Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Funny-looking desert foliage

joshua tree 1
helen 8 month bump 1
helen 8 month bump 3
helen 8 month bump 2
helen 8 month bump 4
nature detail 1
alex hands in air
alex shrug
alex climbing stones
alex staring at joshua tree
AH helen belly joshua tree
AH joshua tree
AH belly joshua tree
joshua tree 2
joshua tree landscapeJoshua Tree had been on the must-see list for a while, especially since the Mojave desert is but a drive away for us. We'd yet to visit, so the opportune stopover during our Palm Springs babymoon instilled in us the wondrous breadth of God's creation, from crashing oceans, majestic mountains, tranquil forests, widespread flora, to desert wilderness. I just thought all the Joshua trees were rather funny-looking, and we had a ball running around and acclimating ourselves with the expansive foliage. Well, I waddled more than ran, as we are nearing 34 weeks. Alex was so excited to snap all of the above 8 month belly pictures, and we are counting down until we meet this baby!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

When we got away for a babymoon

walking to movie colony
movie colony sign
mid century modern decor
movie colony bar
movie colony decor 1
movie colony flora
movie colony pool
alex in pool
sitting
movie colony buoy
movie colony decor 4
helen 8 month bump at movie colony
lulu
hidden door
alex bike riding
bikes
helen bike riding
We packed our bags for a short-lived getaway this past Monday and Tuesday as a final hurrah before the baby arrives. We'd yet to gallivant Palm Springs together, and Alex unearthed reasonable hotel deals there, so we ended up in the land where it's hotter and calmer.He adores chain hotels, but this time, I was able to cajole him into booking a boutique hotel for which the desert resort city is renowned. We stayed at the Movie Colony, where the ample mid-century modern architecture and decor made Alex feel as if we were on the set for a quirky Austin Powers movie. I just told him he felt like that because he's a Hilton snob - haha!

We accomplished exactly what was on our babymoon agenda: not much at all, besides lounging about. That entailed my sitting while Alex swam, and our taking advantage of the free happy hour, breakfast, and bike rentals. I was so excited about the complimentary bike rentals. I probably shouldn't have ridden a bike while 8 months pregnant, but God was good in keeping the excursion safe and hunky dory. We lasted 15 minutes on the streets before melting in the sweltering 115 degree weather by 9:30am. Jeepers! All in all, we had a swell time unwinding; I really, really love going on adventures with the husband! We even made an excursion to Joshua Tree during our stint there, upon which I shall elaborate in the forthcoming post.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Third trimester effects

basket of rosie hair clips 2
yellow rosie hair clip 1
yellow rosie hair clip 2
yellow rosie hair clip 3
red, pink, yellow rosie hair clips
maroon and cream rosie hair clips
scattered rosie hair clips
blue and gold bruins rosie hair clip
rosie hair clips
basket of rosie hair clips 1
Month 8 commences this weekend, and the third trimester has been crawling by with the normal symptoms. I eat all the time. The baby moves and grooves like a hardcore Olympic gymnast most of the time. All I want to do is frantically clean and organize our little home half the time. My lower back aches which makes sleeping through the night rarer sometimes. And I made frivolous little felt hair clips for this little miss in my belly this one time, as inspired by a dear friend who used to make clips for her little girls. The blue and yellow one is my favorite, reminiscent of my alma mater (and perhaps her future college?).  I only have rosie hair clips thus far, but I've a slew of other ideas in my head. I just hope she isn't bald...but I'll love her just the same even if she is!

Alex is so excited to meet this little girl - we were browsing around at a bougie baby store last week, and we saw a charming little wooden kitchen. "Aw, look!" I said, pointing to it. He made a beeline for the playset, glanced at the hefty $200 price tag, and declared, "I want to get this for the baby." "What?!" I exclaimed. "She's not even born yet, and she wouldn't be able to play with it until she's at least 2. And I don't want to spend $200 on a play kitchen." "I just want to get something for my daughter," he replied. It was so endearing that I couldn't help but laugh. We didn't end up getting the kitchen, but we learned that I will probably be the more practical parent, and Alex will be the one who takes her out for daddy-daughter dates at Toys R Us. We are so thankful to the Lord for our growing little family. I am so grateful to my selfless and generous husband who leads me well, and for this little one who already brings joy to our lives.