k is starting to learn the ABC song. She can sing more of it when we sing with her, but often she says, “No, me” and wants to sing it by herself. This is what it sounds like:
k’s Preparation
I don’t think there is a sure way to prepare a two year old for the birth of a sibling. We’ve certainly been talking up baby NiNi (as k refers to him) more these past couple of weeks so it is not a complete shock when we come home with a newborn. k has become obssessed with playing with her “baby Abby” that we bought her for Christmas. She is also very interested in the crib, playpen, and bouncer seat that we have for baby N. Trying to explain that she is too big for these things is difficult since they appear to be so fun to her. k also likes to pretend that she is a baby. She does not seem to be convinced that it is more fun to be a “big girl”.
One positive development is that k is pretty much potty-trained during her waking hours now. I was hoping this would happen before the baby came so we weren’t constantly changing diapers. However, between k’s trips to the bathroom, and mine, these last few weeks of pregnancy, we’re spending a LOT of time there.
I am also happy to report that I have made significant progress in cleaning out our bedroom. It is amazing how a decluttered space can have such a positive effect on your psyche.
The Great Skate @ The Great Park
We started out our Valentine’s Day with heart-shaped “toads in a hole”. 
D came up with the idea of going to The Great Park in Irvine since there was a free ice skate day. (There was supposed to be snow play, too, but it was postponed due to the chance of rain). We arrived before it opened so we were able to get into the first session at 11:00. I had doubts as to whether k would be able to skate or not since she is so small. The smallest ice skates they had were size 8T, and she wears 7T. However, we never even found out whether they would work since k refused to even try them on. 
Aren’t those tiny skates so cute?
I couldn’t go anyway in my pregnant state, so we just watched D from the outside of the rink. Looks like D had fun!
Doing the Apollo Ohno!
Not sure what he is doing here, but this picture cracks me up!
Afterward we visited a few booths that were set up with freebies such as frisbees, and foam hockey pucks from the Anaheim Ducks. We also received a cute penguin and tasteful black knit gloves while we were ice skating. You know how we love the free stuff! There was also a free hot chocolate booth, and we found out that k enjoys hot chocolate (once it has cooled down a bit). 
Then we spread a couple of blankets on the grass and had a nice picnic with some sandwiches that I made at home. It was pretty nice out, but then turned cold once the clouds covered the sun, so we went home (after D got a free cup of Peet’s coffee, that is).
Valentine’s Day Cookies
Today k helped me decorate Valentine’s Day cookies. She put the sprinkles on. D is going to take a bunch of them to work tomorrow.
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Nesting Mode
Now that I am on maternity leave, I am determined to get our home in order. Unfortunately, you can’t really see the results yet. Sometimes you have to make a mess in order to create order. One “instant” result was putting a stretch slipcover from Target on our hand-me-down couch, which my mom suggested. It looks pretty good when you tuck it in, but you must be diligent about re-tucking.
Old Couch
Our “New” Couch. Some nice throw pillows would be nice, don’t you think?
Surf City USA
Today I finished my first full marathon. After doing three half marathons with my last one under two hours, I decided to try a full. Well, I got a personal best. =) That’s a joke because it was my first so of course I set a personal best assuming I finished.
I barely attained my goal of running at a 10 minute pace. 4 hours, 21 minutes and 19 seconds. 4 hours and 22 minutes is 10 minute pace. I didn’t start cramping until mile 18 or 19 (ususally I start at about mile 15) and I didn’t feel light headed until about mile 21 or 22. That was when I was doubting I could finish it in under 10 minute pace. However with God’s grace, I was able to finish it with some blood, sweat and a potty break. And I am not joking about the blood. Ask me about it sometime.
Not too sure if I ever want to run another full marathon again. We’ll see.
Anyway, I just ate a western bacon cheeseburger and I am going to eat a philly cheesesteak soon!
Happy Lunar New Year
(Yes, I know fortune cookies aren’t really Chinese.)
Childbirth Refresher @ Long Beach Memorial
Last week D and I took a “refresher” course at the hospital. There were only two other couples in the class, plus two nursing students who were there to participate/observe. The other two couples both already had a daughter that is around two years old, just like us, AND they are both expecting boys this time around, like us. We had the same teacher as we did the first time. This course was only 4 hours, compared to the 8 hour course we took before. We were supposed to watch some graphic videos again, and again, I averted my eyes. Watching a caesarean birth just does not seem necessary to me. It was good, however, to review the breathing/coping with the pain techniques since we didn’t really get a chance to put them to use last time. Going through the class brought back lots of memories, both pleasant and not so pleasant. It is difficult to believe that we will be going through the whole experience again in such a short period of time. Meanwhile, I’m trying to finish up work and starting to go into nesting mode.
Politics
The Obama inauguration made me think if anyone connected to Berkeley and Indiana was in the Cabinet or Executive Office of the President in the last 10 years. Here is what my research found…
Norman Mineta (UCB B.S. ’53)
Secretary of Commerce (2000-2001)
Secretary of Transporation (2001-2009)
Steven Chu (UCB Ph.D. ’76)
Secretary of Energy (2009 – Present)
Christina Romer (1988 – 2009 UCB Professor)
Chariman, Council of Economic Advisors (2009-Present)
Paul O’Neill (IU M.P.A. ’66)
Secretary of the Treasury (2001-2002)
Rod Paige (IU M.A. ’64, Ed.D. ’69)
Secretary of Education (2001-2005)
Robert Gates (IU M.A. ’66)
Secretary of Defense (2006-Present)
An interesting fact is that there have been only three Asian Americans that have served in a Cabinet and two are Cal alumni. The third is Elaine Chao.
Queen Mary Outing
Visiting the Queen Mary was one of those touristy things that I have never done, even though I have spent most of my life in Southern California. So, when I saw that California residents could take a self-guided tour for free this month, I thought it would be a good opportunity.
When we pulled up in the parking lot, the Queen Mary loomed before us. It was so large, D said it looked fake. k was impressed, too. It’s hard to believe that something that size could float on water. Truly an engineering marvel.
First we went to the museum display and engine room. The inner workings of the boat were so complicated and impressive! Since we didn’t know too much of the history behind the Queen Mary, we stopped to read some of the displays. We probably would’ve learned a lot more by taking a tour, but I don’t think k would have been up for it, plus we didn’t want to pay extra (parking already was $12!).
Afterward we climbed LOTS of stairs to view the upper decks. The escalators were not working…not cool, especially when one of you is eight months pregnant, and the other has to carry a 29 lb. child.
It was nice to enjoy the views of the Long Beach skyline.
Our “foodie” stop of the day was on the Promenade deck at a place called Land of Fruits and Nuts.* We tried their specialty shake, the California Split, which had dried pineapple, banana chips, strawberries, and chocolate. The dried fruit was definitely unique, but it was expensive for what you get.
*Incidentally, this is how people referred to California when D was in Indiana.
Visiting the Queen Mary has reawakened D’s desire to go on a cruise, something neither of us has done before. One day, D, one day.
