San Francisco

We took our last family vacation at 32 weeks pregnant (Feb 18-25) to San Francisco where we rented an apartment near Duboce Park at the Lower Haight/Hayes Valley area of the city. We walked and walked and walked every day which was a nice change from our usual routine and then vegged out at home in the afternoon where Lev was obsessed with viewing Rio on HBO every day, twice a day, before heading out again for dinner. We really explored each neighborhood as well as visit with our friends Randi and Maz, the Gurmans, and take a day trip to Muir Woods and Mill Valley. On the way down we stopped at Palo Alto, Santa Cruz, made our way down Route 1, stopped at San Louis Obispo for dinner, and managed to earn a speeding ticket near Santa Barbara. The trip was a long time in the making and I'm glad we finally did it.

View of Alcatraz Island.

Lev loved the novelty of taking public transportation - BART, trolleys, buses, and trams.

 We visited Michelle at work at the Exploritorium and then walked around the Palace of Fine Arts.

We also walked through Golden Gate Park a few times to play at Coret Playground. This is outside the Flower Conservatory.

 Inside the Flower Conservatory, Lev was impressed with the Playland exhibit.

Lev was not into getting photographed at Muir Woods but his outfit was too cute to resist snapping a paparazzi shot.

 We all  loved Mill Valley.

We had too many breakfasts of Cafe Au Lait, fresh baguette, and Nutella at Cafe del Sole near our apartment.

 The requisite trolley ride.

The maze at Duboce park made us all smile.

Zimmer Museum

Upon the kids' return to school after the winter break, they had a field trip to the Zimmer Children's Museum where they got to touch, feel, and see all the child related exhibits.

Holidays 2011

Lev enjoyed the holiday season very much. From getting his dream play kitchen for Christmas, learning about Channukah at school and hosting a latkes party for our friends at home, to staying up until 10PM with Nico for New Year's Eve. He had 2 weeks off from school, but we filled the time with play dates with his friends Sofia and Seth, a visit to the Zimmer Museum with Nico and Pam, a few lunches with dad at work, and plenty of playground visits. He did ask about school a lot (a good sign) but overall the time flew by and we had fun. Here are some highlights.

Major bead head Christmas morning.

 A rare family photo.

With all the amazing food at the Pertriglianos house, strawberries were all Lev would eat.

Playing nicely with Nico on New Year's Eve. Their cooperation was short lived.

Alec lead the gingerbread house decorating brigade.

 

 Hiking at our favorite Pt. Dume in Malibu is a great way to spend New Year's Day and start the year right.

Baby sister at 24 weeks.

Boy Band

Lev and Seth serenaded us with ABC and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

 Then they had to get away from their fans and hide out in the "green room".

Lev Meets Snow

Lev got to play in snow in sunny California thanks to the Holiday Stroll in Abbot Kinney. They brought in real snow in the Brigg parking lot so that the kids could slip and slide and throw snow balls. What a treat.

Lev's Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving. First was a recital and pot luck lunch at Temple Akiba Nursery School. Lev was not so into the singing, but the food part was fun. We sat with his friend Seth and family, which we have been spending a lot of time with lately. He even made a pretty centerpiece for us.

Then we spent a night and day in Palm Springs at the Ace Hotel. Lev gets into vacation mode right away so he enjoyed relaxing by the pool, playing ping pong, sleeping in the kings size bed with cable TV, and eating out tremendously.

In other developments, ever since he has been sleeping in his big boy bed he is super affectionate when I put him to bed at night. I lay down with him until he falls asleep and he pets my face and says things such as "Its all right", "I'm right here", "you are safe", "come over here" and "I love so much" over and over again. Its adorable but I don't know why he thinks I need the reassurance. He also says "I'm trying to get comfortable" every time. Hysterical.

Also, now that he is fully aware that there is a baby in my belly, he rubs and hugs my belly when we watch TV and says he feels the baby kicking (the baby kicks but not when he says it).

He is very much into the Wizard of Oz, Curious Gerge, cold food that should be served hot, and play doh of late.