Work Shower

Had a wonderful time with the work ladies today, celebrating the anticipated arrival of Baby Grover. They came over for lunch and to see the nursery, which is finally done and I'm excited to post photos soon! We had a lovely time catching up, and they were so generous with their gifts and baby advice :) It was nice to get together before heading back to work tomorrow..... sadly our 2-week Spring Break is over :(
Some photos from the shower:







the gift opening: We received some much-needed items from our registry, fuzzy soft blankets, books, dvds, and adorable little outfits!





Thank you to my favorite work ladies for taking such good care of me at work!

Love from Spain

We received a package the other day from our family in Spain! Baby Grover was showered with presents from his Spanish aunties, uncles, and little cousins! Thank you so much to my wonderful spanish sister Sandra and family for the outfits, teddy bear, blanket, shoes, baby book, cd, and the summer sleepwear for me!

We miss you all so much and look forward to visiting you again when we travel out to Europe. Our little guy can't wait to meet his Spanish family, learn to speak Spanish, and play with his three boy cousins! We love you, muchos besitos para nuestra familia preciosa!

The Garrido-Guindos family pictured above: Sandra, Daniel, and their three handsome boys Alejandro, Adrian, and Jaime

Morning Belly Dancing (34 wks)

I could watch and be entertained by my belly all day long....... focus on the right side of this video, you will see our little guy either throwing some punches to the right or kicking up a storm!


this next one is funny, if you listen carefully you can hear the street sweeper go by.... and so can Baby Grover! He responds to the noise right away! You can also see some elbow and knee pokes!

Waiting on Baby Brandt

Jamie and Greg's baby boy will be here any day now!! We celebrated the anticipated arrival of Baby Brandt Friday night at the Salt Creek Grille, Laguna Beach. We love our double dates with the Brandts, and hope to keep this up even with our little ones! Our little boy is so excited to hang out with his buddy that he got him a personalized book! :)


We wish Jamie a healthy, smooth, and quick delivery, and right now all we can do is anxiously wait for that thrilling phone call that she is in labor!

Hello Good Lookin'!!

Brad and I had another big ultrasound yesterday through Radiology, and we not only got to see our little guy's "peepee" (finally!!! LOL last time he had his legs crossed and wouldn't let us see) but we also got a good glimpse at his sweet little face! We were told he already has a lot of hair on his head (hmmm, just like his mom and dad when we were born!)

Our due date was also moved up to May 18th!!! woohoo, I'm so excited for him to get here so we can love him to pieces!

On a side note, its SPRING BREAK! I'm off of work for 2 WEEKS, and when I get back i will have a new office and literally only 4 weeks left before my maternity leave! Brad and I are traveling to Fallbrook tomorrow for our maternity photo shoot; I will be sure to post the pics when we get them! Then starting next week, we begin our prenatal classes which will last all month long through the 2nd week of May. Brad has daddy bootcamp next saturday too! We are also 90% complete with our nursery..... such excitement!

What will Baby Grover Look Like?

Less than 2 months to go until we meet the little soccer player in my tummy! The suspense is incredible as I often ponder what will he look like, what will be his personality, and who will he most resemble? I thought it would be fun to post Brad's and mine newborn pictures. From what we can see on the ultrasounds, when the camera zooms in on his face, I have this feeling we are in store for a Bradley Jr! Brad's newborn pic is on the right, mine is on the left. With mom's spiky dark hair and dad's mohawk, I bet our little guy will be born with a full set of dark hair :)




More pics of us as babies below (Jana: left and Brad: right)





Couldn't find a pic of Brad's dad as a baby, but i did find one of my Dad! What an adorable baby...... will our baby have Grover genes or Dlab genes?


Either way, our precious little guy is going to be his own person, with his own unique personality. One thing is for sure, he will be the cutest baby we have ever laid eyes on, because he's our special creation and miracle! :) Based on his personality in the womb, I can already make some assumptions: 1) I think he's going to be an active baby because he loves to roll and kick around in my tummy! 2) He might be shy, or atleast camera shy! On the ultrasounds he likes to cross his legs and not let us see his boy privates, and he freezes up whenever I try to record his movements or show daddy how he rolls from one side to the next, 3) he may be a gentleman that prefers blondes! This cracks me up, he gets excited and shows off whenever I am talking to my blond friends at work! We are definitely in store for the BEST surprise life has to offer, the older I get the more I realize how amazing life is!

Baby's got a Bonnet!

And what a special bonnet it is! Thank you to Brad's dad LeeRoy and Nancy who are passing on this tradition to us! Our Baby Boy will wear this traditional bonnet home from the hospital, then it will be passed on to his future bride to use as a handkerchief at their wedding! What a thoughtful gift, we appreciate their kindness and wonderful support they have given us throughout our pregnancy! Even though they are in New York, we enjoy getting to chat with them over Skype! I gotta say, Skype has made New York and Czech Republic feel like its next door, what would we do without it?

3rd Trimester Scare

Instead of enjoying our first day of our 3rd Trimester (28 wks), Brad and I spent half of Saturday at the hospital and we had quite the scare. Earlier that morning i began experiencing what felt like cramps, but as the day went on they turned into instense waves of cramping (which i later learned were contractions.) I called the hospital advice nurse and they instructed us to come into Labor & Delivery for an evaluation. Our baby's heartbeat and my contractions were monitored for the next 5 hours, and we came to find that i had gone into Preterm Labor, averaging 6 contractions/hour. They gave me a shot of Terbutaline to stop the contractions. A full exam and ultrasound did not (thankfully) reveal any complications, the lab work did however suggest i had a bladder infection that set off the contractions. We were relieved our little boy was safe and sound, and his hearbeat continues to be strong. Later in the evening, we were released with antibiotics, and a doctor's order to rest and hydrate plenty. This experience rattled us to say the least, and we are so thankful baby is healthy. Now I have an enormous responsibility to do everything in my power to ensure he makes it to full-term. Our little guy is restless, moving and kicking around throughout each day, and I imagine he is excited to make his debut; however, he needs to stay put and keep growing a bit longer. Our Preterm Labor scare made me realize i need to listen to my body more, cut back on work and activities in general, to take more time to rest and drink LOTS of water. Because I have had the energy and feeling good physically, I made the mistake of taking on too many things and running around too much. Gone are the days of weekly pilates, long walks on the beach, and running errands after work. I decided i will be using up all of my sick days and taking more days off of work prior to my maternity leave in mid May. We are grateful to those friends that offered to bring us food when we were at the hospital, and have continued to offer their help and support. Please keep our sweet baby boy in your thoughts and prayers during this last and final trimester.

Valentine's Weekend

This was our 6th Valentine’s Day together, and it also happened to be a 4-day wknd for me! We love going down memory lane, reflecting on our previous valentines. Every now and then, we like to watch our music photo slideshows I have made over the years; It reminds us of just how far we have come and the amazing experiences we’ve shared. I managed to find an oldie but a goodie photo from our very first Valentine’s Day in 2004 (Brad took me to the oceanfront restaurant Splashes, at the Surf & Sand Hotel, Laguna Beach)
This year we dined at the Loft, at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach (another scenic and romantic restaurant overlooking the ocean.) We couldn't have asked for better weekend California weather, allowing us to dine beneath the stars. We spent the weekend strolling through our neighborhood and the beach, and cruised the Newport Bay on our duffy boat double date style with Griffin and Jane! We grabbed lunch at the Cannery, and although I couldn't partake in the sushi-extravaganza, I did get creative special-ordering veggie cream cheese rolls! YUM. Brad also surprised me with a Spa Gregories Mother-to-be pedicure gift! I lucked out with a loving and kind husband, who continues to take such good care of me!
Ooops, I forgot to mention that Brad and I each got the diaper bags we have had our eyes on! Ha ha Who says you can’t be stylin’ with a baby?! Brad got the Daddy Diaper messenger bag (black with the red/ white strip in the middle) and I chose the luxurious Petunia Pickle Bottom bag in an exotic “Calypso Roll” brown/ yellow/ blue design.

Less than 100 days!!!

We now have 3 1/2 months to go until I give birth to our sweet baby boy!! That’s 14 weeks until our lives change forever and our hearts are filled with more love than we can imagine. Just two weeks shy of our 3rd trimester, neither Brad or I can believe how quickly and joyfully our pregnancy has moved along. I definitely encountered some peculiar symptoms in my 2nd trimester: Restless Leg Syndrome, leg calf muscle spasms, heartburn, and the worst kind of acid reflux. I also caught a cold and had nasal congestion for about a week. In order to eliminate the acid reflux I sadly learned I had to give up some of my favorite treats: fruit juices, any citrus fruit, STRAWBERRY LEMONADE, fried foods, spicy foods, vinegar, chocolate, and yes…. even Brad’s famous chocolate banana milkshakes! Sniff sniff….. However, the 2 greatest highlights of my 2nd trimester have been watching my belly grow each week and feeling the daily kicks and movements of our little guy! We have already started bonding with him by watching the vibrations on my belly (from his little kicks and punches), talking to him, and rubbing my belly when he moves. We cannot wait to hold our little one in our arms! As this trimester comes to a close, I couldn’t resist going on a mini shopping spree (and simultaneously Old Navy was having their baby sale)! I picked up the most ADORABLE little swim trunks, onesies, and beach boy outfits that look like miniature versions of Brad’s clothing! :)

Hooray!!

Great news!!! The same day that Brad hired a full-time office manager, my principal accepted my proposal for a part-time school psychologist position next school year!!! Brad and I are thrilled and feel so fortunate to be able to balance our wonderful careers with family :) I couldn't have picked a better and more family-friendly field to work in, seriously!!! My standard full-time position is only 190 days out of the year, and we have numerous 3-4 day holiday wknds, 1wk thanksgiving break, 3wk winter break, 2wk spring break, and a 1.5 month summer as it is!!! But starting next year, i will only be working on mondays, wednesdays, and fridays (with a half day every other wednesday!) This will allow me to be the dedicated mommy i desire to be as well as continuing my school psychologist service to my school! On Mondays and Wednesdays, I will take our little guy with me to Anaheim Hills to a local home day-care while I go to work, and then on Fridays Brad will have his father-son time! Brad is so happy to finally have help in the office, he hired a great office manager that has years of experience, and will especially assist Brad in organizing all the tedious and time-consuming things. Brad will then be able to work from home when he wants to, have a flexible schedule, and more free time to spend with his new family!


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In other news, we sold our guestroom furniture (from our smaller guestroom) in less than 24hours on Craigslist, ordered and had all of baby's furniture delivered, as well as his bedding! Now all we have to do is paint the nursery, and put the crib and other furniture together. The designers-at-heart that we are, we couldn't resist designing our baby boy's room. So you can be sure we'll post the before and after pics as soon as we are done! Stay tuned...... :)

san diego with the hagstroms

Brad's long-time buddy from high school, Matt Hagstrom, and his wife Laura were out in San Diego for their friend's wedding this past wknd, and since they live out in Colorado and we don't get to see them often, we decided to use the opportunity to meet up with them and celebrate our pregnancies! Matt and Laura married in Minnesota the same month and same year as us, and now we are both having baby boys in May! Brad and I drove down to San Diego, stayed at the fab Ivy Hotel, and had a great time catching up and playing with the Hagstroms!

Baby Grover is REVEALED!!!!

hmmmmm boy or girl????? Take a look and see for yourself!!

Happy New Year 2010!!!!

Goodbye 2009, HELLO 2010!! We rang in the new year desert style with good friends Jamie & Greg (whose baby boy arrives in April) at the Rancho Las Palmas resort, Palm Springs.






On New Years Eve, we had a celebratory dinner at the ultra swanky Riviera resort, and us preggo gals were super proud of ourselves for staying awake past midnight!!



While the guys played golf, the girls were pampered with maternity massages at the spa. We dined out every night and toasted to Babies and Jamie & Greg's new house!!!We also celebrated finding out our baby's gender and my 20th week pregnancy anniversary. Can you believe I am halfway through our pregnancy?!!! Time sure flies, I'm only gonna get bigger from here on out! Our baby has been a true angel, making his mommy feel great and this past wknd we felt stronger kicks that nearly knocked mommy out of her seat!! :)

a very grover christmas

This Christmas we received the greatest gift of all- the gift of life (our baby miracle). And ironically it was during the christmas week (Week 18) that i began feeling "flutters" and baby movements in my tummy! It makes me smile and giggle every time the little one does a little kick or somersault! We spent our traditional Czech Christmas Eve at my sister's: Czech Christmas Eve dinner (mushroom soup, fish, and special potato salad - I made the salad for the first time this year and so proud of myself!) and then us girls hid in Chloe's room and waited for Jezisek (baby Jesus) to come and deliver gifts. I always enjoy seeing the sparkle of wonder in Chloe's eyes, and reminsce how magical this was for my sister and I growing up. Although my parents were far this Christmas, they were near our hearts thanks to Skype! On Christmas Day, Brad and I surprised each other with our gifts and stocking stuffers, I made a delicious pancake breakfast, we lounged in our pajamas and watched funny christmas movies, and then took a sunset duffy cruise around Newport bay. Jezisek and Santa were very tech-y this year as Jezisek brought me a new phone and Santa Brad got me a cool new laptop! Jezisek was also especially generous to our baby Grover (thank you aunt Petra, uncle Bryan, and cousin Chloe for all of baby's christmas presents!)

In keeping with the start of new family Grover traditions, since Christmas is the season of Giving, Brad and I donated to some of our favorite charities: Toys for Tots, UNICEF, Greenpeace, and March of Dimes (in honor of baby grover). Here is a list of our old and new Grover holiday traditions we hope to keep up yearly with our growing family:
1) Roger's Gardens christmas tree picking, annual ornament, and visit with Santa
2) Newport Christmas Boat Parade holiday party
3) Elf on the Shelf. Thanks Laura for this cool idea! check it out: www.ElfOnTheShelf.com
4) Traditional Czech Christmas Eve & Jezisek
5) Christmas Day morning pancake breakfast and christmas movies in our pajamas
6) Donating to charities of our choice, and Adopt-A-Family (when our kids are older).

Click below for more xmas photos:

Grover Xmas 09

baby's first gifts!

Baby Grover is not even out of my tummy yet and already he/she is being spoiled by friends and family! Baby started receiving gifts the minute we announced our pregnancy, and continues to be showered with love :) The cute gifts make us even more excited to find out Baby Grover's sex..... we just have to wait one more week now! Baby is also lucky to already have a group of little buddies to play with, congratulations to our friends Jamie & Greg, Mike & Lisa, Laura & Matt, Erin & Chris, Kristen & Joe, Michelle & Brad, Rhonda & Carlos, and our cousin Simona & Petr on their pregnancies! 2010 is turning out to be THE Baby Year!


Thank you Laura & Greg for the super soft Froggie and adorable little argyle socks! (Baby will be matching Daddy now!)


Thank you Auntie Petra & Uncle Bryan & cousin Chloe for Baby's first plush Winnie the Pooh security blanket!



Our baby will definitely be the trendiest baby on the block with this hilarious onesie, thank you Mike & Lisa!


Thank you Bethee for baby's earth friendly onesies, we can't wait to teach him/her to take good care of our earth :)

Newport Xmas Boat Parade Wknd

School's out for winter break and what better way to kick off the holidays then with the annual Newport Boat Parade! Brad and I started the wknd with our new tradition of visiting the beautiful Roger's Gardens to pick out our tree topper (every year we plan to come back here as a family to get our xmas tree and a new ornament). Then the rest of the wknd we had fun with our friends and family at our holiday pre-party and duffy boat parties. It was also an evening in which Baby Grover, Baby Brandt, and Baby Kocicka (in our tummies) got to hang out! We finished off the wknd with a bang..... the finale fireworks show! Thank you to our friends and family who made it so special (and for Mike & Lisa who spent the wknd with us), can't wait for next year! xo

it's a bird, it's a plane........Nooooo, it's a baby bump!

There's a little baby growing inside of me, unbelievable!.... and it's starting to look like it. Nearing my 17th week, i have a real baby bump! I'm beginning to regain my energy, and continuing to crave beef, cream cheese, fruit juices, watermelon, oranges, mandarins, blueberries, bananas..... oh and my favorite treat of all: chocolate banana milkshakes (Brad makes the BEST!)

baby grover's first movie

Last month (on Nov 6th) we had our 12-week ultrasound appointment. It was also our first time seeing our precious baby's profile and watching the little one suck his/her thumb and move! It took our breath away :) Brad videotaped as our midwife described baby's body parts and played the heartbeat for us! can't wait to show this video to little grover one day!