Hmm, I don't think so

Days 4/5: Sacramento

We headed up to Sacto to stay with my big bro and his family. By the time Sofi got out of the car this time and realized there was a whole different crowd of people to meet/greet/and catch up with, she decided she'd had enough. She started strong, but finished up by laying in Papa's lap and crying if you tried to move her.

Here's part of her strong start with Grandma Sandy and Ofelia.
This is cousin Noah and cousin Austin.

This is Noah's mom "Big Julie" posing with us and unhappy Sofi. You can see Grandpa Charlie (my dad) off to the left.

This is Ofelia's homegirl Gabby. She's Julie's youngest and only a month older than Ofelia.

This is a picture of me, most of the group I hung out with in high school and all of our family members. Crazy how we're still in touch in one way or another.

This is Ofelia hanging out with Grandma Sandy just before...

a much needed nap.

Here's Mr. Sir hanging out with some of the kiddos.

Grandpa Charlie (My Dad's name is really Marselo, but we call him Charlie cuz Sofi hears him on the phone much more than she sees him. It's like that Charlie's Angels show. Get it?) tickeling Austin.

Papa trying to rally Sofi.

Grandma Sandy with 3 of 4 grandchildren. Is that a choke hold mom?

Marcia watching over Emma and Sofi.

Ofelia right before bedtime.

Emma gettin down on some Ramen Noodles.

Last minute playing before we had to head to the airport. That's my bro Marselo, aka Uncle Turtle.

Sofi still not having it.

Overall we had a great trip. Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of everyone who made it over to Sacto to say hi. Thanks to everyone who gave us a place to sleep, food to eat, and went out of their way to drive to different places to see us.

I'm going back to Cali...

Day 3/4: Dos Palos and Tracy

We did a lot of driving in CA. Sofi and Ofelia learned to take naps in the car and always woke up to a new city and a new group of people. They both did a pretty good job adapting. I think Sofi was a little confused about the crazy 'houses' with 'yards'... what happened to the elevator and parking garages?! Ahh loft living.
On day 3 we drove to the middle of nowhere, aka Dos Palos, to visit with one of my best friends from high school and her fam. Here are most of them hanging out while Sofi steals a doll and a snack.

Sofi really took to Janessa (my goddaughter). She still says "Nessa, ball? Nessa, ball?" Janessa tried to show Sofi a few soccer moves while we were there. Little Jonathon (below) is about Sofi's age and they spent plenty of time fighting over toys.

Here's Big Johnaton (no, I didn't spell that wrong) and Mike taking care of Ofelia while we were outside. They turned a box into a seat for Ofelia and then played on Facebook.

That night we drove to Tracy and stayed the night at Mike's Aunt Gigi and Uncle Carl's place. Here's Ofelia getting a little tummy time with Uncle Carl. She rolled over for the first time that moring... Mike and I missed it.

We were busy trying to pack up and get Sofi dressed for the day.

Cali

Day 2/3: Ileana's House

What's a trip to Cali without seeing the ocean? Sofi wasn't having it. It was a bit cold and she knew her friend was waiting for her.
That's better! Full on girly girl time! Ileana and Sofi had a blast together. They pushed around babies in strollers, played with purses, went to the playground (those pics are on my phone), posed for pictures, took a bath, stayed up all night talking about cute boys... ok, that last part didn't happen but I can totally picture it in the future.

Here are the girls with their new matching sunglasses (Thanks, Veronica!) posing for the camera.

Then Papa made Sofi include her little sister.

Winding down in the bath.

I don't think these pics get across the great time Sofi had hanging out at Ileana's house. The first thing out of Sofi's mouth when we woke up the next morning (we stayed at Ileana's house) was "Ileana?" Which sounded more like "ee-ana"? She still talks about her. She tries to sing like Ileana did and makes up songs. Her first song was "mac-cheeeeeese". Sofi was singing that in the airport. She'd sing it, say 'Ileana singing', then 'Sofi singing', and then she'd sing it again. Veronica (ee-ana's mom) also had socks for the girls, and Sofi calls them 'ee-ana's socks' and looks for them daily. Very cute stuff.

Cali

Day 2: Santa Clara University



This is where I met Mike... I know you're all going "awwww" right now. Going back is always fun. It sparks lots of memories (good, bad, and blurry) and I definitely have more appreciation for how beautiful the campus is.

When my cousin Mikey B. and I were going to school at SCU, my little grandma told us a story about nuns who would stay up all night walking around in a circle in a little room somewhere in the school. She said they would pray night and day for anyone who needed it. We thought grandma was starting to lose it (just kidding grandma!) until we were walking through campus one night with pints of Ben and Jerry's. It's easier to see at night but in the pic below you can make out one of the "nuns" walking around with hands clasped in front of her. Grandma knew what she was talking about after all.

Here's my family posing in front of one of many religious statues on campus. I have no idea who this is, but the scenery is pretty.

Look at how excited Sofi is about being on campus! She can't believe that one day she'll be here on full scholarship helping to win the women's NCAA soccer tourney. Ofelia isn't convinced yet. She's still thinking about UNC.

This is where we graduated. My class was the last to graduate in "the gardens".

My parents sat somewhere in this part of the gardens.

More from our walk.

There's a whole other part of the campus now. For whatever reason every time we go we stick to the parts we used to know. Ahhh, nostalgia.

Goin' Back to Cali

Day 1 in Cali: Grandma's House

Sofi, Ofelia and I (yes, I flew alone with the kiddos and even managed to stick a double diaper change with a mommy peeing twist on the airplane!) spent a day with grandma. Usually aunts, uncles, and cousins drop in looking for homemade tortillas and chilli, so I thought this would be a good location to see the most family. Ofelia jumped right in with a smile! She found herself right at home conversating with the other women in the family. Here she smiles and nods at all the right parts while Nina Laura and Little Julie (you'll meet Big Julie later in the trip) catch up.

Here Ofelia poses with Little Julie, Nina Laura, Nina Jeannette, and Little Grandma.

This is Ofelia scaring cousin Richie. He's afraid of breaking small children.

Meanwhile, Sofi found plenty of toys and other entertaining things/people in the patio. This is my old (not that we're old) college roommate Laura. She looks a little confused by Sofi in this pic. I think it's cuz she's used to boys. Her son Antonio was Sofi's best friend on this first day.

This is just a cute pic of Sofi.

Here's Sofi's BFF! This is Antonio. Poor guy was greeted by Sofi with a smack in the face from her new purse. Eventually he decided my little bully was ok.

See, she even got out of the little car so he could have a ride. By the way, her new little purse went with her everywhere in Cali. She even slept with it on night 2.

During our stay at Little Grandma's grandma rarely let Ofelia out of her arms. Do you think she looks happy?

No? How about in this shot with Little Grandpa?

Sofi would not pose for a picture at this point in the day. Overall we had a great stay. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. We even enjoyed cake and some presents in honor of Ofelia! Sorry about the burnt beans.

Don't Shake a Baby punto com

This weekend we busted out Sofi's old jumparoo. Sofi had to make sure everything was in working order for her Ofelia.



Looks good! Sofi gave it the thumbs up and let 'baby' try it out.

In this clip Sofi shows Ofelia how to play with everything.

Then Sofi's Tio Tony and Tio Shaun made things more exciting for Sofi.

No Sofi's were harmed while making this video.

Dinner Theater and other fun things to do with your little sister

I think Sofi has figured out that the little blob she calls her baby can actually be fun.

Look! She now has a great place to put stickers (yes this is really Sofi's work).
They can both attack Papa before bath time.

She can give horsey rides.

She has a built in playmate at hotels.

There's someone to play dress-up with.

More sticker fun!

And she's great entertainment at dinner. (The camera work is a little off, but you'll get the idea.)