St. Paul's Cathedral and Covent Garden

Last weekend, Oscar and I visited St. Paul's Cathedral and Covent Garden. We had been to Covent Garden before but never on a Sunday. It was the place to be! There were lots of street performers and an open market. The plaza was filled with families having a leisurely Sunday afternoon and nobody seemed to mind the rainy, cold weather. It also just happened to be the same day as the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) awards that were taking place in London's Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. We weren't there at the time when the actors were arriving but we did get to see the grand entrance. Pretty neat!

While at the market, I couldn't resist stopping in an old candy shop. It was interesting to see what kind of candy they had because it is different in every country. I love sour candy and had to taste a sour apple ball. I have never tasted something so sour in my entire life. I had to spit it out. (Even now, just thinking about it, makes my mouth water!)

Picking out the goods.

I think my expression speaks louder than words.

After Covent Garden, we walked to St. Paul's Cathedral. We attended an organ concert there so admission was free - score! The organ concert was really good but we had to leave a little early because the baby and I were beat. Photography is prohibited inside the cathedral so I have no idea how Oscar managed to get a shot inside. He got some pretty good shots from the outside, though.

View from the back entrance.

View from the front entrance.

View from inside.

Officially Excited

My Grandma DiMaria used to say that you can't get excited about a baby until six weeks before the baby is due. Well, I am exactly 34 weeks today so I can officially be excited :)

We had our last detailed sonagram yesterday and everything looked good. She is in a good position, there is a good amount of fluid surrounding her, and the placenta is in its place. All good news. She is getting big now so it was hard to distinguish what everything was on the sonagram. At 20 weeks, we could see everything from head to extremeties even fingers and toes. This time around everything looked the same.

The specialist who did our sonagram wasn't that great about pointing things out to us either. Every once in a while I would ask what we were looking at and he would mumble something in response. I didn't bother him too much because I wanted him to focus on the baby. It was more important to me that he take a good look and see everything was ok than for me to see every little detail. Plus, this will make her debut that much more exciting. And, yes, he did reconfirm that we are expecting a girl :)

During the sonagram, they gave us her estimated weight. She is weighing in at about 5 lbs 4 oz. According to their chart, it is exactly average. However, according to other sources, she is on the larger side. I did some math and calculated that if I go the full 40 weeks, she will be big for a first baby. Babies gain about half a pound a week from here on out. Correct me if I'm wrong but a half a pound a week for six weeks means she will gain another 3 lbs - totaling 8 lbs 4 oz! I was my mom's biggest baby at around 8 lbs 14 oz but I was number five and the the exit was already mapped out for me. So I guess I should 86 the fries over the next few weeks.

I am still feeling great. I was sure that by now I would be running on empty. The only thing that concerns me is that there are days that our baby doesn't move. My doctor said that would raise a red flag for him but, if it has happened before, it may just be her pattern. I am keeping a kick count on her to make sure she stays active. Please pray that she does. We have our prenatal classes this weekend, which I am really excited about. I can't wait to learn more about what to expect!

Public Transportation Etiquette

This ad cracks me up. It is part of a "public transportation etiquette" awareness campaign. To be a kinder rider, one character says she "won't eat smelly food". The other says she "will keep her feet off the seats".

The one about eating smelly food is my favorite because it is crazy the things people eat on the tube and buses here. It goes far beyond a coffee and a pastry or a coke and some chips. I have actually seen people take on a pizza box from Pizza Hut, open it up, and go to town. Not to mention, your everday KFC, sushi, and sandwiches.

I really don't understand how people can feel comfortable eating on the subway. There are so many germs floating around that it is not hygenic at all. Plus, it's just common courtesy for fellow riders. I am glad to see that I am not the only one bothered by smelly food on public transportation and I am curious to see how effective the campaign will actually be. Until then, I will be writing off the food smells on public transportation as just a part of the experience.

Laundry Day

I've never had so much fun doing laundry :) The baby detergent made my flat smell so good. I ask myself, though: Does baby laundry detergent really smell that good? Or is it what we associate the smell with that makes us love it so much? Regardless, it took me to a happier place.

Welcome to the Jungle!

We are just now getting started on preparing for our little one's arrival. Until now, I felt like it was too soon. I still have quite a bit of energy so I figured this would be a good time to get everything sorted out.

Oscar was such a good daddy and put together her play gym and swing. They are both from the Rainforest theme. We decided on this one since it has vivid colors that she will be able to distinguish from an earlier age. Also, the little animals are just adorable! There are lots of options out there in lighter colors that are probably more stylish but we preferred something that is not only cute but also more fun for her.

We hope she likes the jungle animals because her crib mobile is from the same theme, too. We figure that a consistent theme is good because she can make friends with the animals and will feel like they are part of the family.

They should be pretty stimulating because the leaves and animals rotate and there are lights and music. There is a nice selection of classical music and nature sounds. I am sure that Oscar prefers that they play "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns and Roses but Mozart and Bach will have to suffice :)

40 Days and 40 Nights ... And then some

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent - otherwise known as the beginning of 40 days and 40 nights without Dr. Pepper. (I used to give that up and it really was a sacrifice!) I used to see Lent simply as a time to give something up but, over the years, I have seen that it is about so much more and I have grown a deep appreciation for it.

First of all, if you have ever looked at a calendar, Lent is more than 40 days and 40 nights. How does that work? Initially, the council forbade fasting on Sundays, even during Lent. (I guess my dad had something to backup his reasoning behind cheating on what he gave up durning Lent on Sundays ... ) According to uscatholic.org, here is the math: "So today, while the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday) is technically 44 days, the number of days for penance and fasting before Easter is still 40: 44 days minus 6 Sundays equals 38, plus Good Friday and Holy Saturday equals 40."

While fasting is a big part of Lent, you can't forget about prayer and worship and almsgiving and service. Lent is a time to reflect and repent but also a time to refocus your life on God.

I know that my pregnancy is a gift from God but the timing of everything has really been spiritual. In December, we heard readings about Elizabeth and how she was in her sixth month of pregnancy when her child leaped in her womb. I, too, was starting my sixth month in December ... and we share the same name :) And, now, I am heading into my "40 days and 40 nights ... and then some" until my due date (4 days after Easter). I feel so blessed to be rounding out my pregnancy during Lent. It will be the perfect way to spend more quality time with God before our little one arrives and put me on the right track for the rest of the year.

Cord Blood Stem Cells

You may or may not be familiar with cord blood banks. I wasn't until a few years ago when I learned about it through one of my clients, a cancer care provider. We worked on a patient testimonial of a child who was using his saved cord blood stem cells to fight cancer. They can also be used to treat brain injuries, juvenile diabetes, and other diseases. Saving cord blood stem cells from your baby after delivery could save your child's life.

While we hope we never have to use them, we see this as another type of health insurance for our child. The cost is minimal when you think about the benefits it provides. After a lot of research, we enrolled with Cord Blood Registry and are very pleased with our selection. Besides the fact that they have outstanding credentials, the customer service was the best that I have experienced in a long time.

If you are expecting, I would highly recommend looking into saving the cord blood stem cells. There are several quality providers in the US to choose from. It is well worth the research and potential investment.

Baby and Me: 32 weeks and 3 days

The Expiration Method

As many of you know, Oscar and I have spent a lot of time apart over the years. To get through it, I came up with the "Expiration Method". It was a great tool to get through our long stretches apart and can be applied to other life situations, too. You should try it sometime; it really works and is kinda fun :) My mom is one of my best students and a devoted follower of the "Expiration Method".

Theory
When you are waiting for an event to arrive, the best way to get there is seeing something to remind you that each day you are one step closer and the end of the waiting period is near. This method can be applied to any event that you are looking forward to and has been most helpful with seeing a loved one, vacations, and weddings.

How It Works
You can basically use anything that has an expiration date. Since my life revolves around food, the "Expiration Method" was initially based on expiration dates of food products.

1. Start with products that have a long shelf-life. For example, cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, etc. When the expiration date on the product is on or after the date of your event, you know you are getting close.

2. Move on to more perishable items. For example, heavy cream, eggs, etc. When you get to the milk, you know you are close.

3. Enjoy whatever it is you have been waiting for. You will start to smile when your fridge is stocked with items that all have post-expiration dates on them :)

Conclusion
This method has been in practice since 2000 and has a proven success rate when used appropriately. It works best when combined with a positive attitude and an appreciation for the small things in life. In fact, it has been so helpful that I have also found new ways to apply it to other simple tasks in life. For example, I find myself saying, "I only have to clean the bathrooms two more times before the baby comes."

Testimony
My mother is patiently awaiting the arrival of our little one and called just the other day to say: "Elizabeth, guess what? My cream cheese has an expiration date of April 27!!!" (Baby's due date is April 8th) There was such joy in her heart and in her voice. Who would've known that cream cheese could make us both feel like we are that much closer?

A Valentine Cookie

A lovely Valentine cookie for my sweet Valentine.

I made shortbread heart cookies dipped in chocolate for Oscar for Valentine's Day. They actually came out really good and didn't stick to the pan! It was a Barefoot Contessa recipe, who I love. The only problem was that the dough was really dry. I don't know if it is supposed to be that way or not. (They came delicious, though!) The dough would practically crumble as I tried to roll it out. Maybe the butter wasn't soft enough or maybe I should try to use a little less flour next time. Regardless, I was very happy with the end product. For the chocolate, all I did was melt together some milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate - very simple. I left some plain to put raspberry jam on and make linzer tarts - my favorite!

PS - The little heart cookie at the top of the plate is for baby :)

Little Lamb

Meet our baby's first friend, "Little Lamb". That is what I am calling her for now but it won't be her real name. We'll let our baby name her when the time is right.

We were in the market for a teddy bear but couldn't find "the one". It is not easy to find the right stuffed animal because I believe that you don't find them but they find you. You know when a stuffed animal is "the one" because there will be an instant connection and, more times than not, you find each other when you least expect it.

We were at Harrod's and took a lap around the baby things. We had been before and never found anything so I wasn't expecting to take a little one home. I was looking at teddy bears and, out of nowhere, I saw "Little Lamb". I think she jumped shelves when I wasn't looking because she was all alone - none of her siblings were in sight - and she was front and center at my arm's height. I picked her up and put her in my arms. She looked up at me with those big black eyes and I fell in love with her. She was so soft and cuddly and the perfect size for our little one. I knew that she was meant for us when I found myself walking around the store rocking her in my arms as if she were my child. I couldn't put her down and knew she was coming home with us.

The funny thing is that she is nothing like what we were looking for. I was looking for something in an oatmeal color (so you can't see when it is dirty), no beans inside (she has beans in her legs and tummy), and a teddy bear! I love that she is nothing like I imagined - she's even better! And, she reminds me that we are all little lambs of God :)

Kensington Palace

Our cultural outing this weekend was to Kensington Palace. I didn't even know you could visit it but Oscar knew that we could. I am so glad we went because I really enjoyed it. It used to be the country palace of former kings and queens and it was Princess Diana's residence, too.

What I loved about it was that it was very cozy and very well presented. It wasn't nearly as exhausting as visiting the British Museum or even Windsor Castle. You don't get that overwhelmed feeling like you do at some places and you can see it all in about an hour. Also, in addition to some brief descriptions to read upon entering a room, there are videos and interactive activities throughout.

My other favorite part was that there was a much more personal feeling about how the people lived, especially the debutants of the 1900s. It was such an exclusive lifestlye that was filled with beautiful dresses, dancing, and stature. (It reminded me of pictures of my Aunt Maddy when she used to go to very special parties and wore the most amazing dresses.) One lady donated all of her invitations to social events during one year's season and they took up an entire wall. It was crazy!

A selection of Princess Diana's dresses.

Oscar playing with our new camera :)

Me admiring all the pretty things of the debutants - hats, shoes, purses!

A view of Hyde Park from inside the palace.

A baby cradle in the palace. (We won't be getting one of these!)

After the palace, we went for crepes at My Old Dutch (a recommendation from Dave and Matty) and had a delicious lunch. We'll have to go back again just for dessert because there are several we want to try!

Fun in 3D

Sky TV is coming out with a 3D channel and Oscar got to see a demonstration of it. He came home with these totally rad 3D glasses that we couldn't help but play with. This was one wild and crazy Monday night for us ... ;) If nothing else, we had a really good laugh.

Taize Communal Prayer

"Lord help me to remember, that no task I face today

Will be greater than the strength you give to help me on my way.

No burden is too heavy if shared my Lord with you.

Nothing is too difficult for you and I to do.

However hard the task may be that I have got to face,

Sufficient strength you give to me with your unfailing grace.

Lord help me to remember that you are always there.

Your loving arms surround me and my whole life you share."

Tower of London

On Saturday, Oscar and I went to visit the Tower of London and then stopped by the London Bridge Market on our way back. We had never been inside the Tower of London and decided that it was time that we went. There are several things in the city that we haven't seen yet so we are going to try to do something cultural every weekend until the baby comes (or as long as I last!).

It was much bigger than I had expected. It is like a little city behind the walls. Issac Newton lived there for a period of time and there are actually 20 towers at the Tower of London (just some interesting trivia). We joined a walking tour when we arrived and the Warden was very entertaining. We didn't last very long with the group, though. I get uncomfortable if I stand still for a while (It's better if I walk.) and it was pretty cold when he stopped the group to talk. We had a beautiful, sunny day but it was bitter cold, especially by the river.

We did manage to see the Crown Jewels and went inside one of the towers. At most of the national attractions, if you pay for a regular admission, you can fill out a form to have free access for the rest of the year. Not a bad deal! So we did that and decided that we can always go back to see more another day.

After the Tower of London, we crossed Tower Bridge and walked to the London Bridge Market - one of my favorites. We shared some fish and chips from a great stand in the market and just enjoyed walking around for a little bit. We didn't last too long before me - and the baby - needed a nap. I lasted longer than I thought I would and it turned out to be a wonderful day.

The Warden - our tour guide. Such a character!

Traitor's Gate

Bloody Tower

Inside the city walls.

Where our tour guide lives :) About 125 families live and work at the Tower of London.

The Crown Jewels are housed inside this building.

Crossing Tower Bridge, which is not a part of the Tower of London.

A neat car at the London Bridge Market.

Lunch! Fish and chips ... and mushy peas for me. Yum!

Eye Candy

Isn't he just adorable?!