Stay Classy San Franscisco.

Eric's parents headed home.  I continued packing.  I love to have a long stay in a city, but the longer you're there, the more you settle in and the more difficult it is to leave.  So worth it though.  Eric and I had seen a lot if San Fran  tourism when we were here in October 2009.  We came to support our friend Miguel doing the out-of-town try out of the new Green Day Broadway show, American Idiot.  We did Pier 39, Alcatraz , Miir Woods, partied like rockstars with Green Day, breakfast with sunglasses on.... But neither time have we had time to do food here the way we want.  We didn't make it to bring Soph to the sea lions or the pink ladies.  We'll have to come back, I guess.  San Fran is like NYC in the way that you just can't do it all in one trip...or even two trips.  We did make it to the famous Dottie's.  It was well worth the hour wait.  Truly good breakfast/brunch specialties and Sophie was welcome.  The stroller can't come to the table and there isn't really room for it at the front.  The tight space tells me to just bring the Bjorn next time.  And there WILL be a next time.  Yum!!

Blah!

Eric's parents came over during his first show and were able to help me with Sophie.  I sooo needed them for a few hours considering I was really sick, had to be getting ready to leave San Fran and taking care of a baby.  I was even able to take a little nap when Soph did.  We all went to the theatre to see Eric btwn shows.  We got in a taxi and dropped Grandma and Grandpa at their hotel and headed back uptown to our place.

Flu

Even with a flu shot.  Went to meet Erics fam at Cheesecake Factory and couldn't eat a thing.  My body was so sore and I was so nauseous.  Eric, Soph, and I came straight home and I had a fever of 99.6.  Slept.  Eric went to show.  Tracy brought me some medicine.  Temp climbed to 100 and now lots of diarrhea.  I hope Sophie doesn't get this!

Wine Tasting in Napa.

Eric had this Monday free and clear, so we all (Eric, Mom P, Dad P, Kyle, Sophie, and me) hopped in the van and headed to Sonoma and then over to Napa.  The drive was beautiful.  That alone was a trip.  As we went up and down and round and round the small mountain roads in Sonoma, I felt a little sick.  We stopped at Arrowhead Winery in Sonoma, which I wasn't too fond of.  We drove on to Napa and had lunch at the Rutherford Grille.  I had this Prime Rib Sandwich that was as rich and decadent as a lobster roll.  Just no nonsense deliciousness.  Yum!  Then we stopped at GrGich Hills Winery for a tasting, which was quite good.  Eric and I brought home a bottle of Chardonnay.  We headed back to the city and had Sophie home by bedtime.  She was a little angel the whole day.  She took her first nap on the way out there and her second nap while we ate.  Happy go lucky all day long, even with all that driving.

Baby's First Christmas!

Sophie woke at 8.  I fed her apples for breakfast while we waited for everyone to get here.  At about 9, everyone was here and we started with Sophie, so we could finish before her nap.  She really enjoyed the wrapping paper!  Eric's parents gave her a crocodile pulling wagon with blocks on it, a lion puppet, a sweet outfit, and a nativity book. Kyle got her a rolling monkey, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. The Milahey's bought her a Lamaze purse with a plush compact, doggie, and cell phone in it and a baby Einstein bath book.  And Santa's bouncy seat activity center was a hit.  I waited for the fam to get there before I even let her turn around.    We put her right into the bounce seat. The verdict is.... She loves it!!!!!!!!  We iChatted with my parents and brother and sister-in-law so they could see Sophie's first Christmas morning too!

Christmas Eve

Eric's parents and his brother showed up during Eric's matinee.  After his show, we all went up to Tracy's.  She had a bunch of food and a lot of the people we love there.  They had a lot of company in SanFran so they sprung for the penthouse.  Now, That is a million dollar view.  You can see the entire Golden Gate Bridge and the bay.  Imagine the most picturesque view of San Fran and there you are.  We didn't stay long, because we had to get Sophie home for her bath and bed.  After she fell asleep, Santa's elves got to work.  Santa had dropped off Sophie's present earlier and asked us to help with his busy schedule by helping to put it together.  It looked amazing.  This tricked out entertainment saucer/ bouncer sat in the living room all night, just begging to be played with. I can't wait 'til she wakes up tomorrow!

The Abrahams and us on Christmas Eve

Secret Santa

Eric , Sophia, and I all made it in the Secret Santa list at Eric's work.  The only way we could possibly do it is to by a lot of silly gifts at once and dole them out, leading up to the reveal.  We ordered IPod shuffles for all three people and they were a huge hit!  People don't realize that they aren't all that expensive.  Instead of buying a bunch of little stuff and giftcards, we did the shuffle.  Don't get me wrong...Mamma loves gift cards!  They are the best!  I love to give 'em, I live to get 'em!  Eric's Secret Santa was Kenzie!  So cute!  Mine was Carrie.  And Sophie's was Alan.  We all got great stuff!  Eric got a bunch of Apple stuff.  I got lots of girlie stuff that was right on par.  And Sophie got a hot little leopard number with big red flowers on the butt and hat.

Dreamworks San Francisco Offices

We got a private tour of Dreamworks San Francisco offices, which was super cool.  The cast also gave interested animators a talk back about what it was like to turn there animation into a live stage musical!

Christmas celebration in Winter Garden Dec. 16

 On our way to FL, the view was beautiful.

 Mia gives Soph big hugs.

 Soph finds Papa Joe's nose!

 Uncle Trey helps out, in style, at the mall.

 Great Grandmom and Granddad giving Sophie a steering wheel.

 Headed back to daddy in San Francisco, we found Santa had a layover in Philly too.

 Vigin America Airlines Rocks!!!!

Sophia and I packed up again and headed to the airport.  This time we are just in for a quick weekend.  Everyone is so excited.  The plane trip seemed less daunting this time.  I've really got things into a routine with her as far as flying goes.  5.5 hrs to Philly. 1hr lay over. 2.2 hrs to Orlando. It's all in the timing.  We left at 11 Pacific time and get in at 11 Eastern time.  This flight worked the best for her schedule.  Even if you have to pay more,  you have to get a flight that times out with her eating on the decent and that doesn't interfere with bedtime.  She can nap out, but don't mess with bedtime.  You realize how sacred it is when you speak with parents who don't have a good sleeper. We want to do everything in our power to make it easy for her to go to bed.  The wknd in FL was awesome and way too quick.  Sophie totally recognized everyone this time.  She was a happy girl and was so ready for all her interactive Christmas toys.  Eric and I held off on new stuff since Christmas was coming!  She even enjoyed unwrapping.  She got the hang of Christmas way too easily.  Eric was able to watch her open gifts via iChat.   She loved all the buttons and talking and singing on her jungle, steering wheel, and Laugh and Play Kitchen!!! Eric had 4 shows over the wknd, so he was kept busy while we were gone.  He actually took off Thursday and Friday nights to rest his mind and body.  It gave him more rest for us not to be there.  We know he loves us, but sometimes even hearing me get up with Soph makes sleep not as sound.  Sophie and I iChatted with the Danly family Christmas gathering on Saturday night.  It was great to see everyone gathered together at Aunt Mary and Uncle Dave's this year.  Somehow, we didn't even know it was even happening, but thanks to iChat we were able to be there.  Trey and Ariana stayed the night on Saturday to get a full dose of Sophie.  She sure has a lot of love in FL.  It was a nice break for mommy's arms to have Mia, Papa Joe, Grandmom, Granddad, Trey and Ariana all eagerly waiting to hold and love on her if she's happy, sad or anything in between.  Got Eric's Christmas shopping done!  Yay!  We headed back on Sunday, so we could be there for Eric's day off.  It's the first day in weeks that he hasn't had press or rhsl or traveling or something.  We are planing to relax and go see the Full House house(the pink ladies.). It will be a nice, chill day.  P.S.  This Virgin America flight back to SF is awesome!  Soph and I feel like rock stars.  In flight TV, big seats, cool vibe, LED purple lights.  Love it!

 REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOO-OOD!!!!    Daddy met us at the airport in San Fran!

Company Christmas Party and Shrek BCEFA Benefit.

So, in planning for Eric and I to attend his company Christmas Party and then perform at a benefit the following night, we needed to find a sitter in SF. My mom said she'd be happy to do it, but that was a little expensive...since she lives in FL:). Plan B.  We went to this site called Sittercity.com and found someone.  This was super scary for me, because Soph had never been put to bed by someone else or left with a sitter for more than 2hrs about 4 times.  After perusing the site, I felt that the system was good.  Essentially, you post a job(Sunday and Monday, 4 month old, 5- midnight ). You get a bunch if responses and are then able to filter thru the applicants profiles.  We requested someone with CPR certification, First Aid Training, a clean background check, and looked for someone who was over the age of 20 and had experience with infants.  We ended up with Melissa.  She is a 44 yr old mother of 2.  I had her come one day while we were there so that we could get a read on her and see if she was good with Sophie...a sort of working interview.  She was great.  Thank God!  We went to the Christmas party and had an awesome time.  It was at E & O Trading Company.  The food was amazing and the company even better!  We came home to a sleeping baby, who proceeded to sleep til 8:30am.  The very next night was the Shrek Benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and we had Melissa come again.  She worked her magic once more.   Eric and I performed a duet at the benefit and Eric sang "What Are You Doing New Years?". Everyone sounded great and lots of money was raised for a really great cause.  We had a lot of fun being out with all the adults, but couldn't wait to get home to Soph.  The only downside to Melissa is that she reorganized all the cabinets and I couldn't find my trash bags for 30 minutes, and I totally have no idea where the 409 is.  I really didn't mind and I can appreciate the intention.  Hey, and I guess a lot of people pay to have someone organize their stuff.  Two birds.  One stone.

Sophie's BFF: Kenzie

View of the TransAmerica Building

This is the view from our apartment in San Fran.

Right Idea, Wrong Direction: Mastering the Art of Scooting.

Sophie is now 4 and a half months old.  She is trying to figure out how to move and has learned that she can use her arms to push.  Too bad it is pushing her backwards.  She'll figure it out soon enough.

San Francisco Tourist.

 Golden Gate Park: Stow Lake

 

Grace Cathedral:  Where Soph and I got coffee, walked the labyrinths,  and admired the beauty inside most mornings.

 Union Square: San Francisco

Sophia and I found Shrek on a trolley!

Sophia and I took advantage of this cool city.  Eric was working to the bone in this city.  Press pick-ups almost everyday between 9-11am and then the show at night or 2 show days.  He missed a lot of the tourism, but Sophie and I still got out.  We stayed in Nob Hill. In all the magazines our address was described as elegant and with the view from our apartment building, we really didn't even have to leave to enjoy landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, the bay, and the TransAmerica building.   Pretty awesome.  Every morning I would walk down the block to the famous Grace Cathedral and get a latte from the Pete's Coffee shop that occupies their basement.  Then we walk around the cathedral, walk the labyrinths , and walk to the park across the street.  This gives Eric a little more sleep to recoup from the show.  It gives Soph and I some much needed fresh air and exercise.  One day I even got up the courage to walk to Union Square with Soph in the stroller, Christmas shop, and walk back up the hills home.  Now that's a work out.  Another day we went with Tracy and Kenzie to Golden Gate Park and walked around the Buffalo Reserve.  When Eric and I were here in October 2009, we did Alcatraz and Fisherman's Wharf/pier39.  We are going to take Sophie together to see the sea lions:)