16 Candles (well, weeks...)

Can you believe this is an image of a 16-week old baby? CAH-RAZ-EEEE. We'll add some tummy shots soon!

The Chi vs the Chinese in 2026

Well, we're going through Olympics withdrawal here at Chi-Chi Industries, Inc. And it occurs to us now that, in our dotage, the sun may be setting on the Olympic dreams of Mama and Papa Bear. Sure, Mama Bear was once a collegiate rower with a mean spike on the volleyball court. And yes, Papa Bear is tall. But while he may believe he can do pretty much anything he sees on TV (Olympic trampoline can't be all that hard!) the bitter truth is that Papa Bear old. And bald. And thin. And not in a good way, like beach volleyball gold medalist Phil "The Thin Beast" Dalhausser.

So we recognize that our only hope now lies with the Chi-Chi. Little Chi, what Olympic glory will you bring to our household, and in what arena? Water polo or weightlifting? Shotput or sculling? Whatever path you take to the gold medal stand, we shall root you on with love. So start swimming laps now, Little Chi, and practice your tucks and pikes and backward two-and-a-half twists. Don't forget to stick the landing, because it's never too early to start training. Hey, you're already nearly as old as the Chinese women's gymnastics team.

And if Olympic gold isn't your thing, Chi-Chi, don't worry. You can always be a major league baseball player! (Preferably for the Minnesota Twins or the Boston Red Sox.)

The Nation's Cradle Is Now Chi-Chi's Cradle

Greetings from D.C.! We have successfully moved all the way across the country...I think it was around 3200 miles. We are settling in to our new home (pics to come shortly). After three attempts, IKEA finally delivered a bed for us to sleep on (all previous delivery attempts resulted in a mangled bed showing up at our door...I think the delivery men have a party in the truck en route to their delivery...what else besides exuberant dancing could explain finding bootprints all over your furniture?) We have one cooking pan (which is a wok) and we are slowly mustering up the courage to go grocery shopping (trust us, it's truly NOT that fun to go once you see the produce here...it PALES in comparison to our beloved California). We feel the loss of the avocado. It's like the death of a beloved pet.

I have started work, which is beyond frightening. I'm not sure I'm smart enough and I look around some days and wonder how on earth I even got myself into this gig...hopefully I'll settle in and manage to do an okay job. In the meantime, it is a humbling and awe-some feeling (in that it leaves me in awe) to work in this environment on these kinds of cases.

We had our first appointment with the midwives here in D.C. and I am in love with them and think they are best thing EVER. What smart ladies! Yay to be free from the established medical juggernaut!!! It's like I've been released from prison. Everything looks A-ok with the baby and we are at 13.5 weeks! The severe bouts of morning sickness have passed (thanks be to all that is good and holy) and I now only vomit occasionally. The baby has a room at our house which very conveniently came with green walls! A happy, happy green. It looks like spring grass. That said, if we only live in the house a year, I don't know how often the baby would end up in the room. I think we'll just keep the Chi with us--who doesn't want a cute baby in their bed?

Many apologies for abandoning the blog. We've been without internet, and then we were without energy. But we're back! And there is much more to come...