The California story I forgot to tell

This is me 2 weeks ago (By the way, I can't believe I'm already into the 3rd trimester...it has gone by SOOOOO much faster this time!). I figured this picture will go along with the story so you can get the full mental image.

My grandfather has a girlfriend named Pauline. I had never met her until our recent trip out to California. She is quite the spunky and fun lady. She keeps my grandpa on his toes! Anyway. She invited the fam over to her house while we were visiting to have dinner. As we were clearing the table, I was trying to steal a couple more bites of grapes (since most of you know, with a toddler, you never get to finish your own meal). Well, the juice from the grapes went down the wrong tube and I start choking. Yes, you probably know where this is going. I give Mallory to my dad since I'm crying , coughing and can't breathe. My mom thinks I'm choking on the actual grape, so as I'm trying to explain, I start laughing and then it happens.

I can feel a warm liquid practically running down my legs. I run to the bathroom where Wade is and tell him to move it! Every time I cough (since the juice is still choking me up), more urine comes out. I look down to realize I can't wear any of the bottoms I wore to Pauline's house home. Literally, my shorts look like someone splashed a bucket of water on them.

I yell for my mom. She comes to the rescue (after almost peeing on herself too, along with Kelly). I ask her to borrow a towel or something from Pauline to wear home. So, she goes to get Pauline. Pauline replies with, "Oh, I've got the perfect thing for you to borrow." My mom says she's getting a bathrobe for me. Perfect. I can just wrap my whole body up and be covered. Oh no. She comes back with a SATIN NIGHTIE! This isn't good for 2 reasons. #1 It's mid thigh! #2 How awkward is it that I'm wearing my grandfather's girlfriend's nightie around without the proper undergarments on? I'll answer...very.

So, as to not be rude, I put the nightie on. Fortunately, it covers everything as long as I don't bend over. I stand in the hallway waiting for us to leave as my sister and mom keep laughing at me while they clean the kitchen. My poor dad and Wade. It had to be a little awkward for them too.

The worst part is that I still needed to stop at a grocery store to get milk for Mallory before she went to bed. And, I was riding with Kelly and Wade. Both of the car seats were in the backseat and my seat was in between them. Kelly obliged and crawled in the backseat for me. It was dark outside, but not that dark! And Wade ran into the store to get the milk for me.

I had heard that your bladder control gets worse the more kids you have. Holy cow, that is an understatement. All from some grape juice.

Randomness

I got tagged a while back from Kelly, so here it goes. 8 Random things about yours truly:

1. When I am making lists or writing notes to myself, I use medical abbreviations (for words like with, without and after) back from the days of being an ER nurse. Sometimes I accidentally write them in notes to other people and have to write a whole new note since they wouldn't know what a "c" with a line over the top meant.

2. I am a stacker. I inherited this trait from my father, who inherited it from his mother. For some reason, I feel tidy when I put things in stacks. There can be a mess of paper on our bar for weeks. When I finally go through all of it; file away the important stuff, throw out the junk mail and put away stuff that has a place, there will be a nice and neat stack of stuff I don't know what to do with (but I know if I throw it away or put it somewhere, I'll need it later). This drives Brad CRAZY!! It really is a sickness.

3. I don't prefer to talk on the phone (obviously there are exceptions: family and people that I talk to on a very regular basis). I much prefer email over phone calls. I know it's not very personal, but to be honest, it takes less time, there is less awkward silence to fill and it's pretty convenient.

4. On the same note about awkward silences...I get very uneasy during Sunday School or other group settings when people don't "discuss". Not that I will jump right in and say what I think about the discussion, but I get nervous for the discussion leader and feel the need to fill the silence somehow.

5. When I was in the 5th grade, my sister picked out my outfits for me everyday. This is really humorous to me now, seeing as how we really disliked each other growing up (4 years is a big difference in sisters...but all of that has changed now!). Anyway. I would record the outfit for each day (down to hair accessories and shoes), and didn't repeat an outfit for more than a whole month! That is impressive. I seem to have really lost my "fashion sense" since having a kid and, really, since college. Not that I was ever a "fashionista", but I think I had some clue back then. Maybe I should let Kelly do that again. In fact, I wouldn't mind being nominated for the show "What Not to Wear". Seriously, it wouldn't hurt my feelings and I'd get a trip to New York out of it! Just make sure it is at least 6 months after I birth Morgan:)

6. I really like to vacuum. I inherited this from my dad too. I think it's instant gratification for me. When you vacuum, you immediately get rid of the dirt and there are pretty lines in the carpet for your efforts.

7. I am incredibly indecisive. It drives me crazy sometimes. I think I have regretted almost every retail purchase I've ever made...or not made. For example: I've been wanting a big piece of art or something to hang in our entry way between 2 lamps. Back in 2004, I found this poppy canvas on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond that I really, really loved. It only had a little scratch at the bottom and I had permission from the husband to purchase it. I didn't. Now, I envy my sister's staircase every time I go to her house because that same poppy canvas hangs there. I recently found a canvas painting at Hobby Lobby that I liked for the most part. I was good and didn't take the cardboard edges off until Brad saw it so he could give his opinion. I thought it was what I wanted (it was also 50% off which made me want to want it even more). After 3 weeks of it hanging in our entry way, I decided I didn't really like it in the first place. So, since I threw away the receipt and took off the cardboard edges, I had to get store credit for the purchase I thought I wanted. I wish I could be confident in what I like and be happy with what I decide to buy. It's pretty annoying.

8. I repeat myself. A lot. Between Brad, my mom, my sister and best friend, it is really hard for me to remember who I tell what story to. So, I usually end up repeating the same stories to the same people over and over. I have started to ask "Have I already told you this?" before almost every story so I don't drive those people nuts.

If you have the time, I tag Kara, Sarah, Lori, Meredith, Brooke and Alison!

Future Univision commentator

Soccer season is in full swing around our house! This is kind of late since the first game was about a month ago. Oops! The Cru are on a streak having won the last two games! Here's a couple of pictures of the coach's biggest fan.

I really need to make a trip to the UMHB bookstore and get the appropriate attire for Mallory, but until then, this handmade shirt will have to do.

This one has nothing to do with soccer, but I thought she looked like a big girl in her new jeans and sparkly shoes.

Random. This girl would NOT wear hats, sunglasses or any other accessories for the longest time. She found these sunglasses in her closet the other day and wore them for about 30 minutes around the house. She also wore them to the last soccer game we went to for almost the whole first half. Brad calls me "Posh" because of my sunglasses, so now Mallory is sporting the nickname too:)

I bought this little soccer ball after I found out I was pregnant. I thought it'd be fun if we had a boy. Since that isn't happening, Mallory is playing with it instead. When you squeeze it, it says "Goooooallllllll!" So, the other day I taught Mallory how to say "Goooaalllll!" It's pretty cute. And of course, she had to wear the shades while she was on video.

Gray is boring...at least for today.

I'm getting bored with the look of the blog, so I thought I'd coordinate it with Morgan's countdown. Anyone know how to do those really creative and one of a kind blog templates?

I need a change....

California...part one...second

Sorry about the delay in the post (dad). I do have a "job", you know:)

Here are the pictures from the first half of the trip:

Wednesday: I mentioned that it seemed as if we gave Mallory straight sugar after the first plane ride. She went bananas crawling all over the hotel room and then she found her twin in the mirror. She was really excited to meet "Mallory". We then went to eat with my Aunt Barbara, cousin Corry and cousin Butch (he was late for the picture). Mallory really wasn't in the mood for Chinese food or for being a good girl in public. Can't really blame her after a LONG day of traveling and two 45 minute cat naps. This was meltdown #1.

Thursday: Before Mallory's first birthday, I was a stickler about sweets. Now, she has them every now and then (mainly if we are eating them in front of her). She LOVED the strawberry ice cream from Hubcaps. I think she ate more than I did!

The second picture is of Mallory sporting her leg warmers. They are really just socks, but I had to pull them up for her to keep them on her feet. I took her to a spray park the day before we left. Since she doesn't walk (and I didn't have any water sock shoe things), she crawled around on the concrete. It never bothered her. I noticed that the concrete had rubbed the skin off the tops of her toes and feet. Poor girl. The biggest scabs grew over the boo boos. Anyway. After a day of crawling on the hotel carpet, one of her scabs came off and her foot was bleeding. Gross, I know. The legwarmers were the alternative to trying to keep band aids on her feet the whole trip. I felt bad because I'm sure shoes rubbed right in the wrong spot. All of the boo boos have healed up nicely now. And I just purchased a pair of water socks for her in case we make a trip to the spray park before it gets too cool.

Friday: Kelly, Wade and Tate got in town this day. So, we loaded up and the whole fam went to eat at the Back Forty, which ironically was "Texas BBQ". Not Joe Allen's, but not bad either. This picture is immediately before meltdown #2 for Mallory and #1 for Mommy. Let me just say that it is really trying when you are the only caregiver to a 15 month old, in another state, on a different time zone and pregnant! Poor Mallory. She would not eat her dinner (until I put the mac n cheese on the table) or cooperate for that matter. I was very frustrated with her. Finally, she eats the mac n cheese, and obviously enjoys it (her hair was plastered to her forehead). I was wiping her face off with a wipee and she jerked her head forward and banged it really hard on the table. I felt horrible. I grabbed her, kissed her and then both of us started bawling. I will blame 80% of it on pregnancy hormones (I've still got 3 more months to play that card!). I couldn't control myself and had to give Mallory to my sister and head to the little girls room. Embarrassing. My family was very sweet though and didn't make a big deal about it. Thank you. Sorry you missed the show Becca!

Saturday: The big day. My mom was very gracious, and offered to watch Tate and Mallory while we all went to the game. Brad and I attempted a college football game with Mallory last Thanksgiving and it did not go so well (breastfeeding in the bathroom stall and missing the second half pretty much). So, needless to say, Kelly and I really appreciate you watching them mom, thanks!

My dad went to Berkeley, and was in his element at the game. It was really fun to be there with family and to watch a really good game. One of the best parts (other than the win) was when the sun went down. It literally dropped almost 20 degrees in minutes. I love California! Wade even got into the "spirit" and ran onto the field with all the college kids after the game. I wanted to reenact a picture that my sister and I took when we were at a Cal game back in the 80's...but we left our terry cloth jumpers at home and thought it would be too risque to let our underwear hang out the sides like it did back then.

Even though she wasn't at the game to cheer on the Golden Bears, she dressed up for them!

Here's my 83 year old (today!) grandfather at the game. UC Berkeley is a family tradition (grandpa, grandma, aunt, uncle and dad)

And here is the psycho Cal fan with his girls. Seriously, you should have seen him in the bookstore...embarrassing...but fun.

And that should wrap up the trip. Overall, I had a blast and am soooo glad that we made the trek out there. Thank you to mom and dad for ALL of their help and for letting us tag along! We had a great time.

This goes with the video below. For some reason when I try to add text, it deletes the video. Sorry Kelly, I deleted your comment! Oops!

Mallory "officially" took steps about 2 months ago when Brad and I were sitting about 3 feet apart and she stumbled to us. I thought for sure she would take off on her own shortly after that. I guess you can safely say that Mallory is cautious. It took her a month to crawl, but she had each individual movement down that whole time. The same with walking. We know she can do it, we think she is just scared or likes us to hold to her hand. Anyway. Funny that she did this today since we were at her well check up and I was asking the doctor when I should be concerned about her not walking on her own....turkey! Speaking of her check up...24 HEAVY pounds, 31 1/2 inches and her head is 47 cm. Not sure about the percentiles on that, forgot to ask! She did great at the office and and loved squealing at herself in the wavy mirror. Mommy did great too since she was by herself and had to hold her down for the shots...that is usually daddy's job!

An exciting day!

California trip...part two...first

I'm having quite the time with uploading pictures, so this trip will be posted in two parts. Unfortunately, all the pictures I posted today are from the last half of the trip, so I apologize for the confusion!

This was my gazillionith time to California, and Mallory's first! My dad and his whole family are from Northern California, so we get the privilege of vacationing there every couple of years. Yes, it's still a vacation even with family:) We were expecting the typical breezy, sunny California weather, but it ended up being warmer than it was in Texas! Bummer! But, I will quote my dad and actually say that he was right, "It's a dry heat!" Anyway. We had a full 8 days of traveling and taking it all in. My dad was in his element being able to show off the grandkids to his sister, brother, dad and all of his nieces and nephews. Mallory and Tate were a hit! We ate at all of the "regular" places, watched the Cal Bears beat the Tennessee Vols, made a trek on public transportation to San Francisco, relived childhood memories and had a lovely dinner with my grandfather's new girlfriend. It was a full week and we all still love each other! The only person missing was Brad...and he was really missed!!!

So, the part I dreaded the most ended up being okay. I was slightly terrified of flying with Mallory. She has never flown before, does not nap well in her car seat and didn't know what 3 1/2 hours of being cooped up in an airplane would do to her or her ears. But, all in all, she did GREAT! We were able to get her a seat last minute (both ways, praise the Lord!). She didn't sleep, ate plenty of Goldfish, watched 3 DVDs, read every book twice and even got her picture taken with the pilot. What a good girl!

Okay, now the pictures. Unfortunately, these are out of order, but you'll get the general idea. Enjoy!

On Sunday, we met our cousin Amy in San Francisco for the day. That was quite an adventure. Let's just say that I am in awe of mommies that live in big cities that deal with public transportation and strollers on a daily basis. I don't know if I could do it. But, we survived and Mallory was entertained by all of the people watching.

This is a picture of "lawn bowling". Sorry, but it's strange. I don't know much about it, but it seems weird. It's like something out of a movie. All of the players are wearing white, it's so quiet and they are rolling these balls across the lawn to each other. I asked Amy if she lawn bowls, and she replied she wasn't old enough. Enough said.

One of the many reasons I would love to live in Northern California. Golden Gate Park. It is beautiful and I kept saying how much I wish Texas had stuff like this. We stopped by the Flower Conservatory to let the kids stretch their legs. It's BEAUTIFUL! There were dogs running (which Mallory loved!), families having picnics and just general lounging all around us. Amazing. The flowers were gorgeous too!

This is the actual Conservatory part, but we couldn't stay long enough to go in. I'm sure it's neat though!

The 40th anniversary "Summer of Love" fesitval was going on the same day we were there. Supposedly, the haze of smoke is from the BBQ pits, but I'll let you use your imagination:) There was somd great people watching here, let me tell you! One man was walking by us and said, "The hippies are here!" Surely, he was looking past us since we obviously did not fit in there! My parents would have though!

I might regret this sometime, but hey, we were on vacation. This kept Mallory entertained for a long time while I was getting ready. She isn't like normal children, she likes to shred, sort and then clean up the toilet paper instead of unroll it. I'm thinking she'll be type A like her parents.

This was on the plane ride home, Tuesday. I put her in the seat while I buckled in her car seat. Like the picture above, she is a little Type A. She would not look up at the camera for anything until she figured out how to buckle the seat belt.

My dad is a little obsessed with In-N-Out Burgers. To the rest of the family, it was just another fast food hamburger. We had to eat there twice on the trip. Mallory wouldn't wear the hat for him, so we snapped a picture of Tate and Grandpa instead.

Cousin time! Mallory and Tate had LOTS of bonding time on this trip. Here they are after a hot afternoon playing footsies while the mommies took bathroom breaks.

Monday, on the way to my grandfather's house, we stopped at a place called the Nut Tree. They recently reopened it, and although it's not quite like how I remember it as a kid, it was fun to take my daughter to it. My sister and I would take our pictures in these animal head things every time we would visit. They also have a train that you can ride around the park and used to have pineapple and marshmallow cream as appetizers in the restaurant! Mmmm!

Although her face doesn't show it, she really did enjoy her first carousel ride! Her mommy almost passed out from the heat and getting dizzy, but Mallory and Tate had fun!

Stay tuned for more....if you are just dying to find out the rest, check out Kelly and Wade's blogs!

Coming soon...

...a post about "Adventures in traveling with Mallory on a plane for 3 1/2 hours and spending 8 straight days with your parents"....

We've been in California for a week and have lots of stories and pictures, but not much time to post it right now. Stay tuned!