A Baby Girl

And She Got Up Off the Couch
A good novel - the sequel to 'A Girl Named Zippy' and also the perfect descriptor for the last months of my life. While Logan was in Africa over Christmas, I started to feel really crummy. I wrote him an email stating that either I was dying...or we were having a baby. Contrary to my opinion most mornings and evenings, we found truth in the latter. And thus began my months on the couch. Eva -- in true 'Lord of the Flies' fashion has come to sustain herself on what she can reach in the lower cupboards. I discovered that in addition to books, the library rents children's DVDs or 'parent-substitutes' as I've come to appreciate them as, and poor Logan has learned to survive on a steady diet of Trader Joe's frozen foods. I am, however, so happy to report that last week...I got up off the couch. Back to the morning dish runs, back to tennis lessons, back to the kitchen (well, for selective smells at least) and back to the blog. So here are the last months of our lives. (Baby Deans, a little girl we just found out, is due August 8 -- that's 08-08-08).

HAPPY EASTER!

The annual Easter Egg Roll on the University Provost's Lawn.
Brunch, bunnies, babies and buddies all made for a fabulous morning.

Logan lamented that beyond seer suckers and a pink linen shirt, there aren't many Easter attire options for men. We soon found the remedy in a pair of fluffy bunny ears...

Which he enjoyed wearing very much.

Eva's feelings for the Easter bunny were similar to her feelings for Santa Clause...big, a bit creepy, but quite generous with the treats!

The first body paint. We weren't willing to stop chewing our grapes long enough to keep our cheeks still for face paint, so we went for the classic glittery bunny on the shin.

Eva. Her first realization that the eggs contain something delicious and wonderful...And the glittery Easter bunny on the shin.

Story time, crafts, games, but nothing more exciting than bouncing the bunny in the parachute.

On to the next Hunt

The second hunt of the morning in the George's backyard was a farewell brunch for our buddies who are moving and an Egg Hunt for the children. Now that she'd had a warm up at the Provost's, Eva was much more sure of herself, much more aggressive, and much more interested in the treasures hidden in each little plastic paradise!

Eva and little Chase comparing Easter spoils

Logan and Rob...he wasn't quite ready to give up the fluffy ears.

Enjoying the weather, the brunch, the conversation, and the fact that our husbands had an eye on the children.

A welcome visit from Auntie Liz

We napped, we read, we BBQ'd, we shopped, we baked, we ate, we adventured.

A walking tour of beautiful campus.

A trip to Memphis Minnie's BBQ and Smokehouse in the Haight-Ashbury district. Ribs with Texas red sauce, Brisket with Carolina mustard sauce, and Pork with sweet vinegar. Sweet potatoes, corn muffins, hand cut fries, beans, homemade mac and cheese, banana pudding and pecan pie. We agree with Tyler and Tanya (our trusted former SF foodies) and Gourmet magazine, and the Food Network... This place is a must!

Easter Grass and a Shower

Anne and I hosted a baby shower for our girlfriend having her first boy and had a blast bustling through the preparations. Lots of friends came to share their love with Amy, and to save this baby boy from a lifetime of pink hand-me-downs! Eva and I became completely consumed with growing Easter grass to decorate. We filled every pitcher, crystal bowl and vase with soil, planted the seeds, watered lovingly, and watched with excitement as green buds turned to blades and soon every container was brimming with beautiful spring grass. For those with thumbs a few shades shy of green, this is certainly a project I recommend to boost your confidence.

Adventures with Cousin Peterson

Two happy toddlers, two sippy cups

Peterson showed Eva a new trick -- how to flex and show your muscles -- the effort is largely concentrated in the fists.

Snuggling with a frog prince at the Jr. Museum, Palo Alto

Checking out the turtles and ducks at the Jr. Zoo

San Francisco

a chilly wind, mini donuts, a carousel on the pier, and the traditional trolley

A trip to the City with Peterson and Julie

Home Plate, one of our favorite breakfast dives in San Francisco -- home to tasty hot scones with apple butter, and miraculously funnel cake-ish waffles.

Enjoying the loud and lazy sea lions at the pier.

Half Moon Bay

A quick trip up the coast to watch the sunset (Eva was more interested in the sand crabs and urchins) at Half Moon Bay, and of course enjoy a big bowl of clam chowder and a sailor's helping of fish and chips at the Flying Fish Grill.