La Vita E Bella

I Can't Promise Exciting Posts, But I Can Promise Lengthly Ones!

It’s Thursday, which means I have two full days of work left until the weekend. I really, really wish it were Friday already. I know it’s going to be a long day when I wake up first thing in the morning (after a good 8 hours of sleep) and wish I could take a nap! That was this morning. I’m basically worthless right now in terms of using my brain. I’m hoping I start to pep up soon. I ate a bagel and a naked juice, so I’m pretty sure once it gets into the blood stream I’ll be good.

This last Saturday was Trei’s birthday, and first thing in the morning he woke me up and asked if I wanted to go to the Original Pancake House. I told him I had been there, assuming he meant IHOP – and then he said “No, No….this has nothing to do with IHOP, this is the ORIGINAL!”. So after my shower, we hopped in the car and made the drive into Anaheim where we both enjoyed a wonderful breakfast. I had Belgium waffles and Trei had a german pancake and some eggs. After lunch Trei wanted to look at cars, so we went to a local classic car lot in Costa Mesa and admired all the old cars. From there we headed home so Trei could get ready for work (fun birthday huh?!). The rest of the night I spent with Kayli – eating at Yardhouse, watching TV, and eating icecream. The next morning I was awoken again from Trei, this time wondering if I wanted to go to Palm Springs. 30 minutes later we were out the door, headed for 115 degree weather. We got there in under 2 hours and were greeted by some major heat. We spent the rest of that day and the beginning of the next with his Grandma eating out, swimming, and watching TV. What a great and relaxing time!!! When it was time to leave, Trei suggested heading to my parents for the rest of the day – so we hopped in the car around 11:30 and made the drive into the valley. We spent the rest of the day talking with my mom, eating dinner, watching the Pink Panther, and just thoroughly enjoying the remainder of our time together. By 9pm we were on the road, again.

Baby Sesame - Week 15

Your baby weighs about 2½ ounces and measures about 4½ inches from crown to rump. Fine, downy hair (called lanugo), which he'll shed before birth, grows on his body. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. Hair is sprouting on top of his head, too, although whatever color it is may change. His eyebrows have begun to fill in. Your baby hiccups, but he can't yet make a sound because his trachea is still filled with fluid, not air. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the gender depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)

By the way...tomorrow marks my second ob/gyn appointment. Trei gets to go with me this time, and finally hear the heartbeat. Pray all goes well and that the baby is nice and big and healthy. I'll keep you all posted. Look for an update tonight on our weekend.

Me and my Apple

When I was a baby - my favorite toy was my "Happy Apple". My mom tells me I would stare at ths apple and laugh and laugh for hours. My dad searched ebay for an apple and found it. A Vintage 1981 Fisher-Price Happy Apple. He gifted it to me today. I was so excited. I hope my child finds it just as exciting as I did 24 years ago. Thanks Dad....I love you!!!

Circa 1982 Circa 2006 Trei and I appreciating the apple. I am seriously excited about it!!!

The Final Goodbye

Yesterday was a rough day - if I have to calculate how long I cried, I'd say a good 4 or 5 hours total. I'm still suffering from a headache and puffy eyes. I got off work as normal, drove home, and let the dogs into the house. I began the task of putting all of their stuff into the car. My crying began at 4:30 (as I walked out the door) and continued until right before Kayli walked in the door to drive me. Ofcourse...it began the moment she walked in the door. I made sure everything was packed, and the very last thing to do was take off their dog tags and load them into the car.

The drive to their new home was solemn. I was quiet, trying not to cry while the dogs ran around the car like wild banchee's wondering where we were going. We arrived at their new owners home and were greeted at the door. We walked the boys into the backyard and let them off their leash. They began running around and sniffing everything. I cried. Kayli and I only stayed about 30 minutes. We talked for a while, and let the boys get acquainted. It was hard. I wanted to run away with them as fast as possible. When it was time to leave, I gave them kisses and walked inside. The last visual I have is Blue standing at the back door barking for me. He does that everytime I leave a room without him. I broke down in the living room with Kayli by my side. I was pretty distraught.

"We're already crazy about them, and believe that God sent them our way for a reason!"

Last night went really smoothly. The family spent 2 hours at our home playing with the dogs and talking to me about their own beagle (and the one they had to put to sleep this past weekend). They brought along their two oldest daughters and ofcourse Blue and Ace just charmed the pants off of them. I felt very at ease with them, and could tell that they are true beagle lovers. And let me tell you....you have to LOVE the breed in order to take two into your home (on top of an existing beagle). During their stay with us, they kept pointing out little things in both Blue and Ace that I find so endearing about them. Little things like, Blue's nose (it's adorable), or Ace's eyes. I would find myself getting a little jealous that they could see, and appreciate, such small aspects of their appearance or personality. Which goes to show how attentive they were to details.

They loved Blue's shy and watchful demeanor - they called him stoic. Which is a perfect word for him. They could see the worry in his eyes, and how in tune he is with his surroundings. They loved Ace's trust in everyone. How excited he was to be in the company of people, and how he could never let Blue get any attention that he wasn't going to be a part of. Blue did the infamous belly rub (where he lays down at your feet, rolls on to his back, waiting for a good rub). Ace did his jump and dance. The family was just enthralled by how beautiful they were and how playful they were. They were excited to bring such expressive, and loving beagles into their home.

Blue and Ace....

I’m sure you are all just about sick hearing all this talk about my dogs, but I need to ask a favor from all of you. Tonight at 6:30, a family extremely interested in Blue and Ace is coming over to meet them (I think I mentioned them in an earlier post). I am very nervous and sick to my stomach about it. I keep wondering if I’ll get a good feeling about them. Will they seem like loving and devoted dog owners? Will they seem nice? Will they be anxious to take them? If they want them, will I feel peaceful about it? Will I feel good about their new living situation?

If all goes well tonight, I’ll take a trip over to their home to visit where they will be living. I’ll introduce Blue and Ace to their current beagle and see how they all interact. If that goes perfectly, I’ll leave them there. That’s it – they’ll be in their new home. I hate that I’m taking this so hard. I hate that I feel like I’m abandoning my babies. It’s not like they died, or ran away – I’ve made a choice to find them a new home, and it haunts me. I know they are just dogs, and will forget about me in the next few months – but I can’t help but think they’ll feel abandoned. Especially if they don’t get the attention from their new owners that they get from me!

26 More Week to Go and I'm Already Getting Impatient!

I know, I know - those who know me shouldn't be surprised, but I am. Although the weeks are flying by, I just keep thinking that December isn't going to come fast enough. I am so anxious to meet our little baby. I keep thinking that it's going to be one of the greatest moments of my entire existence. Hurry up time, I want to meet Sesame! :)

Well dear readers, brace yourself....a belly shot awaits you!

Baby Sesame - Week 14

Make a fist -- that's how big your baby is now. At Week 14, she weighs close to an ounce and measures between 3 to 4 inches from top to bottom. Like you, she can make a fist, too, with fingers that have a unique set of prints; an epidermal layer in her skin shows genetically determined ridges on the tips and palms – She may even be able to suck her thumb! Your baby's neck is now getting longer too, which means his chin doesn't have to rest on his chest anymore. By the end of this week, her arms will have lengthened and will be in proportion to the rest of her body. (Her legs still have some growing to do, though.) She's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair all over her body (called lanugo). Her liver starts secreting bile this week, a sign that it's already functioning properly, and her spleen starts contributing to the production of red blood cells. She's also producing and discharging urine into the amniotic fluid, a normal process that she'll keep up until birth. You still can't feel your baby's movements, but her hands and feet (which are now half an inch long) are more flexible and active. Thanks to brain impulses, her little facial muscles are getting a workout as she squints, frowns, and grimaces.

Countdown begins....Is it a boy or girl? 5 weeks and 1 day till we find out!!!

A Happy Father's Day, and Other Happenings in the Life Of Melissa

This past weekend was wonderful. I love being busy, and seeing people that I love. It’s even worth it on Monday morning when I have to wake up for work and am butt tired. The time I spent with my sister was perfect (as always). We spent our time together getting her hair done, running errands, getting our toes done, test driving cars (with Trei), eating out with Nickole, Tristan, and Tristan’s sister Tiffany, and just talking about our lives and such. It was time well spent. She arrived in around 11pm on Friday night and took off Sunday morning at 11 to head home.

After she left for home, Trei and I kind of lazed around the house and then about an hour and a half later I was on the road to my parents house as well to celebrate Father’s Day. Trei had to work that night, so I had to go by myself (bummer). I got there in a little over an hour and spent the rest of the day with my Dad, Mom, brothers and sister (I got to see Melissa M for a while too!). We talked, laughed, and ate. Michael and I beat Katy and Kyle in ping-pong twice which might have been one of the highlights of the day. It was great to see everyone. We haven’t all been together in quite sometime (Easter I think), so I appreciated the family time a lot.

Stop Signs Don't Exist If a Scary Man is Standing on the Corner, Right?

Kayli came home last night, Exciting Event of the weekend #1. I am so excited that she is back in town – it’s been quite some time since I’ve had some girl time, and I must have talked her ear off all night because I’ve felt like the lone female survivor on a deserted island since her departure June 15th, which is sort of pathetic and totally the truth. Poor girl, just spent a month surrounded by girls – last thing she probably wants sitting next to her is more estrogen….then comes me, estrogen deprived Melissa, sitting next to Kayli sucking the life out of her. Ha ha ha.

Around midnight I decided to head home and go to bed. As I was coming to the last stop sign before my house there was a very creepy guy standing on the corner. No offense, but I don’t know a lady in the world who would come to a complete stop at a stop sign, with a very scary looking man at midnight with no other car around in sight. So I roll through the stop sign trying not to make eye contact with “scary stop sign man”. Just as I’m rounding the corner, I see lights. No, not the kind from heaven, the kind that come from the top of a police car. Great, I’m getting pulled over for being scared.