Calista Catherine and Cassandra Claire Brady: Happy 2nd Birthday Calista!

About Calista and Cassandra

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!)

Monday, February 23, 2009

Happy 2nd Birthday Calista!

This year we celebrated little missy's 2nd birthday on her actual b-day, February 15. Many friends were able to come, including her nanny Claire, and kiddos Eden, Drew, Theo, Ronan, Callum, Grant, Rohan and Alex. Fortunately for us, their parents were here too. And Scott's brother Matt surprised us both by flying up from LA, plus my mom and sister came out, making it a really fun day for us! We kept the festivities short and simple with lunch and cupcakes. (My mom basically made the whole lunch for the everyone -- thanks again mom!!) We saved the presents until after her nap, so we could focus on playing and talking with everyone. Calista still liked to read books during the party like at her 1st b-day, but she was definitely more sociable and interactive with the other kids, and VERY excited about singing "Happy Birthday to Calista" and eating cupcakes (although she wasn't sure what to do about the candle, sweet girl). She got lots of amazing, thoughtful and fun gifts. Thanks everyone! Scott and I got her a Skuut bike, which she has zero interest in right now, but we think she'll love it later on. Sigh. I might have to break down and get her a doll house since it's her favorite thing at Eden's house. I guess we officially have a veritable toddler girl now! Fun!