Belly shots

Side shot week 26--pregnancy, overall, has been a very good experience! I can't believe this is my last week of my 2nd trimester.











Front shot week 26 (yesterday)













Week 17 picture

An Insightful, MUST-Read

This book, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, was my most recent pick for our book club. It turned out to be one of the best reads we have ever had in our group, with everyone woman finishing it and being touched in some way by the story. In fact, 3 of the 9 who showed up last Saturday for our brunch and discussion could personally relate to aspects of the memoir, a highly unlikely coincidence given the unusual events in the author's life. Walls grew up in a family with parents who were eccentric, nomadic travelers, moving the family from home to home throughout the US whenever they ran out of money or work (which was often) or the father felt the feds or Mafia were finally catching up with him (they were never chasing him in the first place). Along with her 3 siblings, Walls learns what it means to be an adult at a very young age and learns how to be extremely resourceful when there were very few luxuries, things we all take for granted such as beds to sleep in, things to do and play with, food to eat, etc. Unbelievable as the events in this memoir are (I found myself involuntarily commenting aloud at various times), Walls does not use her work as a platform for self-pity or rage against her parents. She never comes across as depressed or critical of them. This book is a magnificent read that will make most of us see our families in a new light and appreciate a story that will stay with us for years to come.

Two Film Recs

Aron and I had a date night last Monday and saw "Little Miss Sunshine" I had just had to make a quick post about it because it was outstanding!! The cast is incredible and worked so well together. In a nutshell, it's an honest look at life through the metaphor of a beauty pageant. The family takes the most incredible journey along the way (both literally and figuratively). There is an abundant use of the "f" word, but if you can get past it, you'll dig this film (just wanted to warn those who are more on the conservative side). Then, yesterday, my dad took us all to see "The Illusionist," another outstanding film. The cast--Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel--did a superb job, esp. EN; man, what an actor! It's a beautiful film with an intriguing story.

Rotten Tomatoes gave LMS a 93% and TI a 71%. I'd love to hear some feedback if anyone sees these flicks.

Company

Dad and mom arrived last night on their 3 week trek across America to the new digs in Florida. We just chilled around the house this morning, then picked Aron up at work for lunch. Dad bought La Madeline...yummy!! We were all saying that such a restaurant would thrive in OC; wonder why they don't have one? After lunch, we returned home to nap. I got up after 1.5 hours, but they are still sleeping. Tomorrow and Friday Shan will take off work, so it'll be fun to trek around, just the 4 of us.

In baby news, I'm growing like crazy it seems. My last day running was Tuesday morning--it's really too uncomfortable now. I've been trying to just deal the last 2-3 weeks when running, but I called it quits on Tuesday. Shan and I got up earlier to go to the gym today (a nice perk of the running was getting up at 5:45am, instead of 5:10am) and do the elliptical...much better!! We'll swim tomorrow--two exercises that are low impact, good for the bebe, and easy on mom. I told Aron last night that I have also felt uncomfortable in general the last several days; I am in month 7, but still...maybe that's too early to feel the way I do? Anyway, it's only going to grow moreso in the weeks ahead...I'm bracing myself.

Finally, I have solidified plans for Aron and my anniversary weekend (we take turns planning it every year). We are going the weekend of September 15, two weeks earlier than our actual anniversary. Details to come, though I do hope this can remain a secret for him.