Merry Christmas!

Hello, its been a fun Christmas so far. We told our parents on Wednesday night at Utica's Babe's Restaurant. Then yesterday on Christmas Eve all my family came over and we all enjoyed the cookbook and the good news. Today on Christmas, we opened presents and then just went for a walk. It's not too cold, about 35. Merry Christmas!

Here's the Chappy Story

The first time we saw the baby in Dr. Henry Hamilton’s office in the beginning of November we thought it looked like a little chapstick, which I never leave home without. But Chap’s story started months before that…

In October, Greg and I hiked the famous Half Dome 17 mile trail in Yosemite National Park. We started at 4:30 am with headlights and warm clothes and after hoisting ourselves up the last half mile via two cables we were at the top at about 9:30. Little did we know the egg that would be our little Chappy was already hanging out and getting ready.

Chap Doc on Yelp

In November I went on yelp to find a doctor. I go on yelp.com for everything. If you’re ever new to a city, think of yelp as your best girl friends always willing to give you honest advice. And they did. I found Dr. Henry Hamilton right down the street. I love his motto, “you’re pregnant, not sick, enjoy it.” And we have. I have been very fortunate not to be sick ever and not to be tired. Greg and I have enjoyed lots of fun outdoor activities while Chappy doubles in size. We’ve done a hike for diabetes, we hiked in Henry Coe State Park, we rock climbed a couple times a week and I’ve started running again. I know it’s weird, but I feel great and want to get chap used to our active ways. Don’t worry mom, we’ll take a break from the rock gym starting in the New Year. I want to find a new place with a pool.

December 21st, Chap is growing!

In December we got to see Chap again. It’s amazing to see the heartbeat and little body parts. Greg got me this beautiful book called From Conception to Birth: a life unfolds that uses digital technology and real ultrasounds to show the baby at every stage.

Today, December 21st, Greg and I went together for my first real ultrasound with the jelly on the belly. There was Chap, squished beneath my huge bladder. (They told me to come with a full one, I guess I didn’t need to chug all that water.) Chap’s measurements were all good and then I went for yet another blood test. Man, when you’re pregnant they want your blood. I now know what my parents feel like when they’re always donating blood. After a while, it’s not that big of a deal. Maybe I’ll start to donate in the future too.

Christmas is coming!

So this week marks the end of the first trimester. Like I said, we’re still enjoying California’s great outdoor activities, but now thinking more and more about Chappy. We’ll tell all our friends and family this week while we’re home for the holidays. There’s going to be a lot of people at our house in Utica for Christmas Eve. I hope they’ll be enjoying Mangia, the family cookbook Paige and I, with the help of Greg, put together and enjoy sharing in our good news. Like presents on Christmas morning, we like surprises. So even though I’m Let’s Go Jes and plan EVERYTHING, we’re not going to find out this greatest surprise.

Stay tuned, Chap’s arrival is set for fireworks, the 4th of July. Then we’ll whisk Chappy to Utica for Paige and Kyle’s wedding and hang back east for a couple weeks. Maybe we’ll show Chap Maine and how to enjoy summer vacation. Of course as a teacher I looked forward to time off, but Chap’s arrival will need no sub, we’ll enjoy summer vacation together then both go back to school. Me at Borel Middle School in San Mateo, Chap at a loving place that likes books and laughter.


Here's some recent pictures. No big belly yet. There's one of me hanging at home in my Care Bear Sweats. Another is friends at work dressed as Care Bear for Halloween at school. And the last is a picture from the Modern Art Museum in San Francisco.