Another Year Already

Another year down, and by far, 2nd year was much better than the first. I realized that when people said the first year of marriage is the hardest, they weren’t kidding. Granted Mario & I dated for quite some time before we got married (I’ve been told I didn’t bring my A game to the dating table), but being married totally changes the perspective on everything. From one day to the next, my laundry loads doubled in size, I was cleaning up hairs in the bathroom sink that I’m hoping didn’t come from me & now I have to make two bowls of cereal for dinner instead of just one Honey Bunches of Oats. This however, has earned me the title of “Best Wife Ever.” Not that Mario really has any comparisons, but because he knows what’s best for him.

This year’s anniversary was a bit less dramatic than the last couple years. Partially because I don’t want to be traveling anywhere unless it’s to my bed or the bathroom, but mainly because we’re in the process of buying a house and should be getting our keys “any day now.” That will be one exciting post!! In the meantime, we’re trying to save all our money, as carpet & fridges are expensive these days.

I did my research and found out that 2nd year gifts should be something cotton related. Mar got a couple t-shirts, and I got a couple short night gowns that will hopefully fit my growing belly. My belly that looks more like I ate one too many packs of Twinkies, and not a belly that looks with child. Oh well. After we exchanged our cottons, we went to Home Depot (so romantic), and then went to see Oceans. Not what I was expecting, but a decent movie. I remembered that screaming kids are the reason I don’t see matinees. After the movie we went to dinner at Pismo’s. For all you Fresnan’s, I’m sorry to say I don’t recommend it. It really wasn’t very good. We split a chowder & had some fish & chips, both were just kinda blah. It’s a really cool restaurant, but unless you wanna pay too much for so-so food, I’d say skip it! After that, went home, busted out the wedding cake, and went to bed.

I was reluctant to put this pic up from dinner, because I couldn’t possibly look any more horrible, but what the hey. My hairdresser/makeup artist was on vacay :)

First Ultrasound

Mario & I went to our first ultrasound this last Friday the 16th. SO EXCITING!!! I’ve never experienced anything like that. Besides the morning sickness, which really makes me feel like I have the flu 24/7, I didn’t really feel pregnant. But seeing Baby on the screen was so crazy. It’s like the mother in me finally kicked in and now being sick seems so much more worth it. Or maybe just not so unbearable.
On another note, I went shopping this weekend to get a few maternity clothes. So the morning when I wake up and can’t button my paints, I’ll be ready. I must say though, I was all but impressed with the selections I found. I will just have to keep searching.
In the meantime, here’s a pic of Baby. Head on the right, little arms, legs, and what’s left of the tail where the curser is on the left. On Friday, the tech said about 9 weeks 3 days, and about 2.68cm, little over an inch. So looks like my due date should be right around Nov 20.

Let's Try This Again, WITHOUT the Help of Paul & Krista

I didn’t want to announce it to the world quite yet, but I suppose it’s time. It’s only a matter of time before everyone tells my business anyways!
Mario & I are finally going to be parents :) We had our first doctors appointment yesterday, and our tentative due date is November 20. I have to schedule an appointment for my ultrasound to get a better idea of the due date, so pretty much some time in the month of November.
We’re super excited, and I’m bummed that some of you already know & I wasn’t the one to share that news. I guess that’s my lesson to keep my mouth shut. Good news travels faster than we’d like sometimes.
But anyways, I’m reading “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” which is an awesome book. I’m sure a lot of you have read it, it seems to be the popular choice. On top of the morning sickness, I’m also suffering from a cold that someone decided to give me (probably a dirty client, thank you). I’m still trying to figure out what I can and can not eat. The list of can not’s seems to be growing quite fast though.
Hopefully my next post will be a bit more cheery & maybe by that time I’ve had time to clean my house. Or maybe not :(

Does This Make Us Groupies?

I hope so.

For Mar’s bday in January, we went to the AFI concert in Fresno. Good times. Since we loved it so much, we went to their concert in San Francisco. They’re from East Bay, so we figured this show will probably knock the socks off the Fresno show. Totally did!

I’m guessing if any of you even have time to listen to music, AFI might not be your first choice. Wasn’t mine either until their last album. They’re a lot more mellow now, not so punkish. So I have a newfound love for the boys, whom I refer to on a first name basis, Davey, Jade, Hunter & Adam.

So last Thursday, we drove up to Walnut Creek where Mario’s sister lives. Had a little visit, ate some bueno mexicano comida, and she drove us into the city for the show. And when it was all done at 1230am, we got in the car, drove back to Fresno & went to work at 8am the next day. Now that’s dedication. Right? Heck yes! How can you say no to that hair & those tatts?!

Better enjoy it while we still can…

Panini Update

Back in the day (last year) I shared with you one of my kitchen purchases, the Griddler, aka, my Panini press (Insert 2/12/09 post here).

It is, to date, my most favoritest appliance ever! I do so much cooking on it, it’s such a life saver. It comes with 2 sets of plates: flat, for perfectly round pancakes & eggs & grill, for burgers, bacon & panini’s of course.

Realizing I posted my purchase a year ago, I’m disappointed I have not yet shared one of my meals on here. Boo me. Let’s go ahead & change that right now.

Last night, I invited Donnie & Addy over for dinner. But first, stop at our new Fresh & Easy for some yummy & very affordable focaccia rolls, ham, pepperoni, salami, mozzarella & parmesan cheese. Sounds good already, right? I know.
Once home, bust out the grill & prepare the sandwiches. I love the Panini press even more because you plug it in, turn it on, and you’re good to go in like 5 minutes max. Cut the rolls in half & spread on your choice of tomato sauce. I prefer marinara, but I had some tomato & basil sauce I needed to use up. Next, layer with meats listed above, sautéed mushrooms if you dig the fungi, & top it with both cheeses. Spread some EVOO on top & bottom rolls, and put ‘er on the gill (I forgot to take a pic until I put the last sandwich on, forgive the dirty grill plates).
Press down on the grill & that’s it. Let it cook for 5ish min, just enough to heat it through so the cheese melts. And there you have an amazing Italian gilled sandwich.

How’s your sandwich Addy? It’s bangin Auntie! Thanks ;)

Drunken Frenzo

How horrible is your city when Seth Meyers is making fun of it?

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Sushi 101

I'm back! After a long & much needed hiatus.

For my BIG 27th bday (back in October), Donnie, Meg & Addy bought me a sushi making kit. Cause I'm sort of a fiend, and I love to cook & try new things. I guess sushi doesn't really fall in the "cook" category, but it's definitely a "new thing".

First you start with the ingredients:

vinegar's, sushi rice, dried seaweed, etc.

Next you cook the sushi rice, put it in a bowl, and fan it with a Mexican fan (please ignore the grapes).

Chop up some crap meat (imitation if you're cheap like me), English cucumbers (no seeds or skin), and fresh avocado. Don't forget to make yourself some miso soup either.

Next, you take some seaweed, lay it on the rolling bamboo mat, and firmly press the sushi rice into the 'weed. May get sticky, so use some vinegar.

Once you've got a nice even coat of rice, place 'weed rice side down on a damp cloth. Fill it with your fave fixin's (crab, cuc's & avo's) & roll 'er up!

Just to prove who made 'em, there I am :)

The finished product! Not bad if I say so myself. Definitely have a long way to go if I want a career in the sushi making/rolling biz, but good enough for the Silva's.

As far as the taste...well, I will be using real crab next time. Aragato!