July 29, 2008: Doo's first earthquake!

So doo and I were doing our usual morning routine since I started maternity leave: wake up around 10:30, start breakfast, watch some TIVO...but in the middle of making my eggs, everything started shaking. I started grabbing on the counters and fridge cause for a second I thought I was fainting...I was freaking out because I couldn't get stable. After a few seconds I did realize it was an earthquake and turned off the gas stove, but I still didn't know where to go in my new apartment. Before I had to decide if I should run outside in my tank top and underwear (yes, no pants) the earthquake was over. It only lasted 30 seconds and rated a 5.4 originating from a suburb of LA according to the news. The phone lines were out, so luckily I went to the computer where Nick and I chat live while he's at work. He told me he was okay, but they evacuated since he was a little closer to the earthquake than I was. So far it looks like there was not too many injuries or damage in LA, which is good. This was not my first earthquake but the other ones have been barely noticeable, so this one really scared me. And because I got so worked up, I started contracting as well. I laid down for an hour afterwards and calmed down, so my contractions did stop. Doo was brave, but did not like the earthquake!

July 16-22, 2008: Girls weekend! Doo has a shower, an ultrasound...and a NAME!

This was a big week. Mal and Debbie were here for almost 6 days, and Rachy and Linds came in for the weekend. With all the help, we did some serious cleaning, organizing and setting up of the nursery. I can't even begin to describe how much we got done, but I was so grateful for the help. We (and by that I mean Mal and Debbie) did 7 loads of doo's laundry...let's remember that his clothes are TINY and he still had 7 loads!! Then everything was organized into his baskets, dresser, and closet. Rachy and Linds helped put together all doo's equipment including his stroller, bouncy seat and swing. Everyone helped rearrange the room and cook meals all weekend. It was so fun to have everyone around and Mal and Debbie left me with a clean apartment and a fridge stocked with food....I'm so grateful! We did have fun, doing group mani/pedis with James and of course, going to the baby shower! I really miss having our family close and it's been so fun having everyone visit. Oh, and where was Nick during this extremely busy and productive weekend?? In Vegas with Cameron and the boys! He did take off Monday and ran around with us doing errands and finishing doo's room. He had a great weekend and came home with money in his pockets, so I'm happy :) Here are some pics of the nursery!

The baby shower hosted by Liz, Jamie, Rachy and Meha was so sweet. Jamie and Liz did a wonderful job with the food and decorations...everything was so good!! I was so excited that so many of my friends came...doo is such a loved baby already! I'm still collecting pics from everyone's cameras, but here are a couple from mine of me with the hostesses and with Linds.

We also had a doctor's visit this past Monday. Both grandmas and Nick were there for the ultrasound, which was exciting. We all got to see doo and learned that he is head down, very low, and weighs about 4.5 lbs. So far with that info, he's right on schedule. Good news, but I wouldn't have been upset to learn he was like 3 weeks ahead of schedule :) Anyway, the doctor thinks that since he is so low and head down, he's not likely to move. Nick and I have just finished our lamaze classes so it looks like we will get to put our techniques to use! I'm a little swollen in my legs and feet, especially at the end of the day. Because of this and my upcoming due date, I have just officially started maternity leave! I'm excited but now wondering what I will do with my days....I'll keep you updated...

And finally, as you might have noticed from the nursery pictures, we have chosen a name. He will be named William James Barker, and we will call him Liam. William is the name of both of Nick's grandfathers and James is my dad's name. We both love the name Liam, since it's not too strange but also not too common. And if he ever plays 'football' in England as Nick hopes, he'll fit right in :) Right now, I'm still calling him baby doo. Nick already calls him Liam when he is talking and singing to him, but I think I'll make the transition when he's born. For now, he's still my little baby doo!

July 11-13, 2008: Couples weekend :)

Nick and I have had alot of visitors in July (which we LOVE) but this was a nice weekend with just the two of us...and doo of course :) We decided to spend the weekend at the beach, and the weather was amazing. However, I realized too late that my attempt to reach my legs with sunscreen had failed miserably. I'm now striped with random patches of sunburn...I couldn't reach around the belly I guess. Other than that, the weekend was nice. We went out for brunch, a nice dinner, and went bowling (Nicky's choice for our date night). I included our pics...who is bigger, the bowling ball or doo?

July 9, 2008: 34 weeks and it's the 8 month belly shot!

I don't know exactly how big I'm supposed to look, but this feels HUGE. I wish I could take pictures of the little feet and body parts that stick out of me frequently, but I don't think I could catch him. He's way too quick moving around in there. He does however, get hiccups ALL the time. At least once a day, and usually after I eat. It's so funny to feel. Nick gets upset when they last awhile, like he wants me to do something. He's so cute, he's always worried about everything being normal and whether doo's okay. I'm still on the tomatoes and cottage cheese kick...I can't help it, the tomatoes from the Farmer's Market are so fresh and good, esp. now. I'm also making one of my childhood favorites, stuffed peppers, at least once a week. I've always had a weird food habit where I like to eat the same thing over and over again, so I guess I'm not surprised I'm doing it during my pregnancy. Yeah, the ice cream is still around. Not every day, but I do have my waffle bowls, chocolate ice cream, bananas, walnuts, and cool whip around just in case I get a craving :)I don't think I posted about my last doctor's appointment, but there wasn't much to say. No ultrasound :( Just the routine weight, blood pressure, and listen to the heartbeat. I had only gained 2 lbs that month, but to be fair it was during my finals and our huge move...so I was not entirely surprised with all the stress I was under. My next appointment is on the 21st and I'll be taking the grandmas (Mal and Debbie) who will still be in town. I'm almost positive I'll get an ultrasound at this appointment, at least to see how big he's getting and maybe get some insight into when he might be coming. I'm SO excited for the grandmas and aunties-to-be (Rachy and Linds) to come next weekend!!! Meha's not going to be able to make it because of her school which means we won't have as much fun without her and my make-up will not look as great. She'll get a visit in sometime though to meet her baby doo. Since we are being invaded by the women in our families, Nick has decided to flee to Vegas with Cameron and some guy friends from LA. I reminded Nick this is NOT a second bachelor party, but I guess he needs one more run to Vegas before our money starts going into college funds rather than blackjack tables :)

July 7, 2008: 34 weeks and Nick has a baby shower!

Last week at work, Nick was surprised by his colleagues with a baby shower at work! They had a shower during lunch with food, cake, and some very sweet gifts for doo. I think this baby shower was probably a first for a lot of the guys in the construction industry...I know it was for Nick! It was so thoughtful, and I know Nick can't wait to take doo to work in his little construction outfits :) I wish I could have been there to see it, but I have some pics from the event.

July 6, 2008: 33 weeks and Doo's crib is ready!

We have been so excited to move into our new place, but the best part has been getting our nursery together! It does include our guest bed, but other than that it's all doo: his crib, dresser, and soon-to-be glider and changing table (we don't have those yet). I wanted to post the pics of what we do have, because the room is looking so cute! Doo's crib was put together with love by all his grandparents: Mal and Dal helped with the crib, Steve and Carla bought his mattress, and Debbie and Chris purchased his bedding! He's such a lucky baby :) Of course I included pics of the room and crib...

This was a fun day because we also went to Kelly's birthday party. It was just a bunch of us grilling out in some perfect Santa Monica weather. I included some pics of Nick with the birthday girl and one of me and James. Poor James, she's practically hidden behind doo! He's getting soooo big, yet I feel like I have so far to go! I'll post a good belly pic soon...

July 3-5, 2008: 33 weeks and doo has more visitors!

Steve and Carla came to visit for the holiday weekend. We had amazing weather and they got to see some of our favorite spots around LA and Santa Monica. We spent the 4th at Venice beach. During the day we went to the Mr. and Mrs. Venice beach body-building contest. It was so funny...one the of the female competitors was 75 years old! That night we met up with friends and watched fireworks (legal and illegal) from the beach. I almost enjoyed the illegal ones being done 10 feet away from us more than the real big ones. Saturday we went to see Nick's work and caught the Angels game that night. Although I was a extremely hot during the first half of the game (we were in some serious sunlight) I did finally cool off and enjoyed my hot dog and cracker jacks :) I can't believe how many sporting events doo has been to already and he's not even born yet. I know this is just a glimpse of my future :) I included pics of Nick and his dad at the office and of all of us at the game. Overall it was a great, relaxing holiday weekend.

June 26-June 30, 2008: 32 weeks and Grandma Debbie and Linds come to visit!

Nick's mom and sister have come for a long weekend to visit. We had a great weekend doing lots of fun events including seeing Wicked in the theater, fondue night, a beach day, and of course some baby shopping :) I included a pic of Nicky and I at the theater and one of the fam at the beach. They also helped us finish cleaning our last apartment so that we could turn over our keys and finally be settled in our new place. Lindsey spray-painted our pink bookshelf blue so that it could placed in doo's new room! We had a really fun visit with lots of laughs and good food. And we'll be seeing them again in three weeks as they return for our girls' weekend!

Our big purchase this weekend was a stroller for doo!! I did a TON of reseach concerning what type of stroller I wanted. First it needed to be light-weight, since we are on the second floor. Also I wanted to be able to attach the car seat on top, be able to take it all over Santa Monica (including beach trails) but still be compact enough to use all the time. So we finally decided on a light-weight, all-terrain stroller, the Bumbleride Indie. I think Nick was surprised I didn't go for more of the pram-style stroller, but I feel like this one fits our beach lifestyle better (while still being small and cute!) Besides, since it's not uber-girly I think Nick is excited to use it as well. We got the stroller in brown, but I included the other pic because it has the car seat attached which is how we'll be using it in the beginning.