A Few Things I'm Looking Forward To

-squeezing my wife in the airport (and all the other things that are possible in her presence. you know, like tickling.
-getting lick-attacked by my dogs
-home cooked meals
(one of the numerous Mexican restaurants down here had a sign that said: "Preparado Diariamente. Only $5.59!" Now, I don't know much Spanish, so could someone who does please assure me that that doesn't mean: "Prepared Diarrhea" or "Prepare for Diarrhea.")
-talking to Shannon face to face, hearing more than every other word, and not having to shout at a cell phone
-reacquainting myself with the fact that, yes, my wife is really pregnant and I'm gonna be a papa in seven months
-reading Harry Potter
-soccer! I've been sitting on my butt for 3 weeks
-seeing friends and family
-playing the Frazier's new Wii
-occasional rain and sub-90-degree days
-knowing where good Thai restaurants are located
-not sleeping in a sleeping bag on a bare vinyl mattress. it's like waking up in a greased pan
-seeing the changes Shannon has made to our home
-sharing with Shannon things I've learned at grad school/summer camp
-establishing a consistent studio practice

Only 1 day left! Hope to see many of you soon

HP Everywhere!

Every time a new Harry Potter book comes out, Shannon and I line up with the rest of the hungry muggles at midnight and then read it aloud to each other, usually in a matter of days.

This year we're apart. It's torture. I was all over L.A. today, mostly at art museums--The Getty and UCLA's Hammer Museum, which were both awesome--and everywhere, I mean everywhere someone had the book under their arm or under their nose.

I was in Southern California, on a gorgeous day (I won't mention the smog) in a beautiful museum looking at amazing art. But a big part of me would have rather taken a trip to Hogwarts, via Bellingham Washington. That is, if Hogwarts even opens!

As always, we love getting comments (it encourages regular posts knowing we have regular readers) but don't you dare reveal anything about the story. We've got another whole week to wait.

February 14th, 2008

Tuesday, I had my official dating ultrasound. The technician was having a hard time measuring the baby so she asked it to move for her. The baby complied almost immediately. It was so cool to see it move and that it is still healthy. He/She is now 1 inch in length. Here are some new pictures.

I'm still feeling crummy most afternoons. But hopefully that will pass when I reach the end of the first trimester. I've spent a lot of time with my parents. They have been a blessing; helping me with the dogs and providing healthy food options. I really miss Brian though.

Vehicular Flamboyance

I didn't get a chance to leap into the air spastically, like Peewee, so my photo might seem a little lackluster. But try to ignore the lack of exuberance, and tell me, isn't my bike as cool, if not cooler, than his?

Happy Birthday Brian!

It is the big 27! For all of you that didn't notice right away, that is the last perfect cube Brian will be until he is 64! Such an important year. ;) Yes, a little math dorky, but that's ok, because Brian does that same thing.

Happy Birthday Love! I hope you are having a great one in Southern California. We will definitely celebrate when you get home.

P.S. This will be Brian's first birthday that I haven't spent with him since 1999!

Bad Days :(

The last few days have been absolutely crummy. I've had no fun at all. Everything has gone wrong. July is going to drag on forever.

P.S. Check the comments on the last two posts to find out why...

Baby Rush!

I had my first ob appointment today and everything looks great! It looked like we are about 8 weeks along in the ultrasound, which makes our due date tentatively February 15th. The official dating ultrasound is in a couple of weeks.

Brian had to miss our appointment, but our good friend Emily came along to document the experience and support my nerves. It was great to have her! Afterward, she took me to the Mother Baby center and we weighed Keely. Then we walked along the waterfront; Keely in her stroller and Otis on his leash. Hungry, we headed to Avenue Bread downtown to get a sandwich followed by Mallard Icecream for dessert. A perfect summer day!

Kinda like a single mom

I admire women (and men) that have to be single parents. Even though, I just have puppies, I kinda feel like a single mom right now. But we're adjusting.

The Fourth of July was a little rough as I figured out how to be at a social event with the dogs on my own when I was feeling crummy. A couple friends stepped in to a lend me a hand and reminded me to take care of myself.

Yesterday was better. Trudy went to Doggie Day Care. After some dog park time with Otis, I went strawberry picking with my friends Mike and Emily. Then we went back to Emily's house to make freezer jam with our harvest. Otis played contentedly in Emily's backyard. Trudy was tired in the evening, and after Otis's puppy class he was too. Overall, it was a great day!

Technological absence

I have pried the laptop from Shannon's steely blogger grip in the name of art and all things Californian!

For you, faithful reader, that means you'll either be hearing a lot from me or just a lot of virtual tumbleweed blowing across the domain. Hopefully the former.

Layover

I'm on my way!

I just flew over some amazing country. Desolate red earth. Deep shady chasms. Some people call it the Grand Canyon, but the cliche doesn't do it justice. But then, neither does my 2-minute-internet-kiosk description.

Well, I'm in Phoenix now and it's 115 F outside!! Why do people live here??

More from California,

Brian