Up, Up and Away

aThis past weekend we ventured to LA for Claudine and David's wedding at LMU. We were feeling confident after our successful trip to Tahoe last month and we decided we'd take our chances and introduce Sofia to a faster mode of travel. Although, this mode of travel required more coordination than our remodel. My lord, there is a lot to think about when traveling with an infant: Do we check the car seat base or attempt to strap the seat into the rental car sans base? Should we send Daddy to get the car or illegally take the child on the rental car shuttle? Bring the birth certificate so that I can prove that my 3 month old is not over 2 years old. Bring the car seat and stroller through security, but then check it at the plane - but don't forget to get a claim ticket from the counter. And you actually need the baby and the stroller there to get the claim ticket. They should not be sitting in the Sharks bar. Exhausting.

Then throw in transporting multiple containers of frozen breast milk for use by babysitters at the destination. Trips to Target for an appropriate cooler. Emails to TSA to confirm that we could actually travel with said breast milk. Exhausting. But, now that we've done it, we're pros. And we're doing it again next weekend! Thanks to Claire and the other Amy G. for all of their traveling expertise.

We had to keep Daddy from being too squawky too.

Back to the reason for the trip - Claudine's wedding. Claudine is a close friend of mine from LMU who was both a Delta Zeta and in Belles with me. I really wanted to attend her wedding if at all possible and I'm so glad we made it happen. She was a stunning bride. No surprise there, as Claudine is one of the most put together people I've ever met. Everything was uber classy and stylish, but understated and comfortable at the same time. It was a mini LMU reunion which made it even more fun.

Special thanks to Jen, Meredith, Brent and Nikki for babysitting! Jen and Mere presented an open offer for babysitting services way back at my baby shower in March. I thought maybe they were just being nice, but when Jen brought it up again in August, we decided to take them up on it. Hopefully they don't regret their offer...turns out Sofia didn't sleep AT ALL the entire 6 hours she was there. Ouch. They were also watching Amy-Jo and Jeff's adorable little tyke, 16 month old Enzo. Enzo was passed out on the floor when we returned from the wedding, while Sofia was chillin' in the borrowed bouncy seat (thank you Spriggs family) wide awake. Oh well, she slept great for us back at Embassy Suites. Thanks for tiring her out, guys!

Friday night before the wedding, we dined at The Counter with the Effertz crew and Marie's boss George and his wife Shannon. I understand a good time was had by all...Sofia and I were in the car.
Jackson found Ratatouille on the iPhone much more interesting than the screaming baby.

Sofia is not nearly as impressed with her first Ice Blended Mocha as she should be. We stopped at the Coffee Bean on the way to Canter's Deli where Steve intended to get a pastrami sando and bowl of matzo balls. Unfortunately for us, Canter's, which is usually open 24 hours, was closed due to Rosh Hashanah. Plan B turned out to be take-out from Nate & Al's in Beverly Hills.

Parents gone wild! OK, maybe not, but we were quite happy to be out.

The Class of '98 table - Marie, me, Amy-Jo and Jayme

Fun times with the youngster DZs.

Claudine and David looking blissful. Congrats!

Happy Birthday, Mommy

I'm usually the photographer, so for my birthday I wanted a picture with the child in her party dress. Happy 33 to me!

Wine & Cheese & Barbies, oh my!

I have the honor and pleasure of being my friend Susie's MOH (matron of honor - I'm no longer a maid) in her upcoming wedding to Curtis. Susie's friend Karissa shares the distinction with me and luckily for us, Karissa and her husband have recently purchased a vineyard in Santa Rosa. Karissa graciously offered to host everyone at her house AND provide lots of good wine! Unfortunately, I was unable to stay with the girls due to my role as resident bessie, but I commuted to the fun from nearby Windsor where my parents and Steve were staying.

As my MOH, Susie did SO much to make my pre-wedding festivities fabulous, I wanted to at least attempt to do half as good a job. Karissa and I planned what we hope was a fun, relaxing weekend for the bride. The BIG day is coming up quickly, October 3rd in the Pasadena area. But first things first - there was wine, champagne and cheese to be consumed. Oh, and more wine. Can you say "pump n' dump?" Thankfully I wasn't alone, Sherie has a 10 month old. So the two of us swapped off pumping in the back of our pimp SUV limo. And then I dumped and rinsed my equipment in the bathroom sink of Domain Carneros. And then again at The Fig Cafe. Good times.

On the drive up to Sonoma, Susie, Sofia and I stopped for lunch at the infamous Sam's Anchor Cafe. In the background is the Corinthian Yacht Club where our wedding reception was held. The after party and day after brunch were both held at the fantabulous Sam's. The Pink Lemonade is a favorite. Perhaps if we'd given Sofia a Pink Lemonade she would have enjoyed the ride to Sonoma a little more...Susie was a trooper and got to hear Sofia at her loudest!

Friday Night: The aromatic white flight at Willi's Wine Bar. The first of many fabulous meals (and wines) this weekend.

Saturday Fun Day: This is how we roll.

A little something just for Curtis in Tahiti.
We showered Susie with things for her honeymoon at a lovely brunch at Estate in Sonoma.

Both restaurants we dined at had Barbie and Ken tacked to the bathroom doors. Estate had this Dancing with the Stars Barbie. Clever, but a little unsettling.

Testing out the cool features on my new camera.
The end of the tour at the thankfully air conditioned Domaine Carneros!
From left to right: Erica, Suz, Sherie, Karissa, Amy & Jamie

Nothing like a refreshing glass of white wine, many, many tastes of fancy cheeses
and a cheesemonger named John who can talk for hours and not tell you a thing.

We had the pleasure of being the first to try Karissa's first bottle of pinot noir. YUM!
Also yum was the hamburger at The Fig Cafe!

The morning after: Congrats bride-to-be!

Can't wait for Susie and Curtis' big day! Stay tuned...

Two Months Old!

Wow, 2 months have passed since Michael Jackson died, can you believe it? That's what the news world is concerned with, but here on Mulberry Lane we are more excited by the news that Sofia is a whopping 12 lbs, 22.5 inches and that her head is now only in the 25th percentile (down from 50th). There is still hope she'll be able to wear hats.

Her changes in the past month have been amazing. She is so much more alert and now can make eye contact with you and SMILE! She's finding her voice and makes noises that are obviously saying "why are you watching TV? I'm much more interesting here in my bouncy chair." She loves to kick her legs and the arm pumping has started recently. What she DOES NOT like is Daddy or Nono yelling at the Giants on TV.

Everyone asks the question about sleeping through the night and she actually almost is. She's been doing this for quite awhile, but the stretches are getting longer (knock on wood) and she has recently been sleeping from about 9:30pm-4:30am. Sometimes I wake her, sometimes she wakes me. She eats and we both go back to bed until about 8:00am. It's heavenly.

She's been a pretty good companion to mommy at Baby Boot Camp the few times we've been. She cries at just the right times so Mommy doesn't have to do the hard stuff.

Here are some recent pics of her royal cuteness!

Compare to last month

Her vibrating haven

Smiles!

We're not in Loyola 19 anymore, Toto.

Last week we had a fun visit from my good friend and college roommate, Bridgette and her family. Bridgette and Kevin braved the drive up from San Gabriel with two kids in tow, Carissa (3) and Jonathan (13 months). I racked my brain for things to do that would be fun for them, and decided that the Vasona park train and carousel might be a good fit. Turns out it was! We spent the morning at the park before Sofia started to melt down and then they came over for dinner that night. Unfortunately, I did not get to spend nearly enough time catching up with Bridgette because Sofia was screaming in my ear and Carissa was wanting to watch Michael Jackson's life story on TV. Maybe we can have a legitimate conversation when they all go away to college...

Klaus Family enjoying the train much more than Sofia

First time on the railroad!

Jonathan kicking back on the hammock

Ready for another one Kev?

Quick! Hide the breast pump with that pillow!

Pool Party

Boss Machado sure knows how to throw a party. Complete with poker, pool time and pizza oven - this party was a big hit...and I'm sure it went on much longer than the two hours we were there!

Sofie donned her perfect summertime pool outfit (thank you, Caitlin Debban) and sunglasses to match and lounged in the shade while debauchery ensued around her.

Cool iPhone app "Shake It Photo" takes these old school polaroid-esque shots.

Boss welcomes Sofia to his pad.

Pre-cannon ball pool time

The Fizz-Geralds Tie the Knot

On Friday, August 21st our friends Jeff & Greta tied the knot in a lovely ceremony at a spot called Nestldown in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Jeff is a chef at Dio Deka Greek restaurant in Los Gatos and they catered the meal which was, not surprisingly, delish. It was great to spend an evening out with the family - Jen, Nick and Michael were in attendance too. The wedding had tons of cute, personal details...a photo booth, a candy bar stocked with all their faves, a s'mores pit, a signature drink coined the "Fizz-Gerald" (their last name is Fitzgerald), personalized wine labels on all the wine...I'm sure there was more I'm forgetting or just didn't notice! Thanks for a great time Jeff & Greta!

The happy couple right after they exchanged vows...for the second time.
Apparently, there was a covert private ceremony at Santa Clara Mission the week prior.

Michael, Jennifer & Nick looking fresh even though it was HOT.

I think I had my camera set on purple accent...that pond was actually icky brown.
Steve, Vincent & Michael

Best man Jim Foley brought up volunteers from the crowd to share his feelings with the bride and groom.

Individually wrapped s'mores. Brilliant.