Sofa Mobile

Sofa Mobile,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

So, with me home on disability, Parker has also been spending more time around the house, which means we have to find interesting ways of entertaining ourselves that don't involve me running around. As a kid, my sister and I used to build forts with the couch cushions. Parker, however, preferred that I make him a car so here it is, the 2009 Sofa Mobile. Build for speed and comfort, the Sofa Mobile is the latest in cushion construction.

Unfortunately, it's one of a kind and the only one available to own is already taken by Parker.

Chinese New Year's Eve

Happy Chinese New Year's Eve! My mom prepared a huge dinner, featuring just about every beast in the Chinese zodiac.

As the tradition, the kids got red envelopes. I just realized Piper looks just like the little dude on her envelope. Parker, obviously, went crazy over his but he wisely suggest that the money inside should go into his piggy bank. Smart move, little man!

Expressive Sleep

As you can probably guess, I spend a lot of time watching the baby as she sleeps in my arms. As various expressions run across her face I can't help but wondering about what she's thinking. What's causing that serious face? What's up with that smirk? Is that a smile or just gas?

Baby's First Doctor's Visit

When she was born, Piper's bilirubin count was a tad high; however, leaving the hospital, it appeared to be going down. (Parker had the same issue when he was born.) Today we was Piper's first pediatrician visit and her bilirubin counts was the first item on the agenda. Good news...all appears to be well now. Actually, she looks good all around. Her weight dropped to 6lb 9oz (again, normal). She has another appointment next week. Her goal...to regain the weight lost since birth.

Day 3 -- Coming Home

And on the third day, we were released from the hospital and allowed to go home. The entire family -- Me, Chris, Parker, Piper, Frankie, and Dean -- are finally united. Frankie and Dean were curious about the newest Trillo but they seemed to take to her pretty well.

Daddy's Little Girl

Chris, Parker and my mom stop by for some Piper bonding time (which gives me a chance to take a shower and catch a little shut-eye).

Swollen

They said my feet would be swollen but holy cow! It looks like I had a Fred Flintstone foot transplant. Every single piggy is plumped to the max and my ankles...where did they go? Well, at least I got that pedicure earlier this week to show off these gorgeous gams.

Day 1 in Review

Healthy and happy, the Trillo girls can't wait to be discharged from the hospital to be reunited with the Trillo boys.

Look Who's Awake Now

Look Who's Awake Now,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

So far we've had 3 poopy diapers (Chris, you just missed them!) -- two of them were one right after the other -- had a couple of meals, and slept a lot. But now she's awake and checking out Mommy.

Yeah! Piper's here!

Yeah! Piper's here!,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker and Carli take turns holding Piper. Now if we can just get them trained in changing diapers.

Baby's First Bath

Baby's First Bath,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

And as you can see...she's loving it.

NOT!

Piper Mary Trillo 12:32pm

Piper Mary Trillo 12:32pm,
originally uploaded by Chris.

In case you're wondering, here are Piper's stats:

• weight: 7lb 4oz
• length: 20in
• head: 14-1/4in
• chest: 13-1/4in

And yes, it's a girl!

Pushing!

We are pushing

Piper up front, mom in back

Piper up front, mom in back.,
originally uploaded by Chrisl.

Kind of makes me think of the space photo ''Earth rises over moon''.

Dad waits

Dad waits,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

The Boys Save The Day

The Hutson boys that is. At the moment they have control of Parker and are down at the cafeteria having a bite to eat and keeping him out of the room, apparently not allowed to the birth.

"I was born once myself!" he yelled as they took him away.

What a brave little man he is.

Piper is on the way and you better get out of it.

As you know Catherine went into labor this morning saving me from a gruesome comute to redondo beach.

Our mothers were going to take command of Parker but due to an early arrival we called in the calvery, AKA the Hutsons.

Thanks so much!

Catherine is doing fine and catching naps here and there.

Not to long to kickoff now

Any time now

7cm. Epidural in. Water is broken.

Don't Worry

Don't Worry,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker's got the pictures all taken care of.

5 Centimeters Dialated

As of about 30 minutes ago. Yeah, we're not going anywhere.

Now if I could just get that epidural.

Maybe Aimee's On To Something

Started to feel contractions this morning. This could be it. We're getting ready to head to the hospital right now.

All Systems Go

So, unless Piper decides to come in about the next 24 hours, she's scheduled to be nudged out into the world this Thursday. I'm scheduled to be at the hospital at 7am, which means she should be out by the afternoon.

Looks like Chris' brother Dana will have to share his birthday.

Psyched

Psyched,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Absolutely psyched!

I can't believe this time is finally here!

Heading Home

So it looks like I'm a bit dehydrated. They're sending us home after having me drink two mega glasses of water (and taking a few tests, of course).

OK So Far

Baby seems to be fine. I guess I'm having some contractions but they're not close enough. They want me here a bit longer but odds are, we'll be heading home soon. Will keep you updated as things progress.

Just in case...

We're heading to the hospital -- not due to contractions but because the baby doesn't seem her usual active self so we're going to have her checked out. It's probably nothing but just thought I'd shoot out a heads up.

You've Gotta Smile

So, it's been a while but Frankie gave his ''big dog'' bark so I had to go to the window and check out what could have brought him out of his shell. At first I didn't see it and then there it was...a cow. Yes, my neighbor literally has a farm -- cow, chicken, donkey, etc. -- and it looked like their cow got loose forcing their son to try to herd it back home. Not an easy task -- that cow's pretty feisty! But he eventually did it. I guessing Frankie, deep down inside, want to do some of that shepherding.

Nothing Yet

I guess I've been letting myself get a little isolated out here on maternity leave as three people inquired about whether or not Piper had arrived yesterday.

First, there was my sister, who suggested that maybe we should give up on calling her ''Piper'' and name her after the new incoming president. Barack Trillo anyone? How about Obama Trillo? Any takers for Hussain Trillo?

The second came from Aimee -- via text message.

''Any Piper news? :-)''
''Still holding. I think she's afraid to come out in a world with Bush in charge. But his farewell might confuse her -- people say goodbye when they're leaving...right? Just don't tell her he's still here for a couple more days.''
''Hahaha...just chant 'barack is our rock' over and over and maybe she won't notice that other guy slipping out the rear exit...''
''My sister things I should call the baby 'Barack' instead of 'Piper'. :)''
''Well, she's a girl, so maybe go with 'baracka' instead (pronounced like 'erica')''
''Sounds more like 'Chewbaca'.''
''Then lets hope she's not too hairy when she gets here.''

Actually, now that I think about it, ''Baracka'' also sounds close to Mr. T's character's name on the A-Team. Yeah, again, I don't think I'm quite sold on the name change.

The third came from Thommy. Of course he called while Paker was having a fit -- we had just watched a few episodes of 30 Rock (one of the few shows we can both agree on) and he wanted more...not the quiet -- TV free -- time I had just imposed. Yup, can't wait for another one to add to the mix. Actually, he did eventually quite down with the introduction of playdoh. To bad we just cleaned the kitchen floors today. I guess I should have taken a picture.

So anywho...that's were we currently stand...nothing yet. Still waiting for Piper.

2008, A look back

Well, it looks like I hit my resolution of out blogging 2007. With 163 entries, I even out blogged 2006! Currently, I also seem to be on track to out blog 2008. ROCK ON!

I did end 2008 heavier than I started it...but then I am pregnant. At a current weight of 188 , I guess the important thing is to end 2009 considerably lighter than how I started it.

I would say a few highlights from last year would include:

• Burns Night: Nothing better then having your baby rocking out in a bar!
• Pouring the Slab: The stalled shed project takes off again!
• The Road Ahead: New year, new job!
• What's Wrong With This Picture?: This maybe more of a lowlight but one can't forget the car accident Parker and I had last year that total the Saturn.
• Happy Birthday, Paarrrrker!: Parker turns 3!
• New Car: With the totaled car comes the new car.
• Death Valley Birthdaze: Parker's first camping trip and he loved it!
• Project Garden: Parker's garden was a total success -- providing pounds of delicious tomatoes, herbs (some of which are still hanging in there even after our recent bout of snow!), and even a couple of pumpkins!
• Welcome Dean: Dean joins the Trillo household. I can't believe how small he used to be!
• Go Baby, Go!: Official confirmation that Parker would soon have a little sibling!
• Baby's First Scan: Our first look at Piper!
• It's Time!: Parker ditches the diapers
• Morro Bay: Great family get-away to Morro Bay. Hopefully, it will become an annual tradition.
• Palin and Clinton on SNL: This isn't Trillo related but you've gotta love Tina Fey as Sarah Palin.
• Halloween 2008: How could Halloween NOT be a highlight, especially with Parker dressed as Woody.
• Yes We Can!: I was obsessed with the entire campaign but the most important thing is that the right man -- Barack Obama -- was elected as President.
• Snow Days: Everyone (at least hear in Acton) will be talking about the show of 2008 for years. It was totally awesome! Glad to have been stuck at home rather than stuck unable to get home (like Chris...but that worked to his advantage as he was able to NOT miss any work)
• Sledding: And of course, Tahoe is always a highlight.

Frankie Update

Back from the vet. Good news. Everything physically looks fine with Frankie -- no visible bites or scratches, no joints out of whack, no sniffles or sniffs. Most likely, he had the scare of his life and will need about a week to get back to his old self.

Actually, I had Frankie out in the yard while I went to the market and when I got back I noticed he wasn't stuck to the side of the house. He was actually laying out in the sun...not in his usual dirt pit on the far side of the yard but still, it's a start.

What's Up With Frankie?

So, ever since Frankie returned home, he hasn't been himself. He was skittish getting out of the neighbor's car when she brought him back. He hasn't been eating much. He doesn't seem to want to go outside (not even to pee). And, here's the clincher...he doesn't want to play fetch. He physically seems find but psychologically he seem under the weather.

Not sure what happened to him while he was out in the world on Friday but you know my mind...it can't help but think of every and all possiblilities...

• He finally came face-to-face with one our not-so-kind animal neighbors...like a bobcat or mountain lion and barely escaped by the skin of his teeth.
• He was chased by a pack of coyotes and barely escaped by the skin of his teeth.
• He got himself into to trouble with one of my neighbors -- maybe fooling around with their livestock -- and barely escaped by the skin of his teeth.
• He was captured by pirates and, after feigning loyalty, barely escaped by the skin of his teeth.

I guess we'll never know for sure. I did make an appointment today with Frankie's vet, just to make sure nothing's actually physically wrong with my oldest boy. Will keep you all updated with his progress.

Week 38

Week 38,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

So we're in the final stretch. According to my online calendar, she's about 6.8lb, over19-1/2 inches long, and is ready to come out any day now.

Unfortunately, this time around, we had to go with a different OB-Gyn as Dr. Tzeng retired from delivering babies. Since the new Doc has his own ultrasound equipment, that means we no longer need to see the ultrasound specialist, which has meant less in utero pictures of Piper.

I got this 3D pic of her last month (Dec 1st) but it's, quite honestly, a bit disappointing because not a lot of time was taken to secure the right "angle" for the picture. I was hoping to get another shot but it's looking like this may be the last image before we get to see her in person so look closely and you'll be able to make out the left side of her face -- one eye and partial nose.

Have You Seen Frankie?

I couldn't sleep all night. Aside from the prego issues causing hip pain and not to mention having to wake up ever couple hours to pee -- Frankie ran off yesterday morning and didn't return. Several times I went into the super cold wind and called for him -- walking around the area checking ravines and driving out to some of the more farther out neighbors (including Frankie's mom's house)...no luck. When Chris got home that night, he did the same...no luck.

All I could think of was him curled up under a juniper injured, surrounded by coyotes. Or his broken body under a debris pile at the bottom of a ravine with coyotes closing in.

My only hope is that we hadn't had a call returned from the neighbor where we got him (his mom's house).

Well, this morning, as I started to make a lost dog flyer, Chris say that he got a message from our neighbor. Frankie arrived at their house around midnight last night -- safe and sound -- and they would be bringing him down this morning.

Now what was he doing all day? I have no idea. I'm just glad to have him back.

Of course Frankie, you thought I was paranoid before with using the leash at the mailbox...you have no idea how obsessive I can become. Don't you ever put me through that again!

Do Not Use Dishwasher

Do Not Use Dishwasher,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Can you tell which of these two water bottles went into my dishwasher -- top shelf, mind you! (I had to stand the one on the left upside down because it wouldn't sit on its base anymore.)

Believe it or not, the instructions also say not to soak in hot water. Seriously, who has time to coddle a water bottle?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

starring Parker.

Pics by Parker

Parker's getting better at taking pictures. Now if he can just stop focusing on all things round.

Caught in the Act

Caught in the Act,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Oh the humanity!

Rock 'em, Sock 'em

Rock 'em, Sock 'em,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker can stay behind the ropes. He just needs to get right into the action, knocking the block off Red Rocker.

Home Sweet Home!

Home Sweet Home!,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Now that we're home, Frankie can finally partake in his Christmas gift!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

If we can stay up long enough for it to get here.

Even with the incentive of driving the car, even Luxi fell asleep.

Actually, the adults did manage to be awake for midnight and check out the various fireworks displays across the city.