Iris is 13 weeks along today. Here are the ultrasound images that we've received so far.

June 9, 2009
This was our first visit with the ObGyn. The baby is little more than a bean. The emotional high of seeing the little heart beating was amazing.





Here you can see the heart rythm, very strong and steady:



July 6, 2009
The week after our trip down to LA, we had a followup with the doctor. Development is going well, and everything looks good.







July 23, 2009
Today's images. She's really starting to grow now. 3 inches long, with clearly defined hands and feet. The second image is topdown over her head, with her arms in front.

My work is participating in the Giving Tree's yearly Back to School drive. You pick the child you want to donate to (it's anonymous), by sex and age. I picked a boy going into kindergarten or 1st grade.

I bought a backpack, and filled it with supplies that were recommended for his age.

Gray and I went to Office Depot last night, and I explained to him that we're buying school supplies for a little boy that doesn't have anything for school. Gray kept asking "where is the little boy?" I guess he thought we were meeting him at the store. Then at one point Gray was playing with a little finger puppet toy that we found along the way shopping, and he wanted to give it to the "little boy". Broke my heart with sweetness.

If your work does something like this, donate! It's an awesome feeling to help!

A breast and ovarian cancer group that I belong to has put together a letter which supports the recently introduced legislation known as the EARLY Act.

Here's part of that letter:

H.R. 1740, the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act of 2009 was introduced by Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), a young breast cancer survivor who carries a BRCA2 mutation. With over 300 co-sponsors, this bill proposes a nationwide awareness and support campaign for women age 45 and under, including women who are at high risk for breast cancer or are breast cancer survivors, and their doctors. The efforts proposed under EARLY will be guided by experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The proposed EARLY legislation will increase awareness of the hereditary aspects of breast cancer and inform individuals who may be predisposed to the disease about the benefits of genetic counseling, testing, and risk management options. It will also provide resources and support for young women with breast cancer.

If you'd like to see the rest of the letter go here: FULL LETTER.

Please email them to add your name to their letter, their address is: info@facingourrisk.org, and this is their website: FORCE.

It started the day before my birthday, on Saturday, when my Mom, sister and niece surprised me by driving all the way from Sacramento and knocking on our front door. I was brushing my teeth, my phone rang, I put it on speaker phone and let Gray talk to his Doda (aunt). I was trying to finish brushing my teeth when Doda said that I should go to the door. I screamed and ran all the way to the front door, swung it open and couldn't believe my eyes! Of course, I got all emotional and shed a couple of tears of joy. It was the best surprise EVAH!

We spent the morning together and some of the afternoon, and then they took off. Gray was in love with Sunny, and cried when she wanted to take a break from "playing him".

The ladies even brought a chocolate mousse cake from their favorite bakery in Sacramento. What a treat!

On Sunday, my actual birthday, Liam made pancakes for breakfast. Gray wanted more than he was given, and was left alone with the remaining pancakes. He took a bite out of EACH pancake. I thought it was funny, Liam did not.

Then for lunch, Jen and Jojo came over with their men, and Jen brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. We had a sandwich lunch, and chatted for a couple of hours. It was great to see them without much fuss. Jojo brought her sister in law's dog with her, and Gray (who was supposed to be napping) was way too curious and excited to sleep. After everyone left I offered Gray a nap with me in "our bed", and within 5 minutes he was asleep. And a few minutes later so was I. Snuggling with the bear was a very delicious treat, and not one I get to enjoy very often.

At around 3:30, our babysitter, Stephanie came over, and we got ready and left for a movie and dinner. Movie was "Away we Go", and I loved it as I knew I would. I love those slice of life movies. And dinner... dinner was at a very fancy shmancy place that I've had my eye on for a few months, ever since the head chef made an appearance on Iron Chef. The restaurant is called Manresa, and if you've got a special occasion, GO THERE. It was really really good.

Not bad for my 39th! Now to start planning next year's big birthday.

His first ever dentist appointment, and apparently it went really well. I wasn't there, but I got the detailed report from Liam.

Gray opened his mouth every time they came towards him with instruments, and was generally a good and happy patient.

At home it's hard to get him to keep his mouth open while just brushing his teeth, so I was curious to know what would happen when shiny sharp things came at him. I don't think he knows how painful things can get at the dentist's office. I KNOW, believe me.

They gave Gray an A+, and said his teeth look really good.

PHEW.

Jojo, Mikee, Ricardo, Jen, and Gaby came over and we had a small casual potluck. Somehow everyone brought the right ingredient to make a full meal. It was so fun, and so relaxed that Liam and I kept saying that we want to do this every month.

Last weekend we drove out see family in LA. We coordinated the visit around Burke being in town, which doesn't happen too often. We stayed 4 nights, and survived sleeping in one hotel room with Gray pretty well. Surprisingly well. He slept on a roll-away, and went to sleep when he was supposed to, and woke up at his regular time.

On Saturday there was a baby shower for our new cousin, Leyton. He was born on the 12th, and attended the shower. I think all baby showers should have the baby in attendance. It's way better to talk about the baby's features, than to talk about the mom's big belly.

Curly haired cousins, Gray and Joella:



The second youngest cousin, Taylor, meeting the newest cousin, Leyton:



Gray tried to help the grown-ups play Baggo. He may have a career! Baggo bag getter!

Doda Maya was here, and we mostly stayed home, played with Gray and napped. Oh, and then Maya treated us all to dinner which was very fun!

So yummy!