Photoshop

I've been learning new Photoshop skillz by surfing the web lately. I have so many pictures of Andy and I want to make them look semi-pro. I was very excited when a blog I frequent - Becoming Mom - decided to make a tutorial for her readers on tips for bringing the best out of your photos. After watching the first video I was able to do the following -

Before:

After:
Pretty good for my first try, right? I was even using crappy Photoshop Elements. I know this picture could be better, but I'm happy for now. Can't wait to learn more! Check out Becoming Mom.


Oh Oh Oh wait! One more just for fun.

Before:

After:


Yay!


***Disclaimer: All photography credits belong to my assome brother.

Ba humbug

Why can't I make time to blog? I really don't have an answer for that. I seem to have time...I just don't seem to want to blog. Not sure why if it was my favorite thing to do. And I have tons I could be talking/typing about. Sad. It's been 37 days since my last post. THIRTY SEVEN!!!! I guess having a baby really does change your priorities....I just didn't think not blogging would be up there.

So to kick start things I'll do one of my random thoughts posts:

- 1st time I have every felt so proud/emotional/hopeful about a new President. I think seeing so many Americans feel this way too and come together makes my feeling even stronger. How can you not be hopeful?

- I feel super excited to think of how much hope Obama brings for us [Latino's] and all American citizens from immigrant parents. How much more real is the idea of a Latino President or an Asian President. I get emotional thinking about Andy having just as much a chance of becoming President some day....because he will.

- Politics aside....I am trying to get healthy this year. Pregnancy throws a serious curve ball at your body and I am slowly learning that it'll never be the same again. It will take some serious hard work on my end to get back to a comfortable size. I am prepared for the challenge.

- I have begun training for the Mt. Wilson Trail Run. You guys thought I wouldn't didn't you? Sure I barely survived week 1 of training, but that alone makes me want to push harder. I must say it is insanely hard to train when all I want to do is spend every free moment with Andy. Week 1 was truly hard on that front. I saw Andy for a total of 4 hours that entire week and felt like the worst mom/wife in the world. This week has been way better. I am making it work!

- I will be posting here any weight changes and/or inches lost. I want to go public so that I can stick to it. Next post will be for that.

- Andy is growing big and strong. He'll be 6 months this coming Tuesday and it boggles my mind to think he is halfway done with his 1st year.


Enough! I'll save some for tomorrow! [promise/pinky swear]

Gee Family

Garcia Family
Originally uploaded by 2xistrob

Here's a preview of our 2009 Holiday card [Just the picture...I designed a layout for it]! Could you be one of the few lucky recipients? Maybe!

Thank you Rob for the last minute photo session. I can't believe Andy smiled in 95% of the pictures. He loves you!

RIP Maternity Leave

Today is my first official day back at work. I planned to take it easy, and boy have I. I have done nothing but surf the web all morning. I missed the internets. I guess that's a plus to being back.

Leaving Andy with my mom this morning wasn't hard. I guess because it's my mom and not some strange daycare. I went at lunch and he was sleeping soundly on my brother's bed. He didn't wake up till I was about to leave. I do miss him though.
I miss hanging out with him all day.
I miss my couch.
I miss my DVR.
I miss watching True Blood.
I miss reading.
I miss reading to Andy after his morning nap.
I miss my PJs.
I miss napping.
I missed Monday Mommy Movie today.
I miss walking to SB with Andy....wait....that only happened once. Still...I miss being able to if I wanted to.

Yeah...there's a lot to miss. But I like the internet to keep me busy.
I like talking to adults.
I like not talking about baby stuff.
I like not talking at all.
I like peeing when I want to.
I like getting dressed.
I like putting on makeup and combing my hair.
I like eating healthy.
I like eating...period.
I like being able to roll the windows down.
I like fresh air and not A/C.
I like being able to hear the radio.
I like being able to "run errands" without the extra load.

So its got its pro's and con's.

Since my CW Chris isn't here today [out with the flu] I plan to do no work. I haven't been caught up and don't want to mess with the money that someone else has been counting. This is good for you since it has given me time to blog. Praying that this becomes a daily thing.

Tonight we're hosting a pre-election night/SNL Bash party. Any excuse for a party really. I have a feeling that the only guests at this party will be me, Andy, and G. We'll see. I really wanted to have an Election party tomorrow. I love watching CNN and seeing all the states turn blue or red....but mostly blue. Totally lame...I know...but another excuse for a party. Plus, we suddenly have like 5 bottles of wine in our stash! A miracle! We never have more than half an opened bottle [Thanks Rob for the 2 bottles on my birthday. Another 2 came from our wine tasting night at the San Dimas Wine Shop with my friend A on Friday night. Totally cool place btw. The 5th bottle was purchased at Costco before any of the other 4 showed up.].

Don't forget to VOTE tomorrow people! No matter who you vote for, let your voice be heard!

I'll be going at lunch time. It's never busy at our polling place during that time. Might go in the morning. I'm also thinking of swinging by the democratic headquarters on Lake Ave to purchase us some OBAMA/BIDEN t-shirts for our parties that no one else is attending but us. Good times.

Feliz Dia De Los Muertos

I LOVE Dia de los Muertos. And have always wanted to go to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for their awesome celebration. Again, this year I did not attend. It was last night and G was working till late. Maybe this will go on my 101 in 1001 list [That list will be explained in a later post].

Today is a day to remember our loved one's that have passed on. So take a moment to reflect, remember, and honor those close to you that our no longer with us in body.





[the beautiful image was borrowed from here]

Drunk blogging at 5:38pm

5:39pm

Feels like i'm on a boat. hmmm...

Why did I just take that tequila shot? I swore it off years ago. *chugging New Castle*

Grandparents aren't doing well. I'm tired. Alcohol feels good. No I Don't have PPD.

I didn't take the shot alone. Mike and Ryan joined me.

Abuelitas heart is growing weak.

Papa Lupe broke his leg while en route to see Abuelita...or maybe it was his hip. Still waiting for an update.

My mom was bawling this morning (grandparents on mom's side). I could barely keep it together. But honestly, once we hung up I lost it. I've always been close to my grandparents. Even though they live in Mexico. Especially my grandma who took care of me throughout my childhood. They have always been so strong. It's hard to believe age has finally caught up. Old people getting old. Sucks. You know it's only a matter of time, but it's hard to accept.

I was telling G that I'm the type of person that feels the pain of others. That's why i'm so emotional and cry with movies and TV and when things happen to my "online friends". I put myself in "their" place. I feel my mom's pain. To be so worried about one parent and then BOOM the other parent suffers an injury. How do you deal?

I won't be selfish and ask for a lifetime. But the holidays are around the corner...maybe just one more.

Mommy Movie Monday

Today I went to my first Mommy Movie Monday at the Krikorian Theater in Old Town Monrovia. The lights aren't completely turned off, the sounds is turned down just a notch, and babies and young toddlers are free to roam. Andy and I were joined by Diana and her sweet daughter Lara. The movie was at 10am and I was very sleep deprived, but after some coffee and just plain excitement of returning to the movies woke me up. The movie of the week was Ghost Town. It was very funny and touching. One of the few movies that has made me laugh out loud. Then it got sad, and I cried...thank gawd Diana was also on the verge of tears. Didn't feel so stupid.

Our kids were little angels. Even Lara, who Diana says usually has to be chased around, just sat close by and kept quiet for the most part. Andy woke up halfway thru and ate and starred at the giant people. He was so amused by the giant screen. I fear his love of television is growing.

After the movie we grabed lunch at a sushi restaurant near by named Mikomi. Really good sushi at a decent price [pricer than my fav spot Ichima].

Every time I hang out in Old Town Monrovia I love it more and more. It's so quaint and far from the over-crowded streets of Old Town Pasadena [my 1st home]. The best part is the free parking! 90 minutes on the street, and sections of 3 hour and 8 hour parking in the lots located on the side streets. My goal is to make it to the Monrovia Family Festival and Farmer's Market that happens every Friday from 5pm to 9pm. I have a wedding to attend this Friday, but hopefully next Friday will work.

It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to do it again next week! Thanks Diana!

Happy 1st day of Fall

Making time to blog

It's hard getting time to write on post on this blog. Especially when I want to keep this blog as baby free as possible. But here are some interesting things I've come across lately that I'd thought I'd share.

#1
So late on seeing this picture and article. But a caption for this can go in so many directions. Hilarious!

"Show me something out there!" Bush urged May-Treanor and partner Kerri Walsh, who promised him "We'll make you proud."

Courtesy of USA Today. Check out the article.

#2

WTF can I say about this. But there are SO many things wrong with this.

Check out the article over at Gothamist.














That's it for now. G returned to work today after 3 weeks of paternity leave, so I'm all alone with le bebe. But all is good. Hes actually waking up so I must wrap this up. I'll be making more of an effort to blog here.

Picture Post

Just a quickie picture post. This is G and I on Mother's Day. I don't think I've ever posted a picture of me preggers on here. But you can clearly see my bump. I'm now 7 months pregnant. Looks like I'm carrying my weight in my belly and boobs. That's fine with me! Glad I haven't blown up.....yet.









*Picture credit to the new awesome family photographer - my brother Robert. :)

Happy Mother's Day

Although we did a lot of mother's day celebrating yesterday for Mexican mother's day (and yes I now realize I didn't blog), today we did a lot more celebrating. We had a huge BBQ at my mom's for my big fat Mexican family. Loads of fun, great food, and pictures! I'll post pix tomorrow with my weekend rundown.

It was also nice to be one of the mothers this year. It was a question (in my head) whether I should be a part, but I've been caring for our baby for 7 months now! I think that qualifies me as a mommy. Mommy-to-be of course!

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

WEEKEND RUNDOWN

FRIDAY

On Friday I mentioned my stomach pains. By lunch time, that day, I was starving. I ate lots and felt much better the rest of the day. I don't know why I was having pains. But I had told my boss that I'd be taking a half day so I didn't go back to work. After lunch at Domenico's [on Washington Blvd] G and I began my hunt for an outfit for Saturday. We headed to Paseo as I had seen online that Motherhood Maternity had cute cheap dresses. But we quickly discovered the store is no longer there. Even though the website still says it is.

G took advantage of the early afternoon and the fact that we were right outside a movie theater and convinced me to see Iron Man. Truthfully, I didn't need much convincing. I really wanted to see this movie too. We both really enjoyed the movie. Definitely one of the best comic book movies so far [although I'll admit to enjoying the X-men movies]. And I luv Robert Downey Jr. His sarcasm is great.....just like mine. :-p

After the movie we headed to Old Navy to continue my search. Luckily Old Navy came thru this time and I was able to find a complete outfit! Here's what I got:

I wore a black short sleeved cardigan over the dress and topped it with a long silver necklace from H&M. G even picked out my shoes! I'm wearing the sandals again today. I love them...now...wasn't too sure at time of purchase.

After Old Navy we had a sushi dinner at Ichima. We then headed to Old Town to get Alejandra's gift [H&M gift card and the first 2 Gossip Girl Books]. Of course I had to get frozen yogurt at 21 Choices. I had the Mango Pineapple with chopped in fresh strawberries and blackberries. The yogurt tasted just like Malibu Rum! Yummy.

SATURDAY

I blogged a short recap with a pic from the confirmation. It was all lovely. Church was followed by a family dinner at my parent's home. Yummy red or white posole followed by a super chocolatey chocolate cake topped with fresh strawberries.

Here's a pic of myself with the my Confirmanti and her family. I look so short!
Oh! I did not end up watching the boxing match. But I heard it was pretty lame. Oscar shoulda TKO'd him.

SUNDAY
And of course lazy Sunday. In short, here's what I did.
- Had cereal with oatmeal for breakfast
- Watched TV
- Baked Oatmeal Cookies
- G came home with carne asada burritos
- Watched the Laker game
- TV
- G left to play a basketball game
- Brought home a so not even healthy dinner of McD's. So was craving the cheeseburger again.
- Watched bootleg copy of "Under the Same Moon" that G's dad had. Totally awesome copy! Loved it! Cried my eyes out.
- Watched Brothers & Sisters in bed.

Lazy right! I love lazy days. And now I'm too lazy to add links and proof read. :)

Fairy Godmother

Here is a picture of me and Alejandra just after she got Confirmed. I was tired after the 2 hour mass and starving. I have now enjoyed some nachos and a huge bowl of red posole. Yum!! Now I'm just waiting for cake.

Later tonight I'll be watching the Oscar De La Hoya fight that we recorded. And don't forget tomorrow is Game 1 for the Lakers vs the Jazz!

Peace
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Stomach Virus?

I think I'm getting sick, but I'm not really sure. I woke up with a huge stomach ache this morning. It is now 12:10pm and it hurts just as much. I came to work around 9:30am because I don't want to use up my sick time now. I'm trying to save it for when I go on maternity leave. But I think I'm gonna go home. Plus, everyone at work is sick with something and I can't afford to really get sick right now. I've also been able to eat and my stomach hurts no more and no less than it did before eating. So I don't know what the deal is. All I know is I gotta stay hydrated.

Another reason I don't want to get sick is because I have my cousin's Confirmation tomorrow. I must be 100% for her. I still gotta go out today to find something to wear and get her gift. Already sounds like a long day. :( But G is off today so hopefully he'll be willing to play driver.

Have a good weekend everyone! Wait! Hahahaha...I have to blog on the weekends this month! I almost forgot. Well happy Friday everyone!

Latest News About Me:

We had an amazing ultrasound yesterday that showed a completely healthy baby boy! He's already 15 ounces [almost a pound]! No names picked out yet, so we have a lot of thinking to do.

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard

Yeah - give the Oscar to Daniel Day-Lewis.....like now. There Will Be Blood was a great film. I can't believe it was the first film I had seen this year!!! So sad. I don't get out much these days. Hoping that'll change so that I can have more to blog about!

I little update on the baby front [since I only talk about it on my baby blog] - everything is going great. I'm almost 17 weeks [4 months] and you can totally tell I'm pregnant now. I mean, I'm not huge or anything, but I don't just look fat anymore. :) I can't believe how fast this is all going by. As far as the sex of this baby, well....we haven't scheduled that appointment yet, but I think we will be finding out. So i'll make sure to post when we do. Probably some time next month.

When life hands you lemons...

..you make lemonade...right? Well that's exactly what G and I have done. Except it's more like we have made our own lemon...little lemon....little as in baby lemon. Are you catching my drift? Of course most of those who are related to us already knew this. But my blog has taking a toll because of this. I wasn't ready to share with the world that come August we will be parents. But I am now.

It's been a tough month. I've been on bed rest for a little over a month. I was without internet and nothing special to blog about. All I kept thinking about was if this baby was gonna stick. But now that we know it is sticking and growing, and that I will soon return to work - I can return to my regular blogging duties.

I won't write out a long post about our journey thus far. That's what the baby blog is for. So if you're interested in reading about that, head on over to Making Baby Geefunk and read all about it.

Thanks to those that stuck around and have been an assome support system to us. We greatly appreciate it!!



Note: as far as work goes...i hope to return some time at the end of next week. So don't expect much blogging till then. Cross your fingers. :)

I am un-american...

...because I cheered for Ricky Hatton at Saturday's boxing match against Pretty Boy Mayweather. Look Hugie, I could give less of a shit about either one of these boxers, but Mayweather is an arrogant bastard. But enough of this nonsense.

Friday
I was hoping for a nice low-key Friday night since I had been feeling pretty crappy all day, but some how my loving husband ended up having boys night in....with me home....not cool. But I played the cool wife and played xbox 360 for a while, but when more guys showed I called it a night. I tried to read, but passed out instead. Nothing like a loud bunch of guys to put me to sleep. Seriously, I could sleep through anything if I wanted to.

Saturday
I slept in and then got ready to head to my parents house. My brother had ordered the fight on Direct TV HD and I planned to hang out over there all day since G had to work. I dropped him off and then headed over. I did a whole lot of nothing since my parents weren't even home [they went to TJ]. Watched a lot of tv with my brother and niece. Later on some peeps showed up for the big boxing match. We ordered pizza and watched a great fight, then called it a night. I really do hate dislike Mayweather. He's so fucking cocky. Ricky Hatton is like the people's fighter. But whatever....i don't care enough to argue anymore.

Sunday
Once again we headed to my parents house. My mom called to invite us over for some handmade tortillas [aka heaven on earth], carne asada, beans, cacique cheese, chile al molcajete. It's all wonderfully good and authentic [I should take pictures next time...wait...my dad was taking pictures. Must ask him to email them]. She tricked us into staying longer by saying she was making Posole for dinner, but after all the crazy Christmas decorating that was going on in that house, she didn't have time to make it. But we kept busy watching football and napping. We topped of the night with some non-greasy fast food from Everest [the Tops alter ego in Altadena - owned by the brother of the Tops establishment. Practically the same menu], and then a quick trip to Tarjay.

G & I got sucked in to the TV movie For One More Day based on the book by Mitch Albom. It was pretty good.

As for today - My mom tells me she's making the Posole today. So once again we'll be spending the evening at my parents house. But on the bright side, this means I get to watch the season finale of The Hills! Woo-hoo! Here's to a great week!

YouTube Tuesday

The following video was made by my cousin Adriana. I'm in it, she's in it, and few other peeps. Funny stuff. Go here to make your own.

Pimp it up Hugie! ;)

...and I'm gonna live my life...

A day in my life...a typical weekday....this is me:

wake up sometime around 6:40am
watch Good Day LA in bed till about 7:20am
feed beta
make it out the door before 8am
pick up Cat and get coffee at SB
check my email
open Twitter
do some work
catch up on blogs
pay my bills online
head to lunch at my moms
blog at work
think about doing some work
look at my message light, but don't check messages
waste time on the internet
get dinner ideas
go home between 4pm - 5pm
think about dinner
to cook or not to cook...that is the question
Maybe swing by Trader Joe's for last minute ingredients
get mail
watch some news
start cooking
eat
do dishes
maybe watch a rental or read
shower
watch tv in bed or read
sleep


Sometimes we have fun at work. You know....real life tertris..."smoking" breaks out on our patio, spying on building evictions, buying unnecessary supplies at office max, etc. But really it's just boring. Super. I get a lot of personal stuff done so it works out. And I use to go into work at 7am...now i just get there sometime before 8am.

Once home, we might have my brother over and/or a cousin or friend. At least once a week we go to my moms for dinner. We always have "Heroes Mondays" at our place. People come over to eat and play some games before the show. We always have a blockbuster movie.

Weekdays are low key and i like it. G & I have been known to overdose on wine on weeknights and play monopoly till late at night. I'm scared to think how much this is going to change once there are kids in the picture.

Day before turkey day....

This may be my last post for the week, considering I don't have internet. But I think I'll be spending all day at my moms tomorrow [where I pay for their wireless internet :\] so i'll try to get a post in.

I'm a huge thanksgiving fan. I love food and I love the special dishes served on this day. I have always been super thankful that my Mexican family is not lame [it's lame to me] and makes things like tamales and posole on thanksgiving. I mean wtf is that about? This ain't christams! heeheehee For as long as I can remember my family [on my moms side] has been cooking up a very traditional thanksgiving meal. Turkey(s), ham, stuffing, mash potatoes, peas, and all the other trimmings. I love it! My mom makes a great pumpkin pie.

This year, the entire [50+ peeps] family will be gathering at my mom's house. I cannot imagine a thanksgiving where maybe just 10 family members gather around a table. My thanksgivings have always taken place in a very warm and decorated back yard [only in California I suppose - although i do remember a time when we use to celebrate indoors] with many tables and tons of food; where we all gather in a large circle before we feast, holding hands, and take turns giving thanks for whatever we wish. There are always enough leftovers for each family to take some home for the next day.

For the first time I will actively be participating in the food prep. G & I have offered to make roasted garlic mash potatoes. I felt that now that we were married we should contribute in some way. Feels good you know? But now I have to go brave the crazy supermarket crowds and buy about 18 lbs of potatoes and everything else that is needed. Wish me luck....I hate supermarket crowds.