Sausalito

I'm a little behind on posting, but I do have some more photos to share from our Sausalito vacation.  I love the above picture of John on the docks.

We got a great view of the boats since we had to park pretty far down on 4th of July.  I swear, parking on 4th of a July is a nightmare no matter where you go.

I've shared pictures of Cavallo Point previously, but the lodge is just too beautiful not to photograph (and post about).

John, Harper, and I spent a lot of time sitting in these chairs (well Harper didn't technically sit in the third chair) overlooking the San Francisco Bay and the city.  I finished the last Game of Thrones book (that is available) and read one and a half other books.  It was a great way to relax.

We stayed in the older rooms this time, which meant we were more centrally located and had a great view of the city.

Our strange hotel neighbors liked to sit on their porch in similar rocking chairs...in their robes.  One day we saw the husband get locked out of his room in only his robe.  He had to flag down housekeeping staff to let him back in.  People are crazy.

The Golden Gate Bridge is just over the mountain.  The renovated and rejuvenated Fort Baker really makes a picturesque place to vacation.

Based on some internet research, we (namely, I) found the most amazing restaurant that sits on a pier in Sausalito.

Simply called "Fish," it serves only sustainable seafood in all manners of preparation for you to enjoy outside on wooden benches.

How could I not order an Arnold Palmer when it came in such an adorable presentation?

The first time we went we got the crab roll (no we did not finish all those fries)...

And the fish and chips.  The second time we got clam pasta and fish tacos (and the best minestrone of my life).  It was definitely the best seafood I've had in ages, and I'm only aggravated we didn't know about this place during all our prior visits to Sausalito.  I can't wait to go back!

38 Weeks and Running Out of Room

I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling that by the time you reach 38 weeks, you begin to feel like you are running out of room for more baby.  Luckily, she's not supposed to be growing at quite the same rate she previously was growing, so I may be able to tolerate another half a pound of baby in between my lungs and bladder.

I'm 38 weeks as of yesterday, when I snapped this photo on my way to the gym.  I've run out of Grey's Anatomy episodes to watch on Netflix while on the elliptical machine, so I've taken to watching 30 Rock.  People at my stage of pregnancy garner enough attention at the gym, much less ones who are giggling to themselves on the elliptical about "working on my night cheese."

After my visit to the gym, I came home and cooked for several hours so we could host a poker night for John's coworkers.  I think some people may describe me as a glutton for punishment?

Maternity Photos by Anika

Not only did Anika fly out to California and throw me a baby shower, but she also took some amazing maternity photos for us.

Anika is a wonderful photographer and now owns her own photography business - Anika Steffen Photography.

We went out to Crissy Field one afternoon to capture some images with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

This is the Golden Gate Fam blog, after all.

I haven't posted a bump photo in awhile, partially because I feel like a whale!  Anika managed to take photos that I love (where I don't look like a humpback).

I'm 37 and a half weeks now, and the doctor says the baby could essentially come at any time now.  We are so eager to get our baby girl in our arms, but I wouldn't mind if she waited to get fully cooked before she makes her debut.  

Thank you again, Anika, for the lovely photos.  I'm so happy to have this time in our life captured.  Now I just need to figure out which one to put in our daughter's baby book!

4th of July

John and I had a great time celebrating Independence Day in Sausalito this year.  

We went to the local picnic where the Sausalito community groups sold food to raise money.  I had multiple ears of corn that were cooked on the grill and then slathered with butter.  Just supporting the community!

The Cal (aka U.C. Berkeley) alumni band got free burgers at the picnic, and somehow we ended up in line behind the entire band.  Whoops.

You can't help but feel patriotic on the 4th of July with all the beautiful flags around.

Most of the kids at the picnic found the sandy volleyball pit to be the best place to hang out.  Next year we'll have one of those red, white, and blue clad munchkins running around!

I loved this grandfather and his sparkly headband.

John obviously enjoyed chowing down on his picnic hamburger.  I enjoyed mine too, as well as the second hamburger I had for dinner that night.  Nothing more American than that, right?

Retirement Party

I love throwing parties, mostly so I can meticulously plan the menu and cook for days in preparation .  I enjoy the actual party too, but the process before the party is a big draw for me as well.  I haven't had a real party in years (though we've had plenty of dinner parties), so when I knew I was quitting my job and would have free time to cook up a big feast, I immediately sent out the evites.

Somehow I got it in my head that my retirement party should be a BBQ, but the kind without a grill b/c that requires John to do the heavy lifting.  My friends were willing to loan me their slow cookers, so I made two slow cookers full of pulled pork and one slow cooker full of pulled chicken.

Naturally we had potato salad and cole slaw as sides - along with fruit salad, tomato salad, and guacamole.  Natalie made an enormous amount of brownies and I made a batch of whole wheat chocolate chip cookies. It turns out, we made enough food for double the amount of guests, but I tend to err on that side.

Lots of our friends, including my buddies from work, were able to make it down to Mountain View for the party.  Harper was the hit of the party with the toddler set (she and the sidewalk chalk I bought).  My swollen ankles reached record size that day, but it was well worth it.

I'm thinking our next big party will be in about a year when I got absolutely nuts planning our daughter's first birthday party.  Pretty crazy to think about that now!

Last Week

I have real photos to post from my real camera, but I'm almost 37 weeks pregnant, so I choose laziness.  Here are my iPhone pictures of our trip to Cavallo Point last week.  The one above is my favorite, and was taken on a drive home after dinner in San Francisco (at Zuni Cafe - yum).

This was our third time up at Cavallo Point, and our longest stay there.  Luckily it was also the one where we had the best weather.  I've got a lovely farmer's tan going.

 Harper loved the vacation too - and particularly enjoyed sleeping on the king-sized bed.

Cavallo Point was a great place to spend 4th of July, since we could see both firework shows in San Francisco from the front lawn (the two shows are actually identical and synchronized).

While we weren't invited out on anyone's sailboats, we did take a ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco and back.

We pretty much spent the entire week eating incredible food, including this to-die-for garlic bread from Fish. Garlic bread is a normal side dish to order with fish tacos, right?

More pictures and stories to come soon!

Officially Retired

I am officially retired.  Also known as unemployed.  

Friday was my last day of work, and it's all a bit surreal.

I spent many, many hours sitting in this chair and at this desk.  The past few months, sitting in a chair became especially uncomfortable, but that's pregnancy for you.

Farewell sad looking office building.  I will not miss you or your very small bathrooms and very cold conference rooms.  

I'm due exactly one month from today - on August 2nd - so if everything goes as planned, I will have a few weeks to relax and get things ready for our baby girl to arrive.  (Time to read The Happiest Baby on the Block and books of that sort.)

I only took a few souvenirs from work to remember all the fun times - many, many notebooks with my name on them (I left all the business cards, though) and several large binder clips that I fancy using as chip clips (they work great).  I suppose there are a few non-physical items I took with me - namely, friendships, experience, some understanding about DNA sequencing, and way too much boring knowledge about "the law."  

Once our daughter is born my new job will start, and I'll be off on a new journey.  Wish me luck!