Edwards to exit race

NOOOOOOOoooooooo!

Although I'm supporting Clinton because I desperately want to see a woman in office, and would be very happy with Obama as well, I am hugely disappointed that Edwards is getting out of the race right now. He brings an important message about helping those in greatest need in our country rather than pandering to corporatations. HUGE bummer.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22913001/

Celebration photos

There are a ton more photos on Jen's site, but I had to share a few. For more, go to: http://jentraveler.blogspot.com/2008/01/party-pics.html

Jen and Jerome!

Sylvia sleeps while the party rages on around her. Shawn, me, and an empty wine glass...
See, just as young as we ever were!

Celebrations

Last night, we celebrated Jen and Jerome's marriage (in Hawaii in November) at their open house. I regret I didn't take a photo, but I'm sure they'll be some on Jen's web site! Congratulations J&J! Mom and Tom took Andy to a puppet show and Shawn left early with Sylvia, which left me on my own to have fun with old friends (I mean long-standing friends, for surely we are all still very young). So aside from catching up with friends, how did I spend the evening? Well, let's just say that toward the end of the night, Melissa and I were quizzing Jen's mom Sue (a delivery nurse at Swedish) on how much alcohol a nursing mother can really drink ....

We spent this morning at Bryn's Butterfly Brunch, celebrating her birthday and having a wonderful time! Melissa knows how to put on a great party! Butterfly hopscotch, a butterfly pinata, butterfly wings, copious butterfly toys to take home, and of course butterfly (and Barbie!) decorations galore. Happy birthday Bryn!

More from the weekend: Andy adores Sylvia and would be hugging and instructing her ALL the time if it were up to him. Of course, a mommy needs to relax too, so I insist that they take separate corners some of the time!

Play Nice

From her little perch at the table, Sylvia is starting to watch our food like she wants to take a big bite!

Making cupcakes with Nonna

Shawn takes the best photos, obviously!

Be sure to check out Shawn's Best Photos (see link at right) for more!

Dad, Naoko, Karen & Arisa

On Sunday night we had a long overdue visit with Dad and his family. They moved back to the Seattle area from Tokyo this year and the girls started school in Renton. The girls were great with Andy and took turns holding Sylvia. Meanwhile, I got to make sushi with Naoko - a food I love but have never made myself.

Making sushi rolls with Naoko, Karen (left) & Arisa (right)

Sylvia slept in the traditional japanese rocking cradle.

MLK weekend

Yay, a three-day weekend! Or for those of us with Fridays off, a four day weekend! On Saturday, I took Andy to the Pacific Science Center for the model train exhibit - the highlight, of course, was the train we got to ride. Sunday, we visited my dad's for dinner (separate post). On Monday, Shawn took Andy hunting for Puff the Magic Dragon's cave (Andy is into that story/song ever since Auntie Jen got him the book and cd). Meanwhile, Sylvia had her 4-month doctor's appointment - hard to believe it's been 4 months already!


On Saturday, Shawn and Andy built Andy's new planter box together, and Andy spent the afternoon quietly painting it. This will be a great addition to the garden come spring! The train at the Pacific Science Center.

Andy rode quietly until I suggested he wave to the people waiting in line - after that, it was wave wave wave for the rest of the ride.

It was nice to have some mommy and Andy time!

We finished off our day walking around the science center trying out their outside exhibits. Andy's favorite was the huge water spray. Luckily they limit it's scope or we'd be looking at some pretty wet museum visitors.

Fish-eye lens

On the weekends, Shawn often takes Andy to the beach at Magnuson or Discovery parks. They're usually gone for hours and hours ... precious relief from the noise and activity for Sylvia and me! With Shawn's new fish-eye lens, he captured some fun shots of Andy exploring the beach this weekend.

Family Portraits

Sylvia looked so adorable in her dragon overalls from Sue (and on our new bedspread) that I had to take some photos. Later, it turned into a family event!

I was surprised at how much Sylvia enjoyed playing "airplane" - something Andy loved at this age but she's not nearly as physical as he was. I think she likes being on her tummy without having her face on the floor!

Here's where it got crazy, with Shawn and I taking turns trying to get a good shot of all four of us! From the photos, I think you get a good idea of what this pile-up was like!!!

Barbie Island What?

Today we met up with Melissa and brood at the local toy store where I needed to buy a new car seat and Bryn was determined to spend some of her hard saved money on this Barbie Island Princess ensemble. I think Shawn and I have a LOT to learn about girl toys... Sweet Macy Ruth

Time with Dad

Now that I've returned to work, and until our new wonderful nanny Karen starts in February, Sylvia gets to spend each day with her Dad! After his first day home with her, Shawn said what I've known for a few months now: "She's so EASY!" Yes, it's true, and we can appreciate it after our more active first born. Here's Sylvia, staring at her Dad (just off camera). Below is some video of Sylvia having fun in the exersaucer.

Just a little politics

(1) I'd be happy with any of the top three democratic candidates, but really, isn't it about time for a woman in office???!!! Barrack will have another chance, but this is Hillary's shot. Go Hillary!!

(2) YAY! He's back, making my days a little brighter!
(3) WTF? George W Bush: "If I were running for office at this point I'd be saying, ‘Vote for me, I'm -- I'm gonna be an agent of change.’" ARRGGG! What is this doofus saying? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22608913/

Friendship

CUTE photos of Sylvia/Macy and Bryn/Andy on Melissa's blog:

http://todandmelissa.blogspot.com/2008/01/friendship.html

A seat at the table

The instructions say that a baby needs to be 6 months old AND able to sit on her own before using this baby seat ... but does that stop Sylvia? No way! She crawled right up into that seat and sat down. : )Sylvia loves being part of our family dinners now - she keeps her eyes glued to Andy at all times!

Christmas Eve Redux

Michelle took these photos on Christmas Eve. This is a cool one of Sylvia checking herself out... And this photo of Andy perfectly captures the pure love of a boy for his new truck.

Sunday at the Science Center

For another cold and rainy day, we met Melissa, Bryn and Macy at the Pacific Science Center, and ended our afternoon at Seattle Center's fountain for something that's always fun: running from spraying water in the freezing cold!

Shawn helps Andy and Bryn with the hanger bubbles.

Meanwhile, I got to spend some quality time with Macy! She laughs just like her big sister.

Bryn and Andy helped each other get their seatbelts on before pretending to zoom around in the car.
And outside at the fountain, we had loads of fun. I love that the Center has the fountain on during the heart of winter -- and there were lots of people there too, doing the same thing we were doing (getting wet!).

That's Shawn and Sylvia, watching our antics from above.

I did this by mistake, but it's a cool effect...