New Cheekster Member!

DSC_1994Kumquat and Sophie have a new member to their Cheekster Club and she beats out both of them!

DSC_2018Introducing Vivian Jane who was born this morning at 1:44 am.  She was a week overdue and still really wasn’t in the mood to meet us all when it was time to enter the outside world.

DSC_2021I was lucky enough to visit them at the hospital today after work and Stephanie is doing well.

DSC_2054Vivian weighed in at a healthy 9 lbs, 14 oz. and measured 21 inches. Wowza.

IMG_3594Her aunties and I were so excited to meet her today and to welcome her to the big world.  IMG_3593Thanks for letting us crash your recovery room today!!IMG_3592Congratulations to Stephanie and Nathan!DSC_2009

Nice work, Steph.  Enjoy your newest family member.  Time really flies so try to take in every moment.  Let me know if you need anything!!

Tahoe Weekend

IMG_3544On Friday, we drove to South Tahoe to meet up with Sylvia and James.  They have a timeshare at a resort just next to Heavenly and they invited us to stay in their 2-bedroom suite for the weekend.

IMG_3450The drive up was in heavy traffic but we made it with just enough time to enjoy the sunset and some drinks and dinner in the village.

IMG_7329The next morning, we made a big breakfast and then packed up for a day at the beach.  We ended up at Zephyr Cove Beach where it’s a popular hangout for college kids. We got a spot in the back and set-up a big shady tarp for a view of the lake and all the partying happening around us.

IMG_3490I was amazed at how Kumquat kept herself occupied for so long by playing with the sand and the bucket/shovel that we brought from home.  I actually got to crack open a magazine and relax a bit.  Jesse and James also BBQ’d around the corner and we enjoyed chicken wings, corn, and sausage under our little campsite along with a box of wine.

IMG_3529Later in the evening, we went out for dinner at the casinos and walked around a bit in the warm evening weather.

IMG_3550Our drive home on Sunday was smooth with the exception for a 5-mile stretch of traffic in Davis where it was 104 degrees outside.  All-in-all it was a good but short trip.

Discount!

nanny shareA couple weeks ago, Mirian told me that her aunt will be going back to El Salvador so she asked if she could bring Karla to our house everyday.  Well, that would be considered a nanny share so we made some negotiations and we struck a deal that works for both families!  So starting on Monday (7/1), Karla started coming over with Mirian and Kumquat has a new pal!  They are so cute together and being only 2 weeks younger, Karla makes the perfect share care buddy.  What makes things even better is now we get to pay less for childcare!  Woot!

Day off

I love having random days off.  I took one today since I had worked so hard all month.  IMG_3368The day started in Orinda with Ranee and Sophie.   Stephanie also stopped by since she’s still waiting for baby to arrive. IMG_3366 We met up at Peet’s and walked over to Republic of Cakes for a free story and music time.

IMG_3420The girls had fun and the grown-ups got to do some catching up.

IMG_3387Afterward, we stopped at Teresa’s house to drop off her birthday present.  She had the day off too because of her birthday so it was perfect.  Kumquat got to play with their dog Bailey and hung out with Aaron too.

IMG_3397 For lunch, we got home a little late and Kumquat was sleeping.  I was hungry and it was a gorgeous day outside so I wheeled her over to MoMo’s and I had a nice lunch out on the patio.  Aaah…

IMG_3410For dinner, we went to Paragon for an outdoor dinner.  All in all it was a fantastic day off and great way to kick off summer and my long weekend.

IMG_3411I other news, Koa has been having a great time with Jia this week.  She sent me photos of him at Half Moon Bay.  He even got to run off-leash near the water too.  Lucky dog.

Upcoming Races

runningIt’s time to get back to running.  I’ve been running about twice per week if my back is feeling ok and now it’s time to ramp up a bit.  So far this is what I have lined up:

  1. Giants 10K in August. I’ve done the Half Marathon and I’ve done the 5K once before  so why not complete the set and run the 10K?!  Luckily I have a few friends running it with me.  It should be a lot of fun and you really can’t beat having the start and finish right outside your home.
  2. Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K over Labor Day weekend.  It should be really fun to be able to run through Disneyland park at 5:30 am!!  On top of that, Kumquat is signed up for her very first race (gotta start them early!).  It’s called the Disney Diaper Dash and she’ll be able to run 100 meters and she’ll get her very own t-shirt and finisher’s medal!  At 16 months of age, she’ll be super ready!  Hopefully she won’t outgrow her Nikes by then.

So, now comes the training.  I just need to start adding a mile every week or so starting at 3 miles.  This afternoon, I pushed Kumquat in the stroller for 3.1 miles.  It was SO hot and humid today but I finished.  My time was horrible but I did it.

Only 6 weeks to go!

**UPDATE: Stephanie reminded me that I HAVE run the 10K before.  In fact, I ran it when I was 3 months pregnant.  Wow, I’m impressed with my past self.

Happy Father’s Day

snuggles

We spent Father’s Day in town this year.  Last year, Jes celebrated his first Father’s Day in Cerritos so it felt almost like his first one all over again this year.  This morning Kumquat greeted him in bed and the three of us snuggled up together like we used to when she was very little.

IMG_3184Later we went to the Aquarium of the Bay, which is a small aquarium at Pier 39.  We’ve lived here almost 6 years and I was always curious about it.  Well, dads got free admission today and I had a 20% off coupon for my ticket so it was the perfect day to go.

fishThe best part of the aquarium was their underwater tube.  Schools of fish would swirl around and then zoom by like it was a water highway.

familyWe got a lot of outdoor time since we walked there and back.  We had really nice weather this weekend.

IMG_3196For dinner, we went to Hillstone for a fat steak for Jes and a surpisingly delicious and satisfying kale and chicken salad for me.  Kumquat also had her first taste of peanuts and I am relieved to report that she does not have Brother’s peanut allergy.  Yes!ninadaddyHappy Father’s Day to Jes and also to my Daddy.  And Happy Pre-Father’s Day to my brother!