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Fabric & Handle

March 3, 2011

tote bag leather strap Fabric and Handle tote bag leather strap Fabric and Handle

So excited! Maude is turning 12 years old tomorrow. To celebrate, we are heading to London for the weekend. Just me and Mimi. We are taking a ferry from Caen, France to Portsmouth, England early this morning, then a train from Portsmouth to London. We’ll check into the Grange St. Paul’s and then see Wicked on Thursday night. We’ll stay to sight-see till Saturday.

I’ve never been to London before and am just about bursting because I’m so happy about this little trip. Friends have been emailing suggestions for don’t miss touristy things we can do and we’ve been making a list. I’d love to know: What’s your number one thing to do or see in London?

tote bag leather strap Fabric and Handle

P.S. — Don’t you think these bags, by Fabric & Handle, would be perfect for a weekend totebag? I love the simple materials and think the straps are gorgeous (yay for adjustable!). Also. What’s the deal with tween girls and Wicked? Musicals have never been my thing, but everyone assures me this one is amazing.

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{ 142 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Melissa March 3, 2011 at 5:10 am

Wicked is amazing! You will come away with a new appreciation for the wicked witch to be sure! Have a wonderful trip!

2 Lyss March 3, 2011 at 5:19 am

You have to visit the Victoria and Albert museum! The tea rooms are especially lovely.

3 maripen March 3, 2011 at 5:21 am

hey, England is georgeous… London is awesome, and I’m sure others will tell you about cool places there. I know one in Portsmouth, thoudg. It’s not a very girly thing to do, so perhaps you’d want to take the whole family, but take a look at this: http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/.

And, if you have the time, don’t miss the Isle of Wight and the Needles!
Have a wonderful trip, and take care!

4 maripen March 3, 2011 at 5:24 am

and for London attractions, you can get great discounts at: http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/ (2 for 1 offers for nearly every sight!)

5 Kelly March 3, 2011 at 5:24 am

I really enjoyed Shakespere’s theater and the Tate Modern is fabulous.

6 Laura March 3, 2011 at 5:26 am

Big reader of your blog, but always a ‘lurker’!

However, I live in England and London is my favourite city so I know you will have a great time. Good places to visit in London:

Covent Garden and Neal Street
Primrose Bakery (There is one in Covent Garden and one in Primrose Hill – google them, beautiful)
King’s Road – lots of expensive boutiques but a lovely area
Harrods – for everything, but there is a ‘Pet Kingdom’ which is a must see

I have a million more, but you will have such a great time!

7 Mary March 3, 2011 at 5:30 am

The best thing you can do in London is walk, walk, walk. It is a great way to really take in the city. You can walk across the Millenium Bridge to the Tate Modern, make a right and walk down towards the London Eye and see Parliament and Big Ben across the river. You can cross back over the river on Westminster Bridge (Westminster Abbey down on the left past Big Ben) and then walk up Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square. Lots of walking but lots to see if it isn’t too cold or rainy.

8 Wendi Gratz March 3, 2011 at 5:30 am

The Tower of London! I only spent a couple of hours and I swear I could have spent the whole day. The Beefeater Tour of it was fabulous and well worth the extra money. Bring a picnic lunch – the green is lovely and you can watch the ravens while you eat.

9 maripen March 3, 2011 at 5:42 am

and do make a teddy in the build-a-bear shop (there’s one in Covent Garden).

10 Harriet March 3, 2011 at 5:44 am

As a London student dweller myself a piece of advice would be to purchase two oyster cards from the station you arrive at in London. These have a small deposit price and you top them up with money to spend on public transport, such as the underground, buses or overground. You just wave the card over a yellow disk to get through barriers, one either side of a journey apart from on a bus where you just tap in at the beginning.
These are much cheaper than buying paper tickets, but obviously don’t leave you with a keepsake if one would be wanted.
The next piece would be to suggest you go to a restaurant called Leon’s for lunch or even just a mid-afternoon snack, it is a beautiful small London chain specialising in nutritious but quickly served home-made tasting food. Near your hotel there are two, one on the Strand (near the Savoy hotel) and one on Cannon street (although I have never been to that particular one). If you’d like more info http://www.leonrestaurants.co.uk/
Hope you have a lovely time in the city that is for a time being my home. Happy 12th Birthday Maude :)

11 Rachael March 3, 2011 at 6:07 am

Don’t rush out of Caen! It’s the city I studied in when I was in college and it’s beautiful. The chateau of William the Conqueror is there and is absolutely breathtaking, and the city harbor is lined with shops and cafes.

12 Christina Y. March 3, 2011 at 6:18 am

Oh the Tower of London!! But maybe wait and spend an entire day with the whole family. There us so much to see you’ll definitely go back. The Imperial War Museum sounds manly and boring but it’s amazing. And Wicked is delightful. Happy Birthday!!

13 Tina March 3, 2011 at 6:30 am

Very nice. Tate Modern would be my No1!

14 Harriet March 3, 2011 at 6:35 am

Also, the Natural History Museum and Science Museum are free museums both located just by South Kensington tube station. These are great museums with lots of child (and grown-up) friendly things to do located all around the museums.

15 creole wisdom March 3, 2011 at 6:36 am

I think you will both enjoy Liberty of London. You must go there, you’ll love it! Also I think a trip to Harrod’s too :) They have the most incredible girl’s department. I spent my 3rd grade Thanksgiving in London and found a Christmas dress there. Of course this was years ago, but I’m sure not must has changed. London is fabulous, enjoy your trip!

16 Nikie March 3, 2011 at 6:38 am

so many choices….
My children really enjoyed the British museum. There is an audio tour for kids that was wonderful. The Rosetta Stone and the chess set from the first Harry Potter is there.

They also loved all the performers at the Convent Gardens.

17 Patti Lecron March 3, 2011 at 6:42 am

Wonderful getaway! I once took my hybrid Franco-American tweens to London to see Cats around this time of the year. Perfect because there are fewer tourists and the weather is cold but DRY. They loved Cats almost as much as they loved going through all seven floors of Hamleys Toy Store on Regent’s Street. It’s Europe’s largest and finest toy store and not to miss! Funny thing though–I told them they could have anything they wanted and they never decided on anything, so we left with a couple of ballpoint pens for school! Have fun!

18 Katrina March 3, 2011 at 6:42 am

I second the Imperial War Museum (replica 1940′s row house complete with furnishings!), and purchasing an Oyster card for ease of traveling.

For more history than you ever wanted to know about London, and fantastic exhibits, go to the Museum of London. We finally went there our third time visiting, and I wish that was where we had started!

19 Cleeeo March 3, 2011 at 6:44 am

The advice on getting an oyster card is the best – will work out so much cheaper and once you’ve registered it you can keep it for next time you visit or get your deposit back! And it’s quite fun using them too :) I would suggest you register Maude for a child’s one but you have to do that quite a bit in advance I think if you don’t live in London.

I live on the road next to the Imperial War Museum, and I used to go there all the time when I was little, it’s amazing!
Tate Modern is really good too, and the Design Museum is really fun and interesting. And because these are both along the banks of the river, you should just walk everywhere. Walk up to The Aquarium and London Eye then cross the river to Big Ben, walk up Whitehall to Trafalger Square, Picadilly Circus and then all the shops of Regent Street etc. It’s really not far at all to walk and is really interesting. I always say to people visiting ‘look up!’, there’s such nice architecture, but you don’t really see it on street level so look upwards or sit on the top deck of the bus!
And if you’re in West London, try and go to the Science Museum and/or V&A, such good fun.
Loads of nice little cafes and restaurants in Soho (just behind Regent’s Street)
And Leon is a good suggestion too, there’s one on Carnaby Street!

I hope you love London, it’s so weird after reading all about you so far away in America! It was my 18th yesterday so I suppose I’m not a child anymore officially, but these are all things I loved doing as a child/teenager recently so hopefully Maude will like them!
But it is COLD here at the moment, so bring lots of warm clothes!!

20 jodi March 3, 2011 at 6:50 am

Hope you guys have a fabulous trip and a happy birthday celebration! I haven’t ever seen Wicked, but like you, I’v heard great things about it…enjoy! I love those bags too.

21 Laura March 3, 2011 at 6:52 am

Oh, I love London!
I know you already have a ton of suggestions, but here are mine anyway. ;)

The Tate Modern – modern art museum arranged by topic/theme rather than period or artist. So in the same room about sleep, there’s a pop art painting, a photograph, a mobile… it’s very cool.

Also the London Transit Museum – it sounds kind of lame, but it has SO much hands-on stuff to do and try. It’s a history of London’s public transportation, so there’s an 1800s omnibus you can go in, and all kinds of stuff. We ended up here one day when it was pouring rain and it ended up being the best top on our trip!

22 Karin March 3, 2011 at 7:06 am

Whenever I get near any English city of any size I heas straight to Mark & Spencer to buy underwear and sweaters. The best .

23 Melissa S. March 3, 2011 at 7:09 am

I have no London tips, however, Wicked is AMAZING. My daughter loves musicals so obviously sat on the edge of her seat the entire time with her eyes glistening, but more importantly I had to bring my 10-year old son, which was the last place he wanted to go, and he too sat on the edge of his seat. Loved it. Truly, truly, amazing (in NYC), although I’m sure London’s will be up to par with NYC. Enjoy Maude!

24 monica March 3, 2011 at 7:16 am

My kids LOVED seeing the royal jewels in the Tower of London. Have fun!

25 Maria Ortiz-Cintron March 3, 2011 at 7:19 am

How awesome! Sounds absolutely wonderful. What a great adventure for you both. Cannot wait for pics and posts about your trip. Enjoy!!

26 Tala March 3, 2011 at 7:21 am

I literally just went to see Wicked for the 2nd time in London. Maude will be over the moon for sure. Go to the Tate Modern. I think London eye is probably worth skipping. Covent Garden has lots of great street performers, delicious paella. Big ben is pretty obvious. Don’t forget Harrods and Hamleys (best toy store ever!)!

27 ChantaleP March 3, 2011 at 7:23 am

A mom/daughter trip is always so special!! And a musical to boot, you will have such an incredible time. We never had extra money to spend on vacations but my mom made a special trip for me to see NYC when I was 14 or 15. Just my mom and I.. it’s a memory I will never ever forget. Have a wonderful trip and a very Happy Birthday to your daughter!

28 Lauren O'Neill March 3, 2011 at 7:25 am

Happy birthday to Maude! And what a fun and special little trip :)

Some of my favorite London attractions… V&A Museum, Transport for London Museum (love their gift shop too), St. James Park, and my favorite—the Design Museum.

Have a wonderful time going to see Wicked as well!

29 Christine G March 3, 2011 at 7:29 am

For a first trip to London, you really have to go to the Tower and take the tour. Borough Market is amazing – go for lunch and wander the stalls!

30 Erin March 3, 2011 at 7:30 am

I love art museums and The National Gallery in London is one of my favorites. They have an amazing collection. To see one of Van Gogh’s Sunflower paintings up close (lots of paint!) is surreal. The museum is right off of Trafalgar Square which is a fun touristy location to visit too. I can just picture Maude on top of one of those lions now! Cheers!

31 Carol March 3, 2011 at 7:33 am

There’s so much you’d probably like to do as a whole family. But I’d be sure to take my daughter on a double-decker bus ride!

32 Catie March 3, 2011 at 7:37 am

Be sure to check out the Churchill War Rooms! They are the actual bunkers that Churchill and his cabinet lived in during the blitz and they have been restored with a lot of period furnishings, it’s pretty cool. Also, I second the Tate Modern recommendation.

If you want to have a fancy “Birthday Tea,” check out High Tea at the Kensington Orangery. It’s delicious and in a beautiful setting!

Have fun! and Happy Birthday to Maude!

33 Robin March 3, 2011 at 7:38 am

Happy Happy 12th Birthday to Maude. And enjoy this wonderful mother-daughter birthday trip. It sounds perfect!

34 JWK March 3, 2011 at 7:43 am

Topshop on Oxford!! Haha I’m living vicariously through you!!!

35 shauna March 3, 2011 at 7:45 am

I did graduate studies in London. I know on a first trip you might feel like you must see some of the most famous landmarks. But there are less well-known treasures too.

Two of my must visit spots have already been mentioned: Liberty of London. So posh! And Victoria and Albert is the best museum ever! Only the most beautiful things on display. Be sure to see the Islamic art objects!

And my very favorite is Regents Park and Primrose Hill Park. I read that the first daffodils are blooming in London. St Johns Lodge garden is a hidden treat on the inner circle.

Have fun!

36 Anne March 3, 2011 at 8:00 am

Covent Garden. Head up Neal Street to Neal’s Yard and splurge on a little bubble bath. Has anyone suggested the Tower of London? That is one of my favorites. Have fun!

37 MeredithB March 3, 2011 at 8:05 am

Why do tween-age girls love Wicked? Simple: the predominant themse are fitting in, standing out and loyalty in the face of adversity–which pretty much sums up the teenage experience! Quick word to the wise. . . if Maude gets adventerous and wants to read the novel, I’d for sure hold off–lots and lots of adult content in the book that of course doesn’t make it to the musical, which is family friendly. Have fun!

38 Sherri March 3, 2011 at 8:06 am

London is so great! You would like King’s Road (is that right? wait – someone mentioned it) …. and, yes, Herrod’s. Did someone give you a heads up on a tea room or pub? I can’t remember where we used to go while shopping / sight-seeing…. but lots to do – so much to see – you will have a great time! And definitely take the family back to see ALL the historic places, museums, etc. Wonderful city.

39 Jenny also March 3, 2011 at 8:06 am

How wonderful that you and Maude are going to spend some special time together! Much has been said about trials and tribulations of being a 12 year old girl but less has been said about the powerful and positive influence a present, loving, wise, and encouraging mom can make as her daughter begins the miraculous transition to womanhood. Happy birthday Maude!!

40 Esther March 3, 2011 at 8:09 am

If you get a chance, eat lunch at Cafe in the Crypt, which is in the basement of St Martin in the Fields, near Trafalgar Square. It’s great food, cheap, served buffet style, and you eat in the cemetery crypt, with really beautiful columns and plaques and some funky bright blue lighting. One of my favorite memories from visiting London a couple years ago.

41 christy March 3, 2011 at 8:10 am

Oh my gosh how fun!!!! My husband is Welsh, so we’ve been lucky to visit London lots of times. I’d say my favorite things to do are: go on a tour of the Tower of London. Incredible! AND, eat cornish pasties from a street vendor, and get some Viennese Truffles from Thornton’s Chocolate. To die for, both of them!

42 Kristin March 3, 2011 at 8:10 am

For some downtime, go to Kensington Gardens. Check out the Palace (don’t even need to go outside, the grounds are beautiful), grab tea and a snack at the Orangery (behind the Palace) and sit for a while near the pond. Some of my best days in London were spent that way!

43 Michelle March 3, 2011 at 8:10 am

Super touristy but worth it: take one of those hop-on-hop-off double decker buses on your first day. The tube is fantastic, but you see the city this way and get to cross the bridges. Plus, hop off anywhere you like.

When you return with all the kids, visit the London Dungeon. They’ll eek in delight.

44 Michelle March 3, 2011 at 8:13 am

Google “Big Bus Tour” – I promise it’s worth the price and tourist geekiness.

45 Caryn March 3, 2011 at 8:11 am

So exciting! Happy birthday to Maude! After skimming what everyone is telling you I just have to add a few little bits that aren’t necessarily big touristy things. Eat at little bakeries. They are such a fun treat. Shop at an Accessorize store. I’ve always loved them. And be sure to go down Portabello Road and spend time just shopping, taking pictures and enjoying all the fun vendors. Hope you have a blast!

46 Sandra Gonzales March 3, 2011 at 8:15 am

Oh Wicked!!! Yes, Wicked is amazing but me & my 12 yr old go absolute gaga over West Side Story.

47 marian March 3, 2011 at 8:19 am

The V&A – so much to see and free:)

48 Katherine in Paris March 3, 2011 at 8:29 am

So jealous! I can’t wait to do a mom-daughter trip like this. (My daughter’s not even two.) First all the wonderful museums and galleries, then take her to high tea and get scones and cream and all those yummy little sandwiches. There are too many places to go to recommend just one, but it’s a must in London. Have a wonderful time!

49 ellenpatton March 3, 2011 at 8:36 am

I’ve never been to London but make sure you take lots of photos of the two of you together!

50 Jill March 3, 2011 at 8:37 am

Churchill’s War Rooms are fascinating! I loved it as a kid and again when I went back as an adult.

51 Barb @ getupandplay March 3, 2011 at 8:37 am

We loved Wicked in London- so much fun! I also loved the Portrait Museum. It’s right by St. Martin in the Fields which the coolest old church that has a cafe downstairs in the crypt (so cool and creepy). I think I remember it being within walking distance of Westminster Abbey (which I also loved!) We also took a boat tour on the Thames which was a really fun way to see a lot of stuff and save our feet a little bit.

52 mattie jean March 3, 2011 at 8:39 am

i went to london when i was twelve with my grandma. that was a long time ago, but some of the things i remember the most:

-changing of the guard at buckingham palace
-covent gardens
-westminster abbey

and it sounds touristy, but ride a double-decker tour bus. you’ll love it!

53 Corinne March 3, 2011 at 8:43 am

Pizza Express had great pizza when i was there, hope it is still there. Enjpy. I can realte to why you are so excited- one of my favorite cities!

54 Ale March 5, 2011 at 7:23 am

I’m sorry for you Corinne because this shows that you never had a real pizza… that’s industrial pizza, poor quality, frozen ingredients, and has nothing typical (is not english, and not italian). There are better places to eat in!

55 Harriet March 3, 2011 at 8:48 am

Just remembered some more. Kensington Palace in Kensington Gardens has been transformed into a magical enchanted palace, journey round and find the hidden names of each of the princesses who have lived there whilst exploring all the prettyness of times past.
I went with my best friend last sumer and even at 19 we both loved it and wished we had gone when we were younger! This will unlikely be around on your next visit and is just beautiful – my greatest recommendation!

Also dotted throughout Kensington gardens until March 13th is an art installment of mirrors perfect for exploring what’s up in the sky and so intriguing!

Also, do visit Borough Market (nearest tube London Bridge) it is just by the hospital where I study and many happy times are spent just walking round enjoying the smells and the free nibbles! Also look up here! The tallest building in London is being built, called the Shard you will see it at varying points on your travels around the city but you can really see the glass panels it will be made out of here!

56 Sherry March 3, 2011 at 9:02 am

You’re an awesome Mom!

57 ClumberKim March 3, 2011 at 9:04 am

My husband is from England and London is my most favorite city in the world. We took the kids last spring and it was fantastic. The London Eye is my must-do. I love it early in the day, or right at dusk as the city lights are turning on but it’s not totally dark. If it’s not too cold, the boat on the Thames is fun too. It’s a totally different perspective on the city. My kids loved the aquarium that’s right next to the Eye too, but they are much younger than Maude.

I love shopping at Fortnum & Mason, and on Oxford St. Tate Modern is another favorite.

Happy Birthday to Maude!

58 bdaiss March 3, 2011 at 9:05 am

Wicked is definitely…wicked. *wink* But then I must still be a little girl – I always love a great musical.

Hurray for a girls weekend! Would love to go with. Never been to London and it’s up there on my list of places to go. I’m headed out tomorrow for a major road trip with my two littles and my mom. Should be interesting. And hopefully fun! : )

59 Kayla March 3, 2011 at 9:09 am

my husband hated musicals until he humored my pregnant self one year and went with me to wicked. he LOVED it [so did i]. hope you guys are a great time–HAPPY BDAY MAUDE!!

60 Heather March 3, 2011 at 9:09 am

Westminster Abbey is a landmark, of course. It’s pretty expensive to visit (16 pounds for adults, I think), but you can worship there for free. Plus, a service might be an interesting experience (I thought it was). I recommend vespers – lots of singing and the music in that abbey is just lovely.

61 Alyssa March 3, 2011 at 9:13 am

The very best thing about Europe – quick and easy travel to so many great destinations!

Loving the tote bags. What a great idea to make the straps adjustable. This would be a great every day and (most) every occasion bag.

Thanks for sharing!

62 Rachael March 3, 2011 at 9:17 am

I loved the Sherlock Holmes museum, but that was because I grew up reading his stories. Maybe you did too? And Harrods….the chocolate department!

63 Polly March 3, 2011 at 9:17 am

Wicked is my favourite musical in the world! I’ve seen it in London four times and would love to see it again!
I live in London and if it’s just the both of you going, then some girly shopping must be done! If you go to Oxford Street, be sure to visit Carnaby Street which is just around the corner. Covent Garden (not actually a garden) is a lovely area to wander around, with lots of street performers and chain shops as well as lots of sweet little boutiques and an amazing cupcake shop! (If you go there check out Magma and Sass and Belle, both lovely little individual shops I’m sure you’ll love).
The KIngs Road and Knightsbridge (very close together) are also touristy and nice to shop in – Knightsbridge and Oxford Street will both be very very crowded on a Saturday though!
Someone mentioned Pizza Express – this is a chain and there’s one around every corner, but it’s really nice and one of my favourite restaurants – also very cheap.
If you go to the Tate Modern, be sure to walk along the embankment by the River Thames afterwards – there’s always lots going on and you get a beautiful view of London’s amazing mixture of architecture on both sides of the river.
Have a lovely trip and email me if you want to ask any more questions! I’ll look out for you and Maude! haha x

64 Charlotte March 3, 2011 at 9:18 am

Haha I’ll second a trip to Marks and Spencers for underwear…only bras I buy!! (I know how to party!!)

I’d advice you avoid the Aquarium just up from the London Eye – pretty dissapointing and small!
Covent Garden is amazing, and don’t forget the market off to the side not just the main shops. Also the Transport museum is just behind the main building and has lots to see – especially if its raining!
Imperial War Museum – sounds dire but lots of activities and very interesting actually! (but agree with poster who suggested if saving for a return trip with all the children – sort of thing that is a lot more fun with someone to run around with) when I went a few years ago they had a child orientated talk on spies in the war which then turns into a hunt round the museum for the spy with the prize – but seem to remember its most fun for children under 8ish

We also love the London Museum (I think thats what its called) – its literally like walking through thousands of years of London – I love it!!

And shopping in London is of course ALWAYS a yes :)

And if your train gets into Kings Cross or St Pancras take 5 minutes to find platform 9 and 3 quarters if your Harry Potter fans – just a fun photo :)

65 courtney March 3, 2011 at 9:22 am

I lived in London when I was 13, and I miss it dearly!! Definitely check out Ordning & Reda, a fabulous Swedish paper goods/bags/office accessories store. And my favorite place to eat was always pizza express– their house salad dressing is to die for. Hyde Park and Green Park are my favorites, and there is great shopping on both Kensington and Hampstead high streets. What a fun way for Maude to spend her birthday!!

66 Cheryl Burchett March 3, 2011 at 9:22 am

Go see the mummies and the parthenon sculptures at the British Museum. By all means stay to see more if time allows, but for a short trip it is the ONLY place to see teh Parthenon statues in the world (the Elgin Marbles) and their collection of mummies is FASCINATING. I think a young adult would especially enjoy them. There are SO many different KINDS! Who knew? Even mummies of Greek people living in Egypt so they are a total mishmash of Greek gods and Egyptian gods. My FAVORITE place ever!

67 Jennifer March 3, 2011 at 9:23 am

We are going to London this month too. My husband is English and this is our first trip where our oldest is old enough to appreciate being in a different cultue (7). He is going to a (real) football game with his dad and then to the Imperial War Museum (it is really good but I can only do so many war museums and we’re going to Paris first so I’ll do the Invalides) and I’m having a girls only day with my daughter and a girlfriend who lives in London. My daughter is only 2.5 but we’re going to a high tea. I think I would do the Dorchester if she was 12 instead of two. But she is excited to pick out a hat (must) and pretty dress and of course if full into the ceremony of it all.
We also always go to Wagamama because it’s good, inexpensive and very family friendly. They are all over the city.

68 Cathi March 3, 2011 at 9:23 am

Envy here!!!
What a wonderful time you and Maude will have. I’ve yet to visit London however my husband goes all the time with his American Airlines job. He LOVES London, the theater, the history, buildings, people…
As soon as my passport comes back from renewal I’m going with him.
Have Fun and…
Happy Birthday Maude!!!

69 courtney March 3, 2011 at 9:24 am

(and another plug for Covent Garden as well– the outdoor market has the BEST shopping!)

70 Amanda March 3, 2011 at 9:33 am

I hope the weather warms up a tad for your visit! I agree with Mary above, London is a fantastic walking city and a walk along the Thames seeing all the famous sites always strikes me.

Someone mentioned Primrose Bakery which is darling and the perfect place for a birthday treat. Primrose Hill itself is a quiet little village with lots of neat little boutiques and restaurants. If you make it to Primrose Hill, make sure you walk to the top of the hill (in Primrose Hill Park) for some great exercise and a fantastic view of London. All of the parks in London are amazing and the daffodils just came out! Yes, spring is coming! Camden town is also just a quick from Primrose Bakery if you are up for some people watching and just pure craziness.

71 Cindy March 3, 2011 at 9:34 am

What a fun birthday trip! I love that city and Wicked is such a great musical. What a lucky daughter you have!

I would highly recommend taking a hop on/hop off bus tour to see the city. Try to get a live guide, or take one that has the recorded kids tour. You should also definitely visit the British Museum and the Tower of London. And if you are a Harry Potter fan and happen to be near King’s Cross Station, you have to find Platform 9 3/4. They have a platform sign on the wall and part of a trolley sticky out of it. We stopped there for a few minutes with our kids in 2008, and the photos of some of our favorites.

Have a great trip!

72 Clyde March 3, 2011 at 9:37 am

For two stylish girl a stylish trip to Harrod’s – it’s a must do. The guards change a the Buckingham Palace is a free entertaining thing to do AND to take a picture of. Go to the Victoria and Albert Museum for a dash of culture. :)

73 Ashley W March 3, 2011 at 9:48 am

Unfort I have no awesome ideas for London since I have sadly never been there. BUT, I will say Wicked is awesome! I took my mom to see it in San Fran (where it originated) last year for her birthday. SUCH a great mom/daughter date!

74 mary March 3, 2011 at 10:04 am

Hooray! We are headed to England the first week of April and will be in London for 4 of the 7 days we’re there. I can’t wait to read through these comments. Have a GREAT time, and I can’t wait to hear all about it!

75 Jane March 3, 2011 at 10:09 am

I have been surrounded by musicals for my kids’ lives! They have performed and, more recently, been involved on the instrument side. We listen to soundtracks endlessly and my daughter’s college essay was on the order of, “Everything in Life I Learned Because of Music.” I was not eager to see “Wicked” as I had read the books, which are not really for children. Everyone assured me I would not be disappointed. We saw it in NYC as a family and we loved it. At one point, my teenage son had tears in his eyes. As with most musicals, I think I would love to see it a 2nd or 3rd time because as you later listen to the music you gain a greater appreciation for the story. Have a great time!

76 Talya March 3, 2011 at 10:10 am

I second the oyster card idea. Waaaay cheaper than buying individual tube tickets.

I’m from England, and as a teenager I thought the coolest place ever was Camden Market (I still think it’s pretty cool truth be told.)

Last time I was there I took my children to the Victoria and Albert Museum and then for tea in their beautiful cafe. It’s such a quintessentially English museum. I also like the National Portrait Gallery.

The vintage book shops on Charring Cross Road.

Oh, I could go on and on… have a wonderful time!

p.s. if you end up going back with your younger children, be sure to check out the Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington.

77 Shelley March 3, 2011 at 10:17 am

M&S sandwiches are bliss and Wagamama dinners – just the thing after a day of walking round London!

78 Sharlene March 3, 2011 at 10:21 am

Have been there twice and there are just so many, many “must-see” places. Most of them already mentioned. So let me just mention Hyde Park–church history. Or wait to take the whole family there.

79 Kelley March 3, 2011 at 10:28 am

I literally just came with a meeting with my advisor where he gave the OK for me to study abroad in London next year. So I am incredibly excited for you and Maude. Have a blast!!

80 cupcakes for clara March 3, 2011 at 10:29 am

Oh how exciting! I wish I could come to London too, but I’m up in the north of England – in Cheshire. A beautiful place to visit if you want to see some lovely Pride and Prejudice countryside.

The Natural History Museum is amazing – and free too. And you have to at least see the outside of Buckingham Palace. Give the Queen a little wave! Like others have said walk, walk, walk. Have a full on touristy day – its so much fun. And of course Hamleys – a toy shop for big and little ones!

81 Jess March 3, 2011 at 10:30 am

Have the full tea at the Orangery at Kensignton Palace! You can subsitute hot chocolate for the tea, but no matter how tempting the chocolate cake looks, go for the original orangery cake. So yummy. I have been searching for a similar recipe for 10 years now.

82 Sabrina Visser March 3, 2011 at 10:32 am

Hummingbird Cupcakes in Notting Hill – a MUST!!!!! Expensive, but very delicious and adorable design….

83 Sabrina Visser March 3, 2011 at 10:33 am

Hummingbird Bakery in Notting Hill – a MUST!!!!! Expensive, but very delicious and adorable design….http://hummingbirdbakery.com/

84 Marci G March 3, 2011 at 10:48 am

Saw Wicked in San Fran and husband who is also not a fan of musicals
was teary eyes by intermission! HE LOVED IT!!! He was ready to see
it again the next day if it wasn’t already sold out!
I would LOVE to see “Love Never Dies” if I were in London!
Have tons of fun!!

85 julie r March 3, 2011 at 10:56 am

oh i’m jealous, what a BLAST you’ll have!! wicked is a FABulous show (but the book is NOT, so don’t read it…). my favorite things to do in London were going to shows and the museums (I believe they’re free!). the Tate Modern is amazing. i think you have to pay to get in Westminster Abbey, but it’s worth it. the ceiling is beautiful! and there’s so much history that’s happened there.

86 Janey March 3, 2011 at 10:58 am

You already have lots and lots of suggestions, but I’d probably say Hamleys, it’s a fab toy shop, even for bigger kids. There is so much to see, and loads of people demonstrating all the best toys.

And yes, Wicked really is that good. I didn’t fancy it before I saw it but then I went, and I immediately wanted to go back in and see it again. So good!

87 Janey March 3, 2011 at 10:59 am

Oh, forgot to say that I’m looking forward to seeing your photos, I always love seeing touristy photos of London!

88 Sarah March 3, 2011 at 11:12 am

I loved the V&A and the National Gallery.

89 Bridget March 3, 2011 at 11:16 am

I love reading your blog! I’ve lurked for a while, this is my first comment! Happy Birthday to Maude!
We were in London in 2008, for about 3 days. We managed to do indoor tour of Kensington Palace & it’s gardens, inside St.Paul’s Cathedral, inside The Tower of London, a Thames boat ride w/ views of Tower Bridge & more, walked outside at Parliament & Big Ben, outside of Westminster Abbey, outside of Buckingham Palace, inside the Imperial War Museum. We utilized public transportation to it’s fullest, along with lots of walking (happily!).
I agree with other commenters’ suggestions of the Oyster Card.

We had planned on doing the London Eye after our tour of St.Paul’s Cathedral, but while we were standing outside on top of the cathedral’s dome, we realized the Eye was no longer necessary. The Eye is expensive (well, at least on our budget at that time), and the small price we paid to tour St.Paul’s tombs, sanctuary & 2 outdoor platforms high-up on the dome were a much better value. And the view from the top was spectacular! Only drawback (for little feet): lots of stairs!

90 Jocelyn March 3, 2011 at 11:17 am

The War Rooms and the Churchhill Museum under Whitehall. Amazing.

91 Ashlea Walter March 3, 2011 at 11:42 am

Lucky Maude, lucky you. What a beautiful memory: just the two of you. How often does that happen?!

92 Ann March 3, 2011 at 11:56 am

Walk, walk, walk… my favourite route is to take the tube to Westminster and pop out outside Big Ben and Westminster Palace – then walk up Whitehall past Downing Street, cut through Horse Guards and up through St James Park to Buck Palace. Then you are just minutes to Picadilly, Regent St and Hamleys toy shop, Covent Garden, Neal St and lots of other goodies. The blocks are tiny (much smaller than NYC) and it’s all very, very close together. Enjoy!! A x

93 Ceri March 3, 2011 at 12:13 pm

The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is my favourite place in all the world. Anyone remotely interested in design or the visual arts has to visit there. The permanent exhibits are worth a dozen visits at least, but there is so much not on show which most people don’t realise can be viewed on request. One of my most precious memories as a design student was wandering up to the archive room and requesting to see the ORIGINAL Shepard drawings of Winnie the Pooh. A little while later, no questions asked, I was handling (with gloves on!) some of his original drawings up close and personal in a quiet little room all to myself. They were breathtaking. Have fun and happy birthday Maude! I now have a six year old daughter and will soon be taking her for the first (of many I hope) pilgrimages to the V&A.

94 whitney March 3, 2011 at 12:13 pm

Make sure you grab a Pasty to eat while waiting at the train station. If you get outside of london I love guildford castle- about 25 miles s.w. of london (built in the 1000′s)

95 nichshee March 3, 2011 at 12:21 pm

Maybe not this trip but when you come back with all the kids, a great day out is London Zoo, in Regents Park http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/

Also recommend sandwiches and coffee from ‘Pret a Manger’ a British Starbucks and they are everywhere…

96 Kelly March 3, 2011 at 12:27 pm

oooh I am so excited for you! I’m taking my son there this year too. Here’s my top 10 for what to do with beautiful young lady :) because I can’t recommend just 1 thing:

Tea at Orangie at Kensington Gardens, Queensway tube stop; walk around Kensington Gardens and see the outside of the Palace where Diana lived (don’t pay to go in, not worth it), walk over to the river on the far left side of the park and see the famous Peter Pan Statue

V&A Gallery to see the History of Fashion on Exhibition Road, just up the way from Kensington Gardens, you could even walk easily or grab a cab (this is a free museum), note the Hyde Park Chapel on the way.

Then go to Harrod’s at Knightsbridge stop and have dinner in the food halls, yummy selection, be sure to visit the children’s department and teen, amazing!

Go to National Gallery at Leichester Square, get a treat at Crypt Cafe under St Marten’s in the Fields Cathedral * Amazing yummy food there too!

See Big Ben, Parliment at night, grab some Cadbury’s chocolate to enjoy while you walk around the Thames

I also love Wagamama’s in Leichester Square for cool Asian cuisine, hit the Royal Ballet if you can and walk around Covent Gardens.

Yes, I love Tate Modern, but if you can’t get to it, I think you’ve seen similar art in NYC, go next time.

Can’t wait to hear what you chose to do!

97 Mara March 3, 2011 at 12:45 pm

Love these bags! I am going to buy one :)

98 Victoria March 3, 2011 at 12:50 pm

Great bags. Wishing you a fabulous time in London, ,my home town.

99 Inka March 3, 2011 at 12:52 pm

Tate Modern is Great and to walk around it’s Free. Covent Garden is great because of all the little shops and the big market. By the way Wicked Rules. I didn’t really like musicals until wicked. A-MAI-ZING :)

100 Beth March 3, 2011 at 12:54 pm

I love musicals. My husband? Not so much. Well, he decided to be sweet and took me to see Wicked and He. Loved. It. He has since asked me if there were any other musicals like Wicked that we could check out. Just sayin’.

101 Juliana Chan March 3, 2011 at 12:54 pm

Gotta get some dessert at Harrod’s cafe! So luxurious… That is seriously one of my favorite things to do in London.

102 Olivia March 3, 2011 at 1:06 pm

Happy Birthday to Maude! What a special trip!

(And love, love, love the totes featured. Perfect for a weekend away.)

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King Tut Sculptural Floor Lamp
Our scaled Egyptian Revival replica of King Tut atop a hieroglyphic pillar is sure to lend a royal glow that is nothing short of amazing. Blending art, architecture, and elements of fine design, our quality designer resin signature piece is hand-painted in all the colors of the Egyptian palette to become an exquisite 360-degree sculptural work of art. Topped with a stunning glass shade for your 60-watt bulb, this exclusive is controlled by a pedal switch.

Was: $649.00
Now: $549.00
Rated 5 out of 5 by 4 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Almost perfect, still very beautiful!! The sculpture is gorgeous and the lamp functions well with the pedal switch. However, the finish on the glass torchiere shade was terrible and looked like "spattered paint". I replaced the glass shade (an additional $150) and now the lamp is awesome and pleasing to the eye. If you buy the lamp, be forewarned regarding the glass shade. April 14, 2015
Rated 5 out of 5 by Fits in with our antiques Fits in with our antiques and is a marvelous companion to our Queen Nefertiti December 8, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by awesome Very beautiful.It looks like you're in the Egyptian 5 star hotel lobby.It complements my huge papyrus art work.Now,I need Cleopatra floor lamp near my grand piano. June 24, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Wow factor We purchased this to place in our guest bedroom. Even after purchasing the item and having an idea what we were getting we were awestruck when we opened the box. Spectacular detail combined with the over all size makes this the focal point of the room and a wonderful addition to the Egyptian theme. March 28, 2012
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The Dying Slave Sculpture
(1513-1516) By Michelangelo, Louvre Museum, Paris
One of the sculptor's greatest creations, this classic work expresses the soul's struggle for freedom. Michelangelo's sinuous subject, constricted by tight sculptural bonds, seems to struggle with almost serpentine grace to free himself. Our foot-tall replica reinterprets the original in bonded natural marble as a stunning addition to any collection.

4"Wx3"Dx13"H. 3 lbs.
Rated 5 out of 5 by 2 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Amazing attention to detail. Better than pictured in the catalog. Thoroughly satisfied. Only wish you have more of these classic replicas available. February 7, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by Quality reproduction This particular reproduction is well done. The detail is outstanding. Good value for the price. July 6, 2013
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Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy Birthday Hubs!

Today is Drew's birthday!  So far it's been a pretty good day for the Hubs.  We went to breakfast this morning and as a birthday present to himself, he hired some guys to mow the lawn and clean the gutters.  Seriously, this was a great present and he was super excited not to have to pick up dog poop from the backyard!  Additionally, he got to go to the gym which is major as he hasn't been in ages and that's been something he's been dying to get back into.  I know it's been hard for him between traveling and us having one car but he's been a champ and hasn't complained - too much.  Today.  So for the upcoming year, the Birthday Fairy may just wave her magic checkbook wand and get him a gym membership.  But in the meantime,  a birthday video for you!

Happy Birthday Baby!
Drew's birthday 2010 from Desiree on Vimeo.

I got him a Twist n Sparkle - Drew loves fizzy water but I refuse to buy sugary sodas and I give him the serious side-eye when he buys his Diet Cokes from the gas station.  Recently, I've conceded a little and we've purchased the flavored waters but they're kind of expensive so this little guy is the perfect compromise.  You put the CO2 cartridge and twist and it carbonates whatever you've got in there for an instant fizzy drink.  It works with alcohol as well as plain water and it didn't cost an arm and a leg!  I was so proud of myself when I found it because he'd been wanting a fizzy-water maker for the longest.

Oh, and the jumping up and down:  Drew has a history of being underwhelmed by gifts.  It's not that he's ungrateful, it's just that he's not an overly emotional guy - except when he's mad, go figure.  I was so proud of my gift and I told him he better jump up an down when he opened it because half the fun of giving gifts is seeing the recipient's reaction when they open it.  He was not going to deny me!  And he very enthusiastically complied - but not before he guessed what the other gift was, but one out of two isn't bad.  We've got a while to perfect the gift-opening!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

It's nursery time!

I should know better than to be cautious when writing.  You guys have been with me this far and I know you won't just up and leave off of one post.  I was nervous to write the last post because I was afraid of getting blasted for not being anything but grateful for all things pregnancy.  But the encouragement and love (special squeezy hugs to Carolyn!) reassure me that it's all still good.  You guys are the greatest!  I feel like I say that so much - can I say I love you yet?  Is it too soon?

So I turn to you again, this time for the super extra fun stuff:  the nursery!!

We have gotten nothing more than the crib for the nursery because Drew and I agreed that we would wait to go gung-ho on the baby stuff until after the first of the year.  Plus, I felt that getting stuff would jinx things but it's crunch-time.  It seems like the first of the year was so far away and all of a sudden it's this Saturday!!!  It's here and I've officially started counting down.

I want everything in place and ready to go by April 1st.  I will be 38 weeks and Agent S will make her sweeping, grand, diva, kick-ass entrance anytime between the 1st and the 15th.  For measuring-time sake, that's what I'm going with.  I pray to Jesus she doesn't come earlier and I'm near positive my doctor won't let me go past my due date, so April 1st is the nursery decor deadline.  From January 1, that's only 12 weekends or as my co-worker Jana likes to put it, only 6 more paydays.  (Post coming on post-baby working plans.  We're all chewing our fingernails over here!)

Actually, I'm looking at 10 weekends because one weekend will be gone with my baby shower in Kansas and one gone for our party here in Dallas.  Did I mention we only have a crib?  No mattress even?  I know I'm in denial because I'm not freaked out at all by any of this.  So would you be a doll and help a sista out?

This will be our nursery, formerly known as the guest bedroom (we're keeping the wall color.)
   From the doorway
The desk used to live here
Now it's where the crib lives
If I get my way, a nursing chair will live here
This nursing chair, dressed with a pretty pillow and throw
This cube will serve as an ottoman for the nursing chair
unless it turns out to be too high, then I'll have to think of something else.
The dresser wall is where the mural will be

I apologize for the pictures but I'm at work and using the only pictures I have but hopefully you get the idea of the layout of the room.  Presently, the dresser is the only thing that's on that far wall and I have visions of painting a giant mural on the whole wall.  I have inspiration photos but have zero idea where any of them came from since they were found in a mad Google clicking 'save image as...' frenzy.  So if you see your picture or the picture of someone you know, just tell me and I'll credit it.  I mean no harm - I just couldn't be bothered with being organized.  My bad.

So, here's the plan:  I love words - words of all kinds and my jump-off point is this rug.
image courtesy Ballard Designs - see, I credit when I know where it comes from!

Ever since I saw Kristin and Centsational Girl's glossy stencils, I knew I had to have them
Image courtesy Centsational Girl
Image courtesy KFD Design

Put the two together and you have glossy words on the wall instead of a stencil!  Sort of like this:

Or this.  If either of these are your pictures, just let me know.

I plan to use this poem and cover the wall from top to bottom in even writing, more like the rug and not the nursery picture.  I have never done this and thank God the previous owners left the extra paint for the walls so I can just paint over it if it turns out to be an epic fail.  But I'm going to try because I love the idea and I think it'll be so cool if it turns out.  I plan to use the paint from this project because I think the pearly-ness will be a pretty contrast against the wall without being too jarring.  I didn't want to use high-gloss of the same color because I didn't think the words would show up as well and I already have the paint.

The problem is, that's it.  That's as far as I've gotten.  The next decision is what to do about the windows because the color scheme will get its cues from whatever I do with curtains or cornices or whatever.  I hope you can tell from the pictures but there are two windows opposite the mural wall and one window at the head of the bed - which is staying.  We were going to move it out but we only have two real bedrooms and until we get a pull-out loveseat for the sitting room, our guests need a place to sleep.  Furthermore, the nursery is further away from our bedroom than I would prefer and I'd really like the baby to get used to sleeping in her crib as quickly as possible - our bedroom is crowded enough as it is!  I'd rather be in her room than her be in ours.  Now, if she ends up in our room so be it, but this is the plan.

Drew would like the shutters to stay and with all of them closed, the room is quite dark so I'm okay with that.  I'm just thinking I may want to take the blinds off the door leading to my former sewing room, which is now Drew's office.  I'd like to replace it with something softer - some patterned sheers maybe?  They're just cheap-o skinny Venetian blinds.  I even have some leftovers from my curtain project and I might be able to whip up something on my sewing machine that I haven't touched since that one time.

Actually, if the shutters are staying, our only option is curtains because you can't close the top shutters if there's a cornice - right?  Plus, I need some fabric to soften the room.  Okay, so curtains it is.  But what kind?  What color?  What pattern?  Should there be a pattern?  I don't want pink but I don't want bland and boring either.  And I want a rug - but I can't look at rugs until I figure out what the curtains are going to look like.  Ditto on the crib skirt and mattress sheet.  And the throw and lumbar pillow for the nursing chair.  Don't even get me started on what the bedding for the big bed should look like!  It all hinges on the curtains!

And of course the fabric store I want to check out is closed on Saturday, but that's fine because this weekend is mural painting weekend.  BabyCenter specifically says to finish all home improvement projects that involve getting up on a ladder like, yesterday.  My center of gravity is not shot yet but I'm not trying to tempt fate.  But I'm encouraged because I've already seen some fabrics I like on their website and I can't wait to see what they have in real life.

And then there's the layout of the furniture.  Is it good?  Should things move?  Should the bed be on the wall with the windows?  The dresser and crib change places?  I just don't know!

So, do you have thoughts?  Tips?  Websites I should look at?  I know about Ohdeedoh and Project Nursery but now I'm on the hunt for nurseries with beds in them and this is the only one I've found so far and that's not going to work for me.
Maybe this is your cup of tea, but personally
I'm kind of choking on the sweetness.
Although we have a chandelier that's very similar to this one.

I know all I really need is a good carseat, some diapers and a crib mattress (my cousin gave us a huge box of baby clothes when we were in Kansas), but it would mean a lot to me to have her room all put together by April 1st.

And it starts with the curtains.

You know what's super fun? Sleeping

Not that I would know anything about that.  With increasing frequency, I am unable to sleep.  I'm talking wake-up-at-one-am-and-NEVER-get-back-to-sleep.  I'm a stomach sleeper and thanks to the belly that has majorly popped out that is no longer an option.  And while I love my husband, side-sleeping isn't fun because on one side I face him and facing him while he mouth-breathes is not fun, youknowwhatI'msayin?  Turning over to the other side isn't much of an option either because somehow he works his way across the king-size bed and I end up with approximately two inches of space before I fall from our extra-high bed.

And then my doggie.  My precious, GIANT, 80-pound doggie, who thinks she's the size of a chihuahua.  Well you're not, Maya-face.  You're a frickin beast and I've just about had it with you s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g out across the king size bed and then dreaming about whatever the hell she dreams about and kicking me in the back because I've turned away from Drew's yuck-mouth.

Never mind that turning from side-to-side requires me to wake all the way up, strategize my moves, execute a four-point turn to get to the other side, rearrange my pillows only to have the dog wake up, sigh and change position - laying directly on my feet and legs.  Have you ever tried to get an 80-pound animal off your legs while said animal is sound asleep?  I kick her and I'm sure to her it feels like a tiny little butterfly has just flitted by in her dreams to say hello.

Forget any covers.  When an 80-pound animal and a 200-pound husband is hogging all of them, you know who gets the corner?  The pregnant one.  How is that fair?  How is that right?  And even though I get hot flashes, they're just flashes.  I need to be able to take the covers off and then put them back on when it's passed.  And OMG, the GD mother-effin hot flashes.  I'm baking one second, fine and happy the next.  Please tell me somebody is researching the shit out of menopause, so by the time I get there hot flashes will no longer exist.

I try all the things my mom told me when I was little:  Lie very still with your eyes closed and you'll be asleep in no time; count sheep; think of something boring (okay my mom never said that to me but I'm desperate!)

I don't want to take sleeping pills because I hate the drugged-out feeling that I get with them.  Besides, I don't know what's safe in pregnancy and I just really don't want to take any pills.

I just want my dog and my husband to realize that I Am Pregnant And I Need My Mother-Effin SLEEP!

Gah, I feel so much better now that I've gotten that off my chest!

It's so odd being in this place.  I know that I'm feeling everything that a normal regular pregnant person is feeling, there is nothing new or unique about my ailments.  Even Rixa Freeze is having trouble sleeping.  I am not special or unique and I'm doing something that kabillions of women have done before me.  It's humbling and comforting - this is a worn and familiar path and all I have to do is follow in the footsteps.

And yet, with every POW! kick I still get scared if that'll be the last one.  With one breath I wish they weren't so hard and with the next I pray that God didn't hear me, even encouraging her to kick harder to let me know she's still in there.  Even as I mumble and groan when she kicks me all night long, when she's quiet in the daytime I can't help but wonder if last night was it.  I don't suppose that will ever go away.

The other day I was getting ready for work, exasperated because I'd gotten no sleep when I got some whopper kicks.  I swear the kid is speed-bagging me.  I stopped, bent over and Drew was all is she kicking you?  I looked up and snapped "Yes Drew, she's kicking me.  Because I'm pregnant.  I'm always pregnant.  I'm never not pregnant.  Not when I sleep, not when I drive, not when I sit, she's always kicking me because I'm always pregnant."

For a moment I had an out of body experience.  Part of me was scared God heard me and I wanted to take back all my complaining.  The other part of me felt, well, like a regular pregnant person and honestly the words just kind of came out.

I remember the ultrasound with no beating heart, I remember bleeding like a stuck pig - way too clearly.  But this is me too.  Right now, there is a little girl inside me that is having the time of her life treating my guts like her own personal boxing gym and while I'm so very thankful for that, it doesn't change the fact that it doesn't feel good.

Some days I feel like I should bear it all with a smile - the no sleep, clothes not fitting, getting punched from the inside, the hot flashes, all of it.  Because there are so many women who would give everything to be in my spot.  It just kind of reminds me of the whole 'starving children in Ethiopia' guilt trip you got for not eating your veggies.  And I'm not quite sure how to reconcile that.

But I guess I have a few more months to figure it out, right?

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Mothering ain't no joke!

I'm going to have to start stalking the mommy blogs to start getting tips because while I'm embracing the fact that I'm pregnant, as I inch closer to the finish line and allow myself to think about actually getting to take a baby home, I am super way extra unsure of what you're supposed to do with them after that.  Feel free to school me.

Christmas Eve was wonderful.  My mother and I have a tradition of going to see The Nutcracker at Christmastime whenever I'm in town and I was so happy to get to do that with her again this year.  It was so heartwarming to get to share that time with just her.  We both felt my belly as the baby kicked and I completely teared up at the thought that maybe my daughter might grow up to be a ballerina and her grandma and grandpa might come to see her.  I had visions of my dad waiting backstage for her with roses and getting to witness them together.  There I go, tearing up again!
Maybe she'll get to be the queen, dancing right in front!

After the ballet, we went to my cousin's house for dinner and I got to see old movies of my grandma and grandpa and it was so cool!  My memories of my grandparents are very dim and I found myself wanting to reach out and touch the screen.  I'd never seen either of them so vibrant and young-looking and it was definitely the highlight of the evening.  Then we went to Mass and Drew did not burst into flames upon entering the church as he feared and I whispered stories to him about being a little girl in that church and not being tall enough to see over the pews.  I remember when I was younger (like 23-24), going to Mass at Christmas was an event because I'd get to see my old classmates who lived out of town and we'd always hang out after church to catch up.  This year, I didn't see anyone I recognized but it was nice to be there and I still know all the words - trying to be ex-Catholic is like trying to be ex-Asian.  It's in you, whether you acknowledge it or not.

Now......Christmas day???  Christmas DAY???  Ooooh Jesus.

Well, it was actually Christmas night because Christmas morning with the family was so great.  We took pictures, exclaimed over gifts and hung out in our pjs until well after noon - just as it should be.
My dad played a joke on us and served us chicken feet for breakfast.
This was after I was done being grossed out.
My brother's reaction was priceless!
But then we had our real breakfast - this was one of
my dad's better jokes.  Usually we can see him coming, but he got us this time!
My little mommy did such a great job decorating the tree!

Ok, but THEN!  The rest of the family came over for Christmas dinner.  My cousin's best friend is an honorary member of the family and she joined us with her three kids that night.  She is the sweetest, kindest person ever and she's super polite and nice and I really like her.  So I have no idea how this sweet kind nice girl gave birth to a demon baby.

I say the following with all the sympathy and respect but be warned, I will reference the demon baby again.

There were ten adults and five kids in the house and it was cozy to say the least.  My parent's house is not small but there are lots of small-ish rooms so with conversation and kids and food and music and tv and toys happening all at once, it was festive.

I knew trouble was afoot when her youngest walked in the door crying.  She said he'd been asleep and was upset at being woken up.  We all clucked with sympathy and offered him toys and a sippy cup with juice to soothe him.  For the first few minutes, it was fine.  He was fussy and in his terrible twos - he gets a pass.

He was definitely a Stage-5 clinger and he just kept on crying.  If his mother wasn't holding him, he was crying.  And it wasn't the cry where you're mad at being woken up, nor was it the 'I'm hungry' or 'I'm hurt' or even 'I'm tired.'  It was the worst cry.  It was the 'There is nothing anyone will be able to do for me because I'm just cranky and I will not be soothed and I'm going to do the whiny, gets on your last mother-effin nerve cry because I can.'

The kid cried.  And cried.  And cried.  And cried.  And cried.  And cried.  And ohmyfuckinggodshutthatdemonbabyUP.  We all tried.  My cousin tried to soothe him - IIIIIII wwwwwaaaant my maaaaaaahhhhhmmmmmeeeeee.'  I tried - I picked him up and took him to the mirror, which usually works for me.  Who is that baby?  What's his name?  Why is he crying?  Do you know why he's crying?  Oh that poor baby is crying so much.  How can we help him?  Instead of looking at the mirror he buried his face in my shoulder - IIIII  w-w-w-w-aaaa-aaaa-nnnntt my maaaa-aaaa-aaaahmmmeeeeee.  My mom tried and she's usually stellar with kids and has toys galore at her house.  He took a toy but never stopped crying, crying so hard he was making himself cough and get all red in the face and all stuttery.

We brought him back to his mom and she tried to take him to another room and just sit with him on the sofa but no dice.  It's like he was glad to be with her but still so sad about the time that he wasn't with her before so he had to cry about that.  So he cried.  And cried.  And cried.

We turned on Caillou for him and for a heavenly blessed second, he stopped crying.  But baby Jesus in his manger, the second the show ended he started up again!  (Starting the show again did nothing.  Putting on a new episode did nothing.  Caillou was a temporary fix.)  He was louder than before!  Y'all, we'd already passed the hour mark and were working on hour number two!  And it was just the whiny cry, the grating, you-know-nothing's-wrong cry and we were all nearing the breaking point.  We couldn't say anything because really, what is there to say?  Plus, she's so nice and sweet and she was getting embarrassed that she couldn't do or give him something to soothe him and we didn't want to make her feel worse.  But holy effing hell, he started doing the demon cry, the one where your vocal cords rattle!  At the top of his lungs!  And there was nowhere to hide!  He had progressed to throwing tantrums, collapsing on the floor and screaming bloody murder if his mother dared put him down so she could eat.  At the two-hour mark (good God kid, take a breath or something!) she finally rounded up her two other kids and left, her own face red with embarrassment.  I felt so bad for her and for her other kids who were perfectly behaved and even took their turns trying to soothe their baby brother.  But that kid was having none of it - he screamed non-stop and honestly, it set the rest of us on edge.

I don't know what I would have done differently, if there even is anything you can do differently.  I was annoyed, my head was pounding but most of all, I was scared.  I know that my child will morph into a demon baby at the most inconvenient time and I too will have to make my hasty exit, red-faced and helpless.  But my goodness!

For real y'all, can that sort of thing be dealt with?  At all?  I mean, you can't really ignore them even though we tried that too.  But you cannot ignore demon screaming, I don't care who you are.  And what do you do?  Leave the house?  Take the kid outside and sit with them in the car until they calm down?  What if they don't?  And what of your other kids?

My heart went out to her but my hands were too busy covering my ears.  And I'm so scared of the day when that's going to be me.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

My first mom outing

My emotions have been all over the place lately - not that I'm surprised.  We went to Kansas for Christmas and got back to Dallas Sunday night.  Leaving my family and walking in to my too-quiet house was more than I could bear and I just sat in the living room and cried.  I miss my family so much already.  Then this morning I was mad at Drew for daring to breathe, but as of right now I'm happy again because the baby shower is coming together!  We have the date, the place and time and even the decorations and activities are taking shape!

I find myself hoping and praying that I get to go through with all of this - please Jesus.

But I'm getting so far ahead of myself and I have stories to tell!

Even though I have partially sworn off Facebook, I do find myself checking it occasionally.  And I have to admit, it does have its usefulness.  As long as you don't get sucked in to the drama, it is a good spot to find old friends, stay in touch with current friends and family and had I not checked in, I would have missed out on a great afternoon.  Facebook is not entirely the Devil.  There, I said it.

Just before we went home for Christmas, I saw that my friend Brandi was going to get together with another friend of ours that I hadn't seen since I lived in LA.  We'd all gone to high school together, we were all on Drill Team together but I lost touch with Khaliah when I moved back to Dallas.  It really was a shame because she is an amazing person and I've always admired her.

So when I saw on Facebook that Brandi and Khaliah were planning to get together in KC, I promptly called Brandi and invited myself.  Brandi is so awesome that she didn't miss a beat in saying of course!  Call when you get in!

We arrived in KC and I hit the ground running.  My cousin and I had an appointment with the lady making the cake for the baby shower first thing Thursday morning and then we were going to lunch with Brandi and Khaliah at........wait for it........

Chuck E. Cheese.

When Brandi suggested it, my first thought was why in the world would you want to go there?!?!  I keep forgetting that she has an almost 2-year old, as does Khaliah and going to a kid-friendly place is always the best call.  My first thought was someplace chic and hip and 'ladies-who-lunch' - Chuck E Cheese was nowhere on my radar.  Then again, I'm not a mom yet so my brain has yet to be rewired.  It's just that lunch with girlfriends has always included a bottle of wine somewhere in there, not a giant mechanical rat.  However, this is the world I'm entering.

The crazy thing is, I didn't mind!  My cousin has a 3 year-old and when her eyes lit up at the mention of Chuck E Cheese, that sealed the deal for me.  So after the cake tasting, it was off to eat pizza and play some games!

The last time I stepped foot in a CEC was almost ten years ago when I took my younger cousins when I lived in LA.  Before that, it was for my own birthday party - I think I was six.  Not too much had changed - there were still games, lights and kids running around, but instead of being annoyed I found myself looking around in wonder.  I looked at the moms, mentally putting myself in their place; I looked at the kids, at their faces and smiles - deliriously happy over riding the rides and playing the games and daydreaming about my own daughter laughing or being scared of the giant Chuck E Cheese.

Brandi and Khaliah arrived shortly after we did and I observed them in action.  The three of them were so smooth and efficient with their children and I wondered if I too would be able to encourage my child to eat one more bite of her pizza or hot dog before we go play games.  If my daughter would be as well-behaved as their daughters were.  And yes, if my kid would be as cute as theirs.
Graduation, 1994 (!)
Brandi is due with her second baby in May and
I made it!  Six months!  Third trimester here I come!
Drill team camp, 1993
The Seniors at camp - I'm so thankful Brandi shared these pictures with me!
What a difference time makes!
Since my baby isn't here yet, I hijacked my cousin's youngest
so we could match.
The cutest baby cousins in the world!
We're still waiting for the little ones' hair to come in -
our babies don't come with hair, so it's a slow process.
Why Facebook is not the Devil - because you can
steal the most adorable pictures in the world!
Bragging on my family - aren't they gorgeous!!

We chatted and reminisced amidst chasing after kids, changing diapers, getting them to eat and cheering when they made it down the kiddie slide and it was pretty awesome.  It was my first playdate, and while I didn't have a baby of my own to chase after, I'd still call it a success.  It was surreal, but in the best way possible.  I wasn't sure if I totally belonged there, but then I'd get a thump in my belly as if to say yes you do!  Soon enough, *I'm* going to slide down those slides and you're going to cheer for me!

Of course, I fully intend to return to my liquid lunches and stiletto heels as soon as possible - I may begin to embrace this new life but I see no reason to leave behind everything from the past!

Besides, I know I have a ways to go before I'm fully inducted into the Mommy Club because I couldn't handle The Scream Heard Round The World - wait till I tell you about that one!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Brain dump

I tried to post yesterday, I really did.  But it's getting harder for me to function on Mondays because I'm still teaching my 6am yoga class.  Getting up at 4:50 in the morning is starting to become difficult, especially when I have a small person inside of me thumping me at 3 in the morning going *thump* Peanut butter please! *thumpthump* Peanut butter! *thump* I SAID, get up. and get me. some Peanut. Butter!! *thumpthump*

It's all I can do to function at work on Mondays.  I will stop teaching in April, which is only 14 more classes.  The pregnancy app on my phone says I have 115 days left, and that's if I go to my due date which is probably not going to happen (although I'm going to get as close as possible.)  We've begun planning baby showers, we've got plans for baby shopping after the first of the year which is less than two weeks away.  My head is starting to spin and all I can think about is that I haven't finished talking about our trip to Key West and I have to respond to my emails.  Seriously - you know how the big stuff overwhelms you and you start to fixate on the little stuff that doesn't matter that much at all?  Yeah, that's me.

Consider this the brain dump - I apologize in advance if I go a little stream-of-conciousness on you.

While in Key West, we visited the Ernest Hemingway house.  Before going in, we stopped at the cafe next door called The Six-Toed Cat.  Drew and I were very confused but we blew it off, figuring it was just a kitschy, Key West kind of name.  Not so!  Apparently, Ernest Hemingway had a thing for six-toed cats and his estate now breeds them.  There are anywhere from 35-40 cats on his property at all times, many of them polydactyl.

I couldn't get much closer because the guide (right, in the house shoes with socks)
was very protective of the cats.

Speaking of the guide, he was very, um, colorful?  Verbose?  Kitschy?  I don't know why that word is stuck in my head.  Anyway, he was entertaining and I enjoyed the tour.  He knew a lot about Hemingway's life and I felt a little pang of sympathy that so many members of his family were touched by depression and suicide.  The poor man really was a tortured artist.

Hemingway's writing studio - my favorite part of the tour.
I would love to have a space, separate from everyone and everything,
to just create.  How cool would that be!

After the Hemingway house, we made the short walk to the southernmost point and took the obligatory tourist photo.
Much bigger than I thought it would be
One of these days, I'll take cool pictures like this on purpose.
For now, I'll settle for happy accidents.
Apparently, chickens are the adopted bird of Key West.
Like cows in India, it's illegal to harm roosters or chickens and
they just roam freely around the island.
If you eat chicken in Key West, it's been brought in from somewhere else.

The trip was great but more importantly, my brain feels a little lighter.  AND it's a great segue to my next part!

So, I read The Bloggess every day and I love her writing.  I love her sense of humor and anyone who can make a living writing is pretty much my hero so I kind of look up to her too.  Guess what?  A couple of weeks ago they adopted a six-toed cat.  I was all how crazy is that?  Ernest Hemingway liked six-toed cats too and I was just at his house!  I didn't know six-toed cats existed before Key West and now they're everywhere!  Random I know, and you're probably nowhere near as impressed as I am with that coincidence but I'm dumping my brain right now.

But then, she did something really important.  Last Wednesday, as a thank you to her readers she offered 20 $30 Amazon giftcards to the first 20 commenters who were going to be short on Christmas or who weren't going to be able to get their children presents and would have to tell them the truth about Santa.  Naturally, the first 20 were gone instantly but the coolest thing happened.  The 21st person asked for help and the 22nd person said they would take care of the 21st person.  Then more people stepped up, offering to help out.  And more and more.

By yesterday evening, over $22,000 in cash had been donated to people in need, in the form of giftcards, deposits into Paypal accounts, and people even donated dolls and doll clothes and one 9th grader was gifted an iPad to give to her mother.  And I got to be a part of it!  I commented, offering to donate and Saturday morning I got my person's email address.  I bought an Amazon giftcard and emailed it, and I've never felt better.  I got to be a part of a movement y'all! Well, Drew and I both did because we have a joint checking account - WE were part of a movement!

Read the post, read the comments, cry your eyes out and get warm and fuzzy that a regular person did this and regular people responded and know that that's a straight-up Christmas miracle.

We leave tomorrow to go to my parent's house for Christmas and I'm so excited!  We didn't get a tree or anything this year because we're saving it all for next year, and plus I'm too tired to put in the decorating effort - you saw how I went to work last week.  I'm doing good to shower.

Even though the baby will only be um, what, eight months old?  something like that? I've already told Drew that I want to go all out.  I want lights on the house, a Christmas tree on every surface, and we're sending out Christmas cards.  All the ones we've received are displayed prominently on our mantle and it's kind of exciting to think that our Christmas card will be on someone else's mantle next year!  So we're conserving our energy this year - that's what I'm telling myself.

I feel so much better now!  Thanks for that!

Friday, December 17, 2010

If you could see me now

I hatehatehate that I left my camera at home today because you have GOT to see how I look!  Say it with me now:  HOT. DAMN. MESS.  Wait, my boss just left for the day, let me see what I can do with my phone.  I'm sure Jana will help me!
No makeup, ratty ass hair, jeans too long.
And I'm the first thing people see when they come to our office.
Whatchu know about some compression hose?
I'm making do with the Walgreen's brand until
my fancy ones come in.
Yeah, I could probably stand up straight and arrange myself
all pretty and strike a pose but it's way more fun this way.

I'm kind of glad my mom doesn't regularly read my blog because she would be all Desiree!  I can't believe you, girl!  At least put on some blush!  And stand up straight, my goodness!  You look like a Ubangie!  I never knew what a Ubangie was but that's her favorite catch-all word.

But this was the best I could do.  I didn't twist my hair after I washed it so it's kind of stringy looking.  And I taught yoga last night so it's kind of fuzzy.  And I chose to sleep instead of put makeup on this morning.  And now I'm questioning whether or not I should have taken and posted those pictures, but I have integrity and I will not take this down just because I don't look like Miss America.

But I WILL dig up an old picture to soothe myself - that's not against the rules.  And now I'm mad again because the site won't let me copy the picture.  All right, I'll just find another one.
Talk about a throwback!
I think I was 26 or 27 and I had braces so my sexy pout was a little jacked.

Okay, I feel better now.  I was there once, I will get there again.  I've only gained 13 pounds so far, and while everyone says you blow up like a beached whale in your last trimester, I'm confident that whatever weight I gain I will be able to lose it in a healthy manner.  Besides, Agent S has strict instructions, along with all of her other instructions:  Whatever you bring, you are to take with you when you leave.  All the water weight, the saddlebags, the extra blood - take it with you when you leave, chick!  I sure as hell don't need it!  She just kicked me.  I'm taking that to mean Okay Mom!  Will do!

Thankfully, with the exception of the belly, my body is still recognizable - I mean, if you don't count the giant black National Geographic Africa nipples - where in the Hell did those come from?  I often stand naked in front of the mirror and just look at myself.  My body is changing and preparing and it's happening on a daily basis!  I'm amazed at what my body is doing and I'm proud.  And yeah, it sounds really crunchy and granola and hippie but I'm so proud to be a woman.  I'm so proud to have the strength to have gone through loss and heartache and pain to have the honor of standing here now, being allowed to participate in this experience.  It's pretty damn cool.  Okay, enough of that.

*coming down from female empowerment land*

Side note:  Our office supply guy stopped in yesterday to give us our thanks-for-your-business Christmas candy.  I asked him what they were doing for Christmas and he said it was his twin boys' first Christmas.  I was all awww and then we chatted more and then I said I was pregnant and then he was all awww.  I asked if twins ran in his family and he said no, they did IVF.  Four tries.  And I know looks mean nothing, but this guy is gorgeous.  Fit, tan, great personality, loves his wife - he talks about her all the time.  He's the type of guy you look at and just know that he's got it all.  But I saw the flicker of pain in his eyes when he talked about the testing and failures but then came the joy when he talked about his boys.  Then I ended up telling him about me and our troubles and we totally bonded over our struggles to become parents.  It was a bittersweet moment and it just reminded me that we all have our struggles, we all have our burdens and we're all just trying to bear them with grace.  And sometimes we get a reprieve from the pain and we get to turn our faces to the sun and for that I'm so very thankful.

Now, as thankful as I am I do have a bit of a pressing problem:  My clothes don't fit!  I've never had this much trouble dressing myself and as impressed with my changing body as I am, I highly doubt that anyone else cares to behold my womanly girth in all its naked glory.

However, I'm not too surprised.  My shoes and clothes are not very accommodating - I have lots of shoes, and I think 80% of them are  3- and 4-inch heels, which means I can't wear 80% of my shoes.  The majority of my closet is fitted, tailored, hugs-the-curves type stuff because flowy stuff always got on my nerves.  I'm not really a ruffles and lace kind of girl and I don't understand the point of extra fabric.  I prefer pencil skirts over full ones, fitted shirts over poet blouses, and anything 'slim cut.'  Unfortunately, this means I can no longer wear about 90% of my closet.  The result of that is the above picture.  Not the bikini one.  Higher up.  The hot mess one.

I'm strugglin y'all.

I've been studying All Things G&D for maternity fashion advice because I'm super clueless and I'm really trying not to spend a ton of money on maternity clothes.  I'd like to get regular clothes in larger sizes as opposed to full out maternity wear so I can get some wear out of it once Agent S is on the outside.  So in order to avoid more incidences like today, I'm biting the bullet and going shopping tomorrow to get some respectable clothing.

Because this shit is ridiculous.  I seriously can't believe I left the house like this today.  And then took pictures and wrote about it and put it up on the web for everyone to see.

That's a mess.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Rent the runway - take 2

I've got some energy today!  Not much, but it's more than yesterday so it counts.  Even though I had to order my compression hose today and even though a lady in my office told me I really look pregnant today - not in the nice way - at least I've got some pep in my fingers for some storytelling.  And it's thanks to you once again!  You guys are my juice, my mojo and every time you leave me such beautiful thoughtful comments I just want to give you big squishy rib-crushing hugs.  But I'm totally calling you out GG!  How are you going to leave me the most awesome comment ever in the world and then not even have an email address so I can respond with the internet equivalent of a squishy hug!  Come on now!  I mean, unless you want to remain anonymous in which case that's totally fine by me.  I just want you to know how awesome you are, that's all.

Okay, SO!   Rent the Runway - it was a bust the last time.  The dresses were way too small and I ended up having to 'rent' a dress from Macy's at the last minute.  However, they were very prompt in issuing my refund and gave me 10% off my next order and apologized profusely, so I didn't hold a grudge.  If someone apologizes well, accept it and move the hell on.  Holding grudges makes you ugly.

And that's what I did.  With all forgiven, I went back to Rent the Runway to pick a dress for my office Christmas party that was last Saturday.  I had my eye on a particular dress and I learned from my past mistakes.  This time I chatted with their stylist and told her that I was pregnant and wanted to make sure that the dress I had my eye on was indeed 'bump friendly.' They've since changed their website and you can no longer copy pictures (I was going to give them credit!) and they no longer have a 'bump friendly' section.  You have to type 'bump friendly' into the search bar and it gives you their picks, some of which I'm positive a non-pregnant person chose.  But, they had the dress I wanted in my new, bigger size so I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

Once again, it arrived right on time and when I got home from work Friday night, I did a trial run.
There was a lot of fabric and it looked like a giant skirt.
I was surprised to find that this wasn't connected.
It didn't say that on the site and I didn't even think to ask -
'so, does the dress require assembly?'
I think the Christmas socks are what makes the outfit.
Okay fine, I'll ditch the socks and try it with my shoes.
While doing my best Dracula impression.
There might have been some Zorro impressions
going on as well.  Hands down, this was the most FUN dress I've ever worn!
I'm just sayin
Okay, that's what it looked like for real.
It was a little longer than the website would have you to believe,
but I was okay with that.

I wanted to do a smooth pompadour/ponytail type-thing, but I had cleaned the house from top to bottom all day Saturday and had no energy for hair so I did a messy ponytail, piled on the mostly pink makeup, threw on some hoop earrings and called it good.  I don't like messy updos of any kind, but I gave myself a pregnant pass.
My awesome co-worker Jana.  The room was super dark
and my camera super sucks.  Sorry bout that.
They had a photo booth complete with cheesy accessories.
I should have kept my Christmas socks - with the hat AND the socks
I would have been so money!!
Attempt #1 at a picture of us
Come ON babe, DAMN!

Drew was a total trooper - he'd just gotten home a couple of hours before and didn't really want to go.  He went straight to Vegas from Key West and hadn't been home for two weeks!  Poor thing, but he rallied and put on a pink shirt for me so we could look like we were going to prom.  I'd told everyone about him and I loved showing him off!  It was a lot of fun to see everyone out of their work clothes and having a good time and the hotel was so beautiful!  The food was good, the music was just cheesy enough and it was all very office-party appropriate.  We had a really great time and I had just enough energy to be social, although both of us slept super late the next day and my back and feet were KILLING me from my shoes!  I hobbled around most of the next day but it was totally worth it - I got tons of compliments on my dress AND my husband so it was a total success.

I don't have any more fancy events to go to while pregnant so I won't get to try RTR out again but maybe when I'm skinny again I'll try some of their regular dresses.  It really is a pretty sweet deal - as long as you ask tons of questions before renting!
  "Baby, take one more picture."
"Ugh, can't we just leave."
"Come ON, it's for my BLOG!"

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Display Page count in ASP.NET GridView

Continuing my ASP.NET GridView Tips and Tricks series, this post shows how to display the page count in an ASP.NET GridView control

In one of our previous articles, we saw how to Highlight the current page in an ASP.NET GridView pager. Let us extend the example, to show the page count too.

The first step is to set the ShowFooter property to true and add a RowDataBound event to the GridView, as shown below

Next write the following code in the GridView_RowDataBound event

protected void GridView1_RowDataBound(object sender,
GridViewRowEventArgs e)
if (e.Row.RowType == DataControlRowType.Footer)
e.Row.Cells[0].Text = (GridView1.PageIndex + 1) + " of "
+ GridView1.PageCount;

That’s it. View the GridView control and you should see the page count visible as shown below

Will you give this article a +1 ? Thanks in advance

About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal
Suprotim Agarwal, ASP.NET Architecture MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional) works as an Architect Consultant and provides consultancy on how to design and develop Web applications.

Suprotim is also the founder and primary contributor to DevCurry, DotNetCurry and SQLServerCurry. He is the Editor of a Developer Magazine called DNC Magazine. He has also written two EBooks 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls. and The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook

Follow him on twitter @suprotimagarwal

Anonymous said...

Very good article. Keep up the good work.

kk said...

ok nice


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Morning Minutes: April 6

Word of the Day

Dilettante DIL-i-tahnt (noun) A lover of an art or science, especially of a fine art - dictionary.com

Website of the Day

The Olympic Games Countdown

See how many days (and minutes and seconds) are left until the next summer and winter Olympic Games.

Number to Know

13: Number of nations that competed in the first modern Olympic Games.

This Day in History

April 6, 1896: The opening day of the first modern Olympic Games is held in Athens, Greece.

Today's Featured Birthday

Actor Zach Braff (38)

Daily Quote

"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." - Nelson Madela


text:
Diabetes Forecast

The Healthy Living Magazine

Helping Asian Americans Avoid Gestational Diabetes

Latha Palaniappan studies tailoring treatment for different Asian groups

Latha Palaniappan, MD

Photograph by Robert Houser

Latha Palaniappan, MD

Occupation: Epidemiologist, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, Calif.
Focus: Gestational Diabetes
ADA Research Funding: Clinical Translational Award

Gestational diabetes, or diabetes that begins during pregnancy, affects almost 200,000 U.S. women each year. It’s one of the most common complications of pregnancy. Yet because of its seemingly temporary nature—the condition may disappear within hours of giving birth as the body’s hormones settle down from the tumult of pregnancy—it can get short shrift in the discussion about preventing and managing diabetes.

There’s no doubt gestational diabetes, left uncontrolled, is bad for babies. It can lead to macrosomia, a scientific term for “large body.” Macrosomic babies are often over 10 pounds at birth. “That can lead to various metabolic abnormalities, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease for moms and babies,” says Latha Palaniappan, MD, an epidemiologist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in California. Birthing a bigger baby can lead to shoulder dislocations for the newborns, as well as more stillbirths.

Big babies are also health risks for moms. Macrosomia means more cesarean sections, more vaginal tears, and a greater risk of hemorrhaging. For moms, the metabolic effects of gestational diabetes can be long-lasting: By some estimates, fully half of women who experience gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2.

The causes of gestational diabetes are still not clear. Pregnancy leads to hormonal changes that can increase glucose levels and prompt the body to store more fat. At the same time, insulin production increases, unless the pancreas is unable to meet insulin requirements, as in diabetes. And finally, some researchers think the placenta might have something to do with insulin resistance, making the body less responsive to the signals insulin is communicating.

Pregnant women are screened for gestational diabetes using an oral glucose tolerance test, usually between their 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. About 5 in 100 come back with a positive result, Palaniappan says. Genetics, obesity, and prediabetes can increase the risks.

So, it seems, can ethnicity. Asian Americans, in particular, have high rates of gestational diabetes. The statistics are dramatic: 15 percent of one Asian group Palaniappan studied developed gestational diabetes, triple the rate for non-Hispanic whites, she says. “Asians, when you aggregate them, have higher rates of gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites,” she adds. “Yet from my clinical experience, Asian American mothers are not aware they’re at higher risk.”

The term “Asian” is a major oversimplification. Many U.S. census forms draw no distinctions among Asian American groups. People of Chinese descent check the same box as ethnic Filipinos, for example. That means that when it comes to gestational diabetes, there may actually be significant ethnic differences that are overlooked.

In a recent study, Palaniappan found that women of Vietnamese descent were three times as likely to have gestational diabetes as Japanese American women. “Asians are often lumped together, but some groups are at much, much higher risk,” she says.

The findings have prompted Palaniappan to delve deeper, in the hopes of tailoring treatment for gestational diabetes to specific populations. With the help of a grant from the American Diabetes Association, she’s using electronic health records from California to look at how gestational diabetes affects different ethnic groups.

The data are stripped of all personal information. But she’s able to mine the data for information on everything from smoking and weight gain during pregnancy to birth weight and later issues, including type 2 diabetes. That way, Palaniappan can study thousands of patients. “It gives us a way to target high-risk groups and create culturally competent interventions,” she says.

Palaniappan’s findings are already highlighting places where blanket recommendations for things such as weight gain during pregnancy and even body mass index (a ratio of weight to height that is a rough measure of body fat) might be steering Asian patients wrong. Take the typical weight-gain recommended for normal-weight women in pregnancy: 25 to 30 pounds. It might be too high for some Asian groups, putting them at greater risk for gestational diabetes. “It’s important to make sure weight gain follows medical recommendations, but Asians may benefit from lower weight gain,” Palaniappan says.

For now, Palaniappan recommends that pregnant women discuss ways to manage gestational diabetes, such as eating plans and exercise, with their doctor. The basic message actually applies to everyone, not just women with gestational diabetes: “Avoid refined sugars, eat more whole grains, and eat whole fruits and vegetables instead of drinking juice,” Palaniappan says.

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Recipe of the Week: Colorful vegetable casserole

Getting more colorful vegetables on your plate not only makes food easier to see, but ups your intake of an important variety of vitamins, minerals, and other healthful plant substances. Feel free to vary some of the vegetables and seasonings in this casserole to your liking.

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