Adlai

This may be a little late to post but for those who didn't get an update, Adlai was born on October 24th. He weighed 8 lbs. and 20" long.

Here he is at 2 days old:

And this is his most recent photo:

Baby Ready?

Today marks the beginning of my 38th week of pregnancy. So far I'm feeling good but a little slower in my walking/movement abilities. Last night I was still able to finish my regular 3-mile walk, so that's a good sign. I'm still able to sleep well through the night except that it bothers me when I have to roll from side to side or have to get up to go to the bathroom. I've never seen my hands and feet as fat-looking as they are now. And I feel like a big balloon!

A & I have taken birthing and baby preparation classes we need. We also got some expert breasfeeding session last weekend. Changing table is up, newborn clothes and accessories are all washed, hospital bags are almost stocked and ready. We've received our first delivery of cloth diapers making our room smell like baby.

Any day now...

Appointment Update @ 37 1/2 weeks

So, A & I visited my OB yesterday. We were given updates on the H1N1 and the seasonal flu vaccines. I guess, it is highly recommended that I get one. However, I have a couple of weeks left before I pop this kiddo out that it sounded like it didn't make any sense to get one now. Apparently, it takes a couple of weeks before the vaccine takes effect.

As of yesterday, the kiddo is in position (head down) and I was already 1 cm dilated and 70% effaced. It would have been expected that I'd get nervous upon hearing those words but instead I lightened up and got super-excited. A seemed suspiciously calm upon hearing this.

We also discussed about our birth plan and despite the number of times the doctor mentioned "pain", I was not emotionally affected by it. I think the hypno-relaxation-endorphin-releasing birth CDs I've been listening is working. We'll know if it's really effective when the Day comes.

3 Years

...since we got married on a perfect fall day in Vermont.

Still here...

...and preggers!

I've practically missed blogging since the beginning of my pregnancy. There were a lot of activities going on and prepping for this new family-member-to-be. A & I have just been enjoying the belly progress and we can't wait to meet the little one (in about) five weeks from now!

Chocolates to Enjoy

A few days ago, my work friend gave me these chocolates.

• Chocolove Chilies & Cherries in Dark Chocolate (55% Cacao content)
• Green & Black's Organic Dark Chocolate (55% Cacao content)
• Green & Black's Organic Milk Chocolate (34% Cacao content)

I've had Chocolove chocolates in the past and so far not disappointed with its line of dark bars combined with fruits or spices. I can't wait to try them all! Hopefully, I'll have the time to write down my tasting notes so I can share them with chocolate fans out there.

Cold Weekend, Warm Kitchen

As rain, wind and low 50's temperature hit the city this weekend, I cranked up the oven to bake this heartwarming pound cake. Adam started bringing lunch to work again and I thought this would be a good addition to his meal.

Brown Sugar and Chocolate Chip Pound Cake with Maple-Espresso Glaze

Supersize Me

A & I finally watched Supersize Me on Friday night. Twenty minutes later, I felt sick. As the film progressed, so did my stomach sickness. Note - we were having dinner while watching this. Twice we had to pause the film to remark on how eating fast food can do horrible things to a human body. After dinner, we had an apple each for dessert instead of the apple cake I made days earlier. By the end of the film, I felt a twinge, aching feeling on my upper left chest - as if I was about to have a coronary. Seriously, I don't think I can step foot in a fast food restaurant from now on. I can't even recall when the last time I was at In 'N Out. As much as I love this place, I think it will be for a long while before I visit it again and enjoy a Cheeseburger 'animal style'. 

Happy Inauguration Day!

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Vosges Goji Bar

To celebrate the end of my busy work week, I got this chocolate bar from Vosges Chocolates called the Goji Bar. Although there were other great bars to indulge on, I chose this one for its exotic ingredients. This particular deep milk chocolate (41% cacao) bar has Tibetan goji berries and pink Himalayan salt. 

I am always impressed with this chocolatier. They use exotic spices, fruits, nuts and other things of the food kind that one would not expect that it complements well with chocolate (i.e. bacon - yes, try their Mo's Bacon Bar and you'll know what I mean). My tasting experience with Vosges chocolates began when my husband (then boyfriend) brought home two squares (what was left of a whole bar) of the Black Pearl bar. The only time I put wasabi in food would be in sushi. I never expected that wasabi could taste great in chocolate. 

As for the Goji bar, the tartness of the goji berries balanced the sweetness of the chocolate. The hint of salt made it even more thrilling as the chocolate melted in the mouth - that burst of salt crystals jolted my senses.  This chocolate made the husband say, "WOW! This chocolate is awesome!" And as I am writing this post, you can be sure that I am enjoying a little piece of this amazing chocolate.

Where Did Winter Go?

What the.....? While the East Coast is experiencing frigid temperatures, we, in SoCal, are feeling summer-like temperature for the past several days. Today especially, it's 82ºF outside and climbing up to 88ºF! I didn't bike to work for the past few weeks because it was too cold. Now, I can't bike to work because it's too hot. It's only January and I want the cool weather back!

Gladeth and Paolo Got Married

A & I were lucky to witness a very happy moment yesterday as one of my old friends finally tied the knot. Gladeth was my classmate since kindergarten and we graduated together from high school. We lived on the same street and did a lot of long hours of school projects and activities. Did I not mention that our mothers were also classmates in high school? It was fun to see our parents and their friends from Baybay enjoy the wedding party especially Glad's mom and dad. The proud and happy father gave a very touching speech that would make a daughter gleam with happiness on her wedding day. Two of my old friends/classmates from grade school were there, although, I didn't get the chance to catch up with them with all that was happening during the course of the exciting event. Here are a few photos I'd like to share (thanks to Adam who took most of them with his pro-wonderful camera).

Congrats Glad & Pao!!! I wish you both all the best.

The newlyweds introduced for the first time as Mr. & Mrs.

While waiting for the wedding pictorial to end, Adam took this of us with my parents and two of their friends from Baybay.

Floral centerpiece at the reception.

With (from left) Loida and Theresa.

With the bride (and the groom in the back).

Here we are again - grade school classmates celebrating Gladeth's wedding.

An A & A tradition at every party, we like to take a self-shot of ourselves. Ain't we a hot couple? :-P

Bike Ride

A & I worked only a half-day last Friday. I came home, looked at our closet, turned away, then looked at it again. It was overflowing with dirty clothes that badly needed to be washed, dry cleaned or otherwise. As much as I didn't want to do the chore that day, I had no choice. While I was doing laundry, A decided to go for a bike ride up the mountain.

Late in the afternoon, I got a text message from him that he'll be up at the mountain for a while. In the message was a photo he took while at the top. On a gloomy, foggy Friday in the city, this is what it looked like above the clouds. Breathtaking!

Update: More photos of his bike ride here.

Helloooooo 2009!!!!

From Pasadena, Happy New Year!!!!

This New Year's day morning, A & I walked over to Colorado Blvd. and watched the beginning part of the Rose Parade. Marching bands from as far as Hawaii participated in the biggest event today. As we headed back to our place, a stealth bomber passed above us. After the parade, A & I are going to chill-ax (and maybe a beer or two on hand) in front of the TV and watch USC Trojans battle against Penn State for the Rose Bowl football game.

We hope your 2008 was good and we wish you all the best for 2009.

A couple of videos from the parade: