Zoey is here!

 Zoey Hayden Kozel
5 pounds 7 ounces
19 inches

Mom and Baby are doing great.  Details soon. 

She came early so she is in the NICU but all is well.

This is how I started my day.

Practical advantages of working in education (notably: SUMMER)

Just a quick update for those of you who use this blog as your Haydkoz connection... maybe some of those Michigan folk....

In Laura land, the world spins peacefully. My semester is drawing to a close and, as I approach graduation, I can't help but reflect on the past year at UMass - my 2nd year on the job. This year was remarkably easier than the 1st year, making room for me to focus more on researching/writing and less on administrative duties. While my administrative tasks are still the same (I direct two graduate programs), they're much easier to handle after learning them, rather than trying to handle them while learning them! I wrapped up some solid residual research from BU and began a couple of new projects that will continue even while I'm on maternity leave, which makes me very excited. We're starting a PhD program in the Fall and, as a faculty member within the PhD program, I will have my research team doing research while I'm on leave, which is great for students and keeps me connected to the world of academia. I'm guessing my productivity also increased this year because Brad was on the other side of the world for the past semester, but since I'll probably be significantly less productive for the foreseeable future, it was most likely very fortuitous timing.

In Brad land, he is on a plane from Xi'an to Beijing as I type. He said goodbye to the Gauxin school yesterday, had a few beers with his international pals, and wrapped up loose ends at the place he's called home for the past 4 months. Over the weekend, he'll be exploring the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Olympic site, Tiananmen Square, and many other really cool places I've only read about in books. He comes home on Monday night. I.CAN'T.WAIT. I have to say, if you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you check out all the cool places Brad and the students have visited over the past 4 months by clicking here. You can also access it by going through Brad's China Website and clicking on the Xi'an Map. It's amazing to think about how many interesting sites they've all seen.

In Haydkoz land, we're both wicked excited about the upcoming addition to our little family, the summer Olympics (yay), seeing our Michigan family members over the summer, and enjoying the next 3 months together without working!!! Come Fall, when Brad's work life picks back up again, I'll maintain the home front for the semester before I head back to work in early February. We're in for a fun new adventure!!!!

The Ultimate Baby Shower Favor!!!

My Michigan baby shower was organized by the three moms and two sisters! They came up with the best idea that I just have to share. In lieu of party favors, they contributed all the money they would spend on favors (and then some) to a charity of Brad and my choosing. We searched through a bunch of organizations - from the Boston Red Sox Foundation that provides support for at-risk youth through athletics to the Boston Scholar Athlete Foundation that academically supports Boston's student-athletes. The foundation to which we decided to contribute is The Robert Bookston scholarship. The description below indicates just how great of a scholarship it is AND just how aligned it is with the Haydkoz family mission.

The Robert Bookston - Brookline Track Teams Scholarship 

(First awarded in 2000)

This scholarship is to be awarded to someone considered an outstanding team player by the Brookline Track Coaches. It is funded from proceeds from "Robert's Run", a sanctioned cross-country competition. Robert Bookston was a member and captain of the Brookline High School Cross Country Team. Robert found solace in community service and his commitment to running and his teammates. Robert was an incredible role model to those who knew him. He has touched many people in the Brookline community and his life has made an impact on many young students and athletes. Robert's teammates and friends have decided to commemorate his life with something that he would have loved to participate in himself, an annual race in his name. 

People still walked away from the shower with a little goodie!!

32 week check up + more

The past two weeks have been relatively uneventful here in Boston. I'm still shuffling along (barely, see training blog for details). I'm still able to exercise daily, my job is winding down for the semester, and I'm spending the month of May finishing up final administrative reports for the year and preparing for the summer Ethics and Law class I teach to incoming Master's students. I really enjoy the computer nature of May - almost everything I have to do requires me sitting in front of my computer, which gives me the alone time I need to feel rejuvenated  (yes, shockingly, in Myers-Brigg's terms, I'm an introvert!). It also gives me the flexibility of working from home even more than usual, which is great because while I'm a huge fan of being able to get to work train-style, I'm one of the most travel-sick people I know - so a preggo 1 hour commute to and from work each day = 2 hours of moderate nausea a day. I'm glad to cut that down to about twice a week for the month.

Each year, I love Mother's Day - its a great time to tell the moms how much we love them. This Mother's Day, I got a couple of surprises of my own... a gorgeous Lily of the Valley plant from mama Sue that will go in our front garden very soon and two dozen chocolate covered strawberries, a Daisy Bear, and  Happy Mother's Day balloon from brother Luke!!! Luke and I celebrated the day by going out for some yummy veggie sushi and watching Johnny Depp rock the movie Blow... while eating 16 of the chocolate covered strawberries!

Starting early on the Mother's Day annual celebration!

This morning began with a trip the doctor. All is well there. Baby is still measuring at pretty big for 32 weeks, but nothing to be worried about. She has positioned herself head down, which is pretty cool, even though there is still time for her to wiggle around.  I'm doing fine - BP 110/66, weight gain normal, etc. My only complain is that running is no longer fun by any stretch of the imagination. I joined a gym - blah - time to start walking more and doing those terrible cardio machines! Oh well... I can train for indoor season soon enough - in the meantime, I'll enjoy my last few weeks of being pregnant!

Chengdu

Hello Readers,
Last Sunday we took a train from Xian to Chengdu.  The ride was a bit long but has turned out to be worth every second.  We have a great tour guide, Oliver, who grew up here in Chengdu.  We are playing the tourist game but that has been fine by me.  Many pictures have been added and there are more to come.  Below is a quick video of the Chengdu city square.  I shot it on a Wednesday night.  14 million people means the streets are always packed, but even with that huge population the city has an odd relaxing feeling to it.  I also added in some Red Panda and Panda shots.  Sichuan province (which Chengdu is in) is home to the Pandas.  Enjoy!

Check out the photo link...

... to see pictures of Brad's latest adventures in Chengdu... and PANDA BEARS!

Rabbit Run

Hello Devoted Readers,
I started a new book and time pushes on here in China.  I do have to admit that I have, against my better judgement, started an internal count down.  I really do not want to wish away my time here but right now what waits for me in Brookline out weighs the promise of pandas in Chengdu or any of the other fun things still on my itinerary.  Having said that my time in Xian continues to be almost always stimulating.  I recently had a very welcomed visit from Chris Smith.  His enthusiasm pushed us to visit a few spots I had my eye on but required the right company.  We discovered that the pink elephant exists in China.  Good beer is hard to find here but our powers combined sniffed it out.  I updated the pictures with some of our recent activities.
Cheers!

Michigan Baby Shower!

This weekend, I traveled to Michigan for the most wonderful baby shower ever! The whole day, I felt so loved and happy. Everyone was in a great mood, I saw people I haven't seen in years, and baby girl was completely spoiled! I'm so appreciative of all the support and care that people have poured into this whole pregnancy!

My mom and Brian drove me back to Boston on Sunday. We had a lovely time in the city yesterday and my mom came with me to my 30 week appointment. All is well. I'm healthy as can be and, most importantly, the baby is fantastic! Her heartbeat is 136, she is wicked active, and she is measuring pretty big at this point. Now, I start going to the doctor every 2 weeks - a new milestone! Which means that I only have one more appointment before Brad is home!!!!! What a month :-)

Laura and the moms!

My amazing sister-in-laws and cousins!!!