I’ve found a benefit to my pregnant-induced, terrible memory. Today grapefruits arrived in the mail and I was so surprised! Last week I knew they were coming — Dad called to ask how many to order for us this Hanukah — but I *totally* forgot about them by this week. So, when that yellow box from Pittman and Davis showed up on our front porch, I hooted with excitement, did a little dance and got pumped to eat some grapefruit. (Thank you, Spritzer family!)

For those of you who don’t know, grapefruits are big in the Spritzer household. Every winter a case would arrive at the house for Hanukah and we’d slowly work our way through them. We’d peel and eat them with Dad, a special father-daughter ritual that I loved. (Grapefruits also tend to show up at special events, like after my bridal shower — see the last photo in the set). We Spritzers just can’t get enough of them.

Nowadays grapefruits are an indulgence. I buy them when I am really in the mood for them or as a special treat. Something to savor. They tend to be just too expensive for every day eating.

So now, thanks to my family, we have a case of them to enjoy. Oh, I am in heaven. Excuse me while I go peel one. I’m going to eat it while I enjoy the rest of our Hannukah presents from Mom and Dad (another Spritzer tradition: books for gifts!).

We are so going to make grapefruit and avocado salad this week.

Love cool, rainy Northern California winter days. Just the perfect weather for staying warm, drinking tea, and being with friends. And today I enjoyed all three things. After yoga class, three of us (plus two babies!) walked over to a local tea shop and had some social time. (Yes! Mamas can have a social life after babies are born!) I loved the tea shop — all organic! super cozy! so delicious! Just the perfect winter destination. And so nice meeting and getting to know new people. I think I am going to totally embrace the whole mama-baby playgroup thing.

In case you haven’t heard, we’re hosting our baby shower online!

Because we have friends and family scattered across the country, we’ve decided to forgo the typical baby shower gathering. Rather than travel to New Jersey or Northern California or New Mexico, you can participate sitting at home in front of your computer. All our friends and family can then take part, feel included, and not spend a cent.

Our first Baby Shower activity is a photo matching game. To join in, please email Carrie one of your baby photos, as well as a photo taken recently. Then we will all get to guess which baby photo belongs to which friend! Photo submissions are due by December 21st, so please hop on it and email me your photos!

David and I hope you all join in. The more folks participating, the more fun and the greater challenge it will be!

UPDATED: No stress if you can’t find photos to submit! Everyone is welcome to join in and play the guessing game!

And please stay tuned to learn more about our next virtual baby shower activity…

We’ve also been hosting polls about the baby! Check out and vote in our month six poll (what color hair will the baby have?) and month seven poll (when will our baby arrive?). Our month eight poll will be online soon. (Please email Carrie or leave a comment bellow with topic suggestions!)

The baby and I decided to move around a little bit together and take some photos for you. And then in true third trimester fashion, I got tuckered out. (Baby is still kicking strong!)

View larger here / more artistic photo here

See those bags and boxes? They are some of the wonderful baby gifts that have been arriving! Thank you to our awesome family and friends!

All across the web, folks are posting photos of first snows… while here in California it’s just beautiful. Granted we’ve finally turned on the heat in the house… but look at the gorgeous sight greeting me this morning from our bathroom window!

p.s. Guess who has the hiccups? I know, I keep posting about this. It happens at a minimum of five times a day now. Always in the same spot. I think our baby is already wedged in there — luckily in perfect birthing position!

Have you seen this article? Many of the foods listed are no-brainers (giant sized burger, sugar loaded hotcakes, ), but others are a bit surprising:

Uno Chicago Grill Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza – “Downing this “personal” pizza is equivalent to eating 18 slices of Domino’s Crunchy Thin Crust cheese pizza.”

Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce – “This meal satisfies your calorie requirements for an entire day.”

Jamba Juice Chocolate Moo’d Power Smoothie – “Jamba Juice calls it a smoothie; we call it a milk shake. In fact, this beverage contains as much sugar as 2 pints of Ben & Jerry’s butter pecan ice cream.”

So shocking! Granted I have never eaten any of these dishes, but I have eaten at these restaurants in the past.

Here are two other terrifying desserts that we’ve steered clear of after looking up the caloric content on our own:

Cold Stone Creamery Vanilla Shake – Almost 1400 calories and 70 grams of fat. (Their French Vanilla flavor also contains High Fructose Corn Syrup. YUCK!)

Cheesecake Factory Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake (prepackaged) – Once slice contains 800 calories and 30 grams of saturated fat. Enough said. (Their official restaurant site doesn’t post nutritional information, so we assume it’s just as bad, if not worse, since they don’t have to disclose…)

Just a couple more reasons to cook healthily at home. (Luckily, we have a number of fantastic vegan/vegetarian/healthy restaurants nearby. We’re planning on going to one in a couple hours, before we head to our acupressure for labor/partner prenatal yoga class! Should be fun!)

Since I’m not having an actual baby shower, I thought it would be fun to have a virtual baby shower.

So, let’s play some baby shower games!

To join in, please email me a photo of yourself when you were a baby and a photo of you today. Then we will all get to guess which baby photo belongs to which friend!

Should be fun!

Please submit your photos by December 21st.
Thanks for participating!

{inspired by maggie}