Catching Up

Oh what a week. After 3+ weeks of being miserable with a cold I was diagnosed with bronchitis. To make matters worse, last night I started coughing up blood so the Advice Nurse suggested I head into the ER. Luckily one of our neighbors came over to watch Nikos (who was sleeping) and Taki and I headed over to Kaiser. Of course, after two and a half hours in the ER the doctor tells me, get this "The most common reason that people cough up blood is bronchitis." WHAT? Could the Advice Nurse not have told me this on the phone after I told her I had been diagnosed with bronchitis?? It would have saved me the $100 copay! On the plus side they hooked me up with an inhaler and different antibiotics, so I have been coughing a little bit less and my coworkers don't seem quite as determined to smother me with copy paper.

Here's what you missed in the last week while I've been struggling to breathe.

On Monday Nikos' regular daycare was closed for Columbus Day so we headed into the city to backup daycare. My company benefits allow us to use a backup daycare for 20 days a year, free of charge. Monday was our first time trying out the daycare.

Nikos is very serious on the bart ride into the city in the morning. I think he is trying to figure out why the heck he is with mom and dad on the train and not with his friends at daycare.

On the way out of bart, ready to walk to daycare.

Check it out - his name is on the lower right of the Welcome sign in front of his classroom. Fancy!

The daycare center itself was sooooooo nice. We got a full written report of everything that happened throughout the day along with a card for this first visit complete with pictures of him. It was also great to have him so close to us in the city. I ended up going taking him on Friday as well (since I went to work on my regular day off.) Yes, I could get used to this. Of course, I would have a harder time getting used to writing a check for $1800 every month for daycare. Ahh!

Tonight Nikos and I missed the first instance of EBHH in the City. Darn! I figured the whole coughing-blood thing might be a bit of a downer. Instead we enjoyed a quiet night at home and while Nikos was finishing up his dinner I caught another Lewis glimpse in Niko. This time it was specifically Beth Anne.

Channeling Beth Anne, meticulously picking the butter off the toast.

PA All the Way

My Dad was generous enough to give up his seats to the Eagles game so Mel and I could go together. To get into the spirit of things we donned our Eagles gear and bought (horrible) Philly Cheesesteaks at the ballpark.

Here is some evidence of our awesome seats.

There were actually a bunch of Eagles fans at the game, including the guy that sat next to us (who was there with his buddy who was a 9ers fan.) Our new friend was cracking us up and Mel and I kept commenting to each other about how his accent totally reminded us of Uncle Joe. Of course, he yelled "Go Birds" several times, which is obviously something that Uncle Joe would never say. To celebrate one of the Eagles touchdowns he took our picture.

After celebrating the win Mel and I parted ways on bart and I headed home to cheer on the Phillies. Nikos helped out with the cheering.

I know that Nikos has been a Giants fan since birth (see photo below, three weeks old at first Giants game)...

but lest you forget he's also been a Phillies fan since this past April.

Sadly, the Phillies game didn't go as well as the Eagles game. Instead of a Rally Cap Nikos tried to rally by watching the game upside down for awhile but alas, it didn't work.

There's always Game 4!

Go Red!

It's that time of year again...the California Cup. Oh how things have changed. In years past the girls met up on the course, loaded down with drinks (margaritas, shots, etc.) and walked the course with the guys. This year we showed up to watch the teams come in to the last hole, loaded down with children and Puffs. Fun stuff.

Nikos and I hitched a ride out to the Cup with Sarah, Jayme and Marco. I was in the back with the boys and caught this cute moment when they were holding hands.

And a few minutes later...While waiting for the boys to finish up Nikos and I stopped by the course bar to take a picture underneath Taki's tap handle (above our heads, fifth from the left.)

And in 2007...with Jack's hairy arm.

This year...and last. This year I missed the drink I had last year.

Here's a photo of Gail's beer to illustrate the difference from last year. That little thing to the left of the lemon? You guessed it, a sweet potato Puff.

Christian and Brayden after the tournament. Brayden was the only kid who was part of a winning team so he really stuck it to Marco and Nikos.

Marco and his Uncle Mike.

The Grochols before they ditched us for Robin's mom's birthday.

The winning team (boo...hiss!)

Nikos missed the call to be in this picture...I think he was off somewhere flirting with the ladies.

And that's all we have folks because my camera battery died mid-shoot! Watch out for more on Sarah's blog.

How Would You Like Your Eggs?

On Friday while we were at Kaiser getting the ultrasound my Dad watched Nikos for us. Niko and I headed over to my parents' house a little early to enjoy a delicious homemade omelet brunch. Never one to turn down free food, Mel, Mason and Kira crashed the party as well (Maile was at school.) Here are a few cute shots from the afternoon.

Here Nikos and Kira play with the weighted, plastic eggs that Mel and I used to dive for in our pool.
You may look at this picture, and, after comparing their eye color, come up with the conclusion that Niko's eyes aren't blue. What? I know. I am still in denial.

I made Mason pose for a picture before he left since I didn't get any of him playing. He's quite pleased with his peanut m-n-m stash. Mel and I, on the other hand, were not as pleased since he got the last bag and we had to settle for the lesser candies.

19 Week Comparison Shots

Already implementing "the distraction" in the photos. I figure this time Nikos will serve the purpose as opposed to Bosco. This was taken at the edge of our kitchen (with the family room in the background.) And in 2006 - funny how I had just found out I was having a boy in this one.

Sugar and Spice and Everthing Nice...

Well, the results are in and it looks like we can narrow to this name list...(I didn't erase the boys' names all the way for the curious blog watchers.)

The ultrasound went really well. I'll post some pictures later. We are excited to welcome a little girl to the family. We also found out that, although they are perplexed by the Allo Immune condition I seem to have, they feel confident that the baby will not need any treatment in utero and that the risk is relatively minor. We will take blood tests again when I am around 32 weeks but as of right now we just need to make sure that we don't use the vacuum during labor.

Chez Romios

Thursday night Jeff, Sarah and Marco came over for dinner. Taki played chef while the rest of us relaxed. Again, I took no pictures of the adults. Hey, they were busy drinking anyway.

Niko and Marco play with the "Dentist Office" block.

Marco shows off his standing ability.

Nikos shows off his happy-to-go-to-bed ability.

Did I mention that Chez Romios is very versatile? It opened back up Friday morning as a breakfast joint. Nikos was happy to see that his favorite window seat was open. He enjoyed something new - jam on his english muffin - while watching the firemen practice in the street. I abstained from the english muffin but forced myself to watch the firemen as well. What can I say, I'm willing to take one for the team.