Telling the Buben Grandparents

Last night, we exchanged gifts with my family and the very last gift exchanged was the frame with Baby Vo’s picture inside.  Both of my parents were completely and utterly surprised.  Naturally, Steve and I enjoyed seeing their reactions (a mix of shock and excitement).  On top of that, Amy and Jeremy were with us to hear the news and both seemed enthusiastic, too.   Check out the video below:

After we told my parents about the baby, my dad and sister immediately started asking a million questions about the medical stats on Baby Vo.  Meanwhile, my mom just sort of disappeared.  A few minutes later, my mom wandered down the stairs with a UW bag full of the most adorable baby clothes, including a pair of newborn UW baby socks.  Steve, of course, loves all of the items and can’t wait to see Baby Vo in his or her little UW overalls….I hope Steve’s not disappointed if Baby Vo decides to attend a different college.  (Unless Baby Vo thinks Oregon is a good choice, in which case Steve might disown Baby Vo.)

This morning, my mom and I called my mom’s family in Orchard.  They were all SUPER excited to hear the news.  I really enjoyed hearing the excitement in all of their voices…Baby Vo is already very loved!!

Telling Ong Noi and Ba Noi

Steve is one of the most creative people I know when it comes to surprises and he didn’t want the news of Baby Vo to be an exception.  Before we went to Seattle, Steve bought frames that said “First Grandchild” and inserted copies of our ultrasound picture.   (It was surprisingly difficult to find such frames.)  I then wrapped the frames as Christmas gifts to look identical to the rest of the gifts that we carried up north.  Today, we exchanged gifts with Steve’s parents.  First, we gave Steve’s dad an antenna for his new TV.  Then, we gave Steve’s mom a new camera.  Finally, we handed the frame to Steve’s parents.  As they opened the gift, Steve’s mom knew exactly what it was….Steve’s dad?  Not so much.  Once Steve explained what the picture was to his father, both of Steve’s parents hugged us with joy.  Baby Vo will be their first grandchild!!  As indicated by the title of this post, Baby Vo will call Steve’s parents the Vietnamese words for paternal grandfather and paternal grandmother – Ong Noi and Ba Noi.

Our Peanut

Today was the most exciting day to date for my pregnancy because it was our first prenatal appointment and the first time we were able to see Baby Vo.  I think Steve and I were expecting Baby Vo to look a little like us and to be just as excited to be viewed in the ultrasound picture as we were to view it.  The reality was that Baby Vo looked like a little peanut with buds for arms and legs.  Moreover, Baby Vo didn’t seem even remotely excited to see us.  In fact, I’m not sure Baby Vo even has eyes yet.

Nevertheless, we were able to see Baby Vo’s little heart beat and even though it looked like a blob, it was exciting to see a living little being inside me.  I can’t wait for the ultrasound next month when Baby Vo actually looks somewhat like a baby!!

Rancho Cucamonga…huh?

Unless you’ve watched “Friday,” you’ve probably never heard of Rancho Cucamonga.  Honestly, I’m not sure why anyone would want to live there, but apparently, some people with a lot of money enjoy the extreme heat in the summer and the awful traffic just to get into Los Angeles.  Not only do those wealthy people enjoy living out in the dustlands of California, but they are proud of it!  Every year, one particular street, Thoroughbred Lane, decorates for Christmas like no other place around.  And every year, Steve and I make the trek out to see it.

Last night after work, we went with our small group.  I think everyone was a little trepidatious about the whole thing…until we got there.  Then, they were all amazed because honestly, it’s amazing.  These people must spend hours decorating their large homes.  One house had a “FAQ” sheet, which listed the electricity price for the 6 weeks of decorations at over $1800!!

Let the Parties Begin

It’s the first weekend in December, which means that the season for Christmas parties has officially commenced.  To start out the holiday junket, our friends, Preston and Ashley, hosted a Christmas party at their house.  They had the traditional gingerbread bites and holiday music, but also included the not-so-traditional-but-ever-so-popular game of beer pong with made-to-order margaritas for guests.  (We live in warm, sunny, southern California.  What beverages do you expect guests to drink?!)  Per my new routine, I shied away from the alcoholic beverages and stuck with water.  A few people noticed, but since I’m not a big drinker to start out with, it didn’t seem to trigger any questions.  We always have the best time at Ashley and Preston’s parties and this was no exception.  (Steve had a particularly good time considering he lost a game of beer pong.)

Last night, we attended our church’s Young Marrieds’ Christmas Party.  As always, it was a blast.  We dressed up in cocktail attire, ate bacon-wrapped dates (perhaps one of my new favorite bacon dishes) and sipped on hot cocoa.  Needless to say, it was slightly more traditional than our first party.  Steve, the emcee for the evening (of course), organized a Christmas carol competition.  Our team did a remixed version of Joy to the World.  The men beat-boxed while the women sang.  I’m not even going to pretend that I really participated.  I fully acknowledge that I am partially tone-deaf….hmmm…I guess I should start buying CDs for Baby Vo now so that I don’t have to ruin his or her ears with my singing.