Sunday, December 07, 2008

whatever you call it

Me: My foot really hurts.
Bertrand: Oh no, what happened? Did you slam it into something?
Me: I don't know. But my left toe really hurts.
Bertrand: Which toe?
Me: My um...thumb toe.
Bertrand: ...you mean your big toe?
Me: Hmm. Yeah....

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

stretching

What does it feel like to have two little people moving around in your belly preparing to make their entry into the world...at any moment?

It feels like just taking a normal average breath of air is like hiking Mount Everest.  It feels like every muscle in your body is mad at you for making it carry almost an extra half of your original body weight.  It feels like you are the biggest klutz because you can't gauge how far something is from you when trying to walk through a small hallway or opening (and then realizing that you no longer fit).  It feels like when you try really hard to stuff your entire wardrobe into that little carry-on.  You push and squish things into every little pocket, you sit on it, you get others to help you and just manage to get the lock closed...but you can tell it's just about to bust at its seams.  It feels like you just said something you really shouldn't have and the person next to you elbows you in the ribs...really hard.  It feels like you are a beached whale when you can't manage to roll over and get out of bed without some help from the one who got you into this situation in the first place.  It feels like everything is just out of reach...like the far and distant sink while you are brushing your teeth, and so you accept the fact that toothpaste and water will just get all over you.  It feels like no matter what you do, or how fast you think you are doing it, you are moving at a snails speed. Actually...I think I've seen a couple of those sluggies stick their tongues out at me as they zoomed past me.  It feels like you have two very distinct aliens in your body when you look down and your belly is lopsided, or a little body part sticks out like a head, foot or knee. 

And...it feels amazing. I can't wait to meet these two little aliens.

Just when you feel like you couldn't possibly stretch anymore...your body surprises you and keeps on growing.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

choppy chop chop

I cut off 10 inches of my hair.

pre-haircut/donation

Woah.

new do

I have never in my life had short hair...unless you count when I was a baby and it was growing to its long state.  So this was a big move for me.  But it was for a good cause so I feel happy that I was able to share my hair with someone else who needs it much more than I do.  I decided about a year ago  that I wanted to grow my hair out to donate it to cancer patients.  There are a few organizations out there and ultimately I decided to donate it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths who makes wigs out of the donated hair for women with cancer.  I know how hair can be such a great form of expression and self-image for a woman and can only imagine what it would feel like to lose all of your hair.  If you're thinking about doing it, I encourage you to find an organization and grow your hair out to donate it and make a small difference in someone's life.  After all, it will grow back..right?

So now I'm sporting a fresh new do and still getting used to it.  I keep going to touch hair and instead grab some air.  My neck is a little colder.  And taking a shower and washing my hair? That was quite the learning experience.  I know better for the next time....much much less shampoo.

Friday, November 21, 2008

mom delivers baby at BART station

Baby Born at San Leandro BART Station

The 21-year-old mother was with her 2-year-old child at around 7 a.m. when she started going into labor at the top of the escalator.

A station agent and a police officer helped her until paramedics arrived and delivered the baby, Johnson said.

Hmm...yeah. Not planning on riding BART alone anytime soon! =)

Monday, November 17, 2008

they're coming two-by-two

A few of my very close girlfriends threw me an amazingly cute and fun little baby (babies?) shower last weekend.  The theme was Noah's Ark with little animals coming two-by-two, just like our babies will be coming in a very short while.  The place was decked out in adorable decorations, yummy food, great company, and hilarious belly busting games.  I had such a great time.

Welcome babies!

Animals

2-by-2

Thank you friends! I love you!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

so this is what it comes to

As of lately...my shoes no longer fit comfortably, or at all for that matter. Given the fact that I am carrying and growing two little people in my belly, my feet have retained some water and grown a tad swollen. Okay, a lot swollen. It has started to make me really sad thinking that my cute shoes no longer fit me and will not be an option for the next couple of months (hopefully they go back to normal after). So sad, that I decided that I no longer cared WHAT I was wearing, as long as they are comfortable and fit.

So this led to me and my husband going to the store and buying some fur lined Crocs that I can wear for the remainder of the pregnancy. I was actually looking for the ones that had the fur inside the shoe instead of showing on the outside, but they didn't have anymore in my size. So out of desperation for comfortable shoes, I bought the fur lined Crocs with fur peeking out on the outside.

This morning before leaving for our many doctor's appointments, I pulled off the tags to my new shoes and popped them on. And then I paused and commented to Bertrand, "Wait...these look just like the inside house slippers I just took off. Am I going to be the pregnant lady who wears slippers out in public??" He then tells me that I am overreacting and that my shoes were clearly Crocs and clearly outside shoes. I asked him again, "...but I really think these might look like my slippers I wear in the house. Oh no!" He reassured me that I looked fine and that they did not look like slippers.

At the end of my first doctor's appointment, the doctor stood up and shook my hand and then leaned over towards Bertrand to shake his hand. Bertrand was too preoccupied trying to get my shoes in place for me to wear once I got off the table that he didn't realize the doctor was waiting for him. Then the doctor chuckled and said, "Oh it's okay, I see you are on purse and slipper duty", said goodbye and left the room. Once we were alone in the room, I turned to Bertrand and said, "Did you HEAR what he just said? He said SLIPPERS!" Bertrand looked up at me and then started to bust out laughing while I gathered my things and whimpered out the door.

I whined and whimpered about my new shoes that look like slippers and that I am now "that lady" on the way to our next appointment. As the nurse greeted me and took me to my room, she looked down and said, "Ooh! You're wearing your comfy shoes" I just glared at Bertrand with my "really?" face who returned my glare with a laugh. Embarrassed, I hid my shoes in the corner of the room so the doctor wouldn't see them. At the end of our appointment with her, she said goodbye and as she left the room, turned and gave a nice long pause as she looked at my lowly shoes in the corner.

We only talked with a few people this morning after slipping on these shoes and almost all had something to say about my "slippers". Bertrand, how could you let me buy these shoes and then let me wear them in public?

I am the slipper lady.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

trick-or-treat, give me something good to eat

Halloween 2008

One of the great parts about living in family friendly suburbia is all the cute little kids that run around and say little cute kid things and do cute little kid things. This also means...a lot of kids coming to your house trick-or-treating for Halloween. I prepared my usual giant bucket of candy as I do every year and filled it with three giant warehouse store bags of candy.

This was the first year in 6 years where I haven't dressed up for Halloween. Sorry folks. This year, for Halloween, I decided to just be a pregnant woman. BUT...I did wear an orange shirt and Halloween socks.

Before the sun even set, little princesses and frogs and witches and superheros started ringing our doorbell. And soon? It was almost pointless to even shut the door because swarms and swarms of children were flocking through the neighborhood and to our house. By 7pm, we realized we were out of candy. And we had been semi-stingy not knowing how many kids would be rolling through and only gave about 2-3 pieces per kid! So Bertrand did the emergency candy run while I scrounged up some more candy from my own personal candy stash to give to the kiddies.

And then..it poured and the rain came down, and the kids stopped coming. And somehow after buying pounds and pounds of candy and several hundred children later, I got left with some not-so-favorite candy.

Next year, maybe we'll just buy the candy aisle to be prepared. And kiddies, you can't touch my personal stash of good stuff!

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

dogs and dolls

A couple of weeks ago I had jokingly mentioned how we should get a doll to "practice" for the babies and see how the dogs might react to a baby in the house.  My mom bought us a doll that came with all these little accessories including a litle basket, extra outfit, pacifier, blanket, and a little bear.  

Yesterday, I opened up the doll and sorted its little toys and then carried it around pretending it was a baby.  The dogs did great! They were obviously curious and wanted to check out this new addition.  They gave little sniffs and were calm and nice when we would tell them to be careful and to just say hi to the baby.  

Then I sat down on the couch and put the baby in it's basket on the floor near me to watch what the dogs would do.  Toby decided he would take guard and protect this new "thing" and laid near it.  Max would occasionally come sniff it, but was otherwise undeterred and continued running around and playing with his toys.  And then...I saw Max walk up to the basket, set down his favorite rope toy against the basket, back up a little, and then proceed to take the little bear toy that belonged to the baby doll.  It was his peace offering and he was making friends by offering to trade his very favorite toy for her little bear!

Want to trade toys?

After taking the toy back and telling him that it was the baby's toy and not his, I sat him next to the basket for a picture so his daddy could see how he had given the baby his rope toy.  And then Toby? He decided he wanted to have a picture with the baby too...

Boys with baby doll

Thursday, October 02, 2008

toby punkeroo

We turned on our tobycam this morning so we could watch Toby while we were away at work and see what he was up to.  Bertrand initially pointed the camera at the doggy beds so we could see him resting in his bed.  Instead? Toby decided he'd rather sunbathe by the sliding glass door.  So at lunchtime, Bertrand went home and moved the camera to point at the sliding door so I could watch Toby in his "spot".  The second Bertrand left? Toby decided to go sleep in his bed.

Punk.

Toby

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

excuse me, what's this?

While hanging out with our neighbors out in front of our house, one of the little neighborhood girls came and stood next to me and held my hand.  Then she started to lean on me and used her free hand to rub my belly. Soon after, I felt a tug on my arm and heard a little voice repeatedly say, "excuse me. excuse me."  I smiled and looked down, "yes?" And then she uses her belly rubbing hand and points and says, "excuse me. what is this?" and points at the belly.  I told her, "those are babies" she tilted her head, said "oh!" and then ran off to play again.

What if I was just fat...?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

our twins

About a month ago, Bertrand and I found out the sexes of our twin babies.  

We are having a little boy and a little girl!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Happy Birthday, blog


Happy 6th Birthday to kimbalina.com. It's kind of crazy thinking that when I started this blog, I was a college student. Since then, I've graduated, worked for one of the greatest tech giants, traveled the world, gotten engaged, married, and am now a soon-to-be mommy. Here's to many more years.

Speaking of anniversaries...I also celebrated another anniversary yesterday. :)

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Labor Day in Monterey

We celebrated the long Labor Day Weekend in Monterey

We walked down Cannery Row...
Cannery Row

looked out at the ocean...
Monterey Bay Aquarium

watched the jellyfish be jelly...
jellies

had a staredown with some fish...
Monterey Bay Aquarium

ate a giant sundae at Ghiradelli...
Ghiradelli's Sundae

and took a nice long drive top-down in the convertible along 17 mile drive...
Lone Cyprus Tree

The weather was perfect, the clam chowder was hot, and the fish were swimmy. It was a great time.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

pre-teen

This morning while I was lost in my music and work, a few gentlemen walked through my work area and stopped next to my desk, talking loudly and pointing at my monitor. I took off my headphones and said, "good morning!" One of the men, smiled at me, then loudly asked to the room in general, "Is there anyone who works here who is over 12?"

Hello!

Apparently, I am a pregnant pre-teen.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

are you eating butter?

I have a pack of Lemon Hi-Chew yummy chewy candies sitting on my desk. Earlier today, I took a bite of one of the candies and put the rest back on the wrapper. One of my co-workers came over to my desk to talk about something, looked down, and said, "Are you eating butter?" and points at my yellow candy. I started laughing and pointed at the candy pack and said, "No, it's Hi-Chew. You thought I was eating...BUTTER???" Then he shrugs and says, "I don't know what pregnant women eat. Maybe it helps with the pregnancy or something."

Monday, August 18, 2008

fun in the sun...and the house

A bunch of my friends got together for a fun barbecue this weekend. In typical fun fashion, we stuffed ourselves with all sorts of yumminess, played some games, and had some of the best and funniest moments I can possibly remember.

Most memorable moments from Guesstures: "porpoise" & "batman"

Fruit, fruit, fruit...
Strawberries

Build your burger station...

Hamburger Fixings

Catchphrase!
Some Other Game Time

Guesstures!
Guesstures Time

"Batman". Notice the confused faces.
Guesstures Time

"Porpoise"

porpoise!

Thank you friends. I feel so lucky and blessed to have such fun, loving, and amazing people in my life!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

I love *yawn* the Olympics

Man, are the Olympics great or are they great?

I always get so excited when the Olympics are on. Pretty much as far back as I can remember...and sometimes further back than I can remember. I was talking to Bertrand the other night telling him about how great some event in the olympics were awhile back recalling all the details to him, when he interrupted me and asked how I could possibly remember that considering the fact that it occurred before I was born. Hmm. Yeah...not sure about that one. Maybe my mom so vividly described it to me over the years that I somehow felt like I was actually there and felt the same excitement she did watching it.

Given that I am now eating, drinking, sleeping for three people, I am pretty pooped by the end of the day (or really all day, every day). But given the Men's swimming relay race the other night (wow!) and just so many other amazing moments, it has been sooo worth it staying up those extra couple of hours, despite the fact that I feel like I'm about ready to fall asleep for eternity. And I know I could record it and watch it later...but that seems useless when the next morning, all the news stations are giving the recaps and replaying the exciting moments. I want to see it happen before I start hearing results and seeing clips.

Anyways, thank you Mr. cutie-patootie Michael Phelps and the women's gymnastics for making me even more tired than I already am. I complain, but really, I so love it.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

max mixup

hi little beard

Max made his first visit to Palantir with me today. He had so much fun learning his new surroundings and making new friends (both people and dog types).

His presence is also causing some fun humor and confusion for those of us sitting around here...

While talking with one of my coworkers here about how she should have her desk height adjusted, one of us mentioned the name of another coworker who could help her. I then saw Max walk towards her desk and without separating the two conversations said, "Is he over there with you now? I think you have a new admirer." She immediately lifted her head and looked around in panic thinking that the "desk fixer" was an admirer given that I didn't separate the different train of thoughts.

Immediately after, another coworker was talking with Max saying, "No...we don't share lunches. You have to go get your own." The fellow sitting next to her looked up and said, "Huh? Why not?"

haha. Oh Maxipoo. You are causing so much confusion today.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Our family is growing!

Our babies

That's right. We've got buns in the oven. Twins!

We are so very excited and feel so blessed about the soon-to-be additions to our family.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

never get enough

My appetite has grown immensely in the couple of months. Or rather, I have an appetite now. I can't eat too much at once, but I'm usually "grazing" on something throughout the day.

Last night, a friend mentioned to me that he'd had a Vietnamese sandwich for lunch that day, and then it sounded sooo good that I had to stop on my way home to buy a couple for me and Bertrand for dinner. But as I drove, I got increasingly hungrier and two just no longer sounded like enough. Four seemed like it could be enough, but what if we were really into them and wanted to eat them again another night? So I ordered 6 sandwiches...for 2 of us.

And because it smelled so good, I ate half of one before I even got home.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

do you enjoy beef snacks?

Our local food lab occasionally calls me for some taste tests for new products. Today, I got a call from a lady there asking a few questions to see what studies I qualified for.
Lady: Are you available on Wednesday, July 28th?
Me: Do you mean Monday the 28th?
Lady: No, Wednesday the 28th.
Me: The 28th is a Monday....
Lady: Oh. I'm sorry. Are you available Tuesday, the 29th?

Lady: Do you enjoy beef snacks?
Me: What are beef snacks?
Lady: I'm not sure....do you eat beef jerky?
Me: Yes, occasionally I do.
Lady: Do you eat beef sticks?
Me: Excuse me?
Lady: Beef sticks. I don't know how they are different from beef jerky, but do you like beef sticks?
Me: I don't think so.
Lady: Hmm....now read this part outloud....oops! Sorry, I was supposed to read that to myself.
after a few more questions for the next 5 minutes....
Lady: Thank you ma'am but you do not qualify for our studies.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Today is a gift

Seen in a store window as I walked to work down University Ave.
Today is a gift. That is why they call it the present.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Monday, June 23, 2008

Fair Food

Is so bad and yet so good.

This year's tummy ache has been brought to you by....

the funnel cake...
Funnel Cake

jumbo corn dogs...
Corn dogs

waffle cones w/ frozen yogurt
Frozen Yogurt

a basket of garlic fries...
Garlic Fries

corn on the cob...
Corn on the cob

giant cups of lemonade...
yum!

and some beef jerky thrown in for good measure.

Ugh. Until next year!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

push-ups!

Remember Push-Ups?

These bring back so many childhood memories for me. They are the best treat ever on those hot summer days.

The other day I got back from a walk outside in beautiful warm downtown Palo Alto and was craving a good popsicle. And then I remembered the sherbet Push-Ups and had a major craving for some.

So I asked for some, and my work got them for me yesterday.

I guess The Flintstones are old school and SpongeBob is the new thing now. Am I that old?

Thursday, June 12, 2008

staycation

I got an email from United Airlines this morning stating that their policies are changing now that there is an extra fee for any checked baggage. $15 for your first bag and $25 for your second. What's next? A charge for the seat cushion? Coin operated toilets? Next thing you know, I'll be lugging all the stuff I crammed into a carry-on along with my seat cushion, food, and coins for the bathroom after I've already paid a ton just to get on the plane.

I proposed that Bertrand and I start taking some "staycations" this summer. A staycation is when you relax and have fun in your very own home town or area. In the Bay Area we have so many wonderful things to do and places to explore, why not just stick around town, enjoy why we live here, and help our local economy.

Okay, this really wasn't "my idea"...I heard it on the radio. But it's a good one!

Some ideas:
  • Day trip to Yosemite
  • Day in the beautiful city of San Francisco
  • Day trip to Monterey/Carmel
  • Hike in the Sunol Hills
  • Explore all the beautiful little downtowns in the neighboring cities
  • Learn to fly a kite in the park
  • Actually wake up early on a Saturday and go to garage sales
  • Go to the County Fair
My first staycation will be to treat myself to a "relaxing" day of shopping at the local mall. Ahhhh....staycation.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

all the little things of me

i <3 nachosWhile we were in San Diego, Bertrand snapped this picture of me eating one of my favorite snacks...nachos! Why he always seems to have the urge to take a picture of me when I'm eating, I haven't quite figured out yet.

Anyways...this picture so greatly captures so many aspects of "me".





1. My sunglasses. I love sunglasses and pretty much wear them or have them clipped to my shirt or propped on to of my head at all times sun is anywhere in sight.
2. Nachos. Chips + Cheese = Yum!
3. My blackberry. Or should I say crackberry?
4. Purell. bye bye germies!
5. My camera. I love taking pictures of anything and everything (and anywhere)

All that's missing is a shot of me in flip flops and you've pretty much got "kimmy" down!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

little stinker

So my plans for today were to do nothing. And doing absolutely nothing...was exactly how my day started. I slept in a little, then mostly just chilled around the house. I let the dogs out to play in the yard to enjoy the nice day. About an hour later, I went to let them back into the house. Toby ran in, happy and refreshed. Max followed along. I noticed that a section of his fur had gotten all clumped and hard. So I pulled out the towels and brush and was about to brush it out when the overwhelming stench of pee & poop reached my nose. Wow. Did he somehow decide for the first time ever, that today was the perfect day to roll around in that grossness? So I dragged the little bugger out to the hose in the backyard and hosed him down and gave him a bath. I wasn't about to bring that stinkiness into the house to give him a bath in the sink as usual and the little guy was afraid of the hose nozzle so we had quite the struggle.

So now I am all wet and scratched and have another load of laundry to do.

So much for chillin' today, huh?

But how could you stand this little face...

Max's Raincoat

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Goodbye Google

Google


GoogleheadsSteve, me, and Tine at Giants GameGoatherder and GoatsGoogle Test EngineeringGoogle Women's TeeB Support

Today is my last day working at Google.

It has been an incredible ride for the almost 5 years I have been at Google. I have been able to see the company grow and flourish over the years and I in turn have grown and learned so much. It has been an invaluable experience to me being able to work on some of the most innovative products and to work with so many brilliant minds.

I still remember the days when the whole Blogger team sat together in one little area and Eric, Steve, Tine, Graham, and I were all squished together in a tiny office throwing Koosh balls at each other. Things were crazy back then, but that is also the time I treasure the most, when things were smaller and more intimate.

While at Google, I got to build up my own team from scratch, establish new processes and work on some pretty awesome projects with some pretty awesome people (Blogger, BlogSearch, and AdWords).

I have accepted an offer at a startup company in Palo Alto called Palantir that does data analysis. The company is small and growing as Google was also a "small" growing "start-up" at the beginning of my time here. I miss and thrive in that environment and this opportunity allows me to do that once again.

I truly treasure the time I have spent at Google. I have made many friendships that will last a lifetime.

Here's to what's next in the future!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

I <3 San Diego

We took a couple of days off to make our long Memorial Day weekend extra long and took a road trip down to San Diego. Of course...while we there, it was unseasonably cool and rained two of the five days we were there. Regardless, it was gorgeous there.

We got to relax at the beach and watch the sun set in La Jolla...

la jolla shores

squeal as the cute little penguins played...

why hello there mr. penguin

brave the screaming of the seals as they fought the birds for fish....

Seals

watch ginormous polar bears play together in the water...

playful polar bears

and go on a pseudo African Safari at the Wild Animal Park and see buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, and other animals roam.

rhinos