2.23.15 - Jack's breathing machine

Jack has done a couple sleep studies to find out why he snores so intensely and gets such unsatisfying sleep. They think he has sleep apnea and last week they lent him a trial breathing machine to see if it helped. It's been wonderful! Not only does he not snore at all anymore, he wakes up rested and alert even after 6 hours or so (as opposed to before when he could sleep nearly 10 hours and still feel exhausted). Today he woke up energetic and we cleaned the apartment together and then finally did our video tour of the whole thing. I love getting stuff done with him, and it's much easier when he's not tired all the time. I hope we can get a permanent machine soon (and I hope insurance helps cover it!)

2.22.15 - 2nd Hospital Tour

Yesterday morning Jack and I went for a hospital tour of the Kaiser women and children’s department in Roseville. I’d been on the tour before but I wanted Jack to take it before Clara is born so he knows where everything is already. We got to see how to drop off the laboring mom, how the guy should check in and get past security, where triage, labor & delivery, and postpartum areas are, and so on. It’s a really nice hospital, new and well organized. Jack was impressed with the size of the labor rooms (as was I when I first saw them).

There were maybe 10 couples total taking the tour. I noticed Jack was one of the more physically affectionate of the guys, and I thought that was sweet. He kept rubbing my tummy or the back of my neck or holding my hand. Asking me if I needed to sit, and helping push me up when I got up from sitting. He was just a sweetheart the whole time, and he seemed very excited about the entire thing.

On a related note, every time we run errands now, when we get home he won’t let me carry anything into the apartment. He grabs all of the bags (groceries or whatever else) himself even when it’s ridiculous, and as I’m slowly waddling to the apartment he runs past me laughing maniacally. He calls me a sucker and says he wins, it’s pretty hilarious. Walking up stairs 39 weeks pregnant is tricky enough but it’s trickier when you’re laughing.

2.11.15 - ECV

This morning Jack and I (and Clara) went in for the ECV. I’ll cut to the chase: it went great. The procedure itself took less than two minutes and didn’t hurt too bad. But backing up…

Before we even left several friends (Renata, Molly, Erin) contacted me to tell me they were thinking of me or praying for me or to wish me good luck. It was comforting.

Jack drove us. Everything feels more tiring now so I like it that Jack likes to drive when we’re together. We left 45 mins in advance even though it’s only supposed to be a 20 min drive, and I’m glad we did because we got a little lost for a min and still got there before 9:30am with time to check in.

I changed into a hospital gown and Jack joined me (he’d been at admittance). They set up a fetal heart monitor and a heart monitor for me. The doctor came in and introduced himself and he was very chill and easy to talk to. He did an ultrasound and confirmed Clara was still breech. He showed me how hard he’d be pressing on my abdomen most likely, and it didn’t seem that bad at all. I was relieved.

Then a nurse (named Julie!) came in and set up and IV for me. It was strange to feel the cold sensation going up my arm. I’ve never had an IV before. She also gave me a shot of medicine to relax the uterus. They said the medicine would make my heart speed up but it never felt like it did.

We had to wait 20 minutes for the medicine to kick in, plus they have to monitor Clara’s heartbeat 20-40 minutes before the procedure for a non-stress test. Anytime Clara kicked or moved her heart monitor made loud whooshing sounds. It’s amazing how much the auditory part enhanced the feeling of the kicks, and Jack and I kept smiling and laughing. She was getting super active leading up to the procedure, which apparently is good because it makes it easier to move her.

Eventually the doctor and a nurse came in. They put by bed all the way back and then confirmed via ultrasound where Clara’s head and heart were, etc. The nurse told me to take deep breaths if it got uncomfortable. She said she had had an ECV done successfully and deep breaths helped. I also found that reassuring.

Anyway so they finally got started. I was fairly nervous. Jack held my hand. The doctor put one hand by Clara’s head and another by her bottom and started rotating her. It mostly just felt like odd pressure, but then it did start to hurt a bit. But she basically cooperated with him and in less than two minutes she was head-side down! So whatever pain there was wasn’t that bad because it was so brief. Ha!

The nurse re-set up the fetal heart monitor and we had another 20-40 minutes of tracking Clara to make sure she was not in distress or anything. Jack reckoned she’s more comfortable now that her head has a bit more space. The nurse brought me ice water and grape juice which Jack basically served to me because I had IVs and things on both my hands, plus I was at a weird angle. It was really sweet of him. He also texted all of both of our immediate families to let them know the procedure went well.

It didn’t seem like long before the doctor came back in and said we’re good to go. Jack helped me sit up and get dressed. He even put my socks on for me. He’s such a sweetheart, so eager to be supportive. We listened to cheerful music on the way home and then I made us lunch as he got ready for work. He was very upbeat, singing in the shower and hugging me a lot. J

I also got a lot of support from my dear FB community again, which always makes me feel good!

Later in the day Dad called to check in and see how everything went, which was nice. I told him all of the above and we talked about what it will be like to go from no-kids to a kid (compared to having one kid to then two, etc.) It's all very exciting!

2.10.15 - Clara's going home outfit

Tonight I put together a hospital bag so we can grab it and go if/when I go into labor. I included an outfit for Clara to wear home from the hospital: a newborn onesie with ducks on it, newborn pants with horizontal yellow and white stripes, some little socks, and the hat Merlene gave me that Jack himself wore home from the hospital as a newborn. I showed Jack all these tiny little clothes packed for Clara, and he laughed and was delighted. I’m so happy about how happy he is about all this. Plus it is cute to imagine that even these tiny clothes might seem big on her at first, haha.

2.5.15 - Mommy2Mommy

Today I'm grateful for the Mommy2Mommy group I'm in on Facebook. It's a secret group, which, in the Facebook world, means that no one can see it except the people in it, and no one can see what you post in it. This morning I had a checkup but my doctor was out sick, so I saw a midwife I've never seen before. One of the first things she asked is why I've gained so much weight in my pregnancy. I explained my doctor has previously told me not to worry about my weight unless she tells me to, and she hasn't said anything so I've tried not to worry. The midwife seemed to disagree and talked to me about how I could slow my gain. The conversation made me feel very bad (though I don't think that was her intention) because I already feel awkward and unattractive and gross as is.

However, I posted about it in the Mommy2Mommy group and got tons of support. As of now over 60 comments from women explaining they gained as much or more than I've gained in their pregnancies, and their doctors weren't worried about it, and they were able to lose the weight post-birth within different time frames. Many women encouraged me to listen to my doctor, not the midwife, and to rest assured that, as long as my blood pressure is good and I don't have other medical issues, the weight gain isn't cause for alarm--my body is doing what it needs to for the pregnancy.

I've been reading the comments as they keep coming in for the last 9 hours, and it has made me feel very supported and normal and reassured. So I am really grateful for that group.

Each of my parents and Jack were also reassuring, so that helped. I'm really glad to have so much support.

2014 Date Nights

1. Jan 8 - Temple Coffee & Tea
2. Jan 13 - American Hustle
3. Jan 20 - Frozen (drive-in)
4. Jan 27 - Sushi Unlimited
5. Feb 5 - Izakaya
6. Feb 10 - Leatherby's
7. Feb 17 - Chicago Fire Pizza
8. Feb 20 - Elephant Bar
9. Feb 26 - BreadCo
10. Mar 7 - Ju Hachi
11. Mar 13 - The Rink & Farrell's, very nostalgic
12. Mar 18 - Elephant Bar
13. Mar 24 - In & Out and Grand Budapest
14. April 5 - Starbucks and walk around Capitol Park
15. April 14 - GOT MARRIED
16. April 21 - Elephant Bar
17. May 15 - Neighbors (drive-in)
18. May 19 - Sushi Unlimited
19. May 30 - Elephant Bar
20. May 31 - In & Out
21. June 6 - X-men: Days of Future Past
22. June 11 - Sterling Bridges (gastropub)
23. June 18 - Edge of Tomorrow (only ones in the theater!)
24. June 19 - Yogurt Agogo
25. June 28 - Sterling Bridges
26. July 12 - Leatherby's
27. July 15 - Burgers & Brew
28. July 30 - Farell's
29. Aug 13 - Starlite Lounge
30. Aug 18 - Yogurt Agogo
31. Aug 21 - Guardians of the Galaxy
32. Aug 27 - 3 Fires Lounge
33. Sept 10 - Arthur Henry Supper Club (with Mike and Shannon)
34. Sept 12 - Gunther's
35. Sept 18 - Burgers & Brew
36. Sept 28 - Starbucks hot chocolate
37. Oct 2 - Burgers & Brew
38. Oct 5 - BreadCo
39. Oct 9 - Elephant Bar
40. Oct 15 - Starlite Lounge
41. Oct 22 - Burgers & Brew
42. Oct 26 - Gunther's
43. Nov 9 - The Tea Cup House
44. Dec 3 - Sawasdee Thai food
45. Dec 8 - In & Out and Mockingjay pt 1
46. Dec 10 - Cheesecake Factory (celebrate my health)
47. Dec 11 - Elephant Bar

1.21.15 - Hospital Tour & Baby Supplies

Last night I went to a late pregnancy class followed by a tour of the hospital where I'll be having Clara. The tour was both reassuring and exciting. The hospital is pretty new and very nice. Every labor room and postpartum room has only one bed (no shared rooms) with bathroom attached. There's a pantry on the postpartum floor for families to store food and access it easily when the new mom and baby are staying a few days. There's of course a nursery for new babies, but the tour guide explained that the nursery is usually pretty empty because our provider strongly encourages moms and babies to room in for the first few days and get used to each other, get a lot of skin-to-skin contact and bonding time. I like the sound of that. The postpartum rooms have chairs that fold out into small beds for the mom's support person (usually the husband) to sleep in if he wants to stay over night.

The late pregnancy instructor also gave us a printed list of supplies to pack in our hospital bags so we're ready to go come the big day. I've added it to my to do list.

With only 5 and a half weeks left (or so), I just can't believe how drastically mine and Jack's lives are about to change in the next month or two. I try to imagine what it will feel like and I can't, really. I just feel sort of awe-struck.

This morning Jack and I went shopping for the remaining baby supplies we hadn't already gotten through our baby showers. Happily, the gift cards we got through the baby showers covered the expenses. It was pretty fun shopping together for tiny little clothes and wash clothes and the like. I think we have everything we'll need for the first 3-4 months. Now it's just a matter of getting it all organized in our rather snug apartment. I've been hitting lab so hard the last couple weeks I haven't put much time into the apartment at all, but I hope to have a chance next week. I'm looking forward to it.

Uptown funk!

1.11.15 - Baby Showers

Yesterday was our third and last baby shower. The first was in Metropolis with much of Jack’s extended family. It included cupcakes and sunflowers and a lot of gifts from people I’d hardly met before. It was sweet but strange. 

Grandma makes cupcakes while hockey plays in the background.

They even got sunflowers for the spread - my favorite! :)

The second shower was in Missouri with more of our immediate families and good MO friends. It included Head’s Up, baby bottle beer chug, the balloon ribbon tie race, and the safety pin don’t-say-"baby" game, as well as Merlene’s delicious sliders, Ellen and Everett's cheesy potatoes, Neil's (?) fruit salad, and more cupcakes. It was a lot of fun, though big enough I didn’t really get a chance to talk to a lot of people. Julie and Merlene ran the whole thing: Merlene provided a big, clean house and much of the food, and Julie instructed people on games and where to put gifts and how to set up, etc. Both of them told me later they felt like it was surprisingly easy to do, so I guess tag-team hosting works. :)

Setting up. Note more cupcakes.

Baby bottle beer chug winner (left) and milker (right)

Zoey wants to get in on Head's Up action.

The final baby shower was in San Francisco with our CA friends, including people from my forensics program, old study partners from CCSF and Berkeley, ex-co workers, and all sorts. It was a good turn out—not quite as large as the MO party but large enough to feel like a party and still be manageable.

Merlene and her two sisters had hosted the Metropolis party. Julie (and Merlene) ran the MO party. But I didn’t really have a lieutenant to run the CA party, and I was kind of regretting having set it up in the first place. I was tired from the trip to MO and not sure how to keep people from being bored at the CA party; I didn’t feel like I had the energy to plan much. However, my friends really came through. Erin, Janice, Julianna, Sarah, Ellen, and Bryon all got there early to help set up. They made a ton of delicious food (spinach artichoke dip, chicken wings, oreo-stuffed chocolate cupcakes, etc) and they helped me get and set up the supplies for the same games from the MO trip, plus decorating onesies. They all participated enthusiastically in the games and they helped clean up at the end too. I barely had to clean anything, and neither did Jack!

(Julianna makes queso dip, and Sarah is short.)

The finished onesies. So creative!

 Oh, that’s another thing. I had originally thought Jack wouldn’t be able to go to the shower, but he managed to rearrange his schedule to go, which meant a lot to me. The price he paid, though, was that he had to work at midnight after the shower. So I let him sleep in as long as possible – until about 20 mins before the shower started at 2pm – and then he went to lay down for a couple more hours as the guests we’re leaving. And it worked out fine because I had so much help cleaning up it wasn’t a problem at all.

Baby bottle beer chug: Ben won.

Balloon ribbon tie race: Julianna won.

On top of all that, Janice, Erin, and Rachel still got me baby shower gifts too! Almost everyone did, which I wasn’t really expecting.

Maurader's Map blanket from Janice, Erin, and Rachel!

A cuddly common cold from Kale, haha.

I had a great time. I enjoyed hearing people laugh so hard at Head’s Up. I thought the balance of guests there worked out great to where everyone knew a few other people they could talk to and no one was sitting silent or bored. They got into the games, and really into decorating the onesies, which I love. It was actually a very easy, fun party.

So now I’ve had three baby showers basically thrown by a bunch of people who care about Jack and me, and both having the showers themselves and receiving all the gifts we’ve gotten has been really touching. We have a nice fund set aside to buy supplies for Clara, and people have gotten us a lot of the principle supplies already anyway. Overall I just feel well taken care of and loved, and I also feel reassured, especially by the CA baby shower, that even though Jack and I are far from family, we have a lot of people here who care about us and can help us transition into parenthood.

1.7.15 - Alien

Last night I rolled my shirt up and took slow deep breaths, and as I exhaled Jack and I could see little movements along my huge stomach. It made him laugh every time. In one instance she had a slow but longer, larger movement which looked disturbingly and hilariously like the movie Alien. Jack rested his chin against one part of my stomach and just stared at the rest, watching her move. He was delighted. I continually feel lucky to have a partner who is so actively happy about this pregnancy.

One of the shots from our maternity shoot last Sunday - children's section of a library worked great!

MO Trip - Zoey and Malcolm

It was great to get to spend more time with my niece and nephew. They are both adorable in their own ways, plus I like being with Malcolm so I can think about what I'm doing taking care of a baby. Julie or Denny would bring the kids over to Mom's every couple of days, and sometimes they'd stay all day. My siblings and I took turns playing with them - with Malcolm you pretty much just move him around a lot and hold him high in the air and smile at him, and he's pretty content.

With Zoey we played with blocks, Duplos, and Ja-ma's (Mom's) Christmas puzzles (a lot). Zoey has nearly memorized some of them and can do them by herself for the most part.

Taking Baby Jesus for a ride on the choo choo.

At some point Julie put Zoey down for a nap in Mom's room. After a few minutes Everett and I heard, from the living room, a tiny voice yelling cheerfully "Hewwo! Hewwwooooo! Hewwo!" under the bedroom door. Guess she wasn't tired yet.

Proud to tell me "Z is for Zoey!" She also explained that Bear is holding the Z block.

Zoey still has trouble with the "y" sounds in "yeah," "yes," and "yay." She uses "w" sounds instead, resulting in her saying "w-eah" all the time--so often, in fact, that I find myself thinking "w-eah" whenever anyone says "yeah." We asked her if she can say "yeah" but she claims she cannot. I'm sure that will change soon enough.

Listening, enthralled, as Ja-Ma reads to her.

I noticed that Malcolm will get more interested and "talkative" if I have him around the boys. I wonder if he's just used to seeing women more often (his mom, Ja-Ma, me, Ellen...) and so men are a curiosity to him? But that doesn't make much sense, because he sees Denny all the time. In any case sometimes I would hold him just under his arms and he'd flail his arms and legs toward either Neil or Everett, whomever we were facing. It was pretty funny.

This guy can't quite smile and eat simultaneously, but he still tries.

Ellen discovered that Malcolm really loves to be physically higher than everyone else. He laughs and tries to shove both his fists in his mouth (his sign of ultimate happiness) when you toss him in the air. He also gets a big grin on his face whenever Ellen holds him, standing, on top of the back of the couch. She puts him up there and says "Tall baby! Yaaaay!" and he smiles and smiles. It's too cute.

Sink bath!

Denny also showed us that if he tickles Malcolm's knees a certain way, Malcolm laughs this deep (for a baby) kind of guttural laugh that sounds almost like an old man "heh heh heh"-ing. It's hilarious.

Admiring his sister's stacking abilities.

It was great getting to see the kiddies so often. They make the house a little messier and chaotic, but it's well worth the cuteness and bonding time. :)

12.26.14 - Paper Game!

We played the Paper Game a lot during this trip. And it mostly ended up like this:

There were several times when I laughed so hard I felt like I was pulling stomach muscles and had to try to hold myself still. Such an easy way to have a great time.

12.25.14 - Christmas Day!

I woke up earlier than everyone except Mom, which I seem to usually do when visiting home. I hung out with her one-on-one for awhile. She made everyone eggs, bacon, and buttered bread and set out a bowl of clementines. It kind of reminded me of the breakfast in Little Women ("Isn't butter divinity??")

Grandma and her mini-me.

Neil, Ellen, and Everett got up one by one and we all started helping with the list Mom had printed of cleaning to get done before the party. It was pretty easy with so much help. Neil and I had a rousing conversation about one of the best movies ever, Warrior, while I was cleaning the kitchen and he was cleaning the living room. We got everything done with an hour to spare before people started coming over. It was a relatively stress-free set up. 

The festive red-and-green couple.

Most of Mom's family ended up coming over. There was a brief moment of panic (secretly, just for Everett and me) when Grandma didn't bring cheesy potatoes, but it turned out Uncle Mark had it covered. Whew. And Mike & Laura brought their pasta house salad, which I love. So much good food. 

Mistletoe kisses with the kiddies.

Zoey and Damien play as a team with the elliptical.

I chatted with people in the living room and basement for awhile, but eventually I settled in the living room to play 5 Crowns with Everett, Ellen, and Mom (I think). After a couple rounds we dealt Uncle Mark in, and later Mom wanted to play with Zoey so Linda took Mom's place. It was a great game--Ellen and Mark were neck-and-neck for most of it, and Mark was pretty into it, which we appreciate. Everett was losing terribly the entire time, but he was a good sport about it, and it made it funny every time I read the scores in order because he was always so far behind. 

Neil can't take all the excitement.

Playing or at least watching 5 Crowns.

Not long before the game ended, we were surprised by a visit from not only our cousin Suzanne, but also our cousins Andy and Angela and their spouses. I went in the basement and talked with them for awhile, and it was really enjoyable.

Throughout the day people remarked on Clara, insisted I look fabulous, and asked if they could touch my belly. Strange to think next time I see most of them I'll have a baby in hand.

Finally got Everett & Ellen to really smile by taking a pic behind my huge stomach.

Everyone wants to hold the baby.

I know Jack got to Skype with his family, and I did get to talk to him for a bit that night, though we were both kind of tired. Overall it was a pretty nice day.

12.24.14 - Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a little quieter this year than previous years. Denny and the kids were at Mel's and Jack is out of town, so it was just the 5 siblings and Mom. It was kind of nice though - simple and peaceful. 

Mom made pot roast for dinner and all of us (except Julie, who wasn't over yet) ate in the kitchen. We tried to light the Advent wreath with hilariously failed results, and Ellen made a big deal about getting to blow out the two lit candles at the end (an homage to when we were kids and really cared about who got to blow out which candles). 

Both while Mom was cooking and after dinner Ellen kept bugging Everett to wrap the gifts they'd gotten Mom, and they started joking about how he needed to do some "rapping" and making a hand gesture like record scratching and laughing every time. Bunch of dorks.

Once Julie came over we lined up to do our gift exchange with Mom videotaping, but before we could count to three Everett was...pretending to eat his gift I think? For some reason?...and I reached over quickly and poked him in the mouth! That was hilarious.

Victory.

Then we finally counted to three and switched. :)

Neil had me and got me gift cards to Starbucks and Panera. I had Julie and got her stuff to make soy Chai lattes at home, plus a Groupon gift card for a date night with Denny. Julie got Everett cash but presented it in a very elaborate and colorful box filled with boxes she made. Everett got Ellen and gave her a special hand lotion she loves plus a Starbucks gift card. Ellen had Neil and got him a switch blade, which he has been playing with ever since.

After we exchanged we had Mom open her gifts and we (relatively quickly) opened the rest of our own. Mom got me a bunch of craft stuff, which is awesome, including an entire set of sewing supplies for the sewing machine Jack intends to set up in our living room. Now I just have to learn how to sew. :-P I made Mom some DVDs with as many Zoey home videos as I could fit on them. Mom also got Julie like 6 or 7 boxes of contact solution but wrapped each box separately. I think it's sweet how much Mom likes wrapping gifts, plus she's really good at it.

Then we quickly got ready to go and drove the ridiculously short distance to All Saints. I rode in Julie's car, partially because she has auto start and her car was already kind of warm.

Julie waiting outside the church for Mom & the other sibs.

As we walked inside, I remembered why I like going to midnight mass still, after all these years. The church was dimly lit with Christmas lights all over the altar and in some trees around the front. The balcony choir was in the middle of singing one of my favorite Christmas hymns, O Holy Night. And I really get something out of the familiarity of going back to All Saints. The murals and stained glass and statues have been the same since I was a child, and in a way it's like coming home to go to mass there again.

Christmas decor at All Saints.

Unfortunately I never took a much-needed nap before we went to mass, so I was getting sleepy before the service even started. By the time the service was over I felt like I was barely on my feet. I'm still glad we stayed to get a sibling photo though:

12.23.14 - Picasso's & G&G's

I borrowed Everett's car and picked up Julie from Mel's house. I saw Zoey briefly, and when she saw my purse she asked me for "dum" (gum). I don't have any--she must associate gum with purses because of Ja-Ma. She didn't seem to believe me so I let her look suspiciously in my purse, haha.

Then it was a short drive to Main Street on a not-too-chilly day to have a soy Chai latte (Julie) and a Mona Snicker mocha (me) while sitting at the bar and watching people out the window.

The mocha, with the foam leaf and some whipped cream!

We don't get a chance to visit one-on-one much, both because we live in different states and, nowadays, because she has two kids that keep her pretty busy. It was nice to just sit and talk, mostly about families and marriage, since we increasingly share the two as major issues in our lives.

Julie is so happy to be at Picasso's! And back in St. Charles.

I love that Julie and I have made Picasso's a tradition. It's such an enjoyable coffee house with coffee-themed remakes of famous works of art and a cozy atmosphere and delicious food. Plus Main Street in general is pretty cute and it was nice to get to see at least a bit of it. But mostly I'm glad we have a tradition that allows us to get some one-on-one time.

After dropping Julie back off, I stopped by Mom's for a quick bite and then went to Grandma and Grandpa's for another one-on-one (or two-on-one?) visit. The last two years I've visited with them for close to 5 hours, which I've really enjoyed, but this year I had other stuff I needed to try to get done so I only ("only") stayed for 3 hours. It was still really nice. 

We just sat in the front room--I got to sit in their new, incredibly comfy TV chair complete with cup holders--and we chatted the whole time. At one point Clara was moving and Grandma got to feel her kick 3-4 times! That was delightful. I also notice I love telling them and other people stories about Jack either being funny or sweet and supportive. And I love when I can really make someone laugh, especially someone who doesn't normally laugh a lot (Mom doesn't count--she's so easy. :-P)

12.22.14 - My siblings crack me up!

12.21.14 - Cancun trip

Jill was right. The ocean was really beautiful. These different shades of blues, and sometimes purples, got darker and darker as the ocean got deeper. Near sunset the clouds were also shades of purple. One of my favorite parts of the first few days was just going and sitting near the water and listening to the waves. One day Jill and I just stood in the surf and talked for a long time, and it was so pleasant. Some nights after Rocket fell asleep I’d sit on our room’s balcony and listen to and watch the waves at night.

Rocket in front of the colorful ocean.

I loved that the air wasn’t too hot; it was just warmly comfortable. And the water was also comfortable—not too cold for swimming. It was a little humid the last day or so we were there, which made me realize all the more how nice it had been the rest of the week.

I also loved how there were hardly any other guests at the hotel for most of our stay. In a full week I probably only shared the elevator 4-5 times. We got our pick of seats by the pool and on the beach, and usually even by the hot tub.

Our cleaning lady added nice little touches like putting a photograph I’d left out in a little stand or putting the roses we got from one dinner in a water bottle. Oh, and they always gave us new water bottles. Plenty of water.

The shower was really nice too. Great pressure, great heat.  A lot of hotel showers have weak water pressure which, with my hair, can be frustrating. This shower felt wonderful. Plus I brought my own ample shampoo and conditioner since I had to check a bag anyway. That helps.

Oh, and it was great having a big, soft, California King-sized bed to myself every night. Tons of space. A pillow on either side to hold. I slept like a rock. That was nice.

It was good spending so much time with Rocket. Sure, sometimes he’s a little contradictory or whiny, but not terribly and he correct quickly. He’s generally a good and obedient kid, and pretty cute. I liked the little routines we established. We’d brush our teeth at the same time, and I could see him watching how I brushed mine and trying to imitate. He would brush his a lot longer if I was brushing mine simultaneously, apparently so we could spit together. He quickly learned to jump down from the bathroom counter on his own, and after a few days he learned how to slowly let himself down while turning around so he landed facing the counter. And every night he’d climb into his (slightly too small) crib and throw the small pillows out of it and over my laptop on the big bed. And we’d talk about how silly it was that the cleaning lady kept putting them back.

Bathrobe buddies.

I’m continually impressed with his ability to self-entertain. Pretty much if he had any one of his toy planes, helicopters, or boats—or even if he had some other small object he could “shoot” like a gun—he was set. He’d just take the toy or object all over the place and pretend to shoot, explode, or crash things, and he could do this for quite a while, easily 20 minutes at a time. That made watching him pretty easy too.

Explosion sounds.

He continually ran ahead of me to the elevators to call for them. Then we’d guess which of the two elevators would show up first. He also liked to press the buttons inside—he could only reach the lobby- and pool-level buttons on his own; sometimes I held him up to hit level 5 (our floor), but I got over that. He also started hitting the close door button, sometimes in a hurry to hit it before the doors closed fully on their own. Some of the cuter moments were when we were going from our hotel room to the pool, and he’d be standing in the elevator in just his swim trunks and goggles (already on and ready to go) holding his inner tube, all set. I wish I’d gotten a picture of that!

I also showed him how to use our room key and he would run ahead and open our hotel room too. He enjoyed it, and it made things ever so slightly easier for me too.

He loved the beach (even though he seemed to forget that fact each morning). I showed him how to draw near the surf and then watch the water wash his drawings away. He drew a lot of R’s (sometimes they’d just be P’s before the water hit) and “race tracks” (vaguely circle-shaped drawings) and even some trumpets, for some reason. Sometimes he’d look for seashells. The first few days he just threw them back into the ocean, but then he wanted to save some to eventually give to Sola. One of the first days there were some older kids digging a fairly deep hole at the beach, and Rocket loved that. After they left he climbed down in it, even though he couldn’t get back out on his own. Jill helped Rocket dig his own hole (much smaller) and he seemed to enjoy standing in that too.

Rocket knew how to adjust the beach chairs’ heights, and would happily adjust any one of ours if we asked. When we were on the beach we had 4 chairs, one for each of us, but since Rocket never sat in his anyway he would stand behind it continually adjusting the height while saying it was a simulator (he’s apparently been on a simulator on an aircraft carrier in San Diego). Of course while he messed with it he made a lot more shooting sounds.

Yesterday Rocket and I spent a good 20 or 30 minutes in our hotel room playing “server”—Rocket was the server and he kept bringing me “menus” and different kinds of “food” until I insisted I was full. Then he’d pretend to sleep, softly say “cock-a-doodle-doo” and we’d both “get up” and he’d start over with breakfast foods.  Even though I didn’t order it, he’d also bring me a corn dog. And tons of Diet Coke. It was pretty cute.

12.13.14 - Hot chocolate potluck!

Today I had a bunch of friends over to play Tichu, make Christmas cards, and have a hot chocolate potluck. They came over early enough that Jack got to play a few rounds of Tichu before work, and they were still here when he had his meal break, so he came home and played a little more.

Meanwhile we had reindeer cookies and all sorts of treats to put in our hot chocolate. I used a candy cane to stir my whipped cream and marshmallows into the hot chocolate, and the candy cane added a delicious minty hint.

Some of the hot chocolate potluck supplies. Plus Tichu.

I don't have enough time to make Christmas cards for everyone this year. Rather than make only one or two Christmas cards and try to pick who to give them to, I just didn't make any and made a paper wreath instead. But I didn't take a picture of it. Here are the Christmas cards other guests made.

They had an unofficial pop-up card contest and talked a lot of trash. It was pretty funny. In the end I think Rachel (far right) won, but they were all pretty good cards. It was a  nice mini-Christmas party before I left the next day for traveling the rest of the month.