Sleeping Beauty

We brought Fiona home on Friday. She got the ok from the pediatrician and I got the ok from the OB, so we happily left the hospital for the more comfortable confines of our own home.

Kai is an excellent big brother. He loves to hold her on his lap, hug and kiss her.

We went for our first appointment to the pediatrician today. She's only down 3 oz from her birth weight and Dr. Chu says that she looks great.

Here is a photo of our little lady dozing.

The "Hat"

Kai thinks it is hilarious to turn his shirt, pants, whatever extraneous clothing into a "hat" and then run around the house. With entertainment like this, who needs a TV?

It's not easy being Green!

Here is Kai in his PJs and the hat he wanted to wear around the house and outside to play this a.m. Very in the spirit for this 30% or so Irish child.

Early this morning our friends Sam & James welcomed their daughter Emily into the world. Hooray for St. Patty's Day babies!

Hope you are having a great St. Patty's day!

I scream, you scream!

Sunday was a lovely day here in La Mesa. Made all the better by the sound of a simple tune lofting on the air that draws children of all ages out into the street. The ice cream man came by our house and we all indulged in a cool and tasty treat.


Don't push me! Push a Push Pop!

36 Weeks!

Woo hoo! We've made it to the milestone of 36 weeks. Every day at this point is a bonus, allowing our little girl to gain a little extra weight and develop more. Yesterday I worked my last day for 4-5 months, depending on when she is born. Time to watch Oprah and eat bon-bons.

Ha! If you know me, you know that is unlikely. I am hoping to get a few things done, rest up, and prepare ourselves (mentally and otherwise) for the arrival of our little girl.

Here is a pic of Addison and Kai sharing a little dinner.

Katie, Addison, and Katie's friend Jen are here this weekend and so are a few of Esther's family members, so we're staying busy and enjoying having the abundance around. Looks like the next month or so will be very similar with lots of visitors coming and going. Can't wait!

Welcome Little One!

This evening at 7:44 p.m., we welcomed Fiona Teresa Gideon to the world.

She measures 19.5 inches and weighs 6 lbs 13 oz.

Both mom & baby are healthy and the family is enjoying getting acquainted with our newest member.

Photos and more to come soon!

A little light reading

Kai loves books. Always has. When things are quiet around the house and most parents would be scared that their child was up to no good, Kai is most often sitting looking at books.

Last night he went to a bookshelf in our guest room that is filled with grown up books. We both had to laugh that he sat “reading” Primary Colors for 5-10 minutes. Who knows what we’re in for next, perhaps War & Peace in kindergarten?

Windansea

Last weekend we made it out to one of our favorite gems of San Diego, Windansea. It is a secluded little surf spot that has a local reputation for having great waves that surfers are very territorial for. We like it because the rocks are a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a picnic and enjoy a sunset.

We wanted to capture a few family photos and this belly o'mine with a great photographer that just moved to San Diego named Arika Reed. Arika was awesome and in just one short hour, she captured photos that show her amazing artistry. We're thrilled with how they turned out. Check out the link at her name above to see her other photos. If you click on this link, you can see a few more of our photos. Thank you Arika!

Say What?

Kai’s language is growing leaps and bounds these days. Every time we turn around he surprises us with words that we’re not even sure where he learned them like minivan, Mickey Mouse, snake or Jeep. He’s ever the parrot, so we watching what we say especially closely. Funnier than his mimicking is the words he gets slightly wrong. They’re adorable and endearing and gone impossibly fast as he masters the words the way they should be pronounced. Here are some of our favorites:

Pronounced: Sear-see-yal
Actual word: Cereal

Pronounced: Other 4 letter f word,
Actual word:Frog

Pronounced: Butt,
Actual word: Button (as in belly button- imagine the confusion)

Pronounced: Melmo,
Actual word: Elmo, Shamu or Nemo, only context clues can define this one

Pronounced: Hooch/Fooch,
Actual word: Soup(Especially funny when referring to soup that Yiayia or Grandma made)

Pronounced: Eh eh,
Actual word: Monkey (animals are often the sounds they make)

Pronounced: Noo-nuls,
Actual word: Noodles

Pronounced: Cuk-cuk,
Actual word: Cookie (dessert or monster)

Pronounced: Oooooh, Whas daaaaat?,
Actual word: Oooooh, What’s that?

Pronounced: Another word for rooster,
Actual word: Clock

Pronounced: Mik Mik,
Actual word: Mickey Mouse

Pronounced: Pea-cool,
Actual word:Pickle

The chase is on!

Kai loves to run around after his bathtime. Not exacty the relaxing bedtime ritual we hope for, but it is pretty funny! Put some wings on him and he'd look like cupid! Happy Valentine's Day!

8 more weeks to go!

Today I'm 32 weeks. That leaves just 8 weeks until this little lady's due date! Here are a few photos from 2 weeks ago of the ever growing belly and the ever disappearing belly button.

You wear it well!

This cool weather and rain has us craving soup. Kai seems to be a fan of the tomato soup we had for dinner last night. He's been doing really well with utensils lately, but this might have been a tad advanced for his fine motor skills.

Two Peas

Tonight we had our friends the Kaschades over for dinner. Jennifer and I met in prenatal yoga (last time) and the boys are a little less than a month apart in age. It was a blast to see them play together, talk their own little language to each other, and have so many similar words and mannerisms.

Here is a clip of Kai & his good buddy Max. SO CUTE!

Little Beethovens?

Here is Kai and a few of his cousins getting down on the piano at the Alo home. Sorry for the "tilt your head" orientation of the video. Someday I'll remember that I can't turn the camera that way and take videos. Ha ha!

Happy Birthday Addison!

This weekend we celebrated Addison Grace's first birthday in true Addison style!
Here she is getting into her cake!

The party was complete with a petting zoo! Here is Sydney snuggling a baby bunny.

Addison enjoyed walking around checking it all out. Here is our little princess with the duck, goose, and the chickens.

There was a calf, and a few goats, including this adorable baby!

Mr. Alpaca made an appearance, though his nervous stomach made a short one. It was a great time for friends, family and farm animals alike! Looking forward to many more Addison birthday celebrations.

Baby Girl Gideon!

We got to have another ultrasound yesterday and got some great photos of our little lady. I'm already in love with this adorable chin!

Christmas 2009

Christmas flew by. So quickly that I didn't even really get to take many photos. I'm relying on the photos of others this season and not ashamed to say it!

We had a great Christmas, first with Nana, Grandpa and Auntie Dodie here in town. We got to celebrate with all the in town family (Papou, Yiayia, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Monica, and cousins Maya & Devon).

On the 26th we headed East to celebrate with with the Horine/Altendorfs. There were always tons of aunts, uncles, cousins and grands around to keep Kai busy. Here are some photos from our trip to AZ and a couple of Addison & Kai.

Surprise!

A few weeks ago, I took a quick jaunt to L.A. to celebrate the baby shower of my good friend Trish and some of the best girlfriends a mom could have! Four of us came in from out of town for the weekend and had a little girl time. They even surpised me with a little shower of my own, complete with pedicures and cupcakes, cake, and more cupcakes!

What a wonderful way to spend the weekend! I think this should be an annual tradition!

Wasn't it just turkey day?

It seems like only yesterday we were in Tucson celebrating Thanksgiving with the family, but alas. . . Christmas is upon us with only 9 days to go!

Here are some photos of our visit.

As with most Thanksgiving, there were good eats. Mmmm, tasty Kherington!

And fun times trying new things

A Party within a Party- Happy Early Birthday Sweet Baby K!

People around that you enjoying being with.

And some snuggle time with Nana!

House of Bounce

Last weekend we went up to Orange County to go to Kimberly's (our cousin and god daughter) birthday party. She had her party and one of those places that has HUGE bounce houses, obstacle courses, etc. Here are a few photos of the cousins having fun.