Faux Thanksgiving

On Saturday night we all had a Faux Thanksgiving. Hillary had gotten a free turkey and decided that it would be a good reason to all get together. Great idea Hillary and thanks for the delicious bird! In the early afternoon we all went over to Lizzie and Jay's house in Larkspur. It was a potluck and everyone made something. Hillary made the Turkey and stuffing, Lizzie S. the cranberry sauce, Susie the green beans and mushrooms, Jackie the yams, Lizzie H. the apps, Marni the salad, and I made spinach balls and pumpkin cake. It was a night filled with many reasons to give thanks; delicious food, good friends, wine, and great times. I can't wait until next year! Love to you all.

Catie's 4 month check up

Catie went to the doctor today for her 4 month visit. She weighed in at 13 pds 13 ozs and is 23 3/4 inches long. She is in the 50th percent tile for height and weight. She also had 2 shots today and handled it like a champ. The doctor said that she looks great and is doing everything that a 4 month old should be. Way to go Catie!!! My baby is getting so big. Here is a picture of a great onesie that her Auntie Susie gave her. It still cracks her up everytime she sees it.

A wonderful weekend

I am sorry that it has been awhile since we have posted anything. Last week was crazy around the O'Connell house. I left Catie overnight for the first time and I did it TWICE in 3 days. On Thursday I left Catie with Colin after he came home from work and I headed up to Napa to celebrate Jackie's 30th birthday. We drank wine, sat in the hot tub surrounded by vineyards, and celebrated Jackie. She has had a tough year and we all love her to pieces. I only called home a few times but Colin said that Catie was perfect (duh).

On Friday night we went to Colin's high school football game and SI won...congrats. Catie was great and loved watching the game. On Saturday morning we dropped Catie off at the O'Connell's since we were headed to the SC vs. Stanford Football Game. We unloaded Catie's gear, went over all of her things, kissed her goodbye, and headed out. My heart broke a little as we left only because this was the second time in 3 days that I was leaving her. The one thing that gave me comfort was that she was in great hands with her B and Pop. Thank you so much for taking her for the night.

We got to the game and tailgated for awhile. Lesley, Lissa, Adam and his brother meet us. At 3:45 we went to the game in Stanford's beautiful stadium. The stadium was really nice and we had a great view (thanks for the tickets Mr. O'Connell). We left at half time when it was 17-17. Let me tell you...we ran to the car to listen to the radio. For awhile we were a little scared but in usual SC style, we pulled ahead in the 3rd and got the "W". We drove to the city, quickly showered at my sister's place and then headed downtown to the Bubble Lounge for Jackie's 30th birthday. The party was fantastic and it was great to see all of our LA friends and it was wonderful to toast Jackie turning 30. Welcome to the club Jackie. Happy birthday!

We stayed at Susie's place on Saturday night (thank you soooo much) and on Sunday morning Colin woke up and picked Catie up. He went without me so I could get a little more sleep and also chat with Susie...we had to summarize the night! After Catie and Colin got back we got dressed and meet Lesley, her boyfriend, and Lissa for lunch at the Yatch Club (yes, we are so fancy). It was a wonderful lunch and the company was fantastic, the was food delicious, the view stunning and the wine was perfect. Thank you so much Marty and Kirk Elliott for taking us to lunch. After lunch we walked to the Water Organ (Susie and I had never been) and then we went to the park and met Marni, Franny and Katie. It was a beautiful day in the city and we loved spending it with great friends.

Overall, it was a perfect weekend. A big thank you to everyone that made it happen. We love you!

Sunday/ Fun Day

On Sunday Colin, Catie and I went into the city and had breakfast with the O'Connells. We wanted to see Auntie E one more time before she left. We had a great time and we can't wait to see Auntie E again in two weeks. After breakfast Catie and I went to her Auntie Susie's apartment and hung out for awhile. We walked down Fillmore street and had some lunch. After lunch we met Jackie, Marisa (welcome back) and a few other people for a glass of wine. Both Jackie and Susie got a lot of snuggle time with Catie. Overall the O'Connell's had an amazing weekend.

Catie's first sporting event

On Saturday morning Catie, Colin and I got breakfast and then went for a long walk. We wanted to get out before the rain began. When we came home Colin gave Catie a bath and then we all got ready to head to Stanford to watch the men's basketball team play Seattle Pacific University. Catie got dressed in her SPU shirt and off we headed.When we arrived we attended the SPU booster's party and watch Auntie E do her thing. She did an amazing job attending to everyone and even spoke about SPU athletics (well I think that is what she spoke about. I had to take Catie out of the room during her speech because she was crying). Tip off was at 7 pm and Catie slept for the first half which amazed me because the band was there and we even sat in the 3rd row. Around half time she woke up and sat on my lap for the rest of the game. She loved looking around and nothing seemed to both her. Even though Stanford came away with the victory it was a great day.

Catie's trip to the East Bay

On Friday Catie and I had a big outing to the East Bay. In the morning we stopped by my cousin Jenny and Kelly's house for coffee. Her daughter Ella gave Catie her bottle and held her the whole time. It was every little girls dream...a real baby doll.

After we left the Beardlee's I took Catie to get her hand and footprint done. Colin and I tried to take Catie to Color me Mine to get her hand prints and footprints but it was a royal disaster. We would paint her hands and then she would clench her fists and once we pried them open there was no paint left on them. We ended up leaving Color me Mine with a screaming baby covered in pink paint. I was determined to get her hand prints and footprints done so I could show her someday how little she was. I told my cousin Kirstin about the episode and she suggested a women in Lafayette that did her girls prints. I took Catie to Paw Prints and Susan was able to get an excellent hand and footprint of Catie. It will be ready in a few weeks and I can't wait to hang it up in her room. Here is a picture of the unfinished product.

After we left Paw Prints I met my friend Bella and her 8 week old son Tres for lunch in downtown Lafayette. It was great to catch up and see Tres. We are planning another outing for the kids to get together soon.

After we got back home Catie and I both quickly changed and then headed into the city to meet Colin's parents and his sister Erin for dinner. Erin is the Athletic Director at Seattle Pacific University and she flew in because SPU was playing both Cal and Stanford in basketball. We had a great Mexican dinner and Catie and I both fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.

Thank you Lizzie and Susie

Last night I had a Junior League meeting and Colin was knee deep in studying for his exam. I knew that if I left Catie with him that his studying would abruptly come to an end. We both agreed that if we could get someone to watch her that would be the best thing. I quickly called Auntie Susie and Lizzie and they came to the rescue. I dropped Catie off and Lizzie and Jay's place and Susie headed there. They all hung out and Catie even went on a walk with her friend River (the dog). I was a very bad mom and forgot my camera so I didn't take a picture of all of them together. I promise that the next time we are together I will get a picture of Lizzie and Catie...and maybe River too! Thank you soooo much Lizzie and Susie. You are the best!!

Today Catie and I went to boot camp and let me tell you, it was a doozy! It consisted of sprints, long runs, more sprints and even longer running segments! I love Catie's new running stroller but sometimes it is annoying because she doesn't cry at all anymore since she is now moving the whole time. After my 5th wind sprint I looked and her and whispered, "Throw me a bone Catie and please cry so I have a reason to stop". What did she do...she looked and me and smiled. Thanks Catie....back to #6 wind sprint!

After boot camp and Catie and I meet up with my friend Liz and her 6 month old daughter Peyton. We had lunch, chatted and the girls stared at each the whole time. It was great seeing them and it was fun to see what Catie would be doing in a couple of months. I am now off to run some errands and as soon as Colin comes home we are going to go vote. I hope that everyone voted today. Remember, your work legally has to give you time off to vote (that is the HR side of me coming out). Until tomorrow. Here is a super cute picture of Catie that I thought that I would post. xoxo

What to do...

It rained most of the weekend which meant that we had to entertain Catie. Colin has been studying all weekend for a green construction exam (I don't know all of the details...ask him). Good luck Colin! Anyways, on Friday night we did surprise trick or treating. We stopped by Lizzie and Jay's new place in Marin and in the city we went to Colin's parents (B and Pop) and the Nicolai's. Everyone loved the little pumpkin trick or treater and everyone was surprised!


On Saturday it rained all day long. Let me tell you that entertaining a 3 month old is very tiring (all of the moms reading this are now saying "duh"). We read books, walked around and around the house, went in the swing, played on the play mat, bounced in the bouncy seat and did whatever else I could think of to do indoors. Catie loves her play mat and in the past few days she has started to reach up for the toys that are hanging above her head. As my dad (her Bampa) would say,"You go girl"!


Here is a picture of Catie playing on her activity mat





Catie has been sleeping from 10 pm to 7:30 am which has amazed me (I know that I am lucky). I wasn't sure what would happen with the time change this morning but she did really well. She got up at 5:45 am and I gave her a bottle, we played for a little bit and then we both napped. Once everyone was up we went and got coffee/ jamba juice and then went on a very long walk outside. It was wonderful getting out and Catie loved it!



As for a misc. thought. Everyone knows that Christmas is my favorite time of year. I just love it! Well, I saw my first Christmas commercial today and proceed to sing Christmas carols to Colin. It took him about 1 second to say, "Enough Kimberly. It isn't even Thanksgiving". I know Colin...but it is close!!