I love the Huntington, I really do. We have annual passes but Chris has never been. It was his first day off in the last 7 so we packed up the car and headed out. It was overcast and just the most perfect day to be out strolling the grounds. 
I know I’ve bloggd about this before, but they have the most incredible Children’s garden. Like this get-up. You can’t tell from the photo, but it’s miniature with little tables and chairs inside. Everything in there is made for the little people in your lives. Little tunnels for running through, little hills to climb, and little doors to open and close. 
And the Japanese Gardens, they are just the best. The Huntington is just huge, everything there feels like it goes on forever. Anyway- back to the Japanese Garden:
Aren’t the Koi gorgeous? There were just a ton of them today- all bunched up, swimming together. 
The Rose Garden smelled incredible as usual. Anyway, I was hopeful that all the walking would get things moving around here. No such luck. 
We headed downtown to Union Station last Saturday to get our choo-choo on (did you know it was National Train Day?) I’ve done so much walking. And eating of spicy foods. And pineapple. And drinking of Raspberry Leaf Herbal Tea. I’m too chicken to try castor oil. Have you heard of the side effects? Like I want to be dealing with that while in labor! Everyone keeps telling us about this place in the valley where we can order a "pregnancy salad." Allegedly it’s supposed to put you in labor. There’s always the Pregnant Burrito. Whatever that is.
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26 responses to “One of my most favorite places…”
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Dear M, I feel your pain.
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i haven’t been there in years – it is such a magical place – the gardens are just gorgeous!! I’ve got to get back sometime soon.
VLikeLike
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Yes, I too was trying everything to get my baby out a few years ago. We went and tried the pregnant salad in studio city but to no avail. I guess the gorgonzola cheese is good to get the contractions going? who knew? Anyway, you should still go there. At least because the salad and food there is all good and you can sign your name in their pregnancy book. Here is the link… http://www.caiotipizzacafe.com/caiotihomepage.html
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WOW. What a beautiful place.
The pregnant burrito – that’s too funny 🙂LikeLike
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Uh, Morgan, labor is the side effects to castor oil….the other stuff, is what it’s supposed to do. I’d stay away from it too. Too scarry!
SaraLikeLike
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The Huntington serves a delightful “tea”. Had a magical afternoon there. It’s a great visit with galfriends.
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p.s. to my previous post – my second child was 17 days late. I remember standing in the kitchen reassuring myself that I’d never heard of anyone not having their baby. Not to worry – it’ll come :).
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The gardens are gorgeous! I can’t believe you are still pregnant. Every time I see you’ve updated your blog I think “Maybe its a baby post!” I was two weeks over due with my daughter, and miserable, so I got out my mini trampoline and jumped. I know its a big no no, but I went into labor the next day.
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Hey Morgan-
I hope things start happening with your labor soon. I got really desperate with my last one (last summer) and took castor oil. It wasn’t too bad and it definitely worked but I really wouldn’t recommend it unless you have a serious reason to. Mine was that the ultrasound showed that she was already 9 1/2 lbs and I wasn’t even to my due date yet, and my dr wasn’t planning on inducing me anytime soon. She was born about 12 hours after I took it, and she was almost 10 lbs! Anyway, overall I think it’s much better to let nature take its course!LikeLike
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I vote stay away from the castor oil too. How late will they let you go before they induce?
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I loved Becky’s comment! That made me laugh. I’m still here too. Tried everything too. Yes, I did Caster Oil with one of my pregnancies, it was horrible! Who wants Montezuma’s Revenge while in labor?
I love the Huntington Gardens, I miss that so much about Calif. I got a little weepy (that’s easy to do these days) when I saw the pictures.LikeLike
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I would tend to think that the side effects of castor oil and a burrito would be unfortunately similar. 🙂 Good luck.
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What a wonderful place!
Hope all is well and your drooling over a new baby as I type!LikeLike
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Does the pregnant burrito help you go into labor, or help you get pregnant? Hmm…
I too was afraid of castor oil and it was the only thing I didn’t try. And I was 11 days late! If I hadn’t had a C-section last time, I’d for sure try it this time because all the friends I’ve had try it say the side effects aren’t that bad compared to being able to have that baby! I’ve also heard that some massages and pressure points can help, and one lady recently told me that lightly bouncing on an exercise ball for a long time helps the baby drop, if it hasn’t already (but it doesn’t necessarily help with inducing labor, but dropping is a start!)LikeLike
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I love the Huntington too and WHERE was this restaurant when I wanted to go into labor??!! GEESH!!!!
Feeling your pain today… 😦LikeLike
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Wow that looks like a great garden! Don’t try the castor oil, I haven’t, but I was tempted. She will come when ready. But I would be willing to try the burrito, if it is to help labor not a new pregnancy and the salad is worth a try. I tried raw rhubarb when Helen was over due. I will try anything if it doesn’t have a chance of harming the baby.
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I know where you are! But DON’T try castor oil. It is not good for anyone!!!
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I used salsa with my first–it worked, but I don’t recommend it at all. Just think of undigested jalapenos and your body cleansing itself just before labor begins, and that’s all you need to know! It was painful! 🙂 We spent a couple of weeks riding around in my husband’s old truck–bouncity, bounce, bounce–with my first, too. Didn’t work. My second was late and because of timing issues with family, I ended up allowing the dr to strip my membranes. That worked like a charm. Was a bit uncomfortable, but he stopped when I asked. Although I WAS dialted 4cm and 100% effaced at that point–just nothing more–no contractions or anything! 🙂 I was back at the hospital a few hours later, and delivered that night. 🙂 Good luck!
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I love the Huntington, too! It’s gorgeous. I have been meaning to take Libby back there to see the children’s garden.
Good luck on the labor-inducing tactics. As a former labor & delivery nurse, I would also advise against the castor oil. It may work, but it really is worth a couple of extra days pregnant to avoid going through that during labor. Trust me, diarrhea + pushing a baby out = no fun for anyone involved. Good luck!LikeLike
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what a gorgeous place!
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Hi Morgan
Sorry to hear nothing is moving as of yet. But glad to still be reading your posts! The gardens are beautiful – now I’m wondering if we have anything like them here in Toronto.
Also, after a full week of false labour my midwife performed a stretch and sweep at 40 weeks – I was at the hospital 5 hours later at 4+ cms and Autumn was born approx. 12 hours after that. Can’t recall if you’ve mentioned having tried that yet, but figured it was worth mentioning anyway. Hang in there, stay positive and sleep as much as you can – because you KNOW you won’t be able to after this little one makes it’s highly anticipated debut!
PS to your Mom: I LOVE your replies! Makes me chuckle every time and then I’m always impressed that you follow her blog so closely… I’m pretty sure my mother would have a hard time finding a blog of mine (if I had one) much less commenting!LikeLike
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I was not even to my due date with Colin and so desperate to be done that I remember standing in my bathroom mentally wrestling with the castor oil decision. I chickened out. But I was tempted! My sister’s doctor recommended “sex and chicken curry”. We’ve always thought that was kind of a strange combination.
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I live here in LA too and the Caioti Pizza Cafe is the restaurant in Studio City on Tujunga that everyone keeps talking about. They serve a salad called the “THE salad”. The few times I’ve been there, there have been pregnant ladies in there eating it. I went into labor about 10 days early for both of my girls, but the last meal I had before labor started both times was take out Chinese! Good fortune to you and your baby!
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tried the castor oil mixed with orange juice and made me gag…baby came 24 hours later, but I do not recommend it!
other 2 kids I had “my membranes stripped”…otherwise known as a rigorous internal exam, but man…labor started! 🙂
good luck to you…and my best wishes for you and your family!LikeLike
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The pregnant burrito is actually quite delicious! Not sure it will do the trick though. I had membranes stripped with baby #3 and it did get things going. It’s not fun but the benefits far outweigh the cons. I think my doctor thought I was crazy when I actually requested that she do it but it got the job done. It’s worth a try. Hang in there!
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oh Morgan – I little part of me just died when I came to your blog expecting to see news of a baby arrival and found that you are still waiting. So sorry – hang in there. Have you tried accupressure? Google spleen 6 – inducing pregnancy. Think of it as “the eject button.” (It’s worked for me twice. I SWEAR!
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