Kokochi

Body Bouncer

Guess what this is?

1. bouncy pregnancy exerciser


2. peek-a-boo baby amuser


3. special chair for hemorroid sufferers


4. modern design cat jungle gym


5. creative sex toy


6. wedding gift

When I came home from work one day, and found it in our bedroom, I thought it was #1. How sweet of Dav to be so considerate. Then I noticed the hole, and thought of a friend experienced with preganancy and childbirth who suffered horrible hemorroids. Maybe she sent this chair I had not known she had.

Then I saw the instructions to the thing. Or actually a set of images exemplifying the positions possible when using the thing. No mistakes about it: it's #5. (If you don't mind the non-work safe video, it's actually kinda funny to watch.)

Now, if Dav and I purchased this, I'd be way shy and not blog all about it! But here, this wonderful Body Bouncer is a wedding present that had been ordered and arrived at our door. From Sean and Lani. Of course, there is the question about what Dav and I communicate to our friends to inspire such a wedding gift... ; )

So although I'll spare you the details about our learning curve in using this, I do feel only a little bashful in sharing the fact that we received it. It is a great wedding gift: unique, thoughtful, for the couple, not something most already have, etc. Thanks, Sean and Lani!

MadHats!

It's been a while since I've gone to a crazy good party. Last night was our friend Jeffrey's annual MadHats party, and it delivered! It's my third or fourth, can't remember. Each year it gets bigger and better. It used to be more of Jeffrey's house party, but this year he charged a fee, and went all out. I couldn't believe the place was actually his house, as it was all decked out like a neat Burning Man club.

The best hat was one that was about 2 feet tall with a video ipod on it playing a movie!

Hung out with Campalicians, and saw old members I hadn't seen in a while. Word has spread that Dav and I have a bun in the oven, so I got lots of smiles and pats. Toni, after a few glasses of wine, started talking to my belly by the end of the evening!

Felt good to dance around...but part of me was very aware that Dav's and my party days will be taking a break once Gargle arrives. Partying isn't the center of my universe, but I felt a little mourning about how it will be more difficult for Dav and I to have our special moments together, where we dress up, attend fantastic other-worldly parties, and snuggle later on in the early morning hours. We have so many amazing memories.

The good news is that 3 other couples are thinking of a family for next year, so we just have to wait a bit; then our whole group will be running around with toddlers. We'll set up nurseries next to our party events!

I wore an old 1930s lady's sheep wool hat that I had found long ago at the Alameda Antique Flea Market. I had never worn it out, so I figured this was my chance. I should have opted for one of my zillion other colorful hat concoctions, as this wool thing basically looked like an amorphous mound on my head when in the dark, and it didn't stay on tight. Lesson learned.

my first baptism

I've never been to a baptism before so I was pretty curious about it. This one was for Maria, Dav's bio-sister's new baby girl. It was sorta weird because neither Dav nor I are religious, and I felt a tad uncomfortable witnessing Maria being told she was Christian when she had no idea what that meant. And I'm not into thinking that everyone should be thankful for everything from one guy, so I didn't join in on the praying, etc. But I was happy to be a part of something that was obviously important for the family.

Later, Dav and I perked up at the reception where they had food galore and even a chocolate fountain! Man, I ate like a horse. There are 2 other babies on the way in addition to Gargle in this large extended Callaghan clan. Gargle will be baby #63 for Grandma Callaghan! Dav and I discussed how it's strange to think that our kid will grow up with this family whom Dav only met after he was in his 30s since he grew up with an adopted family.

I love the last picture of Dav, his bio-mom Marie, and baby Maria. Ain't that cute?

Quad Rugby

Click to see video.	Click to see video.

[As usual when Dav and I go to the same event with our cameras in tow, he has better pictures, so check them out here (but I got videos, heh)]

After seeing Murder Ball recently, we found a regional tournament going on this weekend in San Jose, and went to check it out. It was really cool to see them play live, vs. on a movie screen, and they are serious Mad Max-style players indeed. I loved getting to know their moves and seeing them succeed in beautiful plays. We didn't know any of the teams, but I rooted for the losing teams.

Later, when we realized our jeep lights suddenly stopped working so we couldn't drive home in the dark, we ended up getting a hotel room across the street from the Japanese supermarket I was shopping at. By coincidence, all the quad rugby team players were staying there too (wasn't close by so it was total luck!). They were relaxing with their after-game beers, and Dav talked to one to get the rundown on a lot of the rules we had no idea about.

We are seriously thinking of going to the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. I'm not interested in the traditional Olympics with all the media hoot and other scandals. Just doesn't seem to be the event that would inspire me. The Paralympics, I think, would be amazing. And hopefully when we arrive for the games, Beijing won't be overrun with craziness.

Sake Tasting Party

From Thursday night when Todd and Dav had a sake tasting party at Sean's and Todd's. The group must have drank 6 or 7 bottles of sake, all different types. Dav recorded everyone's descriptions that may be useful for the future. It was hard since sake is so different from wine. I, of course, sat back and watched everyone get drunk. It was pretty funny to watch how at first everyone was hesitant to offer their descriptions. Then over time, as the sake flowed, the descriptions got pretty wild and weird!

serious craziness

Click to see video.

This is what is in Six Apart's CEO's office. Presented to him by Six Apart's president, no less.

Chocolat Poulain

When I lived in France during my junior year abroad, I fell in love with Poulain Chocolate. It's the best chocolate powder to make the most fabulous hot chocolate. Not too sweet, but nice and rich.

We have a French engineer visiting our office to work on a project and I finagled in getting him to bring me a box. Yum! Thanks Yann!!

They have really neat vintage posters too.

A little practicing

Photo taken by Toni when we had dinner at the Puerto Rican dinner at the Leland Tea House. I promise not to post nothing but Art Project related stuff, but this was too cute. Plus, Noi is mixed (American and Japanese) so could be close to what our Little Bug might look like :)

I'm just loving it all

There is so much going on within me (and yes, I still have that pinched nerve; just heard that it might last for months), and so much to share, yet it's taking time to find words. The largeness (figuratively and literally) of this whole experience is beyond everything. Every parent goes through this transition, yet it's so personal and intimate.

I hope to share more over time, but for now, the main thing is I'm just loving sharing this with Dav. Laura's words, from a comment she left when I first announced the art project, stick in my mind:

... in my opinion when a kid enters the picture, love increases exponentially. And the love you feel for Dav? It will be 1000 times more for your kid together.

Indeed, having this wonderful experience created by us and shared just between us is truly special. I'm amazed at my body and amazed at us! So here's to my dear husband who makes me so happy:

thank you! and I love you more. I can't believe we're gonna get to name somebody, and show them how cool and fun life can be

True Sake

Dav is getting into sake, mainly because he's planning to get into the business soon. We stopped by True Sake in Hayes Valley to check stuff out (like an $850 bottle...geez, you can go to Japan for that!) and pick up a nice bottle. I won't be drinking, but I'm happy he's getting into sake. Very pretty shop.