Fall Firsts

Recently Sofia experienced a couple of very important milestones. Well, one very important (at least in Steve's family) and the other not that important unless she decides to become an equestrian (highly unlikely considering mommy's aversion to manure). But both very cute.

She has attended her fair share of Stanford pre-game tailgates over the past two seasons, but for the Stanford vs. Arizona game on November 4th she actually was allowed into the stadium. For about an 1/8th of the first quarter, but still...Once the novelty of everyone cheering wore off, she was content to make her way back and forth in our row for about 10 minutes. Then it was time for mommy and Sofia to make the trek back to the car and San Jose where we could watch Stanford pummel Arizona in the comfort of the living room.

Visiting with Noni, Andrea & Marissa.

Cheering on the Cardinal with Grammy.

Earlier that same day we attended our friend Emma's 3rd birthday party in her grandparent's backyard. The company Once Upon a Pony brought Blue, the very old and gentle pony for the kids to ride as well as a pen full of cool looking chickens, rabbits and a pigmy goat. Sofia was very tentative towards Blue in the beginning, but warmed up and started following him. It took a couple of tries, but finally she sat and rode around the driveway and then refused to dismount.

It certainly wasn't a look of pure joy, but it wasn't terror!

He Loves LA

We said farewell to our buddy Mike Braun as he ditches Nor Cal to head back to LA. It was a good few years Mike had working for JVC (Jesuit Volunteer Corps) in San Jose, but he's moving on to bigger and better things. He hopes. But first, a European vacation that includes Oktoberfest in Germany "because I was already going to be in Amsterdam... and isn't that what they do over there?"

Mike met us for lunch at one of Steve's favorite hole in the wall noodle joints, Dalat. It was also Sofia's first time. I think she liked the combo pho the best.

A Park With a View

July 24th we headed up for Sofia's first trip to San Francisco to visit the Keane and Thompson families. It was a full-fledged SF playdate - complete with views of the city and no sun to speak of. We had a great time playing at the Alta Plaza playground in Pac Heights and then enjoyed a chaotic and fun lunch at the Keane's place nearby.

Baby Constantine (3 months) all snuggly.

Golden locks blowing in the wind.

Steph rockin' the Uppa Baby w/ rumble seat.

Alexia (2), pro slider.

Bryan gets taken for a ride by Savvy (2). Certainly won't be the last time.

Jen & Juliana (7 months) hangin' in the sand.

FIFA who?

One June 26th we headed to the Imelli's to watch the USA get their butts kicked by Ghana in the World Cup match. Claire got these cute pictures of the kids. Grant & Lauren shared their homemade vuvuzela that wasn't nearly as annoying as the ones on TV.

Screw this bottle, gimme that 40.

Guilty.

Vuvuzelllllla.

Maybe his name should be "Early-ton"

Our new friend, Leighton James Effertz, made an earlier than expected arrival on June 10th - six weeks early! Thankfully, he is doing just fine and was able to finally come home from the hospital this weekend. He weighed in at a whopping 5lbs, 13 ounces at birth! His weight has gone down as he's been trying to figure out this eating thing, but he'll be back up in no time. We can't wait to meet him!

Baby Effertz

I snuck away to LA for TWO whole nights in May for Marie's baby shower. It was heavenly! Of course, I missed the husband and child. But it was really fun to be in LA on the westside and visit with some of the LMU crew. Friday night enjoyed a fun dinner with Liz, Jen and Maile...so good in fact, that I forgot to take a picture. Must have been the pitcher of margaritas at Mucho's in Manhattan Beach. Saturday morning Jen and I took a stroll on the Strand in MB/Hermosa and oogled the houses.

Donna Martin Graduates!

The shower was at the adorable Chado Tea Room in LA and it was virtually the most stress-free shower I've ever co-thrown. Me and the girls exchanged maybe 5 emails and it was planned. Like Steve said, this wasn't our first rodeo. And the tea house did most of the work. We loved seeing Marie's pregnant belly...the last time she was this pregnant she was looking adorable in a bridesmaid dress in my wedding.

Me, Marie, Katy (due in August), Gigi & Stacy

Baby Gianna Luna at her SECOND tea house baby shower. She slept the whole time!

Yum.

In addition to the fun shower, I got to spend some quality time on the road with Amy-Jo and Gianna (who wasn't much of a conversationalist). It was great to sneak in a catch-up session on the 405. Post-shower Marie and I made the obligatory Coffee Bean run and spent the afternoon playing Super Mario on the Wii. I couldn't have asked for more!

Jackson prepping his "tickle fingers" for his new little brother.

Cinco de Swirlo

Two of my favorite things are Garwood's Wet Woodies and Aqui swirls. Wet woodies only come once per year (August in Lake Tahoe) but swirls are just down the street. In two different directions! Unfortunately (or fortunately) it only takes one swirl to impair my judgment and force me to order a second. So I try to limit my consumption.

When mom friend Amy and I found out that our new friend Tina was a swirl virgin, we decided that Cinco de Mayo would be the perfect time to de-flower her. Actually, it was Tina's idea but we did not disagree. So with all four kids in tow, we met up for a lunch date to celebrate Mexico's unlikely victory over the French in 1862.

Fiesta shirt.

Super shades Michaela.

Avery jonesin' for a swirl.

The gang minus Tina who was getting the swirls.

When Daddy is Away...

...the girls will play! Steve took a jaunt to Las Vegas to watch some March Madness and relive his 20's with the dudes. So we invited the old Lynhurst Way gang (plus Mia) over for some tasty slow cooker pulled pork and vino. Hopefully Amy and I didn't bore Lysandra with too much talk of babies! We loved hearing about all the wedding plans...Lysandra and Luke are getting married August 28th in Omak, Washington. Can't wait!

BFF's - exactly 5 months apart!

Pamy & Mia

Play time with Lysandra who hasn't seen Sofia since she was just about 2 months old (see below).
She's much more fun now!

The Real Moms of Orange County

I had my first night away from home last month when I traveled to southern California for my dear friend Amy-Jo's baby shower. Since I took so long to post this blog entry, I also get to announce that Amy-Jo & Jeff's little girl Gianna Olivia was born on March 31st! She's adorable and looks just like her older brother Enzo when he was born in May 2008. I can't wait to get back down to the OC to meet her.

So, the trip south was a quick, but wonderful day and night away. I felt a little guilty for enjoying myself so much.

Enjoying a very strong pre-flight Cosmo (it better have been for $14!!) at the new SJC bar.

After surviving a treacherous drive through a monsoon that followed me down the 10 to the 57 in the itsy-bitsy Ford Focus with weak headlights, I finally made it to the promised land, Orange County, U.S.A.. It was great to have some girl time with the Amy-Jo and the bonus was a mini LMU reunion at the shower...and the night before when we hung out with Kate - always a treat! But I forgot to get pics. Must have been the sangria and the fact that we had a DD.

Awesome spread by our fab hostesses - Amy-Jo's sisters Claire and Josie.

This is the motif of baby Gianna's super chic nursery.

LMU crew - Maile, Jen, me, Liz, AJ, Katie, Jayme & Bridgette

I don't recall the story behind this. Shhh, the baby is sleeping?

March Madness

We had a crazy busy March which is why I'm just getting caught up on all the fun.

Cruisin' for dude at Safeway. She will smile at anyone who will glance at her...and even those who don't.

My future is so bright...

*******

We had a wonderful playdate on one of the few sunny days in March at Tina, Michaela (age 3) and Braden's (3 months) house. Amy & Avery met up with us and we had a great time playing with all of Michaela's toys.

This is how Avery rolls. Cozy Coupe all the way.

Avery & Sofia chillin' in the Radio Flyer at Tina's house.
Sofia's mis-matched outfit courtesy of an unsuccessful attempt at eating some chicken = gag n' puke.

Already getting people to do her dirty work. Michaela, fetch my toy!

*******

Shelley & Dom and Carla & Kaylee came over to enjoy the other sunny day in March...

Dom's the big man on campus. He turned one on April 2!

Sofia happy to sit back and watch the movers and shakers get into trouble.
Kaylee on the lookout for trouble.

Visit Mitty Day

Last Friday was "Take Your Daughter to Your Old Job" day.

Hanging out in the Advancement office with Meghan, Fr. Russi and Cassie.

Sofia thought she'd take charge and get some work done.
This office has had a couple of slackers as its most recent occupants.

February Friends

Now that March is nearly over, I thought I'd catch up on some of our February visits.

We took a drive out to Livermore to meet Brady Thomas who was born in November. Such a cutie!
Sofia is already making her move.

We were thrilled to welcome to the neighborhood little April Rogers on January 12th. Her parents, Julia and Jeff, were convinced she was going to be their third little boy...but Sofia had a different hunch and she was right!

Sofia had a play date with the big kids, Drew (4) & Mia (2) Jenkins. Drew was SO good with her
and Mia was very gracious in sharing her toys. We can't wait to play with them again!

Little Lucas turned 3 on 2/22 and we spent a fun afternoon in Dublin playing "stick the nose on clown" (no more pins?). Big sister Julia making sure Lucas doesn't get sick from too much cake.

Fingers in lieu of cake.

I'm Kind of a Big Deal

Sofia has recently been mentioned on some of her friend's blogs. I thought I'd give a shout out since she's taking a nap and can't be bothered with this internet thing.

Most recently (today) she received her first feature in someone else's blog. Well, that's not true. Meghan did blog about her immediately following her birth...and I hesitate to link to this because it shows me in all of my chapped lip, post-C-section glory. But hey, that's life...just concentrate on how teeny weeny Sofia was. Unbelievable!

We love Meghan's visits and someday Sofia will love playing with Howie, cutest dog on the planet. Maybe someday she'll even blog about him.

Sofia hosted a play date last weekend with some friends, old and new. Our buddies Carla and Kaylee blogged about it and maybe this will save me the trouble! We just found out that Carla and Kaylee (and dad Brad) will be moving to Washington D.C. in June. Happy for them, not happy that the girls won't get to play together anymore. But we look forward to following their escapades on the Belsher Bunch Blog! Here's another Kaylee and Sofia cute moment.

Lauren Pumps It Up

Lauren is three. WOW, how did that happen? It seems like just yesterday I got the call from Steve.

November 29, 2006
Steve: Claire had the baby!

Me: What??? But she's not due for another month!

Steve: Yes, and Mark was in LA when she went into labor and he had to drive all night, downing Red Bulls, to make it back in time and he JUST made it back in time.

Fast forward to November 29, 2009 and we're celebrating Lauren's 3rd birthday with many, many three year olds at Pump It Up, Jr. We've learned many, many tips, tricks, parenting techniques from Mark and Claire over the past few years, and this may be one of the best:
By the time your kid is three and wants to invite all of her pre-school/playgroup friends to her birthday party, that's when you move the party OUT of your own house and shell out a few bucks for someone else to entertain and feed the restless natives.

Adults were allowed on the slide, and I must admit, it was quite exhilarating.
Thankfully no one had a camera ready.

Emma in the jumpy jail.

Claire and Sarah wishing desperately that Pump It Up, Jr. served margaritas.

Conversations overheard at this table included the pros and cons of chunky peanut butter and
a heated debate over Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.

Wow.

The princess of the party.

It's my party and I'll sit in the HUGE inflatable throne chair if I want to.

Just watching the kids was exhausting.