Danger Natividad

If we have a boy, I'm seriously thinking of naming him "Danger". We'd call him "Dan" for short or "Danny Boy" when he's little. It started out as a joke between Carrie and I, but its starting to grow on me. Danger Natividad. Think about it.

It's a girl!

Or a boy! We don't know. Carrie and I are actually debating whether or not we should find out during our next ultrasound.

After the first ultrasound, I could have cared less about the gender of the baby. I just want a healthy, happy child. Although, that was the thought until Richie called to congratulate. He says, "Awesome, now Ashton will have a hot filipino/chinese/white girlfriend in high school".

A cold sweat came over my body.

My kid isn't even born yet. We don't even know the gender, but the thought of my baby daughter dating anyone scared the shit out of me. Cause lets face it, when you have a boy, you worry about one penis. With a girl, you worry about all the penises in the world. I didn't sleep that night.I checked and double checked the online Chinese baby gender predictor charts. I tried to remember what position we were in when we conceived. I woke Carrie up in the middle of the night and asked her "are you craving salty or sweet foods?"

My only consolation is the ultrasound is several months before the due date. That should give me enough time to apply for a gun license.

Baby's first OB appointment

The day before our prenatal appointment Carrie says "you know they stick this thing in my thing, right?".

Unfortunately, not much can prepare a man for his first Ob/Gyn appointment.

I was expecting to have my arm around my wife's shoulder, being the supportive husband as the doc scans her belly. Both of us nodding attentively as the doc explains how this cute little gray speck on the screen is our kids fingers and how this cute little speck is his little button nose. Both of us in awe of and inspired by the wonders of baby making. In truth there isn't much inspiring about the Ob office. I guess I'm expecting everyone to be just as psyched as we are: giving us huge smiles, knowing nods and high fives. What we got was a bunch of people in pajamas waiting for their lunch break.

You have to admit that the husband is definitely the forgotten party at the OB/Gyn office. When you're in the waiting room and they call your wife's name, they're just calling for your wife, not you. That's right, fake stretch as you sit back down buddy. The whole appointment is like this. When instructions were given by the doc or nurse, they looked at Carrie and never me. The fact that I'm half the reason why we were there is treated with the same sterility as a lab test. For our next kid i'm charging Carrie a co-pay for successful implantation.

At least the reading material was interesting. Brochure after brochure of why you shouldn't smoke crack when you're pregnant, or shoot heroin when you're pregnant, or do some other drug when you're pregnant. The marketer in me began to think "what demographic am I in?" and who at the brochure shop visualized a mom-to-be saying "I know I can't have lunch meat, sushi, hot dogs, and.....wait a minute....I can't smoke crack? Good thing I ran into this brochure at my prenatal visit". I think the medical community's biggest crutch is the tri-fold brochure. Have 5 health problems? Walk out with 5 brochures. But I digress. When you finally get to the exam room, the only place to sit is on your wife's neatly folded clothes next to the metal ducks. Then you think, "she doesn't fold clothes this neatly at home".

The exam rooms are roughly the size of an office cubicle. Add in a doc, nurse, mother to be, sperm donor and a stack of nicely folded clothes, and the new guy is left to struggle to find an appropriate viewing spot let alone try to be all supportive and shit by holding hands with the wife.

After the breast exam (awkward), the doc puts a "thing" on the "thing" that they're going to stick in Carrie's "thing".

Then the doc makes it disappear.

Almost immediately you hear a sound I can only describe as a window shutter slowly hitting an underwater house repeatedly. And all that shit you had to get through to hear it doesn't matter anymore. Even though you're sitting on the other side of the room on your wife's nicely folded clothes, there is nothing more clear or astonishing then the first time you hear your kid's heartbeat. It hits you that you and your wife are in for a wonderful adventure together. And you hope the doctor has a brochure for this.

update:I have to clarify that since the first appointment, our doc and the nurses have been nothing short of spectacular. Eye contact with the husband, warming of the hands (you know what I'm talking about), and overall being attentive, assertive, flexible, humorous and awesome.

The waiting game

I downloaded an app to chart my wife's ovulation.

Its on my work phone so the IT dept knows when my wife's last period was. They also know when she's most fertile.

Scary thought.

Clue #4

The traditional gift have you guessed
But my gift is not like the rest
It’s a modern take
On the paper keepsake
To you I'll give at your request

First Round of Wedding Pics

First Round of Wedding Pics..
Stay Tuned.
pictures by Red Carpet Studios

In case you were wondering where Joan and Justin were during the Wedding..

She's super late but here's our fifth flower girl: 

Ellie Rey Natividad Arthur!

Born 9/27/09

Almost 9 pounds!!!

Ellie is Joan and Justin's second child. If she's anything like her mom I feel sorry for her big brother Tyler. (BTW: Joan's my little sister who couldn't make the wedding cause she had "better things to do")

Sidenote: Of the peeps we invited to the wedding, (off the top of my head) 8 babies were born within a few weeks of the wedding. In other words, my friends don't ski or snowboard much in November, December, or January.

FAQs for YOUs

Where do I stay? Click here
How do I request Karaoke song? Click here
Do you have a Gift registry? Click here
Where do I Park and what is a RECEPTION QUEST? Click here

How do I get to the wedding?
Directions:
Getting to Morris Chapel from I-5 heading North (from Bay Area) : Click here

North on i-5

Exit Pershing Ave

Right on Harding Way

Left as Pacific Ave

Left on Knoles Way

Right at deadend

Getting to Morris Chapel from I-5 heading South (from Sacramento) : Click here

South on I-5

Take exit 476 for March Lane

Left at W. March Lane

Right at Pacific Ave

Right at Knoles Way

Take Right at deadend

Where to Park and the RECEPTION QUEST!

Info on Parking:

Once you get on campus you will see directional signs for "Morris Chapel Parking". We highly encourage you to follow these signs. The signs will lead you to a parking lot in between the Chapel and the reception site. When you get to Morris Chapel, you will notice that there's a parking lot smack dab right next to the chapel. Resist the urge to park in these spots. Keep your eyes on the signs. We strongly urge you to not park next to the Chapel for a few reasons.

1. Distance-wise the reception site (DeRosa University Center) is 2 blocks from the Chapel but you have to walk through campus. During the day its a beautiful walk from the Center to the Chapel and vice versa. At night (after the reception) the walk is similar to the maze at the end of "The Shining". Unless you have "the shine" I wouldn't risk it. Plus you'll be drinking. For this reason it makes more sense to park in the lot between the chapel and the reception site. This lot is much easier to find after a night of Bud Lights and complaining about Franks ability to receive telepathic messages from Scatman Crothers.
2. For those who require assistance from the Chapel to the reception site, we're providing a golf cart.
3. You do not want to miss out on the "reception quest", do you?

Oh, what's that? I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of how awesome our "reception quest" is going to be. You'll have to speak louder.

Wait....you don't know what a "reception quest" is? Well OK, we'll explain it to you.

A reception quest is a series of clues and puzzles aimed to test your intelligence and endurance while guiding you to the reception site. During a reception quest only the pure of heart will survive. Its a quest designed to maximize action, adventure, and camaraderie on your way to the reception. Its....well the quest is basically a scavenger hunt designed to stall Justin and Brian on their b-line to the open bar.

Seriously though, the "real purpose" of the quest is to share Pacific's beautiful campus and to give our guest something fun to do on the walk to the reception. Carrie has put in so much work in the quest and we want everyone to enjoy it. Originally we were going to make it a surprise (a mini-DaVinci Code in our wedding program). But since I hang out with guys like Gabe and Richie, we realized that everyone might not get to the first clue. So we decided to include the map with the program and give our guest a heads up beforehand. The quest should only take about 10 minutes (30 mins for Gabe and Richie). The map will look something like this:

We would like as many of our guest to take part in the "Reception Quest" so please spread the word before, during and immediately after the wedding about the large amounts of fun you will be having on your way to the reception.

This isn't my first rodeo

With blogs that is.

My nephew and ring bearer, Tyler, left his Lightnening McQueen Car at our house a few months ago. This was the result. Clink on the link if you dare: The Save McQueen Blog

I highly suggest reading the note at the beginning and then read the rest backwards (bottom post first) since the posts go in reverse chronological order. And yes, I made this as a joke for his parents and not for Tyler to read himself.

Registry Info

Carrie was really excited to have the opportunity to register for her own gifts.

Maybe too excited.

Visit our honeymoon registry.

Where Should We Honeymoon?

Carrie and I can't decide. Could this be our first fight? how cute.

Where Should We Honeymoon?

The Good Life

A few years ago in a hotel room in Arizona, I ordered a hamburger and fries from room service. Normally when I'd eat a meal, Huckelberry would be at my feet persuading me to share. But that night I was on a business trip, so I would have the pleasure of watching ESPN and actually having a whole burger to myself for a change.

When I was finished eating, I stretched back with my arms behind my head. I glanced down by my my feet. Little bits of my burger and half of my fries were sitting there on the floor. They were in a nice little pile waiting to be eaten by Huck. As I was cleaning the mess I made, I began to appreciate what an integral part of my life that little fucker had become.

It wasn't always that way, but eventually he would become my best friend. He truly was our best friend. Carrie and I used to get off work early so the three of us could have the dog park all to ourselves. There was a hill at the dog park where you could see everything. We'd let Huck loose and he would slowly roam around sniffing. Periodically he'd look back at me on the hill with an expression on his face that said "this is the good life". And it was. In part because of him I finally came to the realization that my own life, the life I was sharing with my fiancee and our dog, was in fact, "the good life". THIS is the good life.

As I write this I know that a month or a week from now I'll be on the couch, eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. When I'm done, I'll look down and I'll find all the crust of that sandwich on the floor. And he won't be there to eat it.

Huckelberry the Dog
1993 - 2009

Bachelor Party Evite Mad Libs

Gabe sent out an Evite for a weekend getaway him and Frank are throwing for our friends in tahoe. In case you've never used Evite, one cool feature is that when folks rsvp, they also get to comment to the whole group. For stuff and giggles, I thought it would be fun to make a cute little mad libs quiz out of a few of the comments. It also will give you an idea of the type of fine, upstanding men I fraternize with. The actual missing words are found at the end of the quiz. See how many you can guess!!! Come on, it will be fun.

1. "anyone know where i can get a ______?"
2. "since we won't be in vegas, _____ are optional, well maybe not!
3. "______ yeah"
4. "I'll get the _______, guys!"
5. "I'm in for the ______ but not in for the _____. I'm going to stay away from the ______ ____ if Rob K will be ____ing his ________. See you then _____"
6. " ____ on!"
7. "I like the switch to Tahoe, I will be there. I look forward to _____ you all"
8. "In - and not ___ing the ____ _____ that weekend"
9. "I'm going to put my _____ in the _____ _____"
10. "The ______ and ______ ______ make me uneasy"

Answers:

1. Josh Groban CD
2. Shopping at the outlets
3. Oh, my gosh
4. Curlers and nail polish for the make over night
5. sangria, cosmos, sweets for a week, baking, famous texas cake, amigos
6. It is so totally
7. tickling
8. eating, buffet food
9. faith, Lord Jesus Christ
10. advanced math, book club

On second thought, taking out the words in the beginning, probably wasn't a good idea. Can you top the mad libs?

Are you brave enough to stay a night in Stockton?

If you plan on staying in the lovely City of Stockton after the wedding, Carrie has reserved a block of rooms at the Courtyard Marriott.

When making a reservations tell them it's for the Leou-Natividad wedding

Courthyard Marriott

3252 West March Lane

Stockton, CA 95219

(209) 472-9700

Website

Room Block Rates:

One King Bed = $99.00 per room per night plus 10% tax

or

Two Double Beds = $99.00 per room per night plus 10% tax

Directions from Hotel to Wedding:

Marriot to Morris

View Larger Map

OTHER HOTELS IN OUR FINE CITY INCLUDE

Lexington Plaza Waterfront

Hotel

110 W Fremont St

Stockton, CA 95202

(209) 944-1140

http://www.waterfronthotelstockton.com/

Directions from Hotel to Wedding:

Lex to Morris

Hilton Stockton

2323 Grand Canal Blvd

Stockton, CA 95207

(209) 957-9090

Hilton Stockton

Directions from Hotel to Wedding:

Hilton to Morris

Wine and Roses Country Inn

2505 W Turner Rd

Lodi, CA 95242

(209) 334-6988

Wine and Rose Website

Directions from Hotel to Wedding:

Wine and Roses to Morris Chapel

La Quinta Inn - Stockton

2710 W March Ln

Stockton, CA 95219

(209) 952-7800

La Quinta Website

Directions from Hotel to Wedding:

La Q to Morris

Karaoke and the Song List

Ok, here’s the deal. The boss said we can have Karaoke at the wedding reception. Now, before you touch your fingertips together and slowly say “excellent”, there are some ground rules. Because lets face it, there’s a fine line between having Karaoke at your wedding reception and having a “Karaoke wedding reception”. If we don't adhere to the guidelines, our reception will consist of 5 straight hours of ex-sorority girls singing “I Will Survive” intermingled with Richie singing the f-bomb version of “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. 

Now that just can’t happen. Not on Greg's watch.

Sensi Murphy says here are some guidelines:

1. You have to call dibs. To prevent dunk Gabe fighting with drunk Richie for the right to sing “Let Her Cry” by Hootie and the Blowfish, requests to sing can be made before the wedding date. It will also make it easier for our DJ. To call dibs, type your name and song in the comments section or email me or Carrie. First come, first serve. So if you wait till Sept 26th to tell the DJ your tune, most likely he’ll say, “I’m sorry, but “It’s Raining Men’ by the Weathergirls is reserved for Justin Arthur”. But don’t worry; towards the tail end of the night we will open up the singing to everyone who didn’t make a request.
2. Karaoke must be sandwiched between at least three non-karaoke songs.   Otherwise, our first dance will be to Steve rapping “Freaks of the Industry”.
3. What the DJ says, goes. Please don’t fight with him. He has our deposit.
4. Unfortunately, we need to limit the slow songs. We want people to dance while you sing, not make out.

Also, we want your input for the DJ's song list,  so if you want to get down to the “Cha Cha Slide” speak now or forever hold your peace. Again, please use the comments section for your requests. Thanks!

Save the Dates

Some peeps were interested, so here's a post about our "Save the Dates".

Everything was contained in a 3x5 inch Pee-Chee folder.

Inside of the folder were two sets of instructions. On the left, how to play M.A.S.H and on the right, how to use a Cootie Catcher.

"Somebody" originally wanted to include just the cootie catcher. "Somebody else" wanted to also include the MASH card for maximum refrigerator door usage. Also, "Somebody else" didn't realize how hard folding a sh*tload of cootie catchers actually is.

Mad props to our homies Joan, Jennie and Faith.

The MASH pic you see on the top of our blog is a copy of what we included in our S the Ds.

The right side of the folder contained all the Cootie catcher stuff

We originally wanted to go all fancy with the cootie catcher but in the end we decided to keep it playful and super gay. We printed "binder paper" lines with "kid type" fonts on medium stock paper. And no, that's not my handwriting.

In case you were curious: yes, this was all my idea

(don't tell Carrie I said that. Or any of my male friends for that matter)

Guess Who's Getting Married?

Me, dumba$$.

Wow! Whoever is marrying the guy who came up with this is totally lucky. He's probably so sensitive yet super manly at the same time. I can just picture him at the gym working out while reading some sensitive girly type books. What a catch!

Note: the vampire thing is not a subconscious slip that the bride is sucking the life out of the groom. Not at all.

Lets face it, the groom who came up with this is probably marrying

another groom.

(not that anythings wrong with that)

I am not your secret admirer. And yes, you do eat boogers. I've seen you.

And lets be honest, I'm more like your secret stalker.

BTW: you should probably sit farther from your computer screen.

I just care about you. We will be together soon. Sept 26th.