One Man Band

Julian has made the leap from "worm baby" (thanks stacey, for that definition) to active baby. No longer content to sleep/eat all day, wrapped in a blanket, he has found that he actually has some control over the waving fists and springy legs attached to his hungry tummy. He sways back and forth in his swing, practicing his kung fu. His eyebrows cocked, a serious look of intent in his wrinkled forehead and pursed mouth, he practices again and again, "left fist JAB, left leg KICK! Again!"
After the warm up on the swing, we transfer to the floor excersize, aka, The Gymini. There he can stare up at taunting monkeys, try to grab at swaying rings, toss rattles, and kick a set of bells. When he's going all out, it sounds like a traffic of wind chimes.

Zoe thinks it's time for him to quiet down.

Fun on the Farm

Who is wearing out who with trips up and down the stairs?
Zoe and mommy check out some grade A heifer buns at the Little Farm.

26th Ave. Beach Bummer

Zoe belongs to a beach loving family. She practically was born with sand between her toes and salt water in her veins. But lately, she does not want to go near the beach. At least not the ocean. She's become very sensitive to sounds- helicopters, planes, birds, motorcycles (she smiles at those- uh oh) and the crashing waves send her into panic mode. It could be the time we were playing at the waterline on the Peninsula, and a wave snuck up and crashed on our legs, getting us wet and sandy as I yanked her up with a pull of breath. Now I have to drag her out to the beach when I can, whining and pouting. "Nyo, nyo!". It brakes my heart- I hope with enough exposure, she'll come around and again remember the joy of the sizzling whitewash lapping at her ankles, and the soothing comfort of lulling waves.
In the meantime, she clings hard to laps on the sand- this time Grammy comforts her while mommy takes pictures and leaves footprints.

Bestfeeding

Zoe likes to treat Mr. Bear at least as well as we treat her brother. This means diaper changes, medicine, bottles, blankies and breastfeeding. Zoe sees a lot of time spent this way. So when the chair and Boppy are free, she'll take advantage. It's good to keep hydrated while breastfeeding.

First Hair Cut

Zoe gets her first professional hair cut!
This lady knows her stuff- race cars, Dora on the telie, and pink ribbons.

A happy boy

Father's Day

Every day is Father's day for Nico. But today we spent it at the opening of the Stern Grove music season. A typical June day in the avenues, foggy and cool. Sweaters, friends and wine kept us warm until the blues began.
Here, Zoe gets a free lift out of the canyon through the nasturtiums and eucalyptus.

Let them eat cake!

Zoe & The Foxgloves

We call him Winston

That's Mr. Churchill to you

Pasta Pomodoro

Guests who come to town always ask me, "where is the hot new place to have dinner?". Hell if I know. I don't even read the food section anymore. I can't afford a $14 Cosmo or whatever the cool kids are sipping these days. I don't know the secret password that will get me down the slide into the latest whisky pouring Juke Joint. I don't know where the latest napa protoge is creating masterpieces from duck liver, grits, or locally raised grassfed hormone/antibiotic free ground beef patties that we used to call burgers. No, in this land of foodieism where I used to be in the know, I now know not. Instead, I create masterpieces from Kraft and The Turkey Store.
Unless... I get a night off. Woo-hoo! No need for a babysitter, daddy's taking us out on the town!
The restaurant of choice now is anyplace where we can get a table for 2 and two halves at 6 o'clock. Preferably with a highchair, kid's menu (with puzzles and scribble space) a set of four color crayons, and a staff that won't cringe or stun or shoot spears from their eyes when we enter. A plastic cup with lid and straw and a bathroom with a drop down changing table are a welcome bonus.
yes, our big night out to dinner these days is the Italian themed chain restaurant Pasta Pomodoro. These chain style restaurants gave me my first waiting gig, but since moving on in '92, I never looked back. I became a restaurant snob after a (very short) stint at the Balboa Cafe and moved up from there. I can no longer stomach frozen vegetables from Sysco. I pooh-pooed the predictable menus and pre-mixed margaritas of chains. But you know what? They welcome us, the family. And occasionally you can find pretty good food too. And cheap, which counts for a lot when you need to inhale sustenance in between whines & cries from the peanut gallery. But the best part (besides fantastic meatballs and garlicky, homemade sauce) is that I don't have to pull tiny daggers from my face before dinner arrives.

We call him il Duce

The Benito Pout

Big Sister

True, Zoe isn't so sure how she feels about the new baby. Sometimes she wants to help, sometimes she wants to take. Usually she wants for her bear whatever it is that Julian has. Breastfeeding, bottles, play station, blankies, diapers- whatever. So when she tried to take Julian's bottle for Mr. Bear, I asked her if she wanted to feed Julian the bottle instead. "Yes I DO. Feed Feed!" Okay. Julian didn't care as long as someone put milk in his mouth. So she sat and calmly fed her brother until she became bored with that. "Mommy feed. Give give."
It made for a great photo moment.

Arms are for hugging

Tia & the J Church

Zoe, Julian and Mommy meet tia Michelle for lunch. A fun ride through Dolores Park on the J Church led us up to Noe Valley for a nice walk on a sunny afternoon. It may just be Muni, but a train is a train ride!