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Santa Barbara 12-07

We took Nathan to Santa Barbara for a visit to my mother's extended family. It was exhausting, in part because Nathan woke up early at 5:15am and then was very cranky the whole day due to short naps and teething pain. I'm looking forward to staying home the next three days.

Xmas

Nathan's first Christmas was fun. He got a whole bunch of new toys and he enjoys playing with the cardboard boxes as much as the toys. Unfortunately, the downside to all the visiting and merrymaking over the last few days is that Nathan's regular nap schedule has been shot. He has been much more cranky during the day and he fusses more going to bed at night.

Project

I finished up the project I worked on last week. I wanted to dress up our new gates - they were just plain wood. I painted them white and then used dragon stencil. It didn't come out as well as I thought it might, the stencil wasn't as sharp and I made a bit of a mess on the bricks. However, Nathan was a big help, well actually he just stayed out of my way and watched me work, which was still very good.

Weather report

It has been kind of wet around here.

X-mas break

Today and tomorrow I'm home with Nathan. His daycare is closed until January for Christmas break. I have a project I want to work on, more details and maybe a photo on that once it is completed. It will definitely be a change of pace. I haven't been home with him by myself since maternity leave.

Grabbing camera

Nathan is getting into grabbing the camera.

Bundled up

Nathan all bundled up and coming out of a doze on a walk on cold day.
Also, congratulations to Gary on surviving his first week on his new job at Prop O , clean water bond project.

Hanukka

Worst dinner ever

I have to report the worst experience ever eating out at a restaurant. We went to C&O Trattoria in Marina Del Rey to celebrate Jen's birthday. The food was yummy, but we were seated in the outside patio, at night, in December .... in the rain. I didn't have my jacket with me and occasionally used my menu as rain cover. About two thirds through the dinner, the restaurant brought out a few sun umbrellas which helped some, but my mood was already shot. Thankfully, folks came over to our house for coffee and games and that was fun, and warm, and dry.

Kugel

In an attempt to do more homemade gifts, I baked up four kugels last night. One for work, one for Nathan's teachers, one for our next door neighbor, and one for us. Making four at once wasn't as hard as making four individually, but it was alot more time consuming than I expected. Good thing that I have yet to meet someone who wasn't impressed and suprised at how yummy kugel is.

Nathan's first Hanukka

Here are some shots of Nathan's first Hanukka. Nathan enjoyed the dreidel filled with jelly beans; it makes a nice rattle. He mostly tried to grab the menorah, lit candles and all.

Nathan got distracted by the wonderful plastic bowl and let the cat slip away. But if anything motivates Nathan to crawl, it will be to go after a cat.

Chore of holidays

I know most people look forward to the holiday season, but I find it more of a drag. It might have something to do with the fact that I am Jewish, and the Christmafication of everything grates after a while. I also do not enjoy shopping and it is such a chore to get gifts. Often times giving and getting presents seems hollow and so artificial. Thankfully Gary and I have been pretty low key about getting each other presents this year. Also, Nathan won't have a clue.