We're having a girl!

We finally found out we are having a baby girl! It was really cool to see our baby moving around at the ultrasound. We could see her mouth opening and closing and her tongue moving- I swear she was smiling :) Everything looked good- her spine, stomach, brain... they checked all of it out! Right now she's about 6-7 inches and a little over 10 ounces. She's a tiny thing but full of energy!

The day we found out, we hit Barnes and Noble and browsed through baby name books. Our top choices are Hallie, Riley, Kenlie, Brennan, and Devon. No matter what the first name is, her middle name will be Adair (Patrick's grandma's middle name).

We started our registry over the past weekend and I got totally overwhelmed with all the baby stuff. There must be thousands of car seats and strollers out there! We ended up taking a breather and going to another store another night to test out more equipment and that really helped!

Current cravings: frozen yogurt, fruit (still), milkshakes, crabcakes :) and Yeah Yeah Yeahs

East Coast Lovin'

Finally we went on vacation! Flights to DC on Virgin were ridiculously cheap over Easter week/weekend so we jumped at the opportunity. My cousin Katy and her boyfriend David were nice enough to let us stay at their swanky pad in Washington, DC for the past week. I hadn't been to DC since high school, and Patrick hadn't been there since middle school. We were stoked to finally experience the sights and museums as 'adults', and having the cherry blossoms in full bloom while we were there was a huge bonus. We also were able to visit with our friends Porsche and Donnie, who moved out there last year... AND we visited Patrick's mother's side of the family. I was a little scared because it was my first time meeting them, but they were all really friendly. They had that good ole southern hospitality in them! David was quite the host- he took us to his family's Passover Seder dinner (our first Seder!... and we LOVED his family), and introduced us to the art of eating Maryland crabs! Maybe another time when I'm not at work and totally swamped... I'll fill in more about our trip!

My brother is a rock star

Everyone knows I totally adore my little brother, Christopher. He's 9 years old and just too cool for school! He's crazy smart and is involved in a million activities: baseball, basketball, hockey, football, karate, choir, science club and chess club are just a few! Patrick and I weren't able to make it to his school's open house and choir performance, but luckily my sister caught some of the 'magic' on film for me! The video clip shows his solo.. and it rocks!

My Eggo is Preggo!

Yes, folks, Patrick and I are expecting! We found out back in January and now we are excited to share this little miracle with the rest of the world :) So, we are almost 13 weeks along (just starting into the second trimester). Of course, aside from our families, quite a few friends figured out the news a while ago (ahem, Kristi!).

How did it happen, you ask? Well, you see kids... when a man and woman fall in love...

Actually, it kinda went down like this:

October

Me: "I don't want to be on bc pills for a while- I'm too dependent on them"

Patrick: "That's coo, we can handle it if we get preggo"

January

Me: "I'm late. And I've been getting all teary eyed over really happy things, like thinking about walking down the aisle"

Patrick: "Go pee on a stick"

Me: "I think the stick expired 2 years ago"

Patrick: "Pee on it anyway"

Me: "Holy sh*t it says I'm pregnant!"

Patrick: (Insert reaction much calmer than mine)

Doctor: "Congratulations!"

Me and Patrick high five and get all lovey dovey.

I've been reading that book What To Expect When You're Expecting, and sortof being conscious of what I am eating, and popping my prenatal vitamins. I've kissed coffee and soda goodbye (ahem, with the exception of the occassional ginger ale, sprite, and sips of coffee). Patrick even read the chapter in the book written for fathers-to-be, and ever since then he's been exceptionally sweet to me. So the plan is stay as healthy as we can, without going insane. We've also been sprucing up our house with paint and new decor, to prep for the baby's arrival (and visitors as well)!

What have I been craving? Some pregnant women crave food, but early on I started craving country music. It's really not my cup of tea, but it's been growing on me! I've also been craving FRUIT. Lots and lots of it, to the point where I'll ask restaurants to go out of their way to get me a cup of fresh fruit!

Name suggestions welcome!

"Yea... I work for the Times!"

Funny thing that happened last Saturday...

My little brother plays little league baseball in San Marcos, and Saturday was the big Opening Day Ceremony for all the teams. I didn't want to be stuck behind the fence taking pictures, so I snuck onto the field where all the teams were being presented, all my camera equipment in tow...

This lady (I think the event organizer) came up to me to kick me out, and after she asked me if I was a parent, I patted her on the shoulder and said that my brother was out there... but that I worked for the NC Times! I can't remember the last time I lied to a stranger like that, but I was feeling pretty bold that day!

Of course I soon ATE MY WORDS because the main presenter/emcee started having everyone pose for me, and I ended up taking photos of every event and award and team!!! I would look over at my parents and Patrick on the other side of the fence and they were cracking up!

What did I learn from this experience? Don't say you work for the Times if you don't! Luckily- I did have a way of submitting photos, and hopefully they'll pick up on the story (however, unfortunately I don't know the names of the presenters or award winners- otherwise I would have typed up a whole story!). I also decided that day to purchase a larger memory card, since I ran out of room that day and would have liked to have taken more shots!!!

Baby Sienna

This is a cute video of our goddaughter, Sienna Trinh from January!

Pursuing my dream...

I've wanted to be a photographer since the dawn of time, but I just really never thought it was possible, since I was let to believe by many that there could be no success in the industry. Boy was I (or rather, were they) ever wrong! I've learned from working in the 'real world' for the past few years that I'm really just going to have to follow my heart and go after what I am the most passionate about for a career. So... Studio Z, our wedding photographers have agreed to let me come on board as an intern/apprentice so that I can learn the ropes of wedding/portrait/family photography. INSANE isn't it?!

My upcoming goal will be to join the Studio Z team as a second shooter, and then start doing weddings on my own!

My first wedding will be this Saturday (yep, two days away) in Coronado. I'm totally nervous and excited! I can't believe the door has opened!

Now I just have to prove myself... I really do feel like I have the talent and the passion. I just need the training and the expertise to show me the way...

Wish me luck!

(The above photograph was taken by Catherine Hall, titled Walk to Ceremony. She won the third place award for Nonprofessional Photographer of the Year: People: Wedding from the IPA 2008 contest. Gorgeous, isn't it?)