Sunday 31 July 2011

California, baby...

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S and I spent two weeks in Berkeley and Lake Tahoe with my family. Unlike our usual trips, where we spend most of our time focusing on sightseeing and scenery, the major themes for this trip were people, food, and relaxing.


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At 18-20 weeks pregnant, this was Junior's second trip abroad before birth. Any worries I had about a ten-hour transatlantic flight were allayed by the comfort of Premium Economy seats on Virgin, and a relatively easy pregnancy so far. The effects of jet lag and altitude sickness in Tahoe were not worse than usual. Even better, I had the benefit of support, hand-me-downs and advice from my sister and best friend, who had babies within three weeks of each other in April and May.


This was The Baby Trip.


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It was so nice to see my sister and brother-in-law as proud new parents, not to mention my parents as doting grandparents. This small (but rapidly growing!) person has taken over everyone's heart.


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But if one baby manages to attract the attention of every adult in the room, two babies and an energetic 3 1/2 year old is almost unbearably cute.


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I wouldn't normally post a video of someone else's child(ren) on the internet, but this is too funny not to share.





At the park, H discovered the curly slide - an upgraded plastic version of the metal one I used to play on when I was little. With determination and enthusiasm, he climbed up and slid down again and again...


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And we did manage to do some light hiking and exploring as well.


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Memorial Point near Incline Village, Nevada side of Lake Tahoe


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Eagle Falls near Vikingsholm Castle, California side of Lake Tahoe


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Snow in Tahoe Meadows


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Above Lake Tahoe, near Brockway Summit


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Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco


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Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco


It was a great trip and I miss everyone already... A bit scary, but mostly exciting to see what lies ahead for us with Junior. I had such a good time reconnecting with friends, family friends and family. Thank you to everyone who came to our party and a special thank you to everyone who kindly gave us gifts for Junior. It's becoming more real everyday!