Milestone 2.0

Apparently all it took was Aunt Erin coming to visit. As we waited at SFO for the elusive checked baggage, Bean took seven steps towards my sister (who was holding her at the waist). Seven. It was a gobsmacking moment.

Milestone

When I went to go pick up Bean from preschool yesterday, she was standing with the help of her teacher near the Circle Time Area (these are the things you learn with kids in preschool...Circle Time is a big deal. As is Art Time. Snack Time is also important). At any rate, I knelt down and said "hey sweetie" and...

She took a step towards me. She took a deliberate step towards me. I nearly burst into tears, needless to say. We tried to encourage her to take another step or two, which didn't quite work out, but she was grinning and rocking back and forth as if she *knew* what needed to be done. But you know? I'll take one step.

Now, with my luck, she'll start walking independently around the time that Peabo comes out and I don't have the werewithal to chase her.

Ten Weeks

Please people, keep telling me I can do this. I have ten weeks to go until my due date, and I'm already getting frustrated with sharing my body...it's not so much the body sharing, I don't mind that. It's the everything else that goes with it. The running 15 degrees warmer than everyone else. It's the heartburn. When I drink water. Let's not even get started on tomato sauce or burritos. It's poor Gene having to shove me off the couch or bed at times. It's the fact that I borrow maternity clothes from friends who have recently had their first baby, and I thought she and I were about the same size, pre-pregnancy, but guess what? It would appear that number two makes your stomach have a mind of its own. And while *technically* I can fit into some of the pants, let's just hope people aren't looking too closely. The jeans will be okay, I think, since I can just throw on the longest top I can find, but...I'm ready for some real people clothes. I don't want to resort to yoga or jogging pants permanently, but let me assure you, it is pretty tempting. I will say at least yoga pants have a certain 'cute' factor to them. Think positive. Think positive.

I don't want a preemie. Not in the least. I just need some assurance that the next 8 to 10 weeks WILL pass by. Eventually.

Travel With Chocolate

I gave the Bean her first taste of Toblerone this evening after dinner. It was pretty much the best thing that had happened to her all day, if not all week thus far; it certainly reminded me of two things. One, it's such a delight to experience life's little pleasures for the first time, again, through your children. Two, I can't wait to take my girls to the source of excellent chocolate, i.e., Switzerland---one of my fondest memories from the Gay Family European Tour of 1982 (really we were piggybacking on the Euro Tour of the Toronto Symphony, for which entity my father has worked as a music librarian for twenty plus years) was staying at a hotel in Bern, home of the bear pits. Every morning we would swan down the egregiously elegant staircase to the huge dining room with windows overlooking what must have been the river, and feast on hot chocolate, fresh bread, the best butter I had tasted up to that point in my short 7 year old life, and jam. Lashings of jam. We went to the bear pits, were bought the most beautiful dolls that were also totally indestructible, and ate chocolate muusli (not muesli, that's the granola stuff---these are little chocolate mice). It was utterly wonderful. There were many moments that I loved on that trip, but for some reason, Switzerland really stands out for me, and what a joy to think I will likely be able to share at least some of it with my daughters.

I Am A Woman In Comfortable Shoes

I'm not sure why I didn't clue into these with my first pregnancy, but I have to jump on the bandwagon of loving
Dansko clogs. It took a few hours of wearing them before I looked down and said "OH! But these are what chefs and surgeons wear! Okay!". So. They are clunky. They are very European looking, in "that" way. They are tremendously comfortable, and I am a good inch and a half taller. There is hope for getting through the next 2.5 months with my back close to intact.

In other gravid news, I was feeling a mite guilt ridden about Peabo not having ANYTHING new when she comes into the world, so went to Old Navy today (they were having a sale. I love sales) and fetched this and these and a suedey feeling long sleeved/pants onesie with the tiniest front pocket I've ever seen. That for some reason hasn't shown up on Old Navy's website. Also hit Barnes & Noble and got her a baby book...I realize not much may be written into it beyond her name and birthday/weight, but I'm TRYING here.

88 More Days

Until I can have one of these. It is probably my favorite alcoholic drink that I don't have very often, because frankly, it's a pain to make and no one makes them. Except the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda. And they make a damn fine one. Damn fine.

And you know, I will need the calcium from the cream for nursing. Really I will.

The Clothes, They Make the Man

This is beyond hilarious...