Happy 4 Months To Me!

We're loving four months old! She's such a joy and such a good, happy baby. We've been enjoying seeing the changes in her recently as she explores the world around her and really starts to notice things.

*She rolled over for the first time, from her front to her back. She hasn't done it since, but we know it's possible!

*Each session of tummy time she's a little stronger. It won't be long before she can sit up on her own.

*Smiles are given often and without much provocation. They are the best. We've started to get lots of giggles too!

*She is still sleeping like a champ...typically 11-12 hours per night. She's still being swaddled in the Miracle Blanket, although about 75% of the time she's broken free by morning. Sometimes she likes the pacifier to fall asleep with, then mommy or daddy play the game of "catch the paci" so she doesn't roll her face onto it and wake herself up. Often mommy will sit in the dark and wait for it to fall out for up to 30 minutes...while playing on her iPhone. Sigh. The things we do for good sleep!

*She's finally able to hold her head up enough to ride facing forward in the Baby Bjorn and she seems to LOVE it. We've gone for a walk around the block, to Erin's birthday pre-party and to a Stanford tailgate in our Bjorn. For those of you that aren't sure, it's pronounced "Bee-Yorn."

This is "Monkey Friend", who appears to be the favorite.

We spent a lovely October afternoon playing in the backyard recently. So much to look at outside!

Some tummy time in our Halloween duds.

Army crawl through the jungle.

Football Game? What Football Game?

Since Steve is at the game and Sofia is sound asleep after an exciting day of tailgating, I figured I'd actually blog about something the same day it happened. It'll keep me from obsessing over how to avoid the Swine Flu.

Currently, Stanford is leading Arizona State 24-7 in the middle of the 3rd quarter. Per usual, there was a fun and yummy tailgate leading up to the game. I long ago realized that this is the best part of the day, and if I can, I skip the game entirely (although the new stadium is quite nice). Having a four month old really helps my cause.

Steve has been anxious for Sofia to make it to her first Stanford tailgate. He even bought her her own Cardinal onesie in hopes that she'd make it to a game this season. She made an appearance at a SJSU game awhile back, but it was a bit much for her. And for me. But we've turned a corner in the last couple weeks: she's a better passenger in the car and MUCH better around strangers. So I told Steve last night "if she takes one of her power naps in the morning, we'll come to the tailgate tomorrow." Low and behold, her morning nap lasted longer than 20 minutes! It was nearly 3 hours, so we ate, packed up the car and met the crew in Palo Alto. It was almost like she wanted to go.

She was trooper the whole day. Everyone got some smiles, cousins Marissa and Andrea, Auntie Jen, Great-Auntie Val, Noni and Grammy Marcia got to hold her and she spent some happy time in the Baby Bjorn.

Stanford, I think we'll be back.

We didn't want Sofia to feel left out, so we smoked her bottle.

Three generations of tailgating expertise.

Go Indians!

Marsh & Sofie and Gretchen & Alex (almost age 1).

Charlie (age 3) and his really cool balloon 'pider.
Charlie tells us he also plans to dress up as a 'pider for Halloween.

Family Red. I mean Cardinal.

26 and in the Mix

Last Sunday we celebrated Andrea's belated 26th birthday (it was September 15th) at Aunt Valerie's house in San Mateo. A good time was had by all, especially Sofia who was rocking her black leggings with the lace trim.

Debuting this adorable outfit that was a gift from my friend Tina at my LA Shower.

It was a very similar outfit to what I was wearing that day at the shower (leggings and all).

Someday Sofia will get to join us at the table.
For now, we prefer to keep her happy and vibrating.

The apple of their eyes - Sofia hanging out with Great-Noni and Great Granny.

Happy Birthday Andrea! With Marissa and her cute new do.

Saturday Night

This past Saturday night was like a pre-baby Saturday night. Multiple events, not enough time in the evening. While Sofia hung out with Grammy Marcia, we headed off to first celebrate the engagement of Lysandra & Luke at their friend's lovely home in Los Gatos. Luke is the ultimate wine guy and there was a fabulous spread of wine that Steve was very resistant to leave. It was great to see Lysandra & Luke and lots of their friends and family that we don't get to see very often. We are REALLY hoping to make it to Omak, Washington (Lys' hometown) for their wedding next August.

Teal flew in from Seattle & Gigi flew in from N. First Street.

The betrothed - Lysandra & Luke

After dragging Steve away from the engagement party, we headed to my Mitty 15 year reunion. It was a mediocre turnout, just about 15 people from my class, plus dates. The 15 year is typically pretty low in attendance, and from my experience over the past few years, this was actually a good year! It was a lot of fun to catch up with classmates and see what everyone is up to. I must admit, I loved being back at school as a "guest" at the event that I've planned for the past two years. As much as I enjoyed seeing my classmates, I also really enjoyed seeing my former coworkers.

Meghan takes a breather from busting her butt to make the reunion great!
I'm so thrilled to pass the torch.

Class of '94 Reunited - Tomas, Kate, Kelly, me & Lori

Enough Mitty pride to last Steve many years.

The reunion finally outgrew the event center and was moved into the big gym.
It cleans up real nice!

Happy Anniversary to us!

We celebrated our fourth anniversary (October 8th) at the new Yuki Sushi on Lincoln Avenue. I hadn't eaten any legit sushi since before I was pregnant and I'd been jonesin' for it. We started off the night with swirls/margaritas at Aqui then went across the street for some saki and sushi. YUM.

Happy Anniversary to my Sucker!

My old friends: maguro...unagi...hamachi

Thank You For Being a Friend...

Sofia journeyed to Southern California for the second time in 2 weeks on October 1st. She's getting to be a pro at flying. Too bad we don't have anywhere else to go, since we have the travel thing down pat. This time we flew into Burbank...such a convenient, simple airport. No shuttle to the rental cars, they are right there. It's a bit of pain to walk down the stairs when you get off the plane, but the weather is almost always nice there, so I guess it doesn't matter. Holding a baby and climbing/descending stairs kinda freaks me out, so I took it very slow. We survived.

Daddy & Sofia pose by the bird. The pilot leaned out of the cockpit to say hello and
was very impressed that this was Sofia's 3rd flight.

The reason for our trip was that Susie and Curtis tied the knot on October 3rd at the beautiful Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, near Pasadena. Susie is one of my best friends from college and I was honored to stand up for her as one of her Matron of Honors. The weekend was absolutely perfect, great weather, fun rehearsal lunch, a great hotel close to Old Town Pasadena, walking distance from tons of restaurants and shops. Susie really thought everything out and her planning and attention to detail was obvious all weekend!

Right before this was taken, Karissa and I were wracking our brains for a cute "wedding day" gift for Susie. Karissa said "how about a picture frame?" and I said,"I hate giving picture frames without a picture in it." So we grabbed groomsman Matt and had him take a few shots of us with Susie on their wedding grounds. Karissa ran to Walgreen's to have it developed first thing in the morning, then jetted to Macy's for a frame and viola! Perfect wedding day gift for the bride.

Suz and Curtis practice their walk down the aisle.

View from the amazing Presidential Suite that Suz somehow ended up with!

The bridal photo shoot.

Adorable, one of a kind cake topper.

Delta Zetas keeping warm at the reception.

Susie & Curtis were so kind to hire a babysitter to watch Sofia and another baby just a month older than Sofia. They were just about 100 yards from the reception site. Susie even bought a bouncy chair just like Sofia's special chair at home. A lifesaver!

Steve and me just a few days from our 4 year anniversary.


Susie and Curtis (well, I think mostly Curtis) wrote the ceremony that was performed by a very distinguished and amiable judge. Curtis is a television show writer (Check him out on youtube.com in the Curtis Kheel Experience Parts 1 & 2) and therefore quite proficient in such endeavors. My favorite parts of the ceremony, other than it's overall wit and charm, were the "readings" that were chosen. Instead of the typical 1 Corinthians 1-13, (which features Steve's favorite verse: "I am only a resounding gong" - he insists the gong is me), Susie and Curtis continued the wedding's theme of television playing a huge part in their lives. They selected the theme songs from the Golden Girls (Thank You For Being a Friend), Friends (I'll Be There For You) and Family Ties (Without Us). It was hilarious to watch the audience catch on and snicker. A testament to this fun loving and funny couple!
Congratulations Susie & Curtis!

Jail Break

When we visited LA in September for Claudine's wedding, we stayed at Embassy Suites because I long ago realized I cannot sleep in the same room as Sofia. Steve can sleep through anything, but all of her little grunts and snorts, as cute as they are, keep me from falling asleep for more than 5 minutes at a time. But in Pasadena, we were staying at the lovely Westin. There were no suites available (because Susie snagged the Presidential Suite), so we talked our way into a handicapped room with more square footage and more importantly, a bathroom big enough for the rolling crib. She slept pretty well in there, but apparently was planning her escape while we were sneaking down to the lobby to use the facilities at 4am.

Oh, Miracle Blanket, how we've loved you so. But I think your time may coming to an end...