took a shower

This past Saturday, we had a few folks come over for a backyard BBQ/Baby Shower!

Many thanks to those who came and we missed seeing those who couldn't attend.

Also, thanks again to those who helped (grill mastering, taking pictures, setting up, loaning lawn furniture, bringing food/drink, smiling)....we had a great time and I know the baby was loving every moment!

Here are some pix below.....

:)

me

the bump

already exhausted but having funnnnn. (Cassio with Guarana in hand)

finally a real summer day this year

flowers

Kristin and Julie making fortune tellers/love notes for the baby

Helen making a thoughtful note

Bernie and Steve

Steve and Cassio

Sarah and Kristin

Fun on the LACMA blanket :)

Teresa

We had beans, rice, and plantains...along with farofa. Chicken and burgers from the grill. some snacks. fruits and veggies. hummus. mmmmmmm, now I'm hungry.

Beautiful Miki

Chris and Sohana

Paola and Sohana

Mock sangria...Heather, you're a genius!

Shawn and Cristiani

Also Elana and Viviane

Ludo and I

Ely and Bernie

Walter and Pav

a few moments before I sent the champagne cork over the roof

Ted, Ely, and I


me opening a few presents

10 weeks to go! (now I'm only counting on my hands!)

Two and a half months to go and now I don't have to count my toes too!

Baby girl enjoys making her presence known...she's fully active in my belly...both Cassio and I enjoy watching my skin jump and roll around. She's certainly more active at particular times of the day (or night) and after I eat, so I'm getting used to it. Although the last two evenings she has woken me up from shallow sleep just as I've managed to fall asleep...on both occassions it has frightened and startled me...and each time I've jolted awake as though someone has thrown a rock at me while I sleep. It's funny a few minutes later, but nobody enjoys being pulled from slumber with a thud in their innards.

Below are some pix of me (dressed in prego stuff and headed to work)...the nursery with some of the fabrics placed and some sweet drawers...and finaly, I've always wanted a fuzzy toilet seat cover. Very classy.

week 28 - gaining

This has been a week of gaining....while I've been gaining weight (obvious, I suppose), I've gained a few other items and experiences.

Other things I'm gaining:

-more back/hip aches and pains. I'm not walking as quickly or as far as before (and if I do, there are consequences).

-swollen ankles and feet. Super sexy cankles, for sure. I did get a pedicure so at least the callouses and ragged nails aren't making them look worse and are no longer a danger to the public!

-insomnia. Between restless legs and charlie horses in my lower legs, sleeping at night is not so plentiful (which I hear is good for preparing for once the baby arrives).

-stuff. Everyday, there seems to be another box or envelope from the post or UPS. As helpful as these things are (or will be) it's intimidating gaining so much stuff. I guess it will pay off to stay organized.

-perspective. We went to our first birthing class in the beginning of the week and there was a woman there who was MISERABLE with her pregnancy. She has had every bad side-effect related to pregnancy and really had no positive things to share about it (and was clearly to tired to even try to pretend). Alas, as I'm hobbling around and borderline frustrated from lack of decent sleep, I've been thinking about her and happy with all the things I'm gaining.

beachin'

We took ourselves to Zuma Beach on Monday morning...easy drive there...easy parking...took a walk and then spent some time enjoying the cool breeze, warm sun, and snacks.

By about noon, we were ready to go home and realized there were bazillions of folks who had arrived for their beach-fix. It seems we could have made some bucks (sold our prime sand spot to some late arrival and our supreme parking spot was well worth $10 or so)...why did we not think to capitalize on these things until later???

Then we rode in the holiday traffic home...with miles of folks looking for parking at every beach between Zuma and Santa Monica, wacky drivers, ridiculous pedestrians crossing Highway 1 with their tents, chairs, coolers, kites, umbrellas, and floaties - all while wearing their sweetest bikini/sarong with high-heeled wedges.

We were so happy to get home safely...and was satisfied that we had enjoyed the morning to the fullest while everyone else was just heading out.

Here are some of my best impressions of a beached whale:

Happy

Here was our spot - before all the people arrived