Big Kid Checking In

Astrid had her 18 months check up today. Weighing in at 28.5 pounds and a reach of 35" inches, Astrid Steene-Connolly is competing in the toddler heavyweight group. For kids her age, she places in the 99.5 percentile for her height and 96.7 percentile for her weight.

The doctor estimates that she'll likely be 6' or taller after puberty. Being the tallest girl in the class isn't always easy at the middle school dance and has Mom getting some flashbacks of being the early bloomer, but I hope she'll carry herself with grace and joy, because Daddy thinks she's going to be a rockstar one day, or at least someone who can see over the crowd easily.

PS: Sorry for the double chin photo beautiful.

Earth Day & The Resistance

It goes without saying that Jen and I carry a fairly progressive outlook on the world. Our mindset is that we as members of the great human race exist to create a better life for all. How we get there is, of course, the great debate, but one thing that surely no one can disagree on is that clean air and water are preferred and that the Earth, does have a tipping point for which life is sustainable for the human race.

The current White House administration has broken that promise to humanity in its attempt at gutting the Environmental Protection Agency and undoing so many restrictions on the very worst polluters that destroy the oceans and lands that jeopardize the cycle in keeping our planet healthy.

In response to this administration, resistances have risen across the country, decrying the anti-intellectual White House that calls climate change a hoax and threatens the very principle of clean air and water in name of generating higher profits. This crook would sell every last acre of national forest if he could. So on Earth Day 2017, Jen, Astrid, my niece Athena and I took to the streets to protest and march upon the capital in solidarity of those who are protesting in Washington DC.

It was a fun day with spirited chants, plenty of friendly faces, a chance to hear scientists talk about their professions, enroll in climate change activism and so much more.
 

We brought a blanket to chill out and watch the crowds while munching on sweets and snacks.

 After a big day, we feasted on strawberries and whipped cream, Athena's favorite and something that Astrid fell quickly in love with.

Easter House Warming

Finally, having our home set up with a bit more than the boxes in our living room and the backpacks we've lugged 5,000 miles in a few months, we thought it wise to have a gathering.

Dear friends from San Francisco trekked out to Sacramento and our local family wore their Sunday egg hunting best. The kids arrived and promptly tore through the house, finding all but a few eggs in a matter of 20 minutes. The last 4 were hidden insanely well to drive them a little nuts for the ultimate prizes. We had a baby version for Astrid with eggs laying in plain sight. Astrid had practiced all week at home and at daycare, so was primed to fill her basket to the brim and then find a seat to enjoy her goldfish crackers, raisins and a couple of chocolates.

Jen prepared a decadent feast of Greek and American favorites. A giant succulent ham, deviled eggs, spanakopita, baklava, greens, potato salad and plenty of beverages to go around.

Loulou will tolerate anything for ham.

Admiring her big cousins

No shortage of laps for Astrid to enjoy

It was a wonderful start to our time in Sacramento and we couldn't be happier to have so many wonderful friends nearby.

The Love of Playgrounds

It goes without saying that most kids love a trip to the playground, but at 18 months the passion is already so strong for little Astrid. 

While it seemed just a few months ago, you were mastering your first steps, you're now climbing small ladders and squealing with delight at every slide you can find. Not just the 3 feet tall toddler slides, but the big 20 footers that the pre-teens use in the big kids section. We try to keep you contained to the toddler area, but sometimes we go down with you.

I follow you fairly closely, but you have your parents strong independent streak and want to do everything yourself. I occasionally hand hold or give a little boost to get you over some of the walls and hurdles you face, but it's less and less with every trip to the park. 

Slides are your absolute favorite. As soon as you get to the bottom of the slide, You tend to race right up the steps again and scoot your little butt right to the edge before raising your hands and taking off. You aren't quite heavy enough to reach the bottom on some slides, so you have to wiggle your way to the finish. 

When you've had your fill of the thrilling slides, there's the slow play of the sand pit. You have a fiercely determined sandpit agenda. Holes must be dug, buckets filled, scoops organized, it's a tough job but some baby has to do it. You could seemingly spend the whole day here, and perhaps your love of the sand started early with your October afternoons on Paros beaches all to yourself. 

Return to California livin'

Returning to our former home from the peaceful Mediterranean wasn't a simple choice, but we wanted to find a way to build a home for our growing little family. While Astrid turning into a big kid before our eyes, we are growing in other ways too. Our little family plans to add one more in September 2017! Astrid will be entrusted with watching over her soon to arrive little sister!

Jen's pregnancy drove home the need to perhaps set up shop a little closer to home and prepare for a bit of nesting. While San Francisco was the home we left behind, there goes a saying that "once you leave, you can't go back" due to the golden handcuff of rent controlled livings and the outrageous sky high home prices in the Bay Area. We wanted to call a home our own, be close to family and still take advantage of the working arrangements we currently share.

With that in mind, we found a beautiful home next to so many wonderful people in Sacramento, CA, just a few hours drive East of San Francisco. Our newest neighbors are old friends from our Brooklyn, NY days and my sisters are just a short drive away. We see them all regularly for family gatherings and regular weeknight get-togethers. Astrid adores her aunties Mimi and Julie, who seem to treasure her in return.

Our new home is a cozy two bedroom in the heart of Sacramento's Midtown neighborhood, in close proximity to plenty to do and great schools all around. The neighborhood is rising quickly and Sacramento seems to be surging from a recent influx of Bay Area residents and new businesses propping up left and right. Best of all, our friends Nils & Caitlin literally live next door. We tend to bug them with dinners and drinks far too often, but it's always a friendly face to start the day. It's icing on the cake with a little bundle of joy on the way next door, so infant playdates will surely be a lot more fun than befriending strangers at the daycare.

Astrid graduated from her crib in the corner of our room to her very own room and a toddler bed! She's got big, open rooms to explore, plenty of books and a backyard to roll around with Louloudi in. She seems to be taking to the new location quite well, but surely she must miss the water and sand of Paros. Surely, Jen and I do, but it won't be long before we head back that way for some extended time. But for now, we're soaking up our Sacramento life and loving every bit!