Maysagne Extravagane Part II

A little wikipedia knowledge for the lay people...But, first, I would have to say it was an intense night at the lasagna cook off. We had some name calling and possibility of recipe sabotage earlier this week. Doors and windows were locked. A guard dog was rented for the week to protect the age old recipes.
Second, we came together with a peaceful attitude and ceased the intense aggressiveness which was brought on earlier this past week. The portions were stacked and the eating commenced. I loved it. And now wikipedia...
The word "lasagna" is derived from the Greek word "lasanon" meaning chamber pot. The word was later borrowed by the Romans as "lasanum" to mean cooking pot. The Italians then used the word to refer to the dish in which what is now known as lasagna is made. The word lasagna or lasagne (plural) now simply applies to the food itself.[4] The British (and Italians) generally use the plural "lasagne" to mean both the dish and the pasta while the Americans commonly use the singular "lasagna".

Monster Truck Action

The three of us attended Monster Truck racing and freestyle on Sunday...without earplugs, unfortunately. Our favorite truck was called "Grave Digger" who managed to drive into, over the top of and over the edge of a car sitting in the middle of the speedway (pictured above). The closer the kicked up scrap metal flew toward the audience, the more the crowd cheered. I'm not sure we really got it. It was unclear to us what was supposed to be "impressive" about what the trucks did, I guess.

NYC

Daniel and I were in New York visiting my brother Johnny. We loved it...how could you not have fun in New York with a brother named "Johnny!" It was Daniel's first time...he wishes he "knew about that place earlier." We walked for miles and ate Greek food in Asoria. Our favorite part of the trip was hearing about Johnny's seminar in which teachers learned to use popular media in the classroom. A female co-worker held up an US Weekly and discussed its educational value in a long, boring presentation. At the end, teachers asked questions. Johnny raised his hand and asked, "are you serious? Jake Gyllenhal and Reese Witherspoon are dating??? When did that happen?"

Its a boy...

Heddy and I went to the hospital for another check up, this visit was a diagnostic ultrasound. The results of the fetus was a healthy little "boy". Heddy could not contain herself and I believe people across the street could hear her voice belting "its a boy". The tears rolled down our faces and we held each others hand, loving this moment.

I am now 15 weeks pregnant with the Stumpola. My pregnancy book advises women that this is a good time to begin informing and educating siblings about the birth of the new baby. I read that and immediately thought to myself, "Polly, Johnny and Ashley are just fine about the Stumps. Is this really necessary...JEEZ!"
Ummm...earth to Heddy.

Moto-Cross and Orchid Festival

Daniel, Stumpy and Heddy were, perhaps, the only three Bay Area residents to attend both the Freestyle MotoCross Competition in Oakland followed by the Pacific Orchid Show at Fort Mason. Among other "onlys" was Daniel's Mini in the parking lot at Oracle Arena at the Motocross show where monster trucks were ubiquitous. Though we had hard time focusing on the competition as it was virtually impossible to look away from the Yosemite Sam beard on Cowboy Andy, there was a Canadian superstar who flipped in the air, arms off the handlebars and landed perfectly. We learned that he's single and has a My Space Account.

Webcast Wedding

On 2/17/2007 Heddy and I watched my sister marry Jason Buell. The wedding was on a webcast from the "Zubas" household in Rockford, IL. Heddy did wake up early for the event with a little tug-pull on my part and the "Stumps" had no problem with the early morning (perhaps the Stumper is taking daddy's personality). The wedding was beautiful. Jason and Liza looked wonderful and we were glad to be part of the event.
Love you.

The Beat of the Stump

So Daniel and I met our new OBGYN at UCSF where she answered questions and discussed tests we'll need to take to find out more about the Stumpers. Since we're not Ashkenazi Jews, for instance, the Stumps is unlikely to have cystic fibrosis or spinal bifida. As a non Asian-Pacific Islander, Stumps has less risk of asthma too. According to the fetal heart rate monitor, Stumps is healthy with a heart rate of 200 beats per minute. Dr. Wiener couldn't find the little guy as he was bumping around my belly rebounding off my uterus walls. Maybe he's excited because he can finally urinate. Go Stumps!
We are in the process of exposing Stumpy to a full range of cultural activiites. We saw Kodo drumming in Berkeley last week, we'll be attending the ballet in the spring, and...on the lower end of the spectrum...moto cross in Hayward this Saturday and derby girls in three weeks are lined up. I've only gained four pounds but Daniel's convinced we need to make a trip to Pea in the Pod. Go figure. Or...at least...my figure's about to go!

V Day

I love you all and would like to share this painfully true exchange:
Me: You know tomorrow's V day.
Daniel: That's my day.
Me: Mine too. Our day.
Daniel: You weren't in the military.
Me: What are you talking about?
Daniel: Veteran's Day.
Me: Tomorrow's Valentine's Day silly!

Grisagne

Today marks the completion of our first annual "Grisales Lasagne Bake Off" affectionately dubbed, the "Grisagne Showcase Showdown." Judges include notorious supertaster, Daniel A. Grisales and celebrity iron chef, Heddy Farmer Grisales. The happy couple judged the Italian casseroles while watching a Tivoed history channel documentary called The Bolivian Death Road, Devil's Highway of Hairpin Turns. Needless to say, life is good, if dorky(!), for the Grisales family. Sweet baby stumpy is now three inches long and has fingerprints!
Booyah! Love to you all and thanks again for making our wedding special, love-filled and beautiful.