Eleanor Grosch Flats

Ahhh, for the love of shoes! I haven't thought about Keds since high school but as I was wandering around Macy's I saw a few really cool flats from Eleanor Grosch. I love em and for only $30, it is very affordable! The only thing I need to decide is which one I should get!

See Kai Run

Ok, I must say something. Ii's been a while since I last blogged and I want to talk about these wonderful pair of shoes we got for Josh. It's a brand called See Kai Run based of Seattle - but I bought it at Pippen Hill - a rockin' baby store in Alameda. Not only are these so stylish, the soles are oh so soft, perfect for babies feet! The problem most infant shoes have is that they're either ugly (Robeez) or hard to put in (Stride rite)..but these...these are faahhbulous!!

Jam Love

I'm not going to deny it anymore. I love the Office and I love the JAM! That's Jim & Pam of course. The show itself is very good. Steve as Michael Scott...he's great and that Boss is one of a kind (but you also know he's "that guy" in your office.). But I just started watching jamalamadingdong71's videos on YouTube (Please just go search her name or type in Jim Pam Story because my link is not working right now) and it brought back all these scenes! She took every scene of them from the beginning and combined them into 10 minute watchable shows. You'll be hooked. I kinda wish there's a person like her to combine all my favorite scenes from all my favorite shows. I'm not complaining though.

Oh, the Method o-Mop

I'm so into Method products these days, I don'y even know what really triggered it. I mean, it's not like this is my first time to see these products. I pass them by each time I go to target. I always mean to try their hand soaps but have this sense of loyalty to Bath & Body Works. I mean to try their laundry detergent but seem to always pick up the Tide (or dreft) last minute. The time I saw Omop - I woyld've totally bought it, but I already have a damn swifter (yeck). Oh well, I guess I'll have to get this when my swifter "goes missing".

Watch Rome!

Rome is such a good show I struggle to find the right words to let you know how good it is. I love both Pullo and Vorenus in different week and each week Lina & I compare how much we love these guys.

This last week, Pullo's wife is prenant and another woman (Gaia) is vying for Pullo's um, I wouldn't say affection, but nevertheless, she wants him (she wanted Vorenus too, that slut!) and didn't care by what means to get him. The previews for next week looks like she'll do something horrifying to Eirene's baby (sniff!!!!) and that'll be very hard for me to watch.

By the way, there's no such thing as censors to Rome. The amount of sex on this show is - a lot. This last episode alone had the following "love" scenes:
1) Octavia & Agrippa - two lovers engaged in forbidden love
2) Atia & Antony - being watched by her grown son Octavian
3) Pullo "punishing" Gaia for being rude to his wife
4)Vorena the Elder in bed with a man who is just using her

Poor Vorena...her first love is turning out to be fake. Poor Atia, watching the man she love marry her daughter because her son ordered it. Poor Octavia, marrying her mom's lover when she's in love with Marcus Agrippa - who she can't marry because he is not of noble birth. And poor Eirene...Want to know what happens next? Watch Rome this Sunday at 6.

It's not a little birdie, they're my keys!

Most days as I pick my son up from daycare, he falls asleep in the car ride home. I'm always careful as I park my car that I do not make too much noise as I don't want to wake him up. He gets cranky that way. But as hard as I try, my damn keys bump into the car and jangles loudly. Jangles with a capital J - that is, if jangles is even a word. With the car key in, all the others sway and the car moves. They hit me on the leg (ow!), they jostle into each other, they slam into the dash, and I can only use my right hand to hold them in place for a little bit.

Long introduction, but that was the segue into this cute little felted keycase from rare device. It's like a little poncho for your keys so even if they smash into you (as often keys do), you'll feel a soft hmmm instead of a sharp ow! Heh.

The Ultimate Break Up Song

I know I just did a Damien Rice post a while ago, but i can't help it. I really love this album, and I think I love this song the best. I love when a song makes you go through a range of emotions, like it can be the soundtrack to your life. Go on, click on it and let me know if I'm delusional. The fact that he looks kinda like Heath Ledger - a plus. God, I'm shallow. Anyway. While I like the acoustic version, the studio versionrocks too. Enjoy!

It's not a tivo unless it's a Tivo

It's been a little while since I last posted. So for the next few posts, it'll be more of a back post.

Last month our Tivo started to die. It started to pause and stutter and then a screen of black. No!!! I loved my Tivo. I thought maybe if we restarted and reboot, it would be better. And it was, but just for a little while and then it would do it again. Finally, we decided to call DirecTV for a new box.

Our new box came and lo and behold: It's NOT a Tivo!!! It's a lame DirecTv version of Tivo. Now, let me tell you, this version does not even begin to rival Tivo. This version does not make the tivo sound when you select things. It's has a more complicated menu and it took us a month just to figure out how to record a series and know how to prioritize what shows should be record before another. There's no button I can press to know why a certain program was not recorded. When I fast forward and stop, it does not go back a few second so I have to be deadly accurate when I ff.

DirecTV got greedy and felt like they did not need Tivo and now I hear that Tivo is partnering up with Comcast. Lucky them.

Joshua & Lorenzo

Today was the MBH Kids Christmas Party! It was Joshua's first so we all went. I found out the it was the first time my hubby has been in MBH in the 6 years I've worked there. Oops, didn't mean to ban him!

Anyway, this is a pic of Joshua and his friend Lorenzo - Lina's baby. We were able to nab Santa's chair the minute it freed up. Click click went the cameras as we tried to "pose" them. Heh heh, I think they were confused as to who the other person was, and why we deemed them "friends" and forced them into uncomfortable poses for our own pleasure. This was probably for us then it is for them. At 6 months, they don't even know what Santa means. But they will never be this old again (and this agreeable), so here's to our memories of Christmas 2006.

Merry Fucking Christmas!

Heh. I thought this was pretty cool. You know, in a jaded kind of way. I mean, who really likes giving christmas cards? It's just something you really have to do. To be nice. Now, if I only have the guts to send this out....

Anyway, get it at O Plus D. You'll find a lot of other naughty things in there!

Cool Belt Buckle by Zipp

Wow! I love love love these belt buckles. They're made out of sturdy fused glass and they're awsome. They're classy & retro at the same time. You can wear it casually or classy and it will work. Get it at Elsewares...Where else?

Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier

I've posted about a few slings / carriers here before, but I do want to post about the sling that I ended up getting: The Baby Bjorn original carrier.

This is on the high end price-wise, but I must say I love it. Josh loves being in it too. He loves being close to me and most of the time falls asleep on my chest. I also get a lot of stuff done because my hands are free. The construction is sturdy - I feel very secure in it. And now that he's older, he can actually face out and see the world!

Over the weekend, we threw a baby shower for Deb (who is due in two weeks!!), and Shirley who's about 4 months & I were talking about slings. She says she can't understand why some are $40 and others are $80 when they all kinda look the same. I really don't know. Lina uses a snugli and she seems perfectly happy with it. So, I guess I just really liked this for it's look.

Damien Rice's 9 Crimes

Since I'm on a roll, I thought I'd post again because you'll never know what I get the free time to write again. Boy, kids change your life indeedy!

So, on to Damien Rice. This song (9 Crimes) came on the radio on my way home from the Y. Yes, you heard me right. I heard this song on my way home and it's one of those songs that hit you at the right time, right emotion. I loved it right away. Now, I've heard of Damien Rice before, but this was the first I actually really liked. And when I actually saw his face...I thought to myself, hey, he kinda looks like Heath Ledger on his unshaven / unkempt phase - which i loved, by the way. So I guess it was inevitable, I will like the guy. Now, please if anybody can just tell me what the following verse means:

Give my gun away when it's loaded
Is that alright with you?
If you don't shoot it, how am I supposed to hold it?
Is that alright with you?

By the way, he's coming to Oakland on December 6 at the Paramount.

United 93

It's been a while since I last posted, and there's a lot to say! First of all, Happy Thanksgiving! Now on to this post.

I've been putting off watching this movie for a while because I know that once I see it, I will get very emotional and most likely will have red eyes by the end of it. But I did see it, and compelled to post about it, albeit weeks later.

I loved the movie. It was a simple but good story. It didn't need a fancy movie star. I didn't need fancy special effects. For this movie, the actual events was great enough a story to hold it's own. I mean, I remember waking up on 9/11 a little after 6 am to the radio alarm and there it was. It was hazy at first, people didn't know what was happening, but something was happening. I woke up after the first tower got hit, but before the second tower. So, as the day went on and you hear about a plane crashing somewhere in an open field, it doesn't hit you right away. Everyone was focused on the Twin Towers. But after the dust settled and news came out that the reason United 93 crashed because the people made sure the terrorist didn't get to their destination even if it meant dying, you feel like there are some good people out there. Angels they are.

The casting was great. I liked the fact that the actors are not so famous that you can concentrate on them as characters instead of actors. I liked the pacing. It seemed like it was in real time and yet it was all happening to fast (and slow) that you can't take your eyes off the screen. The music was just enough to evoke the right emotion. Overall, it didn't feel sensational. There was no political agenda - just one good movie.

Ted Mosby, Architect

When I saw the title for last night's episode of How I Met Your Mother, I gave a little squee! First of all, I love the show. Second of all, it's a show about kids who recently graduated / in a entry-level job, and there's not a lot of that on the air. Thirdly, Ted's an Architect! Whoo hoo, was to represent.

Now, there are other shows who have a main cast member as an architect. In Two Guys, A Girl & A Pizza place, one of the "guys" was an architect - but really, even though they're architects, we never really see past them carrying a blueprint, or wearing a hardhat. Last night's episode was all about Ted being an architect!

The premise of the episode was that Ted & Robin had their first fight ever because Ted was complaining about drama at work and Robin was bored about Ted whining about it. Which let to Ted to believe that his job is boring. [hee. is our job boring?? probably.] Cue Barney telling him to use his being an architect so score some chicks and introduce himself as, "Ted Mosby, Architect" Haha...so cute! And it does work because when the chicks at the bar learn he's an architect, the utter a phrase I thought I'd never hear on National television: "You're an architect? Architects are Hot!" [I giggle as I type] Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and kudos to the writers for making such a "boring" topic funny and interesting!

Watch How I Met Your Mother monday nights on CBS.

MUJI cardboard speakers

The MoMA Store always have cool stuff. In fact, all museum gift shops always have cool stuff - but look at these compact, carboard speakers. Not only are they cute, they can be folded away when not in use. Check out the cool line of MUJI stuff at the online store as well.

Could I be wearing any more buttons!?

Ha! Friends' buttons! I'll wear that - espicially "Pivot!" one of my favorite Friends line ever! Get these buttons from Glarkware - the place to get TV-inspired shirts and stuff. Be Aware that this is an NON Item (Now or Never). Darn. I just realized that this item has already closed.

Hmm...other Friends notable quotables:
"Fafanapoli!"
"Moo Point"
"But it hurts my Joey's Apple!"
"My Sandwich"
"Oh. My. God." (Janice)
"It Tastes Like Feet"
"They Don't Know We know They know We know"

My Grey's Anatomy Rant

I've been resisting the urge to post about Grey's Anatomy for a while now because I know I'm in the minority when it comes to the Mer/McD-ship but hell, I am gonna!

First of all, I must say that Mer lost me about halfway last season. The whole sleeping with George made me realize that Meredith is such a self-centered bitch (sorry), and she's the kind of girl who only thinks of herself. She doesn't care about George. I don't feel like she cares about Izzie as well. I mean, yes, sometimes its "her turn to look after Izzie" but a true friend does not moan and while about her lost panties while her friend lying on the floor mourning her dead boyfriend!

Second, writers, come on! Come on!! Just when we have Derek finally have the guts to break it off with Addison - and for him to admit that this was his fault - out comes McSteamy from the shower (oh so freakin' hot, by the way), thereby McD walking out with a smug look on his face. Jackass. Soo easy for him! I think he writers really want us to love him again.

I'm just jaded, I think. I can't feel the *swoon* that everyone is feeling because 1: I can't forgive Meredith for being selfish and 2: I can't forgive Derek for playing with 2 women - even though one may have deserved it. Well, it's just me. My hubby is soo on Derek's side.

Yolo Colorhouse

Lately I've been thinking about repainting the baby's room. The latest edition of Domino has inspired me to go with something bold: Tangerine & Khaki! Yes, it's not the usual baby blue boy color and it's not pastel. The only thing for me to do now is...actually do it! In my mind it'll look beautiful, but I know there will be opposition.

Anyway, while browsing through stuff, I saw Yolo Colorhouse - and it looks great! One thing I like is their poster sized color swatch. It's a good way to actually see if you like the color before you buy it!

Invent your Scent!

I've never been much into perfumes or colognes. The only bottle of perfume I've ever owned was Ck One (and I think I bought it more because it looked cool than because I liked the scent). I do like the Body Shop's Invent Your Scent Collection. It has 9 different scents which you can mix and match depending on your mood. Figure out which combination you like best? You can then buy those scents in a bigger (1 fl. oz.) bottle. My favorite combination? Beleaf & Citrella, with Minteva & Citrella a close second.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Just wanted to say that the new Haagen Daaz Limited Edition flavor Sticky Toffee Pudding is oh so yummy! I've always been a chocolate / coffee flavor fan with regards to ice cream, but the vanilla with the sticky toffee sugar cake is just to die for. Hmm, I finished the pint in just a couple of days. I hope they make this a regular flavor.

Vintage Record Coasters

Everytime I ask people to put a coaster under their glass of water, I feel like I'm pulling a Monica (from Friends) and that sucks. My hubby even says why bother? the table is full of water stains anyway. But to me, if you can prevent - prevent!

Now, segway...check out these cool vintage record coasters from Elsewares! They come in a pack of 6 and are sealed so that water does not go through.

Baba Slings

Here's another baby sling post, this time for Baba Slings. A saw a friend of mine (Dragana) carrying her baby (Maxim) in this at our (Lina & I) baby shower, it looked so cool, I had to ask where she got it from. Baba Slings is an Australian company, and the slings were a little on the expensive side ($70). I tried to wait for it on ebay, but alas, none. But it looks like now, there is a reseller on Ebay who sells these at half-price....so...good. A little too late for me though. I already got me a different kind of sling - which I'll probably post about next time.

Happy Birthday to my Sons

Happy birthday to Blue who turns 3 years today! The big baby got 2 rib bones which was from the BBQ hubby did a few days back, and so we know its dee-licious! I also got him a bag of chicken jerky from Costco. Yummy.

Happy birthday to Joshua who turns 3 months today! After a whirlwind week of activities (from his baptism to a trip to Napa - shown in pic), he's just happy to be chillin' at home today.

House

Thanks to the people who kept pushing to me watch House. We just finished watching the last episode for season one (yeah...one) and we are hooked. Hugh Laurie does a great job as Dr. House - so great that I must admit I have a little crush on him. As crushes go...this may be my weirdest one yet. But hey, he's sexy. Plus, I love Robert Sean Leonard as Wilson. The banter between House & Wilson is enough reason to buy the DVDs.

The only reason I didn't catch it in it's first season was because it was up against The Amazing Race, so it wasn't even an option. Since then, I've had a few of you tell me to Netflix the season and here we are. My plan is to finish the entire season two before the season starts.

I'm Too Sexy for This Show!

I'm soo late on posting this but I just got so say how much I loved the challenge on Project Runway last week. Designing an outfit for the owner of a dog and designing an outfit to match the dog. The dogs were so cute and I loved almost all the designs! The doggies also on the runway, with a few stumbling on the catwalk, made the episode for me. Laura did one of my favorite outfits - as shown.

Keri & Speedy

I am right in the middle of re-watching the Felicity DVDs and as always, I like to listen to all the Audio Commentaries featured in the DVD. For example, I loved listening to Michael Patrick King talk in the Sex & The City DVDs because I learn cool things, behind the scenes kind of things and reasons for certain story arcs.

I tend to get irritated with commentaries that don't really pertain to the episode - like when cast members are just chatting, and they usually forget that they're supposed to do a commentary and get stuck on what they had for lunch that particular shoot. Then, I listened to Keri Russell & Scott Speedman's audio commentary on the Season 2 episode "The List". Apparently, the NY times even deemed it the sexiest DVD commentary ever. Yes, it was hot. It was sexy. It was flirty. It was too bad I've owned these DVDs for a while and only discovered it now.

Lizette - If you haven't seen it - Go WATCH it so we can talk about it. Here's a sample...

Keri: . . . But, I thought the Emmy thing that we got to do was actually really cool. When we got to parody...
Keri: Yeah. What did you do?
Scott: I can't believe you can't remember
Keri: I'm so sorry
Scott: It's okay. (a bit hurt)
Keri: What did you do?
Scott:I was a doctor. On the ER. Remember that?
Keri: Oh. Yeah. I'm like ...What did you do...? (they both laugh)
Scott: Thanks, Keri. You've been a big part of my life, too. (they laugh again)
Keri: Well, I remember the thing with Tangi, like the cop interrogation thing
Scott: Yeah, that stuck out. I'm not saying that wasn't the highlight.
Keri: And I remember doing the parody of the X-files
Scott: (incredulous) Well, there was only three. So, basically you forget the one I was in.
Keri: But, was I in that one?
Scott: Yes. Yes, dammit. ( Keri laughs )

World Series of Pop Culture

The new game show from EW / VH1: World Series of Pop Culture is so much fun. I see the pop culture quiz once in a while in Entertainment Weekly but never seem to be any good, but the show is very entertaining and addicting. Aside from 3 the Hard Way, all the other contestants seem pretty good and nice. Sooo...go watch it!

Ciao Bella Gelato

Last week Joanna, Kay & Deb came up to see me and Josh. Along with them they brought some really yummy vanilla gelato from Ciao Bella. Oh, I must say it is heavenly!! Thanks guys!

If you want, just pour a shot of espresso over the vanilla gelato, put a little whipped cream and you'll get just the most amazing afogato ever. Hmm-hmm.

BNL's Just A Toy

I recently rediscovered the beauty of podcasting. In the morning when I breastfeed, I'm bored you know. I really just...sit there and wait for Josh to finish. When my morning show is over (or if it's a fake-live day), I turn on the BNL podcast. That's another thing, I just recently found out that they podcast!

Their podcast is great, not just because Ed is entertaining, but I actually learn a few things. I found out that one of my favorite songs, Just A Toy, is about. What if Pinocchio had an older brother? What if Gippetto was laboring over this puppet, telling him how he wanted to have a real boy, and he's laboring over him - but somehow time has past and lost interest in this puppet and set it aside. Later he made pinocchio - who became a real boy. This puppet with half a soul was left to languish. All he can do is watch his brother & father from the shelf, brewing and stewing.

First there was me, nothing but time
Till he came along, you told me you'd always be mine
Forever, ever mine
Look at his face, somewhat like mine
But look at his nose, you can always be sure that he's lying
Forever, ever mine

Better than him, worthy of you
Given the chance that he had, I know what I'd do
Forever, ever mine
I call him liar, you call him son
If I could move, I'd set him on fire and I'd run
Forever

Anyway, such a cool song. It's such a shame that BNL is kinda known for kooky songs like One Week when they actually are a good band. Check out this video for Call And Answer, another one of my favorite songs from them, sung beautifully by Steven Page at a Border's appearance.

Lucky Baby Sling

If you're looking for a traditional sling for your baby - check out Lucky Baby slings. They're reversible (shown in lucky circles with cocoa brown) and even has a small pocket for your keys and such! I actually bought one for Josh but it just wasn't for him. I still think it's a great sling. It's simple and their designs are cool.

Real Men of Genuis

God I love this commercial. The Bud Light Real Men of Genuis is a real genius idea! There's a bunch of them in YouTube but I love this one because I think I know one (hi alex!) Mr. Way Too Much Cologne Wearer. I'm sure you know one too. Among others there: Mr. Really Really Really Bad Dancer and Mr. Silent Killer Gas Passer among others. Enjoy!

Big Brother All Stars

Oohhh yeah! Here comes my yearly (very very) guilty pleasure: Big Brother! It's such a guilty pleasure I don't think I even tell my co-workers I watch this trash. Oh, but I do. I even remember moving into our house with this show in the background. I've never subscibed to the Live feed, but I was close.

This year is great because it'll be all-stars! I'm partial to the last season cast members though because it was my favorite season, but I do hope Danielle from Season 3 gets in because, hey, she's from the Bay Area and she was robbed that year. Sooo...here we go!

iomoi coasters

There's a lot of cool stuff at iomoi. Their stationaries and address labels are great - I'm tempted to get some address labels from there, but I don't really write enough to justify it. They also have the same cool patterns in their paperweight and coasters. Shown is one of their coasters & address labels. Check out their other designs as well.

The Catalina

I have posted about the Kolo photo albums before, but I can't help post about it again. This time, I am singling out a particular one: The Catalina. If you can't decide whether to use the Kolo as a photo album or a scrapbook, then this is for you. There are refills for both photo pages and blank sheets for scrapbook uses, and the ring binder let's you add / subtract pages as needed.

Stephanie Johnson

I'm a bag lady. I love bags, I can't help it. This is a cool cosmetic bag from Stephanie Johnson line called San Sebastian. One in a family of bags with this design. Very hip, and very spring!

Cactus In a Can

Since I'm on a roll, check out this pretty cute Cactus in a Can, one in a series of cool plants in a can, again from Branchhome. Between this and the Egglings, the plant people are trying really hard to catch the attention of non-plant people, and making us plant-killers to think, hey, maybe this time it won't die.

The Jimi Wallet

I have been on the look out for a cool new wallet since the one I currently have is slowly at the end of its limit. So I find the Jimi Wallet - "the wallet for people who hate wallets". Pretty cool, although this looks like it could be more of a guy thing since I definetly have more that four credit cards so it might not fit, and where do I put all my change?? But it is a pretty cool find. Find it at Branchhome.

Paper + Cup

There's a lot of cool paper places out there, and there seems to be a lot of hype for good paper products recently. Check out Brooklyn-based Paper+Cup and their cool line of cards / journals.

Miranda, Steve & a Bugaboo

I've watched and re-watched the Sex & The City several times, but since giving birth, I've noticed a few things I never noticed before. Like, Miranda has a Bugaboo stroller for Brady! A Bugaboo! I can only salivate and ogle because at $800 a pop, um...it's not a wise purchase for poor folk. But man, that's a lovely lovely stroller.

Aside from Carrie & Aidan, my other favorite couple on the show is Miranda & Steve. I just love them. I especially love that in the final season, it was Miranda who was in love with Steve. I love that it was Miranda who proposed to Steve. I love that their wedding was so the anti-wedding (hint hint to a certain someone: you can have an anti-wedding. wink wink). I love that Steve became more assertive this time around: telling Miranda that the honeymoon was his as well as hers, pushing for Brooklyn when Miranda was a Manhattan-girl. It was a satisfying ending to a lovely series, which I can watch over and over again.

Bella Bean Collars n Leash

This is too cute! I wanna take that puppy home with me. But check out his ultra cool collar & leash from Bella Bean Couture. It sure beats the plain ole leash you see everywhere. And I know coz I've bought Blue about 20 plain leashes as he was growing up. It's about time to upgrade him from plain to cool.

Too Much Theo!

Whoa! I've just had an overload of Theo. I was watching the premiere of the new Real World / Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat. I just happen to pass by MTV when I realized it was the premiere...really! This time each of the alumni is paired with a newbie: a fresh meat and they compete in challenges.

Then I turn to watch the premiere of Last Comic Standing (since I love stand-up) and lo and behold...Theo is a comic as well. Who would've thunk? He's not bad, so I wish him luck and good jokes to go thru to the next round.

My Birth Story

Although I haven't really been telling stories in this blog, I want to make an exception to this one. It'll be long. It's very graphic so reader discretion is strongly advised. It's my Birth Story...

It all started Saturday, 5.13, day before mother's day. The previous day I spent all day shopping and was exhausted. Saturday, I planned to relax because the next day was Mother's Day and my family is throwing me a baby shower as well. I was sitting on my bed, folding clothes and watching Brokeback Mountain. When I stood up, I noticed an oreo sized water stain. Hmm, that's can't be my water breaking, I still have a week to go, plus, it's too tiny to be it. Watching Sex & the City and Friends, I know there'll be a gush of water, so I was a little apprehensive but continued on my day.

That night, around 4 am I went to the bathroom but noticed the bed was a little wet. Hubby said I better ask the OB-GYN if that is my water breaking. I called - and a doctor returned my call. He didn't think it was, but did say to call him back in the next two hours to give him a progress report. At 5:10 am, I felt it. A gush of water coming out and not stopping. I knew for sure this was the bag of waters. I tried to page the doctor again, but he didn't call back right away.

As hubby started preparing the car, I ate my last meal. I knew when I got to the hospital, there would be no eating for me. I tried to stall for as long as possible, but when the doc called me, he said I should get to L&D (Labor & Delivery) right away.

We got in around 8:00 am and a wonderful english nurse named annette tended to me. In tow was a nursing student. Annette checked my cervix and said I was 3 cm dilated, 90% effaced and at about a -2 station.

Half an hour later, my OB-GYN came by to say hi. Unfortunately, unless I got into active labor in the next few hours, he won't be able to deliver me because it's Mother's Day and he has a thing. The on-call doctor we'll name Dr. S. I was disappointed since Dr. S was not one of my doctors, so I hoped he would be good.

At 10:00 am, Annette checked my again and there was no progress. my OB-GYN suggested I go home for a while but annette said I should just stay. It looks like the ETA for my labor would be around 3 am. And so we stayed. I took a shower there and walked around a bit...

The day dragged on. I was progressing very very slowly. Even annette was a bit concerned. By 7:30 pm, I was only about 6 cm dilated - when supposed to be, once I reached four, I would be dilating at a much faster rate.

Shift change. Wendy is my new nurse. She's very nice as well. I asked her about medications. They were concerned about giving me a epidural because I'm progressing so slowly, it might make things slower, and we do not have much time. I have to have the baby before 5:10 or else we'll be going beyond the 24 hour mark.

A few hours later (I forget the exact time), Dr. G (the anesthesiologist) and Dr. S came by and said we are ok to do the epidural if I want. I said I was concerned that it'll slow an already slow process. Dr. S said that it might actually help since maybe I'm not dilating fast enough because I was tense from the pain. So, sure ok.

Hubby watched as Dr. G inserted the big ole needle. Of course, my luck, he had to do it twice since he couldn't find a space the first time around. I felt relief from the pain.

Sometime later again (midnightish?), there was talk. Doc said that they're giving me pitocin and if I still don't dilate, we should consider a c-sec. Hubby asked doc at what point should we call it quits, but the doc was vague and told my hubby that it was his (doc) decision as to when we should stop trying [this made hubby outraged but that's another post]. At this point, I'm starting to panic and prayed that the pitocin would work. Hubby fell asleep, I couldn't. They've turned down the lights and I can see Wendy monitoring me.

Then I was feeling it. Definitely, something was going on. I was hurting...feel like contractions are stronger. I told Wendy what I felt and she gave me an exam. She said I was about complete (yay!) and she called Dr. S. Dr. S did the same exam but said my station was still high so we should wait and not push.

Now this was the hardest part of the evening. As the contractions became stronger and stronger, it was so darn hard not to push. I was holding on to hubby for dear life and did all those breathing things we talked about. We did this for 45 minutes - seemed like an eternity. I tried. I really tried. But Wendy kept giving me an out. If you really feel like you have to push, then let's push, she keeps telling me. The she said that I probably wouldn't push for too long because the baby looks like it's headed down.

And so I push. I'm sorry, this is the hardest part. Hubby has my one leg and Wendy the other. She kept saying encouraging words to me: That's a girl! Good Job! and so I thought things are going ok. I did wonder why we started pushing without the doc but at that moment, I was very confused. We pushed for two hours to no avail. So she got the doc and explained to him what happened. No words were said but I knew he was not happy. He checked and said that the baby was still too high, and implied that we shouldn't have started so soon. He also said I wasn't pushing with all my might. What? I wanted to smack him.

Then after another hour, he decided to lower my epidural. Um, hello! Why wasn't that thought of sooner? He also wanted to increase the pitocin level. The nurse kept telling him that if they give me more, my blood pressure will drop but he didn't seem to listen. So, sure enough, my stats beeped like crazy.

Then, with what seemed like hours of pushing he said that the baby is turned up and that he needed to turn him around but he's too high up to do that. He told me to push some more and said that I wasn't pushing with as much intensity because, hello - it's been three hours. He said the first two hours didn't count because I wasn't doing it right.

It was all a blur. I was in too much pain, yet I wanted to just finish it. I've been in labor at that point for more than 24 hours and I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I prayed with all my might to have the strength - but it wasn't meant for me. By 6:00 am - Dr. S still wanted for me to push, but the nurses pulled him aside and told him that we are beyond the 24th hour and my fever was very high and we (baby & I) might end up having infections.

When Dr. S said it out loud, tears started rolling. It won't stop. I couldn't believe that after all that, it wasn't over. Wendy kept telling me I did a good job, but I was numb. All feelings have risen to the surface. My face was calm but inside I was bawling. I asked for some ice chips because I haven't eaten in 24 hours. But of course I couldn't have it coz now I'm going into major surgery.

The surgery table is as hectic as I imagined - all these people, all for me. I kept asking if I'm going to feel it. Dr. G said I won't, but when I felt the incision, I started to panic. It wasn't that painful, but boy did I felt it. I felt them moving my guts around. I saw hubby trying to peek. Then I heard it. A little cry. Then some whispers. Then a louder cry. Hubby squeezed me. I heard congratulations. I saw him in the corner of my eye as they showed him to hubby. The told hubby he can follow them to the nursery, but he stayed by my side. I was still in tears. I didn't hit me yet that I just had a baby. When everything was over, the doctors told me I did the best I could, and that I was marvelous. Joshua Alfonso Do was born on a Monday, May 15, 2006, 7:30 am. He weighed 7 lbs., 10 oz.

They wheel me to the recovery room around 8:00 am and said I had to stay there for two hours. It was the longest two hours. I kept staring at the clock. There was one nurse with me. I was so thirsty. I ask for ice chips but at first she said no. I felt trapped. I wanna see my husband. I want to see my baby. Later, she said. So I stared and stared at the clock.

Finally at 10:00 am, they wheel me to my room. I see hubby and my family there waiting for me. They were all smiling and yet I couldn't muster a smile. He's gorgeous, mom says. But all I can say is, I haven't even seen him yet. They give me words of love and encouragement but I wasn't really taking it in. But then they wheel Joshua in. My eyes wander to the little bundle of joy and then it hit me. I've just had a baby - and he is the cutest thing ever. My heart filled with love that I couldn't quite explain. In that moment, the pain, the struggle of the past day just melted away. What did it matter how he came out? He's here and he is love. My eyes filled with tears again - but this time, it was tears of joy.

Bodhi Fortune Cookies

As Blue sleeps on the floor beside me (right now), I look at his sleeping face and realized I haven't given his a nice real treat in a while. And since this is the year of the dog, maybe I should give him this Year of The Dog Bodhi Fortune Cookies. They're cute and cinnamon-y and the picture of that dog is just to die for!

Belles of the Ball

Smokedog's latest blog post talks about his TV shows he misses. What do I miss? Sex And The City - which I believe is still one of the best shows out there.

I'm going to give props to one of my favorite episodes of all time: Episode #58 (Season 4) Belles of the Ball - picture shown.

If I haven't blabbed to you already, I love Aidan. I love Carrie with Aidan. During Aidan's reign, I see their relationship as most real [cue scene with Aidan & Carrie in the bathroom both wearing tidy whities brushing their teeth.] Aidan would be a perfect boyfriend - perfect because he's not perfect. Big, for me, is too perfect. Handsome and rich, sitting in the back of a limo. I'd rather have someone cuddle with me eating KFC than having a dozen roses sent to me by boyfriend's assistant. But that's me.

Anyway, this episode brings us to the country where Carrie & Aidan are spending the weekend. Big calls all upset because his actress girlfriend has dumped him and wanted Carrie to comfort him. Big barges in on their weekend and Aidan shows restrained anger - after all, this was the guy Carrie cheated on him with. All of this leading up to the fist fight the two boys have the next day to which Carrie utters my favorite line of all time: What are you doing!? You're middle-aged!

As I was watching the two boys, at dawned on my just how hot Aidan was. Big looked old with a bit of a belly, while Aidan was lookin' goood. Sigh...Season 4 rocked. Let me go watch that again.

Jack and Lulu

Another cool little thing - from a company named Jack and Lulu - gift tags made of ice cream wooden spoons. On one end it has To: and on the other From:

From the website it looks like they only sell these in bulk but it's a crafty slash ready-made-ish idea to use ice cream wooden spoons as gift tags!

Mesu Measuring Bowls

Cute stuff for the kitchen! These are the Mesu measuring bowls from Studio Panepinto. It's a set of 6 nesting bowls that are freezer, oven, microwave & dishwasher safe. It's so cool, that it makes me want to bake something...

Margaret Nicole Purse

Oh! Look at these cuutttee cable knit clutch purse from Margaret Nicole - Don't look at the price though, you may not want to buy it. But I love purses and bags and I love brown (you know I do).

My Bathroom

Since I've been having conversations with most of you (yes, you!) about home improvements / remodeling, I've decided to open up and show a little about myself - ahem - my home. This is our guest bathroom, which we've been slowly remodeling since we got the house 3 years ago. It's no dwell-home, but trust me, it's an improvement to what was there before.

Being in architecture, I had high hopes in remodeling when we first got the house, but as real life would have it, my hubby does not share my views regarding design. So, there's been a lot of compromising. The color palette we could agree on was a neutral one: creams & browns with punches of color.

Our favorite place to get tile is the Import Tile Company in Berkeley. We got our floor tiles there - and - we installed it ourselves! Pretty good for people with no installing experience whatsoever. The shower curtain & mirror I got from Target. The medicine cabinet from Ikea. And the magazine rack is from the Container Store. The one thing I love about this bathroom? The dark brown paint on the sink cabinet. I love love love deep brown. Alright. End of sharing!

Wallter Circles

There's always something cool at Urban Outfitters. One thing I'm debating of getting are these Wallter Circles. They're 3-D wall art - Connect them to make a pattern that's completely you!