Go Terps!

The Maryland Terrapins are playing in the Emerald Bowl tomorrow. And, as luck would have it, the game is in San Francisco. There was a pep rally downtown today, so Phil played hookey for a few hours and we went down to lend some Maryland Red to the crowd which was decidedly Oregon State Orange. It was a fun time, the two bands had a small "battle of the bands" and of course the mascots were there working the crowds. The Maryland band director remembered Phil from his days in the band so they chatted a bit. We know some folks who are coming out for the game, but we didn't see them at the rally. Grandpa Prather flew in (too late for the rally) to attend the game with Phil so we had a busy busy day.

Oh Tannenbaum

Merry Christmas!
We are slowly but surely getting ready for Alex's first Christmas. The tree went up last week, amid hopes that the cats and Alex would all just let it be. The cats like to sleep under it and Alex likes to slap at the branches because it makes the whole thing wiggle and the bells chime. But all in all, it has been a success! At first, the presents were being stashed in the pack-n-play. Alex LOVES paper -- ripping it, crinkling it, eating it. I put a couple of "trial" presents under the tree and Alex didn't notice them, so tonight I put the rest under the tree. It looks so pretty. Hopefully tomorrow isn't a day of taking wrapping paper away from Alex!

Staying home for the holidays had the added bonus of Penguin being added to the decor. I thought the neighbors might secretly object, but Phil said they liked Penguin.

We hope your holidays are great!

Why we "heart" California

Or, How we became weather wimps.

We don't mean to brag, or rub salt in your cold wounds, but it is mid December and still in the 50's during the day.


The magnolia and camellia in our 'backyard' are both blooming.






Alex is still enjoying his walks and going to the park to play with his play group or just to swing with Mommy and Daddy.




It is kind of sad that the outdoor ice rink at Embarcadaro Center doesn't completely freeze though. If you fall, you get wet. The really sad part is that we actually think it is cold, until we realize that it really isn't.


Don't hate us....just email us and plan a visit!

First words

Alex said his first words this week. Would you believe it was "Mam-mam"! It made me cry a little. Of course when we asked him who was Mam-mam, we're pretty sure he said "I'm Mam-mam". Oh well, I'll just pretend.
Since then, he has really started to babble using his consonants. This has also cut down (a little) on the screaming.

Party Animal

Alex attended a group birthday party last night for the kids in the mom's group we crashed. I was impressed by his willingness to share toys. Well, allow them to be taken away and then take them back again. But he didn't cry. During the adult dinnertime, I was sitting on the couch and he pulled up so I gave him a taste of mashed potatoes. He really liked them and kept opening his mouth for more. When I ran out he was very sad until I came back with more. He even cruised the couch for the first time to get closer! Yay Alex! During the birthday cupcake extravaganza (plastic tablecloths on the floor, 4 babies and a cupcake cake (have you seen those? they're so cool)) we didn't put him into the mix. He's not 1 and we didn't think he should be getting into the sugar yet. So while the kids were busy sticking their hands into the icing, and in one case doing a really nice job of painting her face blue, Alex was searching through the toy basket. Phil and I were so proud, he kept looking until he found a book! Then he sat down and read the book to himself.

10 months

Alex is 10 months old! He was really distracted by all the fun bark on the ground and wouldn't really watch our silly dance and smile. Oh well. As you can see, he is standing on his "own" now. When not distracted, he is very giggly and has learned how to fake laugh in order to get us to laugh with him. Once we laugh back, he'll use his real laugh. I don't know where he comes up with these ideas.
We spent the day in The City today. (San Fran) We shopped Embarcadaro Center, The Ferry Building and Fisherman's Wharf. The wind was cold but otherwise it was a nice cloudy day. It really wasn't too crowded either. Alex made friends with some pigeons who were happy to accept his gifts of Cheerios. They didn't like the mixed vegetable medly he offered however.

Let's back up a little

Thanksgiving!
I don't have any pictures to show for Thanksgiving. I guess they were all taken on my mom's and sister's cameras. So, my mom, dad and sister came down for the weekend. Alex really enjoyed all the extra attention and showed off his new skill of pulling himself up. He wants to stand up, then sit down, then stand up again. Always in motion!
My sister and I went shopping on Black Friday. I have to say, the crowds were disappointing. It was fun to get out without the little one, shopping was much more efficient. But, I do miss him when he isn't with me, singing a song and making a scene!
Here's a picture from Thanksgiving week...

Let's back up a little more

Halloween!
Alex was an adorable monkey for Halloween. Phil was a monkey's dream come true...a giant banana!



The childcare center at Phil's work does a Halloween parade and the different offices come out to hand out candy. It was a lot of fun seeing all the cute costumes (the kids looked cute too!) When we got to Phil's office, he joined the parade. That night, the shopping center down the road did store to store trick or treat so we went to that too. Alex and Phil were a huge hit! People came up to us saying they had heard about the monkey with his banana and they wanted to see them.

What will we do for an encore?

Well, we'll give this a try

So, we thought we should give blogging a try. Perhaps it will help keep everyone updated on the life and times of Alexander. I'll warn you all in advance, we are not that exciting of a family. We don't get out much so there might not be much to report, but we'll see.