Andria's Blog

First Glance of Tokyo: City of LED

2011-11-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

I took off from San Francisco at 7pm Tuesday and arrived in Tokyo at about 10:00pm Wednesday. The long flight (13 hours) is getting easier since I can now sleep on the plane! I didn't realize I slept so much until the smell of fancy cup o soup noodles woke me up with 2 hours left in the flight. I watched the cameras from the bottom of the plane that showed the dark cities of Japan. Previously we got to watch the camera from the front of the plane and see the runway for take off which was really interesting.

After eating the normal plane food with a side or rice crackers and noodles, I looked out onto Japan for my first time. It was really dark and what amazed me was the many small blue lights that lit up the cities instead of a couple bright spotlight type lights that I am used to. I think I was expecting Vagas lights or something but the land was pretty quiet with light, which dark patches mingled in between.

I had a good companion sitting next to me who spoke English but was raised in Tokyo. I was happy that she spoke English and Japanese and helped each other through the flight. I helped her with her suitcase and tray table, she helped me with my Japanese pronunciation. At 85 she still travels yearly to Japan!

Getting through the airport and customs was pretty simple with the grace being English posted next to the Japanese characters on the signs. I am good at languages, but a whole new alphabet is another beast to tackle in the future. I asked the bus ticket counter if they could get me to my hotel and for about $10, I got a bus ride straight to my hotel. Pretty good price since I expected a taxi to take all the yen I had exchanged. I hear it's expensive here!

The bowing is really impressive here. Everyone bows to everyone. Even if a little bow, showing a little respect to some stranger, it brings this understanding of respect to everybody and helps people get along as they live their lives. I feel so welcomed. Bowing is a civilized way for humans to tolerate each other for the small amount of time that you come into contact with them so you can both be productive in society. Don't get me wrong, these people charge. My bus driver took his bus lane at the airport while making sure that the bus in front of him was able to get in the lane as well, and then punched the gas!! They make sure that those around them have a chance to charge too. Considerate in all ways.

I got to the hotel and found Steve fast asleep from a long day he had already in Tokyo. I was antsy to explore Tokyo! But, since it was 11pm, I went to sleep, though I woke at 4am with no way of going back to sleep. The city from the bus reminds me of the bay area a little with all the bridges and tunnels. I wonder what the rest of the city is like...

Today is Japanese Culture Say so I hope we get to see what we can about the culture. Very happy to be here. I am pleasantly surprised.

18 Months

2009-10-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

Jack a boy is a riot these days! He is walking all over, running on his tip toes, waving goodbye to everyone he sees, giving flirty smiles to people who will talk to him. He has also learned to give hugs instead of pull hair to his friends or little people he sees. The only problem with this is that he is built like a Mac trucka nd sometimes bull doses them over while he is loving them. He also loves the 3 and 4 year old girls. LOVES THEM! Will not stop looking at them. Hugs them at every chance. He loves the older ladies.

Jack is also working on his vocabulary. His latest and most impressive is "bubbles" that he learned with Aunt Tris. You get smarter just by hanging out with this lady. He has "momma, dadda, dawwwwg, door (doh)" down. He has also started to say "bye (bah)" and anything else you say to him. If you ask him to say something, he will try and usually at least has the number of syllables right. He loves to go "out (ow)." And knows how to say more when he's eating "mo!" Oh and he also says "ni" and takes his drink and pulls it away from you like it's mine. What a goof.

With his incredible charm and hilarious sense of humor comes also the beginning of tantrums. He knows what he wants most of the time and though we try and distract with other things, he does not so easily forget these days what he wants. So, instead of giving him something that is not good for him, we have to hold the hard line and then love him after he has fitted. This is the hard pert of parenting and we are in it now.

New Baby News

All is going well with little Clark, or Colin, or Owen, or Oliver. He have quite a list of names we are considering so thank you to all of you who have suggested names. This one is hard. He is good though. I finally am feeling him kicking all of the time way low in my belly. It is quite a change from last feeling Jack kicking my rib. I am thankful for that right now. Those days will be here soon. We have about 4 months left in this pregnancy. January 25th will be here before we know it! Will we have a new kitchen by then??? Will we have any sanity come February? I am not planning on it.

This pregnancy is treating me a little differently. I am so sore after water polo practice. My abs are not working with me and I will have to calm down the jerky reactions in the water to changing direction and reaching high out of the water for the ball. I am lazy pregnant lady right now. Also with swimming. Yesterday I puled my back muscle trying to reach out far when I was sprinting. I will have to be like those ladies who do head up breaststroke so that they don't get their hair wet. Cruise. I hope that I just don't fall asleep in the water!

Tech Mom

Steve has this great idea to start a blog about how a mom these days is so technically inclined. I do have my own personal gateway to technology having him around, but honestly, it's the only way that I can keep up. Mommy groups are organized online and with contact groups, evites to functions and mom nights out, I do everything via my iphone because I am not sure I would read anyone's twitter, facebook or email, let alone get any calls to anyone if I din't have it. Jack would have my computer if he could. When he sees me on it, he is all over it. My phone is a little less attractive and is always with me when I have a second.

New blogs will be coming in more often since BlogPressLite app just came out. So I will keep you updated via my phone. Hopefully I can be eloquent and interesting while on the go. We'll see.

2009-06-25

2009-09-01T10:24:00.001-07:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Trapped

2009-07-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

There is never a time in your life, other than when you are responsible for another human being, that when mistakes happen, the stakes are so high. Like locking your keys in the car... with your child in it as well.

We just finished a nice dinner for Jack's cousin's birthday and were getting in the car to enjoy some ice cream cake at her house. I threw all of the junk in the passenger seat and the key in the driver's seat so I won't loose it, and got Jack all buckled up and ready to go. I close the passenger door and look down at the lock that is down, and then to the driver door lock which is down. I grab my head and say "Oh no oh no what do I do????" A man nearby getting some Hawaiian BBQ hears me and says first you go in and call 911 from the restaurant and they will get someone to open your door. The police man came, he saw that Jack was chillin (thank goodness he is so mild mannered) and the tow truck was close by. Though Mini Coopers are extremely hard to jimmy into, they ended up pushing the unlock button of my key with a long stick.

Jack was a little sweaty but in good spirits and with a little playing, he was giggling like that was the greatest thing he had done in a while. We hung out and drank a little water while the car cooled down and had some ice cream cake at his cousin's house.

Luckily tonight it wasn't very hot out and there were many people around that were being helpful that it really calmed me down. Jack was fine. He was interested in all of the people trying to slim jim their way into the car, watching all the people that would wave to him like the police man that I thought was going to arrest me.

There have been many times that I thought, "Poor child, you have me as your parent." The fact is though that we are all human and we make mistakes. Hopefully they are not life threatening. It just seems so magnified when you are a parent to this real live human and they are relying on you for everything. It's tough and you feel so responsible. So all is well and now I will check for locks before trapping my child into any vehicle.

May Day May Day-He Has Taken Off

2009-05-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

It is official that Jack is walking all over the place these days. He is loving it and highly influenced by his friends who are running all over the place and he crawls really fast and then hurts his knees. I am happy because i can just hold his little hand and walk him places instead of picking him up. It's a very sweet time.

He is also "jolly" as my friend Sarah put it so well. He will laugh at people, with people, smile and squint his eyes and then hide behind something like he is so shy! Oh everyone gets a kick out of him. He is also starting to communicate well. He is using the signs we have been practicing with him, making animal sounds that we've taught him, and mimics sounds like "hi daddy" and "all done." It's so crazy to see happen.

He also is very strong willed and strong bodied. If he wants to do something, he will try his darnedest to do it. I am trying to redirect when this happens. He is also so into loving people but with a grab and open mouth, like, "I am going to eat you!" It's a little scary to me and definitely scary if you are a little kid. Easy and gentle are words that are used at many play times during the day. It's good that he has such a big heart:)

This month we have visited Santa Barbara where we have met a new little baby and got to hang out with some good friends. We also got to hang out with a friend who is expecting as well. Babies everywhere! We just returned form a visit to Southern California where Jack got to meet his visiting Great Grandmother. That doesn't happen very often anymore! She is 85 and still kicking. Jack was also adored by his grandma, grandpa, uncle, and of course his cousins. Those two girls just would smother him with hugs and kisses at every second if they could. I am not sure anyone could adore him more. Jack is lucky to have such sweet cousins. They will look out for him for sure.

As we embark on our first trip to Yosemite as a family, we have one more to consider now as well. I just found out form a test this morning that we will be expecting another McGhee probably in February. I am both excited and very nervous. How will pregnancy be this time while running after a toddler? How will I take care of a baby and Jack at the same time? The great thing is that people do it all of the time. It will work out and we will find ways. I just can't believe how excited I am knowing how tough it is to have a baby. I am looking forward to seeing it:)

Here is a video of Jack laughing with Grandma and in the water, of course.

http://photo.stevenandria.com/gallery/8276121_QFoQF#541784551_BMGhy-A-LB

Jack Walks

2009-04-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

And I missed it! While I was at water polo, Grandpa Matt was holding Jack's hands as he was standing between Matt's legs. Matt said that Jack "allegedly" let go, took two steps and fell to his bottom. Does this count if the parents don't see it? I think it does. Oh man! I am gone for 2 hours and this is what happens. At least he feels like he can take some chances with someone else watching him. That is great.

New Independence

2009-04-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

It's not even July and I am celebrating Independence! Jack is growing into a young boy. He is not breast feeding during the day, Steve takes him for hours on end and it feels really good to be able to just relax without a constant buddy. Though now I am starting to savour those times with him when he hugs me or sits next to me to explore something like a whisk or when I get to feed him to sleep at night. He's getting more fun.

I turned 30 last week as well! It's quite an honor. I play water polo with these women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, have such great friends in their 30s, have an impressive mother and mother in law, and to be one more step closer to them is fantastic. I was saying all week that I have much more confidence than at 20 but the ability to make some seriously fun decisions about where my life will go.

What topped off my birthday was a wine and cheese party that my husband surprised me with. I didn't think I wanted a party but to be surrounded by all these great people (and those who couldn't even be there) made me really happy and thankful that I have them as guides and companions in my life.

That's a secret, I guess. Put yourself around good people and all the bad ones fall to the waist-side. Life is really too short to waist your time on the dark side. It's really going to be a good decade. (Now waiting for my other half to get there, hee hee hee!)

The Thinker

2009-04-03T15:28:00.001-07:00

Time is flying by and all of a sudden, Jack will be 1 year old next week. He is doing so much.

Physically he is crawling like a mad man and pulling himself up to stand. He is just now starting to be daring and let go to reach another chair nearby and stand for a couple seconds by himself. We just went to his first Gymboree class which was so much fun and met some new people and saw some old friends. Jack just loved following the kids around, meeting them, taking their eyes out of their sockets. The class is great because they are moving so much, singing, doing things together to help them walk and climb. He has 6 teeth with 2 coming in a little secretly this time. 8 in total by his birthday I presume.

Mentally he is a little engineer. Grandpa McGhee (AKA Opa) says that John was like him, always trying to figure out how things work. A couple weeks ago it was the light switches and now it is knobs. He loves to open and close doors. Huge breakthrough was when he was closing the door yesterday to the bathroom and the cupboard door was blocking it. I asked him what could be in the way and what would he do and he closed the cupboard door and then closed the bathroom door. It was fantastic! He was really intent on figuring out how the fix that problem.

He is still a big guy. I am not sure if any pounds are flying off of him but I am not worried. He might just be a tall boy. He goes to the doc in 2 weeks to see how he is doing and get a shot, eww. Dr. Nash is great for him though and great for me because he is so mellow. Maybe we can figure out what Jack's little rash on his cheeks are from.

In our house, Steve and I have had our 4 year anniversary. I got out my wedding dress to bask in it's beauty and then we gorged ourselves in a 4 course meal with wine. Yum. Steve wouldn't let me wear my wedding dress but I guess I can wait for our second wedding for that;) (We will be getting married again to each other. I will keep you posted.)

Grandma and Grandpa Hough came to visit and loved playing with their little grandson. Jack's God Mum Anna and her hubby Ben visited from England. It was great to see our good frineds who live way too far away. I have been happy to get away on the weekend to get a massage here and there or do some Andria time. I have also been playing polo with my awesome ladies every week. I love it. It has been great to have the sun out and Jack napping so well (knock knock on wood.) I can finally do some email and blogging and whatever else I need free hands for. I also had a chance to wine taste with my uncle John who is such a great guy for showing us around a couple wineries. He is starting a great blog about wine and marketing which I hope to study more thoroughly once I get some time to go back into working. Check it out if you are interested. It is getting a lot of attention. http://thinkwinemarketing.wordpress.com

Pictures to come!

I forgot my pants!

2009-03-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

Well maybe not my pants. Yesterday I got the crew all packed in the car, Charlie and Jack, and all that goes with them, drove to Grandma's to drop them off and go to water polo practice. I was cozy, in presentable clothes but as I hop out of the car, I look down and I have my slippers on. Ah the life of a parent. Now I can understand why I see moms out with the weirdest of things on. Thank goodness grandma's house and the pool were my only destinations.

Explorer Jack

2009-02-20T18:41:00.000-08:00

Jack had his 10 month check up last week. All was great, and is still off the charts for weight. The doctor said he is just the size of a 18month old. The only problem we have with that is that people might start thinking you have a retarded child who doesn't talk and walk when he should. He said once you tell them he is only 10 months then you will see the "ahhh, okay" light bulb go off. Our pediatrician is funny and I can see his point.

Today Jack has amazed me. Yesterday he was super clingy and drove me crazy, not able to do anything. Today I tried to let him explore everything. I vacuumed and he crawled around me as I did. When I stopped, he pushed the vacuum back and forth like I did. Same with the broom. He also gave me a kiss with an open mouth and blows kisses by saying "ba" instead of mwoah. He has been crawling like crazy and now pulls himself up on anything and makes a walker out of chairs, toys, Charlie. Today he let go and was standing for a couple of second by himself. Woah! This is the first of his independant high up life. Let's clear the second shelf of stuff off! He can now get to it. All in one day. He is a busy boy.

With my new computer, pictures and videos will be on line soon! For now, here is Jack in his first bike helmet and first snow. Not an infant helmet, no, he has outgrown that one already. He is in a toddler one already, Big Heed!! The second is our trip to Tahoe with the local McGhees. The last two are of naked time before bed. He has no modesty (maybe that's us).

Christmas!!!!!

2009-01-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

Last time on Jack: well that was some time ago. He is getting seriously busy.

Jack is crawling on his tummy like a champ these days. With one arm as balance and the other to pull him like he is going under barbed wire in boot camp. Dr. Jim says that that is called crawling and he has yet to creep with the tummy off the ground. This boy's tummy is sizable so I think we should give him some time for that. He is flying with the crawling trick already. We are now baby-sizing our house.

More impressive is how he cal crawl and then tuck his leg under and push himself back onto his bum. He'll crawl, sit to inspect something he has come across, then continue along the floor with thing in hand or it being tossed to the side. He loves Charlie his "dig" and now tries to climb over him. Charlie is okay with most of it but moves when he is annoyed.

Things that amuse him are fake coughs, I think because he does fake coughs and knows we are onto him, attacking our hair, tickles in his rib and pudgy thighs. He is kind of sneaky and laughs when we catch him at things. He also is keen to wave at you if you do it first, except with Opa McGhee which he just does whenever he sees him. I think he does a little wave when he wants more of something.

We think he repeats words like momma and dada when we say them but we aren't sure yet.
Check our pictures for more updates and movies for his first Christmas. He asked if Santa was real already and we told him to just believe. Inquisitive kid. He hasn't spoken again since. :) Jack also wanted a Red Rider Beebee gun but was told that he'll shoot his eye out. He got a play structure. Just as usefull right now.

8 Months

2008-12-12T21:31:00.000-08:00

Was month 7 that hard? hmmm. As you might have seen, you can follow my Twitter updates on the right of my blog or start Twitter yourself and we can update each other from our phones! How totally awesome! Or maybe thats TMI! OMG!!

Sorry it has been a while since the last post but for an update: we were packing and preparing to be in Australia for 3-6 months. While dropping our dog off at Grandma's a week before leaving we were told that we weren't going to go to save costs and so then we had to undo it all. And then the holidays came. So I guess that's why. I only just realized this now as I am typing.

Jack has been entertaining through it all. He discovered the world and is inspecting it thoroughly. He is a pro roller but is now sitting which takes a load off of me holding him (at 28 pounds. Yes, that's a lot). He plays on the floor by himself for minutes on end! He loves the book Where is Baby's Belly Button because we play peek a boo out of it. Now he recognizes signs and things with big print. He is also crawling on his tummy. He pushes with his feet and kind of wiggles to get where he wants to be. He used to only push himself backwards.

He also learned how to wave to Grandma Mary Margaret. This week he learned high five from his Abuelo and now tries to give people in stores high five and waves and smiles. He is a ham. He had a line of ladies waiting to love him when we were Christmas shopping the other day. He is the Gerber Baby to everyone. It is amazing to see this little blob turn into a charming little man with convictions and a sense of humour. He laughs at random things but always at baby pictures and his dog. He is also eating a lot of pureed things and Cheerios. He loves his food.

I am back to playing water polo with the amazing ladies. This is one of those things that you can't put a price on. The time spent for me, with a supportive group of ladies who have been through it all and love to help each other, swimming my heart out, tyring not to drive our coach crazy. It's great. At the same time, Grandma and Abuelo get thier time with him. I am lucky.

We have a Christmas tree which is so awesome. The first in our place. I am cozy. Time for bed before the baby wakes up again.

Computer for infants

2008-10-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

My friend told me about http://kneebouncers.com where the baby can press any button on the keyboard and the screen will do something. Jack likes "jump and float" and talks to each character that pops up. He figured out that if he pushed a button, someone would pop up! Well, he is advanced;)

Happy Early Halloween! 6 month Jack McLantern

2008-10-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

Jack is almost 6 months and last time I checked 22 pounds. He is a sturdy baby. He has been so much fun with all of his giggles, babbling, rolling, bouncing and grabbing.

Physically he is rolling from front to belly to front again. He is also sitting by himself for about a minute when he leans off to the side and finds something to play with, or arches his back, or leans onto his tummy like a cobra pose. He is also spotting things and reaching his arms out to grab them. I noticed yesterday when people would hold him, he would reach his arms out to me when he was done. It's wild to see these things come out of a child from nothing. He also enjoys the exersaucer and jumper thing. He squeals with delight! I love it because it gives my tendinitis a rest:)

Mentally and socially he is developing by constantly watching what is going on around him, smiling at every person he passes and giggling when they talk to him. He is saying dada and only mama when he gets frustrated. (No link to either of us yet). He is waking up like crazy and more fussy I think due to some teeth pain that might be coming. We'll see!

He is eating! His favs include avocado, rice cereal, and sweet potato. He is not too keen on the oatmeal and multi-grain cereal but who is, really. He has time for that later. It is so fun to see him explore the word of taste! His first tastes of life and the start of great food. He, as expected, is a good eater. It's fun ot see his dad be able to spend this time with him too.

We are getting ready for our trip to Australia now and getting excited! We will be on the plane for Halloween. What will the plane trip be like with a baby? 2 hours is nothing but 14? Keep posted to find out more.

I Know Everything and Nothing

2008-08-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

I have just realized that we all go through life knowing nothing and then thinking we know everything. When we are kids, we don't know everything and we don't care because being a kid is fun. Then pre-teen adolescence and teen years, we know everything. College, nothing. Graduate and get a job, everything. Have a child, nothing. (Retirement, everything? Not sure yet. I haven't gotten there)

I see it in the children playing in the water fountain when their moms tell them to be careful. The either do what she says or don't because they want to do it so badly, not because they think they know it all. Then in the teens when they walk around town with their friends. They know it all, or at least they have to try and act that way. The college goers just have a deer in the headlights look (or maybe that's just a hang over). I notice this in the young twenty somethings without children. They know how to stop my child from crying when we are in public and are disgusted that I don't. I am sure they will understand in their next step, or at least see it in their close friends' struggles. Having a kid, I am not sure I will ever know enough.

Jack at 4.5 months

2008-08-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

He is amazing! I always thought this was funny when parents thought that these little things were so amazing but it is when just yesterday they were blobs in a car seat! Jack has done so much in these past weeks:

*He is rolling over like crazy! Sometimes to his own frustration. I don't think he wants to be on his belly so often but he can't remember how to roll back onto his back. He also was waking himself up at night by rolling onto his belly and not liking it, banging his head on the crib, so we got those wedges on either side of him and he's sleeping better.

*Yesterday he had his first "solid food" of rice cereal while we ate dinner. He loved it! He's an eater (as we all know from his 20 pound girth).

*He is playing in his exersaucer and jumpy thing in the doorway. It's fun to see him enjoying himself without needing me. He is a real explorer. He also loves watching the trees outside the living room window.

*He is learning how to take naps. We all know how cranky we get when we don't get sleep. Well, Jack was starting to miss his naps and be real fussy toward the end of the day (Steve gets home and I do the quick hand off). So we are "Ferber"ing him, letting him try and find his own ways to sleep, even if he has to cry a little- it's tough. Dr. Ferber is a sleep specialist and he has some great ideas on sleeping. It makes us all happier and healthier.

Next up is sitting! I get all excited about his develpments but will be running much more when he starts running, I am sure.

Fluids

2008-08-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

I know this sounds gross and it kind of is. These days I don't know where some of these liquids come from that are on me. In my hair, on my shirt, even on my pants or on the top of my foot! It could be from Charlie (he drools a lot), it could be from Jack (he drools a lot too), it could be spit up, it could be worse, #1 or#2! Having kids humbles you.

Oregonian

2008-08-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

A typical year usually includes a trip to Oregon to visit my good buddy Christina and brother-in-law John, and their kids. It's always a great place to be. There is so much beauty and land to hike on and explore that you can hardly believe that any one person deserves to enjoy that beauty. Everything is so full of life. Even in the winter, the snow is abundant and coats every top of the tree or house with innocence and simplicity.

This trip was a little more interesting with a little one. Steve and I rented a car because we were not sure how we would fit 3 kids in car seats in one car. As it turns out, Christina and I did on our was to a walk, along with 2 dogs. It was awesome. It's interesting being an aunt turned mom because you can longer be at your nieces and nephew's disposal. Play time has to be after a feeding or diaper change.

This was one more week of Steve's paternity leave so Steve got to hang with the boy as I played with Patrick and got to know the little charmer girl who will be 1 soon. They were a blast and we miss them already. Though we can hike here, it's no where close to the same as the mother load of nature up there.

Nieces and Nephews

2008-08-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

The cutest things that my nieces and nephews have said:

Gabrielle age 5:
"Can Jack be my boyfriend? Not to marry or anything, just to be my boyfriend."

Olivia at age 5 or so:
Andria -"Olivia, how do I print this?"
Olivia- "I think you go to print.com."

Patrick age 4:
After seeing Incredible Hulk, with jaw to the ground:
"Awesome!"

Australia

2008-08-04T22:12:00.000-07:00

New news: Steve and Jack and I get to go to Sydney, Australia for 3 months for Steve's work. WooHoo! We've always wanted to go there. I bet we could get some great weekends in there. Taste some serious wine. Check out a dream of a place in New Zealand . Scuba dive ("Are you for scuba?")

If you have suggestions for places to see in Australia or Sydney, let us know!

4 Months: Livin' Large & Sleeping-ish

2008-08-04T21:39:00.000-07:00

Jack will be turning 4 months this Saturday and last weigh in showed about a week ago showed him as 18.03 pounds. Yeah, he's a big boy. We have him in 6-9 , month clothing now. Though it seems to not phase many mothers who have had similar stories, it amazes me (and tires me out from holding him!)

There are, of course, the amazing things that he does. He rolled from him back to his belly a couple times, once ending in a little accident. Yes, bad mom. No more couch lay downs! He loves his tummy time. He loves to bat at things with his arm and looks at them as he does it. He loves his new friend Sophie the giraffe which I recommend to any parent.

He also giggles when tickled or attempt to tickle. He knows what we are going to do before we do it! He laughs when I make sounds with my tongue.

A cool thing for Steve and I is that he is sleeping for longer amounts of time. Now I say this with a grain of salt as tonight it will probably change now that I wrote this. But my friend Amy told me to try and feed him when he's good and hungry (like 3 hours in between feedings) and put him down at 9 or 10. It works for most nights and we sometimes get 6 hours of sleep before he wants to eat again. It feels good and normal, even though that sounds crazy to a person who has not gone through this. Oh the humanity. I love sleep and so does Jack. Now he is getting naps during the day down. I also started reading How to Solve your Child's Sleep Problems by Dr. Ferber. This was recommended by my doctor and my friend. It's supposed to help you understand sleep patterns, even if you think you don't have a problem, per se.

I will try to write more so I can remember all these cool things he is doing. He's amazing of course and does so much. In the meantime check out our photos.

3 Months for Jack

2008-07-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Happy 3 month Birthday Jack! He has done such great things in the 3 little months that he has been in this world. He has found the cure for parkinson's, set up adoptions for millions of children all over the world, and brought aid and medicine to the people in the world that do not have access to it.

Okay well maybe not that scale of wonderfulness, but wonderful to me none-the-less. He has flipped over from his tummy to his back a handfull of times, he has gained the same amount of weight as most 4 month olds (he's up to 15 pounds now), his expressions and smiles have made many laugh, he is practicing all of his vowels and some consonants as he talks away and he spits up more.

Only big fusses have been a bought of over heat as we rolled in to Southern California. He has trouble burping sometimes that makes him look like he's pushing all the time. Otherwise, he a bundle of fun.

More pics to come on the blog but in the meantime, check out the links on the right of this blog for our albums. Steve is working hard to get our Europe trips up as well.
Jack sends out his love by saying "GOOO!"

7 weeks for Jack!

2008-05-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

After a positive check up for me from the doctor last week, I got to return back to the pool with Jack in tow. Coach Andrew kept an eye on him (an ear actually) as Jack slept in him stroller next to the pool. It was great.

Jack is enjoying his baths a little (I can't wait to get him in the pool in one month), growing like crazy (12 pounds, 3 ounces), eating well and sleeping longer! I am excited about the 5 hour sleep times. 2 hours is getting a little tough:) Jack is getting to be a little chubster. He is starting to smile in a reaction to our voices. Steve and I were hanging out with Jack yesterday and he giggled! It was adorable.

It is still a little weird being responsible for a human life, but it feels so good. I am surprised at how much time it takes to raise a child. Feeding every 2-3 hours is tough. He doesn't even walk yet!

My Birth Story

2008-04-28T17:23:00.001-07:00

Finally I am back online! It only took 3 weeks but here I am. This is the story of how the birth of Jack Brian McGhee went down. I may be graphic so this is your fair warning.

Three weeks ago, on Tuesday, I was at Target, picking up the last finishing touches for Jack's room and doing some touch up paint.

At 2:38 A.M. on April 9th, Wednesday, I felt a huge rumble in my tummy like I had eaten some serious fettuccine the night before and then some kind of trickle on my leg. Weird. I though before that my water may have broken but it was a false alarm. It is rare for your water to break before you go into labor anyway. So I went potty and waited and it happened again. We called the doctor and he said to call the hospital and go on in.

I brushed my teeth, Steve gathered up our packed bag, and we strolled on to the hospital. It was so quiet and calm on the streets of Walnut Creek and in the parking lot of John Muir. I was finally starting to feel contrations and I practiced breathing through them, though they had no great deal of intensity yet. The security guy welcomed us and we went up to the third floor. The lady had me fill in a small sheet with my name and some other little info (we had pre-registered online which helps make a smooth check in). She put us in a room and Steve and I napped for an hour or two before things started happening.

When I awoke the nurses just checked in and we went through a series of contractions and relaxing. My friend Christie was on her way to be my support gal and my mom and step-dad were on a plane from southern California. It seemed like everyone got to me at about 10 or 11 A.M. Everyone was so good at holding my hand while I breathed through the contractions. I was lucky enough that the breathing worked! No back labor or anything crazy to deal with. I was super sensitive about smells. Any whiff of food that I got was totally annoying to me, probably because I wanted to eat something so bad and hadn't eaten for 24 hours. Even if there was food on the other side of the room, I could smell it and it had to go. We watched the events of the Olympic torch running through San Fransisco that day as a good distraction.

At about 2 to 3 P.M. the contractions started getting more intense and I asked everyone but Steve to clear the room. The T.V. had to be turned off. I was ready to have this baby but my body wasn't quite ready. The nurse (one of the many I had seen that day, who were all awesome) had told me not to push as I needed to be dilated about 1-.5 cm more. My body was realing and longed to just push this baby out. The nurse called the doctor to come and he wasn't coming. I think she just told me he was coming to pacify me a little.

At 4:00 I didn't think I could handle this feeling of pushing any longer and could barely even breath through it as my air wouldn't come in. 4:30 she checked me and I was very close, and I asked her (in a very demanding way) to call the doctor and see where he was. She found him at his office, right across the street and he came over for sure this time. I couldn't wait. I heard him in the hallway and was about to yell for him to get in the room, but tried to remain civil. When he walked in to the room, I don't think I even greeted him. I just asked, "Can I push yet?" He said to go for it and I did.

Thanks goodness for swimming because that put me right in pushing shape. He noticed my strong pushes and asked me to stop so he could get his stuff in order to help me deliver. I started pushing at 5:00 and with 3 series of contractions, about 4 pushes each one, he was born at 5:17 P.M. It was amazing. At one point Dr. Katz asked me to stop pushing and feel the head crowning. Then as the Dr. was pulling out Jack's shoulders, he told me to look down at this huge headed baby all covered in goo. I couldn't believe that that being had come out of me.

When they took him out, he was paced on my chest and we just cuddled. He was covered in waxy vernix still and all purple from the trama of birth. I was elated and Steve was right there holding onto us both. The umbilical cord was clamped after a few minutes and Steve cut it. It was a free baby. I had my body back! Well, kind of.

They took him to the little center to get cleaned up as I got stitched up a little. I tore and so they did a little of an episiotomy which is not very common these days. I fed him and then I fed me. That meal was so great tasting after not eating for so long. Steve got to hold him for sometime while they were waiting for the stitches. My parents came in once the mess was cleared and got to see their grandson.

They transfered us to the smaller post pardum room, ate again, and then went to bed. the nurses were very good at helping me take care of my wounds and helping in breastfeeding. We stayed two nights and went home on Friday to a clean house and flowers everywhere, thanks to my mom and step-dad.

I couldn't complain one bit about the delivery at that hospital and the care given to us afterward. I have to say that I was so lucky that no complications arose and I got to do everything naturally. I am amazed that most people do this voluntarily. I feel as if I am a member of a club now. I have endured the hazing of birth and still to come: childhood, then adolescence. Eeek!

All is well in this third week and getting the hang of breastfeeding. Jack loves to sleep so I have to make sure and wake him so he gets enough feedings. He is definitely the son of Steve. He has cute red hair and fare skin. Lett's hope he got my melatonin! Check out pictures on our galleries and I will try and post some soon here on the blog. More adventures to come.

Baby's Room

2008-03-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

Steve and I have been working hard on the baby's room and with only little detail touch ups, we have it ready to go. It's so exciting! And don't worry, the paint is water based Benjamin Moore, zero fumes. It does have a smell to it but it's supposed to be safe.

The days after the belly picture was taken, at 35 weeks, I went to the doctor and she said that I was dilated already at 2cm. That is a little surprising for my first baby. The lungs haven't developed fully yet, so I cannot do much activity for 2 weeks. Then he can come out!

I am feeling tired often so I do a little chore, then rest. It's crazy building a baby. So tiring!

Charlie update

2008-03-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post some cute pics we have of Charlie. He is feeling quite at home now, not barking as much, can stay home by himself sometimes, and is entertaining us like crazy. He is learning to stay but sometimes bolts to see neighborhood dogs walking down the street. We love him!

(Picture left) Charlie loves his Christmas toy.
(Picture right) Who says bassets can't jump. Those feet are off the ground!

Now we can start looking at a pal for him when our little son turns about 6 months. That should be fun.

Baby Ready

2008-03-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready for the little one by finally doing something with his room. We took down the wallpaper mural of African animals (sorry Devlins) and painted the walls light and navy blue with a soon to come white chair rail. We are trying to organize all of the baby paraphernalia, and clean all of the baby clothes, while still not having any baby furniture or closet organizing. It will all come in time. We have car seat, a stroller, food and diapers on the way, so we will be fine:)

A funny blog about what a baby REALLY needs compared to how much is bought for these little things. http://www.sweet-juniper.com/2008/03/sacajawea-theory-v20.html

The baby is healthy and his heart is beating well. He has hiccups daily, sometimes twice a day! It's such a funny feeling. He really likes to keep his foot under my right rib and so hopefully that means that he is head down! He should be about 4 pounds now with limited room. My belly is getting bigger by the day and often sends a ripple across my belly. Sleep is much needed and my muscles are much tighter. I walk like a true pregnant woman.

8th Month!

2008-02-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

We are now officially in week 32, which technically is 8 months. Due date is April 21st so I still have 2 months left. Am i doing that math correctly?

Anyhow, the doc says that all is good. The heart beat does a slow and then quick heart rate which she says is a sign of good health. He is also quite active in my belly all day long which is a good sign. We are now getting to see someone every 2 weeks.

Jack is growing fast and real estate is limited. When he spins and turns, I can feel every inch of him. He jabs and stretches into my rib, into my bladder. I am starting to feel indigestion and acid reflux when I eat so I have to limit my food intake to the size of my fist, only increase the eating to 5 times a day. Only half sandwiches now!

While I was treading water yesterday at practice, I could feel something sticking out of the middle of my belly and it was moving side to side and I was treading side to side. It was freaky! Totally amazing.

The child birth class was great. It informed us on all the things that will and might happen. It gave us our options and informed us about medications. It convinced both Steve and I that I would like to go it without drugs as long as I can. I want to push and get it over with. I would love your support in this! Tell me what you did to help you through labor! What positions helped you during labor?

This week's pic is my swimsuit runway snapshot right be fore getting in to the pool with the Soda Moms.

Peek-a-Boo from Whistler, Canada

2008-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Steve and I decided we needed to have one more trip before we had a baby and we would have to settle for little travel for a while. Alaska and Canada were our options since we have never been to either, so our friend Dorothy got to it and found Whistler, Canada to be a great option.

It was quite beautiful. Snow was everywhere. Walls of it. We flew into Vancouver, an okay city, nay a snowflake, with overcast skies and drove to Whistler. Dorothy found all 8 of us a condo that had 4 rooms and was sweet and cozy. The next 3 days were clear skies, bright white snow, and not as cold as we all expected.

6 of us found a snowshoe trail and Paka and Steve went snowboarding. The snow was slightly used since so many people visited the place, but it was still so white, beautiful and fun. The girls also took a day at the spa for some super luxurious massages at the Vida Wellness Spa. It was the best one I've ever had. I think I just appreciated it the most with all the weight I've added and strain on the muscles.

It was a great trip to enjoy the friends we rarely get to see and celebrate our friendships. I really count my blessings in my friends. To see more pictures, click on the link below. Hopefully you can spot a rare looking moose in that lot.
http://gallery.mac.com/stevenandria#100144

almost the 8th Month

2008-02-11T07:44:00.000-08:00

(written 2/11/08)

Today is the 30 week mark of my pregnancy. Is that eight months? I guess in pregnancy terms it is. 40 weeks is full term but they don't tell you that 40 weeks is actually longer than 9 months. You just have to be the one to be good at math to figure that out:)

All went well on our last check up. My glucose test results say I do not have gestational diabetes which a woman can often get from pregnancy. It would have not been that bad, except that you have to watch what you eat so much closer and I love sugar too much to part with it at this time!

I am heavy now and my feet hurt from it. It's hard to sleep or lay on my back. I get cramped legs more often. My bottom nerve gets pinched quite often. That is the worst of it, so I am not so bad off. Things are truckin' right along. I love swimming with my water polo ladies. Their mommy stories are great and so is Coach Andrew's swimming support.

The fun stuff like baby showers are coming along soon. I have 3 weeks of work left! I can't wait to celebrate the boy in my belly. We are going to start painting the room and get some decorating in. I just found out that the boy will be spending most of his time in our room for the first couple months anyway, but at least he will have a room, if it's needed.

The picture this month features my nieces Gabby and Madeline who visited us this week. Along with my boy Charlie and bro Brian, father of the two girls.

Registry

2008-02-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

If you would like see our registries, click on the store below and you'll be taken right to our online registry!

Also, feel free to make anything because that is such a special thing or please get us something that you think is really cool. I am not picky. Thank you in advance for wanting to help us out with the baby and celebrating with us:)

1 Cleaning person to clean our house for the first 2 months- anyone you have in mind?

Bellini Baby Furniture:
(No online registry. Call or visit store for purchase or to give toward a gift, old school style)
(925) 274-0829, 1651 Botelho Drive, #190, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
-4 Piece Chenille Bedding $160. 85
-Chenille crib sheets cheaper than Pottery Barn:)

Diaper service:
ABC Diapers 925-935-4502
-a month of diapers $74.00 a month, 80 diapers
-Starter Kit- Deluxe Value Pack $24.95 (Includes: one deodorized diaper pail, three Litewrap with velcro and snap closure, one tub of pop-up Tushie Wipes)

Pottery Barn
The softest linens

Target
Necessities like car seats, baby feeding, storage

Babies R Us
Mechanics like rockers, bouncers, monitors, stroller, first aid, diaper bag

7th Month

2008-02-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

I am at 29 weeks which means that I am at 7 months! Woo Hoo!

This feels like pregnancy. I have a huge ball in front of me, inhibiting me from tying my shoes with ease, making me sit down whilst I teach, giving me weird sudden sharp pains in my butt muscles if I turn wrong, and the little alien inside it is doing gymnastics all the time! Elbow jab! Somersault! I think the punch, punch kick combo is his favourite. He is an active boy. We are looking forward to holding him in our arms here soon.

All is healthy with him and I. Yes, and Steve too. I am enjoying swimming so much more these days. It stretches out these tight stomach muscles. Showers are being planned, registries are made, decoration ideas of race cars for his room are underway. 3 more months and our lives will be a marathon. Oh man.

Pictures of this enormous belly will be posted this week. People are actually starting to notice that I am pregnant!

The RH Factor- I don't have it

2008-02-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

Not the Fear Factor thank God.
The Rhesus is found in 85% of Caucasions. I found out in my first trimester that I am the 15 % of the population of people who don't have this + sign next to my blood type, making me Rh negative. It has gone missing. It was never there. So that makes me a difficult match in the fact that if Steve, my mate, has it (is a + positive) than we might have a + positive blooded baby.

If our baby is + positive (which we will not know until birth) and I am -negative, and our bloods come into contact, then my body can produce antibodies to defend itself against this being that is carrying the + positive blood. My blood would be Rh-sensitized. That would mean my body would kill the little one inside me. Hostile environment! Or my body would kill off any positive blooded baby in the future and Jack a boy would be an only child.

Good news: is that in your 28th week, you can get this shot in your glutious (Rh immune globulin or RhoGam is what the nurses call it) to make your body forget what blood type your baby is and all is right with the world. If your blood mixes in birth or pregnancy, you and the baby and future babies will be fine.

Important for Mothers: make sure you get this done in the 28th week if you are a negative blood type and plan for it now. I was reading an article in my 28th week and realized that I had to make an appointment ASAP. It was not planned for me so make your appointment now.

If this is the only complication I have in my pregnancy, I am thankful. I am so happy for civilized medicine so that I may be able to have 1 or more babies in my life.

6 months

2007-12-24T10:28:00.000-08:00

We are in Redlands for the holidays and enjoying the sunshine! All is well.

I am looking froward to fitting into my clothes again. I love clothes but don't want to buy a ton of prego clothes, which leaves me with little options of what to wear. I am doing okay with a belt on my low rise jeans and a long shirt. I love that the style of poofy shirts is in right now and can fit on a pregnant lady without looking ridiculous.

Here is the 6 month belly!
(Taken in the orange groves of outer Redlands- because who finds orange groves INSIDE Redlands anymore)

Charlie Bowser

2007-12-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

Having a dog is a good window into what is will be like to have a baby.

My theory is that you should start with a house plant, if one of those live, try a fish, then maybe a hamster or some small animal. If you can handle that, a dog is the next big step into taking care of a being other than yourself. Another recommendation is taking care of other peoples' kids. You can see a lot about how to rear a child that way. Then, you might be ready for the challenge of having a child of your own. And that, as I hear, is nothing that anyone is ever ready for. You just kind of do it, somehow.

After years of waiting, we finally got a dog. We found him from an add in the paper that a family put in. They had to find a home for him b/c they were moving, so we adopted him at 1.5 years old. He is a pure bread basset hound. So full of personality that it makes you wonder how he doesn't talk to you! Make no mistake, he can jump into the back of an SUV, run like mad, and stand on his hind legs for 5 maybe 5 minutes. He's no lazy bones.

He is very well behaved. We are being pack leaders (Ceasar Milan would be proud). He is so needy though! We are thinking about getting a friend for him so he isn't so bored when we leave and so I can have him happy when I only pay attention to Jack-a-boy.

Dogs rock. Check out the flying basset.

It's a boy! 5 Months

2007-12-24T09:42:00.000-08:00

There is a pic of his weenis on the 20 week check up. The little white dot points to it. His hand is on the other side of the white dot. He is going in for a grab:) Below that is his leg. This is a shot from above.

He is healthy and so big! His feet are bigger than half his thigh! We saw his liver, his heart, his spine. It's so amazing at what you can see in there.

He'll be named Jack after my grandfather. We need a little help with the middle name as Steve's middle name will not work (Jack Daniel McGhee = instant alcoholism).

Alternative middle names:
David (My paternal grandfather's name)
Henry (My paternal grandfather's middle name, and it sounds like John Henry, the strongest man in tall tales)
Curtis- I thought it sounded good.
any other ideas? Let us know! Jack ________ McGhee

His good sized McGhee head at 20 weeks

Progress- 4 months

2007-12-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

With a lack in publishing these past months, I am going to attempt to play catch up and provide some pictures of my progressing tummy and information about what's it's like ot have an alien growing inside of you for 9 months.

I feel like I am cheating b/c before I know it, another month has past and my belly seems to impress no one! These expanding hips and tight fitting jeans don't lie. I do have a belly. Though, I should be flattered by the kindness of people not saying "Wow! I can't believe you look like a cow!" So, good on ya, nice people.

Here is the November belly- 4 months, almost 5.

This is at our house, a week before Thanksgiving. Nothing outlandish is really happening with my belly. Here are some wierdities:

-I am tired daily. It takes a lot of energy to produce a life form!

-I can catch a cold from someone across the room or anticipate if anyone will. I am on an average of one cold a month.

-I felt some movement and do so before I go to bed each night, that is, if it isn't gas, which is really hard to tell the difference. I did feel a total change of position like the guy was getting comfortable in there.

-Body change is hard. I feel huge and weirdly shaped. So I exercise. Then I feel out of shape b/c I suck air b/c I have so much blood in my system for the little guy. What if I strain myself and hurt him? So, I just do what I can so I can fit into some clothes. It's so weird.

Rude Pregnant Women

2007-10-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

It's me! Just last Monday, a water polo mom that I play with was telling me what she used to do for horrible pregnancy bloating (non-alcoholic beer, in case you were wondering). I wondered why this was such a big deal until yesterday when my stomach felt as if a bike pump was hooked to it and not letting anything out! Talk about pain!!

So now my biggest accomplishments are a nice belch or something unmentionable. Ahhh. Life is good.

Pregers

2007-10-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

I am pregnant! Now 14 weeks and 15 on Thursday. Amazingly it is already changing my life. My body knows I have something growing in there.

I will be writing updates about how I feel and pictures that we get of my tummy from the inside and out. Oh yeah, I already have a bump!

Stay tuned. As of now, the only thing I feel is a little stretch in the trousers, tired at 3.30 everyday, and hungry all of the time. That beats the roller coaster of nausea I had moving back here and getting back to real life. Whew!

English Health

2007-01-09T13:54:00.000-08:00

When we moved to London, I thought we would be made fun of for being lazy Americans who eat too many hamburgers. Many people in America still eat poor diets and have serious health problems because of it.

But, forgive me for saying, I think the health here in the UK is surprisingly horrible. Since we have been here, the main items in stores and restaurants are chips (fries), crisps (chips) and sweets. No doubt that their sweets beat any main stream candy that walks the planet, but the idea of moderation is not taught or even thought about in the majority of British diets. You are hard pressed to go to a restaurant that serves British food and not find something full of fat, fried or not including chips. I have to look hard in the grocery stores for the healthy option of food or shop at the more expensive Whole Foods equivalent (which is luckily close by home). I am thinking that Americans have improved their diet partly because of the attention so many people have given health in the states. Maybe Britain needs that kind of bad press too? I thought it was just me but now TV programs are pointing this out like Jaime Oliver's School Lunches and You Are What You Eat. This bad press might be good for the nation!

The truth is that it is apart of the culture and thus is a hard cycle to break. A friend told me that sometimes men will brag about never eating a veg in their lifetime! Also, it's cheap and so people who don't have a lot of money or time buy all kinds of fatty, processed foods for their little kids to eat. There are many people in London who struggle to pay rent so food becomes something to fill the stomachs, not to nourish the body. If people are buying crap in the stores, the stores will continue to produce it. I feel lucky to have lived in California and around so many restaurants and grocery stores that supply such yummy and healthy foods. It has really been a privilege to be around people who care about healthy food, can afford it and can move the market!

Unfortunately, I think many people in the UK aren't aware of the health risks that they are putting themselves in when their waist is over 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men, first and foremost. Secondly, If they do know, they don't believe it. I think the saddest outcome is that parents want to make their children happy so they buy them crisps and candy bars which is teaching these kids that it is okay to have a diet full of these things. It seems that this kind of damage could be a life killer at a very slow rate. Those kids will have worse conditions than is being seen now.

Last comment is one that I heard from a professor I used to work with in the German Department at UCSB. He said that the only reason we eat those dreadful sheet cakes from grocery stores is because it reminds us of childhood birthdays year after year (not counting the Costco ones:) This is the point!!! We eat things because we are taught it, because it is our regime, or because we crave it or think we need it. Actually, when you go off these things, you end up not missing them after a while. A candy bar here or there is not going to kill ya, but here or there does not refer to walking from one side of the room to the other! When you end up eating well and exercising, your body thanks you by giving you more energy and using those minerals and vitamins you get from fruit and veg. It's not easy, but foresight will save you more trouble in the future.

I see people caring about health at the gym and at the stores. I just hope that the many who are trying not to look, get the message eventually and don't ignore it for too long.

More information on preventing heart disease:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-prevention/WO00041

Beauty

2006-10-24T03:12:00.000-07:00

My very good sister in law just sent me this wonderful link to a film about how women's perceptions of themselves get so distorted. Click Here to watch.

I love that she sent this to me. I feel like I am buying into this race of trying to look like a super model, or be a thin rail, because it seems so normal with all these beautiful city women all around me constantly. There are so many! It's also strange because as I am getting older, my body is changing. My once swimming and water polo pysique is changing becasue of my lack of 2 hour a day training and my body doing what it wants (and enjoying all the wonderful cheese that is available daily:)

Thanks, Kathleen, for reminding me that I am beautiful because of the person I am. I am healthy, though not a stick. My husband reminds me of that daily, but it's good to hear it from a woman. I am lucky enough to have 5 sisters in law, 3 strong moms and many wonderful friends who support each other and love each other. We all need strong women in our lives to remind us of what is important. Who started this rediculous mentality of models? Not any of the beautiful, smart women I know.

Maternal Instincts

2006-08-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

I have lately a maternal instinct that is kicking in. I feel the need to care for things. Even though I already do have this feeling, it has tripled. I feel like I have to have a dog, maybe children, Steve is to old to take care of. My answer is to keep busy. I want to find a job, get into the culture a little more, get a perm home. Then, in a year or so, we can think about having children in the US.

First Last Day of School

2006-06-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

Today was my first last day of school as a teacher. I can hardly believe that this day has come and yet it went by like a blur. I can say that this has been one major accomplishment. To handle a class that was a little over the edge to begin with, sending me there as well, and actually getting them in their seats to learn something daily and have them appreciate each other. Amazing. I can't believe it happened but am glad to have experienced it. That was the goal, after all: to teach kids and to make some kind of positive impact in their life. This year started out bumpy, almost went to the nut house, ready to leave, but it was a successful year and I am glad I stayed to see them grow into wonderful little fourth graders. www.mdusd.k12.ca.us.