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Meet the newest addition to our family, Mael Angelo Bandoma Callado.

Mael at 10 days old

Mael was born on August 8, 2018 at 12:29 pm, weighing 6 lbs. and 11 oz., 19 in. in length, in Oakland, California. Mael was named after Mari’s maternal grandfather Ismael and Angelo is Marc’s second name. Mommy and baby are doing well.

Thank you Rochelle Soriano-Yasis for taking these amazing pictures.

Even though our little one is still baking, I want to share how grateful I am to Marc.  The past few months (I am now 31-weeks pregnant!) has been exciting but also nerve-wracking and at times, difficult.   I just thank Marc for being there for me through the nausea, heartburn, Braxton Hicks contractions, back pain and all the other pregnancy symptoms, for making sure I stay hydrated and eat healthy, but still for driving me to the grocery store and various restaurants to get whatever I’m craving, for massaging my swollen feet and tingling fingers, and for working hard in preparation for our baby boy’s arrival this August.

I can’t wait to see what kind of dad you will be to our son.  Happy (almost) Father’s Day my love!

Celebrating at Cock-A-Doodle Cafe, a local restaurant in Oakland

Pregnancy is different for everyone.  I had this idea that I was going to eat really healthy and workout regularly but that proved to be almost impossible during the first few weeks.  Prior to getting pregnant, I was eating mostly plant-based and fish.  Once I got pregnant, I was nauseous all the time and could only stomach plain food (white rice, bagels) and definitely nothing green. I even had a hard time drinking water.  Working out regularly was out of the picture as I often found myself extremely fatigued and also light-headed and dizzy.  I found myself crashing around 7:30 or 8:00 pm every night.

The food aversions started to calm down a bit around week 11 and I was finally able to eat a bit better and started getting veggies in through green smoothies.  By my 13th week, the nausea is not as bad and I am not as fatigued.  I had a mild scare last week after fainting in my prenatal yoga class but my doctor confirmed that everything is fine.  I was a little dehydrated and just needed to take it easy until I get my equilibrium back.

Yes this pregnancy is a little rough but everything that I have gone through so far is so worth it and we are just so in love.  Last week, Marc and I got to see the baby bouncing around during my last ultrasound and it was just too cute.

I am also very fortunate to be working at a firm that supports pregnancies and families and that as an employment attorney, I know my rights as a pregnant employee.  The differences in federal, state and local laws, statutes, regulations and ordinances can be complicated so it’s not shocking that sometimes, employers get it wrong.  Next month, my team is putting on a free Pregnancy Rights and Job Protection workshop.  We will be presenting on employee’s rights during and after pregnancy.  Please share with someone you know may be interested in attending.

I can’t be happier and fulfilled with my career.  I am now in my 5th year of practice as plaintiff-side attorney .  Last year, I was recognized as a Rising Star by SuperLawyers.  Marc ran Pic Oakland Contest again and his business continues to grow thanks to his amazing clients.

We also did a lot of traveling in 2017.  Marc and I went to Italy and explored Rome, Florence & Venice.  We also celebrated Marc’s birthday in Puerto Vallarta.  We went to Las Vegas to celebrate 18 years of dating (crazy right) and had a relaxing vacation in Jamaica for our 2nd wedding anniversary.  We checked out Phoenix and Dallas.  We went to Toronto for a yoga and meditation retreat and explored New York City.  We visited DC again for a conference and ended the year celebrating my birthday in Hawaii.

2017 was truly amazing but the best thing that happened to us was learning that we will be joined by a little explorer and that our next destination will be in Parentville.

We’re excited for 2018 and our next big adventure.

Win a Year of Indie Coffee from Shift Local

Imagine having a fresh bag of indie coffee delivered to your home every month in 2017… Shift Local is excited to share our end-of-year holiday Give the Gift of Indie Coffee campaign! The rules are simple: Purchase an Indie Coffee Passport – Oakland edition between now and January 1, 2017. If your passport arrives with its serial numbers in red (versus the standard black) – YOU WIN! Simply email…

Learn about Shift Local’s upcoming campaigns to raise awareness on human trafficking/modern day slavery, 2nd PIC Oakland photo contest, and Indie Coffee Passport Oakland.  Join us and celebrate the unity in community! We are all-inclusive, diverse and family-friendly :)

FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES – Kids “coffee theme” crafts table by Sticky Art Lab (11am – 2pm) – Kids facepainting (12:30pm – 1:30pm) – Learn how to solve the Speed Cube by Mark A. Montgomery

$3 – $7 FOOD – Chickpea Chick – special menu for beer pairing – Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant – ethiopian hummus – Caffe 817 – homemade yogurt and granola – We The Minis Cupcakery

$3 DRINKS – SomaR Bar – Bloody Mary and Mimosa – Tap Takeover by Hermitage Brewing Company – Dr Hops Kombucha Beer – The Velveteen Rabbit, a tropical, raspberry, ginger brunch explosion! – Beulah’s Bean Truck – Iced and drip #indiecoffee – Numi Organic Tea self-serve station (FREE)

FEATURED BOOKS – The Quantum Realm: Philly the Photon by Mark A. Montgomery – It’s A Group Effort / Pick Me Up

FREE FUN ACTIVITIES (for all ages) – I LOB Racing Simulator – Pick Me Up Speed Dating

Special thanks to our sponsors Kenny Truong, Fast Agent & Lake Merritt Dental!

RSVP on Facebook and/or get pre-sale tickets here.

“The Dream”…What We Do For Our Own Secret Ideals

#LivetheDream #ShiftLocal

We have nothing but love for the Golden State Warriors and while nothing beats watching the game live at the “Roaracle” Arena, our pockets just can’t afford the skyrocketing ticket prices.  For a fun #idealdatenight with your significant other or if you just want to hang with friends, we recommend watching the Warriors WIN the 2016 Western Conference Finals at: Somar Bar at 1727 Telegraph Avenue…

We are so honored to once again be nominated for the 10th Annual Oakland Indie Award for Ripple Effect which recognizes a business that supports the local economy by buying supplies and services from other local vendors, creating a “ripple effect” as money circulates within the community. Congratluations to our fellow nominees as well.  For a full list,…