Uno Mas Margarita Por Favor

Ah, Tuesday night and no one feels like making dinner. We packed Nikos in his stroller and walked over to Picante, our favorite Mexican place. The first time Nikos was at Picante he was only 15 days old (and only out of the hospital for a week!) and he came, slept and left with a little margarita salt on his forehead. Details.

Some people like chips and guac for an appetizer...others prefer monkey ears.

Are we there yet?

While we were waiting in the looooooong line apparently Nikos decided that Taki was the funniest guy ever. I, on the other hand, decided on a carne asada burrito - no rice, no beans - gracias!

We ended the night with a family picture (minus Puddy) - love the look on Niko's face!

Monica Bang

Well, we made it nine months, three weeks and one day before a stupid parenting decision caused an injury.

When I am home with Nikos on Mondays if I want to shower I can either stick Nikos in his bathtub at my feet while I take a shower or I can dry dock his little plastic tub outside of the shower and fill it with toys while I lather up. (I guess I could also shower before he gets up in the morning but I always think 'if he's sleeping until 8:30 - I am too!) Anyway, this morning I line his bathtub with a towel to make it all comfy, add a dash of toys and 16lbs -rough estimate - of Niko. I pop into the shower and take my time while I hear him deciding which toys will have to walk the plank (usually the walrus and the crab are the first to swim with the fishes). Apparently this morning he accidently tossed Nemo - a fan favorite - overboard. What follows is my re-creation of the crime scene.

Heather (in shower) - thinking to self "Should I use my curly shampoo or go straight today? Where is all my conditioner? Is Taki that concerned about sun damage to his locks that he chooses to use my Kerastase Apres Soleil instead of his trusty Dove Moisturizing?"
Nikos (in dry tub outside shower) - thinking to self "Out you go Walrus! Hey Crabby, say hello to my little friend. Oh no, Crabby had Nemo in his claws! I better throw all of my weight onto the side of this plastic $7.99 IKEA bathtub to save Nemo!"

SMACK. Yes, poor little Nikos landed face first on the tile floor. Luckily as soon as I scooped him up he stopped crying. Of course, I still felt horrible.

Here's a shot of the little bump (middle of the forehead with the scratch).


Still smiling - what a champ!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Nikos started his morning with an easter egg hunt at the neighbors house. Taki and I enjoyed french pastries and mimosas while Nikos enjoyed watching the other kids tear around the backyard like bats out of hell (sorry, may not be the best turn of phrase for an Easter post).

Nikos spots his first egg! Too bad you can't see his cute bunny shirt on his casual Easter outfit.

In the afternoon we headed over the bridge to Grandma's house for Easter dinner. Nikos was super excited that the Easter bunny brought him a toy fishtank to play with (the more frugal Easter bunny that visited our house filled his Easter basket with toys he already had - hee hee!)

Nikos got to meet his Great Uncle George for the first time - he was quite enamored.

Nikos uses his wiley charms (and adorable mini hitop) to charm Great Aunt Irene.

Family Easter picture - Taki is all smiles, Nikos is annoyed that he had to stop staring at the ceiling fan for this stupid family picture and for some inexplicable reason I am grabbing Taki's stomach.

Nikos cuddles with Grandma before we head home.

A Possible MVP and a Wannabe MILF

Once a year Taki revels in the past by participating in his high school alumni baseball game. Usually the wives show up with mixed drinks and cute little matching tshirts advertising our loyalty. THIS year was a little different - we showed up with strollers, sippy cups and cheerios. Don't worry, we still managed to smuggle in some hard cider, so all was not lost.

Taki knocked in the first run of the ballgame for the alumni - wahoo! Sadly, the score at the end of the game wasn't in favor of the alumni - we were a little bit thankful that the scoreboard was broken.

While Taki did his best to imitate a major league baseball player (or at least an in-shape high school player), I did my best to imitate a MILF. I mean, if MILFs are known for woofing down grilled cheese sandwiches and leaving the game with farmers' tans that is. MEow.

Marco rocks the faux hawk in the stands.

Roll Out the Red (Green?) Carpet

Today at Method they had a party to launch their new babies and tots line of products. They invited parents, kids and spouses and had a fun party in the lobby. Here's a partial shot of the kids...and I don't want to say there was an official vote but we did have multiple people tell us that Nikos had great hair and wardrobe. Obviously I didn't fess up to the fact that he has a stylist.


Not wanting to only be known for his looks and dressing prowess, he also debuted the one-handed bottle hold. Yes, you're seeing it here first. I know, I know, Jackie P has mastered clapping, I am sure that is just around the corner for Mr. Nikos.

Two for Two

Nikos is a rock star! Coming off his superior showing at Atonement last week, we decided to go double or nothing and take him to the baby brigade at the El Cerrito location. We went to see Juno and the theatre was packed with moms, dads and infants - not sure if it was the newer theatre, the fact that it wasn't a Monday night or the popularity of the movie. I counted at least 42 babies and I think I missed a few. We got there too late (20 minutes before the movie started) to score a couch but did get some nice comfy chairs with a table in front for our pizza and beer. Nikos was up for the 25 or so minutes before the show and then he crashed about 5 minutes into it. Our biggest problem so far is the fact that he falls asleep sprawled on my lap and then I drink two beers and have to pee for the rest of the movie. Hmm. We will have to figure this dilemma out next week when we go see No Country for Old Men at the Parkway. Who's with me?


On a side note, Nikos has been to three movies in his life (Superbad, Atonement and Juno) and two of them starred George-Michael Bluth. Hee hee!

St. Paddy's Day - Afterdark

Jeff and Sarah decided to host corn beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day and we were more than happy to join them. I think Nikos was especially excited since we had the same meal on Saturday night at Grandma's and he tried, and approved of, cornbeef, cabbage and potatoes.

Taki pouring the first black and tan of the night.


Marco in awe of Taki's mad skillz. Yes, that's skillz with a Z.


The finished product.

Jeff and Tyke switch kids to see how the other half lives. Comments overheard - Taki: "It is so much easier to hold Nikos, Marco is so squirmy". Jeff: (thinking that Taki had just said it was easier to handle Marco "I know, it is easier to hold Marco because Niko is getting heavy". Ahh, to each his own.

Brooke, Marco and Nikos. Brooke brings the most Irish to the party (although it was debatable how much but perhaps hovering around 40%), with Marco coming in at 1/32 and Nikos bringing 0% to the table.


Marco rocks the faux hawk while Nikos sports the bed head.

Sarah and Jeff's neighbor Avery joins the group. I think Avery is about 2 weeks older than Marco (just like Brooke is to Nikos) but I could be wrong. Sarah?

The older kids get possessive.

Love that hair. He totally has the Who from Whoville look down. And just in time for the movie. Hmm, maybe if PG&E doesn't take us up on our offer we'll audition for a live action Dr. Seuss movie.

Babysitter Option #2 - Roomba

No Pinching Here!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

On our way back from Starbucks this morning Nikos was enthralled by this flag blowing in the wind. I took a few quick pics and got out of there before the homeowners thought I was too wacko.

Nikos gets into the spirit.


Note - at no point during this photo shoot were any children in danger of getting electrocuted. Of course, I can't say the same for feisty cats named after Seinfeld characters - don't worry, I stopped Puddy before he chewed through the cord!

Hidden Talents and Cartoon Characters

Tonight we headed over to Katie and Jack's house for pizza and to dish on the fun (insert eyeroll here) of house projects. We set the kids down on the floor for some photos and Brooke showed off her burgeoning crawling skills (see video to be posted sometime soon on Katie's blog!) while Nikos showed off the fact that he can raise his eyebrow and chew his fingers at the same time. I know, this kid is pure talent. Taki can raise one eyebrow and I can shove my whole fist in my mouth, so clearly he inherited good (er, entertaining...) traits from both of us.

Okay, did you guys catch on to the fact that Jack threw PG&E Helmet Guy into the photos? Shameless plug for his company. Wonder if Taki will force the kids to pose with some handsoap next week.

And also, I am considering sending this one in to PG&E. I think they should post it on their website or something. "Nikos Romios and PG&E Helmet Guy take a bite out of energy costs!*" Ha!

-- update, I just wasted about 15 minutes on the PG&E website trying to find an email address that I could use to send in this picture. Alas, I was outsmarted by the email webform that doesn't allow attachments. Blast!

*Disclaimer - I am realizing that I may have stolen McGruff's registered tagline about taking a bite out of crime. Also, Taki and I just got into a debate over whether McGruff was a Postal Inspection Service dog. I mean, I really thought he was. I got him when we visited my dad when he was at the Postal Inspection Service Academy. Taki said no one outside of my family even knows the Postal Inspection Service exists. How rude! We'll see what happens when he tries to buy Niko a baby rattler and ends up with a baby rattler (ha - right Dad!)

Enough of my blabbering, back to the kids. Brooke shows off her pretty blue eyes.


Dude, what is he plotting?!

Taki and Niko, Jack and Brooke.

Ha, I guess we know now what he was plotting.

Adorable Brayden Knight

I got this fabulous picture of our friend Brayden Knight today and had to share it. He is modeling one of Niko's hand-me-down outfits. Gail and Christian live out in the far east bay, by my parents in Antioch, so they are appreciating warmer weather - perfect for Nikos' 0-3 month summer clothes!

Who do you think he looks like?? I think he totally look like Gail, but then when I see this picture I see Christian too.

And I thought I would throw this picture in as well because I had cute hair. Hmm, maybe I will go back to this color...Catherine?

Great Date Night (with Baby)

Tonight we went on a double date with Sarah, Jeff and Marco to the Parkway movie theatre to watch Atonement. For those unfamiliar with the Parkway, it is a local theatre that has couches and tables and you can order food (and drinks!) and have it delivered to you while watching your movie. They have a baby brigade night once a week (Mondays at the theatre by Jeff and Sarah, Tuesdays at the one by us) where you can bring your baby and not have to worry about bothering other customers or getting kicked out of the movie. It was awesome! Nikos thrilled us with a stellar performance. He was awake in the beginning, drank two 4oz bottles and then was down for the count. I demand we go every week! Seriously, we'll be at Juno next Tuesday night in El Cerrito. Who's in? Amy?? Katie??

Before the movie started - please excuse the bad angle and the XL Heather. Hate being the closest one to the camera!

This was Niko's position for the entire movie. Great for him (not so great for me since I split a pitcher with Taki and really had to pee by the end - ha!)

The Cecchin family enjoys the show