This Shhh is BANANAS...B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

What a way to start off Week 21!  It was an amazing feeling to find out that Baby Campos is a girl.  She's now almost three-quarters of a pound and about the length of a banana.  Mommy is really starting to feel more and more movements each day, particularly when Justin Bieber is playing or a grilled cheese truck is passing by.

With about half the pregnancy left to go, it's time to really start nesting and planning out the registry.  There are so many options for cribs, car seats, and clothes.  Parents really have to alot to think about when deciding what to pick out: fashion vs.
functionality, style vs. safety, value vs. versatility.  There's also a very fine line before the "right" amount of pink turns into a room and wardrobe that Hello Kitty had an accident on (don't forget Daddy and Toby have to live there too).  But no matter what ends up on the registries, it'll really be up to the princess to decide whether she likes it or not...oh boy.

When talking X's and O's, knowing that Baby Swami is XX, it's tempting to use that
excuse for the 0-3 start.  But like her Mommy, this little banana split ain't no Hollaback Girl and she will definitely know her sports better than most of the boys.  So for this week's pick, while the current is strong, inbred Razorbacks can float the dirty Tide with ease.  Arkansas 17, Alabama 10 (Season record 0-3).

Breaking News!

It's official!  After weeks of guessing and crazy predictions, Mommy and Daddy are happy to announce that Baby Campos is a GIRL!  The ultrasound confirmed that she is perfectly healthy and well on her way to becoming a beautiful little longhorn cheerleader =)

CANTALOUPE: Both Deadly and Delicious

Hooray for Week 20!  Besides being at the pregnancy halfway point, this is also the time when many new parents finally find out the sex of their baby.  With all the little bits and pieces fully formed, the ultrasound scheduled for next week should put all the speculation and predictions of silly old wives tales to rest.

It's ironic that the baby is now the length of a cantaloupe.  The shortness of breath, watery eyes, and rosy cheeks aren't hormones acting up...it's Mommy's allergies!  Yep, this melon in particular brings her a wave of symptoms that only Benadryl can soothe.  While Daddy is able to enjoy this delicious fruit with a smile, any bean products consumed as a child used to bring on Joe Abello sized asthma attacks.  It really makes you wonder if your offspring will be cursed with the same unfortunate reactions.  We're still keeping our fingers crossed that the only thing Baby Campos will be allergic to is that sucky state up north that keeps Texas from falling into the gulf.  Ahh-choo!

Baby Swami's fearless prediction of the week is sponsored by Claritin D.  Even a Hawk's eyes can get itchy from stray Cats, but 24-hour relief is only a tiny pill away.  Iowa 24, Arizona 14 (Season record 0-2)

Who Says You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

Happy Birthday, Toby!  Mommy and Daddy's "first baby" turns 10 years old today.  It seems like only yesterday that we met a scared puppy with one white paw.  For a mere $50, we adopted this Sharpei/Shelty mix that the Austin breeder said would only be about 30 pounds.  Now a 65 pound Sharpei/Ridgeback mix, it's hard to imagine what our lives would be like without his stinkiness and big personalilty.  With all the ups and downs that come with being a dog owner, he has definitely taught us how to be more patient and responsible for the upcoming addition to our family.

Through the years, Toby has also managed to pick up a few tricks that have kept us entertained for countless hours.  He not only gives high fives after our team scores a touchdown, but he also offers sympathy hugs after a rare Longhorn loss.  Even his thespian-worthy acting skills have impressed our friends, like when he plays dead after saying "bang bang" or dramatically walks "slowly" across an entire room before a monologue.  With his arsenal of accomplishments, his greatest feat may still be yet to come....babysitting!  But while it may be hard to perform the required duties of a dog-nanny without having opposable thumbs, we know that Baby Campos will love Toby just as much anyway.

I Would Like the MANGO Flavor, Please

Here we are at Week 19, almost at the midway point of our pregnancy.  Baby's brain is starting to develop the specific areas for hearing, smell, vision, touch, and taste.  It's fitting that Baby Campos is now the size of a mango, not only because it's sweet and delicious, but also because it's known as "The Fruit of the Gods" in the Philippines.  If you're ever in a restaurant where there's mango flavored items on the menu, look around for any Pinoys and 5 out 5 times they'll be ordering it.

So what will it be like for our little mango to grow up Filipino?  There will of course be Grandparents that spoil and Aunties and Uncles entertaining with countless hours of the "Close-Open" game.  Adobo and pancit will be offered to all future playmates and classmates, a giant fork and spoon next to the Last Supper picture will seem comforting, and eating twelve grapes while jumping on New Year's Day will be second nature.  Even with all the hearty dishes and crazy superstitions that make the Filipino culture special, it will definitely be much easier to identify with another race.  Like Mommy and Daddy quickly found out, there were a lot more "Viva la Raza" and Confederate flags plastered on El Caminos and Dually Trucks than the good ol' Yellow Stars and Sun of the Philippines...well except that one brown Dodge Caravan.  But whatever culture or lifestyle Baby Campos decides to relate with, there will always be a strong connection to family values, Team Pacquiao, and the option to choose between a belt or a slipper. 

For the weekly college football prediction, Baby Swami takes into account the weather that has recently affected the East and Gulf coasts.  If you want to tackle Hurricanes head on, you'll need some pretty big Nuts.  Unfortunately, sweater vests don't work as well as life jackets: Miami 17, Ohio State 10 (Season record 0-1).

An Ode To Labor Day

On Labor Day 2010,

Near our pregnancy halfway mark.

We reflect on our lives before,

And on the life we’re about to embark.

Two college sweethearts,

Immature and carefree.

Engaged and then married,

Now a soon-to-be family.

As “the bump” starts to show.

And the weeks countdown.

Sacrifices will be made,

For when the baby comes around.

From happy hours and hangovers,

And staying out all night.

To happy meals and highchairs,

And staying up all night.

No more wild weekends in Vegas,
Or wine tasting trips
Just play dates and story time,
And diapers filled with s***

Farewell to our freedom,
And welcome headaches that throb.
Parenting is hard work.
A 24/7 kind of job.

So we'll take this holiday to relax,
With a bundle of joy on the way.
Coming February 2, 2011,
OUR Labor Day.

A BELL PEPPER is the Perfect Birthday Gift!

Happy Birthday, Mommy!  Cake, presents, and virgin scotches on the rocks will definitely be enjoyed this Labor Day weekend.  It's been an amazing non-stop party over the years: from turning 21 in Austin and dancing on chairs at Joe's Crabshack to celebrating the big 3-0 in Manhattan Beach and downing Sharkeez fish bowls.  But now it's time to focus all that energy on another person who's getting older too...Baby Campos!

It's Week 18 and the little one is now the size of a bell pepper.  Experts say that this is the time when most mothers-to-be will start feeling movements from all the yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing.  There are no reports of commotion in Mommy's tummy just yet, but with Longhorn Football starting this Saturday, it's only a matter of time before Big Bertha and Smokey the Cannon get this little bell pepper excited!

So throughout the college football season, baby Swami will be making fearless predictions on the "other" games going on.  This week's pick is a tough one, but the decision comes down to the delicious fact that Hokie turkey legs taste better than Bronco burgers.  Virgina Tech 28, Boise State 17 (Season record 0-0).