Well, this here pregnancy is kicking my butt. I’ve never been sicker in my life. I’m losing weight, puking too much, and feeling like poo-doo. What better thing to do than jump on a plane with the sole intention of parking this pathetic body on the beach in Hawaii. Hey, if you have to be sick, best be sick on the beach while tanned men bring you fruity drinks, even if they’re not alcoholic.

So we got a great room with a view of the ocean in Kauai, my favorite island, and we parked it on the beach for a glorious six days and five nights. I’ve got to tell you, nothing beats Hawaii. Now, in all honesty, I must admit I was there doing my duty as the marketing director of a helicopter tour operators group.

Yes, I must say, getting my helicopter ratings and staying involved in the industry has really paid off. This great view, comfy room, and even plane ticket was covered as I managed the two-day event I was there to attend. Nice. But, fear not, it was not all work. While I did have meetings and other things to attend to each day, we found time to enjoy a little time on the island.

For instance, we went on a wonderful catamaran trip up the coast. This was a blast and we went with some cool friends from the group. I don’t think I laughed so hard in the longest time as I did with my new pal Marin. Laughter is the best medicine, I tell you what. The seas got rough, we did some rocking, but my tummy held strong, which surprised me big time.

And speaking of those helicopter ratings and all they’ve brought me, I did get to spend some quality time with my primary flight instructor, who’s now a tour pilot on the island. Nick started it all for me. He trained me through my private license and to this day his voice remains in my head when I fly. I’ve had a lot of instructors, but I consider this guy the most important one. There is no one the island of Kauai fits better than this laid back dude. I used to think he was the smartest in the world, that is until he showed up for dinner wearing this hat…

Yes, it was a lovely time. I’m counting the days until I can go back. It has been way too long since I’ve been there and I can’t ever let it go this long again.

As if pregnancy wasn’t enough fun the first time, I, in my infinate wisdom have decided to do it again. OK, OK, I don’t do it for the sheer masochism of being pregnant. I do it for the love of my little girl and the deep belief I have in having a sibling.

So, I’m pregnant again, as of, technically, the end of August. I got my first positive pregnancy test on Sept. 5 and officially started feeling really bad on Sept. 17 (while sitting at Jazz Alley listening to Kyle Eastwood (Clint’s son) play jazz). Lovely music, icky tummy (mine not his). I was fully in the throws of morning sickness by the middle of the next week and have enjoyed seeing the contents of my stomach at least once, but sometimes several times a day for six or so weeks. I just had a good four-day stretch of no vomiting, even though I was a little nauseous, but that streak was broken last night, after dinner. Which sucked, or blew, however you’d like to think about it.

So now we’re in the 12th week and here’s hoping things start to go back to getting better. It’s about lunchtime as I write this and I’m noticing a little pang of hunger, which is a nice change from a desire to hurl. Best go grab some grub. But before I go, I must share the quote of the day, which for some reason has been cracking me up since I heard it a couple of weeks ago (as I caught up on a year’s worth of movies):

“We love Chihuahuas!” Sam Witwicky, Transformers

Jen “I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful, oommm”

Today WaMu died. This has been my bank for years, an icon of Seattle-based business. A more than 100 year old company. And its all gone, thanks to greedy executives that saw the chance to make a quick buck on subprime mortgages and went for broke in the California market.

Now it’s all gone, taken over by a New York company. There are five Washington companies I was always proud to patronize - WaMu, Starbucks, Amazon, Alaska Air Group and Microsoft. Now it’s down to four and Starbucks is hurting. It’s a sad day here in Seattle.

Well, the revelry is officially over, and not without memories that will last a lifetime. Caitlin survived her first big birthday party and seemed to have a great time. All her closest family were there – her Grandpop and Grandma Ellison, Uncle Jeremy, Grandma and Grandpa Boyer, Grandma McCluskey, Great Grandma Robinson, Great Aunt and Uncle Donaly, and her Aunt Shellie, Uncle Marshall, and cousins Indya and Anika. Her nanny, nanny share buddies and their families and her next door neighbor pal were also there to celebrate. It was a tight fit, but we had fun.

Caitlin wore her brand new birthday dress, which I had to tuck into her pants as she wanted to crawl everywhere. She smiled a lot and let people hold her. I made a fun game of ‘how well do you know me’ that got everyone up to speed on her current skills and exploits and when it came time to tear into her presents, Caitlin went at it like a pro. Of course, the paper was always more interesting than the gift.

She started to get a little fussy just before cake, but everyone singing to her calmed her down right away and, after a few reluctant first bites, she dove into her cake with passion. Lots of great chocolaty messy face photos, complete with birthday girl hat on. I’d thought about making her a cake, but after what can only be described as a failed attempt at a cake for Ken last month, I decided I’d order one and was sure glad I did. The cake lady did an amazing job matching the décor.

I did make something, though. I made these cute little candle holders from her baby food jars that her guests could take home.

Not long after cake, Caitlin decided it was high time for a nap and said goodbye to her guests before passing out. After a little clean up, Ken’s side of the family, including Ken, left to celebrate Caitlin’s cousin’s birthday at a local pizza parlor while my family hung around for a bit.

After a two-hour nap, Caitlin woke pretty happy, and then things got exciting. I went to feed her around 6 pm. She took a few bites, but soon turned her head away. I took her over to the chair to see if maybe she wanted to nurse. As soon as I had her settled on my lap, she turned her head away and promptly puked, a lot. Half digested chocolate cake and the little dinner she ate went all over the place. I ran to the kitchen with her, but she hit both the living room and dining room area rugs and kept puking in the kitchen on the tile. Oh the smell. I almost puked.

I got her stripped down and gave her a bath without much fuss. After I get her all cleaned up and start down the hall with wet naked baby to her room it strikes me - the puke! The dogs!! I run to the living room. All puke is gone. CRAP. I call the emergency vet - Chihuahuas ate chocolate vomit. What do I do? The vet tech has to yell instructions to me over a now pissed off Caitlin as she’s cold and wet. I’m trying to dry her off and get her dressed while holding the phone to my ear. Luckily Caitlin passes out in bed as soon as she’s dressed so I can focus on my four legged kids. I barricade the dogs in the bathroom, pick up the bath mats, and begin administering 2 Tbsp of hydrogen peroxide to each via mouth syringe (vet’s orders). Jack takes the whole two, Daggett makes it to 1.5 before he pukes well into several dry heaves after emptying his tummy. Jack soon follows. Now the living room, dining room, kitchen AND bathroom are covered in and smell like vomit. I almost puke, again.

I called Ken as I was administering the hydrogen peroxide and asked him to please come home immediately as I need some help. He’s 30 minutes away and more than happy to leave the chaos that is Chucky Cheese.

Once the dogs finished, I cleaned them up and locked them in the laundry room where there is a tile floor. I rinsed and soaked Caitlin’s clothes, washed the kitchen floor and used carpet cleaner on the chair and two area rugs. When Ken got home, he cleaned the bathroom.

I woke Caitlin to nurse her before I finally crashed at 10 pm as I was worried about dehydration and the fact that she’d not had dinner. She did fine and slept well through the night. She’s fine now. She didn’t even cry after puking. Just gave me a miserable look. Poor baby girl.

The next morning the house REAKED! Ken took the living room rug into the garage and shampooed the affected area. We had fans and area heaters going on it all day. Unfortunately, after all that, I can’t touch the rest of the cake, and there’s a lot. The smell got to me. That’s it. Such a bummer as it was mighty tasty.

I can’t believe it. My little princess is a year old.

Caitlin had a very nice birthday. She got to spend the morning with her buddies Jackson and Gabe and the nanny. After work I raced out and got her then we met Ken for lunch at Taco del Mar. She chatted away, ate quite a bit of my burrito and smiled at everyone. She’s taken to calling out and when people respond she smiles and waves at them. She was very busy building up her fan club at lunch.

Then we headed over to the photo studio and got quite simply the best photos of her yet. She was an angel, posing in a snuggle with mom, hugging her Jelly Cat, and even giving a cute little over the shoulder look in her “naked baby” shot I’ve been trying to get for a year.

Ken took the rest of the day off and we took her home for a nap as we prepared for the big party tomorrow. She was a little fussy in the late evening, but eventually took to opening her gifts from mommy and daddy and even ate a little cupcake I bought for her, after reaching out to touch the flame of the candle only to be blocked by mommy.

I think she had a great day and we’re still in disbelief we actually have a one year old.