Italian Festival Adventures

We have been hearing about the Italian Festival in San Jose for the past couple of years from the Thurmond's, and we always forget to mark when it is so we can attend.  This year, we made a point of finding out when it was and putting it in the calendar so we could plan for it with Vanessa, Robb, and Ren.  This year, we finally made it!  Kevin didn't get a chance to pull out his big Italian guns, but he did give us his expert opinion on the food we consumed and some of the music being played.  Since Kevin served his mission in Italy, he was our personal expert this afternoon.  And whenever we discuss anything Italian, or eat Italian food.  He's handy to have around in those situations.    

While we had fun hanging out with our fabulous friends and trying the food, the festival itself was a little underwhelming.  Not the big Italian-fest we had assumed/hoped for.  Ah, well.  At least now we know.  And it did introduce me to sfingi, the most amazing little donut things that I would go back to the festival for alone.  Loved them.  

 Trying to decide what to eat.

 We settled on polenta and Italian sausage.  So good.

 My new favorite thing.  I'm going to be making these.  A lot.  Because practice makes perfect and they are amazing.

 The sfingi smelled so good.  I wish I could take a picture of how good it smelled.  And tasted.

 Lily wasn't feeling like Italian food this afternoon.  She settled for her bottle.

 What Italian experience would be complete without gelato?  And Nutella gelato?  Hello!

 Just chillin' at the festival, getting to know her (honorary) Italian roots.

  She was a little grumpy when we left.  She wanted to stay for more of the good times.

The new accessory

We are having lots of fun with her, and I try not to bore you all with too many photos of Lily, because, really, they are all pretty similar and not very exciting to anyone but us.  But sometimes I just have to show you how she's changed, even if it's only obvious to me.  And it's only been a few days since I last posted something here.  Or on Facebook.  Or both.  But enjoy our little Lily.

Working on my bicycle moves 

"No pictures, please.  I'm not ready for my public to see me!"

Adventures to Big Basin

A severe case of cabin fever and a desire for cooler weather on my part resulted in us going to Big Basin State Park yesterday with the Thurmonds for a day hike and picnic lunch to Sempervirens Falls (really, it was more like a trickle, but it's August, so I try not to judge).  While it wasn't as cool as I wanted it to be, we nevertheless had a delightful time and Lily and Ren finally got to hang out together.  Robb and Kevin were troopers carrying the babies in the carriers for our 3 mile loop.  Lily was a gem and slept most of the hike.  It was a beautiful day with fabulous company and I can't wait to visit the park again.  It was so nice to be out and about for the whole day.  Good times.

 Kevin and Lily set for a day of adventure.

 Lily's first hike in the woods!

 The men and the babies

 Family photo; Lily was not in a cooperative mood.

 Robb, Ren, and Vanessa

 The "waterfall"

 Not my best angle, but I had a baby two weeks ago, so I figure I get a little slack.  

 Lily's buddy, Ren

 

Best shot glass ever!

My SIL sent me this souvenir from her cross-country move. I sat and giggled for a few minutes; it's so perfect for me. I <3 it!

Lily Chronicles

I know I don't have a lot of experience with babies, but based on stories I've heard and things friends have told me, I'm pretty sure I've been blessed with an extremely chill kid.

Lily has taken to sleeping through the night since her second night home. Currently, she goes down at 11 pm and wakes around 5/5:30 am. Kevin and I are continuously knocking on wood in the hopes that this continues.

There hasn't been much fussing; so far only when she's hungry or alone. Proving she is my child, Lily is a social creature and prefers to be where the people are. As long as she's hanging with the group (being held or not) she is content with life.

It's fascinating watching her develop her own little personality. As long as she keeps sleeping like a champ, life will continue to be tolerable.

Laughs

At my baby shower, guests were asked to write some advice on diapers for those late night changes. The diapers have been entertaining and I've giggled quite a bit at the advice dispensed via disposable diapers. It really has made the late nights a little more fun.

The Lily Chronicles

I honestly thought that I was doomed to wait until being induced for the baby to come, but she had a mind of her own and contractions started Friday morning (8/3), around 7:30 am.  I might not have mentioned anything to Kevin, since we've had a couple false alarms in the past couple weeks.  Instead, I just tracked the contractions and ran the errands I had set for myself.  Kevin came home from work about 5:15, and around 6:00, my water broke.  We gathered our stuff and were off to the hospital.

Here are some things that I learned.

1) Contractions are the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my life.
2) Epidurals are a lifesaver (I got mine at 11 pm, slept for 2 1/2 hours, and was ready to start pushing by 3:45 am.  Thirty-five minutes later, Lily made her appearance.  Better living through pharmaceuticals!).
3) The labor & delivery people expect you to hold your breath for an abnormal length of time while you push.
4) You lose any pretense of dignity the minute you walk into the hospital to have a baby.  And you never get it back.  You do regain some of your dignity when you come home.  But not much.

Towards the end of the delivery, I spiked a fever of 103.1, and since it was so high, it earned Lily an automatic trip to the NICU for 24 hours for observation and heavy-duty antibiotics.  She never had a fever, and is perfectly fine.  It was just one of those fluke things that called for precautionary measures.  I earned my own IV and antibiotics for 24 hours, even though the fever broke an hour after Lily was born.  So, Lily had her first babysitting experience, and Kevin and I were eased into the whole parenting thing.  And we stayed in the hospital an extra day as a result.  It was not a horrible way to start off.  Annoying, but not horrible.

We are now home and figuring out this whole parenting thing without nurses and other professional people to tell us how stuff works.  My parents are here helping us out for the week (they're cooking dinner as I type.  Awesome!  And they cleaned the house while we were in the hospital.  Double awesome!).  But I have some temporary live-in support while I begin my attempt at parenthood, so thanks Mom & Dad!

So there it is.  The beginning of the Lily Chronicles.  There will be undoubtedly be many more to come.  But we have a few photos to share with you.  So enjoy.  And welcome to the world, Lily Marie!

                                                   (The photos are a little out of order.  Bear with me.)

Brand new baby!  8/4/12, 4:20 am

Back from NICU, and Dad decides to start taking LOTS of photos.  Get used to it, kid.

All dressed up and ready to go home! 8/6/12

We were STARVING and decided on a very low-key celebratory dinner on Saturday.

Chillin' in the NICU.  Hooked up to all sorts of cords, monitors, and other things.

She's finally here!

Lily Marie Athey! Born at 4:20 this morning and weighing in at 7 lbs, 3 oz, 20.5" long. All three of us are doing great. More details to follow. :-)

Nothing is comfortable anymore

A while ago, Kevin and I switched cars, which is a true declaration of love from him.  I cannot tell you how many ways Kevin dislikes my car (the Peanut!).  But he offered the switch because sitting in the Jeep was more comfortable for me than my low-to-the-ground compact.  But now, neither is the most comfortable option.  Once I manage to get into the Jeep, it's okay, but climbing in and out of that thing is getting more difficult everyday.  But it is definitely easier going up than climbing down into my car.  And I think with enough time, Kevin might just learn to love the Peanut.

But that is probably wishful thinking.