Gearing Up for #2!

Wow, it's been waaaaay too long since I have entered a post. So sorry everyone! So much has been going on over the last year. I need to pick and choose what to write about!

As most of you know we are expecting a baby boy any day now. His name will be Julian Elan. Our due date was actually Aug. 20th but we will be induced Aug. 7th if he does not come on his own before then.

It's been an interesting pregnancy this time around. So different than the pregnancy with Mira. This time I had no swelling and am walking regularly on our treadmill. I have been telling people that my body is still my body except for the basketball I am carrying around with me!

Now in week 38 I am having a hard time getting comfortable and sleeping. But, that is how it goes!

The induction I mentioned earlier is due to multiple factors. At the end of May I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. The least likely candidate for this according to my OBs. It was a shocker indeed. So, for the last 2 months I have been checking my blood glucose 4 times a day and giving myself insulin shots before bed. Fun, fun! Mainly to control my morning pre-meal numbers which were slightly higher than the standard of 95 and below. All other numbers have been right on track throughout.

I now know more about GD than I ever wanted to know as you can imagine! It's actually quite interesting. Basically when you are pregnant the placenta acts as an insulin blocker and your body (pancreas) cannot product enough on its own at times. Thus the insulin. Many women who have GD however do not need insulin. I am one of the lucky ones!

Along with working with the Diabetes Center affiliated with our local hospital to manage my diet and glucose, I have been going for what the OBs call NSTs or Non Stress Tests twice a week. This is when they place 2 monitors on my belly and track the baby's heart rate in conjunction with his movements. They look for 3 spikes in heart rate during a 30 minute time frame for 15 seconds or more. So far Julian is passing these tests with flying colors! Every Thurs. I also have an ultrasound done. These check for fluid levels and every third Thursday for growth. Babies of moms with GD have a higher chance to end up being larger than average if the mom's sugar is not managed well.

Julian is about 7 lbs now. He is trending to be right on track as a normal sized baby thank goodness. GD babies also have a higher morbidity rate in the last few weeks so this is the main reason for the induction. So, the drop dead date is Aug. 6th for induction and most likely the 7th for delivery.

We have hired a Doula this time around to assist us with a calmer, more relaxing birth experience. The C section last time was traumatic and chaotic to say the least so this time we are trying for a VBAC. (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) There are risks to a VBAC such as uterine rupture but there are also risks to a C section as well. Send good thoughts our way!!

In other news, Mira started preschool last week at Acorn Learning Center right here in San Ramon. She is thriving already although has had a couple of rough mornings. A little sad but ends up to have great days. She particularly loves water play days and eating the fun lunches that Daddy packs for her :)

The summer has been pretty mild this year so far and actually a bit chilly at times. (for us!!) We are now officially CA wimps. We have gotten to the zoo a few times and enjoyed several birthday parties and get-togethers with friends.

Mira is excited to welcome baby Julian into our family. We are all excited to meet him in person!

I hope to be able to post to this blog more often while I am home on leave. Sorry it's been so long!

Till next time...

F

Simon Says...Stop Growing Up!

OK, so I've been pretty remiss in updating this Blog. No excuses. Now more than ever I feel as if I should be capturing SO many of life's little happenings. New words, conversations, discoveries and adventures. It's hard to keep up with it all.

In the last couple of months we've done a lot of celebrating and a lot of maturing. Mother's Day was perfect in every way. Peanut and I spent a good deal of time snuggling in bed together and Daddy served us Challah French Toast. DEEElicios! We read books and ate our breakfast together and Mommy opened the most wonderful gifts.

It had started out as Peanut and Daddy making breakfast for Mommy but when she heard about actually having the chance to eat breakfast IN BED, that was it! Although, we did have a bit of a struggle with whose bed we were eating in. She wanted Mommy to get into HER bed and eat. After the explanation about how Mommy is too big to fit in your bed and how Mommy would break your bed, la, la, la, it all worked out. Sweet, wonderful and a memory that will last a lifetime to say the least.

In other news, Uncle Adam and Aunt Danielle became engaged in April and we are very happy for them. We had gone to visit them the week before and stayed with them in their lovely Las Vegas apartment. They are happy and doing great. We are thrilled for them. No date has been set so stay tuned for more news from the Dr. Milman Camp.

Mira is still enjoying her Saturdays with Gymbo at Gymboree. She is now in Level 6, The Creative Thinker. And oh what a thinker she is. Brilliant of course to us, and to everyone she comes in contact with. Since this is our Blog, I can gloat. If not here, where? She is loving pretend play, her baby dolls, making tea and soup for everyone and notices every single thing in her world. Nothing slips by her. She is kind and sensitive and also loves the Wiggles, Playing Simon Says (when she is Simon), Elmo, strawberries, blueberries, salsa and chips, and miso soup. We eat out a lot on the weekends and Peanut is quite adventurous with her tastes. Loves spicy, sweet, sour and everything in between.

Nona and Auntie Cimber came to visit in May and we all had a great time. Nona appreciated some one on one time with Peanut and they will both be back in July.

Great Aunt Janice and Uncle Paul stayed with us over Memorial Day weekend. They live in Philly and had never been out to CA. They fell in love with the area, got to see Napa and Fisherman's Wharf via BART. Mira was lucky enough to be able to go to Target to choose any gift she desired. What did she pick you ask? Well, twin baby dolls of course! Aunt J and Uncle P loved indulging her and she has not let the babies out of her site since.

This summer Mommy and Daddy have lots of things going on. Mommy has a bunch of travel through August for work so Daddy will be on Super Daddy Duty. We have planned a family weekend in Monterey in July and that should be a blast. Last year we tried Santa Cruz which ended up to be a bust unfortunately. Hoping this year will be better. We have a 2 room suite so Peanut will have her own room and Mommy and Daddy won't have to go to bed at 7:30 with her! We hope to get to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium to see the Crazy About Otters exhibit. Since Mira loves all kinds of animals, we are really looking forward to it.

Mommy and Daddy are heading to Bodega Bay in Napa for our 5 year anniversary in September. It's a beautiful resort and spa right on the water. We hope to get some R & R while Mira gets to experience her first real sleepover at Bubbie and Pop Pop's house. Yippee!

The garden Mira and Daddy planted in April is really starting to pop! We are all looking forward to being able to pick cayots, brocci, beans, patoes, yettuce and punkins very soon, among other yummy things! A wonderfule experience so far.

The weather here has been lovely and we are looking forward to it becoming warmer by the week. Yes, we are spoiled now. If it's in the 70s, that's chilly to us! Funny how things change!

Hugs to all.

At last, Mira's 2nd birthday update!

OK, so it took me a little longer than I thought to post. SO SORRY everyone!! The Flower Fairy Tea Party was spectacular! The house looked beautiful with a little help from several little fairy helpers, Auntie C, Aunt Danielle, Bubbie, Nona and Pop Pop. We had amazing tea sandwiches, hibiscus tea punch, caprese salad and cheese and crackers for the grown ups and tea sandwiches and fruit for the kiddies. And all enjoyed Tony's DEEEEElicios cup cakes! (Tony is a co-worker of Kevin's.) The house had fairies all over and a "tea pot" and "tea cup" theme throughout. Lovely.

The weather was amazing too! In the high 60s I believe and sunny.

Mira loved opening her presents and received some terrific things. Books, clothes, an art smock, a little table and chairs for the kitchen to draw, paint or eat at, a new pink and animal print suitcase with her name on it, and furniture for her little baby dolls. Thank you everyone!!

Mira's dress was fairy-like too and she was the prettiest fairy we have ever seen! She had a blast playing with her little friends. Check out all the photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/Kevindahlstrom

Now that she is 2 it's amazing how her language skills have just blossomed even more than a month ago! She is now having complete conversations with all of us and it is truly spectacular to be a part of.

Great Grandmom, Uncle Adam, Aunt Danielle, Nona and Auntie "C" came to stay with us during her birthday weekend too. We are truly blessed to have so many people willing to come visit during this special time for Peanut.

Since the party the weather has been in the 70s and 80s and we are really enjoying it! Bubbie and Pop Pop gave Mira a new red wagon (they are plastic now by the way) and we are taking lots of walks to the park and around the block. All of her babies in tow :)

Kevin and I have been doing some traveling and taking turns being the solo parent at times. It's hard work but well worth it! We have such a brilliant daughter, and beautiful I might add! No bias here!!

Happy spring everyone, happy Passover and Easter too if I don't post again until April!

Jan-Feb Update

Oh, how the month of January flew by! My apologies for now posting in a while. I guess the laundry can wait longer...

Well, I guess being on the road 2 of the 4 weeks in Jan. helped the month go pretty fast. Cabo ended and back to work we went...never easy coming back from a wonderful vacation. It always feels like you never even left!

Peanut is saying more and more these days. Lots of sentences and phrases. Whole conversations now! Unbelievable to be honest. Kevin looked at me once and said, "Um, I don't know if you realized this but our daughter just had a whole conversation with me." it is crazy. Let's see if I can list some of the good ones...What doin MaMa? DaDa/MaMa Aypane, MaMa hayer wet, shower...Moe beans DaDa! Too freakin funny.

Mira is also now entering...yes, you guessed it! The TERRIBLE TWOS!!!!! They certainly call it that for a reason, don't they? I like to call it the Battle Of Wills. Everything is a battle. Hair brushing, PJs, going to bed, diaper changes (yes, still here and there. Not fully potty-learned yet and too small for Pull Ups.) Time outs are getting more frequent. It's OK though. She is a wonderful, brilliant, amazing baby. We are so blessed. She loves to have tea parties with her animal friends, read books, play with stickers, color, finger paint and play with play dough. Very artistic like her Bubbie!

We are continuing on with swim lessons on Sundays and Gymboree on Saturdays. We've bumped up to the Level 5 class and it is going well. Can't believe Peanut's 2nd birthday is right around the corner...

We are planning a Flower Fairy Tea Party. If you know the illustrations of Cicely Mary Barker, you get the gist. Uncle Adam, Aunt Danielle, Aunt Cimber, Nona and Great Grandmom Fran will all be here this year. Yippee!! Hurry Everyone!!

Kevin's travel has picked up a bit as he is highly in demand in the field. Over the past several months he has gotten responsibility for developing and rolling out national sales training for the Account Execs and leadership. He was in Houston this week delivering a couple of the classes. Everyone loves him, of course. Those of you that know him know that for Kevin, being in the classroom is bliss. Brilliant I might add.

As for me, after the 2 week pilot in Atlanta, my Feb travel schedule was cleared so that I could work on curriculum development. A good thing and I am grateful to be home. I am doing more and more writing of curriculum in my position and also managing vendor relationships and training programs developed with vendors. I continue to love my position, team and company. Also a good thing.

We are planning a trip to Philly in April to visit with family and friends. The flight may be a little challenging but hopefully not too bad.

The weather here has been anywhere from frigid to mild over the last several weeks. This week is rainy but near 60. Not too bad considering what I grew up with during many a February. Oh, let's see, 10, or 15! Burrr! don't miss it.

We are talking about re-doing our living room and making it a playroom. Oh boy! It overwhelms me at times!

Well, Happy Valentines Day everyone! If you have not seen it, click on the below link to some video of Peanut from January.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=a245c720fa6363714010723b5ee25693.1663497

Happy New Year! The fun in Cabo continues

Yesterday was New Year's Eve and Mommy was sick as a dog. Not the kind of sick that may come to mind when you think of Mexico. Just achy all over and a little feverish. Gone today though, thank goodness! New Year's Eve itself was pretty uneventful given my being under the weather. Although the hotel had a multitude of festivities. Including closing all of the restaurants and only offering the big bash starting at 7:00 PM. We had fish tacos and quesadillas at the pool bar and headed in for the night. Such the partiers! The fireworks were about 100 yards from our patio and it sounded like a war zone at midnight. The room was shaking! The DJ was loud and right down the hall from our room. All in all we decided we would not be coming back for New Year's Eve again!

Today has been a really good day. We have been at the pool since 9:30 or so "shwimming" and playing. Mira met a couple of little friends and did well sharing her toys. The pool is busy and there are lots of kiddies.

Peanut is saying so many sentences now. I see Da Da, I go Shwimming, I shwim, Get me a ball, Toast and egg...too funny.

Mommy and Daddy are really feeling relaxed today and we are having such a fun time with Peanut. She is impressing everyone with her "ready downs" and such. She is having a blast. We are also snuggling a lot, more than ever and I am enjoying every minute. it is so beautiful here. We are lucky to be able to come here. The property is gorgeous and the room is wonderful. We got the best room ever this year. It's big and Mira loves her little bed. "Pack and Play".

Despite the little health snafus, the trip have been everything we hoped it would be. The only things missing are Pop Pop, Bubbie and Nona. Next year perhaps...

More later. Hasta Luego Amigos.

Cabo- El Segund Dia

Mira was her old self today and we are thankful! We had a wonderful breakfast outside and swam and swam and played ball and napped and mooed. Great dinner too. It's a bit chilly here though to be honest. And windy. All in all, still better than home. Mira took her very first shower tonight with Mommy. Very fun indeed!

LOTS of new sentances this week too! My Da Da car. I'll get it. Get me the ball. I have a ball...too funny!

Night night for now!

Cabo Vacation Follies

Here we are in beautiful Cabo! San Jose del Cabo for some and Cabo San Lucas to others. The 2 cities are about 40 minutes apart and between them lies a dotted line of hotels and time shares. Our hotel is about smack dab in between the 2 cites. Although close, vastly different if feel. San Jose is our favorite with its gallaries, old feel Mexico Town Square and wonderful eateries. Not as "clubby" as CSL.

After a pretty rocky start to the trip with Mira barfing about 9 times in the course of 5 hours starting when we landed, then at the rental car agency and ending at dinner. (See last post.)

She slept well in the room and had a pretty light breakfast and lunch. We swam a couple of times and played by the pool until about 2 today. Mira loved the pool and looking at the ocean.

Dinner went well and she actuallty felt about 99% "back" in our estimates. She felt so much better that she wanted to stay later in the square and dance around greeting passersby. She is in bed now and we are following shortly. We hope to have a 100% day tomorrow and get to the beach for some sand castle building! Buenos Noches.

Holiday Horrors and Other Stories

Well, let's see...where to begin. Once upon a time an entire family came to California for Christmas. One little boy was sick with a tummy virus and the whole family ended up either running to the bathroom or barfing for 3 days. The end. Seriously, the food was great and it was wonderful to have everyone in our home for Christmas. Mira loved seeeing her Nona and Aunties and Cousin Tabor. Loved her gifts too. Now, really the end. Sorry, no photo for this one. They wouldn't be pretty anyway.

Pop Pop, or George?

Yesterday Mira was opening a Hanukkah card from Bubbie and Pop Pop. She enjoyed getting into the envelope and pulling the card out. Once the card emerged from the envelope, a crisp one dollar bill came drifting out. Mira grabs the bill and studies it for a while. Then, like a light bulb clicked in her head, she looks at the bill and says sweetly "Pop Pop" Or Pa Pa as she calls him. Kevin and I became absolutely hysterical. So, there you have it. Pop Pop does indeed resemble George Washington. With his mildly receding white hairline and peaceful demeanor. Out of the mouths of babes...

Reflection

This year we have made a donation to the Save Darfur Coalition. If you are not familiar with the genocide that is taking place in Sudan, please find out more by going to www.savedarfur.org. Darfur has been called the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century. Not since the Rwandan genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape and mass slaughter. The ongoing devastation has killed an estimated 400,000 and displaced over 2.5 million Sudanese since February 2003.

Darfur is the century’s first genocide. Look beyond the headlines, understand that a genocide is occurring right now, look for how we can support a solution – and ways in which we may be contributing to the problem. These people need our help. As humans, we owe them our support and prayers. As Americans we owe them our courage and experience. We must do something to help those who suffer, and this time we can.

We have also "adopted" a family through the Santa Cruz Adopt a Family Program this year and the gifts left today. Our family is a single mom, Aimee with a 2 1/2 year old daughter, Willow. Willow will be receiving lots of books, a Dora doll, stuffed kitty and a great big activity pad with crayons, paints and paper dolls. Mom will be receiving a Barnes and Noble GC and another GC for Safeway to get some holiday goodies. They are currently homeless so please send your prayers their way.

As another way to help others we have given to the American Lung Association this year. In memory of my sweet Bubbie, Pop Pop, Co, (Kevin's Dad) and my Aunt Kandi who all passed away too early of lung related illnesses. We miss them every day.

An early Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to everyone. Please take some time to reflect on how blessed we all are. Let's not forget the real meaning of this time of year.

I was deeply saddened by the loss of a local San Francisco father this week, James Kim. While returning to the area with his family (wife Kati and daughters Penelope (4) and Sabine (7 months) they became lost in snowy forests of southern Oregon after taking a wrong turn. After several days, James left his family and headed out to look for help. Kati and his children were later rescued but he perished. This tragic story reminds us all how life can change in an instant. Hug your loved ones close as often as possible.

Give thanks for each other every day. Hugs to all.

It's... Potty Time! Oh, and other happenings

Well, lot's happening over the long holiday weekend! Mira had been somewhat interested in the potty and what WE were doing on the potty for quite some time. Daddy bought her a couple of seats early last week and so the story goes...a poopie and another and another. Yes, only you parents can really understand the joy at seeing your little one on the potty. AND actually using it! When sitting she likes the rest of the family to join her in the bathroom. Ma Ma, DOWN (I am to sit down), Da Da, DOWN, (Da Da is to sit down...)It's hysterical. And that concludes my potty overview. Rest assured, all continues to go well!

We spent Thanksgiving just the 3 of us at our house. A quiet evening. Kevin unfortunately made one of those turkey "roasts", not a good choice. His description, "It tasted like a turkey TV dinner." Bright spots: good old fashioned green bean casserole and mashed potatoes. Yummy!

The rest of the weekend was kind of quiet. Mira decided to not nap too well and wake up at 4:30 pretty much every morning, but other than that a great time to enjoy each other's company, decorating the house for Christmas AND Hanukkah, feeding the ducks at Bubbie and Pop Pop's doing some dancing around the house, working on "please" and "thank you" which you would hear as "peeese" and "dad-doo". We're getting there!. It was hard to say bye bye this morning for sure as Daddy and Peanut left for work and day care.

This weekend our wonderful Aunt Nee Nee and Uncle Joe are coming to town. We have a whole lot of nothing planned which is fine with all of us, I think. We will be taking them out for Joe's 70th on Friday and that should be fun. Sans Peanut. She'll be happier with Bubbie at home.

We are getting pretty excited for Cabo next month and think that Mira will be hard to pull from the water. She continues to excel at her swim lessons and we let her skip the really hard stuff if she likes. It's so crazy for us to listen to some of the other parents really push their kids to climb out or do other things on command. Comments like "why are you being such a baby?" blow our minds. And we wonder why our kids are so sqrewed up later in life. Let them be babies! They ARE babies!

So, another month slowly slips by and we gear up for the busy holiday season. Almost done shopping, only a gift or 2 left to buy so that feels good. Cheers for now.

Gratitude

As Thanksgiving approaches we reflect on our lives and those close to us. Kevin, Mira and I are thankful for so much and are so very blessed. We have our health, each other, wonderful jobs and amazing family and friends. What else could we need?

We are most grateful for the heart warming joy that Mira brings us every day and the new found patience we have acquired over the last 20 months.

Laughter and love fills our home every day. Today, this week, this month and this year, we give thanks for all of life's blessings.

November Update

Hi everyone!

Well, Nov. has been a crazy month! Mommy has been traveling to Kansas City, KS for a team meeting and also to Atlanta, GA for a Train The Trainer. 3 Timezones in 3 weeks! Whew! Daddy and Peanut had a great time reading books, going for walks, eating yummy dinners and visiting with Bubbie. Truly a super-dad.

Although being away was hard and exhausting, Mommy made it through.

Mommy and Daddy spent the 18th and 19th in Monterey for the ORHP holiday party. Every year it is in some wonderful location over a weekend. The weather was terrific, in the upper 60s (by the coast no less!) and we shopped, ate a great lunch and enjoyed the party Sat. evening.

Sunday we had a lovely breakfast in Monterey and did some Hanukkah shopping closer to home.

All in all a relaxing time. We were happy to get home of course.

This week is Thanksgiving and we will be staying in San Ramon. We decided to skip the holiday rush this year and relax a bit. So, Daddy is making a little turkey for he and Peanut and Mommy is having salmon I think. We'll do the same thing we do every night...eat dinner, head up for bath time and off to bed!

It will be difficult not being with our families but it will be OK.

Great Aunt Anita and Great Uncle Joe are coming to CA on the 30th for a few days and we CANNOT WAIT!! We plan on spending some really fun time together, laughing until our sides hurt.

Peanut is saying so many words and sentences these days, it's hard to keep up! Cow, moo, office, owl, bunny, flower, body, pee pee, poo poo, potty, da da, ma ma, up, sit down, my da da, dog, cat, car, Where'd it go, I'll get it, fall down, wa wa, cup, moon, bubbles, Elmo, book, rice, Bubba, Pa Pa, No No (Nona), Morrny (Morty, her Monkey), Mannie (bear)...and SO many more!

Swim and Gymboree are going great. We are all looking forward to Cabo next month. And of course, Nona, Cimber, Kat, Shawn, and Cousin Tabor coming to CA for Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Happy Halloween!

Well, Halloween was a hit. Mira went to 3 houses this year. Fun, fun. She was the cutest darn fairy in the land. Even wore her petal hat. We let her have a small bite of a Reeses and she LOVED it. This is not a child that has ever had candy mind you. So, it was a pretty special bite!

We had about 40 kiddies this year. Not a bad number. Still have candy left. Peanut went to bed at 7:30 (the usual time) without a peep.

Happy Halloween to all and to all a good night! Photos are being posted to yahoo in the AM. Boo.

Blog Headache

Well, now that this has given me a giant headache, I think I have all of the settings correct! Anyone can post comments and the correct link has been sent out.

Looking forward to Halloween tonight! Will post more soon.

Let's Begin!

Hello family and friends!
Well, we have crossed over to the world of Blogdom!! A recent class I was teaching convinced me last week that we need to do this! So, here goes!

My intent is to post at least 2 times a month. The real reason for the Blog is to keep all of our dear ones close to us and all of the joy, sleepless nights and craziness of living with the Dahlstroms!

This weekend Mira's Nona, Linda came for a visit. The weather was in the upper 70s and fabulous! We went to Gymboree, swim lesson, out to lunch and to the park. (Bubbie and Pop Pop also joined us throughout the weekend. Mira sures loves her Nona. Or No-nie as she says.

We are gearing up for Halloween this week! It sure will be different than last year. Mira plans on being a Sugar Plum Fairy, decked out in purple organza and sparkles! We will let you know how the trick or treating goes!

Kevin is heading to Bartlesville, OK again this week. Joy, joy. I will have fun giving Bijou her Prozac in the mornings. Yes, Prozac. She has a lot of stress in her life.

Next week I will be off to Kansas City, MO for a team meeting. Kevin and Mira will be fending for themselves with frozen fish sticks and mac and cheese. Seriously though, I am married to possibly THE very best daddy.

We are looking forward to Great Aunt Anita and Uncle Joe's visit in Nov. just after Thanksgiving. It should be super fun. It will be the first time they will be at our home in San Ramon.

Other than that, the PVDD Christmas will be at our home this year. Linda, Cimber, Kat, Shawn and Tabor will be making the journey from Portland. I fear that we will be cooking for the entire time but we all love home cookin' as they say. It's a big leap for the Price-VanDeusen-Dahlstrom clan and we are grateful.

Mira is taking us to Cabo in December with her allowance. hee, hee. Leaving the 28th. Cannot wait to see her swimming in the infinity pool! Whoa!

Hugs to all. Don't forget to continue to check out our Yahoo photos site! We post new photos every week.http://photos.yahoo.com/k_dahlstrom
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