Yesterday I finished a final paper for my health policy elective class. The hot topic I selected for my paper’s discussion was based on relationship between caregiving, longterm care, and the inevitable aging population of baby boomers. Many research articles I’ve read have claimed that there has been a decline in baby making. Well, I beg to differ!

Today I attended my 4th baby shower of the year. Yes, the year … and it’s barely March! My dear friend Alysce is expecting her first girl, Kalia, this April. Alongside her these lovely ladies are expecting their first borns as well.

Angela Czaplicki just delivered her first baby girl, Emilyn, a few days ago
Christy Trunnell is expecting baby girl Caitlyn anytime now! (March)
Ate Ervy is expecting twin boys in late March/April
Ate Liza is expecting baby girl Vanessa in May
Julie (Anderlik) Guiterrez is expecting baby girl Kailey in May
Jessica Novicio is expecting baby girl Cali this June
Minerva is expecting a baby boy this June/July
Jen Hosana is expecting her first baby boy this summer (July?)
Melissa Castle is expecting her first baby (sex not yet known) this August

And a few days ago, my Ate Beverly just announced that she’s pregnant with her second baby!

I don’t know what’s in the water these days, but one thing’s for sure: It’s Baby Fever! (And it’s alot of girls, so far, hehe)

And don’t be asking me about any baby fever! I’m in school remember

Anyways, here are some pictures from Alysce’s baby shower

from Kim’s (one of the RN’s) bakeshop in Orange County. Her cakes are to diiiie for!

i love this “diaper cake”

When your coworkers throw you a baby shower and they’re all NICU RNs, then YOU KNOW that your breastfeeding and lactation issues are all covered!

angie, alysce and me
angie was 1 of the 4 in my new grad group (July 05).
She moved to UCLA’s NICU later on. It was sooooo great to see her!!

And since we’re on the topic of babies and I’m really late on these.. Here’s some of my niece Khayla from her 1st birthday!! She’s the 1st baby I’ve witnessed to actually ENJOY an astrojump!

Although all of these movies are highly recommended, I’d have to say that Marley & Me hit right close to home. I think I cried throughout most parts of this movie because of my own personal experiences with my past dogs, Cookie and Stitch. Cookie, reminded me so much of Marley! And I know alot of my old friends and family that knew her could definitely relate (especially Robert & Carlo, I’m remembering a time when we were playing basketball and Cookie decided to play, haha… or the other times when Cookie would literally dance with us).

I miss that dog and Stitch so much and I’ll never forget them or the life lessons they taught me while growing up. I wouldn’t expect anyone to understand the bond between a dog and his/her owner unless you were a true “dog love” yourself. But I will say this: The fondest memories of Cookie and Stitch have been the moments when I’d shut the world out and bury myself underneath the bed covers. Although they possesed only animal instincts, they knew how to find their way through the sheets, and plop their warm bodies right next to mine as if to comfort me. Whether I turned my back on the world or the world turned it’s back on me, I never felt like I was ever alone… With that being said, I’ll leave you with this… a quote from the movie, Marley & Me…

I finally stopped trippin‘ on my youth
I finally got lost inside of you
I finally know that I needed to grow
And finally my mate has met my soul…

Finally,
Now my destiny can begin
Though we will have our differences
Something strange and new is happening..
Finally,
Now my life doesn’t seem so bad,
It’s the best that I ever had,
give my love to him finally…” -Fergie

On 10.06.07, I married my best friend. A year later, I found myself awake bright and early in preparation for a job interview at CHOC. Ron was already at school for the day and I couldnt help but look at the clock and reminisce the motions and emotions I went through during the exact same time last year. We were all getting our hair and makeup done at this time, and I was in desperate need of a razor to shave my legs! Okay, and every girl needs to go down in groups of 2 or 3 to get free breakfast at the hotel restaurant.. we cant make it obvious that we had 11 people in the room! Hmm, I wonder what we’re going to eat for lunch? WHERE is the wedding planner?! OMG, you started your period?! Damn mother nature!! Hmm, i wonder what the guys are doing… *sigh* The year aged memories seriously felt as if they were just yesterday…

It’s crazy to think how fast a year went. For our honeymoon we went jammin‘ in Jamaica and upon returning to the US, both applied to Grad Schools. In December we visited New York for the first time, only to receive a surprise email from one of Rachael Ray’s producers which eventually led us back to New York to perform our wedding dance on national TV! We were also interviewed and debuted on Balitang America for the Rachael Ray experience. In late February, we both found out that we got accepted into our first choice graduate programs. During the months of March and April we both worked HARD and non stop overtime to pay off our credit card bills from the wedding which amouted to just about $30,000. By the end of April, all credit cards were paid off!!! (HUUUUGE RELIEF! and yes! if we could do it, so could you!) As a reward to ourselves for the hard work paid off, we went on a mini get away to Santa Barbara for a wine tasting experience. In June we planned one last hooorah before grad school in the Big Island of Hawaii and in August we made a spontaneous decision to drive to San Francisco for a day. Our days now are filled with school, school, and oh yes, more school for the next two years.

Four of our loved ones had weddings we attended to this year and we mourned the passing of our dog Stitch, Lolo Roding and Che Still. This year also marked a celebration of youth as I partied it up with with my Throwback 25th: 80s style! Ron and I also retired our old cars and got newer, more reliable vehicles. And we both parted ways from UCI Medical Center upon returning to school.

Last weekend, my parents treated us out to Ruth Chris for some pre anniversary fine dining.

We spent our 1st anniversary together having a quiet dinner, indulging in our wedding cake (for tradition’s sake!) that the Great Dane bakery presented us with as a 1 year gift, and watching our wedding dvd. And despite all that has happened this year, it still feels like only yesterday…

1st year compliments of the Great Dane bakery.
Our wedding cake top layer!
Below is a picture of our actual wedding cake!

JUST A SIDE NOTE: since i live for and value traditions….

“The one-year anniversary is the final rite of incorporation that closes the circle of the wedding journey. What began with the proposal or the decision to marry now comes to completion with this final rite. In our culture, the act of incorporation is materially symbolized by eating the leftover wedding cake.

The tradition instructs the bride and groom to freeze the top layer of the cake so that it can be eaten on the one-year anniversary. The ritual of eating is a primary rite of incorporation in nearly every culture around the world. Partaking of the cake that was baked a year before is a way to bring the year into the body, come full circle, and complete a process that began with the engagement.”

Fortunately for us, the bakery we chose, The Great Dane (highly recommend them by the way!) offered to bake us the top layer of our wedding cake as a gift for our 1st year! Same flavors and everything! Sure beats year old frozen cake!

“He makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up… just one touch..” _ Neyo

Ron, from the jitters of cold feet to wedding rings, I am very fortunate to have you in my life. You have been the shouldar to cry on, the antidote to my venom, the tickle to my fancy, and yes, the wind beneath my wings. You’ve enabled me to believe in second chances and search for the good in all people. And when times do get rough and hurtful, just you being there assures me more than enough that everything’s going to be alright. I know I could survive anything because of you… You have been that blessing in my life, and I thank God everyday for allowing us to cross paths. I’m looking forward to the next 50 years and then some! I love you with all my heart! My sexy love….

just me,
your wifey kristine

what’s an anniversary without a lil somethin‘ somethin‘ ?!

“You and me together
Through the days and nights
I dont worry cause
Everythings gonna be alright
People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything’s gonna be alright
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you…”
- Alicia Keys

* On another side note: CHOC called me the very next day after my interview offering me the per diem breaker position! Sooo excited for the short flexible hours!

[[sound trippin' to ]] Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat: Lucky

Ron has only been in school for a week and I’ve already lost him…

I remember back during our very first club outing at Desert Rain. My friends met up with his friends at Casino Morongo and before we knew it, we were getting down on the dance floor! Ron, being far from a shy guy, was trying to impress me with his dance moves. Well it worked and I was immensely captivated. His interpretation of the body roll was smooth, but oh so awkward. He was trying though, making love to the beat but I couldn’t stop giggling at how funny, I mean cute it was!

But hey! That dance trick did catch my attention, as well as one of Rachael Ray’s associate producers! So yes, ladies and gentlemen, my husband is super cool with his signature dance move: the body roll. Hollllllla!

Now, the music has changed. That stage stealing mistress of his, “Annie Sthesia,” has already seduced him into routine and she’s made it very clear that only two can tango. So for now, Ron’s dance card is full. It’s been somewhat of a difficult transition, having him gone five days a week, when we were so use to having four days off from our working schedule.

We’ve had a few fights and quarrels during the adjustment, none of which lasted that long obviously. You see, I’ve always believed that God works in mysterious ways. At the end of the week, He reminded me of how “lucky” I am when Angela (mommy to be!) posted this song up.

“They don’t know how long it takes,
Waiting for a love like this,
Every time we say goodbye,
I wish we had one more kiss,
I’ll wait for you I promise you, I will.

I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend,
Lucky to have been where I have been,
Lucky to be coming home again,
I’m lucky we’re in love in every way,
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed,
Lucky to be coming home someday”.

Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat: Lucky

So Miss Annie Sthesia, I’ll let you cut in for this dance. But come August 2010, just like JT brought Sexy Back, Ronald Rea Tolentino Atienza is bringing the body roll back!

Side note: I can’t believe that 11 months ago Ron and I were pronounced “Man & Wife.” Time has slipped right through our fingers!