Hey Baby, What's Your Sign?

So, you know what is discussed way too much? Lil boo boo's sign. I didn't think normal people really still cared about this, but apparently some do. I cannot believe how many people have asked the due date, with the immediately following question of: So what sign will he be/ So that's a Leo, right?/ So he'll be smart/stubborn/creative/enter any adjective here.

Guys, I barely know my own sign, do you really expect me to recognize all of the other signs- and not only that, but the dates in which the fall?? Beyond that, am I expected to give a crap??

Beautiful Beautiful

This weekend Gerard and I took advantage of our 3-day weekend by taking a little trip. We went to Monterey, which really was 3rd in line of our ideas. We had really wanted to go to San Diego, but the drive just wasn't practical for such a short time frame and I couldn't leave work early that Friday. So we decided to go to Yosemite, but thought of this too late, and any reasonably close hotels that allowed doggies were booked solid. So we settled on Monterey, thinking there'd be little else to do besides the famed Aquarium. Luckily, we were dead wrong. It was one of the best weekends we've had in a long time. The aquarium was even more fascinating than I had remembered, which is quite a feat being as I last went when I was 12, and what aquarium is cooler when you're an adult than a kid?? Gerard and I might as well have been middle schoolers again, standing in awe in front of the withering otters and reaching in the wade pool trying to pet the sting rays... The next planned outting was a whale watching tour, which had been highly anticipated by yours truly. I had made reservations and rearranged our schedule for this boat trip. And then we get there and I was refused entry on behalf of lil boo boo. No preggos allowed, they said. Apparently it was a two-pronged dagger against me: at any point in the trip I'd be a good two hour's from medical assistance if needed, Coast Guards would have to be called, blah blah blah. I must've looked unconvinced at this concern, because they quickly dropped this reason and stated that whales also omitted pathogens, and if I went, I'd contract TB and kill my baby. They  probably said this a bit more rationally, but it was enough to convince me, albeit reluctantly, that it was not worth spotting a whale to endanger myself or lil boo boo. But I really didn't give a damn about troubling the Coast Guard.

The experience really honed in that everything happens for a reason though- which has become G's and my motto since the whole job uncertainty scenario began back in March. The canceled whale watching trip allotted us time to go to Point Lobos State Reserve, which I had been on the fence about. I had wanted to go, but was willing to delegate only a few rushed morning hours into the itinerary. But guys, this was one of the most amazing places I've ever been. We'd already driven a fair portion of the Pacific Highway, so we thought we'd kinda 'been there, done that' but this place is simply breathtaking. I can't wait for someone to come visit me so I can drive them back down and let someone else experience this. The whole time I kept thinking in wonder: I live an hour and a half away from this. I feel so blessed and incredulous on how many diversely wonderful places are so close to me. In a 4 hour drive or less, I can get to Monterey, Wine Country, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and countless other treasures. Why anyone would not live in California is beyond me. 

We took the following day to drive the famed 17 Mile Drive, which- while beautiful, was slightly anticlimactic after Point Lobos, save for a few poignant lookouts. But Gerard got to see Pebble Beach Golf Club, which apparently is important in golf-world. We then went to Santa Cruz, peered into the beach boardwalk (which is decidedly less cool than I remember it being as a 12 year old), and then went to the Natural Bridge State Park, which is also pretty cool. The whole trip ended with a visit to the Gilroy Outlet mall, which was having a Memorial Day sale that practically required every store to offer additional 40% off savings storewide. So that was a very happy ending for everyone. Except for Kota and Gerard who had to hang out outside. So mainly just a happy ending for me. 

(I had the hardest time in the world narrowing down my photo album from this weekend into a couple pictures to post, so I encourage all interested parties to go to my gallery here. But be forewarned you'll be insanely jealous you didn't do this with your Memorial Day weekend. 

A Turning Point

Well ladies and gentlemen, I am officially in my third trimester. 27 weeks. 6 months. Crazy crazy. We're super excited and feeling more and more prepared by the day. Things haven't yet finalized in G's job for next year, so we've officially decided to plan to have the baby here in SF. Not that there's not a chance this will change, but it's a huge sigh of relief for me to at least be able to plan where I want to give birth, where the baby will sleep, etc. With Kaiser we have two main hospital options- the one here in SF a few blocks from where I work, or down in Redwood City (about a 30 min drive, all freeway). I had the occasion to go to the Labor and Delivery wing of the SF hospital and was not really impressed. It smelled like pee. But the Redwood City one is staffed with midwives and supposed to be a good option for those wanting to go natural, so I want to go visit it. The drive makes me a little nervous, but at the same time, who really doesn't have a 30 minute warning before the baby comes out?

Also on the baby front, we bought our stroller today! We got an awesome deal on it, and now get the added enjoyment of pushing stuffed animals around the apartment. We're also starting to map out around the apartment where boo boo is going to go, what we'll have to get rid of, etc etc. It feels good to have a plan. People have been exceedingly gracious with gifts and baby gear, which we are extremely grateful for. I feel like pieces are really starting to come together on how we're going to make this work!

PS- I got an email from a dealership I visited once in St. Louis saying they want to buy back my Vibe. I was concerned the value of my car was crashed with the death of Pontiac, but apparently there's a huge demand for used Vibes now. I love my car and can't think of many reasons I'd want to sell it unless we move someplace a little more accessible that we don't need a second car. But I am intrigued and want to call them back and see what exactly they are offering. 

Alien Invasion

So, you can now officially see boo boo moving. Like, you can see my belly rumble around and poke out. It's weird shit. It makes me laugh. I'm tempted to take a video of this, but the ever-decreasing rational portion of my brain is still holding strong that no one else actually wants to see my belly ripple.

I promise you if anything interesting happens in my life I'll take a break from the baby talk.