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.

Happy Birthday Kira!

Today Kira turns 11. Can't believe it? I know neither can we. For her birthday this year Tom, Andrew and I decorated her room. It was just like that show on TLC, "While You Were Out." Kira was gone for the weekend with her mom and we went to work. Tom and I painted the room, and Andrew and I did the bedding and upholstered the headboard. We got it all done just in time for her to come home tonight and her reaction was classic. What 11 year old would not LOVE to see polk-a-dots on their wall. Kira clearly loved it and we loved doing it. Happy Birthday Kira!

Can't compete with Super 8

Andrew's dad Ben from Chicago is in town for Mac World and Andrew stayed in the city with him this past weekend. They stayed at the Clift Hotel on Union Square which is a pretty nice hotel. When I picked him up I asked about the hotel he said it was really nice. "They had people that opened the doors for you and glass chairs." He then added, "It wasn't as great as the Super 8. No indoor pool and hot tub."

Sorry Clift, the Super 8 has got two up on you. You'll need to add a pool and hot tub to win the vote of a 6 year old.