This is a photo of me holding my baby sister, Laurie, when I was five years old…
….um, hopefully I can learn a few more skills before my own baby gets here!
Like Mother, Like Daughter February 23, 2012
In addition to my baby book and photo albums, my mom also saved her little pregnancy journal from when she was pregnant with me. I never knew she had it until I started asking her all kinds of questions about her experience (um, she had three kids without drugs… she’s crazy).
Lots of fun stuff in there. She documented her fears about miscarriage, her questions for the doctor and the first time the baby (me!) kicked. It was also interesting to learn that I was expected to arrive a month after I actually did.
She also referred to me as “The Little Guy” which I think is hilarious. Apparently they thought I was a boy.
Oh, and then there is this little detail.. she only gained 23 pounds during the entire pregnancy… whaaa???? I’ve already gained about 14 and I still have four months to go. Yikes!
I don’t think she kept a journal like this when she was pregnant with my two sisters. Since I’m the oldest, I must have been keeping her too busy to do so. (Sorry Mikaela and Laurie!) But I’m sure someday they will find this book useful as well. It’s been fun to “share” this journey with my mom in a way through her own writing.
In the back of the book is a fun “guide to pregnancy”. It’s funny how many things have changed over the years.
I’ve been keeping a journal as well. I write in it a few times a month and write letters to the baby and share my thoughts and experiences. Maybe he or she will be interested to read it someday. It helps me feel more connected to the baby as well. Getting excited to meet him or her!!
Lake Tahoe: A Prairie Walk February 22, 2012
On Sunday, we made plans to have a quiet day in Tahoe, everyone split up to do their own thing and we made plans to catch up with one of Irving’s high school friends and his girlfriend. At first, we tried to grab lunch at a place we found on Yelp called Lake Taco. We thought the name was hilarious and searched and searched for it… turns out, it’s basically a beach hut that is only open in the summer. Fail.
So we ended up at a place up the street called Margaritas. It was pretty good, though I just had a basic quesadilla with some rice and guac. 
And then we drove to a walking path and took it wherever the trail led us, which happened to be this gorgeous sprawling marsh (looked like a prairie though!) 
I’m sure that on an average year, this place is packed with snow, but it has been a strange year, and it became the perfect place for a winter hike. 
PS.. major points for being able to zip my winter coat! It was a tight fit, but me and the baby were able to stay warm!
Friends for almost 20 years! 
We had a blast with these guys, wish we lived closer! 
We tried to get some artsy pictures, but the sun was so high in the sky the shadows were tough. 
Notice the mittens? They’re from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics!
As we kept walking, our terrain turned from Marsh to Beach! Lake Tahoe is amazing. So picturesque and everywhere you look has a fabulous view. 
I wanted so badly to make a snowman next to a sandcastle. But it was a little too cold. 
That night, Irving went out to hang with his friends again and Erica and I headed to the Casino to grab a buffet dinner. It was fabulous. I wasn’t sure what I was in the mood for, so assembling a plate of randoms (mac & cheese, salad, bok choy, etc!) seemed perfect. I have to really be in the mood for a buffet, but this one hit the spot. The soft serve for dessert was heaven too!
The next day, everyone hit the slopes at Heavenly to ski and I stayed in bed til after noon! Can’t remember the last time I did that! But I wasn’t feeling that great and felt a cold coming on, so I used the time to rest up. I went to the doctor yesterday and turns out I actually have an infection in my lungs that is causing the most annoying cough. It’s been a rough week, but I’m hoping it goes away soon. Every time I cough I apologize to the baby for the earthquake it must be causing in there!
Anyways, looks like everyone had a great time on the mountain though! 
Check out the views they had of the lake from up there too! Jealous! 
On the way out, we grabbed dinner at the Hard Rock Café and then hit the road back home to LA. 8 more hours in the car! It was a fabulous weekend away, and one of the last ones until the baby comes!
Lake Tahoe: Where is all the Snow? February 20, 2012
We had an excellent weekend up in Lake Tahoe. The weather was amazing…blue skies and not ridiculously freezing. In fact, it was so nice that Tahoe has barely any snow! Usually by this time of year they have at least a four foot base, but sadly there was not much white stuff to be seen.
Irving went up skiing on Saturday with a group of friends who were up there for a Bachelor/Bachelorette party and Erica and I got an awesome tour of the area by Jake and Janie. 
A lot of the roads that are usually closed off this time of year were open because of the dry conditions. We got a (normally off-limits) view of Emerald Bay! 
Still got a taste of the snow though. there were patches of it throughout. 
Thank you to J&J for the history behind Tahoe and all the little known secrets of the area. So fun! 
From there, we headed down to the beach to see the lake up close. So strange to see snow along the sand. 
I think these ducks were a little confused though. That water was near freezing! 
Get warm, little ducks! 
Later, we headed into town a bit. First stop, a cute bakery that smelled delicious. I didn’t get anything, but next time, for sure! 
And then a pitstop for lunch at the Red Hut Café. 
Such a cute place! There are three locations in Tahoe now. 
Everyone ordered salads…. and I ordered the grilled cheese (with tomato and avocado, of course). 
To digest, we headed over the border to the Nevada casinos to get a view of the village. 
A little while later, Erica and I went back to the village to window shop and then stopped for some hot cocoa right under the Gondola. 
Can’t beat the view! 
This was also the stop for yesterday’s bump photos!
Once the sun started to set, it got cold so we started to head back to the hotel. 
It was an awesome day, felt like a world away from LA. 
Stay tuned for part 2!
I Flew Across the Country for Hoodsie Cups! January 17, 2012
This past weekend I traveled back home to Boston for a few days. Flights were SO CHEAP! I scored a deal on Jetblue that came to about $99 each way plus tax! Couldn’t say no! I was so glad that I did. It was nice to see family and friends and have absolutely no plans. There was no big event or reason for my visit, so everything was relaxed and fun and I got to spend some time with some of my favorites.
I crashed and took a 2 hour nap when I got home, and then met up with my mom, grandmother and sister for lunch at an Irish Pub nearby. It was so fun to have a girls lunch and catch up. That alone was worth the plane ticket.
And for dessert… I ordered a Hoodsie Cup!!!! If you’re not from New England, you have probably never had one of these, but it’s SO GOOD! I crave them on the west coast and was happy to introduce the baby to the joy of Hoodsies. =)
In the afternoon, Mom and I ventured to Buy Buy Baby to do some research. I was numb by the end, so many decisions to make! How do you know what kind of crib/car seat/stroller/high chair/bottles/etc/etc/etc you need?! I walked away with the Baby Bargains book (it was on my to-do list this week anyways!) so hopefully that will help in some of those decisions. It was so fun though and got me so excited to meet the little one.
On Sunday, I helped my mom clean up her computer (she downloaded a virus. sigh). It took all day to get it all straight again, but it was nice because in between we played games of scrabble and went shopping. Things I really never get to do with my mom when I come home for Christmas or something.
In the evening I met up with my high school friends for an awesome dinner at a place a few towns over. I miss these girls so much and it was awesome to spend a whole night with them. Hi Steph and Court!
Katie is 6 weeks ahead of me and it was fun to compare notes. =) Wish we lived closer! But maybe our kids can be pen pals some day!
After dinner, we watched the Golden Globes…. and had another Hoodsie Cup!!!!! Yes. They are that good.
Monday morning I got the pleasure of having breakfast with this guy!!! I can’t believe how big he has gotten, he was a little man, entertaining us while we ate. I gave him lots of kisses and hugs and in return he gave me tons of smiles and giggles.
His momma and I also enjoyed a morning of scrabble, laughing and trying on maternity clothes (I’m a lucky girl, she gave me so many shirts!) One morning is never enough, but I was happy to be able to hang out!!
And that was it! The weekend went by way too fast but it was one of the best.
Living far away is tough, but if you scoop up good deals when you can, it’s do-able. Although I think my parents were much too sad to see me leave this time. I’ll be back soon though!
My flight was an hour delayed leaving Boston, but Jetblue made up for it with free movies on board. Add that to the free checked bag and empty seat next to me and all was forgiven. (Take note US AIR!)
I skipped Yoga last night. I was so sad because I had been looking forward to it, but I was jetlagged and just exhausted from the trip. I have to start listening to my body I suppose. Plus it was the kind of night where you break a glass in the sink and then have to fight back tears (yea, I was tired). But I feel much better today and all is right in the world.
Kelocity.com 