Giveaways

I entered this giveaway for a free nursing cover. Here's the link! Enter away!
http://savannahsboutique.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-contest-savannahs-closet-is-excited.html

Boston weekend

In early January I had the opportunity to go to Boston to visit my dear friend Jessica. I had not been there since her wedding 4 years ago, but she manages to come out to California 2-3 times a year. At the end of 2008 I told Jason, “I have to go to Boston this year and visit Jess”. But for one reason or another it didn’t happen…but I was still able to see her quite a few timesJ. So at the end of 2009 and with the upcoming drastic changes in our lives, I went back to Jason and said, “I HAVE TO GO TO BOSTON!!”. Given the fact that I’m on more of a limited time frame to actually travel, I decided to go in the dead of winter. Smart, huh! I managed to remember that I have frequent flier miles, cashed those in and boarded a plane or 2 to get there.

It was very nice to be greeted curbside by a warm car, cupcakes and my best friend. When I stepped out of the airport the coldness literally took my breath away, and still it was in the 30’s. I’ve been in far worse! Jess knew that I wouldn’t have anything appropriate to wear so she commissioned her floor length wool coat to me all weekend. I was very grateful for that.

I got there in a Thursday evening so I would have at least a full weekend to enjoy. Friday we both slept in until way too late. Me, on west coast time, she, needing to sleep in. She made me a fabulous breakfast and I believe around 3 we finally got ready for the day. We bussed our way over to go see “Dr Parnassus and the Imaganarium”. A very well done movie given the circumstances of Heath Ledger’s death. Also very imaginative and arty. Of course because of that, Jess loved it J. After the movie we were in search of a yummy restaurant as by this point me, and baby, were dying of starvation. She had suggested restaurants that had “Ritz-Carlton” in the name which I politely passed up and we started to walk to our next destination. Artu, an underground Italian restaurant. Yum. Initially when we got in, our nostrils were filled with the smell of fried calamari. We knew what we were having right away. After we got seated and placed our order, a party of 3 came and sat across from us. We couldn’t help but stare at their 4^th chair as it was occupied by a puppet that looked like it belonged in the Simpsons. It had Lisa hair and roller skates! Not only did this puppet occupy a chair at the table, it was repositioned in a way that it could look at one of the members in the party. It was quite creepy and we really wanted to get a picture of it but couldn’t without being completely obvious. I had lobster ravioli and Jess had gnocchi. She had tried to convince me to have some gnocchi, but since I had never had it and only heard of it on “Top Chef” as it was the only thing that Ashley would make last season, I asked to try a bite of hers instead. Oh man if you can live in regret about one thing, it would be that I didn’t order the gnocchi for myself. As soon as I had a bite, my eyes literally opened up wide and were awakened to a new world! Yes, food can do this to a person. Incredible. I’m so excited about gnocchi that I’m trying a Trader Joe’s version of the same dish tomorrow…wish me luck!

Saturday was our busy day. We slept in and were probably showered and dressed by 2pm…a record! Jess made me a very lovely breakfast and was starting to introduce me to her new world of teas. They were very yummy and I was happy to partake. She discovered a gift card from Williams and Sonoma that she had since her wedding day, which I previously referenced was 4 years ago!! You know me and money…it burns a hole in my wallet, so I was happy to help her spend it. We walked this time, no busses or public transportation of any kind. I was surprised at how much I remembered from being there a few times previously. We went to the mall and quickly spent her gift card on a food mill. Why a food mill? Yes, for gnocchi!! After W-S we went to the tea shop because it was way crowded and we were intrigued. I was trying to find some sort of cheaper tea pot versions that I could do loose tea with or even variations of tea. Tea is a bit tricky because there are so many teas out there with scary pregnancy side effects…like spontaneous miscarriage! So I have to be careful. We got hounded by staff to come to “only them” for questions. This one girl came to us and asked Jess about a tea pot and what it does. Jess, in all her brilliance, explains to the tea worker how this specific pot worked and the pros/cons to it. This girl proceeds to say stuff like, “please take me with you”, “I hate my job”, “make me look busy”, “ I’d rather die than work another minute in here”. At this point, obviously it had turned awkward and I was done with tea. The original guy who told us to come to “only him” found us and was so offended that we were talking to another worker. All in jest. We finally left and had a good laugh.

I was starting to get hungry, shocker, so we decided to get some…tea! Off to Tealuxe we went. It was great to hang, chat some more, and actually enjoy some tea without being harassed by the workers. We both had a nice little salad, but I knew that wouldn’t last me for long. We closed out the place…at a very late 7pm J, and headed down Newbury to check out the fabulous stores. I love the look of Newbury Street. It still had lights from the holidays, it was dark and all the windows were still lit up. We passed by a consignment shop that had some cute clothes in it and bolted in. I was surprised to see labels like Michael Kors, Prada, Gucci. All second hand and cheaper. Also, they were having 50% off certain items! It always happens that the items you deem the cutest aren’t the sale items. Until we found it. I pulled out a jacket that said Diane Von Furstenburg with a tag that indicated it was 50% off! I immediately handed it to Jess and both of us had a Halleluiah moment! She disrobed her Michelin man layers and tried on the jacket which fit her perfectly. I asked to try it on hoping that it would be a Ya-Ya jacket, but it wasn’t. It was made expressly for her. It was quite lovely. She dismissed the cowboy boot lapel pin that I picked out to wear with it. Sad.

Jess with Diane Von Furstenburg

Tea at Tealuxe

After our surprise purchase, she took me to the top of the Prudential building for dessert and drinks. It had the whole view of Boston at night which was beautiful! I ordered something chocolately and rich, of course, as well as a virgin Pomegranate Mojito. Jess got some lemongrass cheesecake and a lemondrop martini. We had a great time chatting away, marveling at our purchase. It wasn’t until Jess got a plate of water glasses dumped on her that we realized it was probably time to go. We walked all the way home and it was fabulous.

The next day…ouch. Apparently pregnant women aren’t supposed to walk that much for a reason! In the moment I was fine, but man my hip was killing me! Jess has a 3 story spiral staircase going through her house, so anytime I needed to go anywhere, I had to double step each stair plus grab both sides of the rail. I was so pathetic. Pathetic in my jammies all day though J. Jess made yet another fabulous breakfast, and dinner, plus flowering tea which was beautiful! She also taught me how to crochet. I felt like a slow learner at first, but once I caught on it was great with only a few mistakes! While I was just working on a hot pad or coaster, Jess was working on something piecey and pink. When I got to the point where I couldn’t go on anymore with my square, she takes all the pieces and puts this pink elephant together! It was so dang cute! It’s for the baby, and I can’t wait for her to have it. I’m jealous of the talent. We watched the Golden Globes, judged appropriately and then were very bummed when we found out that Obama was about a mile away from her house earlier that day! After some futuristic Robin Hood meets SciFi show, we were off to bed again.

Sad, Monday came too fast and I had to leave. It snowed over the night and Jess asked if I could walk in it. Of course! I am woman! And my hip didn’t hurt anymore. Man, slushy snow is hard to walk in! You actually have to pay attention to where you’re going. We went to Mike’s City Diner which is one of the highest rated diners in the city. YUM. I was wanting to take our sweet time, but because I had a plane to catch, we quickly ate, grabbed the rental car, picked up my stuff and whisked me away to the airport.

It was a short trip but a great trip. I was so excited that we were able to make a girls weekend out of it and at times, be ok with doing nothing. I was also excited that I was able to make this trip before my life changes dramatically and I can’t do things on a whim like this as easily as I can now…or used to be. It also made me realize how important my friendships are. I’m coming on 30 and to think that I’m still friends with people that I met in Jr High and High School makes me value the people and those friendships so much more. We’ve stuck together through thick and thin, been at our graduations, weddings, funerals, births of children and life. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my friends. I’m just grateful that they love me back!

Wordless Wednesday

I decided to choose the pictures by "3's". 3rd folder, 3rd folder in that folder, and 3rd picture. This was taken at a restaurant in LA when Jo came to visit with her debate team. We had a good time.

Halftime!

20 weeks along! I'm halfway there. Honestly seems like yesterday that we just found out, and that was 4 months ago. Time flies. I know everyone says that it does and "before you know it"...
Current symptoms: hunger, constant hunger. My butt hurts a lot, because I'm on it too much. Easily winded, sometimes I have to lay down after walking up the stairs. Honestly, that's about it.
All in all I can't complain. I've heard at this stage I've heard that you're addicted to Tums, your back is a wreck and you're waking 5x's a night, swelling ankles and feet. Nope!
Don't hate me :). I'm enjoying it!
One thing I am having constantly is prego brain. Man, I forgot a password I just set the day before. I forget words easily. I guess it's a small price to pay.
Oh! And we're having a girl!! Lots of pink on my registry :)

Over the first hump

Week 12! I made it!! It's so weird counting everything by weeks because usually the weeks fly by and you don't even notice. But each new week while pregnant brings new symptoms, new pant sizes and new weight. So far it's been pretty simple and I can't complain.
My main symptom was fatigue. I've heard people say "I'd be in the grocery store, it would hit me and I'd think...I can finish in a minute, I really need to sleep on this cart". I wasn't quite that bad. But seriously it was like clockwork. 10pm everyday. I'd be in mid conversation and WHAM! I needed to go to bed right that second. It's like my eyes would go from wide open awake to half open drunken-like. It was quite funny. Unfortunately that tiredness didn't last through the night. I find myself waking up anywhere between 2:30-4 and unable to go back to sleep. That, I'm not a fan of but people keep telling me it's just good practice.
I can't button my pants. Well, I can and would force myself to get in them if I wasn't pregnant, but it's just too darned uncomfortable. I'm using the bellyband now, but I'm finding I just need to graduate into some maternity jeans. It'll make me and my belly happier.
As far as the weight, I'm a bit concerned because I haven't really gained anything. I've gone from 2lbs lighter than pre-pregnancy weight, 2 lbs up and back. So technically haven't gained anything. I hope my MD doesn't freak! We'll see! 12 week appt tomorrow!
Off to second trimester! See ya!

And baby makes 3...

So, what can really prepare you for the news? Nothing really! I had gone to the store to buy a test and bought a box of 3 figuring that I'd need the other 2 when we actually started "trying". I told Jason I would take it first thing in the morning. Imagine my surprise when this appeared.

(I can't get this image to load horizontal!! )

I went to Jason and said, "Um, I think it's positive". He looked at it and said it didn't look positive to him. I told him to put his glasses on and he said "oh!". A blood test later confirmed it. So, yay! We're 5 weeks along now. More blood tests next week to confirm. So I'd appreciate your prayers that everything goes well! We're very excited!!

Futile Friday!

I think Jon Gosselin is the biggest joke right now. I have been a long time fan of Jon & Kate Plus 8. I loved the banter, the kids, they way they pronounce things, their silly antics. I also loved watching "The Soup" the week after and their little montages on how Kate was a raving control freak! Yes, I believe that she was a control freak, but I think he allowed it. If you're passive for long enough, someone has to take control!!
This season has bugged way too much for my liking. You could cut the tension with a knife between the two. Then Kate seemed to complain about every little thing! So I was on the fence about who was in the wrong. But then...
Ok, so months ago Jon is in the tabloids for (not) having an affair. I was on his side for a while. Not so much approving of his late night rendevous with random younger women, but I believed that he was not having an affair. But seriously all tha thas followed...I'm not on his side.
One thing that I liked in the first few years of the show was that they would drive 1 hour out of the way with their 6 children to church. They wer pretty involved, would sport the "I love Jesus" shirts and would talk about it on TV. So I wonder why, when the trouble starts, they don't go to counseling. Why, after 10 year and 8 children, if they're there for "the sake of their children", why not the counseling.
Ok, so Jon still says "I did not cheat". Yet, how about evidence of earrings, smoking, and randevous to France...yah, nothing supporting his innocence. Now he's going out with a girl 10 years his junior who is all over the tabloids with her pants down and hitting bongs...yah, still not supporting his innocence! Not to mention his shiek new bachelor pad "with a new flat screen TV". Haha.

I don't know why I get wrapped up in this. Haha. All I say is that if it matters enough to you, you'd try a bit harder!