tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72804346372733472992024-03-05T16:22:57.623-08:00Grove Street JournalGrove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-63582034979225598992012-08-02T13:01:00.000-07:002012-08-04T20:10:04.261-07:00Extra-Early Arrival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaFX5SawKQi4-Ag0rWEtNX_kAKSt5oLW0qV9AcEEOOtW0_WboPukmFOH4dsMCyqner8kXiKcf9TxxpcGWG6NATxa-CJb0ZyACkG1khHunVD9pWs6Vc6lF-Q_I9cKfk4djkZkOMcgARdY1/s1600/RE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaFX5SawKQi4-Ag0rWEtNX_kAKSt5oLW0qV9AcEEOOtW0_WboPukmFOH4dsMCyqner8kXiKcf9TxxpcGWG6NATxa-CJb0ZyACkG1khHunVD9pWs6Vc6lF-Q_I9cKfk4djkZkOMcgARdY1/s320/RE.jpg" /></a></div>Our son decided to surprise us with his arrival four weeks ahead of schedule, a week earlier than Mommy thought he'd arrive.<br />
<br />
RE was born at 7:17 pm on July 27th. He weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 20 inches long.<br />
<br />
We adore him (even his big sister), and are so excited that he has arrived. That being said, RR isn't yet sure if he should stay.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-6546296987713624682011-11-20T16:27:00.000-08:002011-11-20T16:48:45.550-08:00What's a Spoon?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI1tAsByaEvuYBfr2hiiqHRHNg17KfKwOKNigfF17OlBDeFBoVnS0MqPCAlk0P_ggRVJcKKF7mDP2VDkR6vhHYOqblXgn3J2VHy7KMgcw3Fj9PzuJ3zN4Aino0nIoTFpxX_GI0un2YCBM/s1600/procserv.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI1tAsByaEvuYBfr2hiiqHRHNg17KfKwOKNigfF17OlBDeFBoVnS0MqPCAlk0P_ggRVJcKKF7mDP2VDkR6vhHYOqblXgn3J2VHy7KMgcw3Fj9PzuJ3zN4Aino0nIoTFpxX_GI0un2YCBM/s320/procserv.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677244325581593586" /></a>Little Nattie Bumbus is no longer so little... last weekend she graduated from her infant car seat to the next level and is now sitting facing out in her stroller... <br /><br />This weekend she decided she was ready for some real food and we attempted to feed her some rice cereal. I'm not sure she actually ate any, but it was fun to watch her try...Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-66301974413827010702011-10-31T20:54:00.000-07:002011-10-31T21:06:12.035-07:00Happy Halloween!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1sSS46yMx3nWEc6xY6k1T40IU1Qp8u6EbaRilsdtyl2HDNHm1UIx5XypoKFFrWdcTKkVPiE4S4rmAGrXf6_Qhoosoaah8H2znXywCHsEKmubAYnHWDnIJ3-kJR305eZGKlooms3pkGXk/s1600/procserv.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1sSS46yMx3nWEc6xY6k1T40IU1Qp8u6EbaRilsdtyl2HDNHm1UIx5XypoKFFrWdcTKkVPiE4S4rmAGrXf6_Qhoosoaah8H2znXywCHsEKmubAYnHWDnIJ3-kJR305eZGKlooms3pkGXk/s320/procserv.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669873785498476402" /></a>And the winner was... a little bunny! <br /><br />She's been wearing bunny slippers that one of her grandmothers gave her lately... it was the natural choice.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-55158380643114173362011-10-30T18:54:00.000-07:002011-10-30T19:06:13.018-07:005 Months<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwmHccUJQqtsHdbNLnOchKOULf-IGrhdT4wX6yITHIGYXEw6AuL3nSNj733YROjB0hfEoUQO4lfj9zmgEAZHwBzq2VDmxEj-EiCjvrdKJvxqKqcvJHZN9LJ3JwBzvVRuoFbm8KCzYColp/s1600/procserv-1.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwmHccUJQqtsHdbNLnOchKOULf-IGrhdT4wX6yITHIGYXEw6AuL3nSNj733YROjB0hfEoUQO4lfj9zmgEAZHwBzq2VDmxEj-EiCjvrdKJvxqKqcvJHZN9LJ3JwBzvVRuoFbm8KCzYColp/s320/procserv-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669470092772975922" /></a>Our little one is five months old. We can hardly believe it.<br /><br />We continued a tradition this year and have now made it a family tradition... a visit to the local pumpkin patch. Little Bumbus scouted out a pumpkin almost as tall as she and declared it her own by pointing at it, sort of. <br /><br />The house is decorated and our pumpkins are carved for the one trick-or-treater that comes every year... the little boy who used to live in our house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZzrmXq8o5EwQ1wMHM_oVcSEJwWp-R1uiPTu-RvUMf7v-zJlDNskzlNXFDbHN1K5s7mxfWlW84u83IwhS3JR-K-vzexqSozWHcITVgLIcJ6HG2PEVUDZms6yEWT8lOCLjhSkUg_7e4cgW/s1600/procserv-4.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZzrmXq8o5EwQ1wMHM_oVcSEJwWp-R1uiPTu-RvUMf7v-zJlDNskzlNXFDbHN1K5s7mxfWlW84u83IwhS3JR-K-vzexqSozWHcITVgLIcJ6HG2PEVUDZms6yEWT8lOCLjhSkUg_7e4cgW/s200/procserv-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471389132065394" /></a>What will little Bumbus be? Time will tell... she has three costumes she's currently debating. We will see what strikes her fancy tomorrow evening.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-29654626115847152852011-10-08T18:05:00.000-07:002011-10-08T18:12:47.180-07:004 Months!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GNRLmzGdifI3RNE7R6Bcj4tnupW_qmuIZ-b8s1LLiB_uGiIlLgQKKJ79iD-x1yx8Hyyx7XZYrwmjUVAeWs0pHiRY09m9O3v563AQBEszVGrV-c7bgCMXfpvCmgDROQj9I14Wy3tShFbF/s1600/RRS+and+Friends.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GNRLmzGdifI3RNE7R6Bcj4tnupW_qmuIZ-b8s1LLiB_uGiIlLgQKKJ79iD-x1yx8Hyyx7XZYrwmjUVAeWs0pHiRY09m9O3v563AQBEszVGrV-c7bgCMXfpvCmgDROQj9I14Wy3tShFbF/s320/RRS+and+Friends.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661293396592482290" /></a>Little Bumbus isn't so little anymore. <br /><br />She's four months and has started "camp" (aka daycare). She seems to like it, and has become more social, even after only a week. She likes to "chat" and is constantly observing everything around her.<br /><br />My favorite moment as of late was when some friends invited us over for dinner. One of our hosts, Brian, was talking to Bumbus and every time he looked at her, she looked the other way. He asked if it was just him. I had no idea and then noticed that she does it to me too. <br /><br />She likes to stand (parent supported) and takes steps here and there as well. She seems to have no interest in rolling or crawling... just walking. She's a risk taker... just like her dad.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-53150961700615647312011-09-15T20:31:00.001-07:002011-09-15T20:33:03.247-07:0015 Weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFr6AQemFLO6PI9DBFvl7siYZHhJabJjCpWQRC-uEBfrNA3ru1_NynwQ0DBr7hJrSF64CvfWhpyE5qGhRQlhXpucvn7gdT4qUoCvuScpsYqXAetk9m-fQ9kZbfbZ5KizxztuBlQZPHox2f/s1600/RRS+Week+14.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFr6AQemFLO6PI9DBFvl7siYZHhJabJjCpWQRC-uEBfrNA3ru1_NynwQ0DBr7hJrSF64CvfWhpyE5qGhRQlhXpucvn7gdT4qUoCvuScpsYqXAetk9m-fQ9kZbfbZ5KizxztuBlQZPHox2f/s320/RRS+Week+14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652795260767025778" /></a>My favorite moment from the week...<br /><br />Little bumbus threw up all over me, and then started laughing... <br /><br />Her first laugh, and I will never forget it.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-16879137561641823102011-08-18T22:34:00.000-07:002011-08-18T22:36:05.132-07:00Life is Exhausting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s3N7qU1afxFdOvpverlqr7q4kOKgM_i1HpfRm7HJqsYUoo4wYoPslndwBrc1h_nCX2klW_yE5QdLgvsbk7tHJQS9ppQMMTQ8VC-i8KkmKf_wrAu4crWEZkO4YDHzPoAWl7eLqSLFf_kI/s1600/Rawlings+Play+Mat.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s3N7qU1afxFdOvpverlqr7q4kOKgM_i1HpfRm7HJqsYUoo4wYoPslndwBrc1h_nCX2klW_yE5QdLgvsbk7tHJQS9ppQMMTQ8VC-i8KkmKf_wrAu4crWEZkO4YDHzPoAWl7eLqSLFf_kI/s320/Rawlings+Play+Mat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642436599066930114" /></a>Ah, to be an infant...
<br />
<br />Too tired to stay awake after playing with your toys... Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-26483465168567887382011-07-17T13:05:00.000-07:002011-07-17T13:11:17.186-07:007 Weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtIJGQ3RiyixQg6YOTvLDrXvzvob0MnXV5qzJejzMtLvH3X9EsolVgDoOzwb89CO8nbLdys13UJ4TPy4h6sLNQW5Mv8YRWfLh-NMm65v4wO-jOxxP-rVzmAkaqjKa_JYvuxyjyD-yBFpg/s1600/RRS+1.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtIJGQ3RiyixQg6YOTvLDrXvzvob0MnXV5qzJejzMtLvH3X9EsolVgDoOzwb89CO8nbLdys13UJ4TPy4h6sLNQW5Mv8YRWfLh-NMm65v4wO-jOxxP-rVzmAkaqjKa_JYvuxyjyD-yBFpg/s320/RRS+1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630415838844487538" /></a>Our little Nattie Bumbus is seven weeks old today. <br /><br />Nattie Bumbus you say? Yes, Nattie Bumbus. <br /><br />It's one of her many nicknames that has developed over the past few weeks. Next week it will surely be something else, but this week it's Nattie Bumbus.<br /><br />We can't believe how quickly the time has gone by. We are coming out of the six week fog and are enjoying her little developing personality. We think she is on the verge of smiling -- we can't wait.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-18109948803491822422011-06-03T19:33:00.001-07:002011-09-15T20:36:00.723-07:00Early Arrival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O-tdQAQ1-rNYAVcvw6tgStbzMQLDb1hPQ0sKmJaIFA746BtGgsdRG171imx3O3X7njNH9Gmmp6nptuWucQ9B-6BCOXZFZSb0KCd3DKuee6gtOFCqKg2M3O4CGkzjU17LREujZF0zWO8A/s1600/Rawlings+and+Daddy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O-tdQAQ1-rNYAVcvw6tgStbzMQLDb1hPQ0sKmJaIFA746BtGgsdRG171imx3O3X7njNH9Gmmp6nptuWucQ9B-6BCOXZFZSb0KCd3DKuee6gtOFCqKg2M3O4CGkzjU17LREujZF0zWO8A/s320/Rawlings+and+Daddy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614392140307521170" /></a>Our little one decided to surprise us with her arrival three weeks ahead of schedule. <br /><br />RR was born at 11:21 am on May 29th. She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 19 inches long.<br /><br />We adore her, and are so excited to finally see her face. It was worth the wait.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-50372891796778663822011-05-18T21:09:00.000-07:002011-05-18T21:17:51.551-07:0035 Week Ultrasound<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz1ny0SMrnVibZxnYeuTHCM9r9wgGgwZidomjEXXOGsZbl9uFS1PTxcDo471hBOxkynNr2mLPdiflku6eVz96tcyev99T-X-5M2xVCMo9pJUPP4bAqcK9OtYc92zzmU1YVtfAvlyPYUxL/s1600/BABY0121_6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz1ny0SMrnVibZxnYeuTHCM9r9wgGgwZidomjEXXOGsZbl9uFS1PTxcDo471hBOxkynNr2mLPdiflku6eVz96tcyev99T-X-5M2xVCMo9pJUPP4bAqcK9OtYc92zzmU1YVtfAvlyPYUxL/s320/BABY0121_6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608276381906493058" /></a>We saw our little one again yesterday, and once again, she would not show her face. <br /><br />Actually, she sort of showed her face, but as she's running out of room, it was squished up against my pelvic bone and quite frankly the 3D ultrasound made her look like Dobby from Harry Potter. <br /><br />All an all, a 35 week ultrasound is not nearly as exciting as our 10 and 20 week ultrasounds, where you could actually see something. But, the doctor said she looks great. As of yesterday she weighed 5 pounds and 7 ounces. <br /><br />One month from today she's due... we can't wait.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-41214820925126618962011-05-02T19:51:00.001-07:002011-05-02T20:48:56.236-07:00A Sign? Or a Prank?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG0gCUJgMa1ebLNsEWkVtPv5KpEXyYTRA3ANeuMH0G5Axyftdkrg6dYjv5WKb0tQJvhMDGNlTa_2ds91_hAdRDsZV5YyQm5btqShWXKdSJjnBK5IsPLqh-X-v4yoBTNGSTrrNhKXzgq75/s1600/Monday.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG0gCUJgMa1ebLNsEWkVtPv5KpEXyYTRA3ANeuMH0G5Axyftdkrg6dYjv5WKb0tQJvhMDGNlTa_2ds91_hAdRDsZV5YyQm5btqShWXKdSJjnBK5IsPLqh-X-v4yoBTNGSTrrNhKXzgq75/s320/Monday.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602325885928659650" /></a>I've decided someone at Judy's Family Farm in Sonoma County was really bored one day and decided to mess with a consumer or we are having twins and the second little one has remained hidden during two previous ultrasounds. I'm positive it's the former, however, after the events of the past week, I'm a little suspicious. <br /><br />It started last Monday. I typically start my day with two eggs and a piece of toast. <br /><br />I cracked open the last egg from a previous carton and it was a perfectly lovely egg, with a single yolk. I then cracked open an egg from a new carton and it had a double yolk. An interesting surprise, as I've never personally seen an egg with a double yolk. I started writing an email to my handsome husband with a photo of the egg and a subject line that said "Twins?", but then decided I might scare him, so I changed the subject line as not to freak him out. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJJ-3hgty5ytf5uXWzAlEV_olznNg0H3AjqYUuGw9XoDqt2QvKxZ6_bE6A4b0zKppDwmjXa7oQ-YhI8E9qDk4r2j3lfmibZ8QfJMcEl11wWwbFaLE0PF-867C76kFlndDxgWIap3Lo9Cr/s1600/Tuesday.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJJ-3hgty5ytf5uXWzAlEV_olznNg0H3AjqYUuGw9XoDqt2QvKxZ6_bE6A4b0zKppDwmjXa7oQ-YhI8E9qDk4r2j3lfmibZ8QfJMcEl11wWwbFaLE0PF-867C76kFlndDxgWIap3Lo9Cr/s200/Tuesday.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602326050881678434" /></a>Tuesday morning was a bit more of a shock... two eggs... BOTH with double yolks. Now I was starting to think that it was a sign, but a sign of what? <br /><br />Wednesday I was too scared to make eggs, so no egg developments on Wednesday. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUtLQzvpvcGqVgyPkMwigOOEVbBg9X35wk-SNb1mXztoTLCBAMpL9_ckpWtEWFAqGpA3tEEXAl_mA35IDNnsiuOrLE1sqnFi5FSql_2su7TObGkB0J8BcS3pojpv8M_QpTLaNNI9uJYcz/s1600/Thursday.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUtLQzvpvcGqVgyPkMwigOOEVbBg9X35wk-SNb1mXztoTLCBAMpL9_ckpWtEWFAqGpA3tEEXAl_mA35IDNnsiuOrLE1sqnFi5FSql_2su7TObGkB0J8BcS3pojpv8M_QpTLaNNI9uJYcz/s200/Thursday.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602326504977318226" /></a>Thursday morning... one normal and one with a double yolk. Are you kidding me? 4 of 5 eggs have had double yolks? Was someone messing with me? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOnX6huPnHRoa-ai1g0o1p8nK-QbcVlEETT1yA9nA-Qqe_2UZ7oBYQFHZVbZxI6unscQD2IX0hY5lQaVGiabxOU8deCGxON67ApPYIdkPV_m0ljMjgMa6QIBeRXbJ6XtYUUMueMODWCzj/s1600/Friday.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOnX6huPnHRoa-ai1g0o1p8nK-QbcVlEETT1yA9nA-Qqe_2UZ7oBYQFHZVbZxI6unscQD2IX0hY5lQaVGiabxOU8deCGxON67ApPYIdkPV_m0ljMjgMa6QIBeRXbJ6XtYUUMueMODWCzj/s200/Friday.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602326794681630946" /></a>Friday morning... two double yolks, again! 6 of 7 eggs?!?! And then, at work, I received an email from my husband, who had made eggs for lunch. The email contained a photo of one normal and and one double yolked egg with a note that said 7 of 9. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtw4MyiAJOoTyMubvv863I6_JnPwsF1xLAVUU0dEq79CTIiOs9Y9qg1Jvu9pNUNLyUhuMbEEalOL4h88mgWtcvdW81a3uQISZBFsDzDe-vzBxo_QvzirZ2xTlB9JyrIO6sBVxnHGD5b2/s1600/Friday+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtw4MyiAJOoTyMubvv863I6_JnPwsF1xLAVUU0dEq79CTIiOs9Y9qg1Jvu9pNUNLyUhuMbEEalOL4h88mgWtcvdW81a3uQISZBFsDzDe-vzBxo_QvzirZ2xTlB9JyrIO6sBVxnHGD5b2/s200/Friday+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602329200015569154" /></a>It was starting to freak the husband out and he didn't want to eat them. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUgjgFNj4Fl1V2bU1CNhCoMOGVXkaklGCJO0noA0-NUfAoHzsPT83t7CvhXMa0hn213tFBc9MTN-LmOAIc7KsT-1nc9FSn9P-r-SVIIl90XHYUs1tVHTIbN1AvwEF7jvAGoLqd9OfzQh3/s1600/Saturday.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUgjgFNj4Fl1V2bU1CNhCoMOGVXkaklGCJO0noA0-NUfAoHzsPT83t7CvhXMa0hn213tFBc9MTN-LmOAIc7KsT-1nc9FSn9P-r-SVIIl90XHYUs1tVHTIbN1AvwEF7jvAGoLqd9OfzQh3/s200/Saturday.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602327207003867698" /></a>Saturday morning... again, TWO DOUBLE YOLKS. We couldn't believe it. 9 of 11 of the eggs had yielded double yolks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePPO7yIxCmHOb81WmKSAbvrgk_o0LX0bkWmPvw4YzKWBF7OK3wyCYooRxDQ36JIxhxGgoHMgXU64ataeWKO2JfLZgQ-tBpCSVpLRcdl4qjE05qe_3C7fyIwR-1pjTgbCZf6fI6NotXYeN/s1600/Sunday.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePPO7yIxCmHOb81WmKSAbvrgk_o0LX0bkWmPvw4YzKWBF7OK3wyCYooRxDQ36JIxhxGgoHMgXU64ataeWKO2JfLZgQ-tBpCSVpLRcdl4qjE05qe_3C7fyIwR-1pjTgbCZf6fI6NotXYeN/s200/Sunday.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602327432199495714" /></a>Sunday morning... one egg remaining. I had to make an egg, just to know the status of that last egg. Alas, it only had a single yolk. 9 of 12. <br /><br />Three quarters of the dozen eggs had double yolks. Someone at Judy's Family Farm just HAD to be messing with us. However, when my doctor ordered an additional ultrasound today to check on the position of the baby, I must admit that I found I was looking forward to confirming that there is only one little one awaiting us...Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-79073577399958456922011-04-24T19:21:00.000-07:002011-04-24T19:57:54.122-07:00Easter Craving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCBF_kRI8052bmVZIKMGmU-zbckmUMXONeqlIH6WXZHT8INkR7x1Rak5a9IOpLo8o3qezIRefqk3ROgh2ytSyNlN-JsiPcob8cIJeNUDK1FQB-8btRCeYlRQxmygfRjsd4vv-X0c8_Dgx/s1600/egg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCBF_kRI8052bmVZIKMGmU-zbckmUMXONeqlIH6WXZHT8INkR7x1Rak5a9IOpLo8o3qezIRefqk3ROgh2ytSyNlN-JsiPcob8cIJeNUDK1FQB-8btRCeYlRQxmygfRjsd4vv-X0c8_Dgx/s320/egg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599344641008875442" /></a>I must admit I was SHOCKED when I passed my gestational diabetes test. I have a sweet tooth like no other. <br /><br />My pregnancy sugar intake has been typical of my pre-pregnancy diet (my husband might contest this statement, but let me point out I ate a lot of sweets BEFORE I got pregnant as well), however, I must admit I've been CRAVING a Cadbury Creme Egg since Easter candy started showing up in stores. <br /><br />Apparently, though, I was not to have any, as I never saw any Cadbury Creme Eggs -- until today. Finally, on Easter, I found one. My Easter treat. <br /><br />It was exactly what the little one wanted. <br /><br />Yes, it wasn't me who wanted it, rather it was the little rascal who keeps her mother up at all hours of the night. I blame her. (I only have mere weeks left to blame everything on her, so I'm running with it while I can.) <br /><br />Happy Easter to all!Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-90192028050162314332011-04-17T10:58:00.000-07:002011-04-17T11:34:48.672-07:0031 Weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiWG98nYkO61NTEdqx0LubG715W4yx1a-RtT6-YTfisMl7XNovXfs1YJL0Zn7eGwqRqgD4BHdzLKJe7DkbLXiuoI-ax-rev0EZ-HfUv79aSRjLI-oGoxKFHmCUtPCuq3lx7ynHYGwIUEH/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiWG98nYkO61NTEdqx0LubG715W4yx1a-RtT6-YTfisMl7XNovXfs1YJL0Zn7eGwqRqgD4BHdzLKJe7DkbLXiuoI-ax-rev0EZ-HfUv79aSRjLI-oGoxKFHmCUtPCuq3lx7ynHYGwIUEH/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596620811211791170" /></a>This week marks the start of our 31st week and the little one is apparently over 16 inches long and weights a whopping 3.3 pounds. We had no idea that babies were so long and lean before they started to plump up. We are apparently heading into a growth spurt where she will start to plump up, leaving her looking like a normal looking baby when she arrives. <br /><br />She's definitely active, as she likes to host dance parties at 3 am. You can now see her movements on the outside of my belly, which is nice, as her father can see them too. I think he felt a little left out when I would tell him that the baby was kicking. <br /><br />Last weekend we spent our entire Saturday in a childbirth class, which was somewhat helpful for me and very boring for the little one's father. We did learn, however, that it takes us 12 minutes to get to the hospital and when exactly we need to head there when the time comes. Good information to know, as we don't have that much longer. Our due date is two months from tomorrow!<br /><br />We've finished the nursery, as we ordered our "glider" chair last weekend, which is due to arrive a few weeks before the baby is due. My favorite baby item so far is a shark robe that reminds me of my brother and his favorite stuffed animal when we were little, Sharkey (who was actually an Orca). <br /><br />Other than wearing out rather quickly, I still feel extraordinarily lucky in our pregnancy so far. I feel relatively good, other than the fact that I have a huge belly and it makes me lose my balance. <br /><br />We very much look forward to meeting our little one at the end of this pregnancy journey!Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-40280010747406222162011-04-02T10:06:00.000-07:002011-04-02T10:28:49.112-07:00Mother's Club<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotlewC0HjmXEcwUavu2FyI6z4S68hhvY6AvsoFOBUWd0ygGlzNNd8sUXGJUXKVUeHtIgscc1Niw4hj6g9JX3yKjO8YYxqfnBB2usRkOn8gH7XaXQnLkZKjUGYk9K1N-Mnmr-_248GGzOy/s1600/BABY+11-30-10_7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotlewC0HjmXEcwUavu2FyI6z4S68hhvY6AvsoFOBUWd0ygGlzNNd8sUXGJUXKVUeHtIgscc1Niw4hj6g9JX3yKjO8YYxqfnBB2usRkOn8gH7XaXQnLkZKjUGYk9K1N-Mnmr-_248GGzOy/s320/BABY+11-30-10_7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591038636354320978" /></a>I was recently telling a dear friend a story about my first experience with the local mother's club, and she insisted that I share it. <br /><br />My sister had great success with meeting wonderful people through her local mother's club when she had her children, so I sought out the local group and signed up. I was placed in a group with 11 other women giving birth in April, May and June of this year. <br /><br />I was one of the last to sign up for the group, so they had already had two meetings before I met everyone for the first time. <br /><br />A few weeks ago the group had it's last monthly meeting (my first meeting) before a short break for everyone to give birth to their little ones. <br /><br />The group was filled with wonderful, successful women, one of whom lives three blocks away from us. I'm looking forward to future events, as I suspect that a few of us will become good friends.<br /><br />My favorite moment from the gathering, however, was when one woman asked the others what breathing method they were going to use for the birth of their child (or children in one case). Everyone started chiming in with comments like "the Bradley method," "I'm using a doula," etc. They then continued on with how many books on the subject each had read, which books they thought were best, and the like. Then someone asked me what my birth plan was. My response, "an epidural." Silence. "What breathing method?" "Whatever feels natural." Again, silence. It was pretty funny. <br /><br />We are now at 29 weeks. We cannot wait to meet our little one, as last time we saw her she hid her face.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-9128187515288802882011-03-27T16:48:00.000-07:002011-03-27T17:08:24.140-07:00Joy... Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbnHIh9HYCSFwVyRlOkErFu_T3rFSgX09BjAnI6d_6H3LXv18nDTbBGzvC-GQYzmyG1VXOyNstpJwtb42IPGSys7f8JbCa05g8GwCZKm9HjlftpUQtexGK8jJkMt3M1EEh9h1Z-krFdSL/s1600/wedding+3.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbnHIh9HYCSFwVyRlOkErFu_T3rFSgX09BjAnI6d_6H3LXv18nDTbBGzvC-GQYzmyG1VXOyNstpJwtb42IPGSys7f8JbCa05g8GwCZKm9HjlftpUQtexGK8jJkMt3M1EEh9h1Z-krFdSL/s320/wedding+3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588912809855911522" /></a>We had a simply perfect wedding. The day was exactly what we wanted -- simple, yet elegant. <br /><br />Better yet, we walked away from our wedding with the perfect wedding present -- a little one on the way. <br /><br />This week we start the third trimester. We are apprehensive and excited, all at the same time. In less than three months we will finally meet the little one who has decided she's a future Ironman, as she likes to engage in sprint distance events while her mother is trying to sleep.<br /><br />As our families are not near, we want to use our blog to share updates and our adventures as we prepare for our biggest ultra-distance event to date -- parenthood.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-84891961453955202282010-09-27T22:10:00.001-07:002010-09-27T22:15:02.629-07:00Joy...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCubCJ3GjT6oHRqXlW_ckLyvhWQ0FR0jFbwyj2vfQQbIuNgDCOahlbYHbamk_7cAfqpSDYOp-ECsXAniv8OVUJ9BX_o86nOf67YWPFkhdhaZW2tPIlROWt6zdR3vPwPzbZ_QdBTTcTdQQ/s1600/_DSC5938-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCubCJ3GjT6oHRqXlW_ckLyvhWQ0FR0jFbwyj2vfQQbIuNgDCOahlbYHbamk_7cAfqpSDYOp-ECsXAniv8OVUJ9BX_o86nOf67YWPFkhdhaZW2tPIlROWt6zdR3vPwPzbZ_QdBTTcTdQQ/s320/_DSC5938-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521828132423558258" /></a>I've discovered the other half of my heart. <br /><br />I didn't even know it was missing until I found it.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-5257374404700532102010-06-15T06:38:00.000-07:002010-07-13T07:11:49.053-07:00Muddy Buddy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJM0ic5XdLR8tSg1nU1OS6L_4b0d__DxkicwyzqB1GQwZc5FhPNXPfrNcKHj1Z11qa4Qkba-oP7bASg_VTN1caNLU3wR_wkt2f-cMls1y5b-zTzdFDSrILqEbdggfgK9zY8NPs_WGGaqH/s1600/finish+line+muddy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJM0ic5XdLR8tSg1nU1OS6L_4b0d__DxkicwyzqB1GQwZc5FhPNXPfrNcKHj1Z11qa4Qkba-oP7bASg_VTN1caNLU3wR_wkt2f-cMls1y5b-zTzdFDSrILqEbdggfgK9zY8NPs_WGGaqH/s320/finish+line+muddy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493392399239709570" /></a>Last year, my friends Tina and Dana did the San Jose Muddy Buddy event. The moment I saw their finishers photo, I knew Chris and I had to do this event. <br /><br />We had so much fun. I felt like I was a Marine whipping over "walls" and running across balance beams. <br /><br />One moment, however, caused my heart to stop. As we were waiting at the start, there was a Challenged Athlete Foundation presentation, a common occurrence at race events. A woman with a prosthetic leg, about my age, made a presentation. Typically, an athlete will share that they lost a limb in an auto accident or while in the service. Not this time. The woman speaking said that she first presented with a spider bite on her leg. The spider bite turned into a MRSA staph infection, which then spread into her bone and she lost her leg. Chris and I were speechless. <br /><br />Needless to say, I am thankful for my health and happiness.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-52435458368112572912010-06-07T21:38:00.000-07:002010-06-08T05:58:27.462-07:00The Sighting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhQ3ErQozBgUtlr-BvE1Zx-ggHAd20OcfOlFS0XnSofrLVoN1_2anV930TUjvZWjgdcqlo_Z-bsH4SRREyzgYanP-upwRGIz5ANvCRloyve-5SEcCPCm7TP5rn5M5zt4KcPpJNNpxQoO8/s1600/header_logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhQ3ErQozBgUtlr-BvE1Zx-ggHAd20OcfOlFS0XnSofrLVoN1_2anV930TUjvZWjgdcqlo_Z-bsH4SRREyzgYanP-upwRGIz5ANvCRloyve-5SEcCPCm7TP5rn5M5zt4KcPpJNNpxQoO8/s320/header_logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480266357342202626" /></a>I have known for some time that a Food Network Chef lives in the same town in which I make my home, however I had yet to see him, until this evening. <br /><br />I've had pretty good luck as of late celebrity spotting at a really good restaurant a few blocks from my house... last time I dined there with friends we spotted a famous drummer. <br /><br />As I was leaving this evening, I did a quick scan of the crowd until I locked eyes with none other than Tyler Florence. A bit mortified having been caught scanning the room, I departed the restaurant as quickly and gracefully as I could.<br /><br />I really wanted to tell him how much I love his local kitchen store, however I refrained. <br /><br />Soon, however, I will not be so restrained when I dine with my all time FAVORITE chef. I'm already sharpening my tongue as I'm going to need to be armed with many sassy remarks...Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-33334930073737075312010-05-25T21:15:00.001-07:002010-05-25T21:19:12.394-07:00Finally!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAIxZLtyGqfSEYMepk5gbvDxzGEp8v6xfMfWYjvn48w-Q4ottbll8xsFaPhD8x90rEP1fb88vPktcqdXDqeOkIBAppznLzRa5dGaivwUHyl-qyhX_hvh2FIl0s2Tgk6ylJtTVVMAbPKDL/s1600/IMG_5784.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAIxZLtyGqfSEYMepk5gbvDxzGEp8v6xfMfWYjvn48w-Q4ottbll8xsFaPhD8x90rEP1fb88vPktcqdXDqeOkIBAppznLzRa5dGaivwUHyl-qyhX_hvh2FIl0s2Tgk6ylJtTVVMAbPKDL/s320/IMG_5784.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475428303403922290" /></a>We have been waiting and waiting and waiting for our engagement photos, and today we finally received them today. <br /><br />As Chris knows, it's not often I like photos of myself, but I love this one. It captures exactly how I feel about him.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-12250093301117867042010-05-05T08:10:00.000-07:002010-05-05T16:14:24.865-07:00Orange County Half Marathon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjGuXOqss_QiKhfr0mBbUKtlUWAxjCiVRRIk083wZ9eFdBiF3XMUEpu7XGlQZbwzOHcPTCBeoRjkl_tUi-SzM31bWJ0L22XrfSaI4cyfYUxWN35n2lwFAcmvR8YcgqhZLwBuyblFCEvZJ/s1600/OC+Marathon+Header.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 42px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjGuXOqss_QiKhfr0mBbUKtlUWAxjCiVRRIk083wZ9eFdBiF3XMUEpu7XGlQZbwzOHcPTCBeoRjkl_tUi-SzM31bWJ0L22XrfSaI4cyfYUxWN35n2lwFAcmvR8YcgqhZLwBuyblFCEvZJ/s320/OC+Marathon+Header.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467913832626346610" /></a>Every August, the high school girlfriends gather in some sunny locale for an annual catch up and a lazy weekend in the sun.<br /><br />Last year, while lounging poolside, harassing some poor fools from Orinda drinking Chi Chi's, my then pregnant girlfriend Cheryl declared that we all had to run a half marathon in 2010. Then and there we decided to do the Orange County Half Marathon, to be held May 2, 2010. I registered while sunning poolside.<br /><br />Flash forward 8 months (Cheryl now has six month old twin girls!) and I found myself arriving in Orange County to meet my friend Lindsay for our 2010 girls weekend adventure. Typically we would all stay together at our chosen hotel, however this year Cheryl opted to stay at home with the twins. <br /><br />On Saturday, we all met up at race registration. It was so fun to watch Lindsay and Cheryl get excited for their first half marathon. Armed with our timing chips and race t-shirts, we headed off for some quality catch up time while partaking in one of our favorite group activities -- shopping -- at one of my favorite all time shopping locations -- Fashion Island. <br /><br />I have no idea where the day went, but all of a sudden we realized we all needed to start thinking about turning in for our very early morning the following day, and Lindsay and I rushed off to locate some sort of acceptable pre-race breakfast. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF_ZzK-eeIcyQYoJFspa3mefIR9TnUNrXrse-9XiYNmtg5rDjApEt7aJeVZxuEMALLFnvP1PMSt2j_rAl0-ICplKX8f1YZubHYJFJuN2kQrsjJoEUfvgABubyzCgNlI-QDIpLOXA6RQVc/s1600/photo+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF_ZzK-eeIcyQYoJFspa3mefIR9TnUNrXrse-9XiYNmtg5rDjApEt7aJeVZxuEMALLFnvP1PMSt2j_rAl0-ICplKX8f1YZubHYJFJuN2kQrsjJoEUfvgABubyzCgNlI-QDIpLOXA6RQVc/s200/photo+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467925335970948978" /></a>Sunday morning came early, but I was excited for the run. I think Newport Beach is a beautiful area, so I was looking forward to exploring the area on foot, which is my favorite way to explore a new area. After being dropped off at the starting line by our hotel shuttle driver, Lindsay and I located Cheryl while we waited for the start. As the appointed start time neared, I headed off to for one last pre-race bathroom break, only to discover the line was a mile long and there was no way I would make it through the line prior to the race start. No bother - as a 7+ year triathlete, quick stops in local bushes are a common practice. <br /><br />This quick bush stop turned into quite an event, however, as the moment I exited the local bush I ran right into one of my clients, who was just getting out of his car.<br /><br />Client: "Where are you coming from?" <br />Me: "No where in particular... just heading to the starting line."<br /><br />Nice.<br /><br />I was unsure prior to the start if we were going to try to run together, or run on our own. We decided to run together, and to take it as it came. <br /><br />Shortly after 6:40 am, we were off. <br /><br />About a mile into the event, I realized we would NOT be running together. Cheryl took off, and I chased after her. I ran with her until the 2nd mile marker, when I realized I was running in zone 4 -- definitely NOT coach approved. At that point I wished Cheryl a great race and fell back into a zone 2 pace. I was thankful I had the foresight to bring my iPod as I fell into a grove and ran my own event.<br /><br />The run was STUNNING. The course started at Fashion Island and then wound through Corona del Mar, while overlooking the Big Corona del Mar State Beach and the Pacific Ocean. The course then traversed down the coast, past Newport Harbor, and then around the Newport Back Bay, ending at the OC Fair and Event Center. It was quite scenic and just a lot of fun.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTuFUiSD5NjaMK3wYncuSjpxNeRG8HgBPT8dWuODfT9I3XXt0UFmboLbYNZXgIxy1Wqj5gUrQaXtX4tujWHS7DdpwmQZNETnMa73AQLPIHlWEde1m2JBKaSV0XbEo3c_ZG7VMZQpjlO-f/s1600/photo+1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTuFUiSD5NjaMK3wYncuSjpxNeRG8HgBPT8dWuODfT9I3XXt0UFmboLbYNZXgIxy1Wqj5gUrQaXtX4tujWHS7DdpwmQZNETnMa73AQLPIHlWEde1m2JBKaSV0XbEo3c_ZG7VMZQpjlO-f/s200/photo+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467925121464713682" /></a>I felt strong on the run - something I haven't felt in a long time on a run over 10 miles. The sensation was quite welcomed, as it made me excited for the final four months of my Ironman Canada training. <br /><br />We all crossed the finish line in various mental states. Lindsay was thrilled to have come in under her time goal, Cheryl was frustrated to have just barely missed her goal (by about 90 seconds) and I was excited to have met my goal of beating my half marathon time from the prior weekend. Regardless, it was a wonderful day, particularly when Cheryl asked me to be a godparent! I was so honored and am so excited. <br /><br />I am so blessed to have such special women in my life.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-75463134827218983952010-02-21T17:09:00.000-08:002010-02-21T17:15:54.605-08:00Just for Samantha...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUUmUPYMpehzKn9rr5JtK0ARc5oK7cmgyldY2Bc8VF7GoGmHtE13DZ-UB0fhKrQPpF9HNWY6YSzcXumxTXe31F_VmZxy3dk8MQaMuqn0VBPIuGu7sxi17Jo0jJHax2rI8UWAN0LKDmcS5/s1600-h/A+Rod+and+CD.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUUmUPYMpehzKn9rr5JtK0ARc5oK7cmgyldY2Bc8VF7GoGmHtE13DZ-UB0fhKrQPpF9HNWY6YSzcXumxTXe31F_VmZxy3dk8MQaMuqn0VBPIuGu7sxi17Jo0jJHax2rI8UWAN0LKDmcS5/s320/A+Rod+and+CD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440870097099684946" /></a>Chris and I finally were able to sneak away for a weekend and headed to the coast. <br /><br />We opted for a weekend in Big Sur and were delighted to learn upon our arrival at our destination that a rumored new couple was staying there as well - Alex Rodriquez and Cameron Diaz. <br /><br />It appears the rumors are true.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-26728383413451403212009-12-20T09:04:00.000-08:002009-12-20T09:18:51.124-08:00The Wonder Years<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03ev0dkWAFRWaZIMAHSHy7Hc9RYCaUHMxa08CGSHw_UYL_iW0WTRAcfHrCP83Txlnk11vg6kTdFHcIHJjN46TAB3E7Qvrtq4kgTuYvPJeOoQMwMutJfjsnY9aovlYsdNRXlHcFY4mgH8S/s1600-h/Fred+Savage.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03ev0dkWAFRWaZIMAHSHy7Hc9RYCaUHMxa08CGSHw_UYL_iW0WTRAcfHrCP83Txlnk11vg6kTdFHcIHJjN46TAB3E7Qvrtq4kgTuYvPJeOoQMwMutJfjsnY9aovlYsdNRXlHcFY4mgH8S/s320/Fred+Savage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417368877820255618" /></a>Chris and I headed to the Napa Valley yesterday to scout wedding locations, and while there we just had to stop at Bouchon Bakery for some delicious treats. <br /><br />As we were approaching Bouchon, I immediately recognized the gentleman of the couple in front of us. I squeezed Chris' hand REALLY hard, to which he responded, "WHAT?" <br /><br />"Look!"<br /><br />There were come cyclists snacking on some treats nearby... "At their bikes?"<br /><br />"No, the guy!"<br /><br />"Who is it?"<br /><br />"Fred Savage!" <br /><br />We laughed. <br /><br />I'd actually seen Fred before, frantically running around his freshman year dorm at Stanford in his pajamas, as my sister lived in the same building. <br /><br />Chris spent the remainder of the day singing the Wonder Year's theme song and Thomas Keller remains a god.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-995391977160116732009-12-06T13:36:00.001-08:002009-12-06T13:48:36.446-08:00Ironman Canada Training<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVLaiXJBGusKyrXCPuZEY2YTJrqiEf1fa9kxdP35dRurxK6y3aSs0BNekEtc-xtdrsam8Si-Em3LrutkOH7DTP4b7GKfM1IWGVzBbZtcPcpIh0m6o6Xd8AitZRkgPTk66YFDtJnGxzcu_/s1600-h/CanHeader1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVLaiXJBGusKyrXCPuZEY2YTJrqiEf1fa9kxdP35dRurxK6y3aSs0BNekEtc-xtdrsam8Si-Em3LrutkOH7DTP4b7GKfM1IWGVzBbZtcPcpIh0m6o6Xd8AitZRkgPTk66YFDtJnGxzcu_/s400/CanHeader1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412243012188362754" /></a>Training for Ironman Canada officially started this week. <br /><br />I realized after a not so great year of racing that I just don't motivate myself and I hired a new coach. Workouts started on Tuesday and I have jumped in with both feet. <br /><br />December is going to be a not so fun month, filled with what Chris and I call "heart rate restriction" workouts, but I am excited at the possibility of a 2010 personal record, both in the half and in the full distance Ironman events. <br /><br />In 2010, I am registered for the Oceanside 70.3 in March, the Vineman 70.3 in July and then Ironman Canada in August. I am also very excited for a fun half marathon in there as well, as me and two of my dear friends from high school are doing the Orange County Half Marathon in May. <br /><br />I'm even more excited for our wedding sometime during 2010... but first we need to figure out when and where!Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-42320024934186863482009-11-26T09:24:00.001-08:002009-11-26T14:52:14.066-08:00Thankful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic3JOd3V88PqAF6ULMWsA5p_pyJIEh1YmZf_SKHKCst2mlraPFbLXd3apHeMa7q6t7M5TUmVTanf9xeGLCMxjIcngZ81BpeM8a-3enJVSxiA5IdwWjz3A8tMPoncjvuOYQtkpRNthGgLK/s1600/procserv.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic3JOd3V88PqAF6ULMWsA5p_pyJIEh1YmZf_SKHKCst2mlraPFbLXd3apHeMa7q6t7M5TUmVTanf9xeGLCMxjIcngZ81BpeM8a-3enJVSxiA5IdwWjz3A8tMPoncjvuOYQtkpRNthGgLK/s320/procserv.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408548905287692034" /></a>I have always felt I have been blessed in life, but this year I feel especially blessed. <br /><br />I have a wonderful, loving family. I have my health. I have a job I love, even when the hours are long. <br /><br />And now I have a fiance that I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with. <br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280434637273347299.post-54076022249620183462009-11-04T07:04:00.000-08:002009-11-04T07:14:34.829-08:00Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07DD_gLBZ6Z-OxrKHldzl3TN84BByI0kGr9MWVvRhWInrbvk5LpqSqhN6uf8r7vsOwhxTCHXNKW8gDsdS9CDaNe3ZSv1iGUwXFNLBETv3bug9PMR1RS8IOBxe3fGudafeSOvqw7MMwAFf/s1600-h/procserv-3.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07DD_gLBZ6Z-OxrKHldzl3TN84BByI0kGr9MWVvRhWInrbvk5LpqSqhN6uf8r7vsOwhxTCHXNKW8gDsdS9CDaNe3ZSv1iGUwXFNLBETv3bug9PMR1RS8IOBxe3fGudafeSOvqw7MMwAFf/s320/procserv-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400265686712074034" /></a>Chris and I have created a tradition of holding a pumpkin carving contest, just the two of us, each Halloween. It gets ugly. The smack talking starts early and is brutal. This year was no exception.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kcOQdlXhJqnbFMgKGa_oyphXjDDmmtVw52ZuQBM2RPJAvJnJI6LNulx1F0ceTdBmtRGm88yucu8fJq7kZJkgHDCFX7upPKFdySI-J66SC01EyFGVBf1HD-mu7nF4LVS12h4275WBaCww/s1600-h/procserv-2.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kcOQdlXhJqnbFMgKGa_oyphXjDDmmtVw52ZuQBM2RPJAvJnJI6LNulx1F0ceTdBmtRGm88yucu8fJq7kZJkgHDCFX7upPKFdySI-J66SC01EyFGVBf1HD-mu7nF4LVS12h4275WBaCww/s200/procserv-2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400265799503775954" /></a>I fear I lost this year, as it took FOREVER to carve my huge pumpkin, and I grew frustrated. The pumpkin walls were very thick and our little carving tools did not go all the way through. Due to my novice cleaning of the pumpkin, I essentially had to carve it twice - once on the service and then again to cut all the way through. Chris was able to carve TWO pumpkins in the same amount of time it took me to do one. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhtkZCXv9E1SRci55EWkgHkDW3TbsipVGNCimTtrBKiqFz9pFuFTWglX7uxDbZtVcc_wj-R3rJPbQXHMIwe-iaepCDxpve_a77pCR-ajB8sF7oXpZXQD5XPGlVb0uWHZd9pi7_tsCAFHb/s1600-h/procserv.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhtkZCXv9E1SRci55EWkgHkDW3TbsipVGNCimTtrBKiqFz9pFuFTWglX7uxDbZtVcc_wj-R3rJPbQXHMIwe-iaepCDxpve_a77pCR-ajB8sF7oXpZXQD5XPGlVb0uWHZd9pi7_tsCAFHb/s200/procserv.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400265951383697442" /></a>Regardless, it was a wonderful way to spend an evening, and we are still munching on four varieties of roasted pumpkin seeds. <br /><br />Too bad we had ZERO visitors seeking candy on Halloween.Grove Street Journalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02693823628328351558noreply@blogger.com2