Kokochi

Visiting SF Zoo

'Tis the holidays and I'm thoroughly enjoying just being home with Dav and Tesla, doing a little this and that, and not much more. But I did want to post some pics from a visit to the zoo from last Friday, my day off from work. I went with just T. Definitely worth it, but after a few hours (when I was right smack at the far end of the zoo), Tesla got antsy. She didn't want to be in the stroller, and if I let her walk, she walked the wrong way. So I had to carry her back to the exit, which was quite far, while pushing the stroller. It was work for mama! But showing animals to Tesla was worth it. And although I dislike zoos, with the current rate of environmental destruction of animal habitat, I have a new appreciation.In this picture, T was looking at some monkeys, totally getting into it. Picture on the right was her seeing penguins for the first time. The penguin group was actually really loud and stinky, so that all probably got her attention. This picture was the lowest point for me...seeing a beautiful lion couple in a cage. Granted they had a door to an outside big pen, for whatever reason were stuck indoors. So magnificent. They just did not belong in a cage at all. There were several indoor cages with other lions. After I left that area, I heard a huge roar and was quite bummed I wasn't inside when that happened, although I have no idea how T would have reacted. Pic on the right is T seeing flamingos for the first time. Such quirky birds! We got to see various large birds being fed by the keepers. The owl, waiting for her turn, was mesmerizing. I got to see her turn her head completely backwards. Such a starer! T and I both saw a hawk get its lunch - a mouse - up close. I turned away several times as it ripped the mouse apart, but knowing I don't get to see this everyday, I tried my best to experience it. [Click on picture to see details.] The most fun part was a petting area with donkeys, pigs, chickens, and goats. T was pretty intrigued by all of that, and me too. I think being able to touch the animals made a big difference for T. The last pic is of a tiger - not in the petting area, of course. Very beautiful to see, but sad as it seemed like the tiger would want to run a bit and there was no space. Like the lions, I couldn't help but see the tiger in a prison-like situation. Not a fun sight. Overall, it was good. Since I can't go to Africa often, I will go to the zoo again, and maybe even get a membership. T already shows quite a liking to cats and especially dogs (interesting since we don't have a dog), and I definitely want her to experience and love animals.

hairdo

Last Wednesday, the day T goes to another house for a nanny-share, Dav picked her up with this cutie hairdo. I dunno what happened since daddy picked her up. Somehow the nanny got inspired to try this hairdo on T. I loved it, and was more interested in getting a decent picture of T during dinner time than making sure more food went in her mouth than on the floor. p.s. This particular nanny-share is a temporary situation until mid-January. Granny will continue with 3x/week, so we are looking into a group daycare place that accepts 1x/week. It's actually hard as most daycares want at least a 3x/week commitment. We've visited a few places that are flexible...and it's really weird to think of dropping off Tesla at these places. I think it'll be more of a transition for mommy than T. I know she is quite ready for group play...

Daddy fun

Flying chair

Dav is truly an involved and fun daddy. He does stuff that I don't do. And T loves it. Here she's actually tired...pretty much ready for bed. We already prepared her with PJs, but you can tell she's ready for bed.

p.s. to my bro's family - she LOVES her chair! She drags it into the living room if we are there. When she is hungry, she will drag it into the kitchen to pair it with her table as if to say, "I'm here ready!"

Park adventures

Slide upside down

Watching

Typical day at the park...only this time, for some reason, her normal sliding that she can do all on her own, changed. 2 times in a row she ended up turning mid-way and ended up head-first. She didn't seem upset, but I did a few slides together afterwards to make sure the head-first bit didn't make her wary.

Was it her weight? I have no idea why she started turning like that...

Up close

On a post-rainy day

indoor driving

Busy shopping for nothing

Our neighborhood park has a gym full of stuff that toddlers love. We arrived at the park the other day to find everything wet...and with the sand around the park, I decided indoor play was the way to go.

Everyday, either granny or I take her out for fresh air. Even though we were in the gym this post-rainy day, the air was still crisp, and I could tell the play was stimulating. Goal acheived.

Tesla's new kitchen

I've been wanting to get a bigger kitchen set for Tesla as she loved this little version that KC gave to her. I was actually cruising craigslist to find shelves for T's toys...and happened to come across a beautiful wooden set of a cooking station and fridge. I like the fridge because I can put away her toys in there. Anyway, it was still rather expensive, but cheaper than a new set...and such good quality. We put it promptly in the living room so she can play when we hang out there. She loves it. Being used, the seller threw in a complete set of mini pots and pans, and wooden utensils. Yay for craigslist!! And now I will pass on the smaller kitchen to Penelope :)

TED

Lately, Dav and I have been getting into TED talks. This is an invite-only, quite expensive conference, but the talks are online too! And they're just brilliant. Such a variety, but all so good in an informative, educational, and inspiring way. I just love the fact that this exists, and that it is so popular. People want to know and want to change the world for the better. Yes! Tonight we saw Larry Lessig's talk. It was actually one of the best thus far (we haven't seen all). Very well given, and with a touch of humor. He mentioned several examples why protecting the ReadWrite culture is necessary. It's a good talk. : ) p.s. The diaper scene from the example reminded me of this...a neighbor in the Potrero Hill area. We went to a neighborhood house that showed Gabriel's various learnings, and it was simply hilarious.

Watch and pass it on.

Inspiring video. Take a moment to see it; it's worth it. It's about the future for all of us. Global climate destabilization.

Dinner chez Kevin & Esther's

Here is a story: I used to work with Esther. Long before I heard of blogging, before I moved back home to Tokyo, before I met Dav. She was on my team, and when I thought our projects were impossibly behind schedule, she'd smile and say, "no problem, it will all be fine." And it would be. Later, completely independently, I started working for Six Apart. One day, Kevin, Esther's husband, emailed me inquiring about an upcoming visit by one of our Japanese partners. Turns out he works with them. So he joined our meetings, and now from time to time, we see each other at work! Last Sunday we went to their house for dinner. They have Kai, who is 4, and a younger baby boy just 3 months old. I felt bad coming over when they have a youngster plus a baby! Graciously, they served the most yummy Spanish meal. Wow. Kai and Tesla immediately bonded in the sense that they were the only tiny tots around...but Tesla had never really faced a 4 year old boy. It was quite a challenge for Tesla, but as long as she didn't wail for cover, we let them go (with the eyes and ears of 4 parents keeping check). Tesla hung in there although there were some rough moments (the video looks a lot worse than it was...she got up and was right back at it later), and in the end she was exhausted from so much running around. It's really neat to see toddlers/kids interact. They can't really speak to each other but they get that they are in a similar world than the adults. Anyway, thank you K & E & K & A for a wonderful evening.

Callaghan Giant Family Christmas Party

This family gathering had performances! Scottish tradition. And I loved the teenager with his earphones - too cool to really listen to the performance, but he was there at the family gathering. Brother Markus gleeeeefully eating. Great-grandmother Maria, mother of 8, playing the piano. She and Tesla hang out with each other a lot since granny Marie takes Tesla to Great-granny. I am very happy Tesla knows her great-grandmother. Tesla with her cousin who will soon be a big sister!! Family performances by the older children, and Tesla mesmerized. Uncle Markus being the ho-ho-ho Santa. Me loving his act.Tesla crashed before the end. Bless her heart. She participated as long as she could.