Viva Las Vegas

Last Thursday David & I flew off to Las Vegas for 4 days while my parents watched Sophia and Kalista. This was our first getaway since Kalista was born. David and Greg (fellow resident) attended a conference during the days while Greg's wife, Elizabeth, and I had a fabulous time shopping and relaxing at the spa in the Bellagio. Oh and we re-learned how to play craps and did a pretty good job!

Bellagio decorated for Chinese New Year

One night we all dined at Michael Mina. David & I orderd the Cookbook Tasting Menu and it was superb! The menu: Ahi Tuna Tartare, Loster Pot Pie, Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass and Kobe Rib Eye. Oh and the desserts - Yummy! I only took a picture of the dessert because I didn't want to look like a weirdo snapping pics of all my food.

Coconut S'more, Mini Rootbeer Float and Opera Cake

The last night was like our date night and David & I dined at Japonais. The menu: Spicy Mono (spicy octopus roll topped with spicy tuna tartare), the Rock (thinly sliced marinated New York steak which we cooked on a hot rock presentation), and Le Quack Japonais (maple leaf smoked ducked served mushu style). Everything was elegant and very tasty to the palate!

The Piano: "Someday, you will thank us."

Here is an interesting story: When I was a kid, my parents made me take piano lessons. I took lessons for 6 years. Throughout those years I wanted to quit. None of my friends were taking lessons and I felt like I was missing out on having fun because I was stuck inside practicing. My parents were hard core too, I had to practice almost an hour every day. I whined a lot about having to take lessons. In response to all the whining my parents would repeatedly say, "Someday, you will thank us." After 6 years, I got my wish and my parents let me decide if I wanted to quit. I did. But I went on to play the flute as well as the saxophone. At the time I would never admit it was because I took piano lessons that I was able to pick up playing other instruments so easily.

Fast forward to present time: I plan on having Sophia and Kalista take piano lessons. Oh and I will be taking them again as well. I am so thankful my parents gave me the opportunity to experience a musical education. They were right!

David and I always said if one day we bought a house big enough for a baby grand piano then we would buy one. Well, that one day has arrived! David surprised me with a beautiful Yamaha baby grand. David had an iPod piano player installed so we can listen to a variety of music, just in case the girls and I don't master the sounds of Chopin or Mozart.

Mommies & Babies

This morning I had a few PEP moms and their babies over for a little get together. Having 15 moms over was a much more intimate setting than the 60+ moms that meets on Wednesdays! The menu: Yogurt & fruit parfaits, mini pancetta frittatas, mini pumpkin muffins and banana bread.

Natalie, Zachary & Lyla

Kalista, looking so grown up in her chair!

Camille, Kalista & Mateo

(notice Kalista is holding Mateo's hand...what a flirt!)

Sophia & Kaianna

Sophia had her good friend, Kaianna over for an afternoon playdate yesterday. The girls had so much fun cooking, grocery shopping, dancing and playing mommy to their babies.

Valentine's Day

Today is the 12th Valentine's David & I have shared together. But this is the first time we didn't plan an evening out as a couple. Instead we spent the evening with our girls. Afterall, Valentine's Day is about celebrating love - and we did.

Flowers for Mommy and the girls from Daddy.

And treats from Sweet Spot Bakery.

Dinner at Edomasa

Daddy & Sophia eating edaname.

Sophia enjoying her octopus sushi!

Tummy Time - Push Ups

Kalista is growing up too fast! She is 11 weeks old and has strong neck muscles. We practice tummy time everyday so she can build up her strength for the next milestone...rolling over. She has rolled over a few times from back to front, but we still have some more exercising to do so we can accomplish rolling over in both directions. Sophia calls tummy time "push ups."

Santa Barbara Zoo

David has been in San Diego since Thursday and I must admit, it hasn't been too bad caring for both girls 24-7. Luckily for me Sophia has been an angel the last few days. David will be home tonight and I know Sophia will be thrilled to see her papa!

What a beautiful day! I took both girls to the zoo this morning. Sophia has been asking to go but I wasn't sure if I could manage her and Kalista. But I made a deal with Sophia that she would have to walk while I pushed Kalista. Usually when we go to the zoo, David carries Sophia so she can be up high to see the animals. Sophia agreed she would walk and off we went! Oh yeah, when we got home Sophia said, "My body hurts from walking." Both kids are napping right now!

Oh and just a side note: I saw Julia Roberts at the zoo with her husband and 3 children. I wanted to take a picture with her, but it was obvious she was trying to be incognito so I left her alone to have her family time.

The pig kept eating all the food before the other animals could have a chance. Hence the name, I guess.

Starbuck's Moms

A little over 2 years ago a few moms from Junior League, including myself, had babies. We would meet up at Starbucks on Mondays mornings. To this day we are all still good friends and I feel so fortunate to have them in my life. Last night we got together at Ruth's Chris for drinks and dinner. It seems like yesterday when our little ones were all bundled up in their strollers and we would swap stories and advice!

Pernille, Marcy and Me (We missed you Shelley!)

Our Little Swimmer

Ah yes, swimming lessons. We enrolled Sophia in swimming lessons the beginning of January. Sophia was not too enthused the first lesson, since she has only been swimming with Mommy & Daddy. Her teacher's name is Sarah, but we call her 'Swimming Sarah' since her sitter has the same name as well. I wasn't thrilled about taking Sophia back to lessons after the first go around, but she surprised me. It was like night and day! I think it helped that I told her she would get to pick out one treat at the end of every lesson. I filled up a bag of goodies she never knew existed, but knew she would love. I was a little nervous about introducing all these goodies to her, fearing she would always want them...but she surprised me again. Sophia never finishes her hard-earned treat. She always asks me to save them for the next time!

Sophia's 6th lesson

Afternoon Delight with My Girls

Sophia had a very busy day. A few of her friends came over for a play date...which I neglected to take pictures. Oops! She was so wiped out from the morning - which meant she had a great nap along with Kalista. After the girls woke up, we decided to have our afternoon snack at Renaud's. Sophia loves the bakery. I think she takes after her daddy on this one.

Daddy taught Sophia to smile like this when she hears, 

"Say cheese!"

Ah, the benefits of being the Big Sister - You get both treats!

Yummy, yummy in my tummy!