Monthly Archives: November 2012

Automobiles and Avocados

Some big news here at Casa Casanova. In chronological order: I (Lara) got a new car and Alexandra had her first solid food!

We got the new car on Sunday. It’s a 2013 Jetta Sportswagen TDI. Because a *Sportswagen* is WAY cooler than a station wagon. And it’s red … again, a way cooler Mommymobile. It’s a great car, and we score yuppie points for it being diesel. Though I’m mostly excited that it has TRUNK SPACE!!!! I loved my Lexus IS 300, but it’s really lovely to be able to have both the stroller AND groceries in the car at the same time.

Lara’s new wheels.

In more exciting (and more photogenic) news, Alexandra had her first solid food tonight–avocado. (Hey, we live in California.) Seriously, though, our pediatrician recommended starting with it. Alexandra seemed to like the taste. Or, at least, she didn’t hate it. The whole “move the food on your tongue and then swallow” part still needs some work. She probably swallowed about a quarter of a teaspoon. Bo heroically cleaned the floor of the rest. And, going forward, we’ll be sure to put a bib on her. But the photos were better this way. We’ll try avocado for the next few days and then add something else! Stay tuned!

 

Mmmm … this stuff is okay.

 

Wha?

The aftermath.

 

College Football

As you know, it was a big weekend for college football. Saturday was “The Game” (Michigan vs. Ohio State), and I am very sad to Michigan lost. Alex is sad, too (as you’ll see below).

However, Notre Dame (Granddad’s alma mater) is now ranked #1 and Alexandra is quite pleased for him (though obviously still mourning Michigan’s loss).

Alexandra practices her “Hail” motion.

 

Alex after hearing the final score.

 

Happy for Granddad and his Fighting Irish.

Thanksgiving, Part 2

I forgot to mention in Friday’s post that Panda joined us for Thanksgiving. My mom is cat-sitting and Alex was able to say hi to Panda. She LOVES cats and dogs. Bo is quite tolerant of her “petting” him. Bugsy will, on occasion, allow her to touch him. However, today she was so excited to pet Bugsy that she grabbed his fur and Bugsy has been avoiding her since then. “Gentle” is a concept we need to work on. (Alex has also started grabbing Mommy’s hair and Daddy’s glasses.)

 

Petting Panda.

 

I just love the expression on her face here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are incredibly thankful for all of our blessings this year. Of course, Alexandra is the best gift we could ever have and her health and happiness is wonderful. We’re thankful for each other and the partnership we’ve built. We’re grateful for our wonderful families … both those of blood and those who are connected to us by friendship. As we enter the holiday season, we look forward to sharing all of the “first Festivus” moments.

 

With love and thanks for you in our lives,

Ian, Lara, Alexandra, Bo, Bugsy, Emma and Sam

 

Also, enjoy a video of the First Thanksgiving, courtesy of Grams:

Just the stats, ma’am

The numbers from Alexandra’s 4-month checkup today:

  • Length: 25.5″ … 88th percentile — big jump here! She’s over two feet tall!
  • Weight: 14 lb, 7.5 oz … 55th percentile — woo hoo! Doubled birth weight and now in normal range!
  • Head Circumference: 42.4 cm … 90th percentile — still has a big head (physically, not metaphorically … at least not yet)

 

And a picture from today, as we were waiting for Dr. Jeanne:

If you’re curious, here are the stats from prior visits …
      2-month checkup:

      • Length: 22.25″ … 33rd percentile
      • Weight: 10 lb, 1 oz … 14th percentile
      • Head Circumference: 40 cm … 88th percentile

 

1-month checkup:

      • Length: 21.5″ … 61st percentile
      • Weight: 8 lb, 6 oz … 21st percentile
      • Head Circumference: 38.5 cm … 81st percentile

 

Newborn checkup:

    • Length: 19.5″ … 38th percentile
    • Weight: 6 lb, 12 oz … 16th percentile
    • Head Circumference: 36 cm … 67th percentile

4-Month Bear Picture

Actually posting on the same day! Hooray! Here’s the latest “bear” picture of Alexandra and Aaron on November 19th:

 

And, for comparison purposes, October 19th:

 

September 19th:

 

And August 19th:

Cuteness: Back Up and Running

Here are some pics of the world’s cutest baby. (We’re not biased. Others have confirmed this. In fact, yesterday we had brunch with friends and one of them called Alexandra the world’s cutest baby. WHILE HE WAS HOLDING HIS OWN DAUGHTER. I am not making this up.)

 

“Ahhh!” really means “Go Blue!” in Alex-ese (November 5th).

 

At Baby Sign Language Class (November 7th).

 

Being bashful at class (November 7th).

 

Democracy doesn’t get any cuter than this (November 8th).

 

GOGGLES! (At swim class on November 11th.)

 

I’m hungry for knowledge (November 12th).

 

Oooh! What’s this, Grandpa?? (November 13th)

 

Someone packed her angry eyes!
(November 14th)

 

 

Watch Me in the Water

From swim class on October 28th (took some time to post due to technical issues). Many thanks to Grams for the video editing!

Btw, for those of you who are curious, “Sasha” is the traditional Russian nickname for Alexander/Alexandra. Given her Russian heritage on my side, it’s one of the many nicknames we have for her.

Pacheco Playdate

As promised, pictures from the “Pacheco Babies” playdate on November 10th. Big thanks to our friend Niall for the fabulous shots!

 

Alex’s amazing baby blues.

 

Entranced by Jayana’s chair and mobile.

 

Babies! (Suspicious Mila, laid-back Jayana and propped-up Alexandra.)

 

Mommies!

 

Daddies!

 

Alex’s serious face.

 

Mmmm. Hand.

Domestic Goddess

It’s official … I’m not going back to work at Fisher Investments. I had asked for a part-time (30 hours per week instead of the standard 50 hours). My VP tried, but it’s a no-go. Direct quote: “A 30 hour work week is not a possibility.  I hope that someday we will broadly have more flexible schedules, but right now we simply are not there.” I may go back for a few days when my leave is up in early December, just to close things out. I’ve also offered to consult, but all of that is still TBD.

 

So, I’m going to be home full-time with Miss Alexandra and I’m really (guiltily) happy about it. I’m so thankful that I get to stay home with her, though I do feel a bit weird not working (well, I’ll be working, but you know what I mean). The current thinking is that I’ll hang out my shingle as part of McCullough Productions & Consulting and see what sort of part-time consulting gigs I can get. In the short-term (i.e., through the holidays), though, I’m just enjoying the time with the munchkin.

 

As such, I’ve decided to get “calling cards” for when I meet other moms (this is apparently a tradition that’s come back into play), in addition to having my own set of fancy McCullough P&C cards. My current thinking is that I’ll use this on the ‘personal’ cards, though I’m open to suggestions for other titles:

 

Lara Dorjath McCullough
Alexandra’s Mom
Household COO & Co-President
Domestic Goddess

 

Finally, in other news, my Mac has been raised from the dead. Adorableness will be coming back soon.