Showered

A couple weeks ago my wonderful friends (they're also all from Carbon County, which is why they're so super fabulous) Charity, Marisa, Heather and Holly threw an incredible shower for little Mirando. It was amazing, from the adorable centerpieces to the tasty cupcake party favors.

Thanks, girls! This whole getting-ready-for-baby-phase has been so much fun and made Z & me appreciate how many thoughtful friends and family members we have. We feel so lucky!

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Overheard: I thought I heard the same thing from Cousin Eddie

Very sweet, heavily Southern-accented sales girl in the fabric section of an unnamed big box retailer: Oh my gosh! When’s your baby due?

Me: Next month.

VSHSASGFSUBBR: I thought it was soon. You look so funny with your big ol’ belly pokin’ out from your iddybiddy body.

Me: Uh, thanks.

VSHSASGFSUBBR: My friend just had a baby last week. It was backwards and the doctors had to pull real’ hard on the legs but it finally came out. Legs first.

Me: Wow. That sounds terrible.

VSHSASGFSUBBR: It ended up bein’ fine. When I had my daughter, I broke all the blood vessels in my face because I pushed so hard.

Me: Oh, that’s awful.

VSHSASGFSUBBR: It was OK. But my mama had a real easy labor with me. She just walked out on the front porch and I slipped right out! She didn’t feel nothin’. I just slipped out and fell right on my head.

Me: Wow. That sounds like an easy labor. I hope that happens to me.

VSHSASGFSUBBR: ‘Cept I got a skull fracture. From fallin’ on my head.

Me: Oh, I’m sorry. How scary.

VSHSASGFSUBBR: I was all right, though. But--(* leans across fabric counter, points to forehead *) look: I have a dent. My head never did look right.


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A Sleepover, Socks! and a Shower

Last weekend (Not the most-recent one, but the one before that. Yes, I'm behind on blogging.) was one of my busiest, but most fun, to-date.

It all started out with a Friday night college roomie sleepover/baby shower at a cute condo on Park City's Main Street.

Jamie, Katie, Marcae and I all went out for dinner.

Then, we walked up Main Street to check into our condo. In addition to the charming sites on Park City's quaint little street, this sexy ensemble was spotted.

Christmas shopping for Zach? Done and done. Just what every man needs--fur bikini underwear. [Editor's note: Not sure why this mannequin has a purse instead of a head/upper torso. Park City can be a weird place.]

I wore my lovely tiara and Mom-to-Be banner. From a distance, I looked like a really bloated beauty queen (or perhaps one who was just a little too friendly with the judges, if you know what I mean), if I do say so myself.

Saturday morning we headed back home where we were all tired after staying up until 5 in the morning. Marcae even pulled one of her famous all nighters, except she really did stay up all night instead of falling asleep at 9:45 (good job, Marc!). We made sure that Mirando met his sugar quotient for the next 20 years, thanks to our lovely snack assortment. It was a perfect evening, thanks, roomies!

Fortunately everyone was able to wake themselves up for Saturday night's world-famous Stoked on Socks Sock Hop at Z Pizzeria. Katie and Mitch organized a fantastic event and we had at least three times the turnout we had planned. It was a great night and by the end of the evening more than 900 pairs of socks had been donated to the homeless!

(L): Finn is already a hit with the ladies. (R): Sweet dance moves were enjoyed by all.

(L): Socks! (R): Jamie & family.

(L): Susan & baby Bodhi; (M): Finn is testing out the socks. (R): The Rosenvalls

Thanks, Katie & Mitch for organizing such a fun night (and for setting such a great example for all of us).
There will be lots of warm toes thanks to you!

The following Sunday was busy as well; Zach's family hosted an amazing baby shower celebration. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful and gave us incredible baby gifts which have officially taken over our dining room. And, it's official: Our baby is probably going to be one of the best-dressed kiddos around, as evidenced by his wardrobe-staple onesie given to us by Zach's sister Amie.

Like father, like son.

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Overheard: Motherhood Edition

A transcript of my Gmail Chat with one of my very maternal friends:

Her: Has your doctor moved the due date?

Me: No, it's still the same day. I go in for another appt. on Thursday. Hopefully he will have flipped around so that he's not facing the wrong way anymore.

Her He didn't flip around when you were here? What the hell was he doing???

Me: I have NO idea, he was moving so much!

Her: Babies can be real weirdos sometimes.

Saturday Sock Hop

A couple years ago our good friends Mitch & Katie went on a tour of the homeless shelter. They saw that homeless people really needed socks. So they went home and did what anyone would do: They set up a nonprofit--filling out the forms and paperwork and tax information and creating a Web site and planning fundraising events--to collect socks for these people who are in need. OK, you're right. Not just anyone would do that. Most of us, at our best moment, would gather up a few pairs and drop them off and then feel good about our good deed for the rest of the year. Not these two. They have worked hard to really make a difference.

And now YOU can help.

By eating pizza. Free pizza.

"What's that?" You say. "I LOVE free pizza and helping others."

Then Saturday night is perfect for you.

Just stop by Z Pizzeria from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov 8 and bring in a packet of new socks--for men, women or children--and you get free pizza. A pizza buffet will be available, as well as entertainment.

A great time is guaranteed to ensue. Because not only are Katie & Mitch really good people, they are also really fun.

DETAILS:

Saturday
Nov. 8
6-9 p.m.

Z Pizzeria
3295 S 2000 East
SLC
(801) 484-ZPZA
www.zpizzeria.com

All socks will be donated to Utah's homeless. For more information on this great cause, check out Stoked on Socks.



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Pumpkin Party 2008

Last week, Z & I hosted our good friends Mark, Teri and Mr. Lewis for a pumpkin carving extravaganza. It was kind of a last-minute affair so we were sans actual pumpkin carving utensils but found that steak knives and dry erase markers worked just fine. And no trips to the hospital were required, which was a very real fear for most of the night as we poked, prodded and cut to create our jack-o-lantern works of art.

We also enjoyed some delicious Navajo Tacos, courtesy of Z Pizzeria's pizza dough, and Teri's perfect apple cider.

When I wasn't getting caught smuggling a pumpkin under my shirt, I put our bushel of apples (imported from my parents' tree in Price) to good use and made Martha's baked apples with Mexican chocolate.

It was a fun and festive night, but Parker was not impressed.

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History.

Last night I was emotional as I watched the country's first African American man voted president of the United States in a groundbreaking election that once saw legitimate presidential candidates include a woman and a Mormon. I was inspired by President-elect Obama's message to the country he will now lead and excited to see the changes ahead. I am thankful that my son will know that he can be anything he wants to work hard enough to be--proven by a minority man raised by a poor, single mother who was able to reach the highest office in the world, thanks to hard work, an emphasis on education and a lot of hope. I was also teary-eyed listening to John McCain's passionate and eloquent speech and hopeful that his words will help heal the ugly divisiveness that has stricken this country.

Although I personally believe that Americans still have a long way to go towards treating our fellow citizens equally and respecting each others' differences, it's clear we've made a lot of progress.

Here's to making even more.


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Monday Lovely: Mad Men Wardrobe

I have a huge crush on the person who designs the wardrobe for one of my favorite shows on television, Mad Men. I am completely behind on watching the episodes; I think I have half a dozen stored on my DVR, but am looking forward to catching up so I can ogle the gorgeous clothing the characters wear (along with the dreamy John Hamm).

The show takes place at a Madison Avenue ad agency in the early 1960s where everyone shows up in their finest suits and tailored dresses sporting perfectly coiffed hair every day. Not to mention that these people often host dinner parties where everyone is glammed out in their appropriate party clothes. And although I am glad to see that the sexism, in-office smoking and rampant workplace adultery are things of the past I can't help but be a little sad that it's now completely acceptable for me to work at an agency wearing baggy maternity jeans and an ill-fitting sweater.


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