Bundle of Joy

I am pleased to officially announce that Dean and I are expecting! In the USA, public baby announcements are very popular.  I saw many online forums where moms-to-be ask for advice when choosing its most unique form .

I am quite a superstitious person, but in the end, I too succumbed to the desire of sharing pictures of my,quite visible baby bump.

Our little one is scheduled to come into the world at the end of May. I am in the good hands of university hospital doctors. In February a new modern obstetrics ward is scheduled to be opened. It will be within walking distance from our apartment!

We performed all the tests in the framework of a good health insurance. Only the cost for a fairly expensive medicine that helped me ease early pregnancy symptoms, was not covered.

Despite this, the insurance covered comprehensive prenatal tests, that we performed in Bellevue. It turns out that doctors in San Francisco were pleasantly surprised by this, as I have not yet attained the risky age of 35.

I haven’t yet decided whether we are going to have a Baby Shower. So far I am still attached to the superstition that it is still very pleasant to receive gifts after the birth, and not before.

In any case, we all feel great and we are looking forward to the upcoming changes. I just need to learn quickly how to change diapers and get a newborn to sleep. So far, I have signed up for the weekly prenatal yoga classes. The first class was just what I needed and I am looking forward to the next one.

Meanwhile, we're getting ready for the finale of the American football playoffs. On Sunday our favorite Seattle Seahawks have a chance of winning the Super Bowl twice in a row! I have a feeling that that the baby will be rooting with us as well:)

Dear Readers, please keep your fingers crossed!

Oxygen fix at Muir Woods National Park.

Picking Baby's first outfits from Hanah Andersson catalog.

American maternity wisdom says that expecting woman can eat popcorn shamelessly. #checked

                                   

                                       

Good Morning America!

Reveille. Dean gets up early in the morning to get ready for work, prepares breakfast, and I find myself on the couch turning on the TV. Before moving to the USA, I enjoyed waking up with Dzień dobry TVN. Now with my morning coffee, I often watch the Today Show or Good Morning America.

What immediately stands out to me is the energy emanating from the American presenters. Remember, they get up at around four o’clock  in the morning. Nevertheless, they all seem to be so enthusiastic in front of the cameras. No wonder! The most popular anchors are rumored to earn around $ 20 million per year! I was surprised, however, that the popular morning infotainment programs are viewed by around 5 million viewers.

Super-energy beats also from fans who come to New York to see their favorite  presenters and of course to greet their loved ones on air.

TV stations compete in topics. Recently I have seem segments not only on news-items such as the charitable missions of the former US President Jimmy Carter, but also on the homosexual pair that became first time parents thanks to a surrogate- mother. Of course, all kinds of financial, dieting, beauty and lifestyle advice are offered.

In contrast to the programming of Polish breakfast TV, weekdays shows are far more grandiose.  This week I have already seen Anne Hathaway, Martha Stewart and Jennifer Aniston; even the weekday anchors are celebrities. One Tuesday in January, there was even a live wedding ceremony in the GMA studio, which featured brides and grooms competing for the honor. 

Experience it for yourself: 

http://abc.go.com/shows/good-morning-america/listing/2015-01/13-gma-113-bride-groom-tie-the-knot-live-on-gma 

(If you reading outside USA follow the youtube link in the Polish version)

Anything to satisfy the coffee and cereal crowd.

After months of watching American morning television I actually needed to take a break. I understand that the show has its own rules, but after a while having everything so sweet, such talented guests, and some of them, including the anchors, fighting bravely with illnesses was too much for me.

I still occasionally start my day with American TV, but always later during the day I check the internet to see who has recently sat on couches in the morning studios in Warsaw. 

                                                   

H.

Well, we had a great Holiday! So many nice gatherings, delicious meals, fantastic gifts and many European walks! 
Christmas time in Krakow is really one of a kind. We welcomed New Year in the authentic Kings' castle. At midnight we enjoyed an awesome firework show. We have even danced a traditional Polish dance- polonez. 
It wasn't easy to come back to the USA.  Only after one week I managed to get over jet lag. It is very sunny in San Francisco, no signs of winter. Is it really January here?  
Here is a photo gallery recap of our Christmas trip. 

      Boarding in the right spirit...

Berlin during Holiday time.

Hello Santa! 

Finally on the way to Cracow.

    Glimpse of sunshine in my hometown.

Dean added new level to Christmas. We sang Polish, American carols, and even one Channukah song. 

After singing, we could finally unwrap gifts from tye Christmas Angel. 

We also tried to take walks after eating all of these tasty meals.

      Like this soup rosół made by my Mum.

And here may i present you my very nice and well behaved guests who came to share with me chocolate Birthday cake:)

Don't stop the party. Happy Anniversary! #30yearsafterwedding

New Year couplie ♥

           On the way back to the USA we also visited
(just for one evening) London.   

                                                 

                                               Happy New Year!!!