Calista Catherine was born at 5:32 am on February 15, 2007. She weighed 8 lb 1 oz and was 21" long. She was born with a "true" knot in her umbilical cord, which is rare (it only happens in 1 out of ~8,000 births) and is supposedly both auspicious and a sign that she will be wise. She was excited to show up for the birthday of her grandmother Eloise, so they now have that in common along with a middle name.
Cassandra Claire was born at 5:37 am on October 17, 2009. She weighed 8 lb 4 oz and was 20.5" long. She is a quintuple Libra - her sun, moon, rising, Mercury and Venus are all in Libra - so we think she will be very fair, balanced and aesthetic. Her middle name is Brisen's paternal grandmother's middle name (Evelyne Claire Vannice).
Both girls were born at the wonderful CPMC in San Francisco, in Laurel Village, in the exact same delivery room (one of only two big rooms!) which their mom thinks is a very special thing.
Calista and Cassandra both derive from Greek mythology. Calista means "most beautiful," and is part of a myth involving Zeus, Hera and the Ursa Major constellation. Cassandra was the daughter of Hecuba and Priam, the king of Troy, and endowed with the gift of prophecy but fated by Apollo never to be believed. (We've promised our Cassandra to take her predicitions seriously!)
I've been getting together every week or so with my friend Alison and Stef (who are also on maternity leave - hurrah!) and their cute boys Graham and Parker, respectively. It's been such a treat to go on walks, have lunch and be around friends.
Graham is the eldest (by 5 weeks - that's him in the middle), then Parker, then Cassandra. I feel so lucky that she is growing up around these awesome little guys!
Eloise and Mike came to visit the weekend of December 5. It was Grandpa Mike's first time meeting Cassandra, and he was a champ and gave her her first bottle! On Friday we went to dinner at Cha Cha Cha and Scott taught them how to play Wii tennis. (A wine glass might have gotten broke in the process with some eager swings - it's a dangerous sport!)
On Saturday, we took the girls to meet Santa Clause at the Westfield Mall (our tradition which we have done for the past three years) and then to Union Square to see the big Christmas tree. Calista was a very brave girl. Later she told me, "I sat on Santa's lap!" She asked him for a "crying doll and a happy doll" which fortunately Santa said his elves could help make. Phew! Such a relief to know they have those in the North Poll. Calista got really into playing Memory with Eloise. I am so happy she likes playing games.
On Sunday, we tooled around the house before their flight and tried to get a photo of the family - not an easy task with a very busy 2 1/2 year-old. Cassandra is much more manageable - I forgot how fabulous it is to have a little baby who sleeps, stays put and just needs a nurse to feel better. With just 10 days left until Christmas, we'll be seeing Grandma Weezie and Grandpa Mike soon! I am really looking forward to Christmas this year, especially since Calista is starting to understand it more now and I think will have lots of fun Christmas morning seeing what Santa brought.
My sister, her boyfriend Ben and my mom came down for Thanksgiving. Kudos to my mom for going above and beyond with all her cooking and making a delicious dinner (I was her sous chef). Many thanks to Kirsten, Ben and Scott for taking care of the girls and entertaining them (no small feat).
Wednesday my mom arrived and stopped by Pacific Primary. They had a Thanksgiving celebration, and Calista was, as always, exhuberant, enthusiastic and engaged in her singing and music.
On Friday, we went to brunch at Chow. On the way back from Chow, Calista loved running up ahead and then jumping out and saying "Boo!" It was a strategic decision on our part -- great way for her to walk back home by herself! (As an aside, I just love how Calista put the two Elmos in the Papasan swing. Too cute - she really loves taking care of her "Mo.")
On Saturday, Calista got her first haircut! At one point, she leaned over and said, "I'm being brave!" We were so proud of her. I love, love, love her new cut. It is so much easier to brush and style in the morning, and her bangs keep her hair out of her eyes. She looks even more grown up, if that's possible. After her haircut, we picked out a Christmas tree and decorated it. Calista loved unwrapping all the ornaments and giving them to us to hang. She was such a happy little helper.
On Sunday, we went to Tartine, another of favorite neighborhood spots. Calista got a morning bun and I had their bread pudding with cranberries. Heaven! That night, we went out for sushi at Tokyo Go Go, Calista's favorite restaurant. She loves to eat edamame, tofu, egg nori, cucumber rolls and tempura. She would probably eat here every night if she could. (Me too!)
On Monday, Aunt Kiki, Ben, Cassandra and I had brunch at Mission Beach Cafe. Yum!
Cassandra and I drove up to Sonoma on November 23, and she got to hang out with Georgia and Theo in their new home. They are so cute -- and were very gentle and interested in meeting the littlest Brady girl.
I've been getting together every week or so with my friend Alison and Stef (who are also on maternity leave - hurrah!) and their cute boys Graham and Parker, respectively. It's been such a treat to go on walks, have lunch and be around friends.
meeting Cassandra, and he was a champ and gave her her first bottle! On Friday we went to dinner at Cha Cha Cha and Scott taught them how to play Wii tennis. (A wine glass might have gotten broke in the process with some eager swings - it's a dangerous sport!)
After her haircut, we picked out a Christmas tree and decorated it. Calista loved unwrapping all the ornaments and giving them to us to hang. She was such a happy little helper.
On Sunday, we went to Tartine, another of favorite neighborhood spots. Calista got a morning bun and I had their bread pudding with cranberries. 
Heaven! That night, we went out for sushi at Tokyo Go Go, Calista's favorite restaurant. She loves to eat edamame, tofu, egg nori, cucumber rolls and tempura. She would probably eat here every night if she could. (Me too!) 
I love it when Cassandra falls alseep after a good nurse. Aah...the life...hands up just like her sister used to do.
Cassandra and I drove up to Sonoma on November 23, and she got to hang out with Georgia and Theo in their new home. They are so cute -- and were very gentle and interested in meeting the littlest Brady girl.
