Baby on the Brain

We had our 16 week appointment yesterday with our nurse/ midwife. We finally got to hear the bambino's heartbeat for the first time! It's a strong, healthy 150 beats per minute. She was right over it's back with the doppler & it kept moving around! It was all pretty cool!

It's still a bit surreal. Even though I'm heading into my 5th month of pregnancy, my only signs have been nauseousness (which has for the most part subsided), a little indigestion/ heartburn, some dizziness (from all the lovely new blood my body is producing), and fatigue. My pants are a little bit tighter, but I'm not really showing at all. The nurse/midwife said that I most likely won't get that big because of my height. She said that if someone saw me from behind (even at my biggest) they probably wouldn't know I was pregnant. Still, it will be cool when I can actually see this little guy or gal popping out a little!

In the next couple of weeks I should begin to start feeling the little one flipping around down there. So excited! On December 11th we go for our big ultrasound appointment where they may also be able to sex the baby... yes, we're finding out. Like Ross says, it's a surprise no matter when you find out!

So many good things to look forward to! I'm enjoying every second! Send good baby vibes our way!

Baby's First Rollins Show

We headed out to the Crest Theater in Sacramento to see Henry Rollins' latest spoken word tour last night. Of course, we couldn't resist being complete freaks and posing with him in front of the marquee...

Ma W joined us as well. This is the 3rd spoken word tour that she has come to with me. Years ago when only my brother & I ventured out to Rollins & Rollins Band shows, we would bring back a T-shirt for her (a closeted fan). I have vivid memories of her doing housework in her "Search & Destroy" shirt. Cute, I think! After my brother's passing, my mom read one of Rollins' books & wrote to him telling him about my brother and how much she enjoyed the book. He wrote her back to thank her & tell her to stay strong. What a nice lad!The Crest is a beautiful old theater downtown. I've seen many a-show here... including a Kai Kln show that the band dedicated to my bro.We had a hard time getting a good picture of the man of the hour... or should I say 3+ hours... the guy can talk! But it was awesome... as usual!

Another terrible picture… wearing all black was not helping the situation either! It was WAY past my (and the baby's) bedtime. You know you're pregnant when you start to fall asleep at a live event...of course, I did the same thing at a John Cougar (when he was STILL known as John Cougar) concert when I was about 10 years old. But what was I supposed to do... everyone was standing up, leaving their seats empty and just begging to be stretched out on!

Happy Birthday Daddio!

A very, very happy birthday to my daddy!!! My parents are camping in Bodega Bay with the pups as we read... hope your day is wonderful!

LOOK OUT FOR THE TRAIN!

You're still as strong as ever!

A Little of This & a Little of That...

We had another great weekend. Friday night we went up to to Kim & Bob's house for dinner. It was so great to hang out with them again! Kim made some delicious lasagna & also somehow knew that I've been craving garlic bread! They just finished a new master bedroom/ bath addition & it is BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for having us guys!

Saturday, our friends Cory & Linda came down from Carson City, NV. We went to Apple Hill to sample the pie (it had to be done) and we also found the perfect pumpkin... hmmm... it sure got us thinking of the not too distant future when my belly will be rather pumpkin like!

Cory & Ross (who apparently is SUPER cool)

Cory, Linda & Ross

On Sunday, we headed to P.ville just in time to see the Giants beat the 49ers. If you haven't heard, Ross & my dad are currently battling over which team the baby should root for... Ross has actually conceited that the baby may wear a 49er jersey only if they are NOT playing the Giants that day... that's a HUGE step!

While we were there, Grandma W presented us with more hand- made goodies:

A burping cloth (with a bar of soap next to it for scale)

and a bib (complete with a little button penguin)

A while back she also made these little "UGG" booties for the baby's first winter.
This kid is spoiled already!

Can you see it????

We had our 2nd ultrasound this week. We only really had it because they weren't able to hear the heartbeat yet, so we took a little looksy. What a shock to actually see something that looked like a baby (instead of a blob) complete with little arms and legs. When the mid-wife pushed on my belly, the baby threw it's arms up all startled like... we are annoying it already! She was able to snap this picture of the munchkin looking directly forward toward the front.

You have to look closely. All you can see is the head with 2 eye sockets, a little nose & mouth. There is also a little hand to the babies left (your right) up by its ear.

Can you see it yet???

Kayaking on Lake Natomas

EW and I went out on Lake Natomas for a bit of kayaking. EW recently bought a nice new sea kayak, and we wanted to go out and see what Folsom looked like from the water. I had a free rental from California Canoe & Kayak from the lesson Ali and I took a little while back, so I got set up with a boat/pfd/paddle, and (with thanks to Bud for the kayak rack loaner), we were off. We put in at Willow Creek, right across from the outlet mall. The weather was perfect, mid-70's and sunshine!

We took some side routes and it felt like we were off in the deep wilderness...

We headed towards old Folsom and the two bridges that cross Lake Natomas.

Some feathered friends...

The bridges as we approached them...

We kept on going towards the Dam and the Prison, but we had to stop due to a sign that forbade any further forward progress.
The approach to the prison area...


None shall pass...


Oh, yeah, can't forget the floating crapper (we did not partake, EW looked in and said it was pretty gross).

Yep, it's really called the S.S. Relief!


A fun day with my good bud! Nice.

Thanks to Ali for encouraging me to get out there. She's the coolest wife in the World!!!

Apple Hill Field Trip

Aren't we cute?