My Own Toy Story Sequel

My son is like most spoiled American kids in that he is not suffering from a lack of toys. He has cars, trains, stuffed animals, puzzles, blocks, balls, etc. But of his plethora of toys, none bring him more joy than his most prized possessions --- the 7-inch-plastic Woody and Buzz figures that Uncle Rob bought him in January.

He calls them by name. First, he could just get out "Woo" and "Buh," but now most of the time, he gets out their whole names. When he gets the "zzz" out on "Buzz," it's especially endearing.

I am not exactly sure when his infatuation with these two toys began. He has seen snippets of the TOY STORY movies here and there, but not enough to really understand the roles these two characters play. All I know is that if he has a security item, it's these two dudes. He wakes up in the morning and calls out "Mama," then quickly follows "Mama" with "Woo-ey, Buh-uz?" If he didn't fall asleep with them in his crib, he must find them within minutes after waking up. He takes baths with them, feeds them, and has story time with them.

I wonder if part of his bond with Woody & Buzz happened when we took two cross-country trips. On both trips, Joaquin was accompanied by these two friends. They rode with him on two flights to Montgomery, Alabama. They were there for him when he stayed on a strange military base in 30 degree weather. All of his surroundings were new and unfamiliar, but one thing remained constant --- the companionship of Woody and Buzz.

Following Alabama, we ventured to Hawaii, again with Woody and Buzz in toe. When Joaquin got sick and threw up all over Mom on the airplane, Woody was there to comfort him and Buzz was there to clean up the mess with his space ranger strength. (Mom only wishes this were true. Fortunately, we were seated in the row right in front of the restroom, so clean up wasn't that difficult.)

He played with Woody and Buzz in a tropical paradise, enjoying the sunshine and the sand on his feet. But when it was all over, and he was back home, he still had Woody and Buzz.

Well, last weekend, during a trip to see both sets of grandparents, it happened. We were about 1/2 hour south of Santa Barbara when I wondered, "Did we get Woody?" Kiko's face turned blank as he struggled to remember.

He remembered when we ate dinner, Joaquin stuck Woody's face in his rice saying "nummy, nummy, nummy," and he remembered that Joaquin sneakily dropped Woody behind the couch cushion only to call out his name so everyone would join in the search to look for him.

Sure enough, moments later, Nana called to say we'd left a loyal friend behind.

"Uh oh," we thought. "Do we turn around?"

Had it not been pouring rain on the 101 and after 10:00 pm, we probably would have turned around. This was a serious leave-behind. Instead we thought, maybe we'll go to Disney tomorrow and get a replacement Woody...Realizing that was a little crazy, we tried to wait it out.

Well, the three days without Woody were a growing experience, both for Mom and Dad, and for Joaquin. The first night, he woke up in the middle of the night, dutifully calling for "Mama" and then "Woody..." Of course, Mama was there, but I could not help him with Woody. He went back to sleep and Mom stayed awake, wondering what would happen tomorrow when the realization that Woody was gone (temporarily) sunk in. Of course, with an older child, you might be able to reason with them and explain the situation. But he's still a baby. He won't understand.

Days passed, and in Joaquin's world, Woody was no where to be found. He'd pace around the house, calling his name, with Buzz in one hand, and the other hand empty. We'd tell him that Woody was at Nana and Papa's, safe and sound, and he soon would be traveling back home. He'd then go the front door, point outside and say "Woody, woody, woody" with hope and longing.

It's heartbreaking and precious at the same time. Maybe this is a great time for a life lesson in acceptance and understanding. Or in not getting emotionally attached to material objects. But really, I just want him to have his friend back and to be a happy kid once again. He has the rest of his life to learn those lessons.

I am sure Woody is enjoying his adventure in the mail, as he makes his way back to us in Pasadena. It brings a smile to face to think that he is having his own "Toy Story" moment; hopefully, Woody is anxiously anticipating his reunion with his kid as much as his kid - Joaquin - anticipates seeing him again...

Until then, it's all on you, Buzz...

2nd to Last Day at A&E

Here's something I was thinking about on 3/10/11, my second to last day at A&E...Not sure why I didn't publish it then...so here goes...

When I went back to work after my "sabbatical" while Kiko was at basic training, it was like my re-emergence into a foreign universe. Only, actually, I suppose when I left and had a taste of "full-time mothering," that was really my foreign universe. For 10 years, I have been immersed in the TV industry. So things like meeting celebrities, watching shows and movies before they've been released, etc. didn't seem like a big deal to me.

My first day back, the first thing my assistant asked me was what Oscar nominated movies I needed him to track down for me so I could be ready to watch the Academy Awards. We went over my call sheet, and my lunch appointments for the next several weeks.

I couldn't help but think to myself: Enjoy having an assistant now because who knows when you'll have one again.

So I went from being consumed with all things industry related, reading the trades and Nikki Fink (www.deadlinehollywood.com) to reading City Mommy and Baby Center and back again, in just a couple of weeks. It's amazing how the two worlds become so separate, yet really they aren't that dissimilar. I mean, being a mom and being a TV executive shouldn't be that different. After all, the demographic that every network wants is that of the 25-54 year-old-women. Hello! How many of those women are mothers, too? So in some ways, keeping working mothers employed should be a priority so they can keep in contact with their key demographic.

Week One - (originally drafted 1/12/11)

Day 4 of being home with Joaquin was awesome, except for the fact that I didn't sleep last night...This was the first day I actually had to get up and dressed and out of the house by 8:40 to make our 9 am music class. To think, just last week, I was dressed, ready for work and out of the house by 8 am, and this morning it was the amazing race and an almighty miracle that I actually had Joaquin dressed and fed in time to get to class.

Music class was a lot of fun, if not slightly silly. It was exactly like what they make those classes look like in the movies --- a cheerful and goofy teacher with a friendly face and a nice voice singing songs in a highly animated form...It was amazing, she knew all the kids names and worked them all into the "hello" and the "goodbye" song. Joaquin's favorite part was when they got to choose their own instruments from the box. He chose a drum and did not want to part with it when it was time to put the instruments "to bed."

Our day of fun continued when after a morning nap, we went to the Disney Studios lot to see Uncle Rob for lunch. I don't know what he liked more - the fact that Uncle Rob took him to the studio store to buy toys, or the really docile squirrels that almost let Joaquin pet them.
We finished off our activities by going to the post office to send Daddy a care package. Hopefully Kiko has earned the privilege of receiving his mail.

Teething Bites - (originally drafted 1/11/11)

Okay, so my husband is going through basic training and sleeping 4 hours a night while marching all day and studying his officer handbook, blah blah blah, BUT I AM THE ONE CHASING AFTER A 1-year-old! Who's more tired? Me or him?

Seriously, I feel like I have no right to complain about being tired when I think about all he's going through, but man, am I beat! Two nights of a restless, teething baby and tonight I am a zombie. Not to mention all the work-stuff I've been cramming in while he naps and once he goes to bed. Being a full-time mom is hard work. And the teething...does it really last until they're 2? Yikes. Poor baby...he's like a drool-monster with icicles of drool dripping from his mouth and the big teeth he already does have protruding out from his little gums. It's cuter that I make it sound, but he really does channel Chunk from the Goonies and convinces me that any minute after the drool he's going to break out into the "truffle shuffle."

Looking on the bright side...

(Originally Drafted 12/30/10)

My husband soon will be leaving for basic training, or COT, which stands for Commissioned Officer Training. He has joined the US Air Force Reserves and will serve in the JAG Corp. So basically, he has to go to lawyer bootcamp for a month in Alabama. We have been married for 3 1/2 years and we have one child, a son, who's almost 13 months.

I have had to explain to my family that his joining the JAG Corp is actually an amazing honor for him and a wonderful opportunity to serve without making the full commitment of going into active duty. He gets to have his cake and eat it, too, to be trite. Deployment overseas is unlikely, and most of the year, he'll work his "regular" job at a law firm and not be subject to the whims of the service, with all do respect to the military. So some of my family members seem to think it is like he is going to race-car driving school or fantasy football camp or something like that, but then I must defend the decision saying it will be full of sacrifice for him and the rest of of the family, but that in the end it will be worth it for all. I keep telling myself this, hoping I will actually believe it. What helps is knowing how much it means to him to do this and knowing that I am doing everything I can to support my husband in his dreams and goals in life. But selfishly, I will miss him. I like having him around.

I try to look on the bright side and think of the positive things that come from having your husband gone for 5 weeks on the other side of the country. Here's what i have come up with:

1. I won't have to shave my legs as often as I normally do. Especially in winter, this is a plus because of all the goose bumps you get in the shower when you shave and there is a cold draft in the bathroom.

2. I will miss him. This fact goes on the positive and negative list because of course I will miss him very much and it will be hard not to see him, although sometimes the longing to see someone can be romantic and make you appreciate each other more. I am hoping this goes both ways.

Well, that's pretty much all I've got now. The most important positive thing to come out of this is I will have a happy husband, who is also an officer in the US Air Force. I know he's going to look damn fine is his uniform, so that could be a potential "positive thing #3," except for the fact that he just as easily could have bought a JAG costume and worn it around the house without all the fancy training that goes with, so I am not convinced this belongs on the list.

Basically, it is going to suck the big toe to have him gone. But life is an adventure and I am a big girl. I will miss him every day, (well, mainly at night because during the week, I don't really see him except for at night anyhow.) So, every night I will miss him like mad, but I will relish in his accomplishments and feel proud of him for this achievement and this sacrifice he's making.

But if I had it my way, we'd be like Paul and Linda Mc Cartney, and never spend a night apart...(of course until she died of cancer, (sigh). ) So, I am content just being us...and I know the best part of all of this will be when I get to see him again at his graduation. He will be in his sexy uniform and I will shave my legs for the occasion.

Sent from my iPad

So Long, Dear...

Today is January 9th. It's the day after my birthday, the day after Elvis' birthday, a Sunday, and also the day that my husband left for Commissioned Officer Training (C.O.T.) in Montgomery, Alabama. This morning I woke up around 5:00 am to drive him to LAX so he could begin his journey to Alabama. He'll be gone for 5 weeks in total for this first round of training. I, of course, write this with mixed emotions. I am excited for him and all the new adventures that await him, but also sad for me and Jaq that we'll be without him. Still, with the wonders of modern technology (cell phones, Skype, email, etc.) we should be able to keep in close contact and I will relish all of our interactions. And one can only hope that the old adage about "absence and the heart growing fonder" proves to be true.
His departure for C.O.T. brings not only a big change for our family, but also coincidentally marks the beginning of a big change for me as I take some time off work. Most of you reading this probably know what I do. I am a creative executive for a cable television network. It's actually a pretty great job; sometimes I marvel at the fact that people get paid to do what I do. I mean, the hours are long and there is a lot of pressure, but the basic job functions I perform are: reading scripts, watching television, taking meetings with writers and producers, and then talking to those writers and producers (sometimes agents, too) about those scripts or shows that I've read or watched. We also approve actors for casting, and basically oversee all elements of TV production for shows on our air. I've been in the business for almost 10 years now, and it's one of the best jobs that I've had. I work with a lot of creative, talented people and deal with a lot of celebrities, pseudo celebrities, difficult personalities, and mega-egos, but that all comes with the job. I actually think I do well dealing with eccentric personalities, and at the very least I have some good stories to tell at the end of the day and can appreciate my relatively "normal" life.
But now, for the next few weeks, there is only one ego and eccentric personality that I care about, and it's that of my 14-month-old son. In one day, I've basically gone from TV executive in a fancy Century City office building, to stay-at-home mom and military wife. (This almost sounds like the makings of a TV show itself.)
So, while my big man is away, I am ready to embrace this adventure and make up for some lost time with my little man. Of course I am sad that I won't have my husband around, but I am comforted at least in knowing that his absence is giving me the opportunity to have some quality time with my little guy, and heck, check out the other half-live...all you stay-at-home moms watch out, because I am going to get a little taste of what this is all about...I know it too is hard work, but I am ready...

Happy New Year & going back to work

Happy New Year! Yesterday was my first day back at work after taking off just over a week for Christmas. Leaving yesterday morning to go to work was almost harder than it was the first day I came back to work after maternity leave. But yesterday, it was hard not because Joaquin was so tiny, little and helpless, but because he is so much bigger and more aware when I leave. And because he bawled his eyes out when I started to leave. He awoke only 10 minutes before I needed to leave for work and he would not let me put him down. My normally well adjusted 1-year-old was clinging to my side, gripping my hips with his little thighs like he was riding a pony bare-back, holding on with all his might, determined not to fall off or let his feet touch the ground. I handed him to my hubby, then went outside to the car, and the sobbing continued. It was heart-breaking, but I think it was harder on my heart than his. I needed my key-card out of our other car, so I spent more time in the driveway than usual, and the whole time I was out there, I could hear the cries from inside the house getting worse.

My husband then said he cried for an hour after I left. It makes you feel loved for an instant, and then you just feel awful that at that moment in their young minds, they are inconsolable and they don't understand why mommy is abandoning them.

Then, last night, after a really long day at work, I got home a little after 8:00 pm, so excited to see him again, especially after our tearful goodbye. And he didn't want anything to do with me. I tried to pick him up and he turned away from me, reaching instead for his daddy. This cold-shoulder treatment lasted only a couple of minutes, and then he was hugging me and saying "Mama" with some of his best annunciation yet.

I needed to get this story written down so when I am having a hard day with him, I can remember what is was like when I had to leave and remind myself how lucky I am to be spending more time with him.

Oh yeah, in case you didn't know, starting next week, I am taking several weeks off work, while my husband ships out for basic training with the Air Force JAG Corp Reserve, so these tearful goodbyes will soon be a distant memory.

But if I needed any reassurance that I was making the right decision to spend more time with him, I got that reassurance yesterday...

My Paleo Man

Perhaps you've heard of one of the new, dare I say, "fad diets" sweeping the nation? (Or maybe it's just sweeping Los Angeles?) The Paleo diet is of what I speak and it's a diet similar to what Paleolithic man would have eaten, a diet comprised of food that was available in pre-agricultural times. Curious for the real facts? Click here.

Basically, to eat Paleo means you eat lean meat, fish, veggies and some fruit. On this diet, you can't have any dairy (boo hoo), grains (waaa!), or sugar (double waaaa!), so it's very similar to other low-carb diets out there but there is a bit of a twist.

Anyhow, why is the Paleo diet now part of my everyday vocabulary? Because my husband has gone truly APE for the paleo way of life. Thank goodness he has not started dragging me around by my hair or referring to me as "WOMAN." Naturally, by osmosis, I now eat mainly paleo meals at home with him. (Don't worry, since I am still nursing, I most certainly have my carb fests during my weekday lunches. Bring on the sandwiches, muffins, and the mac 'n cheese!)

Even though I give him a bad time about his current diet obsession, I must say in a lot of ways, it's a great diet. I feel good, we are eating and cooking a lot more vegetables at home, and it is fun for me to have him as an active particiant in our meal preparation and planning. We've always loved to cook together and now he's taken an even more active interest because his paleo reputation is on the line...

Recently, he even entered a Paleo diet weight loss competition at his gym and by golly, HE WON! He dropped over 20 pounds and has kept most of it off...Now anyone that knows my hubby would agree he looked good before and did not need to lose weight.

So from time to time, I'll share some of our favorite paleo recipes with my loyal readers. The biggest downfall of the diet to me is the "no dairy" rule, and I have been known to cheat...Like last night, we made PALEO BISON CHILI and I of course brought myself to the modern era and sprinkled some grated cheese on top to make it even more yummy!

ME WOMAN. ME LIKE MY CHEESE!

Pumpkin Pie Makes Everything Better

Today I ate a piece of pumpkin pie and it was so good, it made me want to cry. Literally. Like, I shook for a moment on the inside and had to fight off actual tears. Every bite I took filled my mouth with that sweet, nutmeg and cinnamon-y goodness of pumpkin and I could almost close my eyes and pretend it's Thanksgiving.

Thank you, Costco, for serving up delicious pumpkin pies for under $5 in early September.

By the time it is actually Thanksgiving, I am usually so full from eating other things (turkey, stuffing, cheese logs, Sees candy) that I feel like even though I bake the pies, I never really savor them.

So what better thing to do on Wednesday afternoon that taste a bit of holiday goodness a little early?

Next time you're feeling down or craving something delicious, try it. You'll give thanks that you did.

They may have worked for Julia Roberts...

Okay, so time for a heart-to-heart with the fashion world. Is anyone really going to embrace the seemingly ubiquitous, over-the-knee boot trend that is EVERYWHERE right now? I'll admit the black patent leather pair worked like a charm for Vivian, Julia Roberts' character, in PRETTY WOMAN, because she was, in fact,... A HOOKER. But with every fall catalog, fashion magazine, and E-blast I get showing these hot-to-trot over-the-knee styles, I am left slightly flabbergasted by the way this style is being literally whored out to dominate all of fall footwear fashion.

Look, anyone that knows me knows I have a weakness for a beautiful shoe, and yes, a lot of these boots look beautiful, but I just don't know who is actually going to wear them? Where do you wear them? To work? Never. To a bar? Maybe? On a date? Can you imagine wearing them to the movies? I have enough trouble keeping popcorn from going down my shirt, and I certainly don't need the top of my shoes to have an opening at the thigh for stray popcorn kernels and Raisinets to make their way down there...

Maybe it's me, and maybe in my new-mom state I am having a stuffy reaction to a hot new trend? Maybe in my old life, I'd snatch up a pair of these hot high boots and strut around town in them on weekends or when I wanted to feel especially sexy and powerful, but really? I just can't even imagine EVER finding a way to work these into my lifestyle.

Maybe I watched PRETTY WOMAN one too many times as a kid (because I am pretty sure I wore out the VHS tape), but I just think this is one trend that I won't be sad to see walk away.

(Please, though, I'd love to be proven wrong. I'd love to see some of my friends wear these and show me just how versatile these can be. Maybe a conservative flat pair with leggings and a simple top? Or if I am right about the trend not translating to real-world fashion, maybe the Lohmans and Marshalls of the world will be flooded with the left overs and NEXT fall I can rock this trend for a fraction of the price? For a good deal, after all, I can find an excuse to wear almost anything...)

Gonna Make a change...

Hello followers...I have been remiss about writing on my blog because, well, no excuses, but I feel like my life consists of two things: 1. working, and 2. taking care of my baby.

It's the same story from all working mothers, I am sure, where they wonder what ever did they do before they became a mother? I must have had a ton of free time, and just sat around blissfully with my husband thinking "What do I want to do today? Take a hike...watch a movie...bake a cake...read a book." Those are questions I can only dream of asking myself, but that's okay, because I LOVE BEING A MOM. Sure, most days I don't brush my hair, and I am always putting on make-up while sitting in traffic on the freeways, and somehow "working" has become my "break," but I wouldn't trade that little bubba for anything in the world.

I do have lots of things I want to share from the past several months of my dark period...the little one turned 8 months yesterday and I suddenly am a believer of everyone that says it all goes by so fast once you have kids. You truly must remember to treasure every moment, because they come and go all too quickly.

More than anything, though, I am on a mission to become a Stay-at-Home-Mom. Correction, I want to always be a WORKING mom, but I just cannot hack the 11-12 hour days away from him, and need to find a way to be closer to him while I work. And I need to work up the courage to make a change, whether it's figuring out a way to telecommute a few days a week, or even finding a new job, I've got to do it...for my own sanity, and for everyone around me that is probably growing tired of me complaining...

The PS to all of this is, I am very blessed. I recongize that. I feel very grateful for my job and for my loving husband and beautiful baby. I always feel that if I had everything all figured out right now, and everything was just the way I wanted it, that life might be slightly boring. So, here's to my quest to "figure it all out."

Help keep me honest and true to myself in my goal to make a change!

Taking your top off at work

There was a time in life when locking my office door and stripping down to where my breasts are fully exposed probably seemed scandalous and naughty...

Now I do it every three hours in my office...alone...while I am expressing breast milk for my dear, sweet little baby.

My, how things change when you have kids.

Sure, I am getting 1/2 naked several times a day at work, but the real scandal to me of pumping is nothing more than me feeling slightly shy when I take the fruits of my labor - small 5 oz. bottles of milk - down the hall, to our communal refrigerator to be stored until I leave for the day.

I just have to make sure no one decides to switch from Coffee Mate to breast milk...yuck!

Working Girl...Again

Thoughts from 2 weeks after giving birth...

I wear these dark circles like a badge of honor.

The softness of my empty belly reminds me of the precious gift it once carried.

Everything is different, yet I can't remember what it was like before he came.

Will my life ever feel the same? Will I ever look the way I did before I was pregnant?

It doesn't matter. But still I wonder,

Will I ever love anything more?

Tomorrow will be my first day back at work after having my baby. Tonight, I feel like I did the night before the first day of school. Even though, the difference is I already know who I'll be having lunch with (tomorrow, it will be my sister-in-law and the baby) and where my classes are, I still can't shake this feeling of jitters and nervousness.

On one hand, I am looking forward to exercising my professional muscles again. Even though I have actually worked some during my maternity leave, going into an office everyday is an entirely different routine than what I've been doing the past 3 months. It will be nice to have adult conversation, and to not be constantly thinking about someone else before me, but for the most part, I think I am rationalizing things in my head to make myself feel better...although, the thing is is that even though he won't be with me, I will constantly be thinking about him all day. Of course, I know he'll be fine and all of his needs will be met. But it is I that will be sad and will missing holding him, playing with him, and changing his diapers...It is I that will realize that we are not together, and it is I that will count the hours of the day until I get to see him again.

I know women do it all the time, but for some reason, I feel totally alone in this. Anyone out there (my 7 followers) have any advice for me? I told my boss I am probably going to cry tomorrow and she said "why?" (sigh)

I love my job and I feel so fortunate to have a job, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my baby. I love every second that I am with him, even when he is screaming so loud I think the windows of the car are going to shatter, I can't get enough of his sweet face and the sound of his chattering voice.

Still, this is my path, to return to work. His diaper bag is packed full of diapers, wipes, books, 2 changes of clothes. His activity gym is in the car, along with the stroller. My clothes are laid out so I know exactly what fits and I won't have to have a "discard" pile of too-tight-tops when I am getting dressed in the morning. All that's left to do is hope we both get good nights of sleep so that we are well rested for our day of adventure tomorrow.

BTW, my goal bed-time was 9:00 pm...2 hours late and counting.

Damn you Olympics and pre-work jitters...

Roll Over...Beethoven?

There are many milestones to look forward to with a new baby, from first smiles, to first steps, with each new achievement perhaps seeming better than the last. But it is amazing how the small things can make you feel like everything is right in the world. That's how I felt tonight when Baby J rolled over for the first time! He's been getting stronger and stronger each day, and three days ago, during tummy time, he was looking especially agile. I was really hoping (probably for purely selfish reasons) that he would roll over for the first time before I went back to work, so I didn't have to hear from the nanny, "Oh, your son rolled over today and I was there to see it for the first time."

As I was getting him ready for his bath, I said to my sister-in-law, "He's getting really close to rolling over; let's see if he does it because I am really hoping to be with him when he does it for the first time..." No pressure though, baby...

Sure enough, I put him on his tummy on the floor and he wiggled and cooed and suddenly, over onto his back he went. When he realized he was on his back, he had this look of strange wonder on his face, like he wasn't sure if he should feel proud or scared. His eyes opened really wide and his little mouth gaped open, like he wanted to tell me something but couldn't find the words.

Babies are the best and I think it's the small moments that really make the biggest impact. He will be rolling over for the rest of his life, but it's fun to think that today he did it for the first time.

As for crawling, I can wait awhile for that milestone to occur...too much baby-proofing to do around the house before that happens.

10 signs you know you're a new mom

1. you have permanent dark circles under your eyes that your best concealer can't hide, and what's even better, you really don't care...
2. you're typing one-handed, in all lower case letters while nursing
3. you haven't blown-dry, washed, or even combed your hair in days
4. you mailed your holiday cards 2 weeks after christmas
5. you mailed your holiday cards 2 weeks after christmas, and only put postage stamps on 1/2 of them
6. it takes weeks for you to return phone calls
7. you live on the west coast, but decide to ring in the new year by watching the ball drop on the east coast feed, 3 hours early
8. you find yourself making up your own lines to lullabies because who knows what really comes after "and if that diamond ring don't shine?"
9. you consider exchanging "coos" and "ohs" as the makings of scintillating conversation
10. you're head over heals in love with someone new, and that special someone weighs 170 pounds less than your husband...

I am a Mommy!

Last Friday, November 6th, 2009, I gave birth to a baby boy that we named Joaquin Porter Ochoa...Since then, my life has been a whirlwind...so many emotions to express and so many stories to share, from the 2 days of pre-labor, where my contractions were coming with such frequency, I thought it might be the real thing, to the actual 19 hours of active labor, to the birth, and then the actual first few amazing days of motherhood...I know it's something that every parent goes through --- the wonderment and awe of knowing that your life is never going to the same…

Anyhow, he is here. And I am exhausted, sore, and in a haze. But more than anything I am completely, deliciously happy.

labor-ready toes? Post from Thurs, 11/5

On Wednesday, I mentioned to my mom that I was meeting Kiko for lunch at his office in downtown Los Angeles. As my mom often does, she asked me what I was wearing. When I told her I had on closed-toed shoes because I needed a pedicure, she immediately became aghast with me, telling me "this close to your due date, you need to maintain your pedicures..." Of course, she has told me this several times in the past few weeks, but who has the time for a pedicure between the nesting, and trying to wrap things up in the office, etc. I tried to do them myself a few weeks ago, but found it too difficult to reach my toes. I ended up with toe nails that were about 70% covered with polish, with lots of polish around the cuticle. Luckily, about 2 weeks ago, I went to my favorite pedicure place in Pasadena, Dashing Divas, so while I could use a touch up, they are not horrendous... Fortunately, I don't think the hospital staff cares what my feet look like --- I am pretty sure they've seen way worse than my slightly chipped dark, vampish toe nail polish...Oh and just for any beauty fans out there, my two favorite new polish colors are Bitches Brew from Lippman and Chanel's purplish Vendetta...delish.

35 Weeks

We have been remiss in taking a lot of pictures, but here is one from 3 weeks ago, at our 35 week appointment. I am sure someday I'll look back with nostalgia at my pregnant belly, but right now, I barely remember what it felt like to not be pregnant.

The Thrill of Buying Diapers

As I pulled into our driveway after work, I caught a beautiful sight out of the corner of my eye: a large, cardboard box sitting proudly next to the front door of our bluish gray Colonial Revival home. Could it be? As I rushed to park the car, jumped from the vehicle and ran to the porch it was indeed the package I was anticipating. Printed on the side of the box in big blue letters it read "diapers.com" which meant that our first order of diapers had arrived! Woo hoo!

What a thrill! I am sure after a few weeks of changing, paying for, and ordering diapers, the thrill will fade fast. But it just made the whole mom-to-be thing seem more real. Then of course there's the debate of what kind of diapers to use: cloth, G-diapers, 7th Generation, gel free, etc. Maybe that will just mean more orders to diapers.com trying to find the best fit for our family, our budget, and our environment...

In any case, there are so many firsts that arise during a pregnancy, and the first diaper order delivery is not one to be overlooked. Because what will soon be wearing those diapers will be the best delivery of all!

B.I. (Before the Internet)

What did pregnant women do before the internet? Though sometimes I think there is TOO much information on the web, and that sometimes, a neurotic pregnant girl can drive herself mad researching anything from cribs, to car seats and cramps, when maybe instead she should be taking a walk or reading a book…Most of the time, I think the information highway is a gift from the heavens.

Several weeks ago, I started having a horrible side ache in my right side. My husband and I were at our dear friends’ house for dinner and it was a Saturday night. The last thing I wanted to do was moan and groan to our friends about my sharp, debilitating pains, so I just tried to tough it out, knowing we’d be heading home soon.

Once we finished dinner, I gave the “look” to my husband and he knew it was time to say adieu. Immediately in the car, I said “Will you do a Google search for ‘sharp pains in your right side during pregnancy?’”

Of course, being the concerned hubby he is, he said “Well, shouldn’t we just call your doctor, babe?”

“No, no,” I protested. “I just want to see if this feeling is common during pregnancy before I bug my doctor on a Saturday night.”

Rolling his eyes at me, he acquiesced with my request, and sure enough, within a minute, he was reading to me about “round ligament pain” and describing the symptoms and the explanations, and I immediately felt at ease. What he read was exactly what I was feeling. Even though I was still having the pain, which felt like quick jabs to the appendix, I felt so much better knowing this is a common thing during pregnancy as your round ligaments expand to make room for the baby.

There are so many new, strange, and often uncomfortable things happening to my body during pregnancy, so it helps to know that sometimes, a quick glance on the web can help you determine when to just relax and ride it out, and when there might be something more serious occurring that would necessitate a call to the doctor.

So though I much prefer browsing my favorite online boutiques (like Twilite Moon!) when surfing the web, it’s nice to know that sometimes it can put my husband and I at ease on a Saturday night…and I am sure we’re only a few months away from Google searching the term “how to soothe a crying baby…”