Karma isn't just for Jason Lee

Moments after our Ashlie/Willa post, we headed out to lunch in Berkeley at Raleigh's. It was a beautiful day and we wanted to enjoy their deck in the sunshine. Marco got a little fussy, so we took him out of the bucket to enjoy the day when he had a MASSIVE blowout. Code Brown people!

Now, this isn't exactly Chili's, so as far as the bathrooms go, think "Rest Stop" not "Koala Changing Station." We had to strip the poor child down to nothing on a bench outside at our table and change his entire ensem. The naked baby was thrilled, not crying at all, just enjoying the day. Ha!

We didn't worry too much since the restaurant is on Telegraph, a stone's throw from most bongs and hippies in Northern California. They've probably seen an adult Code Brown more than once.

Thankfully, there weren't any photos to commemorate the occasion, so I'll just share this adorable one instead.

Grammy Pammy vs. Molly Maids

No, not who would win in a cage match (obviously, Grammy on that one) but who would you rather have come for a visit? Gotta go Grammy on this one too.

Jeff headed off to Spring Training for Vic's bachelor party, and not only did Grammy show up for a sleepover with lunch and hands to hold and bounce Marco, but she worked on my house. Every time I turned around, another thing was spotless. Yes, she does stoves. Yes, she trims plants. Yes, she works in the garden.

Marco was an absolute angel while we barbequed hamburgers on the deck, enjoyed a relaxing day and made mussels and clams for dinner. Here he is enjoying the shade on the deck...

Marco was so intent on putting on his good face for Grammy that he went ahead and slept through the night!

How to Make a Marco Sandwich... Panini?

Stuck in the middle.... Marco in the middle... either way, we got together with Willa and Ashlie for a little photo shoot. Marco wore skater hair because he thought the faux hawk wasn't the "tunnel" scene. And here's how the scene played out...

I position Marco on the couch. As they juxtapose the girls on either side of Marco, a huge grin breaks out. He likes how this is shaping up. We try some shots on the couch and then on the floor.

Ashlie and Marco have an affinity for each other. Ashlie lets out a big smile and then... drumroll... pukes on herself. Marco is less than enchanted and turns his attention away from his fallen angel to Willa.

The little princess (who's gaining 2 ounces a day and is dangerously close to passing Marco's weight, which is fine, Marco's a bit of a chubby chaser anyway) proceeds to poop her pants and spit up. Marco turns to me with fear and a hope to escape the scene. He never does those things! ;)

In case you're more a visual person, here's the romantic comedy dictated with photos.

He can't wait to meet baby Riley!

Friday night and I just got paid

A very busy weekend!

Our very enjoyable weekend started with a visit from Grandma and Auntie M on Thursday, visiting the Mulrys on Friday, lunch on the water in Oakland Saturday, dinner at the Farrells on Saturday night, breakfast with the Romioses on Sunday and wrapped up Sunday afternoon with surprise visits from the D'Angelos and the Pignatis! Phewf.

Since the weekend hosted some spectacular weather, we had drinks on the deck and Marco broke into his summer clothes. Don't mention the white chicken legs. He's a little sensitive to say the least.

Jayme Beck came to town from LA because she's 'gotta see the baaaaby' - so we dragged her along everywhere we went. Marco had a fussy day on Saturday culminating with screaming all the way to the Farrells, but then slept the whole time there, all the way home, ate and slept the rest of the night. So I won't complain, although I did feel a little bad for Jayme. Eek!

Yesterday he had two big naps and was a complete angel, topped with smiles. He has a little crush on Bella Pignati I think, he was all smiles for her.

Here are some shots of the whole weekend.

Grandma branched out from her "soft sweater" for baby holding since she was looking the same in all the pictures. Ha.
As we make extensive efforts to evoke a smile, Marco's expression practically says, "Cute guys, real cute." Jayme with Marco...Jeff with Ashlie Mulry... Leslie decides Marco is hungry... Marco and Ashlie... I'll take a drumstick and a thigh... ba-gock!
Jungle Safari outfit... giraffes, monkeys and bears oh my...
The new deck! Oh and Jayme and Marco...Elissa took Marco's "prints." She has a ceramic hand and foot print business. I hope I'm saying that correctly. Maybe you should check out the website, before I botch it. Here it is. Oh and for the Italians, questo l'uomo qui e' della famiglia delle Marche! Siamo paesani!
Today, he got a Nikos hairstyle after his bath, which here, probably more closely resembles Ed Grimley.

What do Mulry, Ashlie, Marco, Winston Churchill, Larry Holmes, and Justin Timberlake, all have in common?

So, Mulry has been sitting on a bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII Champagne Cognac for a few years now. For those who don't know, it is an ultra premium 100 year aged booze that retails for $1300-$1500 a bottle. According to the Remy Martin website, General de Gaulle celebrated the first Christmas in liberated France with a bottle. Wiston Churchill toasted his election to Prime Minster in 1951 with some "Louie." Larry Holmes drank it after he outfought Muhammed Ali in 1983. And Justin Timberlake drinks it to celebrate making lots of money for lip synching and dating skanks. So, with such a storied history, it has been difficult to convince Mulry to open the bottle for just any occasion (and I've tried them all.) Many birthdays and anniversaries have come and gone. Baptisms, and holidays have been celebrated. Family and friends have been in and out of town. Speeding tickets and Jury Duties have been avoided. But still no Louie. So finally when we were talking on the phone in separate hospitals, holding our new kids that were born only hours apart, he no longer thought there would be a better occasion. So after 100 years in oak barrels and 4 more in Mul's hallway closet, I'm proud in introduce you to Louis XIII...

After an hour or so of washing glasses, and debating his decision, Mulry finally opened up the bottle and toasted the new kids. As you can see, Mulry can hardly control his excitement. Somebody needs a diaper change.

I remember my first sip of an adult beverage at around age six when my uncle gave me some warm Bud Light that had been sitting in the Gilroy sun. Since you always hope for better things for your children (and since he wasn't driving,) Marco had a drop to taste.

Marco seemed to love it, here are his tasting notes..

Nose- hints of jasmine, very old tawney port, cigar box scent, curry, saffron, nutmeg, and Johnson & Johnson shampoo.

Palate- Candied fruits, flowers and spices. Finish is long and smooth with hints of breast milk.

Thanks to Mulry for a very special experience.