Push Present

How are husbands supposed to get the memo about "Push Presents" unless their detail-oriented, diligent, and "so on top of things" wives tell them? They're not! Which is why I thoughtfully took it upon myself to give him the 411.

So ... come again? Push Present? Though pretty self-explanatory, I'll explain. Us crafty women turned labor into yet another way to eek out a fabulous gift out of our adoring men. The idea is that we're birthing THEIR baby, and thus, are deserving of a little trinket of sorts. Totally reasonable right? I initially brought it up in jest, but soon had myself absolutely convinced that I too was deserving of some little token, despite Jared's protests that OUR CHILD is gift enough. Blah, blah, blah - an amazing cherished miracle - yes, I KNOW - but mama likes her some presents too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So without further ado ... here's my (well, OUR ... I am planning on breastfeeding after all) Push Present (cuz after all, I plan on making my birth partner WORK IT too) ...

Forget jewelry (I'd just loose it or break it), forget a nice handbag (I've got a spiffy new diaper bag, after all), what I cannot wait to do is celebrate our amazing, precious daughter with a toast, featuring a nice glass of Santa Barbara Syrah! I worked in the wine biz for a few years in Santa Barbara after college and remember Qupe being incredible, and Syrah is one of Santa Barbara's pride and joys. Plus, we got an aerator for Christmas and I can't wait to use it on a nice big red! And yes - I already got a box of Milkscreen for post-wine fun. Not to worry.

Thank you hubby for being a sweetheart and helping me celebrate my wine fast with a really special bottle!

Baby Lounge

We've been working on the baby's room ... err baby lounge as we're calling it (as it's a combo baby room and office) pretty much off and on since we heard the good news. Only today - a day past her due date - are we ready to say it's 100 % complete!

The theme is architecture/city skylines, building (get it?) off of Jared's previously existing office theme. 

Here are a few pics! (P.S. - No need for a "spoiler alert" -- there were a couple monogrammed details that we took down for the photo shoot). :-)

Stage Fright

Our little one missed her Aug. 20th due date yesterday - very characteristic of Mama (who was 2 weeks late) and not so much Dada (who arrived promptly on his due date). So, looks like we've got a little Mommy's girl on the way! :-)

Biding our time at Thai food last night (the spicier the better - hey, it can't hurt!) I received the following fortune in my cookie. So THAT'S why she hasn't arrived yet! Too cute.

Baby Bump - 40 Weeks

On 'Lil Bebe's Due Date!

Los Angeles Baby Shower Highlights

I was blown away by the outpouring of love at my LA baby shower! My mom, sis and niece came from Turlock, and mother-in-law and sister-in-law flew all the way from Texas. Held at a cute little garden patio at a favorite quaint market, I was surrounded by amazing friends and family and definitely "showered" with love and gifts for lil bebe! Thanks to my sis for helping plan everything, and to Karen - best mother-in-law ever, for hosting!

Here are some highlights! (We learned from the last shower and took more photos this time!)

Hometown Baby Shower Highlights

Baby Bump - 39 Weeks

Having some fun with the 39-week bump pic. And yes, that's non-alcoholic beer. I figured I've waiting this long ... plus - I seriously can't taste the difference at this point!

Pregnant in Heels

Inspired by a meeting with KTLA-TV this afternoon - and the desire to be 2 inches taller and feel human again - I paired a work dress with my favorite pair of Calvin Klein pointy-toed silver heels (but of course wore my comfy TOMS until I set foot into work - I'm not THAT crazy).

And I couldn't help but be reminded of (and mourn) BRAVO's "Pregnant in Heels" - a short-lived reality show about a pregnancy concierge in Manhattan (I heart you Rosie Pope despite your ridiculous lisp and accent!). Undeterred by the ridiculousness of the show - from baby naming focus groups to in-hospital full-on hair and make-up teams that ready post-birth mamas for picture time - I truly enjoyed it and wish it were still on-air (I guess I don't have enough guilty pleasures? Well, I've weaned myself from The Bachelor, so that's open to debate).

So it got me to thinking ... hey! I've got some spin-off ideas based on my journey! For your amusement ....

• Pregnant on the 405 (the documentary)
• Pregnant in a Stick Shift (the game show)
• Pregnant with the Flu (from Hell) (Exorcist IV)
• Pregnant in an Apartment with No Elevator (the tragedy)
• Pregnant and Caffeinated (because "half caff" isn't as catchy) (a Lifetime special)
• Pregnant and Hormonal (the chick flick)
• Pregnant and Clueless (the drama)
• Pregnant at the Dentist (a "Dateline" exclusive on the ills of our nation's health insurance)
• Pregnant at Work (the soap opera)
• Pregnant at Disneyland (the family comedy)
• Pregnant with Shingles (an episode of Dr. Oz)
• Pregnant in Flats (the "girl next door" spin-off to "Pregnant in Heels")

Watermelon Time!

It's My Baby, I Can Cry if I Want To!

If I may say so myself, I've been relatively even-keeled throughout this pregnancy. Jared may have a slightly different take - which he's welcome to share with the rest of the class - but in my expert opinion, emotional outbursts, unrealistic expectations and overall grouchiness has been kept to a minimum.

That is, I fear, until now. At nearly 38 weeks pregnant, carrying around 30 additional pounds, while enduring August temperatures, aches and pains and difficulty sleeping - my stability, perkiness and overall smiley demeanor may have met its expiration date. All good excuses, but let us also not forget that hormones wreak havoc on you during pregnancy, too!

Which leads me to my Top 10 list of things that have made me - or almost made me - cry in the last week, spanning the truly legitimate to the truly ridiculous.

1. A breaking news child abduction announcement on Nancy Grace (why do I watch that show anyway!?)
2. Sorting the baby’s microscopic onesies and socks for the laundry (So. So. Small. Wow.)
3. Jared innocently asking, "What's for dinner?"
4. Merciless kicks from the baby (which are now being described as “burrowing movements” in my pregnancy books) while driving a stick shift no less!
5. Thinking about the children helped at a Salvation Army Back-to-School shopping spree, including a shy teenage boy who was interviewed by a local radio station that I lined up.
6. A certain Pampers commercial (gets me every time).
7. Fifteen-minute convo with a super mean reporter (who shall remain nameless). 
8. Discovering Jared had cutely rearranged the baby’s stuffed animals on the bookshelf. 
9. Feeling the baby move, which is always comforting and a source of joy, and thinking to myself - only 2 more weeks. Obviously I'm excited to meet her face-to-face, but I'm REALLY going to miss this. Strangely and surprisingly overcome by emotion.
10. Being surrounded by 20 precious babies at a Breastfeeding Support Group that my friend Wendy invited me to. I am certain I've never been around that many infants at one time, and it was surreal, amazing, terrifying and wonderful all at once. 

Major props and thanks to everyone supporting me during this emotional and unpredictable time!

Baby Bump - 37 Weeks

37 weeks pregnant, enjoying a relaxing weekend at the Langham in Pasadena!