Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Like Father Like Daughter

From the day we brought Audrey home, people have told us that she looks a lot like me. For those of you who disagree, here is a picture of Audrey alongside a picture of me at about the same "age".
Obviously, I think that's fantastic. Anyway, when I walked into her room the other night, I found another paternal resemblance. My parents tell me that when I slept on my stomach (that was how you were supposed to do it back then) I had a habit of pulling my knees up to my chest. I did this so often in fact, that I ended up bow-legged and my parents had to put my legs in a brace. I think they're still traumatized by how much I cried. Below is the sight I beheld when I walked into her room a few nights ago.


Needless to say, I pulled (and keep pulling because she sleeps like that a lot) her legs out but she just tucks them back up. I must say however, I think it's awfully cute.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Peachick

For those of you who care, I just wanted to up-date you on the peahen who laid her 11 eggs in front of our house. To my disappointment, only one chick hatched and other 10 eggs were unfertilized and eaten by farm critters in the night. Here is a picture of the peahen and her peachick. In other peachick news, there are several more chicks that are around the farm. I am hoping Peyton (our cat) stays out of their way.


Monday, May 19, 2008

Lunch After Church

I love going to lunch after church. It may just be me but it doesn't seem right to just go home and have leftovers or a sandwich after a worship celebration. However, coordinating lunch after church can be tricky. First there's the question of whether or not anyone is going to lunch. Am I going to get invited? Should I initiate? What if I initiate and we are the only ones who show up? Should I invite myself if I find out other people are going to lunch? I know...I'm awkward. Once you finally get a group together you need to figure out where to go. Sometimes someone really has a a craving for Chipotle and the decision is made, but other times, you stand around for 15 minutes advocating for where you really want to eat, trying not to offend anyone as they advocate for where they want to eat.

So...that brings me to yesterday. A group of us decided to go to lunch at SuperMex in Lakewood. I haven't been much but I remember that they do have some fantastic mexican food, hence the name super mex. There were 10 adults and 4.5 kids (including Dominic Alberico). We were told there would be a 30minute wait which, though daunting with hungry kids, seemed acceptable. About 45 minutes later (upon seeing our intended table broken up to appease an angry customer) we reluctantly decided to cut our losses and find somewhere else to eat. I will say that it was the first time I heard a hostess say into the microphone to everyone waiting in the lobby, "Our take-out window is open." Wow! We decided to take our unruly brood across the parking lot to Souplantation only to be told emphatically that we would not be able to sit together, not to mention the 30 people in line in front of us. This is also a good time to let you know that it was now about 1:30 in the afternoon and 96 degrees outside. Desperate, we ran our ragtag bunch of misfits across traffic to the haven known as Baja Fresh. We were greeted with a nearly empty, air-conditioned lobby. Not surprisingly, my food tasted exceptionally good. Was it 2.5 hours good, I don't know?

Needless to say, yesterday's adventures further proved to me that the institution known as lunch after church is indeed complicated. Nevertheless, I will continue participating in this weekly tradition. So friends, if you see me skulking around the Revolution patio after the 11:00 service, you'll know what I'm looking for.

Here is a picture of us walking from Souplantation to Baja Fresh. I especially like Esther's expression.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

LIVESTRONG

Tuesday night, we went to Playa Del Rey for a LIVESTRONG Event in support of Beads of Courage- a program I represent for City of Hope. We geeked out in yellow (the LIVESTRONG color). It was more fun than work, but I needed to go to network. Audrey had the most fun; we took her in the bounce house, to the play ground, and to the beach.





Sunday, May 4, 2008

Trip to NorCal

Two weekends ago, we took a road-trip to San Francisco. It was our second trip up there since we had Audrey, good times were had by all. Once again Audrey did well. We only had to stop once each way. Here are some pictures of our trip.We stayed with my sister and her husband. Friday, we went into the city for some Clam Chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf and a walk down the Promenade. Friday night we got to meet Eric’s step’s-sister’s boyfriend, Tom. We were excited to met him before the rest of the family.

Sorry, Tom for showing you embarrassing pictures of my pregnant belly.

Saturday, we went to our friend, Jamie’s wedding. We had a great time hanging out with friends from church. Auntie Rahime and Auntie Susan helped Audrey get dressed before the wedding. The hat did not last long as usual.

Audrey checking out the beautiful bride.

Audrey enjoying "Daddy time." (And Yes, they match, but that was not my idea).

On Sunday night we went to my Aunt Gail's for dinner. They enjoyed meeting Audrey for the first time.


Sharing Kisses
Audrey and her first cousins once removed
(my cousins- thanks Eric for the family tree lecture).

Audrey relaxing with her second cousins.