Happy Baby

Carolina really is a happy baby. She smiles all the time, and is starting to make all sorts of cute noises.  And her cheeks are getting bigger by the day!!

All the Single Ladies

All the Single Ladies... now put your hands up! oh oh oh...

Mariana Gabrielle Maffia

Just like Carolina, Mariana Maffia came into the world 11 days early at 3:13am (Carolina was born at 3:17am).

Vanessa and I had gone out to lunch earlier that day speculating as to when the baby would come, especially as she was starting to have mild contractions. Just 8 hours later, she was on her way to the hospital! When I arrived, I was met by an extremely excited and anxious Mike and soon to be uncle Tony.

And just a few short hours later, I was back at the hospital and accidentally walked in on Vanessa & mike as she was preparing to push - when I walked in the door, I was met with anxious eyes as they thought I was the doctor coming in to deliver, but were quickly disappointed (in my defense, the nurses told me that was where my family was). Oops. Not 15 minutes later, we heard the sweet but oh so loud screams of Miss Mariana Maffia who was born at a healthy 5lbs, 15oz. Congratulations to the beautiful family!

Later that day, we went back and forth to the hospital to visit, and Kevin worked from home and babysat the newly dubbed "giant".

And the very next day, the Maffias came home and the little cousins met for the very first time.

Mariana is so tiny, and she is also a crier, but she is just a beautiful baby (and look at that hair!) and we all can't stop staring at her! Now I just need to think of an appropriate nickname.

Sunday Outing

Carolina got a beautiful white outfit from her Tita Al and happily posed for her papa before heading out for their daddy-daughter sunday outing.

To watch the Packers take on Arizona in the playoffs! Everyone was so excited!

It was quite an exciting game and Carolina got very into it...

   

Not a good start to the game. Packers could be in trouble.

They're making a comeback!

What an exciting game! Go Pack Go!

Overtime! Packers win the coin toss!

Packers lost.

Bathtime

We have one fussy baby. She's awake every 3 hours without fail (sometimes naps last only 20 minutes) so we definitely have our hands full. But Carolina sure is cute, especially when she splashes around in the bathtub, which she just discovered how to do. We were finally able to capture a few smiling photos...more to come including one of her sporting her Packer onesie.

Half Moon Bay

We took a trip out to Half Moon Bay - Vanessa's blog has more pictures and a nice little recap of our outing (and of the holidays too).

The Holidays Part II

Christmas Day Brunch was spent at Vanessa and Mike's new house in Menlo Park with the Maffia family. Mike & Vanessa cooked up a delicious meal and we snapped my favorite photo of Carolina with her big blue eyes.

Then, we went to my parents house for present opening and a fancy Christmas night meal. Carolina got a little pink piano from Skip and Susie (she has long fingers - perfect for a pianist!). Later that night, I played a few Christmas tunes.

Fast forward to New Years Eve with the same cast of characters. The evening kicked off at Vanessa and Mike's for cocktails and a "2009 year in review" activity that I put together for everyone. Then we headed over to the Rosewood hotel for dinner, and then drinks at the bar for the 2010 countdown.