C-c-chico

We spent this past President's day weekend in Chico visiting Tom's family.  We typically try to make it up to Chico on our three day weekends to maximize the visiting time and minimize the traveling time.  It's only a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive,  but after a work day it can feel much longer.  Sadly we realized at the last minute (but thank goodness we did) that Tom did not get Monday off.  So a two-day visit it was.   We drove up late on Friday night after work and arrived just in time to crash into bed. On Saturday we had breakfast with Richard (Tom's dad) and after a leisurely morning drove over to Oakmont to have lunch (they call it dinner, something I can never get used to) with Tom's grandmother Agnes.  Agnes is now 95 but still full of spirit.  She has muscular dystrophy which means she can hardly see anymore, but her hearing and memory are sharp as a tack. Tom's mom and dad, and his Uncle Ted joined us for lunch (dinner) and despite what we had been told about the food, it was actually pretty good.  I don't expect food in a retirement home to be well seasoned or salted, so perhaps my expectations were pretty low. Regardless it was nice to spend time with Tom's grandmother.  She always has great bits of wisdom to share which she is quite famous for.  So famous in fact that Tom's sister Claire has screen-printed three paintings that are now hanging above her bed of her favorite sayings "haste makes waste", "this too shall pass" and "waste not, want not".  Agnes is very religious and when she was able bodied, spent much of her time helping others.  She fully embodies the spirit of helping others and using only what you need.  She is quite possibly the most thrifty person I know.

That evening we took Tom's dad and mom out to dinner to celebrate Carol's 60th birthday. Tom really wanted to go to the 5th Street Steakhouse, which is a very nice yet casual steakhouse.  The food was delicious, although Tom still insists that steaks he makes at home are better.  I can't argue with that since the man does know how to whip up a good steak! They were served with the largest mound of garlic mashed potatoes I have ever seen - probably enough to feed a family of four.  Sadly I didn't take any pictures and the photos I could find online just didn't give it justice.  We wound down the evening by watching Water for Elephants back at home.  I had read the book and loved it but I had heard some not so good things about the movie.  Apparently people don't like seeing Robert Pattinson as anything else but an angsty vampire teen.   I thought the movie was really well done and it touched me in the sense that the movie "stuck" with me long after it was over.  I highly recommend. 

The boys wrestling

Sunday morning Tom's mom and dad whipped us up a very yummy breakfast of sausage, eggs and homemade scones.  Tom and I had some time before hand to take a walk around his neighborhood.  You don't have to walk too far in either direction before you end up in Bidwell park or other remote area - something I really appreciate living in the bay area and being constantly surrounded by people and asphalt.  After breakfast Tom spent a good chunk of the morning fixing his dad's dryer (because he has to fix something everywhere we go. He is like a traveling fix-it man!)  On our way out of Chico, we stopped by Yuba City to visit Camille and the boys.  Taylor just turned 9 and is still a Lego aficionado.   Ryan is 11 months old and is already walking and running and even mumbling a few words.  They enjoyed wrestling with their uncle and during that moment it made we really hope we are having a girl!  

Ryan enjoying his Baby Einstein DVD

I was very happy to receive two huge bagfuls of maternity clothes from Camille.  I am now enjoying the elastic belly of maternity pants more than anything. They are so comfy, it's like wearing pajamas all day.  Before leaving town, Tom and I had a quick dinner at Five Rivers Tandoori Restaurant.  For whatever reason, Yuba city has a large Indian population  so there is a plethora of good Indian food available.  Lucky for us when we visit!  Five Rivers had the best samosas I've ever had anywhere.  Very big and really fresh.  If you're in the area, you should definitely make it a stop. 

18 weeks

In other news, I am now 18 weeks pregnant and getting bigger by the second.  Head to rump, the baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. He/she busy flexing its arms and legs although I still can't feel the baby move yet.  There have been a few times when I think I feel movement, but it could also just be my belly rumbling.  We have our BIG appointment to find out the sex of the baby coming up very soon.  We do plan to tell everyone, but people are going to have to wait for a little while longer because we have a special way we want to announce.  We are really looking forward to finding out so we can get shopping!