Small Servings of Parsley

India 2011

2011-02-27T15:01:00.005-05:00

Here are a few of my favorite shots from our trip to India. Enjoy!
Rohan playing chase in the park. I think this is my new favorite picture of the kiddo. I can't wait to print it out and frame it.
My grandmother.
Josh and Rohan in the park. All the green made me miss summer.
Slide = favorite.
No infant swings in India; we had to do it the old-fashioned way.
More greenery.
These karangis were filled with a savory cauliflower fillings. They are basically Indian empanadas/crack.

The zoo in Bhopal is a reserve enclosed by a walking path. You simply walk around the reserve and catch glimpses of the animals. Lots of joggers and bikers, and there is a great view of the lake. Perfect for some early morning exercise. The next day, we let Chingu walk it, and he did the whole 2.5 km on his own!
Some of the aforementioned bikers - Divya and Tanvi!
Rohan reading with his Priyu Moushi. I used to read to her when she was only a few years older than Chingu!

Ebelskivirs!

2011-02-27T14:53:00.003-05:00

After years of longing, I finally bought the filled-pancake pan from WS. Yes, years.

When my sister was in town a few weeks ago, we made apple-filled pancakes. While the recipe needs some tweaking, these were perfect little bits of apple and dough. I am looking forward to trying a savory recipe soon. Onion jam and brie maybe? Chicken and potatoes? Chili-filled corn cakes?

snow, snow, snow, snow, SNOW!

2011-02-01T19:22:00.006-05:00

In case you haven't heard, it's been snowing in Boston. A lot. Like, a lot a lot.

In lieu of whining, here are some pictures!

These are some shots of Davis Square in mid-January. We had to get Chingu's passport application in, and both Josh and I had to be there for the application process, and since we both couldn't go to work due to the storm, we went to the post office instead! Family fun all around.

Then, two weeks later, we got the passport but needed to get an Indian visa (the visa adventure is another story altogether...), and I needed to go to Government Center for the birth certificate. Of course it had snowed recently, so I took some pictures of downtown.

and now for something completely different

2010-10-27T09:49:00.003-04:00

My posts have been pretty sappy lately. Family shmamily! Bring on the men!

Here are some pretty pictures of Matt Bomer, my TV boyfriend, from last months GQ. I stumbled upon them in a waiting room last week. Enjoy!

A funny thing happened on the way to DSW

2010-10-24T21:52:00.004-04:00

Saturday was an odd sort of day. I woke up with Rohan at 6, hung out with him all morning with my mom and then got ready to leave for a book club/shopping trip outing.

Book club was meeting in Harvard at 11:30, and I had yet to start the book... so I got to Harvard around 9:45, hit the bank for an errand, and then went to the Coop so I could at least sound like I knew what I was talking about at book club. (I got through about half).

Then off to Russell House for brunch! It was amazing - food, company, discussion, everything! Nice work, ladies!

Then off to the river bank with a friend to watch her cousin row in Head of the Charles! It was the perfect fall day; crisp, sun, boats and boats of arms and more arms. I digress.

I was meeting a friend at DSW at 3, but had to run to the tailors on Newbury to drop off my winter coat (torn lining). As I headed back to the T after the 1:15 race, I thought I had plenty of time to grab some coffee before stopping at the tailor. But then I got a call from my mom; she was at Charles/MGH with Rohan! Hmm... I could meet them at Charles and then we can all walk through the park to Newbury. Perfect!

Then off to Newbury! Oh wait, Rohan needs a snack. Off to L'Aroma for his favorite food: quiche that I did not make. Ugh, the line was insane, my mom was frazzled, I was officially late.

Then off to DSW! Shop, shop, shop. Macy's! Shop shop shop. I got boots!

Then, I WAS going to go home, help with dinner and the bath, and then drive back into the city to meet another friend for a late dinner. But her ride was going to pick her up soon after I called her (she was about an hour away), and I was already in the city, so I figured I could kill an hour by finishing my book club book.. Why cab it home, just to turn around and drive back into the city? Off to Back Bay Social Club!

Two hours later, I finished my book and my friend arrived. Dinner at 8, home at 10:30. Up at 3 to help Rohan through a coughing fit. Back to bed at 3:30, up at 7:30 on Sunday.

The whole day was kind of a blur. I was hopped on caffeine, my sneakers were rubbing away at the heel, I was sad when I realized I may not see Rohan all day (but I did, hurrah!), I was overwhelmed by all the shoe options at DSW and was disappointed when I didn't find anything there (but I did at Macy's, hurrah!), and by 8, my eyes were tired from the day and reading by candlelight at a bar for two hours. While I joke about going to bed at 8 and how awful it is getting up at 5:30 every day, how tired I am all the time, how we never get to do "couple" things anymore, and how we are tethered to Rohan's nap and feeding schedule, my day of freedom made me miss it so much. It was a taste of my old life, and I had a lot of fun, but part of me wished I was home to pick up the peas Rohan had thrown on the floor, and hear him laugh as he splashed in the tub, and sit on the couch with Josh and my mom watching Lost DVDs.

College was fun, New York was way more fun, moving in with Josh was amazing, and making new friends in Boston and hanging out with old ones kept me balanced in my married life. Then buying a place and getting pregnant hit a switch I didn't even know I wanted. Or needed. Marathon days like Saturday give me space, and perspective, I need.

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Sunday was bliss. Playing with Rohan (I taught him how to kick a soccer ball last week!), more Lost while Rohan napped, grocery shopping, and, for the first time ever, Rohan seemed to want to hang out on the couch and watch TV. After some flipping around, we settled on "Planet Earth" for two whole hours. He loved it so much; I can't wait to take him back to the zoo. A perfectly lazy day on the couch to help me recover from time away from the family.

Sharon Springs!

2010-10-17T20:45:00.007-04:00

Last month, the book club book was "The Bucolic Plague", a nice little read about a couple from Manhattan, who happen upon a tiny town in upstate New York, where they buy a farm/mansion on a whim. The book talks about the immense amount of work that went into the farm, the money troubles they endured during the recession, the reality shows that came out of their situation, ("The Fabulous Beekman Boys" on Planet Green) and the strain all this took on their relationship.

At last month's meeting, one thing led to another and we decided to take a day trip up to Sharon Springs to drive by the farm, eat at The American, and stalk some gays. Oh, and do some apple picking while we were there (just like the Beekman Boys!)

The trip was a success! About 10 minutes into lunch at The Black Cat, we saw the author of the book walk in. Eyebrows went up and arms were nudged. Drea whisper/sang "Bye Jooooosh!" as he walked out and he heard her! He turned and waved and we all sat in shock and then dissolved in giggles. Good times all around.

We saw Farmer John at the Mercentile, and the girl at the counter said Brent was in the back! Two more down! Then, when we headed back to The American after apple-picking, Doug held court for a captivated audience. While we were there, Michelle called! That's almost the whole cast of the book! If we saw Martha Stewart, we could have died happy.

We drove by the farm/mansion and took some pictures like good little stalkers. (For the record, we weren't the only car parked across the street...)

Below are a handful of pictures from the trip. For a full set, click here

The carrot cake at The Black Cat.
The back patio at The American.
Fall decorations in the town.
The front porch at the Mercentile.
A run down house we stumbled upon.
The Mercentile front porch with a mini goat topiary.
Apple picking!
More apple picking!
Old school gas pumps at the orchard.
The Beekman Farm barn.
The Beekman Farm Barn.

Channeling Conan

2010-10-17T20:19:00.004-04:00

My son needs a haircut. Badly. He got a little trim at my mother-in-law's yesterday, but I heard he was a wriggly monkey and they couldn't get it all.

His bangs were out of control on Friday. I felt the need to share.

I love the last one - my little fatty boombalatty.:)

Monkey cake!

2010-09-07T20:01:00.006-04:00

So instead of waxing poetic about the big one-year milestone, here are a few pictures of the cake we made! I could go on and on about how awesome Rohan is doing, and how much fun this age is, and how much he is learning and growing by the day, but I just don't have the energy. Dude, toddlers hare exhausting!

way past due

2010-07-22T08:04:00.006-04:00

Everytime I wrote the date out yesterday, I smiled. July 21, July 21, July 21. My due date last year. This time last year, I was poking my belly and begging the monkey to come out. Now, a year later, I can't even believe this huge monster was ever a little tadpole growing inside me. It seems weird some how. A year ago, I worried about him so much. If he was ok, if he healthy, if he was going to come out healthy, if I was going to die and leave Josh alone with a baby, etc. etc. etc.

Now I worry about a whole new set of things. How are we going to transition to milk next week? How am I going to replace all those formula nutrients when Rohan won't touch any meat of any kind (he IS a big bean person, though, so that's a relief)? I worry about his napping schedule (a three hour nap in the morning, means no afternoon nap, which means an early bedtime, which means an early wake up (early like 4:30, people), which means a three hour nap in the morning...). And slowly, but surely, I am starting to worry about preschool... ugh.

Recently, I read an article in NY Magazine about how children don't make people any happier, and that people without children are happier than people with children. While I can certainly relate to the ideas that the article put forth and completley understand that raising a pre-teen or teenager can be excuxiatingly painful, I don't think I could be any happier than I am right now. Sure there are days when I am too tired to stand up and I was stressing myself out a bit recently with the work work/house work/baby work balance, but setting a few rules for myself helped mellow me out.

1 - I keep the computer closed and the TV off when Rohan is around. Unless I am cooking, he gets my full attention. This really has made the few hours I spend with him each day so fulfilling, even if I am just watching him play by himself. I realized that I have time to clean and check email and make phone calls and watch TV after he has gone to bed. Spending this quiet time with Chingu every evening is just so calming. I decompress and put everything else out of my mind when we have our time together, and I can really see his personality coming through.

2 - I am trying not to stress the milestones. Rohan is not walking or using any kind of real words yet, just cruising (really well, actually) and lots and lots of babbling. I used to be so hung up on what he is doing and what the book says he should be doing and what everyone else's kids are doing. Now, it is what it is. He will walk when he is ready, he will talk when he is ready. He took his time to crawl and now he is a lightening bolt; the same will happen with walking and talking in due time.
If he ends up being late to the game on a few things, fine, but I really hope he potty trains early. I am so over diapers.

3 - I stopped keeping a mental list of what I do and what Josh does. The imbalances would build up and then I would pick a fight, which is never good. Josh's job is more demanding and draining that mine (most of the time). Before, I didn't think it was fair that I was planning all the meals and doing most of the cooking, and doing all the finances, and washing and folding all the laundry, and constantly picking up the house. Now, if something needs to be done, I just do it and ask for help when I need it. I can't assume Josh will read my mind and do what needs to be done; he is just too wiped out to put two thoughts together at the end of the day, let alone walking into the kitchen and magically know that the high chair area needs to be WetJetted.
I am also working on not expecting Josh to do things exactly how I would do them, but that's taking a little more time...

The next year will bring a whole new worry-list and I am sure these rules will adapt as our family's needs change, but for now, I am taking things as they come, enjoying the time I have with my boys, and trying to remember to water my plants.

(This picture was taken by Katherine Jane Photography Check out her Facebook page for more shots from our shoot!)

in sickness and in health

2010-07-15T08:34:00.006-04:00

One of you is sick as a couple:
"Oh, honey, you relax. What do you need? I will run to the drugstore as soon as I get you settled."

Both of you are sick as a couple:
"Ok. If you heat the soup, I will take care of the dishes. Everything else can just wait."

One of you is sick as parents:
"Honestly, I get that you are sick. I do. But if I am taking care of the baby, taking care of you, AND taking care of the cooking and the house, then you have to go upstairs. Seeing you lying on the couch flipping through the channels while I am running around like a crazy person makes me want to stab you in the eye."

Both of you are sick as parents:
"I am calling your mother."

josh's POV

2010-06-23T10:02:00.003-04:00

I know it's been a while since I have written anything, but things have been hectic to say the least. More to come later, I promise.

I just had to share Josh's take on the new faucet attachment we got for The Chingu's bathtime (we upgraded to a new tub for the kiddo, and the water from the faucet hits the tub bumper and doesn't make it into the tub).

"It looks like a dinosaur throwing up."

missing out

2010-05-20T09:33:00.003-04:00

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of spending three days with some wonderful, wonderful women. There was drinking and laughing and eating and eating and walking and eating. It was New Orleans, after all! It was a wonderful time and a much needed change of scenery, but on Saturday night, I realized that, no matter how far away from my family I may be, I couldn't stop being thinking about my new role as a parent.

After getting up early (4:30 - yeesh) on Friday morning and staying up til 3am Saturday morning (double yeesh!) to make sure all members of the party weekend had landed and made it to their beds, I was wiped. Although my cat nap Saturday afternoon helped, by 9pm Saturday night, I was feeling it. It has been this way since high school. If I miss too much sleep, I get sick. Stayed up til 3 finishing a paper on Monday night? Out sick Wednesday. Out drinking Thursday, Friday and Saturday? Out sick Tuesday (or at least, in VERY bad shape). Saturday night was no different. I could feel that tickle in my throat; my eyes were burning; I started coughing.
Now, if this was two years ago, it would have been a no brainer. One of my most favorite people in the world was getting married! We were at a piano bar! Hurricanes! WOO! And if I did what I wanted, I would have been in rough shape Sunday and Monday, but some couch time and a few good nights' sleep and all would have been fine.

But I knew that wasn't an option. As soon as I got back home, it would be 5am wake-ups, making meals and cleaning bottles, laundry, bathtime. And I couldn't do that to Josh. He was in charge of Rohan's feeding and sleeping and naps for three days. To ask him to do it another three days while I slept off my weekend was not fair.

I used to say "I really can't afford to get sick" all the time, but it was easy to convince me to stay a little longer. I knew that if I was laid out for a few days, it would be my own fault and my own problem to solve. Now, when I say "I really can't afford to get sick", it's actually true.

playing it straight

2010-05-11T07:29:00.003-04:00

I am a little confused with the year. Can someone enlighten me please?

Newsweek article

(Some good responses.)

(For the record, I had no idea Groff was gay.)

The EW link makes some excellent points. Should actors only play opposite their own spouses (because that worked out REALLY well for Nicole Kidman and and Tom Cruise...) so they don't have to "pretend"? Does Setoodah make his case in his article and the response to his critics? Or is he so obsessed with an actor's being straight or gay that he can't enjoy their performance?

rant

2010-05-04T08:05:00.004-04:00

As some of you know (and experienced), the Boston area went through a little water supply hiccup over the past few days. On Saturday, a water pipe in Weston broke, so they had to pump in water from surrounding reservoirs. This water wasn't treated enough to ensure that it was safe to drink, so the powers that be asked that people drink boiled or bottled water.

The news media didn't exactly help the situation. You could tell they were salivating at the idea of "breaking news" and scrolling tickers. The word "catastrophic" was thrown about as it were true. A catastrophe is a major American city under water, an earthquake, a town leveled by tornadoes, a coastal community washed away by hurricanes. Rein it in, people, you aren't helping. We still had running water.

Well, you can imagine the chaos that ensued. I happened to be at the grocery store when the city called, so I went to the water aisle to pick up what I could. My main concern was Chingu's formula and food, and since we weren't sure how long we would need to boil the water, I wanted a bunch of packages for him. Needless to say, it was a madhouse. I completely understand that people were in panic mode, and it was easy to see cart loads of water bottles and be struck with the need to fill your own cart. The first day news like this break can be a little crazy. Fine.

But then the stories started pouring in. People waiting in line for hours for free bottled water, college students going days without showers or washing dishes, fights breaking out at Costco. People, YOU COULD HAVE BOILED YOUR WATER AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. I repeat, BOILED WATER WAS FINE. Why did some think it was bottled or nothing? Josh and I used boiled water to drink, to cook, to wash dishes, to bath the baby. We didn't burst into flames. Shocker. I know.

Also, the water from coming from a reservoir in CHESTNUT HILL. Have you been to Chestnut Hill? It's really nice. It's not Cambodia. There isn't an open sewer running into the water. Corpses aren't floating around; industrial plants aren't dumping toxic waste nearby. I promise. The water that we were boiling is probably cleaner than the water about 60% of the global population uses (and that feels generous, it is probably more). I brushed my teeth in an Indian train bathroom and lived to tell the tale, I think I can handle some water from Newton.

The craziness was kind of getting to me, but I can see where people are coming from. Hysteria is contagious and it is easy to get swept up. But then, last night, I just lost it. I has washed the sheets with a load of laundry and threw everything into the dryer. It must have been a bit too much, because one corner of one of the sheets was a little cold when we went to put it on the bed. Well, you would have thought it was the end of the world. Josh had this anguished look on his face. Oh NO! ONE corner of our sheet is SLIGHTLY wet. What EVER will we do? We must immediately throw these sheets our and buy news ones! GAH! Of course, I let poor Josh have it. I was just so fed up with the attitude that had taken over the Boston area. Seeing it in Josh was the last straw.

When did we become such pansies? Every time something like this happens, I think of my visits to India and how boiling drinking water is the norm. So were bucket bathes, stiff clothes that have collected dust while drying in the sun, no dishwashers, no washing machines, and until abut fifteen years ago, no toilets. And my family was relatively well off. The thought that people didn't want to drink boiled water and fought over bottled just floors me. If we didn't have running water, that would have been completely different, especially with a baby. But we did. We had access to as much water as we wanted. We just had to boil it.

The ban was lifted this morning, less than 72 hours after the pipe broke. (A huge thanks to the people who orchestrated the efforts and manually fixed the pipe!) The fact that it was fixed so quickly is another reason we are so lucky to be in such an institutionalized country. I just kept thinking that if this happened in a developing country, that pipe would have waited for all the corrupt contractors, politicians, and unions to figure things out while the population went without running water. While it was unfortunate that this happened in the first place, I feel like it could have been much much worse. A little inconvenience once in a while is good for us; it makes us appreciate what we have when we get it back.

Videos!

2010-04-27T20:18:00.009-04:00

These can pretty much speak for themselves:) Enjoy!

He's a maniac, MAAAAAniac!

happy

2010-03-10T14:38:00.003-05:00

This picture is on my desk top right now, and every time I minimize my windows, I break into a huge grin. I just did it again, and wanted to share. Maybe it's me, but this is the perfect pick me up whenever I get a little stressed.

Team MEepa

2010-02-26T20:11:00.003-05:00

This is Gabrielle Anwar. She is on one of my favorite shows, Burn Notice. She has also had four children. Four. And she is in her 40s. Four children and in her 40s. Sigh.

Now, I am not saying I want to look like her. OK, I want to look like her a little. But that is not the point. My point is that the expectation for women, especially ones who have just given birth, are very high. Celebrities are back to their pre-pregnancy bodies in an alarmingly short amount of time, and more and more women are putting that burden on themselves. Unless you have a ton of money and time, which most new moms do not, especially when they go back to work, then these expectations are impossible to reach. In order to be a size 4 with awesome arms and a healthy glow, I (and most other new moms) need the following:

1 - No job, as in, I don't need a job that requires me to sit at a desk for 8 hours (or more!) a day. No job means I will have the time to get my beauty sleep and work out at least two hours every day (even if it just means yoga and a run).

2 - A personal trainer. He (yes, HE) and I will get together about 3 days a week.

3 - A stylist. Now, I don't need a daily blow out, but it would be nice to be able to get a haircut before it's all grown out and shaggy. A trim every few weeks would be much better than what I am rocking right now. Add in a massage therapist and spa technician and we are good to go. No more muscle knots, grown out eyebrows and parched skin.

4 - A personal chef. Or even a sous-chef. I don't mind cooking, but the grocery shopping and prep work is unfun. How can I be hot and relaxed if I have to do "chores"?

5 - A housekeeper. Picking up, making the bed, dishes, laundry - all fall under the aforementioned unfun category. He or she won't have to come every day; maybe just every week.

6 - Last, but not least, a nanny! Now, he or she won't need to be there all day and night. Ok, maybe a night nurse those first few months, but after the multiple night feedings are over, I am thinking a nanny from 6am to around 11am. That will let me sleep in, work out, and run a few errands. Then I'll be the best mommy I can be. Me and the kiddo. Walks, playtime, bottles, feedings, I am all over it.

As Josh says, if it were my job to be hot, I would be. If my income depended on my dress size, then working out, sleeping, and eating well would replace standing at the bus stop, sitting in front of a computer all day, and doing some serious multi-tasking at home. Then again, maybe celebrities wish they didn't have all this pressure to look good. Maybe they want to run around with their kids on the weekends, order mozzarella sticks after bedtime on a particularly rough day, and be the first thing the baby sees at those 5:30 wake ups. Maybe juggling the house, a job, and a baby and experiencing everything that entails make those dark circles, aching back, and soft tummy worth it. Well, maybe that trainer wouldn't hurt...

freeze, dirtbag!

2010-02-26T19:40:00.004-05:00

Ask anyone, I am the snobbiest of the food snobs. A child of farm stands and farmers' markets, I love dropping names like Barbara Lynch and Michael Schlow. If I can't make my own pasta I try and buy fresh, not dried. If it's not fresh caught fish, then forget it. I only cook with basil in the summer and apples in the fall. Frozen pie crusts in my freezer? Puh-lease.

Sadly, the days of chicken pot pies from scratch during the week are over. Reheating frozen lasagnas, boiling canned soup, and searching for quick and easy recipes are the MO now. It's actually a good thing. I have introduced many new recipes into our rotation while trying to make them as hassle free as possible. One of the ways to do this was going frozen.

I went the frozen route when I started making Rolo's food. January in Boston doesn't really lend itself to fresh and accessible fruit. I bought, steamed, and pureed frozen peaches, mangos, and blueberries. When I saw the vegetable selection in the freezer section, I picked up a few bags for our dinners, as well.

I was hesitant at first; it just seemed too easy. What do you mean I don't have to spend 40 minutes taking the butternut squash apart? I don't have to cut the ends off all these beans? These brussel sprouts are all clean? Are you sure? I don't get it.

Cue the singing angels! A whole world of shortcuts and recipes have opened up to me. Below are two we made last week. I can't wait to see what else those freezer doors hold this weekend. Peppers? Squash? Dare I say it... potatoes?

Cauliflower Pasta

Josh and I caught this on Guy Fierei's show one weekend and tried it the following week with fresh cauliflower. It was a disaster for several reasons. We cut the vegetable pieces too small and boiled them too long, so instead of remaining meaty in the sauce, they just kind of mushed up and made this thick, chewy tomato sauce. Not too appetizing. I liked the flavors though, so I wanted to try it again with frozen cauliflower pieces. Worked like a charm. Since they were already par cooked, I didn't bother boiling them before they went into the sauce. They were firm, yet tender, and really worked well with the capers. This is a great week night meal - quick, easy, and very hearty.

Chickpea and Squash Stew

Cubed butternut squash! Not only will this be great for our dishes, but in a few weeks or so, this will be a gosdend when it comes to feeding The Chingu. All I will need to do is pull out a few cubes, steam them, and voila! Dinner for The Babba-du! Love it.

This made a great strew and made even better leftovers. Also perfect for a weeknight, cut up an onion, open a few cans and a bag of frozen squash... and..... done!

Rohan who?

2010-02-24T12:22:00.005-05:00

Like many parents, we do not call our son by his first name. His given name is for day care and bank accounts. Instead, we use one of the many, MANY nicknames he has collected in the past 7 months.

When he was first born, my mom pulled out every name from her Marati pet name arsenal. Out of the dozens of names she used, for some reason, "Chingu" stuck with me and Josh. This is by far his most common name. We call him "Chingu", but refer to him as "The Chingu". 'Did you check on The Chingu?" "We have to make The Chingu's food for tomorrow." "Can you start The Chingu's bath?" I have a feeling this one will stick.

From Chingu/The Chingu came the following:
Chingu Changu
Chingu Bingu
Chingu, Changu, Holiday Inn

My mom also calls him "Babe-du," which is a pretty common pet name for a baby. It only has two syllables, but in all his white-ness, Josh added another one and made it "Baby-du" aka "The Baby-du". From Baby-du came Babba-du and Babe-u. We usually put a "The" in front of those as well.

As the Indian diminutive puts an "u" at the end of words/names (see Deepu Thai), Pup-u, Stink-u, and Monk-u started floating around as well. "Tumm-u" and Motu (Marati for "Fatty") are also thrown around here and there.

Based on these nicknames, there are the names we actually call our son. As in, when I am feeding or playing with him, I try to get his attention with the following:
"Monk-u Babe-u"
"Monk-u Babba-du"
"Chingu Pup-u Babe-u"
"Stink-u Pup-u Babe-u" - this is a changing table favorite

The nanny calls him "Guapo" for obvious reasons. My sister calls him "Oi! Hagrid", because he is huge, and "Baby!", which my mom hates. And my mom, who started all this, now calls him "Goud-um-bee-chi-bee", which means the sweetest seed in the sweetest fruit. I like that one the best.

ETA - I forgot Monkey-Mu, which has become popular this past few weeks. Also, how could I forget NON-family nicknames, which include Chunkers and Tummers? Poor kid.

The little things

2010-02-22T12:49:00.003-05:00

For the past few years, I have wanted a trench coat. A cute little number that screams spring and maybe channels a bit of "That Girl!" and 'Mary Tyler Moore". Last winter, I decided that this would be the year of the trench. My leather jacket, purchased in 2003, was still in good shape, but had overstayed its welcome.

2009 included many things, but not a trench coat. They had maternity trenches, but I just didn't see the point, especially since I wasn't showing until May-ish anyway. I waited.

Luckily for me, Santa gave me a nice little gift card to Banana Republic! Yay! I went online (time to actually GO to BR is scarce....) and ordered a trench that had a nice figure, got great reviews, and seemed to be exactly what I wanted. Until I saw the coat close up. It was longer, more square and not quite the right color. Boo. Oh well, I thought, maybe I don't have the body for a trench. Another year with old leather for me.

Since Rohan went down at 6 Saturday (a napless day from hell), and Josh was glued to Mass Effect, I ran away to the mall to run a few errands, namely, returning the rejected trench. While I was at BR, I tried on a few of their other coats to see if I liked anything. I did. Cute, khaki, big buttons, great fall, nice shape, girlish lining. The same price as the other coat, so I didn't think much of it when I walked up to the counter to exchange them.

BR Lady: (scan, check, type type type, scan, double check) Is this the only coat you received?
Me: Ummm.. yes.
BRL: Well, it seems you were sent the wrong coat.
Me: Oh! Well, that explains a lot...
BRL: So we can give you credit back on this coat.
Me: Ok. Well, I was just going to exchange them.
BRL: Well, the coat you are getting is on clearance. It's $60.
Me: Oh. Ok. Thanks.
Me in my head: Woo hoo! Take THAT Banana warehouse!

It's the little things really. A coat I wanted for ever? Check? A coat $140 less than what I thought I'd be paying? Win!

(I also picked up a pair of sunglasses that I had been eyeing for a few weeks. With the new shades and trench, I look like a milf-y spy.)

BFFs

2010-02-16T18:25:00.004-05:00

In the beginning, there were diapers. And vomit (they try to fool you by calling it "spit up" but it's just vomit). And naps. And repeat. While Rohan did smile and meet your eye and follow you around the room, he was still kind of a lump. An adorable lump of a baby that needed to be tended to. Sure, he got lots of kisses and we talked to him, but he never did anything BACK. Calling our relationship one-sided doesn't even begin to describe it.

Now, however, we are buddies. He talks about his day, kisses back, points to what he wants, rolls to what he wants, and grunts with the best of them. He has opinions on things, like mangos (like) and cauliflower (hate). He loves watching snow fall and cars drive by. He can't get enough of the swings and the playground slide. He laughs hysterically at anything, especially tickle fights and peek-a-boo. He is mystified by snapping fingers and clucking tongues. He looks at me intently when I show him sign language and sound out "Mama".

He is perfecting his body language. He kicks his feet when he is happy, stretches when he wants to be put down, slaps his hands when he wants more of something, and raises his eyebrows when he encounters something that piques his interest. No matter what what he is doing, if you open a book, he turns his head and is all ears. I love his huge grin whenever I open "Goodnight, Gorilla".

While he still needs to be fed and changed and bathed and put down for naps, I don't feel like I am "taking care of him" anymore. We just kind of hang out; read books, watch TV, do chores in the kitchen, run errands. Sure there are times (like Sunday afternoon) when all Josh and I want to do is pass out and that is the opposite of what Rolo wants to do. But haven't we all experienced the "I want to leave this bar and get a cab NOW but the person I am with is on a mission and there is no way I can let her go home alone so I just need to readjust my heels, splash some cold water on my face and join her for a shot at the bar" phenomenon? You push through the fatigue and pain, make the best of it, and then they owe you:)

And yes, I just compared my 7-month-old to a drunk girlfriend.

we have lift-off!

2010-02-10T09:08:00.002-05:00

Imagine my surprise last night with Rohan sat up in his tub, leaned forward, grabbed the opposite side of the tub, pulled with his arms, and lifted that cute butt of his OFF THE TUB FLOOR! Granted, he did not stand all the way up, but I was floored. Floored!

After the bath, when he was lotioned and diapered and dressed, I took him over to his play area to see what's what. How far could he pull himself up? Could he hold onto something and stand on his own? Pretty far, and yes. After about 10 minutes of this structured workout, we rolled around on the floor in fits of laughter and got a little too worked up for bedtime (oops). If we keep working on this, though, I think we may skip crawling altogether and go straight to walking!

baby steps!

2010-02-07T10:21:00.003-05:00

I WENT TO THE GYM TODAY! I write this in all caps, because this gym trip was about a year in the making.

Ok sure, from April (ok, fine, March) until July, I was very pregnant. My 2nd trimester energy, which fueled about 4-5 trips to the gym a week, plummeted. Going in the morning was out, since I usually woke up a little light-headed after only a few hours sleep. After work, all I wanted was the couch and a foot-rub and a meal. Going to the gym was not really high on my to-do list.

The first three months after Rolo was born, I went on a lot walks with him (I aimed for about 2 hours a day), but no gym. I was tied to Rohan's feeding schedule, and then when Josh got home in the evenings, all I wanted to do was sit and unwind a little. Leaving the house and running in place after 12 hours with a baby was also not high on my to-do list.

Then I went back to work in October. Even if I had the energy to go during lunch, I spent all my free time in the "mother's room". After work, I rushed home to make the 5pm feeding. No energy. No time. No gym.

Now, nursing is over. Rohan is sleeping through the night (for the most part) and we have help with the baby and around the house. Josh and I have also worked out a system; one of us in charge of diapers, naps, feedings, baths, and bedtime two days a week and one day on the weekend (I have Mondays and Wednesdays off, we play the weekends by ear). Theoretically, I could come home, kiss the baby, kiss the husband and hop in the car and go to the gym. Have I? Of course not. It is way more fun to cuddle and play and snack and make dinner with Josh and Rohan in the high chair. Who wants to leave that? Not me.

But I must. My nursing body is fading away. I no longer fit into my size 4s. (Boo.) All my muscles are tight and sore. My back hurts. Walking up hills makes me feel winded. I am severely out of shape.

This is the plan. Yoga on Sundays (just came back from class! yay!), boxing on Wednesday nights (starts at 7:30, totally doable). and rock climbing on Saturdays (when possible - we start next weekend).

Once the weather gets better, maybe I can also start taking Rohan on walks in the evenings. I also want to start running at the gym during the day. This will obviously depend on my workload. I used to do it; I just need to get back into the habit - lugging my clothes back and forth, showering during the day... blah.

Anyway. This is it. I am tired of feeling soft. I want to be in shape again. I want to be able to stretch and not feel pain. I want to actually jog with the jogging stroller and not walk up all the hills. I want to hit the beach with confidence this summer. I am in a wedding this summer and everyone else in the wedding is beyond hot. I need to step up my game so I don't ruin those pictures:)

still cooking... i swear

2010-01-31T11:52:00.006-05:00

Although I haven't been documenting my cooking as much anymore, Josh and I are still cooking quite a bit, and have added a few more recipes into our weekly repertoire. Here are some dishes that we have liked quite a bit - some are more complex than others.

Pasta with Beans and Ricotta
This Giada recipe was great for a weekday. I substituted white beans for the garbanzo on a whim and we liked it quite a bit. When we first made the recipe, it was a little bland, as the creamy cheese flavor can overtake the other flavors. If you made this, beef up the seasoning. The leftovers are great if you mix in an egg and bake it.

Split Pea Soup
Josh loves this recipe, and it is his usual "go to" when we are planning the weekly means on Sunday. It's pretty easy for a weekday and is wonderful on a cold day. The consistency is a little tricky; sometimes it's too thin and runny and sometimes it's too thick (and chewy... yuck). If you make this, play with the amount of broth and the simmering time until you achieve the consistency you want. A note - this is not a good "take to work" the next day. To reheat this soup, you really need to boil it. Otherwise, you get this block of green sludge (still tasty, but still sludge). The office microwave may not cut it...

Mushroom Marsala Pasta
Oh man, we LOVE this one. Sometimes we make it twice a week, because we might as well "finish the wine...". I always mean to take pictures of it (it is a very pretty dish), but with that amazing aroma of the mushrooms and wine and cheese, the pasta barely hits the bowl before we eat it. I couldn't tell you how it reheats, since we put away the whole dish over the course of the evening (dinner at 6, snacking on leftovers at 7:30, licking the bowl around 10, bed). I cannot stress how insanely easy this is. With already sliced mushrooms and frozen/canned artichokes, all you have to do is dice the onion and boil pasta. No work, awesome meal. Make this.

Chicken Soup
This one is a little more involved, not great for a weekday (but doable if you do the meatballs ahead of time). The extra work is beyond worth it. We watched Tyler Florence make this one Sunday morning and made plans to make it that night. I was going to Whole Foods that day anyway (wanted to get frozen fruits for Rohan's baby food), so the chicken sausages I bought for the meatballs were AMAZING. The Whole Foods carrots were also very sweet, which gave the soup balance. You can easily make, saute, and refrigerate the meatballs the a day or two before (no more than two days, I think) and then add it to a soup when you make it. We made this on a Sunday and I ate it for lunches until Wednesday. It got better each day.

The recipe calls for 6 sweet sausages, but I got three sweet and three spicy and was a huge fan. Josh thought the meatballs were too spicy, though. Too bad I do the grocery shopping:)

Broiled Salmon
We saw this on Alton's Brown's show one night and our interests were piqued by the recipe's simplicity. You just make the rub, coat the salmon, let it rest for 45 minutes, and broil. We ran into a little hiccup with the last step, since I could only find thicker pieces of salmon at Whole Foods, so we had to bake it for a while before that caramelizing broil. It tasted just fine, but took a little longer in the oven. This is another must-make for any weekday. A little side salad and this was just as good as any restaurant meal.

Turkey Osso Bucco
This is another one that we make often. After Josh bought me an amazing coccette from Straub for Christmas, I use it almost every day. This was the inaugural dish, and we come back to it weekly. It takes a while to cook but requires almost no work. After a quick sear and some vegetable chopping (and minimal clean up), the meat cooks low and slow and literally falls off the bone when it's done. We eat it with parmesan cheese and egg noodles; the recipe lasts us about three or four meals. I froze some portions as well, and it reheats on the stove perfectly.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes or if you have any favorites to share!

to be included in his application to harvard

2010-01-17T12:08:00.003-05:00

Warning: Rolo does nothing exciting in this video. He blows baby raspberries and bounces around. That is it. Enjoy!

different perspectives

2010-01-09T11:07:00.007-05:00

Over the past two nights, Josh and I watched District 9 (it was not even 2 hours long, but we both pass out around 9, so we made it a two-nighter). It was an amazing movie on so many levels, and I would highly recommend it to any and everyone.

Between all the action sequences, the allegories, the visceral lab scenes, and the brilliant cinematography, the only thing thing I really cared about was the alien child. Granted, I think my postpartum hormones were having an off day, since I had to leave the room several times because the movie was upsetting me to the point of tears, but regardless, that little boy alien was hanging off of my heartstrings.

The way I watch television and movies is forever changed. Now, stories about children and mothers, well, parents in general, have a significant affect on me. A Law and Order episode called Mother's Milk had me crying for days (a young mother who didn't know how to breastfeed, a militant lactation consultant who made her sign something that said she wouldn't give her baby formula or milk in a bottle, and Medicaid rules that wouldn't let her see a doctor (among other things) led to the slow starvation and death of a 6-week old baby); and even after Josh and I discussed the episode in length so I could put it behind me, I still think about that starving baby. ER, House, and any other medical drama has been banned in our house. Babies and children are dying in hospital beds left and right! And forget about Special Victims Unit. I am usually tearing up by the opening credits and the story lines haunt me for days. All I can think about it the Rolo in those situations and I my heart clenches.

I am not sure if this will ever end. My mother still calls my sister in NYC when she watches SVU to make sure my sister is not locked in someone's basement. Then again, it works both ways. I'll never forget one of my dad's emails to me soon after I graduated college. He wrote that he was watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and thought of me when the couple got engaged. He was glad the dark lighting on the plane spared the passengers from seeing him tear up.

upstairs/downstairs

2010-01-04T16:47:00.004-05:00

When we were younger and went to India, I always felt a little guilty. There were drivers to drive us around, women who made their livings cleaning our clothes, mopping the ever-present dust off the floors, and chopping our vegetables for dinner, and children who ran to the store to get whatever fruit was in season. In my head, I understood that my family was not taking advantage of anyone; everyone needs work and we pay them for their services. (My grandmother and aunts shared a cook, and over the years, she made enough to send all her kids to private school and build a house for her family in a good neighborhood.) Regardless, I still felt bad. It didn't seem right that we were being waiting on. What were we doing that was so important?

Cut to today, the day our nanny started (cue the singing angels). Rohan was in the best mood ever, fed, rested and thrilled to have a full-time playmate. In addition to a happy baby, the laundry was folded, the garbage was taken out, the dishes were all done, and the kitchen was wiped down. As soon as I became a full time working mom, I don't feel so guilty anymore. Go figure.

Although all this help comes with a hefty price tag, after working all day, coming home to a clean, chore-free house and happy baby really is priceless.

Robe buddies!

2010-01-02T16:53:00.003-05:00

where it's snowing....

2010-01-02T16:40:00.004-05:00

Whether I want to be there or not isn't an issue; the snow continues to fall. We got some on Thursday, and now it seems it will continue to fall all through the weekend.

Over the past few weeks, Josh and I tried to take Rohan for at least one outing a day. While I am ok camping out on the couch during a Law and Order marathon, the Rohan gets bored. A little change of scenery seems to do him good and breaks up our day a bit. Wednesday I took to lunch with my mom and some aunties, Thursday Josh took him on some errands and to the grocery store, Friday, we went to watch the Bruins game at a friend's place, and today we decided to take him for a walk in the snow. It wasn't the best idea. It was a lot windier than I had thought, and the Rolo was not a happy camper the entire time we were out, in the restaurant, and on the walk back. While the cold, fresh air was probably good for him (and us), I don't think cold, winter walks will be that common. At least in the carrier.

After we ate, Josh took him home and I walked around the neighborhood and took some pictures in the snow. Here are a few of my favorites (plus one of the two of us).

Not amused by the snow.... poor kiddo.

Carbfest 2009!

2009-12-26T09:12:00.005-05:00

About a month over due, but better late than never:)

The day after Thanksgiving, Pallavli led us to victory once again. This time, the menu read like an Italian dream - an amazing amuse bouche, two types of flatbreads (one topped with mashed potatoes), butternut squash gnocchi, and goat cheese tortellini in a braised meat sauce...sigh.

We started with with very "amoosing" dish. Pallavi molded pastry dough into mini muffin tins. I am actually not quite sure how the filling came about (I think Josh and I were putting Rolo to bed when this dish was being assembled), but as soon as they came out of the oven, they were topped with bleu cheese, pine nuts, and a few drops of truffle oil. These were amazing. I need to get the particulars for this recipe, I was thinking about making them for a new years party this weekend.
Divya hard at work rolling out sheets of pasta for the tortellini. Look at her go!
Sonal is concentrating on filling and folding. The goat cheese tortellini was amazing. Everyone had quite the assembly line going.
Ta-da! Not sure how I weaseled out of pasta-duty, (who am I kidding, of course I know how...), so I cannot take any credit for these perfect little bites. I'll get to the sauce below.
This fresh flatbread was amazing. Pallavi took pizza dough and rolled it out, baked it, and topped it with an arugula, zucchini and squash salad. She threw some chunks of gouda and sprinkled a few drops of truffle oil on top. Warm and refreshing at the same time.
This flatbread was topped with mashed potatoes. I know. Pallavi baked the potatoes and then used a ricer to make then light and smooth. She spiced the mixture, spread it over the dough and baked until there was a thin crust on top of the potato layer. Those who could handle another drop of truffle oil got one (I couldn't).

Here, we are coating the butternut squash gnocchi (baked squash, pushed through the ricer and kneaded with flour, rolled and cut) with more flour to keep them from sticking until they hit the pot. This was a little heavier than our head chef intended, but I don't think any of us minded. The flavor and texture were amazing.

A braised chicken sauce was spooned over the goat cheese tortellini. We were pretty stuffed by the time this dish was ready, but I still managed to clean my plate. Don't worry, the bottomless pit that is my stomach still had room for dessert.

hobby

2009-12-19T16:46:00.005-05:00

As many of you know, Josh is a pretty talented hobbiest. Sure, it may not be the coolest hobby, but I would much rather have him spend his time painting WWII figurines than holed up in a strip club as soon as he gets off work...

As someone with no artistic talent, painting, drawing, stenciling, sculpting, or anything that requires me to render things with my hands are pretty much out. Cooking was great for a while, but is no longer conducive to my new schedule (home around 6, bed around 8). I was always so jealous of Josh's talent and interest. The only thing I feel that passionate about it books, and it is a miracle if I get through two pages before I pass out from exhaustion. Sigh.

Photography has always been an interest, but I haven't spent the time learning the nuts and bolts that will give me a good handle on the technique. Until a few weeks ago, that is.

Recently, I took a class at the Griffen Photography Museum in Winchester, through the Digital Photo Academy. The workshop took place on the morning of the first snow of the season, which allowed all the students to take a walk through the fresh snow, take some pictures, and get some feedback. Here are some of the photos I took that morning, some early (around 8) and some around 10. It is amazing how different the light is only after two hours.

We are supposed to get a bunch of snow tonight and all day tomorrow, and I am hoping I get the chance to take some more photos before the white turns to gray and the branches loose all their frosting. I really liked the way some of these turned out and am looking forward to testing out my brand new aperture and shutters speed skills.

This one was part of an indoor exercise we did at the end of class. I used the black of someone's coat to accentuate the yellow.

perfection

2009-12-15T19:11:00.001-05:00

I don't think there is anything more magical than hearing Josh read "Goodnight, Gorilla" to Rolo over the baby monitor. With all the voices, of course.

angry at apples

2009-12-12T22:14:00.002-05:00

bananas were a bit hit... not so much with the apples. then again, i would probably have the same reaction to steamed, mushed, unspiced apples...

Vanity and Sanity

2009-12-05T21:26:00.003-05:00

I completely and 100% understand that there are side affects when you have a baby. The whole pushing-a-human-out-of-you thing will leave a mark. I don't think I will be rocking a two-piece this summer, and although you can no longer go cave-diving in my belly-button, I don't think it will ever be the same. I get all that and am ok with it. I knew what I was getting into. Motherhood made me rethink my vanity levels. It was probably for the best.

I also knew that there would some sacrifice in the sleep department. Fine. I get a lot less and am coping as best as I can. I have come to terms with this as well. It will be a while before I get a solid 8 hours. Nursing or no, I will probably still be getting up in the middle of the night to make sure he is still breathing. Sanity may take a hit, but it is what it is. I am not the only parent who needs a nap here and there.

I knew my professional life would take a hit as well. I can't stay later and finish up a project just because I am in a work groove. I have to watch the clock so I can make the right bus home to relieve the sitter. There are more phone calls home and more waiting on hold with the doctors office when I have a question. The aforementioned sleep issues have an obvious effect on my focus. I think this will get better once our day-care is more consistent, but for the next few weeks at least, I have to work extra hard to get the same amount done. Fine and dandy. I am living the life of a working mom. All part of the deal.

What was NOT part of the deal however, is this! (Look here too - I am not making this up!). WTF, Mother Nature! You didn't think that the stretched skin and eye bags and sore arms were enough? You had to go ahead and take our HAIR, too? Have you no mercy? No shame? You're a woman too, right? A women and a MOTHER, Mother Nature. Have a heart. Let me keep my hair. If I have to clean out my hairbrush, sweep the bathroom floor, wipe hair out of the sink, pick the hair off of my little boy's clothes, and pull hair out of my freaking toothpaste cap one more time, I may cry.

blowing on the rohan

2009-11-29T20:33:00.004-05:00

Please excuse my sketchy cackling...

Video/Photo Catch-up!

2009-11-29T20:15:00.009-05:00

I had some power cord issues as of late, so we have a lot of catching up to do!

Say "Ahhhhh!"
We took a ton of pics like these for the Christmas card, but nothing really stood out. We ended up going in a different direction...
The three of us all cook together in the kitchen after Josh comes home. It's not the expression that I love so much, but those cheeks!
We have started oatmeal baths for his dry skin. Now bathtime makes him look like a chubby little hippo:)
First haircut! He was his ever-charming self. His hairdresser fell in love, asking to have her picture taken with him and calling over the rest of the staff to see how cute he is.

Rohan's ticklish feet + Josh's scratchy face = Lots of giggles

Twist and shout!

Favorite Toy

2009-11-11T20:16:00.007-05:00

Rohan's favorite toy is a German wooden thing-a-ma-jig that he tries to eat. And by eat, I mean, he tries to fit the whole thing in his mouth. But he can't. So he throws it away in frustration. And then 2 seconds later, you give it back to him and he is like, "Score! Let me at it so I can fit the whole thing in my mouth!" Lather, rinse, repeat.

Here are a few shots of my son, the genius. Video too. Enjoy!

Dinner Party!

2009-11-06T17:31:00.010-05:00

For the big 2-8 (and my sister's 2-4), we opened up the house to a bunch of wonderful Indian girls, one of whom is a master chef. Although the night ran on Indian Standard Time (we ate the last course around midnight), I think it is safe to say that everyone had a blast. I drank for the first time since December (I know!) and (barely) made it til 2am. Lots of gossiping, laughing, shouting, and eating was done by all.

The recipes Pallavi chose were simple, yet elegant. For our eclectic group, which included a med student, a single girl on a budget, and a new mom, these recipes were perfect for a weekly or biweekly rotation. They are also very versatile, if you wanted to add your own spin to the dishes.

Below are some photos from the evening, with recipes from Pallavi. You can find a complete set of pictures here. I can't take credit for all of these; Parul and Sarika took some really good ones.

The recipe says it all:)

Tuna salad with grilled vegetables

Tuna salad:

two cans tuna (I like dark tuna in oil, but you can substitute dark tuna in water or regular tuna in water. Dark tuna in oil has a slightly different texture than tuna in water.)
approximately 4 – 6 large green olives, chopped
¼ C golden or regular raisens (can substitute almost any dry fruit, but a tart dry fruit would be best – so dried cranberries, cherries, currants preferable over dry mango, pineapple, apricots, etc.)
¼ C pine nuts (toasted if you would like – toasting nuts makes them a little crispier, but don’t let toasting them be a deterrent for making this salad. Better to have un-toasted pine nuts than no pine nuts at all, or worse, no salad.)
Juice of half a lemon
Black pepper to taste
Optional: ¼ C fresh parsley, chopped; ½ C cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Grilled Vegetables:

as much zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, bell peppers as you would like

To make tuna salad:

Drain tuna of all water / oil. Place in mixing bowl.
Add everything else in tuna salad section and toss together.

To grill vegetables:

Preheat oven to 400.
Slice vegetables and place in large mixing bowl. Toss with a little bit of olive oil (enough to lightly coat veges), and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place on aluminum foil lined cookie sheet, and cook in over for about 20 minutes.
Eat!! JAlternative:

Instead of serving with grilled vegetables, you can serve with any kind of green salad. Also, when I made this, I added rinsed capers to the tuna salad. Feel free to do that as well, just watch the salt of the capers and olives (capers are tricky little guys – you need to soak them in water to get rid of a lot of the salt; otherwise they leak out salt, and end up ruining you food. Trust me. Its no bueno.)

This was a shot of the sage, which we used in a few dishes, but it was most prominent in the white beans and tomato dish. She said you can serve this dish with just about anything, or simply eat it as is. This dish really couldn't be easier and is much better than a box of mac and cheese or pasta and jar sauce.

White beans with a tomato sage sauce

1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic (or two cubes Dorot yummy garlic!), chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
Tomatoes of some sort – think anything tomato; 1 can chopped or diced tomatoes, or 1 can tomato sauce, or even 1 cup pasta sauce; could also use 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes. Don’t go as far as to think of using ketchup. That would be gross.
A few leaves of fresh sage, or a few sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary, OR 1 tbsp dry thyme, sage or rosemary

Heat oil in small pot, add garlic. Cook until garlic is starting to brown.
Add other ingredients, bring to boil, reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Eat!
This dish goes very well with any kind of spice – hot sauce, red pepper flake, chopped jalapenos, etc.

Divya butterflied her first chicken! Yay! I'll get to the chicken later...

This picture really doesn't do this dish justice. Pallavi sautéed shrimp with some bold spices and served it over white beans and artichokes.

Spicy shrimp with white bean salad

Spicy shrimp:

½ lb uncooked shrimp, peeled
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cubes Dorot brand frozen garlic, OR 3 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
Red pepper flakes, cayenne powder, siracha or other source of spice, to taste
Salt to taste

White bean salad:

1 can cannellini beans (can also make with butter beans, lima beans or fava beans)
¼ C canned red peppers, chopped
¼ C cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 tbsp either dry thyme, parsley or basil
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp any kind of vinegar (sherry is really good, or apple, balsamic, etc. I would use a flavored vinegar over plain white vinegar.)
Optional: 3 green onions / scallions, sliced OR ¼ C small diced red onion

To make shrimp:

Heat olive oil in frying pan. Add garlic. When garlic barely starts turning brown, add shrimp. Cook shrimp until they have curled and turned completely pink (about 5 minutes).
Season with hot sauce and salt.

To make salad:

Drain and rinse beans, and place in large mixing bowl.
Add all other ingredients and toss together.
Enjoy!

These scallops were AMAZING. I think this was my favorite dish that night. Since we ate this dish around 11 that night, Josh gave up his serving and went to bed. So I had about 4 scallops. It doesn't sound like a lot, but after the 4 or so courses that came before this one, food coma was just around the corner.

Seared scallops with sauteed sweet corn

Sweet corn:

1 can corn

1 small red onion, chopped

1 carton pre-sliced shitake mushrooms

1 sprig fresh rosemary

2 cloves garlic (or, you guessed it, 2 cubes Dorot garlic)

1 tbsp olive oil.

To make sweet corn:

Saute garlic, add onion and cook until translucent, add mushrooms and cook on medium high heat until they are soft and have absorbed any liquid that they let out, add corn and cook over medium heat for about 6 minutes. Add salt to taste.

Sear scallops, seasoned with salt and pepper and enjoy!

And last, but not least, we roasted this chicken with a bunch of veggies and a lot of lemon halves. It was amazing, but we were all so stuffed, we were unable to enjoy it as much as we should have. Later that week, I sauteed some celery, carrots, onions, and potatoes with the leftover rosemary and sage and added the shredded chicken for a hash that smelled just like Thanksgiving.
Happy birthday to us!
The post dinner party morning meal. I was at baby class for a few hours that morning. If it weren't the first class, I would have stayed in a heartbeat - everyone was having fun with the Rohan and leaving the house full of friends in their PJs was not the top of my list. I was so glad they stayed.

We are planning on doing this again the day after Thanksgiving (Italian night!). More pictures to come!

1st day of school!

2009-10-30T08:04:00.007-04:00

"Rohan had a fantastic first day at the Children's Center! He is such a happy baby and so smiley when meeting his new friends! Rohan loved watching one of the older infants crawl around the classroom. He kicked his feet and practiced his strong voice while playing with the lights and sounds gym. This activity will help his gross motor movement. Soon he will be crawling too!"

Yesterday, Rolo came to work with me, and I dropped him off at the back-up day care in my building. He had a very exciting day: new friends, more bottle feeding, AND a fire drill. I was on the 7th floor and he was on the 3rd, so as we were filing down the staircase, I tried to get into the his floor, but the door was locked. Inside I am frantic and screaming "WHERE IS MY BABY!" and on the outside, I am joking with coworkers on how we would all burn in a real fire because we are all moving so slowly. (I think my friend Kerri saw my crazy mom eyes, though...) The day care staff and kids were all in the lobby (they didn't have to go outside), so I made a bee-line for Rolo with tears in my eyes. He was totally unfazed by the alarm, just held on to my neck and watched all the people file out of the building. "Who ARE all these people and why aren't the fawning over me?" his face said.

The day went really well, no fussing, no crying, lots of playing. The night, however, was a different story. I was told that being away from home/mommy all day jars the baby a little, and that certainly happened here. He was up and feeding every two hours last night, I think just to make sure mommy and daddy were still there and would come when he called. This morning, he played with Josh for over an hour and was laughing the whole time I fed him this morning. Rolo is fine. I, however, am having an incredibly hard time leaving for work this morning. On one hand, I know he needs to get used to being away from me all day, and on the other hand I am thinking "why am I training my baby to be away from me!". Sigh.

To end this post on a happy note, here is a picture of Rolo hard at work at the office.

2009-10-23T22:04:00.003-04:00

Downtime on the couch usually means Josh and Rohan get a little silly.

time management

2009-10-09T02:54:00.005-04:00

I spent all day with him. Josh came home around 5:30, gave him a bath, and played with him. Then we put him to bed around 7, and with our precious free time... we spent about an hour cuddling on the couch and staring at his pictures on the computer.

Well, with pictures like this, we couldn't fathom doing anything else:)

The perfect storm

2009-09-25T20:35:00.004-04:00

...of poop.

On Tuesday, I took Rolo into the city to run an errand at the RMV. We hopped on the bus, hopped onto the orange line and voila! Chinatown RMV. He slept until I was called up, but I knew that he was due to wake up soon, and as soon as he woke up, he would need to eat. I love my son, but breast feeding on the T was just not happening. It was a nice day, so I figured I would walk my way through the park and find a secluded tree or something so I could feed him when he woke up. and then we would be on our way back home.

Walked slooooowly through the park. Nothing. Ok, I'll wait out his nap in Starbucks. Thirty more minutes go by and I am wondering if this kid will ever wake up. Oh! He starts to stir! Success! Ok, now I just need to find an out of the way bench or something and set up camp. I walk up Charles, find a nice quiet side street, walk a ways down, settle down on a stoop, and pull out the Hooter Hider. Awesome. We will be on the T in less than 20 minutes.

About halfway through, he starts to squirm. Then squirm some more. Then the spit up eruption starts - digested spit up. Awesome. I try and deal with wiping that under my cover when I hear it.

Explosive poop that starts to leak out of his diaper. Oh lord. I balance him in one hand and reach for the diaper bag with another. I am technically still decent, the cover is doing its job, so I go to work on getting him changed and cleaned up.

I lay out the changing mat on the stoop and put on a new diaper. And he fills that diaper before I can close it. By the time I turn back with a second new diaper, he has gotten poop all over everything. Anyone who has experienced this before knows that getting a onesie with poop on it over the head of a squirming child means that you will smear that poop all over his back. Awesome. So now, I have a screaming, naked baby trying to roll off a changing pad on a concrete stoop off of Charles. Breathe in. Breathe out.

So finally I clean him up as best I can, throw a new onesie on him, strap him back into the stroller and then turn my attention to getting myself put back together. Oh, what's this? The construction crew working on the house across the street is coming back from lunch? Hey boys! Like the show? I'm so glad.

Finally, we are back on Charles, on the T and then waiting for the bus in Davis. I look at him lying there, perfectly unaware of the all the chaos that occurred just 30 minutes ago, and can't help but smile. How could you not?

No question here...

2009-09-25T18:07:00.004-04:00

When he was born, my mom couldn't believe the resemblance between baby me and Rolo. It wasn't until she pulled out my baby pictures that we all saw how strong the resemblance really is. These pictures don't really do it justice. It is the overall facial expressions that really hit home. As I look through my baby pictures, I see how my face changed and how his is changing in the same way. The funny thing is, you can see the same smile in my dad's baby pictures. What can I say? He is his mother's son. (That chin is his father's though... can't take credit for that:) )

Dance of a 1000 Hands

2009-09-20T11:45:00.003-04:00

My mom sent me this video recently. Here is the info from the accompanying email:

There is an awesome dance, called the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, which is
making the rounds across the net. Considering the tight coordination
required, their accomplishment is nothing short of amazing. All 21 of
the dancers are complete deaf-mutes. Relying only on signals from
trainers at the four corners of the stage, these extraordinary dancers
deliver a visual spectacle that is at once intricate and stirring.

Its first major international debut was in Athens last year at the
closing ceremonies for the 2004 Paralympics. But it had long been in
the repertoire of the Chinese Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe
and had traveled to more than 40 countries.

Its lead dancer is 29 year old Tai Lihua, who has a BA from the Hubei
Fine Arts Institute. The video was recorded in Beijing during the
Spring Festival this year.

Gleeful

2009-09-18T21:17:00.003-04:00

I am in love. With a TV show (surprise, surprise...). AND I have a new TV boyfriend. The OC's Ryan is a thing of the past. He didn't sing and dance.

Sigh - he is like the cute high school teacher version of JT.

The show is another thing altogether. It is like a funnier, slightly less campy take on HSM. I missed the first two episodes (I might watch them now, actually...) but this episode was great. Four numbers, one of them original. Acapella, choreography, cute dorky white guys that sing and dance, boy band dance moves, it is my idea of the perfect show. All the numbers from last week episode were great, but this version of Mercy blew me away. Dancing AND singing AND life lessons every week!? Bring it.

spot on - sort of...

2009-09-18T18:29:00.004-04:00

So, one of the blogs I follow pretty regularly (it is on my Google Reader feed) is Marriage Confessions. The writer has a sharp sense of humor and the couple is a few months ahead of us with the whole baby thing, so the blog is easy to relate to.

Anyway, she is sponsoring a giveaway on her blog, and I thought I would try my luck. I took the HomeGoods style test and it looks like I am Bohemian Casual. Here is breakdown:

You are interested in creating a place where people feel relaxed. You have a variety of interests and influences and so appreciate different styles, cultures, and objects. Your home is cozy, with comfy chairs, throw pillows and places to set a drink or a book. But it also feels creative and visually intriguing, because you have an artist's eye that allows you to find objects that appeal to you in a unique and personal way—whether from your travels or from a local shop. This gives your home a feeling of being laid-back, and maybe even a bit quirky with its mix of pieces—some of which are classic, some handmade, some ethnic, and some just rich in meaning to you.

You value order. You feel happiest if your home is well organized. You understand that when your house is in order, your mind feels clearer. Rather than a lot of meaningless objects or overly-designed items, you are happier with a few well-placed things. Your home is your respite from a busy life. Try to avoid letting things into your home that you don't really love.

The first para is not entirely true. I am a Crate and Barrel/Pottery Barn whore. Sure I have some Asian inspired pieces, but I got them at CB2... I am also less of a collector of things, I am more prone to putting up pictures of our travels. One of my goals in life is to have as few boxes as possible when we move. Clothes kitchen stuff, pictures, the baby, these are important. Chachkies, not so much.

The second para is spot on. I hate, hate, hate clutter and having things just lying around. Unfortunately, having a kid upped my OCDness, which was pretty bad timing, let me tell you. Since I am home all day, I see no reason my bed should not be made, the sink should should hold a single dish, the laundry basket should be more than half full, and the coffee table have ANYthing on it, even the remotes. I am constantly picking up and putting away, determined not to let baby stuff take over the house. I understand that in a few years, even a few months, the baby will be crawling and there will just be stuff everywhere. But, now, he is a newborn; he has no stuff. He has clothes that belong in the nursery, toys that should not be out unless they are being used, diaper bags that live in the car seat. Sadly, turning into my mother is driving Josh crazy. I need to come to terms with two facts: 1 - I will not be able to keep this up once I get back to work, and 2 - I cannot expect Josh to maintain my obsessiveness when he stays home with Rolo in December. Good thing Josh doesn't read the blog:)

Food recap!

2009-09-07T20:31:00.004-04:00

Although I haven't been blogging about it, I HAVE been cooking (some). Here is a sample from the past month or so.

We accidently bought a pack of eggs, when we already has a full pack, so I needed a way to get rid of a case of eggs fast. Ice cream! The buttermilk ice cream I made the weekend before Rohan came was wonderful. The actual ice cream didn't look photograph so well, but I like this eggshell picture quite a bit.
The day before we went to the hospital, my mom and sister came over for brunch. I wanted to make waffles, but we didn't have any syrup. We DID have some peaches that were on their way out. Stewed peaches with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon with fresh, whipped heavy cream was a perfect topping. My mother practically licked the bowl:) Definitely a repeat recipe.

DVR did not come naturally to us. First we DVR'ed shows we knew we were going to miss. Then shows we liked. Then shows we may like. Then I realized I could DVR the Food Network! Woo hoo! Most of our DVR library is Barefoot Contessa. I have been making more and more of her recipes lately, with great success. I made chicken picatta last week with salad and mashed potatoes. Also a repeat recipe.
I have made Smitten's dimply plum cake with peaches many, many times, always with half peach pieces in a square pan. Here, I tried peach slices in a spingform pan. Although it looked better, this version didn't have as much moisture IN the cake. The larger peach pieces oozed juice, whereas these smaller pieces simply dried up on top, leaving the bottom cake part a bit dry. Well, knowing is half the battle:)

well, that was a bust*

2009-09-04T09:06:00.005-04:00

A few days ago, Rohan and I got up around 8, I fed him and then.... drumroll please... I put on some work out clothes and got ready to go for a run! I know. You can get up off the floor now.

I walked purposefully to the bike path and got ready to book it to Davis. There I am, jogging stroller, baby, water, I am good to go. And away I go! For about 45 seconds. And then I stopped. It seems even my most snug nursing bra was just not doing the trick. Sadly, my sports bras are too small for me (I should just throw them all away, really), and I don't want to buy new bras until I stop nursing and can assess the damage. Poo. How many freaking bras can I own? Bras that don't fit anymore, unsupportive nursing bras, sports bras for the next 5 months, and then a whole new set of bras this winter? Bras ain't cheap, people! Gah.

Anyway, so I stopped running and walked purposefully to Davis, and then walked even more purposefully to Starbucks (it had been AGES) and got myself an quad iced mocha and headed home. About half way through my venti, I pictured what I must look like. A 20-something mother, in work out clothes, expensive sunglasses, and an even more expensive jogging stroller, strolling down the bike bath with her cell phone and Starbucks. Sigh - I am such a cliche.

* No pun intended...

aaaaaaall, by MYself!

2009-08-31T11:47:00.006-04:00

It looks like we made it through month one! The first few weeks were rough. Before Rohan arrived, our life was one of those white sand beaches, where everything is so clear you could see the grains of sand through the water. A month ago, however, this huge 9 -pound rock hit our beach. Sand and silt and water went everywhere, and things were pretty gritty for a while. But now, the sand and water has settled, the water is clear, you can see all the way to the bottom again, and now have a great view of our perfect 9-pound (well, now 12-pound) rock. Life is slowly going back to "normal".

Before Rohan was born, I was really worried about being his primary care-giver. I was shocked that people thought it was ok for me to spend 8-9 hours a day ALONE with an infant. I had never even held an baby before, let alone be the only person to make sure he lives through the day. And don't even get me started about driving him around (gasp!) ALONE. I was petrified; obsessing over all the things that could go wrong when I was with him. Crazy things like dropping him off the porch to the more realistic tripping and falling while holding him*. Since being paralyzed with fear was not really an option, I took each week one day at a time, and here we are, one month later.

The past two weeks have been great. We get up, I feed him, I eat, we nap, he eats, I do chores around the house, we eat, he naps until Josh gets home, I feed him, Josh and I eat dinner and then we all hang out until his evening feedings. Lately, he has been awake more and more during the day, which has been wonderful. We dance around the house, talk about his future, gossip, play with toys, sing songs. I can see him learning more and more each day. It really is amazing.

What we didn't do, however, is leave the house. Even if I wanted to go out with him, it was just too hot and humid. My mom, Josh, Rohan, and I took a walk to Davis a few weeks ago, and Rohan was just covered in sweat when we got back. I didn't want to expose him to such extreme temperatures if there was no reason.

But then last week, I had to go to the pharmacy, and Isis Maternity is just down the street, and since I needed a few things there as well, I thought this would be a good first solo outing. I was so focused on making sure his diaper bag had everything I may need, getting him in the car in one piece, and not forgetting anything I, myself, may need, that I didn't even remember to be scared. We just loaded up, I pulled out onto the street, and away we went.

Then a few days later, we went to the doctor's office alone! And then to my mother's house alone! And today, I took the stroller out of the first time by myself, and we went to Davis to check out a day care open house, alone! I was actually pretty pleased with myself this morning. We both woke up at 8am, I fed him, did a post-feeding cuddle and calm down, showered, got him ready, and we were out the door by 9:20. For you non-mom's out there, this is huge. If you ARE a mom and this seems like the norm, please don't burst my bubble :)

Now that the weather is a little more temperate, I want to take him for an hour walk at least 3 or 4 times a week. I need the exercise (badly) and it is great to get him out of the house. In two weeks, Mommy-and-Me classes start, so I will be going there every Monday morning. I am really looking forward to meeting more new moms. Besides the occasional visitor, I really only see/talk to Josh, my mom, or Josh's mom. I miss grown-ups.

* So tonight, HALF my biggest fear come true. While walking through the kitchen, I took a nasty spill and hit my head. It was scary, there was blood. I am fine, no blackouts, no stars, no nausea, no memory loss, no dizziness. While Josh was flipping out about the possibility that I could have a concussion and not wake up tomorrow, I was flipping out over the fact that I could have been holding Rohan when it happened. I can't stand the thought that I am capable of hurting him in any way shape or form, even accidently. This upsets me more than any bump on the head.

untapped power

2009-08-16T18:00:00.002-04:00

As ABC Family has been airing Aladdin for the past few days, I learned that I can still recite the entire movie from memory. I missed a few lines here and there, but, yup, whole movie, still memorized, 16 years later.

Now what if I had used all those Aladdin memorizing (and Beauty and the Beast memorizing, and The Little Mermaid memorizing) brain cells in school? I could have been an archaeologist or something...

Breast feeding Blues

2009-08-13T11:22:00.006-04:00

We brought Rohan back from the hospital on a Thursday afternoon. That Friday morning, we had his first check up with the pediatrician. It was there we learned he lost about 10% of his birth weight. The doctor was worried about his weight loss and asked us to supplement the breast feeding I was doing with formula. We agreed to bring him back Monday morning to check how his weight was doing.

I cried in the parking lot, devastated that I wasn't able to properly feed my child, beside myself with worry about his weight loss. Not even a week had gone by and I was already failing as a mother. I kept asking myself what we were doing wrong. Josh was close to tears, too. To hear that there was something wrong with our baby was hard. We were both not expecting bad news that morning.

Later that day, a nurse came by to check on my recovery. We told her about his weight loss and she was surprised no one had told me that my milk will take about a week to come in. A week! She also said that someone my size is not automatically equipped to feed a 9 pound baby. That this type of weight loss is normal and expected. And that there was nothing wrong with me.

When we got the pump and were able to measure how much milk I had in ounces, I found that I was giving him a quarter of an ounce of milk at each feeding. A quarter of an ounce! I was slowly starving my child and had no idea. It terrified me that if we hadn't gone to the doctor that morning, I would have continued to underfeed him. I was also shocked that with all the doctors and nurses that paraded in and out of my room for three days, no one told me that this may happen. I was also surprised that the pediatrician didn't mention that my milk may not be in yet, and that this may be a reason for his weight loss. I was angry at myself for not being able to feed him, angry at myself for not knowing that this may happen, and angry at the doctors and nurses for not even giving me an inkling of a warning. The formula worked like a charm, and his weight was back to normal on Monday morning. I don't know what would have happened if he didn't get the formula. What if the doctors appointment was Monday instead of Friday? We would have gone all weekend without knowing that he wasn't getting any food from me. I don't even want to think about it.

In addition to thinking I could adequately feed my own child after he was born, I also was under the misconception that breast feeding would come naturally. It doesn't. The first three days, it was stressful for both of us. He was fussy and unhappy and needed to eat every hour and half (clearly because I was barely giving him anything at all). I dreaded the pain and discomfort that accompanied each feeding. By day three, I was seriously considering going the formula route. When I found out that I was starving my kid, I was all set to quit.

Luckily, my mother-in-law knew a lactation consultant, who came to the house Monday afternoon. She not only showed me what I was doing wrong, she taught me how to teach Rohan to feed properly. She told me that what I am going through is normal, that it could take up to two weeks for my milk to come in, and stressed that I was doing nothing wrong. I sobbed with relief. For three days, I felt like a failure. It was like someone lifted a huge weight off my chest and head when I heard that everything was going to be ok. Now, I look forward to feedings; Rohan usually locks eyes with me and his expression is just so content and trusting, it is indescribable. I am already dreading weaning him onto just formula when I get ready to go back to work. For now, I am just happy that I am able to give him whatever I can. Happy that I am doing everything I can for him, including a bottle feeding here and there when I don't have enough.

For all you would-be mothers out there, don't go through the drama and tears that I did. If you want to breast feed, talk to the doctors and nurses in the hospital about what you can do to feed your baby while you milk comes in, make sure that you are watching your baby's weight loss those first two or three days, and be prepared to supplement with formula. Don't make the mistakes I did; read up on breast feeding beforehand, take a prenatal breast feeding class, and talk to breast feeding mothers about their experiences. Talk to the nurses about teaching your baby how to latch on properly. If not the nurses, then a lactation consultant. For something that is supposed to be so natural, it does not come naturally for everyone.

And on a much lighter note, how cute is this?

And this?

Rohan Vinod - here at last!

2009-07-31T14:38:00.004-04:00

I'll let the pictures do the talking here. Words cannot express how happy we are.

sugar coat it, please

2009-07-24T11:37:00.002-04:00

I am watching ER reruns on TNT, and it is the episode where Carol gives birth to twins. This is sooooo not what I should be watching right now. They are not sugar coating anything, and by "anything", I mean the pain.

I had a taste of "real" contractions for a few hours last night, and they were not fun (for the last week or so, I have had contractions off and on, but they weren't too too bad). If art imitates life, I, personally, will be imitating her epidural. Here's hoping I can have one!

accentuate the positive

2009-07-22T07:07:00.006-04:00

Well, apparently my last post seemed "melancholy" and "dejected". Sorry guys; I didn't mean to be such a downer. I was hoping for better news from the doctor, and knowing that I may need to wait more than a week to meet the kiddo put me in a bad mood yesterday.

To counteract all this negativity, I made a list of all things that got me through this pregnancy. Some were due to luck and great genes and others due to the wonderful people in my life. When I feel impatient and frustrated and antsy, this list should make me feel much much better.

1 - No morning sickness! Sure I was queasy during my 1st trimester, but I didn't actually throw up because of this queasiness. The queasiness also limited my diet, which meant I shed about 8-10 pounds! Hmm.. this should get its own number...

2 - 1st trimester body. I was rocking my skinny clothes like a pro. Very little beats the feeling of being able to slip off your pants without having to unzip or unbutton anything. :)

3 - Minimal weight gain. Not quite sure how this one happened. My mom didn't gain much weight with me and my sister, so it is probably genetic luck. Every time I went in for a check up, my doctor and the nurses commented on how happy they were with how much weight I was gaining. Apparently, I am "all baby". It's been about a pound a week for the last month or so, and I hate seeing those numbers continue to climb, but I need to remember that it's the baby, not me. (We are looking at at 6.5-7.5 pounder, according to my doctor).

Lately, however, my promise to eat healthy is quickly slipping away. We will see what this "minimal weight gain"means for the months after the baby is born. Here's hoping I can get back to my 1st trimester numbers....

4 - No swelling! On really hot days when I was on my feet for more than 5 hours, the feet and ankles did swell up, but in the morning, they were back to normal. I know how shallow it sounds, but I can't help it. My ankles make me happy. Thanks again, mom! Your genes love my ankles as much as I do!

5 - My health. Not only did I escape pregnancy complications (knock on wood), but I somehow managed not to get sick this whole time. Josh was bedridden four separate times this winter, but the baby protected me from whatever he had. I can't even imagine how much it would have sucked to be up all night coughing or sneezing in addition to the backaches and neck pain from sleeping on my side.

6 - My company. Everyone was happy and excited for me and incredibly supportive. My 2nd trimester blood pressure drops were not an issue, as friends came running with water and juice at the drop of an IM. My bosses did everything they could so that I could work from home towards the end. I am incredibly lucky that my group at work had such a great attitude. I hear horror stories from people like my hairdresser (on her feet all day, snide comments from clients about her size) and realize how good I have it at work.

7 - My family and friends. What can I say? I couldn't have done it without them. From the phone calls, to the emails, to the visits, to the amazing baby shower, this whole thing would have been a lot less fun without them. I can't wait for every one else to start getting knocked up so I reciprocate all the support and happiness. You hear that, people! Start your baby-making engines!

8 - My mom. I woke her up "the night of the pregnancy test" with the news and she has been with me every step of the way. I have called her with every concern, every question, every time I just needed to vent. I love my mom, that is no secret. The last 7 months or so has made me appreciate her so much more than I did before. Her level headed advice has provided much-needed balance to my somewhat... ummmm... emotional disposition.

9 - The jacuzzi tub. Not on the same level of my mom, but some days, it is a close call (kidding, kidding!). When our house was renovated in 2005, jacuzzi tubs were all the rage. Due to water and energy concerns however, I think they have fallen out of favor recently. Although we were happy to have one, we didn't actually plan to use it. All that water... and who has the time to take a bath?

Apparently, I do. The warm water and jets have been a godsend on my leg, back, and neck muscles. Initially, I was afraid to stay in there too long, lest I do anything to the baby, but now, I am not so worried, as my belly is so big, it floats above the water level like some island in the Pacific. I am planning to take one soon after I finish writing this:) Sweet sweet jacuzzi.

10- No stretch marks! (Knock on wood - there is still time for that). I have my mom to thank for this one as well. I used the Tummy Butter to help the itching and soothe the discomfort of stretching, but haven't had any visible stretch marks yet. Again, shallow I know, but it is nice.

11 - All the "stuff". Ahava foot lotion, Bliss facial scrub, my fancy shampoos, the bath salts Josh got me, "fake Josh" the body pillow, the pedicures from Wet Paint, the massages from Boston Body Workers.... all these creature comforts have made foot rubs, showers, even sleep a little more luxurious. The smells of the soaps and lotions instantly put me at ease and make those nightly showers feel like mini spa trips. The body pillow got me through the night for the past 5 months. The pedicures and massages got me through particularly tough weeks. Would I have survived without all these things? Sure. Would I have complained a lot more? You betcha.

12 - Josh. (Warning: this will be sappy and disgusting. Read at your own risk). He has been my rock throughout this whole thing. With me every step of the way, he has made me laugh when I needed it, hugged me when I needed it, and knew when to tell me to suck it up and stop complaining (nicely, of course). As soon as my energy level started dropping a few months ago, he has taken over all the cooking and clean up, most of the chores, all of the errands, the grocery shopping... the list goes on. He has taken me to Target and waited patiently when I just felt like wandering the aisles, called 13 police stations to find someone to install the car seat as a surprise, dropped me off at work my last week in the office, picked me up countless times at Davis when I just couldn't deal with the bus, sacrificed time with his friends when I was feeling extra needy, and after a long day at work, after making dinner, after cleaning up the kitchen, and after getting me juice/water/candy/whatever I think I need while we watch TV, he STILL summons the energy to give me the best foot rubs in the world. If that's not love, I don't know what is.

I can see how bad he feels when he can't do anything to help me, and it hurts me to see him upset like that. If he could take on any of this pain or discomfort, I know he would in a second. All the errands and silliness and dinners and foot rubs are just the icing on that cake.

and waiting...

2009-07-21T11:01:00.003-04:00

Everyone is asking, so here is the latest:

Still pregnant. Everything is moving in the right direction, but no labor yet. We are waiting on mangoman to do his thing and get this show on the road.

If I am still with child on the evening of the 29th, they will induce. My doctor is pretty sure it will happen before then, since I have been having contractions off and on since Thursday night, but you never know. If that is the case, we have 8 more days of waiting.

I am doing my best to stay positive and keep busy. The boredom is killing me, though. The aforementioned cabin fever coupled with the recent rain (which is going to last all week) is taking its toll. I have been trying to keep busy in the kitchen (buttermilk ice cream, buttermilk cakes (yes, cakes, plural), banana bread, lasagna, waffles (for the freezer).... as the days go on, so will my list. I unloaded some of the goodies onto my doctor's office today but need more tasters. Stop by if you want any:)

brain waves

2009-07-20T17:21:00.002-04:00

The Honey Nut Cherrios commerial has a guy in it that I KNEW I knew from somewhere, but could never place him. Until 20 seconds ago. He is the guy that tried to rape Donna on 90210.

I must have seen that episode (once) at least 8 years ago. He was in the episode for like 5 minutes before David tackles him. Yet, his face has remained in the reccesses of my memory for allll this time. The human brain is really an amazing organ.

synchronize your watches!

2009-07-16T07:32:00.004-04:00

I know you all sick of hearing about this, but it is only going to get worse before it gets better.

I am already not a very patient person and I hate hate hate not having control over a situation. I don't need to know the exact time, just the day would be nice. Do you hear that, mango? Morse code the date in kicks and you will have a happy mom.

Scheduling is a main issue here - not for me (today is my last day in the office, I am golden after about 1:30 today), but for my mom. While she lives about 20 minutes away, her weeks are spent in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which means she will have at least a 4 hour drive to come back if she is not in town when the big moment starts happening. Granted, labor takes hours and unless I have a crazy quick labor, I am pretty confident that she will be there. But still.

We worked out a schedule that should be fine. She is back in town tonight and around this weekend, and then will be working from home all next week or until I have the baby. If I don't have the baby by Tuesday (my actual due date), my doctor said they will just induce next week, which means there will be a baby by Friday at the latest. Even if it is Friday, my mom will have the whole weekend and probably Monday before she has to go back. What we are hoping, though, is that the baby is born this weekend or early next week. Then she can just take next week off and that will be that!

My sister is a different story. Her schedule is not as flexible; she will probably just come up the first weekend after the little mango is born. So for her to be there, I really do need to go into labor tonight.

My doctor is another thing altogether. We are at MGH, which means that when I do go into labor, I will not have my OB, but the OB on call. Well, my OB is on call today. While I am 100% sure nothing is going to happen today, it would be nice. My mom will be here, my sister can come this weekend, and I will have my own doctor for the delivery. Everyone wins!

So when you pray for contractions (and I know you all are, right?) think good thoughts about today (after 1:30ish), Friday, and this weekend. Anything later than Mondayish should work too, but I just won't have my mom around for as long. Hmm... I may have to write to Obama about paid grand-maternity leave...

ETA: I just remembered one crucial kink in the plan. Divya has Paul McCartney tickets for tomorrow night and has made it clear that Paul trumps mango. Even if the mango ripens today, we all won't be seeing my sister until late Saturday morning at the earliest. Maybe she can pick up a cute onesie at Shea:)

flipping my bandana

2009-07-15T08:34:00.002-04:00

Cabin fever has officially set in. Every night, I come home and settle in on the couch and stay there until bedtime. I have no energy to cook, clean up, go for a walk, run errands, or otherwise leave the house/couch. And it is driving me crazy. I actually look forward to going into the office, and am a little sad that tomorrow is my last day (I'll be working from home starting Friday)

There is NOTHING on TV, Netflix didn't come yesterday, and there are only so many baths and showers you can take before you start feeling guilty about the envoinment. Help me.

Send me book recs! i just finished Revolutiionary Road and loved it, but I think I need something a little bit more upbeat to pass the time...

Homemade butter, bitches!

2009-07-12T17:33:00.008-04:00

Today, I made my own butter. I am very pleased with myself. Clearly.

It is actually very easy, if you have a food processor. You just put a quart of heavy cream in the food processor, hit on, and wait 4 minutes. The cream separates into butter and butter milk. Strain out the buttermilk and tada! Butter!

I saw Tyler Florence make butter like this during a breakfast-themed show. He made orange honey butter and used the buttermilk to make buttermilk berry scones. It looked so simple; I couldn't wait to try his butter trick. The scones, however, were a different story.

I am afraid of scones. They just seem so fickle. If the butter is not cold enough, they are too dense, if the butter is too worked through, they are too hard, if the butter pieces are too big... well you get the picture. Needless to say, I was wary.

Since the food processor was in the sink (from the butter), I ended up mixing the scone batter with a fork, instead mechanically, like Tyler says. I think the manual labor did the trick. I was able to control the size of the butter pieces with the fork and avoided over-mixing.

The scones were amazing. The fresh buttermilk, the blueberries, and the orange honey butter only heightened the moist center and the crunchy crust. The only thing I would change is the amount of berries I added. I overdid it and the berries added too much moisture.

This is a great recipe. The whole thing, including making the butter, takes about 30 minutes (not counting baking time). Try it next time you want to impress people. There is nothing like flavored butter from scratch to wow a crowd.

The leftover buttermilk.

Anyone need any butter?

Giving in, just this once....

2009-07-11T22:48:00.006-04:00

Early last week - or was it the week before last?- I was watching a DVRed Gilmore Girls and Rory was eating cake. Not just cake, a multi-layered chocolate-frosted Dutch baby that looked too good to be true. I wanted it.

Now, I haven't been having any crazy cravings. No pickles, no tubs of ice cream, none of that. I found that I am simply wanting the things I usually want (cheesecake, cupcakes, etc), but now I am allowing myself to eat them. Non-preggo me would want to pick up a blueberry cheese cake at Finale on the way home but would let common sense take over, because that is ludicrous. Preggo me is like, why not? I know I won't be able to let myself have cupcakes and all that after the baby is born, so I am just giving in when my sweet tooth hits.

It does not hit often; my diet is basically Honey Nut Cheerios, fruit, granola bars, Greek yogurt, glasses of OJ, fat-free blueberry smoothies, grilled cheese sandwiches with tomatoes, and mac and cheese with veggies mixed in. When it does hit, it is usually because I see someone on TV eating something (I am a advertiser's dream...). Rory's chocolate cake was one of those times.

Now, I hadn't sent Josh out to get me anything, ever. Even if I did see something that I wanted, I knew I would get over it as soon as the commercial was over or if I just got up and had some watermelon or something. This time, however, I wanted chocolate cake and didn't feel too bad about asking Josh to run to the grocery store down the street for one. It was the first (and only) time, and it wasn't like he was doing anything anyway:) So he did. And we ate it. And it was good.

Dinner that night was what I like to call "Birthday party a la four-year-old". Pizza, soda, and chocolate cake. I gained a pound that week.... Totally worth it.

Sir, your room is ready

2009-07-11T22:14:00.007-04:00

After many months of cleaning out and painting and ordering furniture and replacing damaged furniture and putting things together and picking out rugs, the nursery is complete!

Josh spent a whole weekend painting the walls yellow and this double green stripe around the room. He really did a great job, and the colors (his choice) also brightened up the room without standing out like a sore thumb in our 1920's house.
Putting together the crib on a sunny day. I love how the light hits this room in the mornings.

Crib and glider!
Taking a closer look at the damaged dresser. They swapped them out this morning, so we are all set.

Happy about the baby's room!
The view from the closet.
Soon after I was born, my dad's intern painted this for me, and I have been carrying it around every since. My mom told me yesterday that it was this intern that took her into Manhattan for the first time and showed her all the fancy stores and upscale restaurants. I love that this painting will be a constant connection to my dad and my mom's memories of the early 1980's.
This was the set that we chose at Babies R Us and decided to build room around it. This canvas painting was part of a set that included the sheets, crib liner, comforter, a valance (that is too small for the windows and is now draped on the glider), a "diaper holder", a crib skirt, and mobile. We really like the jungle/animal theme - hope our little Mowgli does too:)
The view from the windows. I am still not sure how these bookshelves will be used. I wish I knew what my system will be - guess we will just have to wait until we figure out what routine and set up works best. That glass door leads right into our bedroom, which will be a blessing... and a curse....
View from the chair.
View from the crib.
Other view from the crib.

Josh putting the Diaper Genie together this morning.
View from the door.

sweet little mango

2009-07-10T06:47:00.005-04:00

Anyone who has talked to me in the past week or so knows that I am ready for this kid to come out. For many reasons. I want to meet him, of course. I want to see what he looks like! Will his eyes be blue like mine? Will he have hair?

The other reason is that I am done being a incubator. Done. The kid is clearly running out of room, and it is taking its toll on my body. Pain is pretty much constant. My ligaments are loosening, my ribs are expanding, my skin is stretching. I am afraid to complain too much about this, though. I don't want the kid to think I am resentful or mad at him, or that I want him to come out for only selfish reasons (although they are a little bit selfish...). I feel that in complaining and I am complaining about him, when none of this is really his fault.

It's Josh's.

Anyway, I was talking to my mom about this and she made some good points. First, why would ANYone want to come out? He is all bundled up in there, warm and cozy. He has everything he needs. We even play with him in there. On cold winter mornings, it is pretty hard for me to get out of the down cocoon I manage to spin after Josh leaves for work. I guess I can empathize with the baby. But still! There is so much more out there than cold air and light! Like MEEPA!

She also said that the baby was like a fruit. He will only fall off the tree when he is ripened. Just like I wouldn't want to to tug and pull at a green mango to get it off the tree, I don't want the baby to come out before he is good and ripe and ready. I just a to wait, I guess. Wait and wait and wait.

And wait.

POV

2009-07-06T13:31:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine brought this to my attention today.

It is extremely timely, not only because I am going on maternity leave in a few short weeks, but also because she and I were talking about this exact same thing just a few days ago. I love my job and have every intention of coming back after 3 months (for more than the whole money issue). I LIKE working and being part of a cog in the world outside my home.

At the same time, I know I will be miserable leaving the little one every day. How could I not be? It is probably the hardest thing we ask modern mothers to do.

I have a feeling that my sentiments will echo those in the article, but a dual income family means more for the baby. My parents sacrificed time with my sister and me, and we benefited from those sacrifices in the long run. We grew up in a great town with a big house and yard, both went to private colleges with no student loans, traveled the world as teenagers, went to elite summer programs at local universities. I never thought my kids would be any different.

I suppose the question here is, do you leave your child for his own good or stay for yours?

forecast happiness!

2009-07-06T07:31:00.001-04:00

Three! THREE sunny days in row! It is going to be sunny and 80 today! Sun! 80!

Ok - I am done.

ironic or just insulting?

2009-07-03T19:47:00.005-04:00

I decided to compromise. If I gave in and bought the Bliss products I wanted (this and this), I would not buy the Fresh cleanser and even give up my beloved Kiehls exfoliate, since the cleanser has an exfoliate in it, and no one shouldn't over-exfoliate, lest their skin dry out. Forgive me, I digress.

After looking longingly at the Bliss website for a week, I decided to just spend the money and get the products. I realized that besides a discounted Groupon facial, one massage, and a few pedicures, I really haven't spent a lot of money on "meepa" since Christmas. The only thing I have been spending money on is maternity clothes, and even then, I bought regular clothes that I could wear after the pregnancy as well. And the Bliss stuff smells really nice and makes me happy and I am 37 weeks pregnant, dammit!

Off to Sephora! Noel and I went after a nice long lunch on Thursday. After picking out what I wanted (and a little something something, Noel's recommendation), my attention was drawn to the Philosophy display. I was looking for a good bubble bath. Time in the jacuzzi has increased in the past few weeks, and I was thinking of branching out from the eucalyptus salts that Josh bought me last winter.

Not seeing anything I wanted to buy, I turned the corner to see what else Philosophy had to offer and saw the "face stuff". Anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, anti-this, anti- that. I didn't know Philosophy was in that market as well. I, personally, am not there yet, but I have 2 and half years until I turn 30.... it's only a matter of time. It's aaaaaaaaall about prevention, people.

What tickled me about the product was the name. Hope. They actually called their anti-old line "Hope". What message are the trying to send? Are they trying to be ironic or is "hope" the genuine sentiment they want to put forward.

Now I can't be too indignant. I am cleansing and exfoliating and all that to make my skin tight and clean and smooth, and I do want to keep this skin as long as possible. I want the young looking hands and cellulite-free thighs and smooth elbows. I am not ashamed to say so, nor I am ashamed to spend a little money to get all this. Maybe what struck me was Philosophy's brazen labeling choice.

Is selling "hope" in a jar too obvious? Why not just call it "Defiance" or "Denial" or even "Oh God No!" Thoughts?

*********************

Ok, so I just saw this, this and this. I am officially amused.

NEED to do before the baby comes

2009-07-02T20:42:00.008-04:00

in no particular order:

- my eyebrows (done!)

- empty out the pics at my desk (done!)

- curtains for the living room (will need to wait til this fall when my mom goes to India... sigh)

- throw pillows for the couch

- restuff the couch cushions

- change the couch cushion covers

- put sheets down on the new rug between the coffee table and couch because we eat all our meals at the coffee table and it is only a matter of time before we spill food on the new rug and even though we all yelled at my mom for doing it because it looked ugly i am doing it anyway

- clean the tub (done!)

- get nursery-matching sheets to protect the glider ottoman and the head part of the glider so we don't get yucky head oils and hair all over the head part of the glider (done!)

- organize the "behind the counter" part of the kitchen - it has become a bit of a dumping ground for things we really don't have a designated space for (light bulbs, batteries, etc) (done!)

- get one more shelf for the new bookshelves

- switch out our comforter since all the down feathers in ours bunch up at the bottom and we basically sleep under empty comforter cover (done!)

- get a new bathroom caddy since ours is getting all rusty and gross (done!)

- decorate and furnish the newly renovated porches (done!)

- laundry, laundry, and more laundry. must. wash. everything. (done!)

hmmm...nesting much?

forecast blues

2009-07-02T11:07:00.003-04:00

Today, I waited for the bus with the thunder and lightening. As I stepped off the porch with my umbrella, I was like "If I get hit by lightening and die with 19 freaking days left, I am going to kill someone."

Tomorrow: Thundershowers (in the PM at least)
Saturday: Thundershowers
Sunday: Party cloudy (yay!)
Monday: partly cloudy (yay! even though I will be in the office... booo)
Tuesday: Thundershowers
Wednesday: Showers
Thursday: Showers
Friday: Scattered thundershowers
Saturday: Scattered showers

There you have it, people. The last few weeks of my pregnancy and no sunshine in sight. My mood is already crappy enough, I need me some vitamin D!

the wall

2009-06-30T19:08:00.002-04:00

I hit it. The wall. It looks like my wall went up at 37 weeks. I am constantly tired, sore, and ready for this baby to come out. Sleep is still elusive, but better. Four or 5 hours a night seem to be doing the trick for my brain, but my body needs more.

I got a massage this morning (blissful, wonderful massage of wonderfulness and sunshine and happiness) but my back muscles are stretched to the point that it hurts when they are rubbed. My legs and knees are screaming under the added weight (17 pounds total, probably 25 after the first trimester's weight loss ... blerg). My neck is bent at unnatural angles from all the side sleeping. My bras led a rebellion this week and new bras are en route. Ugly bras on which I really, really didn't want to spend the money.

Then I feel a little kick kick kick and that wall gets a teeny bit shorter. Every little wiggle makes the aches and pain bearable. And the thought of meeting him makes all those little inconveniences almost forgettable. July 21st can't come fast enough. Three more weeks!

Charles in Charge

2009-06-26T17:35:00.003-04:00

Our book club MO for the last several meetings has been very simple. Come home, order pizza/Chinese, talk about book, gossip, go home. Last night, however, our book club was in for a treat. Courtney's husband Charles made the following:

1 - Cauliflower with tandoori spices

2 - Eggplant brusectta

3 - Cheesy garlic bread

4 - HOMEMADE PASTA from SCRATCH

5 - Turkey meatballs

The whole meal was amazing and blew our nights of take-out out of the water. I got home and described the meal to Josh and told him to step it up in the husband department. Charles was WAY ahead....

The pasta was wonderful, with the right amount of bite. Even though they were made with turkey, the baked meatballs were moist and flavorful. Courtney and Charles did a wonderful job.

Can't go wrong with cheese and bread:)

Not a very good picture (at all), but I didn't really spend that much time trying to find the right angle... I wanted to eat.

iCame, iSaw, iPhone

2009-06-26T17:31:00.001-04:00

You turn your back for one second and this is what you get:

The Agony and the Ecstasy

2009-06-26T17:19:00.004-04:00

I love Josh. So much. He is a wonderful guy. "Guy" being the key word here.

One night I mentioned I saw some watermelon and wished we had picked some up at the grocery store on the last trip. I came home that evening to find this:

Then the next morning, I went to pour my pre-commute OJ and opened the fridge door to find this:

WHY do boys put empty containers BACK IN THE FRIDGE!

I can't be too annoyed, he did cut up all that watermelon....:)

Boston walks

2009-06-26T17:01:00.004-04:00

Since I haven't touched my gym card in ages (I miss you Healthworks!) I changed up my commute so I could get more walking in. Instead of taking the bus to Sullivan and the Orange/Green Line in to Back Bay, I have been taking the bus to Davis, taking the Red Line to Charles/MGH and then walking about 20 minutes to the office. It is a beautiful walk down Charles St and then through the park and the favorite part of my day. I loved seeing all the dogs and babies out and about. Even though I wouldn't be strolling through the Gardens with my stroller, it gave me something to look forward to.

I didn't have my camera on my me for all these walks, but when I did, I snapped some shots. Some are from my morning/afternoon walks and some are from a recent trip to the Copley farmer's market.

On the unseasonably hot days of April, walking through these sprinklers meant an instant smile.
Make way for REAL ducklings!
Swans on the nest.
Root vegetables are all the rage. These carrots looked amazing. IF I had bought some, I would have sautéed then with some brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. With these tiny sweet carrots, you really can't go wrong.
Beets! I wish I knew how to cook these; the look so pretty.

Even bruised, I thought this tomato was cute. There were a bunch like this in the basket. A few more weeks and tomatoes will REALLY be in season. I can't wait.

don't come again another day

2009-06-24T10:37:00.003-04:00

If you live in the Boston area, you are probably a little confused. Let me clarify things for you. It is not April. It is not October. It is June. It is almost July. I know it is hard to believe. But this is the truth. We didn't go back in time, we didn't go forward in time. It is technically summer. I know, I know, I don't believe me either.

It has rained almost every day for the past two weeks. Two. Weeks. The end is near, right? Wrong. I checked the 10-day forecast and what do I see?
That stupid cloud over and over again. Today: Showers, Thursday: AM Clouds, PM Sun (don't get your hopes up), Friday: Showers, Saturday: Showers, Sunday: Mostly cloudy (gee, awesome), Monday: Showers, Tuesday: Partly cloudy (ok... getting better), Thursday: Showers (hmm.. spoke too soon...), and Friday? You guessed it! Showers!

People tell me I must be thrilled! 9 months pregnant and the weather is nice and cool. Cool schmool! I need the sun, dammit.

a miracle!

2009-06-23T19:21:00.003-04:00

After FOUR nights of no sleep, i got FIVE uninterrupted hours of sleep last night. FIVE. I can't remember the last time I had FIVE WHOLE HOURS OF SLEEP.

I felt like a million, nay, 45048305 million dollars. I woke up at 5am with a big smile on my face. The doctors and nurses told me how great I looked this morning. I practically skipped into the office.

If this happens at least once a week for the next four weeks, things will be much easier. Pray for me, people. I'll even settle for four hours. I'll take what I can get...

looks like it only gets worse...

2009-06-22T14:22:00.001-04:00

(from tarah! thanks!)

umm.....

2009-06-20T00:01:00.002-04:00

the mattress came. we put it in the crib. the crib now looks like a bed. for a baby. our baby.

umm... there is going to be a baby in that bed in about a month. one month. holy shit....

35 and 35

2009-06-16T09:41:00.000-04:00

35 weeks down, 35 days to go.

We are in the home strech, people!

too much info

2009-06-14T22:00:00.004-04:00

The web is great. Really. It is. Email, research, porn, you got it all. Tonight, however, "all" was just too much.

Josh and I needed to buy a crib mattress, so we go online and decide to look at reviews. After reading them on Babies r' Us, Target and Amazon, we were worse off than when we started.

Do we buy the $300 organic mattress? $300? I mean, I have no problem spending money, but I do have issues wasting it. $300 seems like a lot. Then again, this IS where the kid will be sleeping... can you put a price on safety? Is organic the way to go? What about chemicals? What about SIDS! What about the environment! GAH!

On top of that, the mattress has to be heavy and firm, and it has to fit the crib with no gaps, so little hands and feet can't get caught, but if it is snug and too heavy, I will have a hard time taking it out of the crib to change the sheets. If it is not heavy enough, he might sink in and then his head may be all weird and the world will end.

The crazy expensive mattress had a plethora of 5 star reviews. Soooo... we get it, right? Then Josh pointed out that the people who paid $300 for a mattress might want to justify their purchase with a glowing review. Maybe the average-priced mattresses with no reviews were just as good; people just didn't feel the need to crow about it. But what if people didn't review it because they didn't buy them because they are good parents and they know something we don't?

What did people do before the internet got into their heads?

Hmmm... maybe we can skip the whole crib thing; he can sleep in a drawer or something...

product whore

2009-06-08T22:40:00.019-04:00

For those of you who grew up with me, you know I was never much into "products". Sure I did thread my eyebrows, but that was more so people didn't ask me why I left the circus. I usually didn't blow dry my hair, didn't use any hair goop, didn't wear make up, didn't paint my nails, didn't do much to my appearance, really. In the winter, I used Nivea on my arms, legs and face. If things got really dry, I whipped out the Pathmark petroleum jelly from like 1978.

Then junior year of college I started putting a little eye make up on. And getting bikini waxes. Nothing too high maintenance. Eye make up never hurt anyone, and it brought out the only feature of mine I really liked. No harm, no foul. The minimal eye make up and waxes continued throughout senior year and while I was in NYC. My hair was kind of a lost cause, so I didn't think that expensive haircuts and product was really worth it. I started blow drying it, though, since I had a job and couldn't go to work with wet hair... I may have gotten a pedicure here and there, but usually if a group was going and I wanted to tag along.

When I came back to Boston, not much had changed. Until the summer of 2006, that is. The beginning of the end.

A VS student caught me outside H&M and asked if she could practice highlights on my curly hair to show her instructor. Free highlights? Sure why not.

While I was getting all foiled up, I mentioned that I needed a new hair dresser and was really open to anything, since I was beyond bored with my haircut. Luckily there was as student who needed a hair model for short hair. How much? $16? Sweet! I got a rock star haircut that I loved, but it needed to be blown out every morning... with goop in it. Well, like hell if I was buying that purple stuff! Dove leave in conditioner was good enough for me. Done and done.

Then the highlights started growing out. So I went back.

Then my rock star haircut needed to be cleaned up every 6 -8 weeks or so, so back I went. When I left the salon, I "found" a half bottle of the purple stuff in my purse (I love my stylist), so I used it. WAY better than Dove! I will use it for special occasions, I told myself. Suuure...

Around the same time, I went and got a pedicure at this awesome nail place Cambridge with a friend. It was pricey, but I got pedicures like once every two years, so I didn't mind too much. I really liked the salon and loved the owner, but didn't see myself going back to often, since getting my nails done wasn't really a priority. Well, back then it wasn't...

Fall of 2007 and I had a bajillion dollars at Bella Sante thanks to my wonderful, wonderful friends. I had never had a facial before; why not see what the fuss was all about? You want me to do what to my face every day/week/month? Sure lady, whatever. Whatever, indeed....

Fast forward to the spring of 2009 and my make over at Mizu. Wait, this is what I look like with make-up? This is what my hair could look like if I actually tried? You want to give me a bag full of bottles for free? Score!

By this point, I was way past hooked.

I use all of these on a daily/every other day/weekly basis. I have come a long way from two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, bar soap on my face, and some eye-liner at weddings. Hello, my name is D and I am a product-aholic.

1 - Kerastase Shampoo: I got this as part of my make-over. I can actually feel the difference and really like the results. It is a lot less than I thought it was, so it is making the "maybe I will buy it when I run out" list. Will Pantene prevail? Only time will tell...

2 - Kerastase Masquintense for Fine Hair: Also a gift as part of my make-over. I love this product and was using it once a day, but then started rationing. This made the "I will pay money for this" list, but I am certainly going to ration this one out. It may even last me until the end of the year...or at least my birthday... hint hint...
3 - Momo Shampoo Moisturizing Dry and Dehydrated Hair: Yet another free product from my make-over. This is good for every few days, since it does a good job of stripping my hair of all the products (see below) without adding a lot of heaviness. It made the cut.

4 - Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub: Every other day in the shower, baby! Although it is expensive, I can feel the difference between this and something like St. Ives. This also feels very similar to what they use when I get a facial, and I have seen an improvement in my skin over the last year or so. Have been paying for it and will continue to do so.

5 - Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash: This was a Christmas present from my editor and I am loving it as a daily morning cleanser. Depending on the price, I will be buying it again. I should really look into that though... If it is steep, I will be replacing it with my Nuetregena pore cleanser. Blissful, yes. Necessary, not so much. It does feel good in the morning... decisions, decisions

6 - Blue Lagoon Moisturizer: My mom and I each picked up a tube in Iceland after we saw what the free sample was capable of. Oh. My. God. This past winter, I was literally bleeding from dry skin and this was the only thing that made any kind of difference. I was using it on my arms and legs too, but since I am running low, this is now a face-only product. My mom got me some Ahava lotion from Israel to replace this when I run out, but next time I am in New York City, I may pop in to Bendels or the big Barney's to see if they carry it. I am afraid to know what they would charge here in the states, though... This may be a one time thing.

7 - Kheils Creme de Corps: As my Blue Lagoon lotion supply started to dwindle, I picked up some Creme de Corps for my arms, legs, and elbows. Great stuff, even though the price is steep, esp for the pump. My skin is happy, though, and so am I.

8 - Fresh Here Comes the Sun Face Palette: I couldn't even tell you how much this was; I just don't want to know. When I tried it on in the store, I really liked how it added just enough color without making me look like a hooker. It is hard to find that balance for us mocha-skinned beauties and there isn't much selection out there for us.
9 - Fresh Umbrian Clay Foundation: Awesome awesome awesome. Solves the same mocha-skinned problem and is very light. My sleepless nights don't look as bad when I throw some of this on underneath my eyes. Would recommend to anyone; they have a good number of shades from which to choose.

10 - Chanel mascara: What can I say? I am addicted to eye compliments? :)

11 - Chanel Khol Eye Pencil: I swear I tried to use the Indian pencils, but they were coming on a little too strong and were hard to remove. Sometimes it was on there for days. Sure this pencil is 100 times more expensive than the Indian ones (I am not kidding - those are 40 cents), but they last me a long long time and I love the quality. 12 - Fresh Umbrian Clay Mask: After the nice ladies at Fresh watched my buy the foundation, face palette AND powder (not listed), the "sucker" sign must have lit up above my head. They threw in a (fairly good-sized) free sample of this clay mask, and it worked its free sample magic like a charm. I love it. I am rationing this one as well, but once a week or so, I put it on at night, and the next day, my skin is tight and glowing. I was in the store yesterday and checked the price for the big bottle. Not great, but not too bad either. It may make the cut. Damn those free samples!

13 - Momo Anti Frizz: These are the bottles that "mysteriously" end up in my purse after a visit to VS. I also got a bottle from the make-over, so although I use this every day, I have yet to pay for any of it. When I run out, I can't see a reason not to spend the money. This is a product I would recommend to anyone with frizzy hair. Not to heavy and no real smell.

14 - Momo Curl Serum: Another free gift from my Mizu make over. I didn't think I would use it, since I blow dry my hair, but this adds a little bounce to my waves and it is growing on me. It has made the cut, although I don't see myself needing anymore for months - a little goes a long way.

15 - Kerestase Expanseur Extra Corps: Another bottle that finds my way into my purse now and then and ALSO a present from Mizu. Although I haven't actually bought any of this yet, when the time comes and my three bottles run out, I will be. I can tell the difference between the days I use this and the days I don't; my hair has a little more oomph with a few spritzes before I turn on the heat.
16 - Ahava Foot Lotion: This was a present from my mom. My sandal-wearing feet love it, but it may have to wait until after the baby is born to continue using it every day, since I can't really reach my feet anymore...

17 - Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream: Another Christmas present from my editor. I am so addicted to this, I can't even tell you. I may be pushing 30, but I have the hands of an adolescent princess. My tube is more air than lotion, though, so if the Blue Lagoon, Kiehl's and Ahava can't maintain this glorious glorious skin, back to Sephora for some more!
18 - Kheils Eye Alert: Nothing beats the feeling of a dab and rub of this wonderful (but pricey) product in the mornings or after a long day, especially if you keep it in the fridge. Sigh. I groan at the price every time I get a refill, but still whip out the credit card.

Those are just the products. My monthly pedicures and waxes, bi-monthly manicures (although I do alternate between manicures and polish changes to save that $10 every month...), VS hair cuts (every 8 weeks), VS highlights (every 3 months), and Elizabeth Grady facials (twice a year) don't really help the bottom line either.

I guess everyone has their hobby, right?

Labor: Take One!

2009-05-31T19:52:00.005-04:00

What we thought was pain from too much running around this weekend (sunny walks, late dinners out, closet reorganization, etc) was actually contractions. I know.

Things I learned this weekend:

1 - My prepreggo weekend diet of a handful of meals, late nights, and decaf coffee will not cut it at 33 weeks....

2 - When they say dehydration causes contractions, they weren't lying.

3 - I don't like contractions. At all.

4 - I also don't like IVs. At ALL.

5 - My baby is already at the "head" of the class. The mid-wife on call could feel his head through my cervix! He is all in position and ready to go. I am so proud.

6 - Although I didn't have the best angle during the ultrasound, Josh said the baby looked amazing. He is gaining weight like a pro; his legs and arms are getting ready for us to feast on! I thought my 18-week ultrasound was the last one, so even though this was not under the best circumstances, I was happy to take any pictures of the kid that I could get.

7 - I want a fetal heart rate monitor! Too bad you can't register for one... Having the sound of his heartbeat fill the room and be able to see the needle jump every time he moved for 3 whole hours was heaven.

8 - If this afternoon's hospital visit is even the slightest indication of what labor is going to be like, labor is going to blow.

9 - I don't know what I would do without Josh.

just keep swimming...

2009-05-24T22:01:00.004-04:00

Friday ended with the words, "Josh, if I EVER want to spend the day walking around the city again, shoot me."

We both had Friday off, and Josh and I had a Groupon for a car detailing. The problem was, we had to drop it off in Brighton around 8am and pick up was at 5. Initially, I was really excited. With all the baby stuff and errands we had been doing, we didn't have much couple-time. A whole day of walking around and just spending time together sounded divine.

Cut to a 1 am Thursday bedtime and a 6:30 am wake up call. We were dragging our feet and almost went to my mom's house (near the detail place) to sleep on the couch all day. But it was too nice a day, and like hell if I was spending my day off on some couch, so we decided to rally.

Off to the aquarium! I can't even remember the last time I was there. It has been at least 20 years, if not more. Let me just say, the New England Aquarium is pretty awesome. Sure we were there with like 17 field trips, but Josh and I really enjoyed ourselves. My camera ran out of batteries pretty early on in the day (of course), but I got a few good shots here and there.

I couldn't seem to capture the jellyfish, though. They had a whole room of all these different kids of jellyfish downstairs and it was mesmerizing. Sure we saw sharks and penguins and huge turtles and these amazing sea horses and electric eels, and Josh was just too adorable getting excited and pointing out fish in all the different tanks, but those jelly fish were the highlight of the day. If you are in the area, be sure to check it out.

After seeing all these funky crabs and 10-pound lobsters, we went and had lunch at the Barking Crab. What? I think the day could have ended there, but we still had 4 hours to kill, so we literally dragged ourselves to the park. Like, we each had to stop and sit on a bench somewhere every few blocks. It was pretty pathetic.

A few hours lying in the park, then off to Brighton to pick up the car, THEN off to my mom's to check on the house, THEN home. Home, sweet, sweet home. We had granola bars and hummus in bed for dinner, and I was asleep by 8. Eight months pregnant + 80 degree weather + 4 hours of sleep + walking around all day = the first time my feet swelled. So not doing that again...

Anyway, below are the pre-battery poop out pics from the aquarium - enjoy!

NEMO!
Lionfish!
These sharks were seriously scary. And the way the tank was set up, these sharks would just sneak up on me and I would literally scream and jump back. "They can't leave the tank," Josh kept telling me. Maybe not, but those dead dead eyes. Shudder.
Teeth!
This turtle was awesome. He actually took a nip at the diver who was in the tank; it was pretty intense...
Josh's hand in the shot, just to give you a sense of how big he was.

Ever moving jellyfish were hard to photograph.
This is actually a sea horse! It blended into the seaweed in his habitat. Evolution os awesome.
These rays were interesting. Their undersides looked like happy faces and some of them had very unique camouflage.

lucky

2009-05-23T15:25:00.003-04:00

My friend Courtney asked me a question the other day that got me thinking about how lucky our generation is compared to our parents'. I started thinking about all the support that we have that our parents never had the chance to get. Of course, my parents' situation is a little different than most; immigrants finding their footing in a country half a world away from their entire family only adds to the already daunting task of getting married and raising a family.

As my dad always like to tell people, he came to this country with $8 in his pocket (he also got off the subway from JFK and stepped into a police shoot out in Times Square... but that's another story...). After literally walking the streets of Manhattan with his resume in hand and sleeping on people's floors, he got a job and went back home to meet/marry my mom. After they got married, they lived on Long Island with a piece of glass on a box for a table and newspaper for curtains. My mom had to learn about JC Penny, the supermarket, jeans you know... America. They lived paycheck to paycheck and when I was born, they had to juggle baby expenses on top of everything. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been.

Josh and I got started with few materials things as well. I pretty much left everything in NYC and asked/made Josh to leave all his grad school stuff behind (most of it was gross). We started with our clothes, books, pictures, and not much else. But we had jobs. We had an apartment lined up. We had a substantial savings account. We registered. The generosity of our friends and family gave us our fancy dishes, our everyday dishes, our 36 (!!!) wine glasses, a rack to put them in, our new furniture, our new pots and pans, nice knife set, a big screen TV, and who knows what else. It was like opening a kit and having a stocked life all ready to go. We complained about how Crate and Barrel PACKED THE PRESENTS, for Pete's sake.

Having our parents close made me appreciate how hard it must have been for my parents when they were starting out. When I was little, phone calls home were a big deal, and hand written letters were the easiest way to share news. If they had vacation time, we went to India. Trips to Belize were not really an option. Josh, Divya and I have traveled the world, mostly thanks to our parents' airline miles.

Now that Josh and I have a kid on the way, I am realizing again how lucky we are. No only do we have our parents, their friends, and our friends close by for help and advice and baby sitting and all that, we have a baby registry. It's insane.

Now if we didn't have this, of course it wouldn't be the end of the world. We would have bought a perfectly suitable used crib and asked around for hand-me-downs for clothes and supplies. We would have taken the kid to the library. I would have taken more time off work in lieu of a nanny. We would have given up so much more than we have recently in order to prepare for this baby. Sure we are watching our spending and have started a separate baby fund, but Josh and I are still going out to dinner, still buying clothes and video games and getting our hair colored. We are so incredibly lucky to be able to do all this and still know that we will want for almost nothing when it comes to the baby (except, you know.... sleep).

Is this a sign of the times? Is it even ok to visit a new baby without something brand new from the BabyGap? Showing up with just used clothes and advice may not be enough any more. My parents had a support group and passed around clothes and toys and free time. Although I know we will have all that (most of my maternity clothes are borrowed), I feel like the "material" aspect of having a baby (or getting married even) has increased since we were kids.

Of course, not everything we have will be brand spanking new, but most of it will. Am I unhappy about this? Of course not; I am incredibly thankful. Is it absolutely necessary? Probably not.

What do you think? Do you think we have it easier than our parents did? Do you think it is because they sacrificed for our success or if today's society dictates registries and presents and checks for brides and babies? Is it a combination of both?

say what now?

2009-05-19T16:27:00.003-04:00

Josh and I have started reading this blog, a rec from Ms. B, and are enjoying it immensely, as the couple in the blog are going through many of the same things we are currently going through. The writing is hilarious and her tone and experiences make her incredibly easy to relate to.

Last night, I pulled up the a post to show Josh how they organized the baby closet, hoping we could do something similar, and I scrolled down to show him some pictures. As we glanced at this post, I wistfully commented on how this woman maintained her figure, particularly her butt, while the rest of her grew. I am becoming more and more self conscience about how honky-tonk my bandonkadonk is getting and it depresses me every time I look in a mirror.

Me: How did she do it?
Josh: Well, maybe her butt was small to begin with.
Me: Yeah, maybe...... Wait. WHAT!
Josh: Oh shit.

Yeah, "oh shit" is right.

crown prince

2009-05-17T21:34:00.006-04:00

Indian women have their own culture. We will find any excuse to get together, talk, eat, and make each other feel like royalty. I experienced this first-hand (as opposed to seeing it in the movies) at my mendhi ceremony before I got married. I love the idea behind the mendhi ceremony: dozens of ladies gather the night before the wedding to sing and dance, and since we are all waiting for the mendhi to dry, we aren't allowed to do any work. There is a method in our madness:)

Moms-to-be get a similar treatment. The menu is comprised if all my favorite dishes; I am not allowed to do anything that day (except sit around and talk about how happy I am); all my aunties sing songs to me about my new baby; and one by one, they bless me and the kid and feed me my favorite desserts (to make sure the baby comes out all plump and sweet). Oh - and I get to eat off of silver plate and wear crazy jewelry! It's enough to let all the attention go to a girl's head.

Then, my kicked and bruised ribs start hurting and I remember that this isn't all about me any more....

Getting anointed!
All jeweled up!

Couldn't do it without my sister and mom.
Food!
My special plate! I ate more than this, don't worry - this is sans rice and puris.
A table full of my favorite dishes. This picture would make me sad, but my fridge is full of leftovers. Yes.

All the pics can be seen here

60 minutes

2009-05-17T19:48:00.002-04:00

I am currently watching 60 Minutes. Morely Safer is doing a piece on Anna Wintour. His crotchey old man digs at Lagerfield's and Galliano's outfit choices, couture prices (esp during a recession), the health of the models, and the clothing choices in the audience are priceless. Old men are funny.

ravens and writing desks

2009-05-12T10:04:00.003-04:00

Too bad the Hatter never asked Alice how a crib is like a wedding dress. I would have had quite the answer for him last night.

A few weeks ago, Josh and I picked out a crib set we really liked. We looked in stores and online and there was one that really fit our needs and tastes and the room and it was great. It was on the pricey side, but my generous in-laws were gifting us some money towards the baby furniture, so we decided to go for it. Plus, we could use it again, and our siblings could probably use the set if they wanted it. As many of you know, I don't mind spending more if I am getting more. Huzzah! Furniture was now officially off the list!

Although we had picked it out a few weeks ago, we both still wanted to wait a bit before we ordered it. My fear of the unthinkable and a fully furnished baby room was too much for me. I get anxious just typing it out. When I called, however, the gentleman told me the delivery time was 10-12 weeks! Ten to twelve! Apparently, they don't keep this line in stock. That's fine and understandable. They must be in a warehouse somewhere, no? No.

Apparently, after you place the order, they cut down the tree for the crib and an 85 year-old Belgian man whittles the furniture from the single trunk. It is then placed on a steam boat that goes from Europe to America via China and is then carried on the backs of donkeys across the American dessert en route to Boston. Gah. Because of the slow boat to China business, they can't guarantee delivery even after 12 weeks. I was reading reviews online and some poor women had to wait four MONTHS.

Nesting or no nesting, those of you who know me know that not having everything in place with at least a month buffer time is completely unacceptable. The idea of an empty baby room with clothes in piles in laundry baskets makes me shudder. Sure the kid can sleep in the Pack N' Play, and i KNOW people have done more with less (like my own parents), but that's just not how I roll, so to speak. I called them right back and canceled the order. "Well, you ARE cutting it close, my dear," he said to me. How is 2.5 months "cutting it close"!

So after I canceled my order, I went online to see what's what. "This is a blessing in disguise," I said to myself. "Maybe high end furniture is not for us, and we can get something ore moderately priced that is in stock somewhere." Hah. Styles that I liked were in stock at Babies R'Us, just not in the color we wanted. Colors were in stock at amazon.com, just not in the styles we wanted. No online vendor had a complete set of anything that looked remotely attractive. My already weakened emotional state was not helping the situation.

When I got home, Josh and I spend at least an hour looking at different websites, different stores, and different styles. The ones we like were either (1) way crazy expensive, (2) awesome and kind of in our price range but whittled by nuns or something and would have to be special ordered, or (3) out of stock until September.

Finally, we found a store with a set we liked in a color we could live with that could be shipped in early June. A miracle. After much discussion and some hyperventilating on my part, we did buy the crib and changing table last night. Three guesses as to where...

So ladies and gentlemen, heed my words. As soon as you slingshot that condom out the window, order your crib. It may even beat you home from the hospital.

so awesomely wrong

2009-05-11T13:13:00.001-04:00

wedding!

2009-05-04T14:41:00.008-04:00

Yay! Jason and Kim are married! This was the ONLY wedding we had this year (crazy, right?) so all my wedding energy and happiness was poured into this particular weekend. I can't even tell you how excited I was. I think a lot of it had do with who exactly was standing up there.

By junior year of college, a lot of us had paired off (A and M, Jason and Kim, J and K, J and M, S and S, me and Josh), but for various reasons - horrible tragedy or just people wanting different things - many of these couples went their separate ways after graduation. Only two of the couples who started dating in college* went all the way to the altar, and watching one of them get married this past weekend made me so insanely happy.

That said, this weekend also gave me the chance to see all those people listed above in their new relationships. Even though I am closer to some of them than others, I can honestly say that I was equally thrilled to see them all so happy. Everyone just seemed so incredibly content with their lives. Their boy/girlfriends were charming, friendly, and a lot of fun. Everyone was so at ease with each other, and newcomers didn't really feel that new. Dare I say it? Are we actually grown ups? Wow. As Josh said, Jason and Kim may have been the only wedding this year, but in two years, three tops, wedding invites will be flying.

*Some of them married fellow Jumbos, but they met/started dating after we all graduated.

Here are some pictures of the happy couples from this weekend, but I wish I had more. There are a few happy couples missing from this gallery. Sadly, I had my big Sony this weekend, as my sister still has my little Canon (she borrowed it for her trip to Japan). I was too busy dancing and eating to lug my Sony around, so picture-taking was severely limited. I'll update as the rest of the photos start rolling in.

hero

2009-04-27T10:21:00.002-04:00

Now I am WELL aware of how lucky I am. I have an amazing husband who takes insanely good care of me, calms me down when I get all agitated and stressed, makes me laugh constantly, dances around the house for no reason, and is pretty much perfect. I forget sometime (like Friday when I blew up at him due to my raging (hormonal) jealously of his hobby that he loves that doesn't really include me, I know, I know). And as soon as I forget, he reminds me.

Last night, we had 3 couples over for dinner. Instead of doing something simple for dinner (salad, pasta, the usual), we decided, after catching an episode on the Food Network one morning, to make Tyler Florence's Pork Pernil.

The recipe was pretty straightforward. Make a rub with herbs/garlic/etc, cut some slits in the skin, rub it in, roast for three hours, done. The recipe also called for a boneless shoulder, but when I went to Savenor's to pick up the meat, all they had was bone-in. After asking the butcher to remove the bone, he assured me that leaving the bone in would add to the flavor. What he DIDN'T tell me was that it would also add to the cooking time. Considerably.

So while I was chatting with people in the living room, Josh saved dinner. After about three and a half hours, he realized that the inside was still pretty pink. He spent about an hour making MORE rub in the food processor, taking out the pork and making additional slices to help it cook faster and then cleaning up the additional cooking mess. Oh, he also took care of the sides that I started and plated everything up.

Dinner was served and his efforts were a huge hit. People ate, we laughed about toilet babies, drank wine (well, others did), ate my crazy made-up dessert (more on that later). And then while we all sat around and chatted some more after dessert, Josh snuck off to the kitchen and did about 80% of the clean up.

If I ever, EVER forget how lucky I am, remind me of this, the last dinner party we will ever have.

Oh a related note, last night also made me realize how similar we are to my parents. My dad loved entertaining, having people over, holding court, socializing, but my mother had to do all the work. She made sure there was enough food, the house was clean, people had something sweet to eat after dinner, etc. So while my dad was being his charming self with company, she was stressing out in the kitchen. She got the short end of the stick in that respect and I am seeing it happen with us. Hopefully I will remember Josh and the pork that wouldn't cook next time I express the desire to cook for a large group, and realize that, at the end of the day, no matter how much shopping and chopping I do, it is Josh that ends up bearing the brunt of it.

yes, another video

2009-04-16T14:38:00.001-04:00

This one is from Kabir's away message. Thanks, Kabir!

a note to follow "so"!

2009-04-08T09:53:00.001-04:00

Tarah sent this wonderful video out this morning. I had to share. Thanks, babe!

(Def work friendly, but you need sound).

spring!

2009-04-06T22:22:00.007-04:00

No, not the season. It is cold and rainy and un-springy in every way. Today, friends and I went to Tremont 647, looking forward to a rainy-day comfort food menu. Alas and alack, the new executive chef changed the menu to an Asian-inspired spring menu. Fail. (We still got the donuts, though - win!). No, sadly, no spring in the air. Just in our dinner.

The title is for the new springform pans that I got yesterday! I have seen the light. Springform pans are amazing. I am never using another pan again. Ever. Let lightning strike me down if I ever try and scrape a cake out of a cake pan again. If you do any baking of any kind and don't have one, go get one.

Anyway, the reason for the pan, was guests. We were having some friends stay with us on Sunday night and I broke my oldest rule. I tried out a new recipe on guests. Not only that, I waited until after dinner to even start making the cake. Scandalous.

Anyway, after a lasagna dinner, Shila and I went to work on Smitten's pear and chocolate cake. I had my doubts when I saw how little batter the recipe makes. This will be a whole cake? But the whipped eggs did their thing and enveloped the pears and chocolate in a soft, pillowy, moist embrace (that sounds dirty...). The pears' consistency complimented this airy cake so well, with a creamy bite from the chocolate on top. Perfection.

bundle(s) of joy?

2009-04-01T13:49:00.004-04:00

Me: So, you know how our doctor was on vacation?
Josh: No, but go ahead.
Me: Well, I got a call from her today. She just got back and took a look at my latest lab results and ultrasound. She said my blood levels seemed off and that she noticed something on the last ultrasound. So she had me come in this afternoon.
Josh: (looks very alarmed)
Me: Nono! Everything is fine. Everyone is healthy. But....we learned that I... ummm... am ... we are....having twins.
Josh: (blank stare)
Me: Yeah, the reason we didn't see the other one til now is becuase he wasn't growing as fast as his brother. He was really well hidden on the last ultrasound.
Josh: (now white as a sheet and speechless)
Me: APRIL FOOLS! (jumps on Josh and starts tickling him)
Josh: (breathing again and trying not to smile) Get off of me, you wench.
Me: (continues to laugh hysterically for at least five minutes)

Sigh.. loves it.

on the catwalk.... on the catwalk

2009-03-31T22:47:00.007-04:00

Saturday's make-over was a success!

Unless otherwise indicated, the photos were taken by photographer and Yelper Nate E.

Do the before pictures HAVE to look bad? Is that a requirement? Ugh...

Red highlights and a glaze (that came later).
Post haircut fluff.
Trish caught me eyeing Jeffrey as Jordan mixed my make-up in the background.
Team Deepa and the final product.
My wonderful stylist. She really did a great job and was so so sweet.

My equally wonderful colorist. I am addicted to this glaze thing - she worked wonders.
I shook my little tush.

Trish's photo of me and the belly.

WOO HOO!

2009-03-25T15:17:00.007-04:00

So I can't believe it! I WON something. Not just any something, an awesome something.

A few weeks back, YelpBoston announced that they were having the next Elite event at newly opened Mizu Salon and that three Yelpers were going to get make-overs during the event. All you had to do was send in a creatively written reason why you should get the make-over and they will choose the winners. So, not thinking I would actually get it, I entered and forgot about it.

Yesterday, I found out that I am one of the three! The timing is perfect. I was putting off getting my hair cut for months and then finally set up an appointment for Friday afternoon (which I canceled, natch). This also means that I may finally branch out from that long in the front/short in the back look I have been sporting (and loving) for the last two years.

I also have a bachelorette party that night, which is good and bad. Bad in the sense that I will be missing the pre-party part of the party. (On the other hand, WATCHING people get drunk depresses me, but being around drunk people is not as depressing. So in the end, it is probably better that I am meeting up with everyone after they are properly pissed.) Good in the sense that a new haircut and made-up face is just the confidence-booster I need. It will be nice to walk into a Fanuiel Hall bar and not simply feel older and fatter than the 21-year-old college students who frequent those establishments. It's also a nice way to see people you haven't seen in a few years:)

I'll be sure to post "before" and "after" pictures. Stay tuned!

those cheeks!

2009-03-13T23:12:00.006-04:00

Not mine - picture OR baby, but I had to share. After dinner with my friend L and N, we went to see L's brand new person that she and her husband made from scratch. N snapped this photo as he sat on my lap.

Adorable, no?

springtime wonderland!

2009-03-06T22:25:00.006-05:00

Last Tuesday, after the last big snow storm, I wanted to take some pictures of the snow before it got all gray and lumpy. Even though it was freezing that day (and I HAD to go into Banana to warm up... what?) there was something serene and beautiful about the park as the sun set. I am looking forward to summer more than anyone, but I will miss those crisp winter days until they come back in November.

whatever the amount!

2009-03-06T14:02:00.001-05:00

Stolen from Divya's away message:

cake!

2009-02-22T22:00:00.007-05:00

Saturday was a big day for me. Up early (7) for the cleaning lady, off to book club on Cambridge Street at 10 (I was 30 minutes early, oops), then off to Central to pick up the car (Josh had driven it there to meet friends), Target in Watertown (how did I possibly spend $250 there?) then grocery shopping, then home at 3ish, when I unloaded the car (THAT was fun, let me tell you...) and THEN started baking a cake (we were meeting friends for dinner and dessert at our place after).

My first from-scratch cake in years and my very first attempt at frosting. The flavor was there, definitely. The cake was wonderful, everything a cake should be. The frosting was sweet, creamy, nutty, I loved it. Putting those two together, however, was a different story completely.

I think the fact that I read smitten's warnings and ignored them is tantamount to my attitude about a lot of things. I know all the things that could go wrong, I acknowledge the fact that they probably WILL go wrong, and then just go ahead and do whatever I think is best anyway. Then I get frustrated when things don't go well.

The frosting pulled up crumbs from the soft top layer of the cake. I threw the cakes in the fridge (not freezer, as advised) for all of 10 minutes to cool the cakes. I also did not apply a thin crumb layer and freeze that, as advised, so I had a confetti covered cake. I also had NO idea how to apply frosting. Like, none. So getting the sides with this thick cream cheese frosting was a challenge in itself. Oh, also, my layers were not perfectly lined up. Oops. I ended up not doing the ganache layer, mainly due to laziness. In the end, I am glad I didn't - the cake was insanely rich. I think an extra layer of chocolate would have been too much. If I don't master this crumb mixing thing, however, I may rethink that.

I learned quite a bit from my first attempt at caking. Including the fact that Josh and I can put away a quarter of a cake in one lazy Sunday. The rest is going to work tomorrow. After a weekend of chocolate and peanut butter, let them eat cake.

Frosting perfection.
I went with two layers, not three. I realized that I should have added a bit more frosting in the middle to support that huge top layer. Next time...
I wasn't thrilled with my first frosting attempt, but it wasn't too shabby... right?
Hmm.. spoke to soon. This was the "back of the cake". Each attempt to fix this only made it worse. We should just all focus on the picture above this one, no?

Going, going... there is still quite a bit left, but tomorrow it will be gone.

Not now, Archie Puffin!

2009-02-17T22:23:00.013-05:00

"Iceland?" That's what I got - with a look of confusion. Yes, we went to Iceland, and yes we went in the middle of February. And yes, it was cold. But this refreshing, thawing, wet cold that smelled like spring on steroids. Iceland is amazing (and warmer than Boston :P )

For more pictures, click here. Mac users may have an easier time than PC users; it may take a while for the pictures to load on the PC.

The ceiling at Hallgrimskirja (Hallgrin's Church). The architecture here was very different than that of the rest of Europe. Clean lines, nothing ornate, lots of space. This was a Protestant Church, but had a "Catholic Corner" for our Catholic friends.

Pingvellir. Since 960, Icelandic delegates would travel here for three weeks every summer to hold Parliament. Some trips would take over three weeks by horseback, but they all came. It was also a place where traders, farmers and fisherman could sell their wares. This went on until the 1700's, when they set up a building in Reykjavik as a more permanent structure that is still used today.

Pingvellir is also where the North Atlantic and Eurasian plates are separating , you can see the division here.

Gulfoss. The most famous falls in Iceland and a huge tourist attraction. After going there, I have now nightmares and can't sleep. Not exactly what Iceland tourism was going for...

So this snap was taken safely behind a fence. Then I decided I wanted a picture from a vantage point that the tour guide pointed out when we got off the bus. At the edge of a huge cliff. That fell into a river. That had no fence. Josh went and walked right up to the edge. I stood several hundred feet away, not breathing as I pictured him falling to his death. I called for him to come back. He motioned for me to come there. Reluctantly, I did. Then I pictured both of us falling to our death. My mother and sister were far away. No one would know we died. They would all get back to the bus and wonder where we were. Then they would wait. The tour guide would try to find us. In vain. Then he will remember the spot he pointed out. They would see our footprints leading up to the edge in the snow. Maybe a sneaker, but probably nothing. That's ALL I think about at night. That stupid cliff and that river and that drop and how close we were to falling to our deaths as we made silly poses for no reason. It will take a while for the image of Josh going over the edge to fade away. Gah. (See below for this death-defying view...)

Reynisfjara - a beach of liquid hot magma, that has since cooled. Very interesting rock formations and the sand is literally lava (so not sand... whatever).

Halfanefshellir (the cave) with basalt columns in the background.

This was the last waterfall in a row of glacial waterfalls on the side of a mountain. It was very Lord of the Rings/Gollum catching fish, but still very pretty.

A sink. Outside. (It's a camping ground, but still...)

And last but not least, The Blue Lagoon. I didn't take any pictures, mainly because I didn't want to risk the new camera with all the salt water, so here is one from the website. The place was surreal. Set among this huge lava feild, the warm, milky blue water feels amazing on your skin. I had this dry Boston winter skin for weeks. Thirty minutes in the water and it is completely healed and smooth again. An Icelandic miracle! This place is only 15-20 minutes from the airport, so a lot of people we saw at the lagoon were also on our flight. It was odd to look around the terminal and see people who were peeling off bathing suits in front you in at the communal shower a few scant hours earlier. There were also a lot of British school groups (Iceland is the same time zone as England.) So we went to Strubridge Village, British kids go to Iceland. Seems a bit unfair, no?