What else is new?

Friday, February 22, 2008

Isabella had her 18 month old doctor's appointment yesterday a little early. We missed her 15 month visit (long story) so it's been 6 months since we've had her weighed and height measured.

At her 12 month visit, Isabella weighed 20 lb 4 oz at a height of 29.5 inches.

Yesterday, Isabella weighed 24 lbs 6 oz at a height of 33 inches. She is in the 50th percentile for her weight and 90th percentile for her height. She is a long and lean little girl.

I stayed home with Isabella on President's Day because her daycare is closed. At lunch we went to the park and had some fun. Isabella's favorite thing she does first is the swings. Then she ran in the park. She was running right up to other families. We met this nice woman and her daughter. She introduced Isabella to bubbles. Isabella loved it so much that the nice woman gave her the little bottle.

On Isabella's Development

She now has more words in her vocabulary. She has words that she'll use on her own and then words that she'll repeat if you coach her.

Words that she uses to communicate with us; most of them are used as commands to do something:

• "up" - I want up, pick me up, let me up onto x
• "outside" - I want to go outside
• "Open it" (sometimes it sounds like, "open-nen-nen-nit"). This is her favorite at the moment.
• "Mine!" - just like in Finding Nemo; this means stuff she doesn't want to share
• "No!" - she's used this for a long time, but now she uses it when she doesn't want to do something or when you ask her a question
• "mulk" - I want milk
• "wa-wa" - I want water
• "apple Juice" - I want apple juice
• "cookie" - I want cherrios or crackers. Rarely does it mean an actual cookie
• "tank you" - after demanding something, she'll sometimes remember to thank you
• "baby" - whenever she sees a doll, she calls it baby.
• "paci-fier" when she goes down for bed she'll ask for it
• "pee-pee" and "pooh-pooh" while pointing to her diaper
• "but-uh-fwi" for butterfly. She sometimes confuses bunnies for butterflies
• "more" when she wants more "cookies"
• "all done. no more" - Ed swears she said this once when she finished her milk

Things she'll say with a little coaching:

• "pwease"
• "upstair"
• "Itsy bitsy spier" - when we sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider, she uses her hands while she sings along
• "don't touch" - this one was learned at daycare
• "don't-do-it" - also something she learned at daycare

The rest is gibberish. We're working on our A-B-C right now. She loves to dance around to music. She loves being chased. She is very ticklish. She'll laugh in the beginning, but then get frustrated. She loves climbing up on the couch and armchairs. She is starting to learn to put things back. I'll ask her to put the toys back and she'll do as I ask.

The week before last the department I work with went to the Clippers game. It's an annual thing. We were invited to the pre-game, which consisted of dinner in a private room and a chat with the assistant coach. There was also a free throw challenge. The winner gets a signed Clippers game ball. There were about 35 of us there. I invited Ed along. Most of the group were men. Ed was first up. He missed, so he was out of the challenge.

I was fourth in line. My ball sank right in. It didn't even touch the rim.

Then four more people air-balled or bounced off the rim. Then another five. Then another five. I'm thinking...could I be the only one. Then one of the guys, Tony, makes it in and we're the only ones still up. I take my next shot. Woosh. Again, it went in smoothly without touching the rim. Tony takes his shot. Boink. It hit the rim. I won!!! I'm the free throw challenge winner! I won a signed basketball with all the Clippers players. Okay, so it wasn't about the Clippers as much as it was about winning a challenge against a group of guys on an NBA regulated basketball court. The same court that the big players, like Shaq and Magic - maybe not Magic since the Staples is pretty new, once called home.

After that Ed and I stayed at the Bonaventure Hotel. He dropped me off at Union Station so I could test the train. It was awesome. It was relaxing, comfortable and very clean. I was surprised to see that it wasn't crowded at all. I arrived at Irvine Station exactly at the time they had suggested. Then it took a short 20 minutes from the train to my desk.

So, what else is new?

Life has been pretty hectic. We're trying to manage a move, two new careers, Ed's commuting to LA daily, and me...well...I'm pregnant.

I'm 12 weeks and five days pregnant. What a complete shocker. My heart seriously stopped when I found out I was pregnant. Ed's been bugging me about working on number two, but I just as I was about to knock him out with his incessant nudging the stick showed positive. I wanted the kids to be three years apart. Apparently I was pregnant over the holidays and didn't know it. I was feeling a little sick after Christmas, but I thought it was the stomach flu but it didn't really go away. Finally, when Ed was out I got the courage to pee on the stick. And instantly, no waiting 2 minutes, it was positive. I was so freaked out. I had no idea how far along I was. I've been so irregular after giving birth that I haven't been keeping track.

Last Thursday I finally had my ultrasound and the baby is doing very well. The heartbeat sounds great, beating at 165 beats per minute. It was during the ultrasound that we determined how far I am. I'm due on September 1st. This would make Isabella and the new baby two weeks shy of two years apart.

So I'm announcing it publicly because I've already done my part in telling my bosses at work. Sometimes you're thrown a curve ball, especially when it seems your life is moving in the right direction. I know it's going to be a tough pregnancy with managing my new role within the company and commuting from LA everyday, but that's the choice we've decided to make. We're just going to take it day by day.

Love TMZ

Friday, February 08, 2008

How funny is TMZ.com? Today I get an email from a co-worker that Jessi Metcalfe was sucker punched last night. I had to go to TMZ to watch the video footage myself. Since buying his home I've learned more about his public character and find it all sad. He's another victim of fame and money.

You can watch the footage yourself. It's pretty funny.

Mini Me

Thursday, February 07, 2008

I have a small portable heater in my bathroom that I use in the morning. There is a single button on the top to turn it on and off. I've gotten lazy bending down so I usually turn it on and off with my big toe. Isabella must have seen me do this many times. So needless to say, I see her playing with the button with her hands. Several days later I see her trying to turn it off with her foot. It was the funniest thing. She's a little mini-me.

Bye-Bye Vida

Monday, January 28, 2008

Today, I told Vida that we are moving to LA. It was so sad to break the news. She has been the best daycare provider for Isabella ever!!! I wish I could take her with me. Her whole family has been family to Isabella. I know she will truly miss Vida and all the kids she plays with daily.

I remember the first interview I did with a daycare provider, I cried when I got home. Granted I was a bit hormonal, it still didn't feel right. When I met Vida I knew instantly. She is warm, friendly and has a nurturing way about her.

But now I'm desperately looking for a nanny to take care of the most precious person in our lives. If you have any connections with reliable, patient, fun, and happy nannies who love what they do in the LA area or are willing to live-in, please let me know! The process is excruciating. I have received so many responses, but I don't know if any are right for us. Please help me!

San Clemente Home for Rent

We are currently trying to rent our house. We have placed ads on Craigslist and signed up with Top Dog Leasing. We are looking for long-term renters who will treat our house like a home. We spent time and money upgrading it in every way possible. If you know of anyone, please forward them my email (lyd6070@yahoo.com).

We are on the southwest side of San Clemente about 7 blocks from the beach (Riviera Beach). It is in the ideal neighborhood about 1.5 miles south from downtown San Clemente.

It is a quaint 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home with formal office, living room, family room, spacious foyer, and loft.

Hollywood Hills House Pictures

We went to the house on Saturday for the appraisal. I took a few pictures, but they didn't turn out so well. But I found a few nice picture from a real estate website. Seeing the house for the second time was interesting. I wouldn't say that I had buyers remorse, but just saw past the initial glory and realized the work (minor as it may be...paint, some day a kitchen remodel, more paint) that will need to be done to make the home feel like my home.

The drive up was even prettier than I had imagined. We will soon live in the original Hollywoodland, established in 1923.




What was unimpressive was how messy the current owner left the house for the appraisal. The layout of the house is quite interesting. It is a reverse plan that begins on the top floor and proceeds downwards.

Let the tour begin:
On the top floor is the kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom 1, and bedroom 2

Kitchen

Dining Room

Living Room

BTW, the boars head is not staying.

Bedroom 1 (Isabella's bedroom)

Bedroom 2 (guest bedroom)

These stairs lead down through three flights of stairs to the very bottom of the house.

The middle floor is the master suite. On this floor is the master bedroom, suite (family room), and gym.

Master bedroom

This long corridor passes the entrance of the master bath (which leads to the master bedroom) or takes you directly to the suite/family room and gym.


Suite/Family Room


Gym

From the middle floor it splits on two sides of the house. On the south side of the master suite are stairs that lead to the recreation room. On the north side of the master suite is another guest bedroom and apartment both with private entrances.

South stairway to the recreation room.

North stairway to the lower guest bedroom and apartment.

Bedroom 4, the nanny's quarters.
It's on a separate floor with a private entrance.
It's quite spacious. Much bigger than the master bedroom.


The apartment can only be accessed outside of the house. It has direct outlet to the balcony that leads to the front of the house. Not sure how we'd use this room yet. It's a small space with a private bathroom.


There are so many balconies off several rooms.


All north facing rooms have the beautiful Hollywood sign.

End of tour.
I can't wait to move in and start painting.

Where in the World...Part Two

Monday, January 14, 2008

The second part of the craziness is the big changes in both Ed and my professional careers. Ed has accepted a position with Oliver Peoples as the VP of Finance. Oliver Peoples has got a great brand worn by many famous Hollywood celebs. He will expand his responsibilities to include Finance, Accounting, Operations and HR. Oliver Peoples was purchased in 2006 by Oakley. They are in the process of relocating the office to Sunset Plaza-smack dab in the middle of Hollywood. He begins his new job on February 2nd.

And I have accepted the position of Global Training Manager for Oakley. I'm heading up the centralization of all brand and product education for Oakley worldwide. I started as a trainer for the Customer Service department and expanded to Retail. We formalized the training process and slowly made our work known. I'm thrilled for this new opportunity to bring my passion for education to a grander level. I officially started my new role January 7th. So now everything is out in the open and official. I purposely stayed away from posting because there was too much to reveal.

We are both so excited to be a part of two very exciting companies that have supported us through our various growth. I will be sad to drive into work alone when February comes. That has been the highlight in our relationship for the past seven years. For seven years, Ed and I have carpooled to work. Not too many couples have this opportunity. We shared a lot of laughs and frustrations in the car. It was easy for us to relate as we knew the environment (and people) that were part of our laughs or frustrations. I will truly miss those moments. Boo hoo hoo.

But...on to more great news. We purchased a house this weekend in Hollywood Hills. The home is currently owned by an actor. I really wanted something different and very Hollywood. While it isn't a 1920s style home, but a Mediterranean style (similar to ours) it offers a truly unique layout. It is an upside down plan built into the hill. It starts on the top and goes down three floors. It is deceivingly huge. You wouldn't know it walking through the house, but it goes on and on. We actually have a fully furnished gym (of course, to which we are paying for). When we arrived to the house I was surprised to find the owner home. At first he shied away into another room and resurfaced minutes later. We spent two hours in his home. He was nice and opened up to us.


Are you anxious to know who it is? The home is currently owned by Jesse Metcalfe. He plays the gardener on Desperate Housewives and starred in John Tucker Must Die. He is even cuter in person. Gorgeous eyes and a cute boyish smile. We have views of other Hollywood homes and are very, very close to the Hollywood sign. We're told that two homes below ours from our view belong to Heather Graham and Johnny Knoxville. How surreal is all this?

It will be fun to glam it up and live closer to Merah and Jack. We'll actually be closer to all my family. I will rough it by taking the train daily. I don't mind the 90 minute commute knowing that I can catch up on work or a nice snooze rather than sitting in ugly traffic. So hopefully by the end of the year Ed and I will be looking good from all the hard work in our new gym. I think that is my favorite part. LOL. I want those rock hard abs.

Where in the World... Part One

Where in the world are the Kremers? Well first off let me say...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

That's about how long it has been. We have so much to tell. Life in the Kremer household has been turned upside down this holiday.

First my best friend Christine flew in from Philadelphia just to spend Christmas with us...just kidding. She also made it her usual "see everyone" trip. She got Isabella the cutest sleeveless hooded jacket and a very cute outfit. Of course, she had to put it on her right away.




We had a blended Christmas this year. Ed's extended family, the Tewfiks, from New Jersey spent Christmas with my family. It was one full house. Even Ed's cousin Madeline from Northern Cal came over on Christmas Eve. Ed was so happy to see all his cousins in one house together. Jack had so much fun with Ed's cousins Alex, Daniel and his girlfriend, Kelly.




Poor Anna hadn't quite adjusted to the time change. (please don't kill me for posting this.)




Christmas morning and the opening of our presents made for a tough challenge so we each opened our presents at the same time. It went so quickly, I hardly remembered who's present I was opening.




Isabella got the cutest outfits. We had to put them on her right away. This cute stripe knit dress was from Auntie Ann. I love it. Isabella also got her first doll. She calls it "baby" and has learned how to feed her food and a bottle. I got an awesome All-Clad Slow Cooker. This is the mac daddy of all slow cookers. I haven't taken it out for a spin yet, but am planning the meal carefully. I also got a waffle maker and used it the very next day. I froze the left overs which were eaten the day after. I'm such a gadget girl. Ed got a cool wine chiller that chills the any wine to the perfect temperature. And I got him a silly paper shredder...he (we) really needed one.



Before dinner there was a friendly game of Pictionary. Glad I didn't play. It looked tough. Instead Merah, Ann and I were cooking up a storm. This year I did a repeat. I made Rosemary-Thyme encrusted Rib Roast. I made it several years ago and received a standing ovation from my dad. So I figured why stress it? Merah gave me this fantastically easy chicken recipe, Foolproof Grilled Chicken. Simple recipe that includes brining the chicken overnight. It was moist and tender. So yummy I want some now.




We had a chill New Year's Eve at the house. Pretty uneventful. Especially considering Ed, Wadeed, and Anna took "naps" before the countdown. On New Year's Day we went to the Salt Creek Beach and the Ritz Carlton. The sunset was amazing. Gorgeous red streaks in the sky.