Catie's First Trip to the Zoo

On Sunday we decided that we wanted to doing something different and fun for Catie so we decided to go to the San Francisco Zoo. I have never been to the zoo (and have wanted to go for a long time) and Colin has not been since he was a little boy. It was a chilly day so we all dressed warmly and headed out.

Catie loved it so much that she didn't even want to take her usual afternoon nap. It was fun to hear all of Colin's stories about the zoo and where the animals were before it was remodeled (yes, he is old). He remembered an area where you could feed the animals and was adamant that we went there.

We finally made it to the petting zoo in the kids area and there were tons of goats and sheep that you could feed. Colin put $.25 in the food machine and then the minute he tried to feed one he freaked out. They would come close and he would walk quickly in the other direction. He turned to me and said, "Now I remember that this use to freak me out as a kid". After I stopped laughing so hard that I was crying, I took Catie inside to show her the lambs. We wanted to show her the real Lilly (the blanket that she sleeps with...see older post). We stopped by the cafe to warm up, saw the monkeys and then headed back to the car. Once we got home I had to get ready for our big adventure the next day....my first day back at work! The newest lion pup

Holiday pictures

Where's Catie?

There she is


Is that you Santa?


Catie's stocking is as big as she is...smart girl!

Kim took the same picture in the same chair 30 years ago!

Catie and Little Nonnie

Catie, Kim, her great grandfather and her Nonnie

Mommy and Catie after her bath in the kitchen sink.

Happy New Years to everyone!

Catie's first Christmas

I can't believe that the holidays are over. Catie's first Christmas was so much fun and we have about a 1,000 pictures to prove it. Here is a very brief summary of the major events.

Catie, Colin, Susie and I drove down to Pasadena on December 23rd. We were all remembering how exactly one year before I was pregnant and we were driving down to tell my parents. How time flys. One year later and a 5 month old is in the backseat (Catie...not Susie).

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve. Colin and my dad played golf and the ladies had their nails done, ran errands and got ready for the big day. We had a wonderful dinner and ended the night with Irish coffees (Colin was in heaven).

Christmas morning was slightly different then normal. Catie woke up at 7 am and had her breakfast. At 8 am Colin went to morning mass, my mom and dad then went to pick up Nonnie and when everyone finally returned it was time for Catie to take a nap. We sat by the fire and chatted while she slept and when she woke up around 11 am we feed her and started opening the gifts. Catie got clothes, Baby Einsteins, cd's, teething toys and a music table. Grandparents, Aunts, Parents, and Santa were all very generous. We watched the rain, sat by the fire, opened presents and had mimosas. Overall it was a perfect day.

After Christmas we headed to Palm Springs for a few days so that Catie could meet her maternal great grandfather and her cousins. As usual, she was the hit of the party. While we were in PS we also had an opportunity to see a movie (which we haven't done since 3 days before Catie was born). Susie, Colin and I went and saw Marley and Me while Nonnie and Bampa babysat. If you haven't seen the movie you need it. It was wonderful but just make sure that you bring Kleenex with you!

We headed back to Pasadena on the 30th to get ready for New Year's Eve. A bunch of our friends came over for dinner and drinks and around 12 am we headed up to the parade route to check out the floats. It was a great night and the next day was even better because USC won the Rose Bowl!!

On Saturday, January 3rd the O'Connell's headed back up north in a very packed car. We had a wonderful time in Pasadena and we will never forget Catie's first Christmas.

Cheers to 2009! May it be a great year for everyone.

ps- I will post pictures later today

Christmas time in Pasadena

Last Monday Catie and I headed to Pasadena. Catie was perfect on the plane and slept the whole flight in my arms. We had a great week baking, Christmas shopping, seeing my grandmother (Little Nonnie), hanging out and spending time together. On Friday my mom had her annual open house brunch for all of her friends and it was a big success. Catie wore her Christmas dress and new patent leather shoes. Speaking of Catie's shoes...she has such small feet. Her shoes are size birth to 6 weeks and they are a little big on her. Catie is 16 weeks and wearing shoes that are meant for a 6 week old!! I guess that she got my feet.

Unfortunately, my dad a.k.a. Bampa came down with a bad cold and sore throat that started on Wednesday. He spent the last 5 days waving at Catie from across the room or being in another room all together. I know that he was really bummed because he couldn't wait to see Catie...and Colin and I too. Bampa, Catie can't wait to snuggle with you over Christmas!! Feel better dad!

On Friday Colin flew down for the weekend. Colin, myself, Dana, CJ, Lissa and Matt all went to dinner at Spitfire Grill in Pasadena. Colin and CJ loved the 24 oz PBR beer in a can! Dana, Lissa and I loved the cocktails and wine. The food was great and we had a wonderful time chatting and catching up..love you girls!

On Saturday Colin and I went to the USC vs. UCLA game. We figured that since it was at the Rose Bowl (which is a 5 minute walk from my parents house) we had to go. Nonnie and Bampa babysat for us. Thank you sooo much! It was Colin's first SC vs. UCLA game and of course SC won. It looks like we are Rose Bowl bound!

On Sunday we had breakfast, packed up and then went and walked around the Huntington Gardens. It was beautiful and we had a wonderful time. When I saw a pile of leaves I had to place Catie on them and take pictures. She is just too cute!

It's Christmas Tree time

Both Colin and I grew up cutting down our own Christmas Trees. We decided to carry on the tradition and do so with Catie. On November 30th the O'Connell's came over for brunch and then we all headed to Petaluma to a local tree farm. We have vaulted ceilings so we can get a very tall tree. Colin was in charge of measuring one and when I heard him say..."Kim, this one is off the charts" I knew it was going to be a biggie. (Colin and the measuring stick).

Colin cutting down the tree.

Thanks for holding the saw Catie....what a helper (ps...Tom a.k.a. Pops is holding the saw).

Catie sitting on the couch watching me decorate the tree. Too cute Catie!

Holy Christmas tree. We hardly have enough ornaments to decorate it but we love it and so does Catie. She loves the lights on it. Now it's time to wrap the gifts and put them under the tree!

Catie's first attempt at rice cereal

On Wednesday we gave Catie her first taste of rice cereal. She didn't understand what was going on and didn't really care for it at first. I would put some in her mouth and she would just cry. I discovered a little trick...put some rice cereal in her mouth and then give her the pacifier. This would make her eat the cereal. After doing this two or three times she caught on and figured out what she needed to do. We are just giving her a small amount each day so that she slowly adjusts to it.

After it was all over Catie was very full and super content. Happy eating Catie!

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.