Help me!!

Okay, I've had enough people start asking me about if I've registered for baby stuff, if I feel ready to have a baby, etc. that I decided to let a little bit of reality sink in. And the reality that I will be having a baby sometime in the next two months was intimidating enough to motivate me into action. So, today, I took the first step and got up the courage today to walk into Babies-R-Us.

Wow! I realized why I've been putting this off for so long. That place is intimidating! So much stuff, how on earth are you supposed to know what you need? And then, even if you know what you need, how are you supposed to know which of the hundreds of kinds of that thing is the one you should buy? Not that this is just about the store, mind you, but just about the whole undertaking of sorting through all the stuff out there to know what you need to get for a baby.

I'm really the kind of person that does not want to get more baby "stuff" than I really need - the thought of filling my house with all sorts of unnecessary baby junk is seriously unappealing. But, at the same time, I realize that some of that "junk" can at some level make your life so much easier when you have a baby, and I do want to make sure I get what I need. So, I've decided that it's time to start soliciting advice (because I know there's plenty to be had out there). I'd love to hear from anyone who has had children and been through this whole experience about the top 5-10 things you would really say you need when you have a baby. You know, the things you swear by, that really make things so much easier.

First, let me tell you what we've gotten so far for baby:

• A crib.

Yep, that's all. (I found it amidst my craigslist shopping for furniture for the new apartment.)

I know that some will say that the only things that you really need for a baby are diapers and a carseat (because, at least in California, you can't take the baby home from the hospital unless they verify you own a carseat - and, by the way, if you have any suggestions about types or styles of these two essentials feel free to pass them on). But, thinking beyond that, tell me about the things that you personally couldn't do without.

So, please, help me! Lend me your hard-earned wisdom, because one other thing you should know about me (if you don't already) is that I get very anxious if I feel like something big is about to happen and I'm not ready. (I know, that probably doesn't bode well for my anxiety level for the next 18+ years!)

To Brighten Your Day

Jon recently shared this video with me, and it just made my day a little brighter. I hope all the women I know can remember what a powerful influence they can have and are having for good in their families and the world. Thanks for your example!

Comings and Goings

We're home this weekend, but our last few weekends have had a lot of comings and goings including: moving to a new apartment (upgrading to 2 bedrooms!), going to the coast for the Capitola Begonia Festival (complete with a sandcastle competition and movie on the beach), and heading to Yosemite National Park for a fun and relaxing belated anniversary trip.

It has all been very, very fun to enjoy some time together after a long summer apart.

We stayed at the fantastic Highland House Bed & Breakfast in Mariposa, CA outside of Yosemite. It was absolutely wonderful, and I highly recommend it!

Yosemite is a beautiful park - lots of towering granite peaks (we could see tiny dots of climbers on the granite face above) and waterfalls (though we did catch it during the dry season ... they say in the spring it's absolutely phenomenal with water from the snowmelt rushing off of the huge cliffs).

We also got to visit a grove of Sequoia trees - they were enormous!!

Tootin' my own horn

I just thought I'd toot my own horn a little because as of this last week I have officially finished my graduate degree. (I've been done with stuff for a couple of months, but it wasn't "official" until the term ended.) Yep, I've joined the ranks of those who add extra letters at the back of my name (mine will be Ed.S. - it stands for Educational Specialist since that's what my degree is called). It's kind of anti-climactic since we've already moved and I didn't do the whole cap and gown thing, but it's still nice to think that I made it through and got it all done!

Jon in Japan

Jon has been in Japan now for about a month, and having all sorts of adventures. He spends most of his days in class studying, but he's also been able to get out and about visiting some of the sites in Tokyo and Kyoto. Here are some pictures of all he's been up to.

He loved spending a weekend with a Japanese host family last week, and they took him to visit a few things near their home.

He also got ambitious and climbed Mt. Fuji a few weeks back. He said there's a Japanese saying that goes something like "You're a fool if you've never climbed Mt. Fuji, and you're a bigger fool if you've climbed it twice." Given how cold, rainy, and not very scenic the hike was, in the end he totally agreed with that.

He's also been getting to know some of the local church members, and went to a beach activity with them. He was clearly the star beach volleyball player!

When he first arrived, he spent a beautiful couple of days in Kyoto, where apparently all the good historical sites are. Here he is meditating (about his lovely wife, of course) at a Zen garden.

And as for me...

As for what I've been up to this summer in Jon's absence, well of course the highlight has been enjoying the progress of this baby growing in my belly. We've made it now to 21 weeks, and he is really starting to let me know he's in there by moving around and making me fatter by the week! Here are some of the ultrasound pictures:

Other than that, I've been spending quality time with my family, and keeping myself busy (if that's possible) in Ephraim. We went up and saw the balloons for the 4th of July (my mom's absolute favorite thing in the world!)

We spent a week up in a condo in the mountains. It was very quiet and peaceful, so we filled our time with nature walks, lots of treats, and games of Monopoly.



And then the girls went to San Francisco. We loved spending a couple of days taking care of baby business and other sorts of fun!

Coming Soon...

www.zazzle.com

We're so happy to announce that we are having a baby boy! The ultrasound was yesterday, and the little guy was not being modest!
My mom and sister came out to California with me and we've enjoyed a wonderful couple of female bonding days. They helped out to have Jon be connected (by phone - you've gotta love Skype! and by taking video), and it was so great to have them there with me. Last night we celebrated the event even more by going to see Wicked in SF - it was awesome!!
I'll post more pictures and details soon of all the fun!