Road Trip! ..Part One

It's been a while since we last posted. Sorry.

We've been busy passing little Maddie through hundreds (literally) of hands, meeting, greeting, smiling and generally visiting various homes of friends and family. We came back exhausted, but overwhelmed with a feeling of happiness that so many people cared enough to open their homes or come meet us and welcome Maddie to the community and the family.

Our first stop was Maddie's Uncle Jeff and Aunt Susie in Thousand Oaks, CA, where she was able to spend some time with her cousins in their noisy house full of love.


Our second visit was to the home of Randall's longtime friends and ex-employers, the Silvermans. We were fortunate to score some coveted seats at their Shabbat table, which anyone who's ever attended knows is an extraordinary event. As usual, their son Geoff (whom Randall's known since Jr. High) was there with his two cute kids (and new friends of Maddie) Chloe and Logan. We were sorry Susan wasn't able to make it but hope to get some face time during an upcoming visit.

Third stop, Maddie's Aunt Mary's house where we met up with Grandpa Dave and Paula, Grandma, Uncle Don, Uncle Martin, Aunt Mae, and Maddie's Silva/Rivera cousins.

Here we see Maddie with Aunt Mary and cousins Rachael, Bridget and Megan.
Maddie can't wait to get in on the mandatory "fashion show" that happens when the little cousins (ALL GIRLS!) get together. Chances are she can't wait to get in on the noise, too!

One the right is Vince with Maddie and her Grandpa Dave, and below is Maddie with her Uncle Martin, Aunt Mae, and cousin Megan.














Finally, a great shot of Vince with Megan, Bridget and Maddie.

DANCE!

Maddie, as we've come to learn, has caught the dancing bug.

..where it comes from, we have no idea, because nobody (and I MEAN NOBODY!) in this house can dance at all.

For today's dance session, Maddie was thinking early punk, with a bit of ska, and insisted on her regular punk outfit: Animal print dress and black Chucks. (By the way, don't tell her the Chuck's aren't real -- she hasn't figured it out.)








Thankfully she was the only one in the mosh pit!

..a few friends.

Immediately after returning from the hospital, we were very fortunate to have so many friends and neighbors come by to welcome little Maddie into the community. Our house was overflowing with food for three weeks!

Unfortunately our sleepy haze meant that we were not always on top of things with the camera and neglected to grab shots of some very important visitors, Maddie's first dinner party (thanks Arch & Jen) and a bunch of other great moments and friends. ..if this is YOU, then stay tuned, or get back over with a camera and sooner or later we'll take and upload some more shots! ;->

There were a few times, however, when we actually were clearheaded enough to grab a camera and capture some nice shots. ..and here they are:

The first two pics are quite special. Our next door neighbors Ralph & Maggie (they're the ones who decorated our house while we were at the hospital), showed up wearing Mr. Bumblebee and Mrs. Ladybug outfits. ..and Mr. Bumblebee garnered the first ever giggle from Maddie. She loved the hat!




Anyone who knows Meg knows she doesn't cook. Or does she? Here we see her walking through the door with a multi-course meal made from scratch (and a little help from whole foods).








Jordan and Anna. ..swinging by to pick up Vinny and the gang and head over to see the new Star Trek movie. ..but not before a few "geek" moments with Maddie, who's been officially indoctrinated. (ugh -- sigh.)

Ernie, Jenny & Vita. ..who've been truly amazing ..loaning, giving, advising, and just being all around swell folks.

Julie. ..the first to meet Maddie as she didn't wait for us to get home, but came directly to the hospital.

Arch & Jen. ..and some creepy guy trying to ruin an otherwise sweet pic.

That's it for now. As mentioned earlier, we hope to take & upload more pics of Maddie's friends ASAP.

Nana, Papa, Aunt Lori & Cousin Zach Visit

While Nana & Papa were able to be in Roseville for Maddie's birth, unfortunately little Zach kept his mom home that week. We were thrilled however, when they finally made it up for a visit a few weeks later. We all had a great time, eating, eating, and well, more eating. ..with a few funny Zach "moments" to break up the food.



Here's Aunt Lori spending some quality time with Maddie. CLEARLY, Maddie's mad about her aunt!



Here's Randall with Zach and Maddie, comparing their tiny little feet. Zach was initially unsure of what to do with his little cousin, but seemed to warm up after a couple days. He now asks to hear Maddie "squeak" when his mom and uncle Randall are on the phone.

Nana, Papa, Zach and Maddie:

Papa, Vinnie, Zach, & Randall took a day trip to give Aunt Lori and Nana some quality quiet (that's relative, of course) time with Maddie. Here are a few pics from our day:

In-N-Out!

Bamboo Giant Nursery and Gardens

Goldsmith's flower seeds

A great time was had by all. This pic sums up Maddie's thoughts on spending more time with her Papa:

Little Burrito

..a few shots from "The Burrito Series". Stuffed full of tasty deliciousness, and completely satisfying!

Family and More Family

Soon after our return home, Maddie got to meet even more family. First, Grandpa (Vince's dad) and his girlfriend Paula arrived on Sunday. The next day, Grandma (Vince's mom Marcia) arrived and stayed through Thursday.

Grandma got to go with us for Maddie's first outing - the pediatrician! Maddie was a real star at the doctor's office. After her weighing in, the staff showered her with attention. Naked, she looked so cute and vulnerable on the examination table. She took in all the adoration like a pro; she opened her big blue eyes and gazed attentively, she made cute little sounds almost as if to say, "Yes, yes, you are correct. I really am this wonderful, aren't you lucky!" Then, she let loose a stream and pee'd all over the table and floor!

The rest of Grandma's visit was pretty low-key. Outside of going shopping we pretty much stayed put, however Grandma got lots of gazing and holding time in (but somehow managed to elude diaper duty!)


Grandma left Thursday afternoon and Friday Aunt Mary and cousins Rachel and Bridget arrived from southern California. Unfortunately, Friday was not Maddie's day for visitors. She spent most of the day sleeping, waking only to eat, have her diaper changed, and right back to sleep. Luckily Saturday and Sunday she was much more alert, so Mary and the girls got lots of quality time before heading back. This next week we have Maddie's Tia Lorie, lots of dinners and visits, then Auntie Lori, cousin Zach, Nana & Papa arrive!

Maddie & Cousin Rachel

Maddie & Auntie Mary

Homecoming

After a few days in the hospital we are finally home!

Maddie's first car ride (three and a half hours) went smoothly, with one quick pull-over in a Home Depot parking lot for a feed & burp before arriving home. Upon our arrival we received a very pleasant surprise - our wonderful neighbors Maggie and Ralph decorated our home with pink and white streamers and set out a beautiful display welcoming Maddie, including roses, a set of Madeline books, (the popular Ludwig Bemelmans's children's stories) and multiple bags of goodies.



Later in the evening some great friends stopped by to meet Maddie.

Here's Maddie with Lorie...

..and then the food train began. Beginning Friday with a fantastic chicken korma with all the fixings, and continuing with chili, lasagne, pizza, carnitas, pastas, breakfast burritos, and more. ..so much more that Vince & Randall are looking, a little, uh, ..chunky.

Between visits from family and friends, many of our neighbors have dropped by to meet Maddie and welcome her to the neighborhood. There's nothing like neighbors who've become extended family.

We're looking forward the next few weeks as Maddie gets to meet even more friends. We really appreciate each and every friends and neighbors who went out of their way to welcome Maddie to the community and make our first days at home as easy as possible. ..thanks everyone!!