Week 15: Apple

Hey everyone … weekly update here … yes I realize that it’s Thursday … but it’s been a long and hard week for me … J Info is pulled from www.babycenter.com

How your baby's growing:Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

How your life's changing:You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose. Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

3 Questions About Feeling your baby moveFeeling those first flutters and kicks is one of the most amazing experiences of pregnancy. Here's how much longer you'll have to wait and what to expect when your baby finally gets big and strong enough to let you know she's in there.

Q1.When will I first feel my baby move? You'll probably feel your baby move sometime between 16 and 22 weeks, even though she started moving at 7 or 8 weeks and you may have already witnessed her acrobatics if you've had an ultrasound. Veteran moms tend to notice those first subtle kicks and jabs — also known as "quickening" — earlier than first-time moms. (A woman who's been pregnant before can more easily distinguish her baby's movements from other belly rumblings, such as gas.) Your build may also have something to do with when you'll be able to tell a left jab from a hunger pang. Thinner women tend to feel movement earlier.

Q2.What will those first movements feel like? Women have described the sensation as being like popcorn popping, a goldfish swimming around, butterflies fluttering, a tapping sensation, and bubbles. You'll probably chalk up those first gentle movements in your belly to gas or hunger pangs, but once you start feeling them more regularly, you'll recognize the difference. You're more likely to feel these early movements when you're sitting or lying quietly.

Q3.When should I worry about my baby's movements? Although your baby is moving around plenty already, many of his jerks and jolts aren't yet strong enough for you to feel. Later in the second trimester, his kicks will become stronger and you'll start to feel them regularly. At that point, pay attention to them and let your practitioner know right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's movement. Less movement may signal a problem, and you'll need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition. Once you're in your third trimester, some practitioners will recommend that you spend some time each day counting your baby's kicks.

This Week's Activity:
Talk to your baby. It's a great way to start the bonding process. If having an actual conversation seems odd to you, narrate your activities; read a book, magazine, or newspaper; or share your secret wishes for your child. This is great practice for after your baby's born. Talking to babies is one of the best ways to help them develop language skills.

I definitely still have the stuffy nose … and although it may be TMI … I’m not a “bloody nose” person. Never have been. So the fact that I’ve had some form of blood in my nose this whole time would WEIRD ME OUT … if I didn’t already know I was supposed to and it was highly likely. Never a full on nose bleed so that’s good. If that did ever happen … I’d be sure to reach out to the nurse/doc. As for talking to the baby … Mike has already started that one. Each night he spends a few minutes telling “apple” how much he loves them and how much fun they’ll have once they’re out in the world. And how smart and talented they already are and will be. Oddly enough for both of being such big sports people … we both decided the other night that although an athletically talented bambino would likely make more money ultimately, we’d rather have an intelligent bambino. Of course … having both qualities is quite admirable? We’d say we were both athletically talented and intelligent … but who wouldn’t want more for their kids … right?! Exhaustion has kept me at bay. Not so much the baby taking it out of me as I’m having troubles sleeping. I know my folks know that I’ve always had issues with sleep. But now … it’s just getting worse. I’m not sure how to make it better … but we’re trying different strategies. As for exercise … finding classes for January and February will be difficult due to my work schedule. I just need to treat my nights at the arena as my time to get a bit of exercise in while being conscious to not go too fast. And to see what I can do on the weekends. And of course to stretch at home.

Week 14: Lemon

Hey everyone …….. We seem to be moving right along here … again the below info is from http://www.babycenter.com/


How your baby's growing:This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.


In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.


This Week's Activity:Find a prenatal exercise class. If you haven't already, now is a good time to start a regular workout. Joining a class can help motivate you to stick with it. And many women find that prenatal exercise classes are a wonderful way to bond with and get support from other pregnant women. Some good options include water exercise, prenatal yoga or Pilates, a walking group, or a dance class designed for pregnant women.

Nausea has seemed to subside for me. Although I get glimpses of baby not liking things. I’m a bit adverse to truly sweet things right now. I made 6lbs (6 pounds people!!) of fudge. I think I only had 2 cubes of it. Most things with a high sugar content make me feel very icky very quickly and likely can’t finish it. Which is fine by me … that means I’m less likely to crave bad things. I still crave sweet but that’s easily satiated with an apple (Honey Crisp are my and Mike’s favorite right now) or a Cutie (only if the store is selling ones worth buying). I’ve been getting in lots of fruits. Need to add more veggies and I’m really not getting in all my dairy like a good mommy to be. I can finally eat my yogurt again and I’m eating cheese sticks so that helps too. (sorry Debbie and Gary … I’m sure part of the reason you had an apple pie last night is because you know I like them so much … I REALLY wanted a slice but knew if I had any it’d only be a bite) Although the nausea is subsiding, the exhaustion is not. I’m not so tired that I feel like I could pass out at any moment but I’m certainly drained. And I’m not sleeping well at all (that’s not too new to me).





As for the mention above about getting into an exercise program … I’ll start looking more in-depth into this. Kaiser offers these in a few locations near me and even another place in WC called Day One. January/February will be VERY hard to schedule since I have such a very busy game schedule. But I’ll have to figure out something. Eek I can’t believe next week is 2010!!!!!!!!!!!! Clothes are getting tighter and tighter. Even Amy said she noticed no weight gain but a bit-o-tummy yesterday when we had brunch. I did have one of the VP’s congratulate me at the game on Saturday night. I don’t think anyone told her as her response was “honey, I have 2 of my own” when I asked what she was talking about in wanting to congratulate me. And it’s official, I had to use the rubber band trick on my jeans this weekend. I’m not up for clothes shopping (or spending rather) just yet so I’ll continue to figure out my own clothes as long as I can. That about wraps it up for this week … we have our normal 4 week appointment on Wednesday. Not sure if they’ll do a sonogram or not. The normals, blood pressure, weight, set up next appointment etc I’m sure. Fortunately it’s a short week with Friday off and Thursday practically being a non-work day since all we’ll do is package up Monta Ellis jerseys to be shipped the following Thursday. I could use all the rest I can get right now. Take care everyone … feel free to ask or seek answers if you ever have any ………….

Week 13: Peach

Hey everyone ... here's your weekly update!!! ***keep in mind ... NEXT week will be a lemon ... meaning this PEACH is not referencing the HUGE peaches we're used to seeing nowadays ... think more like nectarine size peach.*** Again the below info is from http://www.babycenter.com/. How your baby's growing:Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp/or peach) and weighs nearly an ounce.

For me, nausea managed to kick into high gear the last few days along with some tiredness. Mike has been really helpful through all of this and especially the last few days when I really haven’t felt great. Even the exhausted skier he was on Saturday night when he got home from Bear Valley, he still took care of me. The irony of this is that with starting the second trimester you’re “supposed” to be feeling less nausea and less fatigued but apparently my first trimester wants to go out with a bang? My belly is starting to grow and its freaking me out!! Lol!! It’s still small and really only looks “fat” but for the first time I’m noticing that while sitting I need to unbotton my pants. I tried wearing my new maternity slacks one day last week and it felt like they were going to fall off of me all day. The bump isn’t big enough to hold anything up yet and my pants are all getting tighter and tighter. So I’ll have to figure out a solution in the meantime. I will be telling my bosses/HR this week at work. I’ll be keeping it a secret a bit longer from the department. I’ll give them a few more weeks until it becomes more obvious that “Danielle is getting fat, right?”. Lol!! We have our NT scan tomorrow in Oakland. Mike took the day off work to be there with me. This scan will tell us if there are any genetic abnormalities with “peach”. We’re both a little anxious but “what will be, will be”. It’s crazy to realize that starting off the new year … Mike and I might get to feel our baby move!!! “They” say you can usually start feeling “flutters” around week 14 and actually movement by week 16. We both can’t wait!!! Have a great week everyone …

Week 12: Lime

Hey everyone … here's a bit of info I cut and pasted from www.babycenter.com for you all ...

How your baby's growing: The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.


Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

For me … dizziness is getting a little more prevalent. Even standing up from squatting at the games. I’m learning to go slower so not to worry!! Still have a bit of nausea at times and energy is coming back but still not to full strength. I’m noticing what other ladies have called the “pot belly” above the very small baby bump. This occurs because your intestines and other organs are being moved upwards by your growing uterus and fetus. It’s your body’s way of making space for the baby to comfortably grow. So this makes women just look “fat” at the beginning of pregnancy … there is no such thing as standing up straight and sucking it in to make it go away. The very bottom of the belly is getting harder (firm to the touch) … that’s where the baby is. As a woman it’s CRAZY to see my body change the way it has. My pants are getting tighter ONLY at my waist and not everywhere else like they would if I just getting heavier. So it’s a bid odd. Fortunately I have some looser pants for work but I think I’ll be in the maternity slacks I bought with the Mom’s soon enough; just to be a bit more comfortable.

Our Christmas tree is up!!! We’ll work on some outside lights this week. Mike is making plans to go skiing (he can’t wait) and we’re still trying to figure out our Christmas cards. Hope everyone’s first few days of December are starting out well … snow in the East Bay this morning … snow on the Livermore hills we can see from our home … and more weather on its way to the Bay.

The BIG SPILL to the grandparents to be ...

From the moment my parents got to our place … my mom was glaring at my belly. When she failed to say anything about my weight … I had suspicions. This is because normally if my belly gets bigger … so does my hips, butt, etc. But they haven’t.

I went to the mall with my mom yesterday … a sale at Coldwater Creek that she just had to go to. While at the mall we stopped in Williams-Sonoma to check on a pot I was eyeing. When in there she asked what other goodies I had my eye on. We traipsed through and showed other items. Last one, of which I prefaced with “this is for the FUTURE”, was the Beaba Babycook. Apparently she didn’t hear me say that part because her next question was “and do you have a need for this now?”. When I said “no not yet” I wasn’t ENTIRELY lying. J Her response was that if it had been my way of telling her I was pregnant it was neat. All I could think of was “be patient woman … only a few more hours and you’ll know”. Lol!!

Left the mall … got home … proceeded to get things ready. Mike had done an excellent job. Truly he really impressed me. He laid out all the appetizers he picked up from the store (grant it most I had TOLD him to get but he still put them in dishes and on platters to be served J). Mom and I washed the china/crystal/flatware and Debbie and Gary arrived soon after. We hung out and munched as I prepped the rest of dinner … just waiting for the “ok” to put it in to be cooked.

Mike went up and grabbed the gifts we’d made for them and put them on the table. He had taken the u/s to Target to get copies made and purchased frames. 2 white and 2 black. Then bought letter stickers to spell out “Hi Grandma/Grandpa” on them. White to the grandma’s and black to the grandpa’s. Then he bought gift bags and put their name in the letters on them. He did such a great job. J

Apparently this is when Debbie became REALLY suspicious. Because we’d requested a parent dinner (even though we’d already done this with no surprises previously planned) and now we

had gifts for them.

So when it was time to plate dinner we said … let’s open the gifts first then have dinner.

Mike made the announcement that “we just have a small gift for you each. It’s the same gift for everyone so the only requirement is to open them at the same time so you don’t spoil it for the next person. It’s just something small that we hope you will all love”. Unfortunately … my mom’s hearing isn’t the best so Debbie and Gary are about to tear open when my mom hasn’t even heard that she was required to open it at the same time. So we had to stop and start over. Made them all put their hands on the present inside … then say go. Debbie tore through that tissue paper like her life depended on it then burst into tears. My mom smiled at me like she knew I’d lied to her earlier. Gary exclaimed “oh no!!” and my dad said “alright!”. It was hysterical actually.

The mom’s did exactly as I thought they would … Debbie balled and my mom got teary eyed. But nonetheless she couldn’t quite let go of me or Mike when she hugged us. I think it took us an extra 45 minutes before we actually ate our dinner … so we had to heat everything up again. No one could believe we waited so long to tell them. But we really wanted to wait until the u/s to be safe. Since Kaiser waits so long.

We did ask that they still not say anything til Thanksgiving. Because most importantly, we’d like to tell the grandmas (Bunny, Connie, Joyce and Virginia), and Donny and Melissa before anyone else. And I also wanted to be able to tell my good friend Ashley in person at lunch on Wednesday since I had to lie to her the week after we found out when we all went to Tahoe together. Her mom is also friends with Debbie so we wanted to make sure I got to tell her and not find out from her mom. And I’m so lucky that my gf Kirsten is in Colorado right now visiting her family. Because now I won’t have to try to call her St. Maarten!!!

They asked if we had books and I proceeded to show them all the books … and I found out I did make a mistake. When I went to buy the books I’d done so under my DAD’s Barnes & Noble account. Realizing that meant he could see it … I quickly ordered them on Amazon. Not realizing I didn’t clear them from the cart!! My dad actually did see them later. My mom told him I was likely getting them for Jamie. Which wouldn’t be that far-fetched.

We let them know that the day we got our flu shots was actually my first appointment and that I also got the H1N1 shot as well. We even found out that Debbie and Gary didn’t know they each had bugged us about me getting the shot “just in case we got pregnant”.

I showed them the CU mobile I bought before we were even engaged … they LOVED it.

They were all congratulating each other … “congrats grandma … congrats grandpa”. It was so cute. Gary said his favorite thing is seeing us so excited about being pregnant. My dad’s 2 cents was how important it was to him and my mom to be very active in their grandchildren’s lives. They didn’t have grandparents who were and neither did Donny and I. Although we didn’t know it until we got older and realized how close other families were. So at least we were dumb to it early on. But that even though they’re in Colo that they really want to be present. That was REALLY nice to hear. Debbie was practically speechless and every time she talked she started to cry. Hahahaha … she told Gary that until Thursday she has laryngitis and that she cannot speak to any of her friends. Mom asked dad if they could leave later (he was already planning on leaving on Sunday) and if she could tell her boss Becky so she could get one more day off.

The mom’s want to go with me to get blood drawn for genetic testing on Saturday … and asked if they could take me to a maternity clothes store too!!! Debbie professed that within the last few weeks she’s collected kid items for just in case. Like a pack-n-play, a highchair, etc. All items that were supposed to be donated that she decided to hold on to for herself (bad good Samaritan – but great timing). My mom even went to give away baby hangers and decided to just to bring them to us for the future … again … what timing.

They asked what we’re nicknaming the baby … we explained the weekly fruit/veggie schedule and they loved it!! So they requested that at the beginning of each week that I email them what we’re calling baby and size etc. I figured … I can handle that. They thought for sure I was only 5-6 weeks and not 10 weeks. Just shocked that he held it from them that long … so are we. I think the only way we got through it was because it was so important to tell them in person and not spoil.

Mike will likely tell work soon … I will tell them after the 12th week is over. They need to know sooner than later because of the job itself and how hectic the arena can be. But I will also only be telling my asst. and exec directors at first. Then as I start to show more … I’ll let the rest of the dept know. The girls will be so excited. They’ve even started to notice my bloated tummy too.

Ugh … we’re so excited … and we get to be excited all over again on Thursday. I think we decided how to tell everyone on Thursday. We contemplated a t-shirt to say it, saying it at grace (what we’re thankful for … ) or just announcing it. But I thought it’d be fun to whisper to Auntie Joyce (Mike’s god-mother) that we’re pregnant. Knowing her she’ll scream … encouraging everyone to come hither to figure out what’s going on … and then asking her to repeat what we’d just said. Mike loved that idea … I do too.

We’ll be picking up grandma bunny on the way to Auntie Joyce’s so we’ll tell her there. But before that … we’ll make phone calls.

Part of me REALLY wants to either send Donny a t-shirt or send one home with my parents that says “World’s Greatest Uncle”. To be honest … my brother is borderline genius … but sometimes he’s truly dense. So I know Jamie will get it right away but I think it’ll take Donny a second. Dad agreed that it would be great … but I just don’t want to wait so long to tell him. Ugh … we’ll figure it out.

First comes marriage ... then comes home ... THEN comes baby

We're so excited to announce that we're expecting our first bundle of joy on June 20th, 2010!!! It was so very hard to keep the exciting news from our families but we wanted to be sure that this little baby was sticking around before we announced it. I will be chronicling the pregnancy as I and the baby grow ... stay tuned for the fun ... :)

First year in review

Wow ... a year gone by ... and Mike hasn't run away screaming. Lol! To celebrate our first year we took off for Hawaii. My first trip to the islands and I was so excited. We had 5 days to enjoy Hawaii before we took off to celebrate the marriage union of Donny and Jamie!!!

Hawaii was all about relaxing ... and we did lots of that. We walked around lots, laid on the beach lots, got some sun and a little bit of rain. Did some snorkeling, ate some yummy food and lived a bit like retired folk. We took in a snorkeling trip at Molekini, a luah on the beach (Feast at Lele), anniversary dinner at Mama's Fish House, drove out to Wailea and just had fun being together. Normally Mike and I are the busy busy bee travellers but the first time ever, we chose to take it easy. It was truly a wonderful trip for the two of us.

Then we headed off to Denver to help my family celebrate the newest Price addition. Donny and Jamie did a great job planning their wedding and Mike and I had so much fun being a part of the planning and the ceremony itself. It was a whirlwind trip with the CU vs. CSU game and the wedding. Plus we got a friends birthday celebration in too!

First comes marriage ... then comes HOME

Once we were back on solid ground, we started our very serious search for a home. With our trusty real estate agent/dad in tow, we scoured the Dublin, Pleasanton and San Ramon areas for a place to call our own. It didn't take too many long weekend searches to find a place that we loved AND was in our price range. And more so enviable in our eyes, it was in Dublin, and it has a view.

We bought a brand new 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome that came with about a bazillion stairs. But has a view that we cannot get enough of. We spent many hours fretting over just the right picks for appliances, tile, carpet, hardwood, granite, cabinets, etc. But in the end ... we'll have to say that we did pretty good on our first home.

It's so nice to have a place that we call our own ... to know that when we put something on the walls that it's for however long we want. And we only have to paint, fill the holes with spackle or clean the carpets if we want. :)

The planning ... of the wedding and the marriage

After celebrating our engagement with friends and family ... the next step was to plan. Afterall, we were tired of everyone asking when we were actually getting married. To hush the masses ... all we needed to do was set a date.

In order to do that ... we first had to decide which was more important; the place or the date. We chose place. We thought about all the places that were meaningful for us. There were two places that made the most sense. The outdoor theatre at CU or Tahoe. And not just anywhere in Tahoe ... Edgewood. After all ... that was the first place we had been and seen when we begain to seriously talk about marriage. Since the theatre department at CU was undertaking a new head of the department and therefore incredibly slow to return calls/emails/messages. We went in search for Edgewood. Realizing that it's a very popular place to get married ... we went in with hope.

And came out with a possible date. Someone technically had August 24th, 2009 held ... but not booked. In fact, they only had a few more days for their "hold". And no one had become a backup either. So we placed our names down as the backup and hoped that we could steal this very perfect Sunday August 24th. A few days later ... we heard word that they chose to take another venue and the 24th was ours if we wanted it.

Hooray!!! We now not only had a date but we had a venue booked ... the only place Lakeside that is actually in a facility instead of just on the beach in tents. It has floor to ceiling windows that faced north-westward to the lake. Surrounded by a beautiful green golf course and a dining experience that seemed almost surreal.

And so planning began. All the dress shopping, floral arrangements, cake flavors, main dishes, bachelor parties and bridal showers. We had a unique planning experience as I refused to find a wedding coordinator. Places that caught my eye online with reviews and webpages and quality, professional responses became prime candidates. Not to mention, using the now widely popular TheKnot.com. Whom I can thank for introducing me to a few of my newest and now closest friends.

Mike stayed pretty involved the whole time with planning. And was an excellent assistant. :) He was truly helpful and quite the best shoulder and ear through all the stress that comes with wedding planning. He helped pick flowers and look at arrangements ... he tasted all the cakes gleefully ... he even helped make the floral pens for people to send us best wishes.

The planning all came down to a wonderful day ... couldn't quite make it more perfect. Even though Mike had a watch on to know that the pastor was late but the friends and mom's kept Danielle from finding out. The sun was shining bright with just enough breeze to keep from boiling over. A gorgeous sunset that had perfect timing before the cake cutter time. Scrumptious food that the guests STILL wave about to this day. A bestman's speech to beat all the rest and an evening that continued to rave on at the hotel in our party suite. Everyone stopped by even if only for a moment and the party went on into the wee hours of the morning. Complete with a party crasher and all. Who was that guy anyways?!

The boys played goof ... uh hhmmm ... golf the next morning at Edgewood ... just weeks after the Celebs did and had a blast. While Danielle took her mom up the mountain on the gondola and had the privilege to show her the California/Nevada state line. Hahahaha ...

All in all ... the planning ... the stress ... the random hours of cutting out little tags that I did or didn't use and the fun times built with friends ... created a year full of memories and a day to look back on forever with a smile.

next phase ...

Back to reality. New job for Danielle and same job for Mike. New living arrangements with new roommates and new fun. Another small trip on a cruise to Mexico that brought a sparkling surprise to Danielle's left hand. The very unassuming Danielle discovered that yet again Mike has a great ability to catch her off-guard. Getting crew members involved to help carry out his engagement proposal they sailed the Pacific now as fiance and fiance ... no longer boyfriend and girlfriend.



Back home to celebrate and spread the word then off to Colorado to tell more folks and see the CU vs. CSU game of course!!

coincidence? we think not!

A special note: In preparation for our wedding ... we were getting photos ready to show our "history" at the reception. Diving through our history we started to discuss 'when EXACTLY did we meet?' Looking at an old calendar ... and even checking the University of Colorado-Boulder website ... we were able to decipher exactly when classes begun. Then we were able to figure out when we met.

Classes started on Monday August 27th, 2001. Mike moved in the Friday preceding the start of classes. Much to our amazement ... and certainly unknowingly ...

we got married on the exact date we met ... 7 years later.

We thought it was definitely note worthy ...

Our big trip ...

We decided it was time to move forward in life ... we looked into buying a home. And with our resident real estate agent, Gary, we began to look into our options. Something as a small starter, nothing elaborate. Just a home to make our own. We searched and searched and searched. Found a few possibilties and went for it. Each time with a counter, then another, then another and then nothing. Ugh ... every time we tried ... we left the situation with no home.



With that ... Gary (the wise) gave a suggested opportunity. Leave ... and so we did.



Neither of us were in jobs that were "to die for" or really what we wanted out of life even if only to make a few scheckles. We didn't have a dog. We didn't have a home to pay a mortgage. Nothing was really keeping us in California ... only each other.



We moved out of our apartment ... sold our cars ... quit our jobs and left the country. We went to Australia. Afterall, Mike speaks Spanish, Danielle has limited French so an English speaking country was needed. In the mix of all the plans ... we recruited another couple to go with us. They too quit their jobs, sold or moved their cars back home to Illinois and moved out of their apartment. We met them in Sydney and started the newest and one of the most exciting chapters of our life.



We spent the first 4 weeks travelling up the Eastern coast of Australia. Unfortunately Danielle's health kept them from going any further north than Airlie. Although fortunately for Danielle, their work visa required health insurance so she was able to see a doctor. And this very kind doctor took pity on her ... a combination or asthma, humidty and new allergies took hold of her ability to breathe. The doctor not only charged her a small fee of $30 for the consutlation but also gave her a steroid inhaler free of charge. Along with the recommendation to not go any further north. Instead we headed south but not before going to the Whitsunday Islands and more specifically ... Whitehaven Beach. Where the sand is so fine it squeaks when you walk on it. We went to Fraser Island and LOVED Lake McKenzie (it really did clean Danielle's jewelry). Even headed to Brisbane and Surfer's Paradise.



The group of us got to see some amazing things on this journey up the coast and truly enjoyed the adventure. At the end of the first 4 weeks, our friends went back to Illinois and we continued on our way. Back to Sydney to find a place to live and jobs. Mike took his "mixologist" skills to work in 2 separate bars, one in Bondi and one in Sydney. Danielle on the other hand took a job at an internet cafe in Sydney's CBD (Central Business District). And part of the way through the remaining 3 months, also became the "door girl" at Mike's bar in Sydney for Friday and Saturday night cover charge collections.



Towards the end of our adventure in Australia we made a last minute decision to head to Thailand. Many a folk in Sydney made the 8 hr flight to Bangkok to have a cheap vacation. We figured ... that we could not guarantee when we'd be on that side of the world again and oh so close to Asia. And in the end ... we're so happy we went. It was amazing; so amazing we're looking at going back again in the future. We went to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. All 3 cities are so different from one another and have their own flare.



Returning to Sydney for a few short days before we headed off to New Zealand. We spent a week here where we took a short trip up to the most northern part of the two islands. Here you will find not only the meeting place of two oceans but Cape Reinga. Which we've decided had THE best fish and chips. Took a short trip through the capital city of Auckland and got ready to be on the move again.



Next stop, Fiji. This was a really fun trip and one that actually took a bit more preparation. More preparation ... because we had to prepare for total relaxation ... as there isn't much to do there but lay on the beach and snorkel. It's truly a travel destination meant to just relax. We however are the "on the go" type traveller. Moving and shaking to see and do all the "musts" a destination city can offer. We took books and our i-pods and mentally prepared to be ... well ... bored. Two weeks in Fiji ... one out on the Yassawa Islands and one going around the main island, Viti Levu. On the islands you got a feel for the true Fijian experience of luxurious vacationing. But then going on a trip around the island you got to see the "real" Fiji. Including visiting a tribe and even some school children at school. A traditional kava ceremony with a chief and even a big of trekking.



From Fiji we headed back to New Zealand. This time ... for 3 weeks and a huge tour around both islands. We took the 'Funky Chicken' bus tour on the Kiwi Experience (www.kiwiexperience.com/funky-chicken-nz-pass.aspx). Here we got a great tour of almost everything the thrill seeking country can offer. Favorites included our Maori cultural night in Rotorua, Taupo to sky dive over Mt. Doom (actually called Mt Ngauruhoe), Franz Joseph for a heli-hike on the glacier and Queenstown to ski. With plenty of other places in the middle ... click the above link!! Or do it yourself!!



We left Auckland and took 14 hours to head back home to San Fran. This trip was an amazing journey that gave us opportunities beyond belief and a realization that we'd each found the best travel buddy. One that was obvious ... it'd last a lifetime.

Graduation time = moving and being a "big" kid

Danielle's senior flew by fast for both Mike and Danielle. Mike was travelling a ton for Mervyn's which made it great to stop in Denver and see Danielle. There were times it was weekly and not monthly that Mike stopped through Boulder.



The end of the school game to a close ... graduation ceremonies attended ... celebrations enjoyed. Only a few weeks left in Colorado, Danielle packed up and headed west. To start her first job as a post-grad. It took a few months before Mike and Danielle were on their feet and living in their first apartment together that was going to be for longer than 3 months!!



We enlisted "Poker Night" on Tuesdays ... worked crazy hours because we were young ... and loved every moment. But something was missing ...

Long Distance ... for how long?!

Mike's an overachiever. If you didn't know that ... you need to spend more time getting to know him. Needless to say ... because he's an overachiever ... he graduated a semester early. Much to Danielle's dismay of course. Because that meant he was leaving. Mervyn's Headquarters was calling him to California to work. And Danielle was only in her Sophomore year and had to finish.





We figured it out ... lots of phone calls. And emails ... a few visits here and there and the first couple months of long distance dating was over. Then Danielle asked the question to her parents that which she thought of course would be a resounding "not no but hell no". "Can I live in Cali with Mike for the summer?" Instead, mom and dad Price shocked her. They said ... sure. WHAT?!





So we spent 3 months living and working together ... in sublet in North Beach. Although we loved it we decided that'd be out one stint in the City. Danielle walked each day to Fisherman's Wharf to work in the restaurant that her parents once dined in on their honeymoon. And Mike crossed the Bay Bridge to head to Mervyn's. Living in North Beach meant lots of yummy food and toursists. Especially when you are living one block from the bottom of the crookedest street. At the end of that summer ... Danielle went back to Boulder.



Another year of school ... another set of trips back and forth ... another summer "vacation" in Cali brought Danielle and Mike to live together in Walnut Creek this time. Walking distance from downtown Walnut Creek was great for summer fun. Wine festivals and close to Debbie and Gary made it a great summer.

Monday Night Football and Chautaugua = LOVE

That's right ... who doesn't fall in love over the NFL and beautiful moonlit nights on a mountain? Well ... when you both have 3 roommates each in a 2 bedroom apartment ... you have to find what works. The Lazy Dog or the boys' apartment provided for the football games and Mike fortunately had his Ford Explorer so we were able to get away from the group for many a drives up Chautaugua to stare at the stary night above Boulder.





Truthfully we started off as friends ... afteral we had our very own episode of Friends going on. 4 girls and 4 boys ... only an apartment apart. And oddly enough ... 5 of the 8 went to High School together. Mike had lived with Danny in Will Vill and needed a place to lay his head for only a semester so he stayed with Danny, Kyle and Alex (school mates of Danielle and Sarah). And Danielle lived with another current member of Express, Kim, soon to be member of Express, Katy and former Liberty Belles teammate Sarah. The boys watched out for the girls, had the big comfy leather couch, HUGE tv and fooseball table. The girls ... had food.





We realized that we rather enjoyed each other ... spending nights talking into the wee hours ... going to dinner to hang out. Whatever ... then when he got rid of his yellow hair ... Danielle realized he was cute. Hahahhahaha!!!





Something happened ... we went from friends to dating in a short amount of time. And dating is all it was ... for about 2 weeks. We both just wanted to be relaxed in our dating so in fact ... Mike was dating another girl named Deanna. She was a cheerleader from SoCal. But as I said before ... dating didn't last long. One fateful night ... Danielle sat Mike down to express that she wanted to date only him. Telling him he had time to think about it ... she respectfully asked that he not call or that they not go out until he decides. That was at about 2am. Later that afternoon, Mike called Danielle. Assuming she didn't make herself clear she asked if he had remembered their conversation? Yes. And had he thought about what he wanted? Yes. And had he talked to Deanna to tell her that couldn't see each other anymore? Yes. Hmmm ... so does that mean that you want to only date me? Yes. WOW ... guess we didn't have He's Just Not That Into You to tell us that we didn't do it the correct way.





That Christmas ... Danielle travelled to California and was introduced into Mike's world. Family, extended family and friends. Literally. A little overwhelming but with full and loving embraces.

and in the beginning ... there was yellow

Let's just say ... when Danielle first laid eyes on Mike ... it was with a bit of laughter. Heck, his parents walked past him in the aiport just weeks before we met!! Someone really should've written "Spalding" across his head ... it would've made more sense. Ok, so Mike spent the summer he turned 21 and the same summer that would be his last summer before he graduated, in Alicante, Spain. His Spanish Sister was a hair dresser and she BLEACHED his hair to do something 'nice' for him. Now a tall dark and handsome man does not look good with yellow hair atop his head. But it was fun for the time being.

Now we do have to give credit where credit is due. Gary DID technically introduce us. Mike was down at the car unloading when Danielle and her roommates, Kim, Katy and Sarah walked over to the "boys" apartment to meet the new roommate. Danielle chatted with Gary for a few minutes when Mike came up and the rest was shall we say; history.



(Please note ... when this photo was sent ... the date on it was 08/19/01. That's only a few days before we officially met!! And the photo was taken in the Civello House in Alamo!!)

the start of something new ...

Welcome to our adventure. First we want to take you on a trip down memory lane. And because memory lane started before everyone had a digital camera ... we have to scan the real ones in!!! As soon as we get this done ... you will be joining us on a lifetime journey. Starting at the beginning ... full of stories of how we met ... when we realized he loved each other ... how Mike got Danielle to move to California ... why we took a trip of a lifetime ... how Mike proposed ... where we got married ... where we honeymooned ... where we now call home and beyond.