cute souvenir "hard" hats (modeled above by our lovely spokes model Jimmy!). It was a two hour tour and I was a little concerned because I can get worn out easily. But there was a lot of stopping and elevators during the tour so I didn't have a problem. We were thankful that we got there so early because when we left the line of cars just trying to get to the dam was over an hour long! It was a good thing we decided to do it now because I don't recommend doing the tour with kids until they are at least 8 years old. (There is a 30min tour that is much better for smaller kids)

Before we left Vegas Jimmy did some more gambling while I walked around Freemont Street where Jimmy lost his winning streak and in a bit of guilt ended up buying me a four leaf clover necklace that I've wanted the last couple of trips there. Leaving Freemont we passed by the chapel where we got married 3 years ago. I didn't think that was going to be my only wedding so I never took pictures that day and I wanted at least one to remember it by so when our kids ask where I can show them a picture. Then we hit up Serendipity where we both got their famous frozen hot chocolate before heading out of town. Yum!!

Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel

The BIG 3-0!

Hardly, it felt like any other birthday. I'm very low maintenance so Jimmy planned a evening with our friends Robin and Mike. We went to King's Fishhouse in Orange and had a wonderful dinner then walked over to the movie theater to see "The Hangover" which is the funniest movie I've EVER seen. The previews do not do it justice. Then we spent the night at The Wahl's house where Jimmy proceeded to snore all night no matter what position he slept in and subsequently kept me up for most of the night. He is still wondering how I am awake at all right now. I love Jimmy, our friends and my birthday! Life's good!

Future Soccer star?

Last night I have never been kicked so much. I was kicked every 15-30 seconds for almost an hour. Jimmy felt kicks for only the second time now. They're usually so sporatic so it's hard to catch him or her in action. I finally went to sleep with him or her still going at it. Either the baby is going to play soccer or he was just redecorating the inside of my belly.

18 weeks

Well, just two more weeks to the half way point. The little one is kicking me as I type. They feel like light flicks to the stomach or any other internal organ he happens to hit. I've only felt the "butterflies" a couple of times but not in the last few days. I'm going to probably see the doctor during 20 weeks. Since I was laid off from my last job it's taking forever for the MediCal paperwork to get finished. I've never applied before but I'm assuming because of the high unemployment rate that the process is double the time it should be taking. I was assured that the paperwork should be finished this week and I will have my card in the mail next week. I hope everything is fine, I've only been able to guess since the last time I went to the doctor I was around 6 weeks. I hated before I could feel the baby move because I had no idea how the baby was growing. There was only slight piece of mind when I would watch the show "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant". It's a crazy show to watch. Mostly dumb women but still some scary births. But the ones they show never had any doctor care and delivered healthy babies so I am hoping that God is giving me the same consideration. Now that there is kicking and movement it gives me piece of mind that the little one still is in there and doing pretty good.
Since I'm home all day I'm adapting to stay-at-home-mommy mode. The house has never been cleaner! This is the first time in about 10 years that I haven't had a job to go to. Back then it was by choice but now it's because "what's the point?" When I was laid off Jimmy and discussed it and we agreed that it would be too difficult to find a job quickly but addionally we would both feel bad that in approximately 7 months that I would have to take leave or quit. So it was the best choice for us that I just stay at home until the baby is here. I was greatful at the time because I was in the full throws of morning sickness and needing afternoon naps that I knew no work would fit in with my body's new schedule. I still am greatful but I'm starting to feel board. I guess it's cabin fever? I don't have too many friends up here and the few I do work during the day so I'm stuck either commuting down the hill or finding new ways of entertaining myself - Which lately had been to read from cover-to-cover every baby pamplet and brochure I've ever received. Robin loaned me some non-baby-related books which she's been trying to get me to read for a year now and both were read before the week was up.
My big concerns lately are: Money, finally going to see the doctor, and getting started excercising. (I've been lazy and hadn't really started an excercise program yet so my goal this coming week is to start now that I found a pregnancy workout schedule online. I think it will give me the motivation that I need.) Funny enough is the excercising isn't because I feel I've gained too much weight. On the contrary, I feel like I should be bigger. On Babycenter.com a lot of moms have been posting their week-to-week photos and I feel I'm on the low end of belly bump sizes. I guess I'm going to have to wait till I see the doctor to know for sure.
My big acheivements are: I bought a maternity swimsuit. I figure if I'm going to be pregnant all summer then I want to be cute and comfortable. Making weekly meal plans on the $1 dry erase menu board I got at Target and shopping for just that week of meals, additionally cooking dinner at home every night. They might not be the healthiest meals but they're home cooked!

16 weeks

I know it's been forever since my last post. I've been feeling much better. The nausea actually stopped shortly after my last post, which is nice. My appetite has returned but now I can't eat more than a quarter of a plate before I'm stuffed. The baby seems to be taking up all kinds of room in there. Occasionally, I feel the belly stretching pains. Those are pretty bad sometimes. The other day I got up from the couch and I suppose I got up too fast because the pain in my stomach was painful enough that I started to blackout a bit. All of a sudden my vision started to tunnel. It was scary and only lasted for a few seconds. I sat back down immediately but I have to keep reminding myself to take things slower. Well, if I don't remind myself my body sure will.
I bought my first maternity clothes last week. A couple of tops and a pair of capris and shorts from Kohl's. They are all super cute and comfy. I don't plan on buying a lot of clothes but I don't know of too many people that still have their maternity wear and the stuff on Craig's list looks yucky. I do notice that I think it's time to upgrade the bras soon. I've already out grown one and the other is uncomfortable. Especially to sleep in. I don't normally wear bras to bed but they feel better lately if they've been wrangled in for the night. The next thing to buy is a bathing suit. It's time to upgrade to a one piece or a tankini. I'm not ashamed of my belly but I heard it's bad to sun the belly because the skin doesn't bounce back as well later.

Well the real reason for the post besides a quick update on my overall well being is.... I felt my first kicks! Yesterday I was vacuuming and my back started hurting so I sat on the couch to rest and suddenly I felt a "flick" on my lower belly, toward my left side. Then about 5 or 10 seconds later I felt it again! Same spot. I laid down on the couch to see if he/she would keep it up but that's all I've felt so far. Either way it's exciting.

FYI: It will probably be a few more weeks before we can find out the sex. I've heard the doctors usually do it at 20 weeks.