Look who joined the world yesterday!

One year ago today...

We woke up on Christmas morning, 2009, and started hauling our suitcases down our narrow set of Dutch stairs. A cab was waiting outside in the snow and we couldn't believe our year abroad had come to an end. Stuart (our orange cat) was hiding in his favorite place, at the top of our closet. He didn't want to leave. He loved Amsterdam, and even though we bitched about it often, we loved it too. We were excited to return to California to our friends, families and "normal" life, but we had an amazing year in The Netherlands and were sad to see it end.

Due today and no sign of baby

Speaking of signs, we have now entered into the sign of the Capricorn. Not that it matters so much, but I was certain my baby would be a Sagittarius like her dad. I guess she has other plans! She's certainly proving herself to be a stubborn and serious (and of course cute) Capricorn. What does this mean for me as her Aires mother? Looks like she will follow in my footsteps as a "born leader." Not too shabby.

Multiple uses for the co-sleeper

It seems nowadays Ellie's mini co-sleeper basinet is used for hospital
bag, ipad, laptop, and cat storage.

Eggplant AND chicken Parmesan made from scratch!

I know, I have the best husband ever.

The Nutcracker

Today we went to see the Nutcracker as a spontaneous winter treat. By seeing all of the little girls in the audience in their fancy dresses I was instantly taken back to being a little girl and going to see this play with my grandmother. Afterwards we would go to the Ritz Carlton for high tea and eat cookies and tiny sandwiches with the crusts cut off. I simply loved it! I can't wait to do this stuff with my daughter when she's older.

Hard at work

Frost on the rooftops this morning!

Happy 31st Birthday my love!

As this was going to be Dave's last birthday before he has to share his birth month with his daughter forever, we decided to celebrate BIG. We went to Golfland with our bestest friends and then went out for Chicago style deep dish pizza. Crazy!!!

In all seriousness we had a fabulous time, lots of laughs and delicious food. We love our friends and Dave had a great birthday!

Fondue is FUN!

Tonight we busted out our snazzy electric fondue pot. We got it as a wedding present but didn't use it until now... and it was so awesome!


We mixed Gruyere and Manchego cheeses and dipped bread, apples and broccoli into the cheesy wonderfulness.



Emerson REALLY wanted to try some, but fondue is not for kitties.

Quote of the day - Saturday

"It's everything I love. It's Dutch and French and flying and cheese!"

Last night there was a hayride in our complex

It was a genuine hayride with horses and carriages filled with hay and even a santa look-a-like driving the carriage. Our apartment complex smelled like horse poop.



We decided to ride on it and it was fun! Our kitties liked looking out the window at the horses too.

My life

Happy 8th night of Hanukkah

38 weeks pregnant

You know you're married to a mathematician when...

You think the scarf on a polar bear cookie is Pi.

Latke Party!!!

Last night, in addition to making Gluhwein from scratch, we had a latke party! YUM!

A "wannabe" German Christmas Market

Since I've been missing winter in Europe I was so excited to learn that there would be a German Christmas Market in Mountain View not far from where we live. Even though I set my expectations super low, I was very very disappointed. It was at a school, and mostly for kids.






There was no fun German food or treats (other than sausages) or wintery German drinks like Eierpunsch or Gluhwein. LAME! We decided to compensate by coming home and making our own Gluhwein. Don't worry, I only sipped it. But it was so good!!!

Today I'm missing Amsterdam

I think it's something about the winter time because that's when we both arrived and departed from Amsterdam, or maybe it's that I'm seeing my Netherlands friends post pictures of the first big snow over there, but today I'm missing it.

I'm missing the olliebollen, the snow covered bikes, and the half frozen canals. Basically I'm missing the magic of that city that we called home for all of 2009. What I'm not missing is how much my hands used to hurt when I had to take my gloves off to lock up my bike, but for now, I'll just focus on the happy things.

We can't get enough of this video

Kitties always love Hanukkah

Guess what starts tonight!?