Birthday Fun!

Last week, Fiona had the honor of celebrating her friend Constance's 2nd birthday. Applying the wise adage that one should invite as many friends to a birthday party as the years one is turning, Constance's mother had invited Fiona and Cammi, who, at almost 3, was the big girl of the group.

The girls got right down to business with banana bread cakes in the backyard.
Fiona REALLY got down to business. She didn't even wait until "Happy Birthday" had been sung. We have a ways to go on etiquette.
The whole party was wonderful fun, complete with finger painting, bubbles, and multiple opportunities to watch Constance and Cammi use the "big girl potty" (we have a ways to go with potty training, too!). But the highlight, by far, was dressing up.

Especially the high-heeled shoes. I can't think of anything much more nerve-wracking or charming than watching these 3 girls clip-clop around on the brick patio in their plastic high heels.

Inspired by the party, this morning Fiona wedged her foot into a plastic thermos cap, which she proclaimed a "highway shoe." Sigh. They grow up so fast!

Fraternizing & Unionizing

This past weekend, the Gong Girls (along with their parents & grandparents) attended the annual International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers picnic at beautiful Stern Grove in San Francisco.

Their Granddaddy belongs to the IBEW, and this is the second year that we've attended. Last year, Fiona wasn't yet mobile, so she wasn't able to partake in all of the festivities. This was a year of exciting firsts for her.

First Sno Cone.

First Cotton Candy.

First bouncy house.

First face painting.
As for Campbell, her participation was a bit more...laid back. But no doubt next year she'll be bouncing right alongside big sister.
Fiona and Campbell continue to get along exceptionally well. Fiona has explained to Campbell all the ins and outs of her playgym.
And here is a picture of them in the first of what I'm sure will be many matching outfits, this one courtesy of Nana.
Happy September!

Strange Bedfellows

In a couple of months, once she's able to sleep through the night (let's HOPE that's in a couple of months!), Campbell will be moving into Fiona's room. In other words, our two girls will be sharing a room for the forseeable future. For now, however, they're enjoying keeping each other company during our bedtime story/prayer/song time. From the look of things, it won't be a very difficult transition when they do become roommates. (Note Fiona's new "big girl bed," i.e. a twin mattress on the floor. Also note that she likes to sleep like a pack rat, surrounded by all the books & stuffed animals she owns).
And, just for fun, here's Fiona out for a stroll in her tutu.

Campbell & Fiona: The First 2 Weeks

Campbell is 13 days old today; it's amazing how these first weeks have flown. Of course, Campbell and Fiona have had very different experiences. Based on the theory (yet to be proven in reality!) that Campbell's arrival must be a traumatic time for her, Fiona spent 13 days being massively spoiled by both sets of her adoring grandparents. Some highlights (note how traumatized Fiona looks):

Riding the Steam Train in Tilden Park with Nana and Boom.

Modeling her first raincoat.
Bothering Campbell.

Improper use of a tutu.

Proper use of a tutu.

Bothering Campbell.
Horse sculpture.

Brownie bite.

Bothering Campbell.

Merry-go-round at Tilden Park.

Homemade ice cream for Campbell's 1-week birthday.

Bothering Campbell.

And here is how Campbell spent her first 2 weeks of life:
Except when she was eating or screaming, that is!

It's actually been delightful to see the girls begin to interact. We're particularly amused at how enormous Fiona -- to whom the word "enormous" is almost never applied -- appears next to Campbell. In true big sister fashion, she seems to believe that she is responsible for Campbell's
care and nurture, and that without her to keep us in line, Mama and Dadoo would muck things up horribly. In other words, she's bossing us around: "Mama, hold Campbell!" "Mama, milk!" Campbell had better rest up now, because no doubt she'll soon be the next target of Fiona's bossiness!

Introducing Campbell Josephine!

We're delighted to announce that the second member of the Pickle Patch has arrived! Campbell Josephine Gong finally made her entrance into the world (4 days late) at 11:52 AM on Saturday, July 25. She weighed 5 lbs 11 oz (2 lbs heavier than her big sister!) at birth, and was 19 3/4" long. She was born with her left hand raised in a power fist, looks an awful lot like her sister, and has been healthy and alert from the start, and all the Gongs are feeling mighty blessed to have her in our midst at last.
The story of Campbell's arrival is somewhat humorous. Faith went into early labor early on Thursday morning. With contractions suddenly coming 3 minutes apart, we notified all the grandparents (causing one set to change their flight reservations and fly West immediately) and headed to the hospital. After several hours of monitoring, we were told that the labor hadn't advanced far enough, and were sent home with the promise that "We'll probably see you again in a few hours."

48 HOURS LATER....Much to Faith's frustration, the contractions had stopped almost entirely by Thursday evening. Only now we had put family and friends on the alert, making her feel like the proverbial "watched kettle." With no boiling in sight by Friday afternoon, our friend Celeste arrived at the doorstep bearing one of the legendary "Prego Pizzas" from Skipolini's Pizza in Walnut Creek. This four-pound pizza is loaded down with almost every topping imaginable, and is promised to jumpstart labor. Maybe it was just coincidence, but Faith's water broke and labor began for real just 8 hours after eating the pizza....

Here's Faith heading to the hospital. The hand sign could variously be read as indicating our 2nd trip to the hospital, our 2nd child, or a subversive plug for Project Peace.
For those of you who know what we went through with Fiona's birth, the ease of this labor and delivery was astonishing. Faith still can't believe that she's at home already, and mobile, and coherent (well, semi-coherent!).
Many people have remarked that big sister Fiona looked a little less-than-thrilled in the family portrait we sent out with the birth announcement. While she was initially confused by Campbell's appearance, her expression is likely more of an indication that she's worn out from a full day of spoiling by her grandparents. Fiona has taken on the role of big sister with a great deal of panache. Our biggest problem will likely be her refusal to leave Campbell alone.
Just yesterday, she realized what fun it is to dress Campbell up in a "silly hat." (Pictures forthcoming).

Campbell, Fiona, their parents, and both the Gong and Cinquegrana granparents want to thank all of you for your well wishes, prayers, and support. We are so thankful!

Trains & Treats

As we're still awaiting (1 day post due date) the arrival of our new pickle, I'm getting plenty of chances to provide updates on Fiona's life. All I can say is, enjoy it while it lasts!

The whole family is waiting, of course, which means that we've been trying to pack in lots of activities before we're housebound with an infant. So the other weekend, we headed up to check out the Steam Trains at Tilden Park. These trains have been in operation for 50-some years. They are beautifully kept up, give off lots of nice steam, and produce a satisfying "choo-choo!" Fiona waited anxiously to see what track her train would arrive on....

And was delighted by her first glimpse of the steam train.

Our first ride was in one of the caboose cars. While cozy, the view was somewhat restricted. Not that this mattered at all to Fiona, who shouted "Again!" at the conclusion.

Since we're about to rock Fiona's world with the mixed blessing of a sibling, we decided to oblige her with a second ride. This time, we chose one of the open air cars.
Fiona LOVED this ride, especially when she figured out how fun it was to stand up and attempt to balance in the moving car.
To complete the spoiling, we took her for frozen yogurt afterwards. Not surprisingly, since Fiona is happy with anything sweet, this was a hit.

Although it did make her cold, which called for some therapeutic cuddling.
In other news, Erick's cousin Darcie and her boyfriend Dennis stopped by for a visit to Berkeley last weekend, which was a nice reunion.

And Fiona's latest fashion must-have? The snuggly blankets from her bed secured cape-like around her by a binder clip. It's her early morning look of choice at the moment.