Too Much To Tell

I usually read everyone else's blog and then stew about how I can't seem to get one or two done; so, tonight I'm forgetting pictures and stuff and just doing a big 'ol sloppy update.

#1: I am sad that I didn't keep up with the Through The Bible posts I was doing, but it got to be more than I could handle. I think I would like to do posts on each BOOK, not each day. Anyways, I AM still reading through the Bible (though I am a teensy bit behind) and am enjoying a side study on the Holy Spirit.

#2: I know I need to catch up Mads' monthly posts. Can't believe I just sent out her b-day invites today for year 1 !!! Where does the time go?

#3: I am currently contemplating delivering in a hospital. Home birth is expensive and all out of pocket, so we are praying for God's direction on this issue.

#4: Speaking of baby, Peanut is doing great. We saw him/her on the dating ultrasound and there was a full baby and a heartbeat. Tech said I was measuring farther along than we thought...not sure how they do that...I had a physical exam with a nurse/midwife at Kaiser today and she spent a LONG time with me talking and sharing stories. It was really unexpected and surprisingly pleasant. She said that the techs are accurate to about 3 days, so she confirmed that an earlier due date (November 4th) might be accurate. I don't know how that is all possible, since I know what days we could have conceived, but we'll see what Peanut decides to do. Just please not on November 11!!! I have also been feeling baby move for about a week, but was unsure because all the books/websites say as early as 16 weeks for 2nd timers. But again, today at the doppler reading for the hearbeat, the midwife found the beat and I heard and felt a distinct kick towards the doppler. I am very familiar with this feeling because my previous midwife explained that the "thud" I would hear (and feel) was Madeleine kicking. This thud is very different from the "lub-dub" of the heart. The midwife today confirmed that I could be sensitive enough to feel Peanut kicking. so fun!!! As far as gender, Tim thinks it's a girl, the midwife inferred a boy, my dad and brothers think boy, and I am hoping (kinda) for boy. We've mostly hammered down a girl's first name (with a little compromise from both parties) but we haven't talked boy names yet. Maybe since we already have a girl, it's just easier to assume girl...idk. Anyways, I'm not opposed to sharing the names, but I'll have to ask Tim...if I ever see him. =)

Yes, lately Tim has been working every other day. It really stinks...for both of us. He wakes at 5:30am leaves by 6:00 and comes home the next day around 8:40am. Then he goes to bed around 10:00pm and wakes at 5:30 to leave at 6:00. Every other day =( How can I complain though? We have a job, and it is secure, and it is sustaining our family! We are blessed!!! Hopefully we can just get some solid time together for rest and recreation soon.

That is about it. I have stopped P90x. Yup, I pretty much just gave it up after 60 days of working out. Now I run with my dogs, and sometimes Vanessa, in the Meadowview meadow. It is really gorgeous out there with all the lavender and poppies blooming. I would like to start a book club with some friends, so if you are interested, let me know. Other than that, just keeping a clean(ish) house, doing CBS (love it!) and trying to stay warm (has anyone else been freezing cold for about 6 months now?)- I thought being pregnant would help...

More to come later...

Love, Lauren

B.O.B.

Yup...I'm busy bakin' baby #2.

We are thrilled! Due November 7th-16th.

California Coast Tour- January 2010

Tim and I were sitting around talking about travel plans. We wanted to do something and the ideas were quite varied. We talked about Florida, Texas or New Mexico. We decided to stay south because it is January, and most of the nation north of 33 degrees latitude are mostly covered in snow. We weren't sure if we wanted to fly all the way to Florida considering Mads has never flown and we wanted to adjust her on a shorter trip. We are also going to Texas in March, so it seemed a little redundant to go on vacation. Tim's captain, Shawn, has been saying we should borrow his trailer, so we decided to take him up on the offer.

MJ loaded up and ready to go!

Our very long rig.

ubiquitous leaving Temecula shot ($1 if you know what intersection this is)

Leo Carrillo SB in Malibu

Peaceful and serene, until 11pm when loud and obnoxious collegiates decide to descend upon the utterly empty campground and park RIGHT NEXT to us. I had to pray to God for forgiveness regarding my thoughts towards those people. They stayed up til around 2am; upon waking at 6am, they were gone. Demons? I think so.

Morro Rock (look at Squishy-face-so cute!)

This is the Kid Comfort III from Dueter and it is a nice ride for all involved.

the Mommy:

Bergon fam:

Tim gets really, really excited about large waves crashing into large rocks.

We drove up to San Simeon, and the weather that was supposed to last all week (rain) finally hit us. We took a short hike to the estuary and then read (I was finishing Breaking Dawn) the rest of the day.

our spot a San Simeon SB

we camped at San Simeo because it is the closest campground to Hearst Castle, the real draw for us to take this trip. Here is the castle from the courtyard:

the Neptune pool:

this is the "employee pool" blue mosaic and real gold accents:

back at the rainy camp, Mads practices standing:

"Hi Dada" (that is a Tim half-smile)

She did great in the pack! We had so much fun on our trip that we decided to extend it. We routed out a continued journey to Big Sur and woke up the next morning to sunshine and blue skies.

It was just our luck that January is Elephant Seal birthing all along the mid-coast. WE got to see thousands of seals and even some only a few days old. This little guy was stuck in a small stream and was quite annoyingly barking at his mother. Madeleine loved watching the seals and enjoyed hearing their shrill and guttural sounds.

an old school house in San Simeon heading North

our San Simeon campsite in the sun:

Mama & MJ:

Dada & MJ:

life loves:

Mads is gripping Tim by the hair here, she doesn't really know how to ride on shoulders yet =)

Stopping to see the Elephant seals, we had a snack. Tim had to close the door because the birds almost flew right in to take his sandwich:

I wanted to see if the bird would eat out of my hand, but Tim reminded me that I tell everyone not to feed wildlife, so I just ate the Doritos myself.

Heading towards Big Sur (Point Sur Lighthouse)

our campsite at Big Sur Campground (by the river)

the Redwoods by our site:

Madeleine enjoying the morning at the Bug Sur Bakery with Bongo.

Cutest baby ever; no, seriously...EVER:

rocks on the coast:

taking a little hike in the Julia Pfeifer Burns SP

at the waterfall:

yes, we did:

but only for a short and slow ride:

taking the tunnel to McWay Falls

In front of McWay Falls at the Brown homestead (Waterfall House):

At Pfeiffer Beach:

Back at the Big Sur Campground the next day, we let her touch the freezing river:

in the summer this place must be great for tubing!

Tim loves MJ:

He lets her do wild things like taste twigs:

baby lying on the grass as Mom and Dad eat In-N-Out on the way home:

We stopped in Salinas to see the John Steinbeck house; If I could build a custom home, this may be one of the choices:

On the return home, we stayed in Grover Beach, one of the "5 cities", including Pismo Beach:

At Grover Beach you can drive and camp out on the beach dunes. We decided not to chance it with a borrowed trailer and muddy conditions, but we did walk out to the dunes to enjoy the coastal view.

Sweet baby girl

We had a wonderful time and Madeleine did really well. She did get tired of her carseat, but the trailer was really the best. It was so nice to have all the modern conveniences yet still be "camping". I could definitely see us buying a fifth-wheel one day. Our sleeping on the ground days may be over =)

Love, Lauren