Proud Daddy

Peanut!!!

They say Hawaiian islands are enchanted, and full of romance. This, I can attest to!  In October, while visiting the beautiful island of Kauai, the magic happened.

A few weeks later, my boobs hurst SOOOOOOO bad, and by 8:30pm I was doing the head-bob of exhaustion. Rich called it, and I was in denial. "You're pregnant" he would continue to say with a smile. I continued to say "there is no way."

But then, here it is... I'm 2 weeks late, and was starting to think he just might be correct.

On Sunday night, we built up enough courage to journey to the local drugstore. hand in hand, we stood in "that aisle" and looked at all the brands. I'll admit, I was nervous, giddy with anticipation, and completely filled with fear all at the same time. I mean - this is real. I'm standing right here. Looking at "these" tests, and am going to BUY one - FOR ME.

You see, for years, I did not think this could happen. Dr's said it was going to be unlikely, and I tried to hang on to hope... but in my ripe old age of 33, I was beginning to settle with the idea that perhaps my destiny was to have the pleasures of being an aunt, and mother to only creatures that could not speak my language, ran on four legs, or swam with gills, or hopped with webbed feet, or hid in shells, or only needed sunlight, soil and water to survive.

We got home. I didn't do it right away, and I don't really know why - I think I was trying grasp the concept that maybe, JUST MAYBE, a plus sign would appear on that pretty little white stick. But was also afraid, it might not. Rich kept saying to get started. And I kept coming up with excuses and to-do's.

I finally got the courage, and snuck into the bathroom. I carefully read the instructions on the box. Studied the sterile white stick. And let it began... much to my utter amazement - the lines appeared INSTANTLY.

I just stared at it. Hand steady as could be.

And was completely overcome with peace. I read the instructions again, just to be sure...yep, I followed everything to the tee. But the line "Results may take up to two minutes" kept repeating in my head. And I kept thinking - but this was instant - INSTANT.

After a few minutes, I stepped outside, walked up to Rich (who was kindly doing the dinner dishes) and just showed him the stick with the bright blue plus sign. Water still running, he stepped away from the sink, soapy hands and all, and walked around the corner and embraced me. We just stood there and hugged for the longest time. And he whispered, "congratulations Mommy."

This morning, I did it all again - just to be sure.

Make no mistake - a little baby is tucked away, deep inside my body, sharing my nutrients and stealing all my energy. :)

Welcome little Peanut, what a journey we're about to embark... and I can't wait!!!

Tonight, I realized...

This week...

• On the 10th, I will celebrate my 7th anniversary for being a San Diego resident,


• On the 14th, my parents will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary,


• On the 14th, our nation will honor the 232nd anniversary for adopting the flag of the United States.

In the last 7 years...

I have lived in Oceanside, Leucadia, and La Costa (Carlsbad).

I have learned to love this ocean so deeply. The surfing, the fishing, the beach outtings, and especially the "sea bone" collecting. I find solice, and peace, and answers when I'm on her - and even near her.

I have learned the crisp and definative lines drawn between a Native and a Transplant, and have met wonderous people from both sides. :)

I have worked at a Sportfishing company, an Asian restaraunt, the fantastic Trader Joes, a marketing firm (unworthy of a plug), and eventually went back to the real world with a successful Security Technology Distribution company that brought me full circle to my passion - Information Security.

I have been a mother to 60+ plants, 3 fish, 2 frogs, and my most precious Sadie - the most gracious miniature schnauzer.

I've had the pleasure to have lived as close as 3 houses from the ocean and loved hearing her whisper me to sleep, or have her furocious surf wake me during a heavy storm... and I also learned, being this close = mold will live on everything, paperbacks/photos/receipts/letters - pretty much anything paper will not survive, and clothes NEVER dry.

I have enjoyed watching countless sunrises and sunsets from my board and the sand, finding sea treasures on every walk, playing in the glowing fun of red tides, and witnessing her ever changing dispostion. And I have gained a enormous respect for her. To some, she is a line. To me, she is my world.

Just over a year ago, Sadie and I moved 5 miles inland *gasp* but have realized just how lucky we are. We are in such a wonderful home with amenities a single gal can't afford solo on the beach. Oh how I missed the bubble baths! We still have an amazing view of the sunset, and have since replaced all the furnishings - and healthily live mold free! :) Soon we'll be making another move when our family expands. I'm excited to see where this next path will lead, and have no doubt in my mind it will be even more spectacular than I could even imagine.


And, I smile.

The Grove

A small town in Idaho, the storybook type, where everyone knew everyone and there was only one grocery store… that’s where I got my start. There was no crime, at least that I, a seven-year-old child, knew about. There didn’t seem to be a need for laws to be enforced, because everyone had respect for others, as well as themselves. So, in this environment, I was free to roam and do anything I desired, with no limitations.

Memories tell me my days were long spent climbing trees, building snow forts, playing hide-n-seek in the cornfield, hauling wood, snapping peas, chasing butterflies and pulling the legs off water skippers. There is a lot the country has to offer to a child. Much more than concrete. Even so, with all the available options, I chose to spend my time in the same place everyday. Redundant as it may seem, it was my favorite place, and I went there everyday, faithfully. Neither time nor season mattered when I was in this sacred spot. I felt safe and secure in this surrounding. I called this small piece of Heaven on Earth “The Grove.”

Here, in The Grove, orchard trees of sour crab apples, plums, and apricots grew thick. The soft green grass grew wildly with bright yellow dandelions. A winding canal wove itself through the middle of this paradise. Its banks were decorated in a blanket of snake grass, daisies, patches of clover and moss. There were fallen trees along the sides of the canal where I sat and dangled my legs into the cool and refreshing water. I spent what seemed to be hours there, just sitting and eating the half ripe, green, sour apples. Feeling the warmth of the sun relax my body, while I listened to the trickling water run over the banks and rocks that echoed the current being pushed along. Birds sang and carried on conversations with each other as I watched them fly from treetop to treetop, wondering what they were saying. The cool breeze that shook the tops of the tall trees caused the different patterns of the shade to dance on the ground around me. Even though this beautiful place was such an awesome sight to see, my favorite part was the smell. The scent of the wild grass, the moist soil, the blooming wild flowers, and the aroma of the sweetly dampened moss were so welcoming. This smell was the sweetest, most recognizable, and most peaceful smell I have ever known.

I spent my entire summers here, everyday, all day long catching water-skippers, frogs, spiders, and snakes. I kept them just long enough to make them my friends, and would then set them free so they too could enjoy the utopia of the surroundings.

At the entrance of the Grove was a large Oak tree with a branch that stretched across the canal, as if to form an arch in which to enter this magical place. From this branch hung a tattered and frayed rope that had been there for as long as I could remember. I climbed the tree and slid a stick into a hole that was knotted in the rope. I took the deepest breath my little lungs would allow and pushed off the trunk of that great tree. I flew over the water until I was as far out as possible, released my grip and fell into the cool running water below that had become my best friend. Floating in the water, I would race the sticks and twigs that swam along beside me. When I reached a tree near a bend in the canal, I grabbed hold of a drooping branch and pulled myself on to the bank and rejoiced in another victorious journey. Here I sprawled again in the warmth of the daylight sun and waited until I was warm enough to again repeat the voyage.

This is where my world began and my appreciation of nature, color, & peace developed. Now, when I return to The Grove, I feel the same excitement and butterflies in my stomach. The tree is no longer there, and the grass in the water nearly reaches the surface. But I inhale deep breaths of that familiar fragrance until I become lightheaded. I pick my apples, smile at the water skippers, and I remember...

marked

If i were to ever do it - I'm pretty confident this is what i'd do.
But perhaps not right here... peacocks don't do so well in the sand. It irritates their wings.
And not on the back, because I'd want to see it too.