Punk Brazilian Wannabe Lost at Sea

In March, on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, Tom was sitting in our living room when he starting yelling for us to all COME QUICK! We all ran to the living room to see a helicopter landing along our sea wall. It was so exciting we all jumped on our bikes to go see what was happening.

When we got to the beach we discovered that a young Brazilian surfer got out too far and couldn't get back to shore. Good thing someone was there to call the coast guard and they helped him get back to shore. Not so good for him that he has now become one of Tom's many stories that he laughs about. The funniest part was the swell was very small, almost flat, but who am I to laugh. We can't all be expert surfers like Tom.

Time to catch up...

The morning sickness has subsided so it is time to catch everyone up. In between the sick days our family did manage to do a few fun things. Kira's 5th grade class is going to Sutter's Fort in Sacramento and Tom will be going along. To prepare for this, Tom needed to go to Sacramento for training. He is going to be playing the role of the Fur Trapper and will be spending 2 days and 1 night with Kira's class. Since he had to go to Sacramento for a Saturday, Andrew, Kira and I decided to tag along. The kids and I dropped Tom off and we went and toured the Capitol Bldg. Did you know that Schwarzenegger has 14 letters? Neither did I, but we found that out on our tour. The kids were great. My first thought was that they would be bored but they had good questions for our tour guide and seemed to have a good time. Kira and Andrew never cease to amaze me. They are smart kids and are really fun to learn new things with.

We didn't get to met the "Governator" like we had hoped, but we did get a picture outside his office.

If you look closely at the top of the picture you can see the Governor's name in gold.

After the Capitol, we pick up Tom and headed to Old Town Sacramento to visit the train museum. What a great place! Lot's of trains inside a large warehouse that you can get on and check out. We were pretty tired at this point and you can tell in this picture below. Whatever Tom does, the kids follow.

As you can tell, it was a fun day for all of us and we can't wait to go back to Sacramento again.

Introducing the 5th Member

It is official, Tom and I saw it with our own eyes. There is actually a baby on the way. Here are the picture from our first ultrasound. Can't tell if it is a boy or girl yet, but everything looks healthy. The best news is they moved up my due date to September 18th. It was September 28th and 10 days earlier is just what I needed to hear.

Who knew toilets were so important?

I apologize for not blogging lately. I know I lured you all in only to cut off the communication. Sorry.

Things in our house the last month have seemed to all involve the toilet. The morning sickness with this baby is brutal, and is happening way more often then when I was pregnant with Andrew. I am managing, but also counting down the days until the first trimester is over. Hopefully I will start feeling better in March. Because of all the puking going on, Andrew has taken it upon himself to discussing puking in every way he can possibly think of. It has become dinner conversation, is announced through out the house when I am puking, and the jokes just never seem to end. Thanks Andrew for making this easier to deal with. Your contribution will never be forgotten.

You would think that seeing the bottom of the toilet so much these days I would have my fill, but not quite. The toilet in our downstairs bathroom was leaking (or was it? we are not positive) so we had have it replaced with a new toilet. I spent an afternoon working with a plumber to get the new one in (that is a story in itself) and all is working in that bathroom now. Good thing too, because just as we got that finished Kira came down with the flu, and well as you can guess the puking continued.

Kira is feeling better now, and I hope and pray I am turning a corner soon so I can get back to working hard at work and blogging for you to all enjoy!

Whose Whale is It?

For the past 7 months a dead whale has been deteriorating slowing on our beach. The smell is so bad when you walk near that area of the beach you gasp for fresh air. I have to admit we were some of those curious spectators who walked up to it for a closer look. Andrew even stepped on it a little, but why it sat for 7 months is a rather silly story. Apparently there was a dispute as to who was responsible for it. San Francisco owns the golf course and part of the beach in that area and Pacifica believed it was their whale to clean up. San Francisco finally sent out some surveyors to determine if it was there responsibility or not, and well it was.

Finally some nice people in Pacifica decided enough was enough and they buried the poor whale. Tom, I hope you don't fall dead running in that area one morning. You might have to lay there for 7 months before they can determine who should clean you up. 8^)

Andrew a BIG Brother.

I have to admit that I think Andrew and Kira are the most excited about the thought of having a younger sibling in the house. Andrew talks about it constantly and stood up in his 1st grade class to make the announcement. He is full of questions and can't wait to help out with the baby.

Last night we were talking about it, and Andrew asked how old he would be when the baby is 6. I told him around 13, and he then asked... "Will I have a lot of money when I am 13?" I told him probably not since he wont be old enough for a job, then he said he wanted to buy the baby a Nintendo DS just like he and Kira have. I let him know that Dad and I would take care of that, but he insisted. Glad to hear he is thinking so generously.

And one more makes....5!

Yes right now it is only the size of a Rasberry but this September the Porter family will go from 4 to 5. Tom and I are expecting a BABY and we are all super excited. It's been a long time since either Tom and I did the baby thing so we are quickly trying to remember all that we need to do, but we are getting it together. It's early, I am about 7 weeks and I go for my first doctor visit on the 14th of February (Valentines Day). I will keep you all updated as the baby grows and once we know if it is a boy or girl we will be sure to post that.

Here is a copy of a newsletter I signed up for that tells me what the baby looks like each week.