Merry Christmas from the three of us!!

Lots of love, Alison, Brandyn and Baby C!!

Definiately growing an athlete (like any of you are surprised)!

Basketball center, soccer goalie, volleyball spiker... I'm not sure who he'll turn out to be... but he sure seems to be practicing his moves in my belly!

This morning I told Brandyn... "Put your hand here... he's going crazy!" And Brandyn responded "Woah... that is crazy! And wow... what was that... that wasn't a kick... I felt him move across my hand!"

Yeah, I know... cool huh. This little guy is keepin' me entertained all day long! And making his Daddy proud already with his obvious natural talent of athletic skills!!

The Phaaaaantom of the Opera is there... inside my mind!!!

Last Sunday Brandyn and I went with 5 other couples to see "Phantom of the Opera" at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco. While I've been lucky enough to see The Phantom about 4 or 5 times (thanks Mom and Dad and Aunt Ellen too!)... the was Brandyn's first time! We both enjoyed the show very much!!

Smiles from strangers...

Smiles from strangers... is something you're VERY used to is you grew up in a community of 1,500 people. When you walk through town and come across another person... even someone you don't know... they smile at you when you walk by... and you smile back. Its part of the small town charm.

In San Francisco and the Bay Area... its not quiet the same. The people here tend to be a little bit more reserved with giving out smiles to strangers. It was something that took me a long time to get used to when I first moved here. I even made a few mistakes of smiling nicely at homeless people... who immediately interpreted that as a sign that I wanted to give them money. (Ah, now I see why SFers don't just pass out smiles at random!).

So imagine my surprise when late last week... I found myself the receipt of several random stranger smiles. It was so nice, warm and pleasant... I admit, I was a little taken a back. After the third person smiled at me (on the same day, mind you)... it occurred to me that maybe they were smiling at the sight of my baby belly! A sight/topic that tends to make people happy... be reminded of miracles and innocence.

Maybe I give the belly too much credit... maybe I just had toilet paper stuck to my shoe!!

Well... whatever the reason was... its was a pleasant experience and surprise! Sometimes its the little things.

Thoughts on being a parent (from other parents)...

Everyone says that you'll get TONS (too much) advice on parenting and being a parent when you're pregnant... but for me... that hasn't really happened yet. But last night... at a cocktail holiday party (boy, those just aren't as fun when you're not drinking)... I got two good ones.

A friend/work-related colleague told me this...

"Its like you've been watching life through a 17 inch black and white TV... and then you upgrade to a 50 inch high definition color TV... its like seeing the world like you've never seen before."

And for her second piece... she said... "People always tell me I look at parenting likes its all rainbows and puppy dogs... so I'll balance it with this... if at some point your are struggling with your child's stage of life (like the sleepless new born nights... to the crazy toddler days)... just remember... it comes and goes so quickly. A new stage will be there so soon."

Thanks Jillion... those were two of the sweetest words of parenting wisdom I've heard yet!

A very thankful Thanksgiving!!

Brandyn and I had a very nice Thanksgiving holiday. For the first time... in a long time... we didn't have to travel. Brandyn's sister Jennifer hosted Thanksgiving at her house (just down the street from ours). Brandyn's family came up from Fresno to join us... so it was a lot of fun with our niece and nephews all together.

And... of course... Baby C! For whom we are eternally grateful this Thanksgiving. We were able to get a sneak peak at our little guy... through a private 3D ultrasound vendor Prenatal Peek. Both Grandma's to-be joined us for the big viewing. Of course, as usual, Baby C was not being super cooperative. He was playing shy and held his hands in front of his cute little face almost the whole time. But with a little maneuvering from me... and a lot of poking from the technician... we were able to get a few good shots of his face!

It was a very fun afternoon for all... including both grandpas - who patiently waited back at the house (watching football, of course!)... and were able to get in on the action by watching the 30 min. DVD we were sent home with.

A very thankful Thanksgiving indeed!!

Overwhelmed by the all "baby gear" choices...

Its time to get started on a list of items we'll need for the baby. Registry time! (And we thought picking out China was hard!) Wow. So many choices... so many brands... so many online check lists telling me I WILL NEED this and that.

What is a girl to do when she feels over whelmed in life... why turn to her family and friends for advice!! So... to all my new parent friends (and those who've been there... done that!)... tell me... what were/are your baby Must Haves!!