So Begins the Highlander Era

Here's a shot of our new car, the first brand new car either of us has owned. We're still trying to figure out the navigation system and how to connect Karen's phone to the hands-free system, but it's a smooth ride. Unfortunately, Jay has to find street parking for the Camry every night. The trade off is worth it for this guy. We love it!

Filling in the Blanks

To our ardent followers: I apologize for the delay since our last post. Things have been crazybusy this last month, especially since we've returned to school from Thanksgiving break. Luckily, we have only one more week at Crossroads and the Willows before we can enjoy two weeks off for Christmas and the New Year, our last as a couple without kids! We're sad that we won't be with family for the holidays (too late in the pregnancy to fly), but we at least got to see our respective families over the Thanksgiving break...

Jay left CA for a conference in Cambridge the Thursday before Thanksgiving and was able to get some quality alone time with Mom and Dad up there. He was also able to see some friends and take in a Celtics game that Friday night and enjoy his first (and probably only) Daddy Shower at Aunt Sue and Uncle Paul's house. The highlight was watching Nana take a condom out of her purse during a game we played.


THANK YOU Aunt Sue and Aunt Sally- That was exactly what this "Daddy" needed. Plus, now I know what it feels like to be thrown a shower. Never thought I would.


Meanwhile, Karen flew to Minnesota the Saturday before Thanksgiving and was greeted at the airport by her brother Brian who she had not seen in over 2 years, as he and his wife Kristy were in Africa in the Peace Corps. That night, Karen joined her college friends at Worm and Mike's new house for the annual Holiday Chili Cook Off (and now really wants a house, too!) The next day, she made lefsa with her mom. Jay flew in on Monday.

Among the highlights (this is Jay getting lazy and switching to bullet points):

• Watching Annika and Emerson at dance class
• Spending time with Max, Annika, and Emerson (oh, and Eric and Jessica, too)
• Timberwolves game with Brian and Kristy
• Running the Turkey Trot 5K with Brain on Thanksgiving Day
• Brunch with Brian and Kristy after the race

• Spending time with everybody on Thanksgiving

• Lunch with Carol
• Karen's baby shower
• Men's night out at Eric's while Karen was at the baby shower

Now we're back in Los Angeles, where we'll be until the baby is born! According to our recent doctor's appointments, all is well. Last weekend, we went to a marathon baby care class and loved it! We learned how to swaddle, how to bathe the baby, how to hold it after feeding, etc. Most of all, we were reminded that it is not easy!

Today, we head up to Tarzana to pick up our new car! That's right! We're going to get our brand new Toyota Highlander, charcoal with black interior (pictures in next blog entry). It will be the first brand new car either of us has owned. Next weekend, our final piece of baby furniture arrives, so we can finally get a sense of how much (or how little) space we have in Grover's room.

As of tomorrow, we're at 34 weeks!

Karen's First Shower! or Where are We Going to Put All This Stuff?

Karen had her first baby shower this weekend at the Chado Tea Room in Los Angeles. Here she is with (l-r) Stacey and Ali, the organizers of the event (thanks, girls! you made the mommy-to-be very happy!) and below you can see the arrangement of tables and the delicious treats. We got all kinds of stuff, but nothing impressed Jay more than Grover's brand new array of New York Jets onesies care of the one and only Ali Bell. I guess Grover has no choice in his/her choice of favorite sports teams (there have to be some traditions left intact, no?).


Then, the following night, we ventured up to the Valley and were treated to a delicious meal over at the Erlich's house (this place has been Karen's home away from home for years). We had an amazing meal (mmmm...squash soup! was it spaghetti squash I wonder?) with amazing company. Then, after dinner, we were completely floored when they presented us with not one, but both of our car seats! Thanks Erlichs! Now we just need the new car to put them in.

Karen is now in Week 29. Check out the Bump Watch photo below in the usual location against the wall by the door, but this time with balloons and baby gifts! By the way, tomorrow night we go for our second three-hour-long birthing class. The good news is Jay didn't pass out last time.

That's a Fast Heartbeat!

We had a nice experience with Dr. Pelino this week, our first time meeting with someone other than Dr. Bliss. We enjoyed her very much and we heard Grover's heartbeat for the first time. I never realized it, but baby's hearts beat about 130 beats per minute, much faster than ours. It was cool when Dr. Pelino moved the ultrasound machine back and forth from Karen's heartbeat to Grover's. It sounded healthy to me.

Karen and I opted not to do the costume thing this year for Halloween, instead splurging on a nice dinner with our friends Kevin and Stacey down the road at the Tavern. Worth every penny! Here's Karen, now at week 28, before we left:




Karen goes to her first baby shower this weekend, so we'll have to clear some space for all of our new gifts. Oh, and tomorrow night, we go to our first birthing class. We have our fingers crossed that Jay won't pass out during the graphic birth video.

Also, check out this fun thing we found in the latest Parenting magazine:


Go Phillies!

The Furniture Has Arrived!

The last two weekends were dedicated to painting, so we were more than ready when the furniture was delivered on Saturday morning, and more than happy to show it off to our pregnant couple friends. Two of Karen's friends from the Willows (Alex and Sarah) along with their husbands (Mike and Jeff) came over last night for dinner; we had a great time and everyone loved Grover's room. Here are a few pictures of the room along with the Mommies-to-be. By the way, Alex (black and white striped shirt) is due January 14th, we're the 25th, and Sarah (blue) is due February 8th!

This Thursday we have another appointment with a new baby doctor since Dr. Bliss is vacationing in Africa right now. Hopefully, we like the new one, but we already know she won't be as energetic as Dr. Bliss.

We also went to see Where the Wild Things Are this afternoon and we both loved it. I can almost hear Grover 7 years from now, shouting at the top of his lungs, "let the wild rumpus start!'

Only 14 Weeks to Go? Really?

Karen is now into her 7th month (26 weeks) and it's starting, though we still have a way to go, to feel like the home stretch. There have been more occasions when Karen's needed a boost off the couch, Jay felt Grover kick for the first time, and we have started to find baby gifts waiting for us at the doorstep. A Crossroads parent even asked Jay at a flag football game today if Karen would be interested in being a pregnant model for one of her clothing designer friends!

Here's Karen in her latest pose......and Jay with some of our new gifts...
Jay even went out and got a "test baby" for his new Bjorn and found it to be a perfect fit!

Introducing...Wales Green!

So, we can't say it was the happiest of weekends, as the Sox and Twins were both unceremoniously swept from the AL Playoffs, but it was certainly a productive one: We painted Grover's room! Here's what it looks like empty and with Karen caught in a candid moment before her 25-week bump watch photo:

It took us a while to settle on a color, but we settled for something called Wales Green. Jay thought it was too fluorescent at first, but after a day with it, both Karen and Jay feel it's the perfect shade for little Mr. or Mrs. Grover Dean.

On Wednesday night, we visited St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica for our first tour. It was interesting because it is a brand new delivery wing that doesn't even open until next Monday. When we saw the nurse's station, instead of actual computers, phones, and printers, they had signs on the desk indicating where they might be. Plus, the nursery was devoid of babies. Ultimately, it was nice to see where Grover will be born, but we want to go back when there's some action. We both left feeling very good about our chosen hospital and another step closer to the reality that we're really having a kid!

Meanwhile, Jay's stint on jury duty enters it's 7th day on Tuesday. He already had to pass up Red Sox/Angels tickets and is way behind at work, but the process has at least been interesting. Luckily, court is closed tomorrow for Columbus Day, so Jay can actually go into work and get caught up.

Here's another picture of Karen all bundled up for our trip to the Grove last night to see "Couples Retreat":
Believe it or not, it actually has felt like Fall a few nights recently. I mean, it's not like our leaves are changing color or anything, but we can look in different sections of our closets and dust off the stuff we never wear.

Until next week, Jay and Karen (and Grover) signing off.