Goin' to the chapel.... or the golf course!

We just got back from Jillian and James's beautiful wedding at the Dublin Ranch Golf Course. It was cloudy and cold when we were seated but just as the ceremony started, the sun broke through and we warmed right up. I knew Jillian had planned the wedding down to the last detail, but that was really impressive!

Look for more photos in the album I'll be sending out tomorrow!

The ceremony:



Dario with Uncle Chris and Auntie Ice:



Matteo enjoying some hors d'ouevres (did I spell that right?):



Dancing with Jenni:





Poor little Dario did not have as good a time as everyone else though. He slept in the car on the way up since it was his normal late afternoon nap time but woke up when we got there and just couldn't get back to sleep, making him very fussy. We tried nursing, walking in the wrap on my front, in the mei tai on my front and back, walking inside, walking outside; nothing worked. He was awake for over 4 hours straight when he can barely stay awake for 2 hours at home. I thought for sure he would pass out in the car on the way home, but no. He screamed every second of the 40-minute drive. My ears are still ringing even though he's now happily snuggled into his jammies and swaddling blanket and sleep.

It certainly wasn't anyone's fault, least of all James or Jillian, but I think it's a good lesson for all those newlyweds out there (and you know who you are!) who are thinking of becoming parents sometime soon. As cute and sweet as they are, babies don't give a #$^* what you want to do. Their needs for food, comfort, entertainment, and sleep trump your needs for the same things every time. No exceptions. If they were a friend or boy/girlfriend, you'd dump them in a heartbeat because all they are so selfish and never think about what you want.

So when you become a parent, you have to be ready to give, give, give. Every time. It's a hard lesson to learn with your first baby, even if you know in your head that's how it will be, but it's easier the second time around, thank goodness. Because you know what it's like to put your own needs last: to eat a complete, sometimes cold, meal in three minutes, with one hand, while standing up; to hold your pee an hour longer than you should; and to sleep in 2-hour chunks for months on end. You know what it's like to watch your first baby grow up faster than you can believe. And you know that in no time at all, you'll be watching your own babies getting married and instead of giving to them like you've always done, they'll be the ones you're giving away.

Welcome Guest Blogger Auntie Kelly!

Since Karen couldn't come to the zoo with us, she gave me the privilege of documenting the trip on Matteo's blog! I'm new to this whole blogging thing, so bear with me...

After much discussion about a San Francisco Zoo trip for Matteo, my mom finally was able to bring him up on a Thursday, one of my days off. It's not often that I get Matteo in the city, due to the less than convenient parking situation and my wacky schedule, so my roommate (Matteo's girlfriend) Katie and I had been looking forward to this trip. We are both fans of the zoo, but it makes it so much better when there's a kid with you, especially Matteo. As soon as we walked in (past the long line, thanks to our status as members!) Matteo wanted to make a beeline for the bears. We made him stop and check out the new baby giraffe, and he pointed out the baby's mommy and daddy. While we pushed him in the stroller, he studied the map intently. He got out of the stroller to get a closer look at the gorillas, and when he had enough of them he bent his knees, looked both ways, decided which way we should all head, and took off running.

I'm not sure what those zookeepers are giving to the animals these days, but it seemed like every animal we saw was sleeping! We did get lucky that the train was up and running, so we made sure to go for a ride. Matteo perfected the pageant queen wave to everyone we passed by.

After the train ride we headed to the petting zoo, which Matteo seemed to have mixed feelings about. I feel his pain, I'm not a fan of those crazy goats pretty much attacking me for some food. But he was fine as long as he was being carried at a safe distance from the savage goats. We found refuge near the sheep, where Matteo picked up a rake and made a nice little pile of some hay. He would make an excellent ranch hand.

Our last stop of the day was at the playground. At first it was packed with a lot of older kids, so Matteo was a little hesitant to get in there. He and Katie went down the smaller slides and played on the camel statue until the other kids left. Then they climbed to the top of a big plastic tube slide, and Matteo went down all by himself! I think he was trying to impress Katie, but he pulled it off! Those girls in preschool better watch out.

As much fun as the zoo was, the highlight of the day was Hide and Seek when we got back to my house. Matteo is not so good at hiding yet! When the seeker says "Ready or not, here I come!" the giggles pretty much give him away. I found him once halfway under Katie's bed, with his little legs sticking out. He was pretty brave and hid in a hall closet once as well.

After a few rounds of Hide and Seek, it was time for Grandma and Matteo to head home. Katie and I were sad to see them go, and we're already looking forward to our next trip to the zoo! Hopefully next time some of the animals won't be napping...

Daddy, the tribe has spoken.

No new episode of Survivor on this week due to March Madness, so we thought we'd bring a little Jeff Probst action to San Jose.

And while I think he might have a future in hosting reality TV shows, Matteo says that this is his "zookeeper shirt." I told him to be careful when he wore it to the zoo so they wouldn't make him stay and work.

Coming Soon: Guest Blogger Auntie Kelly on Matteo's latest trip to the SF Zoo!

A Few of Our Favorite Things

I thought it'd be cute just to make a list of some of the things we are all using and enjoying right now. After all, who doesn't love a little retail therapy?

• Thirsties Diaper Covers over the diaper service prefolds from Tiny Tots. We used super minimalist plain white diaper covers with Matteo since I figured no one could see them anyway. But the second baby gets some more fun! Even though they're just simple solid colors, I am loving using these with Dario. My favorite colors we're using now are Ocean (see below!) and Melon. And I think we have Red, Blue, Yellow, and Aqua in the next size up.

• Keen shoes for Matteo, me, and, um, me again. And why on earth don't they make these in boy colors? Dario would be so cute with these in blue or green!

• Swaddling blankets! Dario is addicted. First it was the Miracle Blanket and now the Snug & Tug.
  

• California Baby Calming Massage Oil. Because what could be better than a massage before bed every night?
  

Bocce Ball Hero

Happy Easter everyone! We just returned from our trip to St. Helena, the first time Dario (4 months old today!) has been there and the longest trip he's ever taken. We've been trying to keep the car rides to a minimum since he would scream any time he got into it but lately he's been able to fall asleep pretty easily, as long as we leave when he's sleepy. He did great on the way up there Saturday morning- conked out right away and stayed asleep the whole time. The return trip was a little, um, noisier. By the time we passed Yountville, I had gotten him to relax and fall asleep by using the emergency-only car pacifier. He never keeps it in his mouth but it distracts him enough to snap him out of the crying. Whew!

Anyway, Matteo had a fabulous time, as always, playing with his cousins Dominic, Aaron, and Mason. They are so great with him, even when he's bossing them around, whether it's about whose turn it is to bat during a baseball game or looking for lizards.



On Sunday morning, we got the boys all dressed up (which lasted a little longer for Matteo than it did for Dario) and had a photo shoot. Yeah, I know I'm gonna have to beat the girls off with a stick. Don't worry- I'm ready.



Then we hunted for Easter eggs and then went to Crane Park for a BBQ picnic. Matteo ran around the playground, played baseball with Mason and Papa Dennis, and snacked on salami & cheese and chips & onion dip. Dario snoozed on my back in our Bamberoo carrier, which is pretty much his favorite place in the world to sleep. When he was awake he watched the kids play on the playground.

Matteo also played his first bocce ball game and seems to be a natural.



As soon as he spied the Tupperware full of cupcakes, he announced to everyone that that's what he wanted for "beezert" (dessert). And as soon as he ate some of his hamburger and lots of watermelon, he got one. I've never seen a kid so excited about a cupcake as he was today.



Thanks Aunt Izzy!

So we had a lovely Easter: family, good food, perfect weather, and little boys running around getting dirty. We're looking forward to Jillian and James's wedding this coming Saturday and hoping for more of the same (except the dirty part, of course).

Teo's Gonna be Boot Scootin'

on this:



That's right; no pedals!

So apparently, training wheels are OUT! The new way to teach kids to ride a bike is without pedals! I guess it makes sense- they learn to balance on two wheels right away and then the step up to pedals is pretty simple. Plus, these bikes are really cute. I actually think the Cruiser is way cooler-looking but the seat is 17" high; unfortunately the same height as Matteo's belly button. He wouldn't be able to ride it right away, which would not be cool for a 3rd birthday present.

It's not boarding school

So I think we've found the preschool for Matteo! We visited Ballard Montessori on Wednesday and Steve and I really liked it. Matteo was very shy of course but he talked about it later on and he really did notice everything the kids were doing. We liked that it allows the kids lots of freedom to choose their activities but that they are always learning, not just wasting time.

He'll probably start during the summer program, which is "less academic" but a good way to get him into the routine and to know the teachers and other kids. Then I started getting sad about him starting in June, only 2 1/2 months away, and thought maybe we should wait until September to start him, so he'd have a little more time at home with us. And then I remembered, it's not boarding school, it's preschool, he's only going for 3 hours, twice a week. I'll barely have time to drive home, change and feed Dario and clean up whatever mess Matteo made that morning before it'll be time to go back and get him.

Everything will be okay.