Best Birthday EVAAAAAAAAAH!!

Where to start... Well as many of you know June is probably one of the best days of the year, [besides Christmas obviously] because that is when I, McKinley, entered the world and was able to grace every single one of you with my presence. Ahhahahahahah...JUST KIDDING!! I love my birthday. Not because I get gifts, but because it simply makes me really really happy to be alive. My mom was so cute with the way she let us pick out our birthday themes each year, and every time I think of my birthday as a kid I remember all the fun I had with my friends and family. Now getting older it is still just as fun. It is a time to reflect on your life and the many more years to come. Plus being pregnant I think I am beginning to get a glimpse of the joy my mom had when she held me for the first time.

Gian came home from work around 3:30ish and I being a complete mess after cleaning the house was passed out on the bed with greasy hair and glasses still on. I know I am a real fox!!! I heard him come home and with little to no energy I remained in bed. When I heard him not shut the front door I realized that he must have a heavy load. I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANT.... GIFTS! He loved me sooooooooo much he set everything up on the kitchen table. He got my favorite flowers, Peonies... which is a real treat because they are only in season for 3 months out of the year, and I am blessed enough to be born within that small time frame. See, I told you my birthday is amazing! Hahahaha I'm just messing with you. As you can see in the earlier image that he had two gifts nicely wrapped. They looked beautiful. The flowers were by far the prettiest set he has ever given me, and the wrapping... well was too pretty for a man to have done. So I asked him who he had wrap the gifts. His jaw literally dropped and said, "What? I am offended!!! You do not think I could do this on my own?" While his lips started curling with laughter I was sarcastic and said, "Of course not, this looks like Whitney's signature wrapping skills." He confessed and admitted to having Whitney Royal work her magic. Didn't she do a great job? She is so creative.

I opened my gifts and this is what was inside.

Gian has the best memory. A while back this store called Sassy Babies was doing a giveaway and this was the exact bag. I didn't win and he knew how much I wanted this bag. He said he bought it a while ago and was waiting for my birthday to give it to me. The other thing is a hair product that I think is heaven in a bottle. It makes my hair like silk. It is a mask you put on at night and you hair absorbs it so by morning time, it doesn't even look like you had anything in your hair. It is wonderful.

We then left for dinner at Bombay House which is an Indian restaurant in Provo. One of my favorites. It was delicious. After that we went to Brian and Megan Bollard's house (which I covet) and there was a cute decoration that Megan and Whitney made.... it was so cute! I even had a birthday hat! There was also miniature cupcakes from the Cocoa Bean. We played games and stayed until about 1:00am. It was so much fun. Thank you to the Royals and Bollards for making my birthday so much fun.

Also for your liking, a 20 week belly shot! I don't want to know how big I will be at 38 weeks. I feel HUGE already, where else is this baby going to go except outward. I am scared!

Happy Birthday McKinley!

It's McKinley's birthday tomorrow. I got her some stuff. Thanks Whitney for wrapping the presents. Hopefully McKinley likes it all.


I think my wife is pretty hawt.

Church Talk

Duhhh dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh.... Our Bishop has made the terrible mistake of asking me to give a talk in church tomorrow. WHY?!? I mean I am willing to do anything to help our ward and church out, but honestly... he must have been confused. I do not do good with giving public talks. I am getting light headed just thinking about it, and I haven't given a talk since I was in middle school. Do you know how many years that is?... BECAUSE I DON'T!!!

I am sure everything will go smoothly. I mean, there are so many children in our ward I doubt anyone will even pay attention. So I am fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine (sarcastic voice). Thank goodness I have Gian. I can take up a lot of time introducing ourselves and about how we met, and how we are in love, and have a baby on the way. Hahaha just kidding!!! Maybe we can prank everyone to believe that Gian is from the Philippines and that I brought him back with me from my service trip. Everyone in our ward already thinks he is from another country anyways. They are always shocked to learn he was born and raised in Vegas, which is actually here in the USA. Hahahah I am not even kidding. If you only knew all the things they ask and say.

Ok keep your fingers crossed for me. I am nervous and only hope I know what I am talking about!

Did You Guess Right?!? Boy or Girl?

Today we had our doctor's appointment. Man, those things are so much fun when you have an ultra sound... not so much when you just look at the scale and pee in a cup, but when you can see the baby and hear the strong heart beat. Lucky for me I have the best doctor in the whole wide world. His name is Ryan Ollerton and he is my cousin, so I get pampered by him and all his staff. I am a snob and say, "We will only see Dr. Ryan Ollerton" with my nose in the air while twirling my hair with my finger. It is so much fun to have family in the medical world because you know you are not just another patient, and you take pride in all of their success too! When I tell people my OB-GYN is Ryan Ollerton, they always brag about how good of a doctor he is and how he delivered their babies and I reply, "Yep... huh... that's my cousin!!!"

Ok, getting back on track... our appointment today was wonderful. Baby weighed in at 8oz right on track for his/her due date. We got to see his/her little face and he/she was opening and closing its mouth which was so neat to see. I can already tell this baby has a cute bum, and the sweetest little hands. You are probably thinking that I get a lot of ultra sounds... that is because I do and that is because my doctor is phenomenal! Like I said, we get spoiled. Maybe you should go to Dr. Ollerton or find a cousin as awesome... all I am saying is don't be jealous. ahhahahahahahhahahah I am just messing with you, I will try to stay more focused as I get to my main point. Because we are only 18 weeks, Dr. Ollerton offered to take a peek for us to see what we are having. How could you deny that privilege?

So of course we agreed and just a few of you suspected it was a girl... you were completely wrong!!! The intelligender was right, we are having a boy! Can you believe it? Of course you can, most of you guessed boy anyway. It was as clear as day. Before Dr. Ollerton could tell us what we were looking at I knew exactly that this thing on the screen was no leg, no arm... it was a male organ that resembled much of a turtle! Another cool fact about Dr. Ollerton is he too served his mission in the Philippines, I don't know what year but I think he is 18 years older than me, so you can do the math. He made an image for Gian's family that read "pagong" which means turtle in Tagalog, indicating that we are having a boy. See, this is why Ryan Ollerton is the best doctor! I am glad you are starting to see my point.

Enjoy this image, you are looking at his bum. We will be getting another ultra sound in about two weeks for our 20 week appointment where they check the heart and brain and other wonderful things.

PS I do not know why it is sideways, I have tried everything. Sorry!!

16 Weeks and Pregnant

Hey guys, guess what! I have a haolepino in my belly. I am a haole (Hawaiian word for white person) and Gian is Filipino, Therefore we have a haolepino (pronounced jalepeno) growing in my belly! Bahhahahahahahahahahahahahha.

OKAAAAAY, here is what all of you have been waiting for...

Is this the McKinley you once knew and remember? Me too... this is at 5 weeks before the hormones morphed my body into this alien shape ball.

And it begins... doesn't it start so early? I don't think people can really tell yet. I think they think I haven't gone to the bathroom in a few days, or maybe ate a large meal. Ohhh no, let me tell you, that it's actually a 5 oz fetus that is the size of a turnip (What is a turnip? That is what my "what to expect" iPhone app says). PS this is 16 weeks exactly.

And lastly this is how I feel, or better choice of words... self perceive my little, alien morphing, baby making machine body looks. Just take away the color green. I feel that hair too!!! Hormones are taking over my body and telling it what to do and what not to do, IT HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN!!! Ohh and incase you run into me on a bad day/time of day, I think it would be ok to compare my attitude to the Grinch.

Symptoms as of recent:

*Nose congestion

*Clothes not fitting

*Massive growth of the bussom and bottom

*Acne

*Rapid hair and nail growth

*Uncontrollable hunger

*Peeing of the panties in public!

*Light sleeping

*Forgetfulness/ Unintelligent

Cravings:

*Pickles (I am in love with!!!)

*Jalepenos

*Fruit smoothes

*Fatty dairies (ice cream, whole milk, cheese)

*Curry chicken

*Spicy, flavorful foods

*Vinaigrette

*Pepperoncinis

San Francisco

Last weekend we went to San Francisco to go visit my parents. They sold their house that was in Alamo (a small suburb east of SF) and moved on up to this amazing place in the heart of the city. It is in this amazing hotel and everyone treats you like kings and queens. We never wanted to leave!!

We had a blast. We walked everywhere and the weather was fabulous. My parents took us all around the city and even showed us their favorite places to eat, shop, and just walk around. They seem so happy there. They keep telling us that they feel like a young couple again. It is fun to see them so in love and laughing all the time. It was just a great trip.

My mom was playing the piano and I was singing with her. Don't be quick to think I can sing well... but my mom was playing quite nicely. It just needs to be tuned.

Their view!

Their view again...

And their view again...

And another angle...

You get the point!

Love this one of Gian, he cracks me up!

This is a cute little park where they hold some concerts, and a HUGE movie theater.

Gian and my dad, we took the trolly down to Fisherman's Wharf

My parents and Gian on the trolly. I forgot how loud those things were!!!

I love the trollies they are so much fun. Gian and my dad hung out the side while my mom and I sat on the bench right across from them.

It was so beautiful while we were there. This is at dinner, right above the wharf. You can't tell from here, but there was this guy who dresses up in leaves and he is called the bush man. He hides and then when people least expect it he scares the great goodness out of them. We could see it from our seats. It was great entertainment while having dinner. We literally laughed every other minute!

Just when we thought my parents couldn't be any greater... they got us tickets to see Wicked! It meant so much to me because I love love love love this play sooooooooo much, and Gian has never seen it. I have played the music for him before and told him the whole plot! He was well prepared. Our seats where amazing! I have never had such good seats, and I totally forgot how amazing their costumes are. In fact, I think Wicked is worthy of its very own post. I think I'll do it!!!!

The weather was fantastic, so we wanted to dive through the Golden Gate Bridge and have lunch in Sausalito. I couldn't believe how beautiful the drive was!

This picture doesn't do it quite justice of how gorgeous the day was, but I hope you can enjoy Sausalito through the picture.

This was a little pier in Sausalito that everyone would sit and enjoy their ice cream.

After that we thought... lets head down Lumbard Street, the world's crookedest road... and yes that is the real word.

I decided I would hate to live on this street... it would be so crowded, and where would you park? Once we made it through that road, Ghiraldelli was not too far. Too bad me and my mom enjoyed Dryer's ice cream in Sausalito while Gian enjoyed an amazing ice cream sundae!!! We were so upset with ourselves. In case you do not know anything about Ghiraldelli Square, it's as busy as can be and you can order 500 different kind of ice creams, sundaes, floats, etc. But the best part is you can see this old school chocolate machine that would whip and smooth this warm silky chocolate!!! The whole area smelt like heaven!

Mom & Dad, thank you for having us in your darling home, and for showing us all around. It was so much fun to spend time with you guys and have you share some of your favorite things with us! We miss you soooooooooo much and can't wait to see you again soon!

What the F David Blaine

In case you have no idea who David Blaine is, he is this amazing magician that really boggles my mind. Gian are I are watching him on TV right now. He is so phenomenal that people have made fun of him and his insane ways. He makes Chris Angel look like a fraud. First watch these clips of how he can bend time and manipulate objects. He does magic on random people on the street... at their homes... to celebrities... to celebrities on the streets. Anyways, just watch it!

The only reasonable logic of his ridiculous talent is simply time travel! I mean how is there any other explanation? Really... even if he does share his secrets, explain how he can do it in that time? I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!!

Now that you have seen how insane his tricks are you must watch this hilarious spoof. You will forever say, "What the F David Blaine?" when feeling confused and shocked!

And The Winner Is....

Sorry this is a little late.

March Madness Bracket winner is McCALL BROWN.

She has won a box of Girl Scout Cookies, along with a surprise gift that will not be revealed until her pretty little eyes have feasted upon it.

Congratulations for being intuitive and picking the correct teams that rocked all of us! We didn't even have a fighting chance.

Intelligender

My sister McCall found this product called Intelligender. It is an at home kit that can predict the sex of your baby as early as 10 weeks. When McCall found it she was so excited and called me to tell me what she had found. She then continued to tell me she already purchased it and was mailing it to me. I thought it was so cute she would go out of her way to give us this cute little pregnancy gift. The package we got was green and white polka dots, with a very vibrant colorful letter. We loved it!

In case you have never heard of this gadget I would love to explain it further. It is this home kit that you can buy at Target, Wallgreens, and CVS stores. How it works is you need your first morning's urine sample, and you follow the directions EXACTLY. The kit will either turn GREEN for boy or ORANGE for girl. It is 82% accurate, so nothing is set in stone until you have your 20 week doctor's appt where you can see by the ultrasound and/or the baby has arrived. The hormones from the baby get into the mothers system and while overnight, your bladder holds urine for one of the longest times of the day creating there the highest amount of hormones detected in the urine. This device is able to read those hormones to help predict the gender of your Gummy Bear.

What a brilliant idea this was. It is fun to get a better idea of what you are having sooner. The odds of it being right are high enough for me to feel pretty confident in what I now know what we maybe having. I mean if it was 50% accurate I would say... so are my guesses... and wouldn't think twice, but they have done a lot of reaserch for it, that McCall found and forwarded on to me. If you want to visit their site to read more or purchase one for your self just go here.

Gian saw the results before I did, and he came in and gave me a sweet kiss saying, "It's a boy." He was beyond thrilled, and happy to confirm his thoughts of it being a boy. My whole life I have always thought I would have a boy first, and everyone keeps saying I will have a boy...and because of everyone saying that. I felt like... well why can't I have a girl? So I tried to fight the odds and keep my fingers crossed in hopes that this pregnancy it would be a girl. I really am happy either way, a baby is such a wonderful blessing and there is nothing that can make a couple happier then to start a family.

In case we are all wrong, including the intelligender, I will be able to find out in 9 long weeks for sure what we are having.

Thank you McCall and Ryan for thinking of us and letting us be able to put our minds to ease for the next few months. It was so kind of you to think of us.

Divine Pieces of Heaven

Dear Girl Scout Cookies,

I love everything about you that you choose to be. You are the most perfect concoction that has ever been thought of. It is like a birthday party with a pinata in my mouth every time I eat one of these divine pieces of heaven. I love that I can spend hundreds of dollars on you and know that it all goes to a good cause... and that it supports the darling little kids that hold up cute signs to indicate where my addiction may live during the spring season.

Look how perfect your little round shape is. My taste buds are already jumping with joy just admiring your beauty! Please let me know your recipe, so I can enjoy you year round.

I will not advertise the amount of boxes I have bought, nor the bitter feelings I may feel when having to share, but I will display my undying love for you! I do not know how to describe how my insides feel when I partake of an insane number of cookies... but my mouth has never been happier.

So I would just like to thank you for always thinking of me and my needs. Thank you for helping me help you!

Love always and forever,

McKinley M.