Almost there...

I am now 38 weeks and 2 days preggers and I have to go the doctor every week now. At my last appointment, there had been no progress made. Baby's head is down, which it has been for the past several weeks but she was still laying up under my ribs and I hadn't dilated at all. My doctor said we're going to want some sort of action here shortly! I'm still feeling really good. I'm glad to have control of the A/C, even if I'm freezing out the family. It definitely makes it more comfortable to be pregnant in California in September!

So what's left to do? I mean, besides finishing building our house? Here's the list:
1) Pack my bag - my goal for tonight
2) Charge all of the camera batteries and pack them together
3) Charge the iPod and find extra batteries for our player
4) Set up the Pack 'n Play in our temporary bedroom
5) Take the car seat to the CHP to have it checked
6) Take King to the vet for all of his shots
7) Call the doctor to get Mark a flu shot and pertussis (whooping cough) booster

We just can't wait to meet our little girl!

2010 (so far) in pictures

This year has been crazy busy and filled with excitement. I so wish I had done a better job of documenting everything that has been going on but at least I have pictures...

Our News Years Day Party at Andy's place.

Celebrating Christmas with my dad and the fam.

The cousins

We're pregnant!

Chicago for Katey's 30th birthday and a bonus visit with Mike, Kristi, and Colin.

Spending time with our little family of 3 1/2.

Dave's daughter, Riley's, 1st birthday.

Dodgers Opening Day and the beginnings of a Baby Bump.

Baby Lajci!

Adam and Lindsay's Wedding Shower

My first baby shower at school

Craig's ordination

Our Baby Shower in Michigan

Graduation!

My Baby Shower at School with my Students

Adam and Lindsay's Wedding Weekend

My 30th Birthday!

Construction!

Hello Stranger, Remember Me?

I have been meaning to sit down and post some things a lot in the past, oh, 6 months. I mean, my goodness, I have a lot to share! Thing is, time just slips away from me and I never actually do it. At this moment, I have to bake some cupcakes for our end-of-the-year potluck tomorrow but wanted to drop a line to those of you who may still check in from time to time in case I've decided to post in the year 2010. Things are great, I'm feeling wonderful. I will be posting more in the days, weeks, and months to come. Stay tuned...

Today's Horoscope...

You may have found yourself having some issues with food lately, dear Cancer. It could be that your sense of self-worth is not at its highest and that you are trying to make up for this by sabotaging your relationship to your body. Remember: food is healthy nourishment that you need to survive. Your body deserves respect, and you always need to give it the proper fuel that it needs to be healthy.

Weird.

1/2 way...

To my first weight loss goal, that is. I hit 15 lbs. this morning and feel great! With Thanksgiving and a very stressful November, it would have been easy to fall of the wagon but I stuck to it and am very proud of myself. When I get to 30 lbs., I'm going to get highlights. I'm ready for them now but they're so costly, I figured it'd give me something to work toward. I haven't had them done since before our wedding. My next mini-goal is to lose 4 lbs. before we go to Michigan on January 1st. I think it's totally attainable, even as holiday parties loom. Wish me luck!

Nothing Like the Christmas Spirit!

While driving around Downey running errands, King and I were enjoying the Christmas music on the radio, muddling through the words to Feliz Navidad, when I stopped at a four-way stop sign. I yielded to the car on my left and, when it was my turn to go, I started going straight. Just after I started into the intersection, the car to my right decided to go straight. I had to slam on my brakes, sending Kingy onto the floor in the backseat (poor guy). I had gone first and, obviously, had the right of way. But then someone honked at me. At ME! I didn't do anything wrong. So I looked over to the honker, on my left, and saw two guys gesturing and, presumably, yelling not-so-nice things at me. I pointed to the car that had gone in front of me, what the heck did the guys want me to do? And then, without pause, I lifted a certain finger that I rarely lift. Then moved forward and continued my Feliz Navidading. A minute later, I realized what had just transpired and found myself laughing at the entire situation. Merry Christmas dude in the red Toyota who decided to honk and yell at me, Merry Christmas.

A Low-Carb Lifestyle

Just about a week after Mark's birthday weekend in Vegas, we decided to give Atkins a try. Up to this point in my life, I had been very anti-Atkins because I felt that the people I know who have done it eat bacon all day and lose weight. This is not a healthy diet. But, we bought a book and, after reading through it, I began to understand the ideas behind the diet..scratch that, it's a lifestyle. Basically, the principles are simple and all sugary, processed food should be eliminated and replaced by healthy alternatives.

One thing that I discovered during this first two week period is just how much I had become addicted, literally, to sugar. The first couple days were the most difficult, especially when I had to have something sweet after my meals, but I soon got used to it. Last week, I also gave up caffeine. Instead of feeling tired, as I assumed I would, I had a distinctively increased energy level. When I got home from work everyday, I no longer desired my afternoon naps that I had become so accustomed to. It was incredible!

We went to Lindsay and Adam's last night and were planning to skip the wine/beer that normally goes along with a night with them; however, we decided to have a couple of drinks, nothing crazy, and see what happens. We both had lost when we weighed in this morning! I am definitely learning the value of balance.

We're starting Week 3 this week and should be moving into the "Ongoing Weight Loss" phase of Atkins but I think we're going to do one more week of "Induction."

Total weight loss so far: 10.5 lbs!!! It's amazing how results fuel the motivational fire.

Update (in photos)

Hanging with Adam & Linz!

Looks who's in the shopping cart now!

Our adorable niece and me.

Such a cute pic!

At an NLDS game

In Vegas for Mark's birthday

Lucky guy!

With a random relic at the House of Blues Foundation Room.

Having a good 'ole time!

Mark & the Strip

We wandered through the closed restaurant and found a collection of empty wine buckets, a perfect place for Mark to relieve himself!

Self-Portrait!

Welcome to the world Joshua Leo!

Karen and Scott's first baby was born on Monday! After 41 hours of labor and an eventual c-section, Mom and Baby are doing well. Congratulations Diegels! We are so thrilled for you!

"Teachers are Born, Not Made."

I just read an article that argued no matter how wonderful the university program, people simply can't be taught how to teach unless they were born with the "teaching gene." I tend to agree. Mark tells people all the time that I could not get paid and I would still do what I do. I love it that much. And it's true. I really do love what I do.

I've had some difficulties of late with one of the teachers in my department. It seems that, because I am more eager to try new things, ready to take on new challenges, and in a position that seems to have authority (as department chair) I can do nothing right. It probably doesn't help that I'm thirty years younger than her either! Truly, no matter what I do, it's wrong. And she has no problem telling me how wrong I am and how thirty-five years of teaching has made her an expert on whatever teeny-tiny little decision I have to make.

So, since my last blog posting, school has started and boy is the ball just a-rolling along! Which, incidentally, is why I haven't posted anything since September 4th. I have a new classroom, which is great! It's also a big change and has thrown everyone off, including me. My co-teacher and I have five new paraeducators which is almost like having five additional students at times. While completely necessary and totally invaluable, teaching five people how you want/need them to work is a huge undertaking. I also have a couple of new students who are really great kids but also very involved behaviorally. To add to the craziness, I have a ton of extra paperwork and evaluations to do this year. And to top it all off, I had this teacher upset with me this afternoon.

But, despite my ranting and jumbled thoughts, it really has been a great year so far! I'm looking forward to things settling down a bit so that I can actually enjoy what it is I was genetically pre-determined to do...teach.

Week in Review

After being a "new" WW member again this week, I'm supposed to weigh in tomorrow morning. I had a really rough time getting into a routine this week for several reasons. A run down of my week...

Saturday night was our annual Albanian party in which our family celebrates with other families from the same region of Montenegro their ability to defeat the Turks and remain Catholic. We had two lambs roasting on a spit all day long plus all kinds of other food and wine.

Sunday we went to a friend of Mark's place for a BBQ. I managed to do okay here but did have a couple of beers.

Monday was our big night on the town! I had way too much to eat and drink.

Tuesday I was super hungover so didn't eat too much but what I did it were my typical hangover remedies - french fries, ice cream, and an egg sandwich. I know, it sounds gross and weird but it really does seem to help me!

Wednesday I managed to actually count my points and log my food into my online journal.

Thursday I went wedding dress shopping with Lindsay and she took us out for appetizers and then for dinner as well. I tried to be good but it was so difficult, especially since we were celebrating.

Friday, today, I've done really well.

Part of me really, really wants to skip my meeting in the morning since I know I didn't have a successful week and it's just embarrassing for me at this point. But, Mark is being really supportive and insists that I go. My leader is super positive so I know she'll celebrate the fact that I came back more than make me feel bad for not following the plan this week.

Next week will be better. I go back to work which will help a ton since I'll be back into a routine.

(Sigh) Wish me luck. I definitely wish it were easier.

A Step in the Right Direction

After reading my last post, it probably doesn't seem like I'm doing anything to help myself shed some pounds. However, yesterday was a special occasion. In fact, I re-joined WW on Saturday morning. I've had a decent week but, of course, last night made it difficult. I have three full days until my next weigh-in though, wish me luck!

Reaping the Rewards

Since July, Mark and his management team have been working so hard in order to make BJ's in Downey a successful restaurant. Their hard work and dedication definitely paid off when they beat the opening week sales record! As a result, the big wigs from corporate took the entire team and their significant others out to dinner last night at Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills. Mark and I have been so excited about this dinner and night on the town and it the night definitely did not disappoint.


We all met at the restaurant between 4:30 and 5:00 where we met the limo that would take us to Beverly Hills. I was a bit disappointed that the limo was not stocked with champagne, as I had anticipated; however, I ultimately had plenty to drink. We met the top five guys from the corporate office for dinner and two of their wives joined us as well. Mark and I ended up sitting directly across the table from the CEO and one of the VP's. I sat directly next to the wife of the 2nd in command. She and her husband are planning their daughter's wedding so we had plenty to talk about. I kept leaning over to Mark and apologizing for not socializing more with him but he was thankful that I was getting along with the mukity-muk's wife. We also chatted a lot with the CEO who just seems like a really, really nice guy.

The conversation was great but the food was to die for! I had a bone-in filet, which I had never seen on a menu prior to last night. It was so thick and juicy and delicious! All side orders are served family style so everyone was able to order what they wanted and we all had plenty to sample. My favorite was the creamed corn. Mmm... The au-gratin potatoes were delicious as well. Then came the dessert! Mastro's has a signature butter cake on the menu so, of course, that's what we got. I love sweets but I'm not too much of a cake person (unless it's from Meijer) but this cake was indescribably delicious. Words can't even express how yummy it was. And it was served with fresh berries. Just divine.

Great conversation and one of the most delicious meals of my life were complemented wonderfully with lots and lots of drinks. Lots of drinks. I started with a smoking lemon drop martini and then really, really wanted a glass of champagne. After asking Mark who asked his GM, I ordered a $25 glass! Then the wine came and an after-dinner S'mores martini with a graham cracker rim. In all, the tab on dinner was around $4500! Talk about a perk of a job well done.

After leaving Mastro's, we swung by Sky Bar in Hollywood. Now, I have wanted to go to Sky Bar since Becky and I first went to L.A. for the night back in 2002. I'm not sure how I had heard of it or why I wanted in so bad but I was so thrilled to have made in in the door that I asked just about every person in the place what the name of the bar was! I kept thinking they were all just messing with me. I don't know, blame it on the a-a-a-alcohol! We ended the night at the local karaoke joint that we went to last week. I butchered "Dancing Queen." Or, I'm assuming I butchered it because I couldn't even hear myself singing it. Mark and I ended the evening with our own rendition of "Redemption Song."

In all, we has an absolutely fantastic time and can't wait to go back to Mastro's and enjoy the food again. I wonder if it would be just as delicious if it wasn't free!

A full-length shot of us before leaving the house. It's kinda dark but you get the idea. I love to watch as we get more and more relaxed as the night goes on...

In the bar before dinner.

Gotta get a pic at the entrance! This was after dinner.

At Sky Bar. Definitely getting a little faded.

In the limo. Nice cleavage.

Our self-portait attempts!

The Lajci's do Bob Marley!

One last self-portrait for the night. I think it's pretty obvious that we're having a great time!