A Little “Me” Time

When Oskar was born I had planned for two weeks off of work prior to his arrival but got approximately 5 days off (meaning all of my plans for the time were cancelled). This time around I was leaving nothing to chance... I was taking three weeks off prior to my due date to ensure a little “me” time before Baby Gerken’s arrival. And I took full advantage; my calendar was packed!

I had coffee dates scheduled with mom friends from Oskar’s school, old coworkers and my mom tribe.  I had lunch dates scheduled with Buckles (continuing our monthly tradition of Original Joe’s cheeseburgers), Katya, an old girlfriend from college who just moved back from New York and Martin at Tacolicious (hoping to bring back the good vibes from Oskar’s birth and speed this one along).  I indulged on pie for breakfast and pie for lunch followed by a matinee in the Mission with the moms. And then followed up the next day with a prenatal massage and another movie (this time by myself) downtown.

I went on at least two Target runs (where I got encouragement and positive remarks from each cashier and woman I passed) and I helped clean out my old bedroom at parent’s house. I also did a final cleaning of Gerken’s room to get it prepped for her arrival.  And I managed to find time to pick out tile for Timber Cove (although we ended up purchasing a different brand).

By the end of the first two weeks I had done everything on my list other than make bread (I had decided I was going to learn how to make a mean loaf of bread while on maternity leave). 

I was relaxed, rested and ready for anything… Don’t get me I am sure I could have kept myself occupied and entertained for the final and third week prior to my due date; but Gerken had other plans and that was okay by me.

Ruminations on Pregnancy Number 2

Today officially marks the start of my six month maternity leave for baby #2.  With great benefits at salesforce, I have been able to take three weeks off prior to my due date (okay that is actually thanks to CA state law) and six months off after Gerken arrives (thanks to salesforce).  I rolled into the day by sleeping in until 7am (thanks to Oskar and Martin’s 3am bathroom party and subsequent late wake-up) and a croissant and tea at Victoria Pastry Company.   

With some time to myself, I have been able to reflect on the past few months… below are a few of my ruminations of being pregnant the second time around:

• I gave up almost immediately and started wearing maternity clothes as soon as I made the announcement. It would have been hard to explain the elastic waist pants earlier.
• I bought a maternity swimsuit around 4 months for all of my upcoming travel. I automatically sucked in my stomach when trying it on... old habits die hard
• Around 4 months was also when Martin started getting really busy at work and started working late at his office.  I took the opportunity to start watching Mad Men... it might have been a bad choice... Martin working late at the office + a show about men “working late” as a cover for cheating on their wives + pregnancy hormones = a slightly paranoid pregnant wife
• At some point in the second trimester, Oskar developed sympathy pregnancy cravings: he greeted me in the bathroom one morning eating a pickle and pear, one in each hand
• It was also around this time that I officially reached a new low: I found a nacho cheese Dorito in my scarf... and ate it.
• At around 24 weeks, I was informed that I smelled like a dirty hippie. The belly rub cream I bought from Honest Company was the culprit. I wasn’t a fan of the smell but I figured it was just my super sensitive pregnancy nose. Nope, McKane pointed out the terrible smell within hours of seeing each other. I had been using it for a few weeks and Martin never told me! His excuse, he figured it was good for the baby.
• At 25 weeks, I went on a “babymoon” with the Zurich girls. My flight home from the weekend was overbooked and they were offering $1,500 to anyone willing to take a later flight (enough to get the family to Hawaii or one ticket to Europe). I wouldn’t even consider it, I was so excited to see my boys.
• During the second trimester, I also had to stop taking Oskar to school by myself… he wanted to be carried and I could no longer manage the additional weight so Martin joined us in the morning routine.  That, plus sometimes when I walk too fast I grunt like Ma from the Goonies.
• At five months pregnant with baby #2, I no longer trusted a half full bladder
• I welcomed the third trimester with a half pint sniss and a handful of tums
• The third trimester also brought on the following realization… While looking forward to not being pregnant I realized that in ten weeks I will have two kids. I am equal parts terrified and excited
• At 32 weeks with an untreatable sinus infection. I couldn’t help but wonder: when will I feel like myself again? Is it 8 weeks? 6 months? 2 years or more like 18 years?
• At 34 weeks Martin has been sleeping on the couch for the past few weeks since I am apparently snoring like a truck driver. I actually heard it myself and don’t blame him. 
• It was also around this time I got a Granny Fran special with the exchange below:

Granny Fran (at brunch at my parent’s house as I am taking my second helping of quiche): “So Lisa how much weight have you gained?”

Me (stifling a laugh as everyone else is dying to see how I respond): “You know Granny, I have been dying for someone to ask me that.”

Granny: “Well?”

Me: “You go first.... how much weight did you gain when you were pregnant?”

Granny: “18 lbs”

Me: “I am right around there, I am currently at 15 lbs”

Granny: “Well I started out at 105”

Me: “I started out a little higher than that.”

Granny: “Plus you have six more weeks to go...”

Me: (speechless)

To be fair I am not even insulted. With all of her health issues recently I am just happy she hasn’t lost her zing.

• And finally with less than 3 weeks to go, I have finally started nesting.  Oskar, Martin and I spent last weekend setting up the nursery, washing the newborn clothes and getting ready for the arrival of the newest family member.  And while I am sure Oskar still doesn’t quite understand what is about to happen (even though he kisses the belly and takes about the baby) I am excited to see him become an older brother.

Family Vacation

This past Fourth of July was a bit melancholy for me... it was the first fourth in a long time (and one of only a handful in a lifetime) of not spending the holiday at the Lake. With four weeks to go before my due date, an hour long dirt road and the idea of being two+ hours away from a hospital, we opted to stay at home despite the chance of a five day weekend.

For the most part, the actual day was unremarkable. I took a nap in the morning while Oskar and Martin played. And we spent the afternoon at the playground like any normal weekend... we didn’t even BBQ and I couldn’t be bothered to go up on the roof to see the fireworks despite the clear night sky.

Thankfully, whatever the actual day lacked we more than made up for it the following weekend when we headed up to Timber Cove for a little get away…It was our first family vacation in over a year!  

Don’t get me wrong, we have taken our fair share of vacations, they however have always included some variation of the extended family.  Germany, Cape Cod, Pillsbury, Santa Cruz, even Timber Cove, we have been to a lot of fun places with those who we love. But it was really nice to have time with just the three of us.

We opted to head up to Timber Cove Saturday morning to avoid the Friday afternoon traffic and had a relaxed drive with no big plans or need to rush.  Our normal two hour drive got even a little longer thanks to Oskar’s current potty training… around the time we hit the coast (about 30 minutes from the house) was when Oskar realized that if he wanted to get out of the car all he had to say was “I need to go potty.”  As a result, we spent about 15 minutes pulled over to the side of the road while Oskar pooped with a view.

We spent that afternoon at the house, Martin doing some work while Oskar and I split our time between supervising Martin and playing in the dirt.  Oskar also took the opportunity to take a few hot laps around the deck, running through the house, along the deck and then back through the house.

With no electricity or water at the house yet, we spent the night at Fort Ross Lodge, our new go to spot until the house is ready.  It is perfect for our weekend needs, little kitchenette with sink and fridge, our own BBQ to make dinner on and a patio overlooking the ocean to enjoy a final beer (non-alcoholic for me) once Oskar goes down for the night. 

Sunday morning was even more relaxed than Saturday… we packed up the car and headed north for about 20 minutes to check out Two Fish Bakery in Stewart’s Point.  It was a pleasant surprise and someplace we will definitely go back to.  They had a great selection of breakfast treats (scones, breakfast burritos and quiches) as well as strong coffee for Martin and London Fog for me… and even better, they had a large deck on which to enjoy the scenery, food and meet the locals. 

We spent the rest of the morning at our house, Martin doing a few more odds and ends to get ready for the roof to go on. And then we began our drive home, stopping in Petaluma for a late brunch / lunch.

With just the three of us, no agenda and no need to show anyone around, it was a truly relaxing weekend.  And if this is what we have in store for us once the house is finally complete, I just got that much more excited!  

Girl Time

Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls, and Gossip Girl… I have been in search of a new TV show to binge watch while Martin works or goes for bike rides, so I thought I would start with the old and end with the high schoolers.     It was only in hindsight that I realized all three of my selections were shows about women…I will assume my past few months and corresponding weekends away were in the same vein.

I found out Gerken was a girl in mid-February and since then there has been a lot of girl time.

In March, the SF moms and I played hooky from work and spent the entire day at Nob Hill spa, indulging in massages, lunch on the terrace and a pool side nap / catch-up.  It was decadent and exactly what I needed after busy season and the announcement of the acquisition.

In April, I headed to Palm Springs for a girls weekend / baby moon with Anna and Shannon.  It was great to catch up with the Zurich girls and long overdue….unfortunately when we booked it, we didn’t realize it was Coachella weekend resulting in ridiculously expensive home rentals, but fortunately for us it was Coachella weekend which meant we had the roof top pool and bar at our hotel all to ourselves.   We spent the weekend shopping, drinking and catching up on the past four years since we were last together. The weather was warm (okay, borderline hot for this SF girl) however whenever I got either tired, thirsty or needed a bathroom while shopping (I was approaching the third trimester) either the stores helped me out with water (or champagne for the girls), a bathroom, or a couch or we found the closest bar to satisfy the needs.  In all jest, I really like Palm Springs and can’t wait to return.

In May, I met up with Ange and Anj for the ultimate girl’s night out… the Taylor Swift concert in Santa Clara!  We met up that afternoon, pre-gamed at the hotel, became true T-Swfit Fans over the course of the concert and wrapped up the evening with a night cap back at the hotel bar.  I may or may not have cried during the show (we will blame the hormones) and one of the other ladies may or may not have woken up with a solid 5+ glass champagne hangover (ah new mom drunk). 

And in June we celebrated the arrival of Gerken with a perfect girl’s weekend in Salinas for Gerken’s baby sprinkle with the SLO Girls.  6 women, 3 baby girls under the age of 2 and one on the way, we had a great time.  Nothing pretentious, just 20+ years of friendship getting together to celebrate our growing family around a dining room table…although with the babies, less time was spent at the table than normal and more of the weekend was spent on the floor watching the next generation of SLO girls bond.