Surprise Baby Shower!

Yesterday, we were plagued with jet lag, and thought we were going to my aunt's house for a belated Christmas celebration with the fam. But, we were surprised to find out it was a super secret baby shower for baby s! 

I could not believe it! My mom, aunt and cousin had conspired to give us what was easily one of the best days of my life! It was so lovely! An added surprise was that Liz, who is due three weeks ahead of me made it! Anne had said she would not be able to make the drive for a visit (which is understandable) but she was there and that was a gift in itself! I will never forget it as long as I live!

My brother-in-law, John, caught it all on tape, and while I won't make you watch 40 minutes of me going crazy over the cutest clothes, toys, and dollies, you can check out the big reveal- complete with a super ugly cry! :)

Just a quick note...

happy holidays to you and yours, from us and ours. we hope you had as wonderful a christmas as we did!

much love-

sara, stew and baby s.

how you know JD is home, and Mum is not.

This morning Stew and I have the important task of picking up the Christmas turkey. Mum had a hair appointment and JD was given the task of waking us at 9 AM. Which he did by blasting some music from his ever growing i-tunes collection!

I am bushed because we stayed up to make a Pumpkin Pie with  my mom's recipe. We have not tasted it yet, but it looks right, and I think she would be proud.

This afternoon we are going to a Pantomime, which is  a British Christmas play where men play women and you get to hiss. I know that is not much of an explanation, but it is supposed to be great fun and I cannot say I totally understand it. Then we are having dinner at Pizza Hut, and may nip over to see The Bro and his family before midnight church.

We arrived in Scotland on Sunday and the trip has been really fun. But, it is just going too fast! Why do holidays take forever to get here, and then go by in a blink of an eye?

Rack Attack.

My whole life, I have felt like the poster child of the IBTC (itty bitty titty committee). When I was 15, this really bugged me. Boys at that age are not exceptionally kind.  Not understanding the magic of genetics, I waited  for breasts reminiscent of Dolly Parton, but ended up with an average 34B.

As an adult, the 34B was a-okay with me. I looked cute enough in a bikini and didn't create a raucous when running.  I didn't have to stress about gravity taking a toll and having 'em knockin' 'round my knees. I was plenty happy.  I liked my body, and that self-acceptance was was lovely.

Now, everything is expanding and denial my friends, is more than a river in Egypt. Denial is squeezing into your 34B bra, until your husband spots the deep, red indents in your skin and (bless him), makes you go for a bra fitting.

When the sales girl handed me a 36D, and it actually fit- I started to laugh. Like a hyena. And I wished on every star that my mom was with me, because she would have appreciated it more than anyone. It's ridiculous.

So, I now the proud owner of new bras, that can double as a hat. Nice.

Holi-date.

Yesterday Stew was my holi-date! We went to see the Nutcracker and it was soooo good! We both really enjoyed it despite our head colds! Stew looked super handsome in a new shirt and tie I got for him last week! Dapper!

Today we went for a nice quiet breakfast and then did a bit of shopping. We needed to pick up a few wee items for Stew's Uncle's and Aunt. But, we managed to find ourselves in a few stores for ME! I used to shop all the time, but since I got preggers it hardly seemed worth it. I hate the idea of spending money on something I can only wear a little while. 

But, as the Bel keeps expanding, I no longer have a choice. I just don't fit in my clothes! So, I got a couple sweaters and 2 body suits. I would never wear a body suit in normal conditions, but as a layering piece that promises not to shift and ride up- FREAKING BRILLIANT!!!! No more flashing the Bel at work! Hurrah!

We're staying in the rest of the day to drink fluids & rest (hot) in hopes it helps to clear up our colds a bit before we have to fly off to Scotland tomorrow.

Gotta run. Since Stew is sicker than me I am on lunch detail. Toasties and a Sweet Potato....

Cowgirls, Indians, and Strippin'.

Today we had another midwife visit, and it went well! Everything seems to be tracking great, and when the did the fetal heart monitor the baby gave her some extra kicks. Showing off already!

The best part of the visit was when I requested to be induced at 40 weeks (which they will not do until 42 weeks) and she said at 41 weeks they would strip. By the look on our faces she must have known it was not the right English word to use. Then Stew exclaimed, "Hey, at 41 weeks I'll try anything!" The midwife's face turned BRIGHT RED! It was really funny.

Afterwards, Stew was in heaven because he found  some OxyClean Laundry Brightener on clearance, and it had 30% more than a regular jar. You would have thought he won the lottery, he talked about it the whole way home.

The real find was the pacifier I have been scouring the city for over the past 4 weeks! It's pink with a little cowgirl and a happy cow printed on it.  It is the perfect compliment to her orange Native American pacifier with little Indians printed on it. I love them! So cute!

It's Stew's Birthday!

Thirty-four years ago, an event occurred that would change the shape of my life forever- my husband was born!

Stewart is, hands down, the best thing that has ever happened to me. If I were to make a list of all the qualities and facets I would want a best friend  & life partner to have- he would have all of them. He brings me so much joy and happiness and I am so glad that I get to spend my life with him. He has exceeded every expectation I had for a man, and never ceases to surprise  and delight me with his humor or his kindness. Simply put, I am totally crazy about him. 

He's been on a business trip the past two days and I have put my time to good use! I made him a Mr. Men and Little Miss Cake (using my legendary cupcake recipe), super cleaned the house (we are talking full on Polish granny cleaning), wrapped his gifts (which he is not expecting because he knows a Digital SLR camera is waiting for him at my parents house) and done the laundries. 

When he walks in the door I hope he will feel really special and cared for! And, I hope he will be hungry for some cake!

I best go, he just left Brussels and I have one thing left to wash- ME! I have icing bits all over me! :)

Lesson of the day.

No matter how easy the internets make it sound, do not try to make your own powdered sugar with a hand blender. 

All you will make is a mess.

the things you do for love.

this morning i was up at 4:48. Out the door by 5:40. Why on Earth would I get so damned early?

Stew had to go to Paris this morning (he's back tomorrow night) and was bummed about it. I armed him with homemade cookies, a card, a special alarm message for tomorrow and my company to ease his boo-hoos.
His train left at 6:30 AM, so I got up and went to the station with him. Getting me to work before 7AM. Which is good, because it means I will be outta here by 3:30, and can pick up a few things I need for his birthday tomorrow.

I don't know if I will ever attempt coming in at this early hour alone again. It was dark and creepy. Plus. the walk in was soooo slick. Me and Baby S looked like a baby deer learning to walk as we slipped and struggled through the normally 15 min. walk in.

our latest obsession.

finnish.

log.

houses.

we want to build one in the worst way. 

serisously.

it's our dream.

Not Quite As Advertised

As you've just read below, we are now eating organic. Last week we bought a delicious looking vegetarian pizza. Imagine my disappointment when what was inside the box did not quite look what was illustrated on the outside of the box. It was still pretty tasty though!

By Stew

red and green

RED:

For the second year in a row we attended Hard Rock Cafe's Breakfast with Santa! It's a buffet with lots of yummy treats including BACON!!! Oh, how I do love bacon! 

Everyone remembered us, because for the second year in a row we were the only people to show up without a kid. Although Stew argued we have one this year!

GREEN:

We have been on a pursuit to make our life more green. It started with the cloth diapers. Then we moved on and replaced our HUGE bath sheets with normal sized organic bath towels.  

Then last week we made the switch to organic foods. I thought it would be much more expensive, but because we shop once a week now rather than daily, it actually comes out the same or a bit cheaper. And, it tastes sooooo much better! You really notice the difference. 

I am also researching how to make my own baby food, so when the time comes I can whip up some great tasting healthy foods for our little lady!

as nancy would say, "bombshell"

I am not the kind of person to get very wrapped up in mysteries or the news. And, I don't typically follow murder cases. But, Caylee Anthony and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance has really affected me over the past 6 months. Maybe it is because she disappeared about the same time we found out we were pregnant; or because it seems that it was her own mother who killed her. But, Stew and I have been captivated by the case, tuning into Nancy Grace on the Slingbox nearly every night.

My mom, whose also following the case, gave me the news that remains had been found and I just felt really sad. It's hard to comprehend that a person could kill someone in such a brutal way- taping their mouth and disposing of them in a trash bag. 

I didn't sleep too well thinking about that poor girl last night last night.  She was so little and what happened to her is so awful. However, it does remind me to be grateful that Stew and I are both so in love with our girl. That we are prepared and ready for the responsibility to be parents. It's an advantage Baby S has coming into this world that not every child does. But, I wish they did.

party poopers.

I think the whole world is at our company Christmas party tonight. Last year Myst and Alan went with us (they were visiting).  Myst did a dance up on my boss, which he still talks about at least once a week...FOR THE PAST YEAR.  It was really funny, but also a bit horrifying. It felt similar to those dreams where you show up in high school naked. I was not sure how he would take it. I had only been working for him a few weeks and didn't know him too well. Apparently, it was a highlight of his little life.

We bailed on the event this year. There are some situations you don't want to see your co-workers in...hammered and making out everywhere is at the top of that list. So, we opted for a nice spa night. I went for a lux pedicure and leg rub and Stew got a relaxing massage. Then we came home, clicked on travel & living, and ate an organic pizza.

Soooooo glad it is the weekend. Only 5 more workdays until our 16 day holiday starts- bliss.

An Ode to an Innie.

Dear Bellybutton-

I know I didn't always appreciate you as much as I should. Remember when I poked a big hole through you and wore that tacky ring? That blue crystal did nothing to enhance you. And, when I took it out it created a scar which when paired with a tiny mole made you look like a ghost. I liked that. You made me laugh.

Lately, you are starting to disappear, and I miss you. If you could just hold out a wee while more before you turn inside out and make me look like a well-done turkey, I would really like that.

Thanks in advance,

the management.

humph.

what a rotten couple of days. 

The more things change, the more I stay the same.

When I was in grade-school I petitioned for recycling in our town. In 4th grade, my science project was about landfills and decomposition. In junior high, I was obsessed with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). In high school I spent the money mom gave me for an REM concert T-shirt to join Greenpeace.

In college, I was a member of Feminists for Action, Student Arts League and the Planned Parenthood Association. I took women's studies courses alongside my marketing and fashion courses.  I thought these two worlds could co-exist peacefully.

When I was 21 years old I worked as a graphic designer for the International Headquarters of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. While working there I met an older man named Windy, who lived in New York and commissioned me for freelance work. Over time we developed a friendship and he often bestowed career advice to me. Once he descended upon me while I was reading "Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women" by Elizabeth Wurtzel. He said, "You got to drop this stuff or you will never get where you want to go. In this life you have to jump and jiggle. It's just a fact."

In the first two steps in my career, I was often called alternative and felt like a bit of a novelty in a professional setting.  I started thinking more about what my friend Windy had said, and started paying a great deal of attention to how I have packaged myself. I modified the way I dress, the manner in which I speak.  And over the last decade, I have become a credible professional. I have accomplished things that professors and peers would have deemed impossible in my youth. But, I have also walked away from a lot of things I think are really important in order to be more successful. To fit in an environment that isn't natural for me.

Children model themselves after their same sex parent, making me a role model for my daughter. And, it has caused me to rethink a lot of the changes I have made for the type of monetary success I have gained. I think the fact that I work in an industry I am passionate about is quite positive. But, I think the fact I have turned my back on a lot of my core values to do it, isn't.  

I have changed a lot in the two years I have lived in Europe. My life here is generally simpler and certainly much happier than it has ever been.  I think having so much of your life sorted allows you to focus on the bigger picture.

 I have also noticed since becoming pregnant that I feel closer to the person I was at 17 than the person I became at 27. And, I am excited and inspired for how I things will take shape, as I start to take more risks to re-frame my idea of success.  I think it will be a scary journey, but one that will allow me to happier in the long run. And, hopefully it will also inspire to be whomever she is and be very proud of whomever that is. 

Bobby Big Hair Birthday.

It's a Dutch tradition to decorate for someone's birthday. Since I had two team members get a year older this week, I took on the task. One of those co-workers was my boss. My boss and I have a unique relationship, where I tease him and give him  a bit more hell than you would give normally give your boss. 

Since he is bald, and I maintain he has an intense jealousy for anyone male with a full-head of locks, his birthday decorations centered around that theme, which was "have a bobby big hair birthday." Stew helped me print a GIANT poster of his face on this model's (AKA Bobby Big Hair) body and then I proceed to plaster his cube with pictures, balloons, crate paper- the works. I also hung his picture up all over campus. For an entire day he could not go into a building, bathroom or lunch room without seeing his likeness. 

This is what he thought of it:

It was also my teammate Anne's birthday, so I did her desk in girly pinks and it was actually super cute. Tonight we are going out to celebrate with her over dinner and some dancing. I am quite excited and think it will be a fun night. 

Thumper.

Stewart and I made podcasts of ourselves reading to our wee daughter for her to listen to on her i-pod during the work day. Today was the first day I tried it out, and she is still and quiet when I read. But, as soon as she hears Stew's voice- thump, thump thump! 

It made me laugh! I have to say, I love his voice, it's one of the most calming sounds I know. But, apparently it insights a riot in my belly. 

I have really put on weight over the last week. The most in a week thus far. Stew says it's due to Baby's growth spurt, but I think it is because I was on bed rest for a week eating too much Dominos Pizza! This may be worse than the great quiche experiment of '08!

PS. Heather, we took your cue on the tomato soup and cheese sammie tonight and it was delightful. Stew says it was just the trick! For which he means cure, not prosto. heh.

My Week So Far

This is Stew here. I don't check in here very often but it's only Wednesday and what a week it's been already! 

ROBBED!

We have been robbed of cash (work have not paid my expenses on time and they show no sign of being paid any time soon). 

ROBBED AGAIN!

We have been robbed of material goods (we posted my mum's birthday present to her. Can't say what it is as she will be reading this! But what dropped through her letterbox was not a nicely wrapped and thoughtful gift for her on her special day but an empty envelope with a hole cut in it! Someone had stolen our gift! Either the postman in the UK or someone at Customs has decided it was getting close to Christmas and they could do without actually buying their families gifts and decided to steal them from us instead! My Dad has very kindly offered to chase the post office for compensation but I am not hopeful.

STARVED!

We ordered Domino's Pizza last night and 3 hours later we actually got to finish our dinner! First the order arrived after 1 hour and it was incomplete. They then took another 2 HOURS to go back to the shop and return with the rest of our order. It took 3 phone calls to actually get them to come back and deliver what we had paid for! Oh, and they ripped us off by 3 euros into the bargain! The supposedly have a special offer of 6 euros for a medium pizza but they overcharged us!

SHREDDED!

I bought a beautiful pair of new shoes from Camper and they have cut up the back of my heels no end!

BANISHED!

Work have decided that I need to go to Paris for 2 days at the end of the month. Not only will I miss my 2 favourite girls but I will be away on my birthday! That sucks. I have already been been away from my lovely wife too much this year and I had hoped my travel was done for the year. No such luck.

Well that's my bad luck for this week but I am now home, curled up on the sofa with my favourite person in the world and watching TV so things are looking up!

By: Stew

dinner at our house.

After a really grody lunch, I had my heart set on Domino's Pizza for dinner (which we also ate yesterday). 

We ordered: A medium cheese pizza, cinnastix, and a Cesar salad.  After more than an HOUR (which is a loooong time for a hungry lady to wait) the guy shows up - no salad! Who wants to eat their salad after they eat their dinner and dessert?

So, Stew called them up and got them to deliver the salad and throw in some chicken wings (???) which is nice, but made me laugh to no end! I don't know how chicken wings make it better, but I suppose that a free set of wings is better than nothing! 

State of the Union.

Well,  I still haven't made it back to work. I feel okay laying down, but when I sit for more than an hour or so, I am so uncomfortable. I am a bit bored and a bit frustrated, because while I am feeling better the progress is slower than I would like.  Because of the nature of my pain, I am just really afraid to push myself. 

I hope that tomorrow I will be able to go in.