Sleep

They say that you get tired easily when you are pregnant. They say that it's because all your energy is going toward developing the little baby that is rapidly growing in your tummy. Could it also be that I am tired because I'm not getting a full night's rest due to waking up every two hours to pee???

You Would Think...

You would think that having last week off of work I would have had plenty of time to blog and yet here I am after two weeks of being MIA. Wow, sorry about that. 

Well, spring break is over and so now I am back to work. That's always a hard thing to come back from. The good thing? There are only about five weeks left in the semester! But then I am going to need to find summer work..  it just never ends does it? 

Spring break was good- I was able to sleep in and relax. There were trips to the park, breakfast with my hubby, and red velvet cake with my dear friend Ashley. Speaking of red velvet cake (it's my favorite by the way) we found out that this wonderful dessert- our favorite sweet thing from the Tea Lounge is completely vegan! Say what?!

Ok, so the pieces are much bigger than this.. we have eaten most of it already. But honestly, this really came as a shocker- all this time we thought this rich, red, buttercream-frosted goodness was probably death to us- or at least to our figures, and now we find out it's vegan?? I realize that just because something is vegan doesn't mean it's 'healthy'* for you, but knowing that all that frosting isn't made with butter is a little refreshing. 

All this talk about Red Velvet cake is making me want some..

The same day we discovered this we also stopped into another cafe that is run by Ashley's church called Post Mark. This is where I made another bizarre  discovery...

On one of the walls in the cafe they had a display of post cards from people who come to the cafe have sent or brought back from trips they go on. There were post cards from all over: Tennessee, Vermont, San Francisco... even CAMP CHERITH!

Is that really Shikari Hill??

I know that there are other Camp Cherith sites so this may be from another camp, but even so, who would have thought I would walk into a cafe in Brooklyn and see something that was so much a part of my life so long ago. And so random. I have so many memories of this place both as a camper and as a counselor. God really shaped me during those summers. I would definitely recommend sending your girls (and boys too- I think they have two boys weeks now) to Camp Cherith for a week and if you are thinking about getting involved in something during the summer- why not see how they could use you up at Camp Cherith? 

And for those of you who will know what this means.. 

"Thuuunder... Thunderation we're the Explorers! Delegation when we fight with...determination we create a.. sensation THUNDER! Thunderation we're the Explorers..."

 

*Funny story- one of my students said to me once "oh, I love Whole Foods- it's a little expensive, but everything there is healthy for you!"

Secrets Are Fun Part II (AKA: The Big Announcement)

I recently posted a really fun secret. So, in the theme of secrets, I guess it's time I share another one. After all, secrets are even more fun when you get to share them right? 

Well, I have been keeping a certain secret for a while and let me tell you- it's a fun one! But it sure has been hard to keep- I am just bursting inside waiting to share it with you all! 

You might be wondering what the above picture of a fig has to do with the secret I am about to share- well it is definitely related. I will explain later..

First, I would like to share a few more related photos. Maybe they will help you figure out what this secret is all about. You see, I have been keeping this for almost two months and in that time I have been purchasing things that I didn't really purchase before. Let's see if this will give you an idea... 

Any guesses so far? How about now...

This is fun, no? 

I am guessing that by now you must know what my secret is.

I'M PREGNANT!! Yep, it's true, Chris and I are having a BABY! The secret is out!

I am 11 weeks today and our baby is about the size of a FIG this week! (I told you I would explain how that first photo was related to the secret) 

This sonogram was taken at about 9 weeks. At that time our baby was the size of a grape. We were able to see the heartbeat and Baby was even wiggling around! It was so amazing!
Here is a close up. 
We are so excited about our little miracle growing inside me. My due date is October 24th and we just can't wait to meet our little baby. It will be fun to see more pictures of how our baby is developing and of course of my growing belly. (No bump yet- but when it comes I will definitely begin posting!) 

So there you have it folks, now you know our big secret. :)

Things I See From My Window

I think I have mentioned before that we live in Brooklyn's China Town. We are pretty much in the heart of it. We live on 8th avenue in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The number eight is a very lucky number in Chinese culture which is a main reason why they came and settled/set up businesses on 8th ave. 

On almost every block there is at least one bakery and restaurant. Not to mention the tea and fish markets,  photo shops, unisex salons, and 99 cent stores. All at your fingertips. 

It's a pretty busy street and can be frustrating trying to make your way through all the people as you walk to the train. That is a whole other topic.

It also offers some entertaining viewing from our third floor window.

There are two restaurants across the street from our house. One of which used to be called 'Groovy Taste' but now is 'Oriental Garden'. I believe it is still owned by the same people but I'll tell you one thing- we went there once when it was still Groovy Taste.. and if by groovy it meant gross, then that would be more appropriate. Honestly, you would think that with all the Chinese restaurants in our neighborhood there would be one that we liked, but we would much rather go to the Panda Buffet at Texa-Tonka in St. Louis Park. We miss that place. If you are in the area you should stop by for some cream cheese won tons. I don't know what they put in them exactly, we think it's some sort of secret, addicting ingredient. They are to die for. 

The few restaurants that we would order from and like what we get, we still avoid. 8th avenue may be a lucky place to start a business, but it's pretty dirty. To be honest with you, I don't really trust most of the food around here. Not when places have been shut down for serving cat meat disguised as chicken. No joke. 

At least we know the pork is fresh. Real. Whatever.

Sometimes the pig van will be parked on the side of the road and you wont know that it's a pig van until as you are walking by you see the big white van doors open in the back revealing the floor of the van stacked with the little pink piggies. Or you'll be walking down the sidewalk and a flash of pink flesh will catch your eye. At first you think it's a man carrying a naked child until you do a double-take and see that it's just the delivery guy with a pig thrown over his shoulder. 

This kid was really interested in the pig delivery too. 

There they go. Down, down, down... 

Tomorrow they will be served as pork and rice. 

Secrets Are Fun

Last weekend I went on a secret trip...

Only a few people knew about it. That's why is was a secret. 

You see, last weekend I went home to MN to see my girls and have a secret girl's weekend at a secret location...

It was the perfect location for a girls weekend. 

There was reading, talking, Pride and Prejudice, knitting, laughing, cooking, NERTS, talking, walking, brunch at the Sawmill and oh yea.. laughing. It was so good to spend some time with my dearest friends. 

Thank you so much Ray and Jess for a perfect weekend together. I wish we could do it every weekend!

Another fun part of my secret trip was surprising my family. They had no idea I was coming! See? It really was a secret! I called my sister on Friday when I got into Minneapolis and from there we made a scheme to surprise our parents. I was really impressed with Betsy and how well she kept the secret. Good job Red! They were totally surprised and we had a really fun night together. I even taught them NERTS (thanks to Rachel). Jessica is right- it is the best card game ever. It will change your life. 

As usual I wished I could have had more time. Whenever we come home for a visit it never seems long enough. As much as we love living in New York and with all that the city has to offer, it doesn't have the people we love back home. We miss you guys! We are planning to come back to MN for a long visit sometime this summer. It will be busy and fun and not long enough but we are really excited to see the people we miss and also Minnesota in the summer! The last time we were home in nice weather was for my sister's high school graduation almost three years ago, otherwise we have only seen it covered in snow. I can't wait!

Spring Forward!

Spring is just around the corner and I can't wait! 

Even though we got over eight inches of snow dumped on us on Monday and New York City Public Schools closed for the first time in five years, today you would have never known it. The weather was sunny and a beautiful 62 degrees. Most of the snow from a few days ago is gone, feeling like a distant memory, with only a few patches of it here and there. We spent the afternoon at Prospect Park. It was perfect. 

We met our friends Ralphy and Sharon and walked around enjoying the warmth and the sounds of spring. Kids rolling by on bikes and scooters, moms pushing strollers, people playing football, soccer, and throwing frisbees, even two guys playing diggery doos on a hilltop. Don't you just love a day at the park??

Sharon and I found a bench to sit on and talk while the guys threw the football around. Afterwards we drove to Queens and ate at a Columbian restaurant. SO GOOD. Seriously, the beans and rice is amazing. If only they delivered to Brooklyn...

I realize that just because today was in the 60's that doesn't mean that it will continue to be nice warm weather. New York is expected to get rain tomorrow and as the week goes on the weather will be back in the 40's. Who knows what will happen between now and April. There could be more snow to come. But the days of 60 and 70 degree weather are fast approaching and so that is where my focus will be. I am looking forward to reading in the backyard, going to the Botanical Garden to see the Japanese Cherry Blossoms in May, more afternoons in the park, taking the sun, and eating at outdoor cafes. I am SO ready for spring and summer! What are you looking forward to about Spring?

Remember to Spring Forward and set your clocks ahead tonight! Hooray for longer days and more sun!

Like Owner Like Pet

Sometimes I leave the door open when I go to the bathroom. Especially if I am home alone. Don't pretend you don't do this too, I know you do. From the seat, with the door open, you can see our dining table. This is something that our cat is not allowed on- and he knows it- just like the kitchen counters, coffee table, and our bedroom when Chris is in there. While our cat may not like the majority of people who enter our house (he thinks he owns the place) he has learned that there are places he isn't supposed to be and it usually only takes a few loud claps of the hand and the words 'get down' firmly spoken and he'll jump off. 

Back track... when I was a little girl I was pretty well behaved, you can ask my mom. It usually only took 'the look' to remind me that I was out of line and I would snap back into the perfect curly haired little angel that I was. Except when I wanted to challenge my parents. My mom will tell you the story of the time she was on the phone (back in the day when phones had cords and you couldn't walk around your house freely while you talked) and I was in my high chair eating peas. Just out of my mom's reach. Somewhere in the course of my eating and her talking I decided that she wasn't paying attention to me and that I didn't want to put the peas in my mouth anymore- instead I wanted to stick them up my nose and she couldn't do anything about it. I think my mom saw me stick one up there but it was too late- I already had three peas wedged up my nose. 

Or the time when we were outside in the front yard and my parents were raking leaves. I think I was maybe four years old. There was a crack at the end of our driveway that separated the driveway from the street and my mom told me not to cross it or I would get a spanking. Really? A spanking? Just for crossing that little line? (You may see where this is going) Well, I looked at my mom from across the lawn, (I am sure she said something like- 'don't even think about it') and put my little foot right over that line. It was a test. I didn't pass. She brought be to the back yard and spanked my butt. 

Fast forward back to our Brooklyn apartment. The last couple of times I have gone to the bathroom (and yes, left the door open- no one was here! I promise!) Just as I sit down, who do you think decided that he'll test me? Our cat Dubbs. First, he jumps on the chair and looks at me- 'don't even think about it' I say. He stares at me a few second more and then puts his two front paws on table. "Nooo" I say in a low, firm voice. He totally ignores me and jumps right up on the table. I clap my hands- which in any other situation he would usually jump right down. But no, he just continues to check out what's on the table and walk around. Right in front of me!! The audacity! You see.. he knows I can't do anything. The little stinker.