Sugar and Spice and Everthing Nice...

Niko's new cousin is a GIRL! She was born last night and Niko and I were a part of the action. He stayed awake the whole time - I think he didn't want to miss anything. The name is still tbd...but Taki says I can't complain since we made people wait 12 hours for our decision. I'll update later with pictures (after I crop them...we all know what happened when I accidentally sent out the x-rated ones of Mason's birth!)

Lazy Days

Bundled up in his bear jacket from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jeff - he spent about an hour trying to lick the zipper.

Posing with Grammy and Pop-Pop in front of their "home away from home".


The Kienzle clan goes on a hike - Mom, Dad, Aunt Barb, Uncle Ron, Aunt Con and Frank.

You Are What You Eat...Just Call Me Sweet Pea

Nikos eats sweet peas...with commentary by Grammy and Great Aunt Connie (and questions from Pop-Pop)...

Debuting the Sweet Pea Goatee

First Dip in the Pool

Modeling the latest in baby swim diapers...

Showing off both Nemo and his haircut.

Niko was a little modest (he doesn't get that from his mom!) so he decided to cover up with his board shorts.

The pool was a nice 84 degrees. The air was a not-so-nice 51 degrees. Needless to say we took these next shots in approximately 46 seconds and then bundled up and ran back to the room for a hot bath.

Where does this kid get his light hair from?? Here he practices his tongue out move, he'll need to perfect it before he and Brooke start swim class in January.

Quick preview of Niko's future chest hair. Sorry kid.

Sizes XL and 3-6 months.

Tahoe Fun

Out for a walk in the brisk weather, his dinosaur hanging on by a thread.

Patiently waiting for breakfast with Dad.


Girls, the girls they love me...


Had to include this one because Taki made fun of his winter gear. He said he looked like one of our track and field guys from the '88 Olympics. I was really going for a more speed-skating-Apollo-Ohno look.

Our first family trail "hike" - really a one mile long paved loop...you have to start somewhere!

Family picture by the Lake.

Another great photo by Taki.

Grammy and Pop-Pop enjoy some time with Niko.

Pink cheeks from the cold!

Cold but happy!

Roadtrip!

Each Thanksgiving we usually get together with the Kienzle family at various locations (where there is a timeshare...we will travel) for a week of fun, food and family (okay, and a little wine too). This year we are off to Tahoe, marking Niko's first time to Tahoe AND his first roadtrip.

What is a roadtip without the prerequisite stop at Starbucks?? And yes, he IS dressed like a penguin. Hee hee!

This is where we got the first inclination that he might be interested in trying food - look at the staredown he is giving my breakfast wrap!

Disappointed that I wouldn't give him a taste of my bacon, egg and avocado wrap, he maintains a tight grip on his bottle. (This is something new for him! I saw him grab the bottle with both hands and hold on to it for an extended period the day before when I was picking him up at daycare.)

Loaded back into the car for the rest of the drive to Tahoe, sharing his space with the cooler and his Thanksgiving burp cloth (thanks Grammy). Look how cheerful he looks! Hopefully he will not inherit the dreaded Kienzle motion sickness!

When I told him to keep an eye on his timeshare key (Marriott Timber Lodge) I guess he took me literally. -- or is it figuratively, right Mel -- hee hee!

Niko flouts the "6 month" Bugaboo ordinance and starts cruising around in his upright seat at 5 1/2 months.

Almost Ready To Move In ...(from Heather...aka Are You On Crack Tyke?)

The floors have been installed in both bedrooms and we have begun to paint. Actually, Bill and Cindy have begun to paint. (from Heather - this is a pic of our master bedroom.)

Here we see what will be our pantry, storage and laundry area. The washer/dryer will be hidden in these cabinets. (from Heather - on the left side we will have our desk and it will be our office space -- uh, surfing the internet space...)

The island is almost complete. This is where our cooktop will live.

This is a view of what will be our oven/baking station/wine fridge area.

Your Massage Therapist Will See You Now

This month started my new work schedule of four days a week. My company allows flex scheduling, so instead of cutting my hours I am just working all of them in four days as opposed to five. Usually I will have Mondays off, but this week Niko was supposed to have a photo shoot at Baker Beach in San Francisco. Unfortunately, due to the container ship that crashed into the Bay Bridge yesterday, the beach was closed so Niko and I had to make new plans for our day.

Niko took a bath and then relaxed on the couch in his personalized robe. He looked like he was patiently awaiting his spa treatment. Things got out of control when he demanded a slice of lemon and cucumber be added to his breastmilk.


Niko wrapped up his day hanging out with Pop-Pop - what a life!