Kokochi

Off to NY

Here is some recent Telsa cuteness for the time being: Tesla finally enjoying her stuffed hippo that grandma sent to her last year for Christmas when she was in my belly. Only now is she noticing toys; Tesla eating a book about sushi gifted by her neighbor friend Sofia. Yummy, she says; and Tesla using her new stroller fuzzy cover in prep for the east coast cold.

Christmas dinner

Went to my brother Ian's for an early Christmas dinner as we are leaving for NYC tomorrow. He lives on a famous street in Alameda that is full of Christmas lights so after dinner, we took a stroll. It was fun to hang out with my brother and family, and friends- and eat Izumi's amazing dinner - but now that we have Tesla, it was also super sweet to see the kids adore and fawn over Tesla. Like this...so darn cute, no? If you look closely at one of the pics, you'll see all the kids lined up watching me feed Tesla (click on pic to make bigger).

The haircut of the decade!

Dav cut his hair...like for real! Every so often, he used to chop off his long hair, enough to get 10 inches to send to Locks of Love. However, he's kept his overall straight long hair for like over a decade. Not sure what the inspiration was this time, but he decided for a change. This 'do' is actually a little longer than first envisioned (we'll ease into this). It's got jagged angles and cool style. I love it, and it really matches him!!

Portrait

Of a man who contemplates.

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Santarchy

Compared to last year's Santarchy that was freezing, this year's started out in glorious weather. Dav left home early to catch the start, and Tes and I joined a little later. I really wanted to make an outfit, but there was no chance, so I bought a green elf costume package at a random party store. It was either the elf or Mrs. Claus which was more or less a gigantic red sack with a belt. I was afraid I'd meet 100 other exactly dressed elves, but luckily only met one (and she was a zombie elf....meaning looked rather dead and gory than merry and perky). Next year, I'll think about modifying this costume. By and large, Tesla got ALL the attention. Everyone took pictures of her...and I have to admit, she was adorable. I'm sure she'll appear on flickr. She was even in a good mood, smiling and looking around at all the Santas. We joked that we've ruined the Santa concept for her since she will have memories of hundreds of naughty silly Santas running around (this year apparently there were about 400 Santas) Unfortunately, it started to rain at 4pm. We joined friends in a bar to stay dry, but after about 30 minutes, I was booted out for having Tesla with me. No worries...Tes was tired and I was ready to get her home snug in bed anyway. Dav is still out there representing the Yaginumas : )

Miss Santa

For Santarchy

Simple dinner

Iwashi with mentaiko grilled. And brown rice with natto.

Our nanny Ruth

As you may have noticed in the recent posts, I'm using a new camphone. I'm so busy that I haven't had time to get to know its functions, and even take many practice pictures. I'm really not used to the camera, and it has quite a few fancy functions that I've yet to try. Dav did a whole day's worth of work to make its emails send to kokochi [thanks super husband!] *click to enlarge pictures. Anyway, these pictures are of Ruth (last 2 pics), Tesla's nanny for one day a week. Tesla's grandma Marie will be taking care of Tesla on the other needed 3 days a week when I return to work in January. I met Ruth through Kiki & Charlotte. Charlotte is 8 months, and will be sharing a nanny with Tesla, meaning Ruth will care for both of them at the same time. Ruth, Kiki, and us (obviously) are all Burning Man follk. Yay! We have quite the plan to help ease the transition. Today was our first hang out time. Next time, Ruth will come and be with Tesla one-on-one. Next, Charlotte will come over to be with Ruth one-on-one, but at our place (where the care will be regularly) to get used to our home. Kiki will not come that day. Tes will have one more one-on-one with Ruth while I'm out. Thereafter, I'll be at work where the first week I'll work as much as I can, but will leave if I'm called back (ie. Tes is freaking out). From the 2nd week of work, it's the real deal. In all honesty, I think Tes will be fine. She's a chill happy baby and is rather easy to care for. I think the challenge will be for me! I'll miss nibbling her, smelling her, hearing her rustle from her sleep, taking her out on walks...etc. At least I'll have ALL Thursday to be at home with her plus the weekends with daddy. Doesn't she look nice and snug carried by Ruth? That made me so happy and relieved.

Yum

At Chaya

Out on a dinner date! Sweet Elida is babysitting.