Our First Trip

OK, how much do you need to travel for 8 days with a baby? Aparently a lot because I shipped a box in addition to all this stuff...but if only you knew what I had originally packed and didn't, you'd be impressed. We're all packed and off to Wisconsin.



We checked in to the best room in the house!



Here's a letter that the kind staff left on Princess Zoey's linens. I think if you click on it, it'll enlarge. Her personal servant (aka Mom) had to make her bed to her specifications though. I'll have to take that up with the staff at some time.



These are the owners of Chez Tootz. They are "special" to us. LOL No, JK, I think this picture was taken after a few days of Zoey servitude and they were trying really hard to be good sports about it.

On a more serious note, thank you so much. You two were awesome!!! Zoey told me she misses you and cried herself to sleep for many nights once we got home...she really did, and that may actually have been the reason, who knows! When can we come back?

10 Months

Here's Zoey playing tent...Ugh, I'm so behind! I can't be playing tent and other stuff AND do a blog too!! But she looks like she's having so much fun, how can I resist?!

How do all of you people with kids do it? Here's a thought that I typed to Charlie's mom in an e-mail...this is what's plagueing (sp?) my mind now. It seems like I could possibly have half a brain if I can say this, so I'm including it now just as a personal reminder:

"It's like I can only lend half an ear when trying to have a conversation and nothing outside my bubble of domesticity can even spark my "interest" even though I know I need to cling to what WAS me BEFORE in some capacity...the old me is going head under water and the new me can barely be bothered to throw a life preserver. It's a painful death for one and a difficult thing to witness for the other."

Can you believe it? 10 months old...she's practically 1 year old already. Poor girl! It's all down-hill from there.



This is Zoey's Christmas present from Grandpa Don and Judy. Yay! A trike!!! It's just what I wanted. Too bad mom won't let me use it yet...it's sitting in my bathtub and I can only play with the tassles on the the handlebars.



This is one of out favorite things to do lately. Again, more exercise for mom. She laughs her butt off when I say "giddy-up mommy" or when I imitate how my heart pounds as I hike up a particularly large hill. The back pack (although you can't really see it was a shower gift from Charlie's Mom & Dad, Julia & Craig).



Out of context, this photo is merely cute...but if you could hear what she was saying, or trying to say it is infinitely better.

A New Stage

OK, if you happen to run in to us, the trick is to ignore Zoey. Don't acknowledge her for at least 15 minutes, until she deems you safe and starts to seek your attention...typical girl, according to Aunt Chris (not to be confused with Aunt Kris). She's definitely entered into the "stranger" anxiety phase...even though familiar people have been given the "stranger" title, no one soothes like Mommy. Please don't be offended Uncle Bill. What post would be complete without pictures? Here's photos of Zoey on sushi night...ok, it's a Chinese outfit that Uncle Kevin brought back from his time in China but it's adorable. I gave her her first taste of sashimi and later, some ice cream. She seemed to think the sashimi tasted like chicken and the ice cream was...?

A Visit to see St. Nick

First time with Santa. She did get a few pictures pre-melt-down, but what fun would those be? And for the sake of comparison, I've added one from my childhood...although I was at least a year older than Zoey at the time.

The Lost Napa Roll

Where are we going now? I think this is Peju.

They've got one wicked Cabernet Sauvignon, Mom.

Oh, OK another winerey. As long as it's Rombauer and I can have some "Joy". No, but really, I look like I've had quite enough. I'm feeling better and would like to do some more serious poses now.

Striking a pose on the props at Rombauer.

Here's me peeking through the rosemary at Rombauer's cellar door.

Just Pictures

OK, she's officially 9 months now. I took these a couple days ago.

Christmas Pictures

Just a quick photo peek...these will be going out with the Chrstmas Cards if I ever get my act together.

First Road Trip

This actually happened just before Thanksgiving, but I'm a bit behind on my blogging.



Dad and Zoey by a wine barrel, the whole gang (Vince, me, Zoey, Becky and Bill) at Copia, Mom and Zoey at Chateau something or other...



OK, Becky is the official trip photographer but I had to take this one.


First pic is a familiar sight but the second is the "aw-geez-another-winery" face

Walking around Copia on the first day in Napa

Hmmm, well, there's still more pictures but Costco seems to have lost them. Becky is the photographer to credit on all of these pictures....there's so many more too! Too many to post.

Zoey did travel very well in the car and it was a long 8 hour drive. I only had to do some mild entertaining (One Fish Two Fish, etc.) for about an hour. She was up at 4 am every morning though. Thank goodness I brought the jogging stroller. Becky, Bill, Zoey and I went for walk/jogs around Yountville every morning. Nice way to get to know a new town...at the crack of dark! This picture is just after sunrise with "Uncle Bill" at the wheel, Becky is, of course the, photographer and I'm off and running...my motto these days is fake it until you feel it and I'm referring to my energy level...get your minds out of the gutter, folks!

First Thanksgiving

Uncle Kevin making creamed brussel sprouts au gratin under my watchful eye...just kidding...Kevin is a natural in the kitchen. If only he weren't diabetic...so much culinary fun to be had!



Zoey is already a hearty eater, so turkey with all the trimmings was no stretch for her taste buds.



Here's the dinner (I'm just noticing the pictures look really crooked, LOL). Thanks Allison for fixing this picture for me. From left to right is me, Zoey, Grampa Don, Gramma Jean, Grampa Lionel, Uncle Kevin and Vince. Not pictured (because he got a better dinner offer...just teasing) is Uncle Dean. Thanks for coming Jean and Lionel! Thanks Dad and Kevin too. It was a really long trip for you both but I'm really grateful to have had you here.

Later, CHP officer, "Aunt" Chris (not to be confused with Auntie Kris) came to sample the food to make sure everything was within the acceptable limit...and the picture shows that my alcohol level was most likely way beyond the acceptable limit.



Some soak time in the Jacuzzi helps aid the digestion.



This is the day after Thanksgiving...spending quality time with Uncle Kevin in the "Octagon". Nice hair Kev!



Then later, Kevin babysitting while I rode...this was probably the only moment when she wasn't crying. Sorry we didn't get any pictures of Grampa Don with Zoey...next time.

9 Months Old

Swings, striking a pose in the back yard, thinking about college with Dad...



No, I'm not in a spaceship...this is a crawling tube at the playground.



Mom and me on the way to the playground (photo by either Uncle Kev or Grampa Don) and modeling a BG (Becky Greene) one-of-a-kind couture sweater. Thank you Becky...can you make me one like it next time?

Anyway, sometimes the last month seems to have stretched forever...what a time warp! And I catch myself wondering what happened to my life. Not in a bad way, just stuff like, "it sure was nice to take showers" or "I really miss going to the bathroom without having to entertain someone at the same time." I know all you seasoned parents are thinking...don't wish it away, it'll be gone forever before you know it. *SIGH*

What's new? Hmmm, still crawling and definitely cruising circles around the coffee table. Not too much interest in walking. Why walk (or crawl) around something when there might be the slightest chance of climbing over? Yep, her boyfriend Charlie is walking already(way ahead of the curve) but she's definitely a climber. Better put bars on the bedroom windows or she'll be meeting said boyfriend in a few years on the sly. YIKES!!

What else? I think she has about 5 teeth. She won't let me visually investigate, but if I let her bite me (and mostly it happens without my permission) I can usually tell by the marks left on my skin. LOL!

We did re-visit the "Ferber" method...and for those of you who haven't read the book, he's the Dr. who trumpets the "Cry-it-out" strategy. It took five days but seems to be getting better. It is not a fun thing to do for anyone involved, let me tell ya! Again, all you experienced folks are probably thinking we shoulda done it a long time ago.