Betty!

An explanation is in order.

Betty Claire Tallman was born March 31, 2010 at 2:57 p.m. She was seven weeks premature, weighing 4 lbs 12 oz, and 17 1/4" long. We stopped updating the blog because the pregnancy was a bit tumultuous and I didn't want to report on that.

Betty is in the NICU (NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and hopefully will be home this Saturday. Sarah's home now after spending a month on bed rest at Cedars, which led up to Betty's birth. We're incredibly lucky to have help with Lucy; Lee and Sally, our moms, have been back and forth; and we've got a daytime babysitter, Rachel, who is just the best and you can't have her number.

Onto the pictures:

The first meeting of mother and daughter. I was crying, if you must know.

This is slightly unfair to Betty, who just wants to eat and is mistaking Sarah's nose for... something else.

Betty snoozes.

Lee and Lucy snuggle. Lucy's favorite new toy is a book of buttons, thanks to Kelly, Matt, and Annie.

Night-night.

Rainy days in LA

Last week was a rainy week here in LA. Pretty typical for January, but it felt like the loooongest week we've had in a while. One person who was unfazed by the rain was our little Lucy. She couldn't get enough of puddles, her slicker and boots (from her cousin Annie) and just getting wet in general. Her good attitude taught us all a lesson in...having a better attitude no matter the weather!

Here is Lucy looking chipper in the face of torrential downpours and HAIL!

This Lucy enjoying a puddle today, the second dry day we've had in a while. She loves this poncho and cried when Chris took it off of her. (He put it back on her.)

This is a new storage ottoman we got at Target on one of the rainy days. I just think it's a funny picture.

Just a cute picture of Lucy in her usual mood. She's such a sweet little girl. We're so lucky.

More pictures...

Well, this post might bore you to tears, but I had more pictures to post! Here goes...

My Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Dan and their daughters Rachel and Leah were in town for a few days from Seattle on their way down to the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland, of course). Lucy enjoyed all of the attention and we had a great time with them. Rachel even taught Lucy to dip things in ketchup which has changed dinner time for us. She won't eat that turkey? Let her dip it in ketchup! Brilliant.

My folks were here that week too. I didn't get any good pictures of them, and this one is no exception, but the expression on Lucy's face sort of describes their trip. We love when they visit, plain and simple.

This is a shot from Christmas Eve before we all headed over to the Magical Christmas Truck, which has become a tradition that I love. Again, not the greatest picture but I love the expression on Birdy's face as she regards the nutty Lucy and curious Wes, behind her.

Here is a picture of our tree on Christmas Eve overflowing with presents. We were overwhelmed with the gifts sent from our families. Wow, we are lucky stiffs.

This is at the Christmas Truck that meanders through Toluca Lake, a neighborhood near us. I love how Santa's co-pilot is looking at Lucy and that Lucy is looking at Santa.

Lucy and her Poppa at the Christmas Truck. I love this picture too. Lucy got to ride on Chris' shoulders until she started to yank on his hair. I hope she learns to behave herself up there soon because, c'mon, what a view!

This is the first time Lucy saw her new kitchen (given to her by Grandma Sally and assembled by her Poppa on Christmas Eve) Christmas morning. She loves it. Loves it. There is a telephone, and ice maker and a microwave!

Lucy's opening gifts from her Aunt Tracy and Uncle Michael here while sporting her new hair bauble.

Chris and Lucy on Christmas morning.

Lucy in her new Elmo towel. Elmo loomed large on Christmas day (who am I kidding, every day) in our house.

In fact here, Lucy and I are snuggling on our bed watching an Elmo Christmas special. Aw.

Catching up!

God, it has been forever since I posted. I hope to make up for it in the next few days. The holiday season was a blast and it was pretty busy. Up to Portland for Thanksgiving with John, Andrew, Matt, Kelly and Annie then back home for a bunch of great family visits in LA from Sally and then from Lee and Steve a couple of weeks later. Here are some photos from the last part of 2009.

We went to get our tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving because we are a little dorky about our tree (and about Christmas). As usual, Lucy is merely tolerating us.

This year, we went with our friends Bob, Steph and Birdy to Travel Town in Griffith Park to take the train to the North Pole. Here we are on the train riding away from the big guy through a nice light display.

Oh lordy, I love this picture. This is Stephnie and I at the Travel Town North Pole excursion.

Here is Sally teaching Lucy the fine art of pretend cooking. Early on this day, we got our picture taken with Santa. And when I say "we" I mean, we all got in the photo because Lucy took one look at Santa and started backing away. Sally got Lucy the snazzy red turtleneck just for the occasion.

This is at the at the DWP light show that we go to every year.

More soon!

Getting Ready

It's almost Christmas! Lucy got a pretty new turtleneck, just in time for the holidays. Thanks, Grandma Sally!

Sounds of the Jungle

Lucy has started imitating animals. These are our favorites, as you can tell by our delighted giggles. It's okay to treat your daughter like a show pony, right?

Aren't You A Little Short?

Happy Halloween!

We had a great day, capped off by Lucy's first Trick or Treating. Very exciting for everyone, especially for those of us who eat candy.

Our friends Lauren + Brendon gave us this costume for Lucy when she was born and we've been waiting to break it out ever since.


Sarah had the brilliant idea of testing out the wig on Lucy for the week leading up to Halloween, that way she'd get used to wearing it. It worked! Sarah is a genius.

Here's Lauren + Brendon with their twins, Brady and Jordan. It's crazy how much Brady looks like his Dad, while dainty Jordan is the spitting image of her Mom.

Jason gives Wes the sky-high view of Trick or Treating.

Marion and Steph are two of our friends who had their kids the same time as we did. We're incredibly lucky to have all of these tremendous people in our lives.