Astrid's 3rd Birthday

Before: an old DI cabinet

After: a play kitchen for Astrid that I've been wanting to make for at least a year.

Despite the bitter cold, it's not a Mexican birthday party without a pinata.

Beautiful cake, I know. But at least it tasted good.

I was raised with the following birthday party theory for kids:
small house, lots of kids and parents running amok, lots of games, lots of food, lots of noise, lots of mess, lots of chaos.

Now that we have our own home, we were able to accomplish just that, and while it may have seemed overwhelming to our guests, it felt just as it should to me. It was so nice to see so many of our good friends and family all in one place, celebrating our baby girl's third birthday. It was quite wonderful.

I can't believe just how quickly she has reached the ripe age of three. My post-partum depression is just now setting in...

Christmas in Colorado

A very late wedding gift.

This year we spent Christmas in Colorado Springs. Also visiting were family and friends from California and Guadalajara. It was very nice and I learned how to make some delicious Mexican dishes, including a hot and tasty salsa.

Christmas in Colorado: Colorado Springs Climbing Gym

My brother, Lex, just became a part-owner of the oldest climbing gym in the West. So, after opening gifts on Christmas morning, we hit it up. It was so much fun, mostly because it was free and there were plenty of people to belay me (I don't prefer bouldering).

New Years: Bear Lake and Beaver Mountain

Astrid finished her skiing experience with a little swinging fun...

"The Magic Carpet" was awesome. It took Astrid and Dad to the top of the bunny slope.

Chilling after a run

Astrid had a wonderful first experience skiing. All we were shooting for was a positive first experience, and it was. The guys at the rental gear shop were calling Astrid by name and showing her all of their pink and purple options in boots and skis. Needless to say, that was a great way to get her excited to hit the slopes: "I'm going to ski and I'm not going to fall, ever!", she declared to everyone in the shop.

Once on the hill, a seasoned dad taught us to "recharge" her before every run with gummies, and the Magic Carpet conveyor belt was a nice, and non-scary (unlike the lifts) respite between runs.

Now Astrid pretends to be skiing at home. Obviously Arthur is stoked and can't wait to continue to take her up the mountains for some more skiing fun.

patagoniacs

This is what happens when there's a Patagonia outlet in your city.

camping

We lucked out this past weekend and got a site at the Spruces campground up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Although we got there late, it was super fun and Astrid loved every minute of it. Thomas only woke up once and fell asleep nursing. Next weekend: more camping fun with cousins and VW grandparents.

Astrid too wound up to go to sleep...

In the morning we found a little squirrel dying in the middle of the road (it hadn't been run over; we're not sure why it was dying), so we moved it to the side and Astrid hung out with it a bit and gave it pinecones.

Thomas checking out the morning sun

two months

So the viscious cycle of having a baby and losing them one fast month at a time has started once again. Boo. Thomas has grown out of all his newborn and 0-3 mos. clothes and all his size 3 month clothes fit him snuggly. Double boo.
On the bright side, he slept from 9:30-5 last night. I don't think Astrid slept that many consecutive hours until he was born.

i love his double chin