Leaving San Francisco

Today our little family left San Francisco. We spent the morning trying (and failing) to get a family picture by the foggy Golden Gate bridge, saying good-bye to friends, and jamming as much stuff as we could into our 8 large suitcases and duffel bags. We miraculously crammed all our bags in the little rental car and Max and Jack complained about being smashed the entire way to the airport. We were running so late that Blake dropped me, 3 little boys, and 8 very large and heavy bags off at the airport while he went to return the car. Somehow the four of us made it in the airport and checked the bags and got to the gate around 12:00 only to find out that our flight actually left at 12:10 instead of 12:50 like we thought. I called Blake, who was just leaving the rental car return in a taxi, and told him our flight from SFO had already boarded. So he headed to Oakland to catch a flight leaving 45 minutes later while I traveled by myself with three little stinkers. The silver lining was that Blake didn't have to pay any extra for his flight after he explained our situation; because instead of paying for the flight, he would "have hell to pay to his wife." And other than Jack singing "Row, row, row your boat. Row, row, row your boat" over and over and over, the flight wasn't that bad. It actually was a good way for us to leave San Francisco. It was kind of nice to be so rushed that there was no time to feel so sad. And now, tomorrow, Max starts a new school and our new life begins, so hopefully there still won't be time to feel sad. Because we will really, really miss San Francisco.

7 Months

At seven months, Baby Gus
--loves grabbing and crumpling up paper--it's the best toy ever!
--makes Indian noises all by himself
--says Mama! Well, at least I think he does. There's usually a "mamama" mixed in with his cries, and I'm counting it.
--weighed 16 pounds, 14 ounces (25%) and was 26 inches (10%)at his doctor's visit on August 24
--started to sit up and thinks timbering is funny as long as it's not on hard floor
--must have missed SF because since we've been here he's started sleeping six hours straight during the night instead of his usual two or three
--took a break from solids after some serious constipation issues, but feels ready to give it another go in the next couple of days
--loves going for stroller rides and being outside
--thinks peek-a-boo is soo funny especially if it's one of his brothers "booing" him
--has mastered his balancing act with Daddy
--finally likes riding in the car
--is one very, very loved baby

A Walk

I saw once on Bay Area Backroads that people come all over the world to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, yet several Bay Area natives have never taken the walk. So today our family did.

When Your Dad's an Orthodontist

Blake had a fun activity for us yesterday--getting the boys' teeth cleaned. They are such good patients...and assistants.

Then, if that wasn't fun enough, today he thought of another activity.
Oh I love Max. He is such a good sport and loved his braces that Blake took off as soon as we were done with these pictures. Then Blake asked Jack if he wanted braces like his brother. He didn't. Could two boys be any more different?

Food & Friends

We've been frequenting our favorite spots--Gordo's, Pacific Catch, Mama's, Bi-Rite, and oh, you know, Cafe Cagnone! :)
Tonight I was craving some San Francisco Soup Company so we headed down to the only location open after 4 pm in the food court of Bloomingdales. It was our first time down there and WOW! Why didn't we go earlier? The food court is amazing--no McDonald's, Sbarro's, and Hot Dog on a Stick. (Although I LOVE Hot Dog on a Stick.) It was all quality, native San Francisco restaurants, including my other favorite Bistro Burger. So, I decided to have Bistro Burger tonight and bring home soup for tomorrow. Good plan. Top the night off with a mall-wide fire alarm evacuation and some gelato and it really doesn't get much better.

We've also been trying to squeeze in as much time with our friends as possible. I've always wanted to go to the Chabot Space & Science Center and I'm so happy we finally made it happen. Also, one of Max's requests was to play with the "key toy" (this toy in the nursery that he's always been obsessed with). So, when the weather was a little dreary, it was kind of fun to go to our usual back-up play place--the church cultural hall.
I still can't believe how big these little people are getting. We really love them.

Go Giants!

Blake slipped away from school this afternoon just long enough for us to go down to AT&T park to play at the Coca Cola Fan Lot. I am such a psycho and really wanted Baby Gus to visit the park just like Baby Max and Baby Jack. At least there's a lot of fun things for everyone to do.
It really is so cool that you can go in the park for free on non-game days. Too bad parking costs an arm and a leg!

Park Update

Stillwell Park: Check. Blake even came with us--his first time to Stillwell.
Moscone Park: Check.
And while we were at Moscone Park we stopped by the library to pick up some books so we'd have something to read at the fancy house. There were some late charges on our library card so the librarian suggested we sign the kids up for their own cards since apparently kids can't accrue late fees? Too bad we didn't know that, oh 5 years ago!