No Internet = Productivity?

Well, it is not by choice, but my internet access has been very limited during our San Diego visit.  At first I was bummed, but soon realized that there was something else I could be doing as I drink my morning cup of coffee  [other than blogging and reading blogs].  I sit at the kitchen table with my journal, write down what I dreamed the night before (I rarely forget them) and sketch out a couple Zafiro designs, then I....wait for it......make them!!
I have been so productive!  Even since our trip to the Tucson Gem Show, I have not wanted to even look at gems, but I needed to get inspired again.  I have two Zafiro Jewelry shows coming up this month:  Delta Museum Sale on April 14th (at the Delta campus where I used to work) and then the huge annual  Inman Park Festival.  I have done this show in the past and it was great.  Actually,  it was the first show I ever participated in and that crowd gave me the confidence to start selling my jewels.  Im happy to say I will be set up again this year with a new collection.  I will post my booth location closer to the show which runs April 30-May 1.  My sister is coming in from Ohio to help with the show and also get in some needed girl time, so I am looking forward to that.

In other news:  Ernesto's sister had her baby yesterday and she is a beauty! 
Emotions (ie: crying sobbing) overwhelmed me when I walked in and saw Adrianna holding the [still unnamed] little one.  This was my third crying episode this week.  The previous two were totally inexplicable, but Im pretty sure this had something to do with the fact that I will be lying in that bed in another 6 months.  Also, the last time I had seen such a new-newborn was 20 years ago when my sister had Kelli.  It was amazing to see this precious tiny baby swaddled in her blanket.  Peacefully sleeping, she only stirred when we peeled back her hat a couple times to see the full head of curly dark brown hair.   She is so gorgeous, it was hard to believe she had just been born 2 hours earlier.  Congratulations to Adrianna and Jorge!! I hope we can compete, haha, just kidding!

A few other highlights of our trip so far:

• Lunch at the Corvette Diner
• Climbing Cowles Mountain
• Dinner at Dumpling House (the best Chinese I have ever eaten)
• Running on Coronado Beach
• Sunday morning menudo with the extended Espinoza family 
• Many, many games of Hand and Foot with los padres
• Crossfit and more running
• Training Titi to come inside with the ringing of a bell
• Day trip to Julian, California, a quaint little mountain town all about apples (apple pie was a must!)
• A driving tour of homes in La Jolla
• Delicious home cooked Mexican food by mi suegra

We have another week in San Diego then it's back to the grind of Atlanta. haha!  Well, I do have two jewelry shows, thank you very much.  Plus, my dear friend Lucy has hooked me up with a part time job at the studio where she teaches yoga.  More details to come, but I am happy that I will be able to go to unlimited yoga classes at the studio.  Perfect for this pregnant girl!  

Hello from San Diego!!

sweet kitty?

From past experience, I thought Titi would be fine on the plane with me.  He had already flown to Ohio once, and had endured many road trips.  I was traveling by myself Thursday evening and luckily I snagged a seat in first class.   I would have slept soundly the whole way (as I often do on flights) if it wasn't for a crying little kitty.   Titi attracted attention from the other passengers and it wasn't good.  A few people came to see what kind of "animal" I had in my little kennel as the noises he was making did not seem like those of a cat.  I did what I could to calm him down as the plane raced for take off.  Was this preparation for what is coming later this year?  A crying baby on a long flight??  Yikes!

I felt helpless and because you are not able to take your pet out of the kennel during flight,  it was very hard to console him.  After take off I slid the kennel out from under the seat and set it on my lap.  From there I squeezed my hand in the side zipper and pet Titi for the next 4 hours.  I was able to doze off when he [finally] relaxed only to have the flight attendant tell me it was time to prepare for landing and the kennel had to go back under the seat. Not good!  Titi went into a rage and I thought he was going to bust through the fabric.  Thank god the guy next to me was a pet lover.

Titi may not be a good flier, but I have to give him props for adaptability!  This kitty doesn't mind at all visiting new places.  In fact, he seems to love the adventure and exploration that come with a new environment, just like his mama and papi!

Titi is loving the fenced yard at Ernesto's parents and has [not surprisingly] figured out the one hole that will let him escape to the school playground just behind it.
On thing that has suprised me is that mi suegra loves my kitty!  (that's right dad!)  She (along with all the other Espinoza's) are not pet people but she loves Titi. 

Ernesto arrived on Saturday.  I wanted to come a couple days early to be sure not to miss Adrianna's (his twin sisters) baby shower.  She is due April 4th and has to be one of the most beautiful and glamorous pregnant girls I've seen. 

The shower was so sweet largely in part to the delicious cake. White with strawberry and cream layers. Mmmmm  Oh and....she is having a girl as scripted on the cake!

It was great seeing everyone, and like every get together here, there were lots of pictures taken.  Here are all the sister-in-laws.

Me, Adrianna, Veronica, Beth, Erin

 Not to steal Adrianna's thunder, but I did get quite a bit of attention from all the tias and sobrinas for my tummy.  We did a little comparison.

Haha!  [Almost] April Fools!  My belly is not that big, it is just my little trick.  Come on, I am only 14 weeks!  I do have a current belly shot coming to VivaCindy, and yes you can see that my 4-6 pack is slowly but surely fading away.........

It was fun shopping for a baby gift, and since I am partial to stripes these days, I got her these two adorable outfits.  Also the book (pictured right) will be a beautiful documentary of the little niñas first years.  Congratulations hermana!

** due to limited internet access (ie: at the bookstore only) posts may be spuratic in the coming weeks.

Too Soon for Baby Shopping?

Today at Marshalls, I was perusing through the baby section.  Nooooo, not for me, Silly.  My sister-in-law is due in April and her baby shower is this Saturday [in San Diego].  I found some really cute gifts for her too.  It was fun shopping for a baby!  I have noticed that I am more interested in baby stuff now, but I haven't actually purchased anything for myself.......until today

When I saw this belly casting kit, I couldn't pass it up!  Just last week I was thinking how cool this would be.  I don't know why it didn't cross my mind that my husband is a master paper mache-er.  Remember his Halloween mask?  Oh well, he will still be the master!   This kit comes with everything you need and cost me $12.99, half price of Amazon and other stores.

The directions say to make the cast 2 weeks before your due date just in case you go into labor early and haven't done it yet. Only 27 more weeks!  I will have to think about what I'd like it to look like, because you know it will be hanging somewhere in my house.  Natural white? Ooooo or maybe gold leaf???  Totally exciting! 

Did any of you made a cast when you were pregnant?  I would love to see how it turned out.

Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head

I had been to Hilton Head once 4 years ago but it was a quick 24 hour girls trip to escape Atlanta at a nice hotel.  I saw the beach in front of the Westin.  Period.  I was glad [on my trip last week] I was able to see more of the island.

We stayed at Sea Pines Plantation,  a 5,200-acre, master-planned golf and boating community in the Carolina Lowcountry.  Inside the gates there are nearly 2,700 homes and over 1,000 villas, one of which my parents rented all week for a steal of a deal ** See details at end of post 

Besides spending quality time with my parents and playing cards every night, I got in a full week of exercise.  The guys played a lot of golf and my mom and I pushed our limits at the yoga classes offered at the fitness center (love!)  We were also on our bikes everyday to explore the miles of paved trails winding through large plantation. 

You must be careful speeding around the bends on your bike.  You may run over this...

 The aligators were all over the plantation and looking pretty scary.

Even though the beach was beautiful, it was windy and chilly so we didn't hang out  too long.  One day though, the sand was packed tight at low tide.  We took off on our bikes in the direction of the wind and we flew at 25 miles per hour.  It was awesome!

Sea Pines has a forest preserve that encompasses 605 acres and features nature trails, lakes and is home to about 350 species of birds.  We strolled along the paths with the Spanish moss hanging over us like clouds . 

Thanks again to my mom and dad for inviting us!  We had a great time!

** Did you know that if you are in the military or ever have been (no matter what length of time)  you are eligible to rent condos around the world at discounted prices?  Check out the Armed Forces Vacation Club to see what is available.

Hilton Head Island

Hi there!  I am writing from Hilton Head Island.  My parents rented a condo at the Sea Pines Resort and asked if we would like to go. Uhh...hello?? Of course we want to go! This place is amazing! There are over 20 miles of paved bike trails, horse stables, gardens, a marina with shops & restaurants, miles of beach and golf galore for the guys. 

We took a long bike ride yesterday and again this morning.  There is a nature preserve to hike and  yoga classes to try.  It's going to be a great week!!

Oh! The huge Live Oak tree covered with spanish moss in the above picture? Well,they are everywhere here and it is so magical.

Wow! It's really in there!

Ernesto and I met our doctor this week for the first time and we loved her! Whew!  Dr. Lemon is very personable/friendly and she seems very relaxed and easy going.  Just like us!  She answered all of our questions and was not in a rush to leave us.
Another reason we liked her because she gave us this:

Nene, 
Today your papi and I finally got a little peek of you.  We can't believe you are actually real.  You have been so peaceful and haven't given your mama any discomfort whatsoever.

Dr. Lemon said you must be a good sleeper because you were not making a move when she turned on "the light."  We watched your little heart beating with huge smiles on our faces.  We giggled as the Dr. jiggled my stomach and woke you up.  You started kicking and waving your tiny hands at us.  Hi Little Mouth, we are excited to see you too!!

We were in awe as we walked home from the doctors office.  Just 183 more days until we meet you.  This  Chinese Birth Chart (which claims to be 90% accurate) says that you are a boy, but we know either way you will be one big surprise!! 
Te queremos mucho,
mama y papi

Mom's Banana Bread Recipe

Growing up, my mom always made sure there were fresh baked goods in the kitchen. Some of my favorites?  Peanut butter cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies and chocolate chip cookies, peach cobbler, blackberry pies, zucchini cake, these delicious chocolate chip and raisin bars with white sugary drizzle on top....I could go on.

My mom would sometime use these sweets as bribery too.   If you didn't clean your dinner plate then you didn't get any dessert.  (Occasionally she made liver and onions, a dish dreaded by me and my siblings.  Guaranteed, there would be a really special dessert that night just to make sure we ate up.)

Ahhh. Another favorite. My mom's banana bread.  Which was her mom's banana bread.  I love that!  Passed down traditions feel so special.  

I always said once I have a family I will carry on my moms traditions.  And I want to, but I seriously don't think I can expose my ass to the frequency of baking my mom did when I was a child.  I can still just use the excuse that we don't have a family yet.  (Hey! We have 7 more months!) 

I know, I know, Just start now Cindy, right? 
Well I did...Yesterday...And, guess what?  It is gone today.  Do you see now?  Do you understand why I don't bake too often?  Well let me spell it out for you.  There is no such thing as rationing sweets in our house. 

This bread is moist and full of sweet banana flavor.  Great for dessert,  accompanying a cup of coffee, or just shoving a piece in your mouth evertime you walk by the kitchen.  

Mom's Banana Bread
1/2 cup shortening or butter
1 1/3 cups brown sugar

Cream butter and sugar.

1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup sour milk (add 1tsp vinegar to milk)
1 cup banana pulp
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Line loaf pan with wax paper

Bake 60min @ 350 degrees

CRAIGSLIST SCORE!!!

Im so excited with this armoire I found on Craigslist this week.  It's solid wood and only set me back $60.  The details on the top doors scream Moroccan/Moorish design.  I haven't decided what color I will paint it yet, but I see a bright high-gloss finish in its future. 

No, no we don't have the space for it, which is why I was surprised I was able to convince Ernesto to pick it up for me.  I stressed that all the drawers will come in handy.  Plus I promised that I would organized his socks and underwear.  It is now shoved inside our walk in closet, but will be on display once we have our house. 

Sometimes, space or not,  you just can't pass up a cool piece. 

 Titi likes the ample drawers too! 

I would love to hear your ideas.  What color would you paint this beauty??
updates to come.......

TRAVEL IS....MAKING MEMORIES

Here's hoping I am a winner of this months GrandTurismoTravels HomeAway Holiday-Rentals Travel blogging competition. The February contest is simple.  List 10 memorable travel moments.  Just 10? How to choose?

{HOUSE BOAT KERELA, INDIA}

1. Buying shrimp as big as my head in Kerala, India from an old man who pulled up to our house boat in a wooden canoe.

2. Riding bikes in the "Ruta Durango a Mazatlan 2009."  A two day, 200 mile ride through the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico. Funny story: We had no training!

3.  Building a house in the small village of Nagewadi (outside Mumbai, India) with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program.   

4. Cutting in and riding some guys horse at "el Tope de Palmares" an annual festival with a crazy horse parade just outside San Jose, Costa Rica.

5.  Tasting unknown street food in Shanghai, China while filming a short travel video for Delta Airlines. 


6.  Meeting a man on a ferry to Isla de Omatepe, Nicaragua and following him to a "great restaurant" which really seemed to be the backyard of his family or friends.

7. Sipping mint tea and modeling different belly dancing outfits in Istanbul, Turkey. 

8.  Walking the streets of Honolulu eating fresh pineapple when my boyfriend (now husband) turned to me and told me he loved me for the first time.


9.  Sleeping in a hammock on the beach in Mazunte, Mexico and ordering/eating my breakfast without moving from said hammock.

10. Playing with the kids of a small indigenous village in Copan Ruinas, Honduras and buying their corn husk dolls for $1.


**This post has been entered into the Grantourismo/HomeAway Holiday Rentals travel blogging competition.

BABY BOOM-PART I

I want to thank you for all of your excitement and well wishes for our  big announcement the other day.    It feels nice to say it and make it real!  I think Ernesto and I are still in disbelief!  Maybe when my tummy is huge it will hit us!?

I will be blogging all about our experience here on Viva Cindy,  an online pregnancy journal of sorts.  I looked at a bunch of pregnancy journals at the bookstore and none seemed cool enough to buy.  (if you have a recommendation for one you like, please leave it in the comments) I took some ideas from different books because there are definitely certain things I would like to record and remember.   I made up this fun little Q and A  for starters.  

How long were you trying to conceive?
3 months

Was this time longer or shorter than you anticipated?
We weren't really anticipating.  I don't think we realized what we were getting ourselves into.  It happened so quickly.  Luckily it didn't go on long enough for us to get discouraged.  

Were you using any special "methods" to assist with conception? 
Month one and two I just used this generic ovulation calculator I found online.  On month three I bought a Clear Blue Fertility Monitor on a recommendation of one of our customers and I got pregnant the first time I used it.  I would highly recommend it to anyone not wanting to mess with temperature readings and charting, etc. 

What made you decide to take a pregnancy test?
My period was 4 days late, so I wanted to know if I should stop drinking a half pot of coffee every morning and wine with my dinner.

How many pregnancy tests did you take?
One.  Come on, they are 99% accurate!  Those odds are good enough for me. 
 
When and  how did you tell your spouse? How did he react? 
It was Sunday, January 16th morning.  I went to CVS for the test.  Ernesto was sitting right there on the couch when I did it.  When the line showed POS in 2 seconds, I said OMG.  He said "No way!" and scrambled for the directions to see if I was reading it correctly.  ha!  We stared at each other smiling. Totally in shock.  I did a little preggy preg dance, and we hugged.  2 seconds later I was taking a picture of the test when then the phone rang.

Who is the first person you told ?
It was my brother Bill calling.  Ernesto said,  sure, tell him if you want.  
The conversation went something like this:   
me:  puckwaa!!
Bill:  hey puckwaa!  What are you doing?
me:  you wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Bill: whaa?
me:  Well I was just about to take a picture of my positive pregnancy test!
Bill:  WHAT? No Way! 
me: yep
Bill: I don't believe you. [laughing] Are you kidding?  Im about to tell Barbie, so tell me if you are lying.
me : Im not kidding and I have a picture of the positive test right here.
Bill:  Let's Skype, I have to see it.

How did you tell the rest of your family? 
I called everyone else.  Once I told one person, the rest had to be notified promptly.  Word travels fast with the Arnolds.  I received the same reaction from Jenny and Kelli too. Non-believers.  I guess it was a case of crying wolf.  I had pushed my stomach out one too many times.  Tim and Brrrian did believe me the first time I said it.  Thanks hermanos!


I skyped my parents to tell them.  I wanted to see there faces.  They have been waiting so patiently over the years.  But my dad couldn't get the sound to work on his computer so we were on the phone talking with the picture on the computer.  My mom said said " oh, I will just read your lips"  Perfect!  "Ok mom, read my lips,"   I proceeded to mouth into the camera "Im pregnant!!"    There were squeels of joy [from my mom] and disbelief followed by tears from my dad (he's quite the crrry baby, crrry baby-love you dad!).

Ernesto called his mom and told her by making a joke that she make his [twin] sisters baby shower a joint shower including me.  (She is due April 4)   "Si??? De veras? De veras?"  (we may have teased her too much over the years as well)   She started crying immediately.  She was so happy and must have started calling people as soon as they hung up because our phone started ringing with congratulations from California! 

How far along were you when you made your "official" pregnancy announcement?  Why then?
9 weeks, 3 days.  I needed something exciting to blog about :)  You can read the "official" announcement here.
I know it can be taboo to tell people too early but this is the way I look at it:  Im not a private person, so [heaven forbid] if something did go wrong, I would be blogging about it, and people would know what had happened.  You can never have too many encouraging words, right?


What are your symptoms (if any) now ?
 Just tired.  Morning sickness spared me, thank god.  I really pride myself on never getting sick, so Im glad the streak lives on.

Have you been to the doctor yet?  If so, how was your first prenatal appointment?
I went to my first Dr's appointment a week ago. It was very uneventful. They did some blood work and couple other tests.  When we found out they weren't doing anything exciting, Ernesto left and I walked home.  It was a beautiful day and we live 3 blocks from my Dr's office.  I will probably walk to the hospital when I go into labor. ha!  We go back March 3rd for our first ultrasound.  

Boy or girl? One baby or multiple babies? 
TWINS PLEASE!!!   I know, I know maybe that is crazy, but we are getting a late start.  I would love to have a boy and a girl in one shot!  Done and done! 
 
Will you be finding out the sex of the baby?
NO!  Again, maybe that is crazy, but I am the type of girl who LOVES surprises and I can't think of a bigger, better surprise than anticipating something so exciting for 9 months.  Plus, Ernesto and I are neither planners nor controllers so we don't really have that itching NEED too know.  The sex won't matter anyway, I'll decorate unisex.  Not baby pink or baby blue. 


How have you changed your lifestyle (ie: eating habits, exercise routine, etc)?
The biggest change is that I have cut WAY back on caffeine.  I was relived when my doctor said a cup of coffee is fine.  I love coffee and don't drink any other caffeinated drinks.   Im also drinking herbal teas at night.  I haven't had any cravings per se, but have been eating a ton of grapefruit and trying to drink even more water than usual.  I have had to skip some of the raw milk cheeses that I love, but it's no big deal.  I am taking pre-natal vitamins and fish oil pills.  


My exercise routine has continued, although, I have notice that I tire much quicker while running or even walking up a hill!?  That really makes me feel like a puss.  The other day I found a this Crossfit Mom blog with modified Crossfit workouts for pregnant women.  I will be starting these workouts promptly.  Don't worry, when my body has had enough or I am too tired I will stop.  I always have. Only difference  now is that I have an excuse to quit and Ernesto won't yell at me for it. ha!

What books (if any) are you already reading ?
My friend Chris recommended a funny book called. "The Baby Owners Manual: operating instructions, trouble-shooting and advice on first-year maintenance"
It refers to the baby as a piece of equipment and the book reads like a manual for the "model."    He said he read it twice before his son was born so I ordered it for Ernesto.  He read some to me last night and its quite funny, yet informative.

Are you showing yet? Any other physical changes? 
No tummy bulge yet,  but my boobs sure do look great!  I can't wait to show them off all summer.
  (come on, let me have this...I've never had cleavage before!)

 
Have you started thinking of names for the baby? Do you already have a nickname for the baby? 
I've kept a list of baby names over the years.  Girls names are so much easier than boys.  Whatever we choose, you can be sure it will be a name that sounds nice when said in Spanish and English.  Ernesto suggested that I pick the girl name and he picks the boy name.  And we have to accept the others choice, no matter what.   If I agree to this, our sons name will be Francois.  (although since ernesto has liked it for 10 years, it has grown on me)
I joked around about the baby being "feety-feet"  (fetus in Cindy talk) but Ernesto doesn't like it.  Im sure a nickname will pop up sooner or later.  They always do with me.  I don't call any of my siblings by their real names.


Have you purchased anything for Baby yet? 
No, but I have a whole new search criteria on Craigslist!  So fun!  I am determined to find the Bob Revolution Stroller for $200! Im also loving this white  baby mod crib.   The biggest baby purchase will be a house.  We started the hunt a few weeks ago.