30*weeks!

Hooray! This week we found a few spare minutes to do a mini pregnant photo shoot of my bare-nakie baby belly. Good thing too, because at 30 weeks/7 months, I'd like to remember the size of this tummy before it reaches freakish proportions! After all, this babe still needs to double his size before he's allowed to greet the world. And I am just trying to enjoy, cherish, and embrace every moment of this time. It's an understatement when I say that the minor discomforts of growing a little guy really pale in comparison to the miracle that's continuing within. His hyperactive Olympic training sessions crack me up, even when he keeps me up at night. And even though the weight gain and spider veins are a little scary, I'm not even counting...It's all for an amazing little purpose that I could never complain about. But I will say that after pre-term labor scare #2 {long story, but just know that we're both perfectly healthy, safe and sound!} it's getting to be time to wrap things up at work. The 12 hours on my feet, night or day, scrambling and stressed in the ICU is just not working out so well these days. I've been exhausted! I am so looking forward to an early maternity leave...With plenty of time for nesting and yoga and figuring out how to knit baby everythings. And speaking of things to look forward to...I am leaving on a jet plane in the a.m., heading home for a long weekend + double baby shower w/ my best girl cousin Alisha {who's also expecting a boy this spring}! Am so excited to compare bellies with her and to see everyone!!


{As you can see, my former innie belly button has transformed into a somewhere-in-betweenie.}

sweet morning

I am delighting in this sweet+sunny morning: The kind of morning that involves sleeping in 'til long after the sun has come up. Then hanging out in my 'jams until I feel inspired to bake up some cream-cheesy cinnamon rolls. {The kind of rolls that you find in a guilty blue Pillsbury tube at the grocery store, perfectly paired with a gulp of O.J.} Sharing the ooey-gooey goodness of it all with a dear, sweet Jeff.

bird-brained nesting and spring chicken hatching

Suddenly after all of the holiday hub-bub subsided, it hit me: We are really and truly going to have a baby. Soon. It's crazy to think we've arrived in the wild 3rd trimester world already!

This little peapod is becoming even more real and more magical every single day. And he's definitely becoming stronger and bigger each and every day. And I believe it's starting to sink in more&more for that handsome husband of mine also. Just the week before Christmas, the most magical thing of all happened...Jeff felt those mighty little man kicks for the very first time. And since then he's had a hand on my belly, bonding with the wiggle worm within daily. So very fun.

The other night, we made an impromptu date and went out for some fancy schmancy dinner and a little shopping. {We've realized that such impromptu date nights are nearing extinction, so we're seizing every precious opportunity!} We stopped at Gap and I could not even resist taking home this little onesie. Isn't it soo sweet+perfect for our mini man?...After all, we've nicknamed him our little spring chicken since the beginning. Ready or not... 4.6.09 will be here before we know it. He'll be hatching in no time.
We're still at the drawing board with the name situation. Well to be honest, we have a pretty perfect first name in mind, but are still puzzling over a suitable middle. Not sure why we hadn't picked up a name book yet, because we had such a blast devouring this book while waiting for our entrees at the restaurant. I must say, I'd highly recommend it. It's clear+concise. But better yet, its authors are downright forthright about the name game. They write the most fresh+funny descriptions of each name and are not afraid to tell you if your choice is lame or completely awesome! We laughed so hard when we studied up on our own names...that the name Jessica is "ready for a well-earned rest" and Jeff is "the ultimate dad name." Better yet get a load of what they had to say about, Jeffrey spelling variation of Geoffrey: "Yes, there were actually Jeffreys/Geoffreys in the Middle Ages...but now they're just middle-aged." Am glad they have much more encouraging+pleasant things to say about our baby names of choice!
Oh, and the nesting progress definitely deserves a mention: The Christmas tree is officially dead and gone, leaving wide open spaces for a tiny baby nursery to move in. We haven't set anything up yet, but we've certainly been collecting! Just last week, we scored this super simple changing table off of Craigslist to the tune of $20. We've had such great luck finding deals on baby goods there! I'm thinking 6 square white wicker baskets will be perfect for storing all of baby's toiletries, toys, and linens beneath...

I know I'm long overdue for sharing a belly pic. Next week, I promise!:)

holiday rewind.

Look who's finally decided to come back to life. ;)

After a much longer than anticipated blogitty hiatus, I am finally back in action...Recharged and rejuvenated in '09. Truly, I've been alive and well this whole time. Just seemed to have kicked the blogging routine and for awhile and then forgot where to even begin again...I've been so distracted by all of the big changes and lengthy to-do's of the New Year. So sorry this is old news! We had a most Merry Christmas and I hope you did too.

Since we both worked Christmas Eve, we set out a bit late for our Christmas vacation to the perilous snowed-in-over-and-above Washington state to visit Jeff's fam in Spokane for 5 days. We had a completely dreadful time getting there, so I'll try to summarize: 1. I was traveling on zero sleep (gotta love the night shift) and so super uncomfortable, 2. we were delayed+canceled+delayed+delayed 3. We arrived safely and soundly the next morning without our luggage. No underwear, Christmas presents, or toothbrushes. Yowzers. Thankfully, Jeff's fam treated us as if our house had just burned down, offering up spare sweats and toiletries. Our luggage showed up later the next eve...A bit soggy, but I'm not complaining!Everyone in Spokane was scratching their heads over this winter's record snowfall (5+ feet!?) They never get this kind of crazy snow! I was indulging in the white Christmas, mostly because my pregnant diva status made me exempt from shoveling. :) The little brown buildings peeking out from snow piles above are the Kesterson home and the church where Jeff's dad preaches. So cute. We picked the most perfect year to give Jeff's parents snowshoes for Christmas {lower left}! They could have used them to walk from house to garage! And errr, apparently I've been in Cali a bit too long--I thought I could get away with wearing ballet flats out one night through 6" icey puddles. {See toesicles in upper left.} Thankfully Jeff was strong enough to carry all of me + babe across the threshold.We absolutely loved seeing+catching up with everyone. All of Jeff's fam were there--his big sis Heather+husband Justin, little sis Jenny, and little bro Mark {upper left}. We had the best time, just vegging in between snow dumpings and shovelings. We also had a girls' date pottery painting *my favorite!* {upper right}. We even stole away on a double date with our best couple friends Becca & Sam who are currently living in Spokane. In the pics, we're roasting our own s'mores for dessert at the swank underground restaurant called Catacombs.

We headed back to S.F. on 12.31 for a quiet New Year's Eve; just the two of us in front of our little Christmas tree. As much as we loved Spokane's magical winter wonderland, we couldn't help but grin when the bus dropped us + our luggage off on green grass and sunny skies in front of our own little apartment.

cupcake pin cushions

During our holiday Spokane visit, my crafting guru Becca & I got to squeeze in an afternoon craft party, along with my sil Jenny. We made these adorable cupcake pin cushions using this tutorial. {Not quite the caliber of Betz White's, but still pretty stinking cute...} They are so simple to make. All you need is a few old sweaters, a needle+thread, and an hour!!

december daily {no. 19} : 2 cups, snuggle up.

Today's advent calendar activity: "Check out a favorite Christmas movie and snuggle up with 2 cups of hot chocolate." Lucky us, I used up the last few scoops of our Ghiradelli cocoa mix and popped in Love Actually...the perfect combination for the perfect occasion. That movie gives me nothing but warm fuzzies. From the "All You Need is Love" cover at the wedding in the beginning to the little octopus boy at the Christmas pageant at the end. Such a classic. A true chic flick, yet it melts even the manliest of hearts. {Jeff loves this movie too!}

tree trimming tutorial

For anyone needing a quick handmade gift, or just a little crafting inspiration, I thought I'd share the skinny on how to make this sweet+simple song birdie ornament. This ornament is super simple to make, so I hope I'm not insulting anyone's intelligence by deconstructing it step by step! :) Sharing a little Christmas joy+ joining in the tree trimming fun here:


Step 1. Assemble supplies:
*glitter (I chose to use Martha Stewart glitter in smoky quartz)
*decoupage
*glue
*thin ribbon or baker's twine
*glue brush
*scissors
*chipboard (a fancy word for dense cardboard. but seriously, just cereal box thickness will do.)
*vintage sheet music (mine is ripped from a destroyed old hymn book. for a new-school alternative you might also use scrapbooking paper or xeroxed music, stained with tea or distressing inks)
*small hole punch (oopsies! forgot to add in pic!)
*waxed paper (optional for tidy crafters!)
*birdie template (below: just click to enlarge and print page)

Step 2: Print + cut out template above. Trace onto chipboard and trim your 3 pieces:
Step 3. Paint both wings some good old fashioned Elmer's, douse with glitter. Shake and let dry.Step 4. Rinse paint brush, whip open your decoupage, and cover one side of bird. Tear pieces of music haphazardly, place over bird shape, and coat with more decoupage. Allow to dry. Repeat coat if desired.Step 5. Trim paper around bird's edges. Flip bird (no pun intended!) and repeat decoupage process on reverse. Step 6: Adhere wings to both sides. Use Elmer's, tacky glue, or anything strong you've got.Step 7: Punch hole, loop with ribbon, and you're ready to fly. Go trim that tree!

december daily {no. 18} : receive

Today I squealed with delight when I came home to find Chelle's gorgeous D.B. swap package at my door. It might as well be Christmas morning. I absolutely ADORE these handmade banners she sells on etsy. I've been jonesing for one for quite some time...Until today when this ''Be Merry" beauty came in the mail! I couldn't decide where to hang it, but right now I'm loving the way it looks in my bright sunny window. {P.S. She has free shipping on items in her darling etsy shop 'til tomorrow. Buy yourself a merry little banner too!!}And if the banner goodness wasn't enough...Out of the rest of the package spilled a beautiful handmade card, felt mitten tags {or maybe ornaments!?}, delicious homemade almond roca, scrapbooking lovliness galore, ribbons, and {chuckles} the same Martha mag I sent her for inspiration! Talk about great taste. Chelle and I could be two peas in a pod. And I must be the luckiest girl under the sun to be blessed with such beauties and friendship. Thanks so much, Chelle! I can't wait to assemble a little chipboard scrapbook of wonderful Christmas memories.

december daily {no. 17} : merriment

Yesterday Jeff and I both had the day off--free to run about the city, free of responsibility. We had a tasty lunch out and hit the Asian Art Museum with our friends Eric & Kirsten in the afternoon. Then back home to get all gussied up for the date of the year: Jeff's sister Heather gave us tickets to see the Phantom of the Opera! {Thanks Heather! We had the best time!!} It was an early Christmas gift, since it's just showing in S.F. through the first week of the year and we weren't sure we'd be able to catch a show after Christmas. Before the show, we had a fabulous dinner at swanky Houston's. (Silly, because Jeff works there, but I love the food, love the rock-star service, and love the discount!!) From there, we caught the adorable F Car to get to the theater district. Although not the quickest, these street cars are definitely the coolest way to get around. The city has a collection of vintagey cars from around the world, each painted different colors. They're unusually neat and clean inside and have darling little wreaths on their fronts at Christmastime! So unbelievably charming. We made it to the Orpheum with just 30 seconds to spare before the show began (phew!). And I can't speak highly enough of the performance. Amazing. Seriously, the best night ever.

How lame am I for not taking pics? I even made a point of dashing back into our apartment to grab my camera on the way out, just to capture all of the fun. Lo and behold, we've all been there, I was greeted with a dead battery situation. So am hoping that my borrowed flickr pic by photomato will suffice for the wonders of today's experience.

december daily {no. 16} : city sidewalks

This afternoon I hopped down to Union Square to pick up my very last few Christmas gifts. That's right. All done! And had I not been near-finishing, I think I might have had a panic attack in all of the commercial holiday hub-bub. It gets completely out of control, don't you think? Instead, I had a delightful time meandering about, admiring the big city sidewalks dressed in holiday style. The lights are fabulous! But the front of Williams-Sonoma is my very favorite sight to behold. Makes you want to cozy in and buy a few red + green Kitchenaid mixers, or maybe just savor a sample of their exquisite peppermint bark.
Here's a little California Christmas tree for those of you drowning in snow and subzero wind chills! Wish you were here. But don't be too jealous...It was a damp, blustery 41 degrees here today and I actually thought about wearing mittens. It's kinda cute when San Franciscans complain about the cold.
For once, I picked up a slew of beautiful baubles at Anthropologie without actually spending a pretty penny. Believe it: the sales are phenomenous! Half the store is on sale, which makes everything extra tempting, now that it's so suddenly within reach. I was like a kid in a candy store. This place steals my heart.
And perhaps the most splendid sight of all: the 5 story tree in the windows of Neiman Marcus (Or, as my dad would say, Needless Markups). Definitely the most festive view from my bus-stop. Home to nibble on Christmas cookies and sip hot chocolate!