Welcome Zachary

We are so happy and excited to announce the birth of
Zachary Christan on July 9, 2008!
The details: 2:12 am 7 pounds 2 ounces 19 1/2 inches

I love a parade

It is no secret that I love parades and fireworks. 2 years ago, (three 4th of July's) our West Coast move included a planned stop in small town America to celebrate the 4th of July. Sadly, the fireworks show was cancelled due to weather. The last 2 years, we have decided to stay in and not tamper with the Little Man's sleeping schedule. BUT, we have made it to the parade both years. This year we realized it is official, we really live here...we actually knew people in the parade. And in one instance, the paradee acknowledged us. I've always said, as soon as we make friends and I find a job I like, we move. Good thing I have no intention of getting a job!

Later in the day, Alex pumped up his pool and splashed around for awhile.

Happy Anniversary

Ahh, the exciting anniversary plans of the parents of a toddler with a baby due at any moment! We took a walk to our little shopping center to try the new gelato place and check out the Hot Rod Show. Many of the cars were restored and actually hot, but a few were just old...like the 1970's Country Squire station wagon. No, seriously. A very large dog licked Alex's hand. His hand kind of disappeared into the dog's mouth temporarily. Alex enjoyed it all. Next year is #10, maybe something a bit more exciting is in order?

Still waiting...but having fun

Baby isn't ready for his/her debut just yet, so we've been keeping busy.
We went to the Oakland A's game for Coast Guard Day at the Ballgame. As with most things lasting more than an hour or so, Alex enjoyed the first half of the game and some ballpark food, but naptime was infringed upon and we left a bit early. The bad news of the day: Phil lost his wallet. The good news of the (next) day: Phil got his wallet back. So even though Oakland is a bit rough, we know we don't live in the East anymore! Everything was intact except for Phil's riches of $4 cash, a small price to pay.
It's been a while since we made it to the zoo, so we took a few hours yesterday to mingle with the animals. We went later in the day, so as we were going in, all the day camp groups were leaving...perfect timing! Instead of following our Disney Land rule of going left upon entering (most people go right, so avoid the crowds) we went ahead and turned right. It was nice to spend time with the animals we usually speed through at the end of a tiring day. Alex had lunch with the giraffes and got up close and personal with the camels. Fortunately the camel didn't decide to spit! Alex was desperate to go on the sky ride so he and Phil went up. This time Alex stayed awake and enjoyed the scenery!

Today we went to the park to play. Alex discovered the tube slide and was having a blast climbing up the ladder and sliding. I was amazed that he was willing to go down by himself (with me at the bottom to catch him). But then, he started to get too brave and was coming down head first. Laughing the whole way, of course. Next he went to the smaller slide and even though I told him to "sit on your bottom", he thought walking down would be a better way to go. Fortunately, a random mom was right next to the slide and grabbed him as he fell. Oh crazy man, what will we do with you?


**again, there are more pictures on our kodak page, let me know if you don't get the link and want to see them.

Happy Father's Day

We had a very busy Father's day weekend. A good deal of time went into setting up Baby's room. Well, attempting to set it up. First we needed to get everything out of the former guest/computer room. (unfortunately, this is still an on-going process) Progress is slow, but happening. Alex is quite helpful with cleaning/rearranging projects. ;)

There was plenty of fun too. Saturday we went to breakfast and then to the bookstore. Alex loves his books and the bookstore was a huge hit! First stop, the children's section...he ran up and down the aisles picking out books and bringing them to us to look at. We found (finally) a book about buses and he didn't let go of it. They have a little train table with trains and he played with another little boy for a while before discovering the escaltors. He loved riding up and down, standing so proudly next to Phil and holding Phil's hand.
Sunday morning we went to the playground to swing and slide and collect bark. A crow landed on the stroller handle and grabbed Alex's packet of crackers before flying off. If only we had had the camera! Phil is playing house league hockey in Oakland and they had an early game so we decided to go root for him. Before the game, Alex and I were looking around the ice house and as soon as I put him down, he made a beeline for the open door to the ice rink. I guess falling on ice once wasn't enough to take the fun out of it. Alex was interested in the hockey game for the first 2 periods. Too bad there is a 3rd and then they had overtime to boot! On the way home Alex held onto Phil's hockey stick even as he drifted in and out of sleep.

Do you hear that?

Alex has been taking Music Together classes for the past year. He was so little when we started and the only instrument he could hold was a cute little maraca. It has been so much fun to watch him progress in context to the class. From wanting to hold the instruments and not give them back to now helping put them away. Sometimes he will even sing along, which is so funny. This past week, aside from the school age kids, he was the little extrovert. Following the teacher around the room, shaking the bells, and generally not sitting with us at all. All the other "little kids" were sticking close by their parents (not typical behavior). He is such a treasure, but sometimes we wonder where he came from!

Alex and friends jamming

We're hoping to continue classes through the summer...get Baby ready to join the family band nice and early!

Ice, ice Baby

Our curling club (SFBACC) is hosting it's first ever bonspiel this weekend. We haven't been too involved with the club recently (gee, I wonder why) but we wanted to help out and see everyone so Alex and I cruised on down to Fremont today. Honestly, we went to help, but they had everything under control, so we wound up being atmosphere for a few hours. It was fun to see our 'old' curling pals again and Alex really enjoyed watching the action on the ice. Fortunately it was just practice because he also enjoyed banging on the glass, hockey style. We missed some friends, but we'll be back again and hopefully they'll be around.

Alex had a chance to get out on the ice and try out the rocks. I think he's a natural!