I am almost 2 years old!

Hmmm...I know I'm almost 2, but these shoes still look a little big for me.

(Maybe by next year, they'll fit me...and I'll figure out how to put them on the right feet!)

Today, I am 23 months old...which means I'm almost 2!  Lots has happened this month!  I got my 2nd haircut.  I got another lei to play with on May Day.  I got to celebrate Mother's Day with Mommy and Nana (though I was thinking of you too, GlamMa!).  Two of mommy's friends had babies.  I got to spend lots of time eating on the couch and sleeping in with Mommy when Daddy was gone on a trip (Shhh, don't tell Daddy!).   And, I finally got to go swimming in the pool and the beach again since I haven't been sick in a few weeks (Shhh, don't jinx it!).  I've begun putting my face in the water and blowing bubbles...in the ocean, the pool, the bath, and even in a bowl of water on the kitchen floor!  

I'm having a lot of fun these days....I only take one 1 1/2 hour - 2 hour nap each day. I've been getting up with the birds at 5:30 am since it's so light out and noisy outside. I go to sleep by 7 - 7:30 pm. That means, when I'm not taking a nap, I'm jumping and running and climbing (yes, I can now climb and stand on most of the furniture in the house; and I can also climb up all 100 stairs from our front door to our driveway, without holding onto the railing. In fact, if someone tries to help me, I tell them, "No!").

"No" happens to be my favorite word these days. Mommy tried to put my brown crocs on my feet the other day, and I told her "No...Blue shoes." She put them on me anyway, and I told her "take off". I know what I want to wear (even if it doesn't match).

Then there are those times where Mommy asks if I went "poopy" or "doo doo" and if I have to change my diaper. I always tell her, "No," with that high-pitched, innocent tone of mine and no eye contact.

I'm speaking in complete sentences these days. Some of my recent comments include:

* "I want to ring the bell." (as we approach a front door)

* "Please help me Mommy."

* "Mommy, open the door."

* "Where are you?"

* "Oh, right there."

* "What's this?"

* "Who's this?"

* "Oh no!"

Favorite phrases:

* "Read a boot" (translation: "boot" means "book")

* "Watch TV....animals, animals....elepant (elephant)"

* "Take apart" (I like to take blocks or puzzle pieces apart.)

* "Put bat (back) together" (Then I'll show you how I can put them back together.)

* "Doggie barking...Where's Neneena? (Selena)"

* "In the kitchen" (I know where they keep the good food.)

* "What Stewart doing?" (as I notice all the construction happening around our house)

What I'm Really Into These Days:

I still absolutely LOVE animals. I've been really into watching "Horton Hears a Who", although Mommy will only let me watch it 15 minutes at a time, so I don't think either of us have seen the whole thing from beginning to end yet. I love the "Ice Age" short on the DVD and always say the part, "Ghost story".

I can name at least 30 different animals and name the sound or action they do. For example, a "giraffe" has a "long neck", a "rabbit" "hops", and a "horse" goes "neigh". I like reading the National Geographic magazines Nana subscribes for me (they're a kids' version). There are a ton of animals in there. Plus, I can name all the birds around the neighborhood, since we feed them on Nana's lanai all the time. There are "bulbols", "cardinals", "doves", "Kramer' and "Hoppy (Hoppity)" (who are mynah birds). I like to reach into the bucket of bird seed and throw it on the roof or crumble up pieces of crackers and leave them on the railing for the birds.

I like showing "up" and "down", "top" and "bottom", "over" and "under".  It's neat that I finally have the words to explain all these things!  

Mommy and Daddy and Nana are getting more serious about potty training me now since I am talking, know when I go or am going to go, and have the words to name everything. But, so far, I have fun putting toys in my potty and spinning around on the seat. I even put the bucket on my head once (don't worry, I hadn't used it yet). So, this potty training thing should be quite an adventure for all of us.

We know summer is here because the bed comforter has been washed and put away. The A/C in the car and the house is being used more consistently now. And, Mommy dreads going to hot yoga on some days. The ants and geckos have been coming in the house a lot more, because they're thirsty for water, and Mommy gets grossed out constantly cleaning the bathroom and kitchen sinks and counters.  After I go to bed, Mommy and Daddy sit in the dark, waiting for flying termites to go to the TV light, so they can put them in a bowl of water.  

I'm starting to do naughty things, like putting my finger up my nose (or other people's noses), hitting Nana or Mommy when I don't like what they say, standing on furniture, jumping on the bed, and throwing water outside the bathtub.

Most of the times, I listen really well though. I still like to dance and play drums (donning party bed necklaces of course) too.

Water Fun!

This afternoon, it was sooooo hot that Nana got the pool out for me. The neighbor girl Kerza (she's 8 years old) was off from school, so she decided to join me in the little pool.

We had so much fun! Nana said if she knew Kerza would come over 3 times a week, we'd have to buy a much bigger pool. Even though it was cozy, we had fun pouring cupfuls of water on each other's head. She was gentle with me, but sometimes I whacked her in the face on accident. We had fun taking turns filling up the pool with the water hose.

Then, Mommy made the mistake of telling Kerza that she had her swimsuit on. Uh oh!

Kerza starting shooting Mommy with the hose. I thought that was hilarious! Mommy kept running away, and Kerza got her soaking wet! I tried to throw water on her too. It was so much fun!

Memorial Day Beach BBQ

We spent Memorial Day at Kaimana Beach with Uncle Jay and Aunty Shelly and friends.  We were actually right next to the War Memorial, where they had a little ceremony earlier in the morning.  It was a perfect day....right by the beach, lots of good food, and I got to stand on a paddle board and I loved playing in the water with Shelly's parents (you can tell they want Shelly to hurry up and have a little one!).  I ran around and played non-stop until after 6 pm!  Thanks for having a beach BBQ!  

Sea Life Park

Mommy was so tired this morning.  She said it's because I was stirring since 3 am.  I finally woke up at 5:30 am and didn't want to go back to bed.  Since we were up so early and we knew cousin Lauren was leaving for California early, we tried to go visit her upstairs, but the house was empty.  I went though the whole house, going "Lauren, Lauren, where are you"  But they had already left for the airport.  We called and talked to her while she sat at the gate.  We'll miss cousin Lauren.  She gave me a lot of her stuffed animals, including this huge dog that's the size of Mommy and my favorite monkey.  She also gave me a bunch of her old Disney movie videotapes that I'll enjoy watching one day.  Good luck in California, Lauren! 

So, at 6 am, Mommy tried to go back to bed, but I jumped all over her and wanted to play and watch TV.  I guess she must've been too tired because she ended up skipping yoga, but still took me to Nana's and Pop's house so she could take a nap and do laundry.  

She picked me up around lunchtime and we went to Sea Life Park.  I had never been there before.  It's usually $20-30 for admission, but Mommy heard that they were doing a Mother's Day special the month of May.  So, mothers were free.  Plus, I was free because I'm so little.  So, it was worth it for free...although it was really hot, and there is hardly any shade at the park.  Every chance Mommy got to sit under a tree, she did.  I had a blast running from one exhibit to the next.  I got to watch the dolphins show twice.  I also saw the sea turtles.  I even got to pet a little one, but I was a little scared, so I just touched it real quick and then stepped back.  I saw the sea lions having "bathtime", as I called it.  I liked watching the man feed the fish and rays in the aquarium too.  I even got to play in the sandbox.  I had so much fun!

I fell asleep on the way back.  Mommy had to stop at Costco to get another gallon of milk, since I'm almost done with the one she bought on Friday!

We bathed and headed out to dinner with Nana and Pop at Big City Diner.  We ate hamburgers and ice cream brownie sundae for Daddy!

Welcome, Baby Conner!

HAPPY 62nd BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA! 

(adorned by Mommy's favorite & most fragrant flowers, puakenikeni)

After we visited baby Conner, Mommy decided that I needed to burn off some energy, since I was climbing all over the chair and yelling in Aunty Kai's hospital room.  We went to Ala Moana Beach Park 

visit Grandpa's tree.  Today is his birthday.  Last year we came to visit the tree that his Parks & Recreation coworkers planted.  Mommy told me he used to manage this park.  I had fun playing in the sand and the water.  I would throw the sand into the waves.  I tried to get in the ocean, but it was really rocky.  Mommy washed me off in the cold shower and I fell asleep on the way home and woke up close to 7 pm, just in time for dinner (Mommy taught me a new song which made me laugh so hard..."I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee"), and more water fun in the bath ("bathtime" as I like to call it).  

Congratulations to our friends, Kai and Jason, who welcomed Conner Brown Yoshioka (aka CoBY) into this world on Friday, May 22nd at 8 pm.  He was 6 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 inches long.  We're so excited that there's another baby here!

We're also praying and thinking good thoughts for baby Maddie in Seattle (We stayed with Aunty Thuy and Uncle Fernando while we were there).  She just got diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease, and we're sending them hugs and strength as they comfort the little one month old at Children's Hospital.

Just Mommy and Me

Auntie Susie, my babysitter that I go to on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, took this photo of me so that I could email it to Daddy while he's away.  We miss you, Daddy!

This morning I woke up and went to Mommy and Daddy's room. I pointed to the place where Daddy usually sleeps and asked, "Where's Daddy? Daddy sleeping?" Mommy told me that he was not here, and I said, "Daddy ride airplane."

I'm not sure when he's coming back, but Mommy tells me he went to New Hampshire to go see his friend get married. He could have brought me (because I can still ride free until I turn 2), but I guess he didn't want to bring me on the 16 hour journey from Honolulu to New Hampshire. I don't know why...He could have went in the quick line through the security. He could have given Mommy a vacation...Instead, he brought his IPOD full of 3,000 photos to show friends and relatives in Vermont who we are.

So, Mommy has been solo with me since Wednesday. That means she has to actually get up out of bed when her alarm goes off (which is usually me), get me and herself ready, get me off to Auntie Susie's or Nana's, and then get to work on time. It's a good thing school is almost over, she says.

Each afternoon, we play with playdough and then we go upstairs to visit the dogs, then I help Mommy water the yard. My favorite part of watering the yard is putting my hand in front of the hose so that the water sprays all over me! It's really funny! I can climb up all 100 stairs without using the handrail! I like to climb up and down. I better watch out, because sooner or later, Mommy may have me carrying groceries and garbage up and down those stairs!

I was so tired yesterday (after I woke up at 5:30 am and only took a 45 minute nap during the day at Nana's) that I fell asleep while sitting up eating my favorite snack popcorn. Mommy and Nana and Pop were laughing at me because I was determined to finish every last bite of popcorn, even though my eyes were closed. I was so tired that I didn't even stir once last night!

Mommy told me that Aunty Kai is finally having her baby soon! She is overdue at 41 weeks, and will be induced this afternoon. She is tired of being pregnant in this heat, so we're excited that baby Conner will soon be here. Maybe he will even be born on Grandpa's birthday, which is tomorrow (If Grandpa were still with us today, he would be turning 62.). Good luck, Aunty Kai! We wish you a happy, safe, and healthy labor and delivery!

I LOVE the Water!

I love playing in my little pool at Nana's.  I recently discovered the hose, and spent half an hour blowing bubbles and spraying the water all over my face!  I even got Mommy to join me in the pool in her work clothes!

Did I tell you that last weekend I finally did a "real" jump with my two feet off the ground?  Before I used to just do a "skip-jump" with one foot at a time.  All of a sudden, I started jumping while holding my "drumming" measuring spoons in my hand.  Then, I gave one spoon to Nana and said, "Jump."  Then I gave one spoon to Mommy and told her to jump.  

Suddenly, all three of us were jumping up and down with measuring spoons in our hands.  

Mommy said it's a good thing Nana's lanai is hidden by trees, otherwise the neighbors might think we're weird or something.  

I find it's pretty hilarious that a not even 2 year old can get adults to do such silly things.  

Goodbye Party For Cousin Lauren

We were going to have cousin Lauren's going away party at Uncle Jay's, but there was a slight mix up.  He thought it was next Saturday, and everyone else thought it was today.  Since the food was already bought, we had to think of a new venue.  Mommy asked her friend/coworker if we could use the rec room and pool at her place.  Turns out it was available all day!  

So, after Mommy's yoga session and after we went to the ALS seminar at Queen's, where we listened to Kimi Chun 

 about Share the Care and how to care for someone with ALS, we headed home.  We helped Aunty Stevi and Lauren get food and paper goods ready.  Mommy picked up ice and rice.  Then, off we went to Hawai'i Kai.  Daddy joined us later after his bike ride with the guys, something he hasn't done in a long time, due to the triathalon, rainy weather, and most recently, the nasty spider bite in his arm, which he's been getting daily IV antiobiotics for in order to prevent septic arthritis.  

Lauren had about ten of her friends over.  Lauren is moving to California next month to live with her other cousins and aunty.  She's going to go to junior college there and then will transfer to a four year college.  It will be a good experience for her to spread her wings but we'll miss her!

We got there early to help set up tables and chairs.  While Aunty Stevi and Lauren cooked food and assembled the steak and shrimp and veggies skewers, Mommy and I took advantage of the swimming pool.  

It was a nice sunny day, great for the pool.  I had a blast in the pool with Mommy.  Again, I played on my cool boogie board (sorry, no one ever has taken a picture of us!), which many poolside parents admired (though this is only the second time I've used it and the mesh is already ripping and by the end of hour, I was pulling the horn out of the steering wheel with my teeth...cheap Made in China toy).  Other than that, I had fun putting my face in the water and blowing bubbles.  I tried to copy Mommy by floating on my back (though I would always tense up and start laughing...I just couldn't relax my body to lie flat on the water!).  I watched all the neighborhood kids dive into the pool.  I would go "Splash!!"  But, if they got me wet, I would say, "No splash!  Stop it!" The best part was when Mommy taught me how to jump in the pool.  She sat me on the edge of the pool and told me to jump.  I jumped into her arms.  Of course, I told her, "Again! Again!" She would try to put her arms around my waist, and I would say, "No! Away!"  I didn't want her to help me!  I could do it myself!  She would move farther away from the wall each time.  After about 5 times of jumping, I showed her that I didn't need her to help me, but I think she was cautious because I don't know how to swim yet.  I'm ready though!  I loved hanging onto the side of my boogie board too and kicking across the pool!  I'm a water boy for sure!  

After dinner, and as the night went on, Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Jay and Aunty Shelly realized that they're "old" because while all the teenagers were hanging out, eating, and listening to their music (which were probably "oldies" to them, even though Mommy and Daddy were listening to that stuff in high school), we were cleaning and putting things away.  I had fun eating ice out of the cooler all day and night, running around the huge lanai, and peering through the railing to watch the kids in the pool below.  I noticed ants on the deck and said, "Ants....Ewww! " (Mommy has taught me well.)

It was a fun, busy, but exhausting day.  Daddy took me home around 8 pm.  After we left, I heard that everyone ended up in the pool for a night dip.  But of course Mommy, "the oldie, helped clean up and didn't get home until close to 11 pm.  She was pooped!  But, somehow she woke up early and managed to struggle through 7 am yoga on Sunday (of course, that was before her 2 1/2 hour nap...Geez, she IS gettin' old!).  

My 2nd Haircut...Ever!

Yup, that's right....Today, I got my second haircut, ever!  Last year, I got one around my first birthday (check out the blog profile pic), and this year, since my 2nd birthday is approaching, my parents thought it would be a good time to get my haircut again.  Or perhaps it was the mullet I was sporting...or the fact that some people mistakenly refer to me as a "she"...or Mommy just wanted to get rid of that "That 70's" Ashton Kutcher look.

Daddy got his haircut first.  Then I sat on Daddy's lap while Debbie cut my hair.  Now, she's cut 3 generations of Halsall hair!  Debbie is the hairstylist for Nana, Pop, and Dad.  I was a really good boy and just sat there while she cut layers into my hair, buzzed around the edges, and then she powdered my neck and put some gel in my hair like Daddy's.  

I look like a big boy now.  Do you like my new 'do? 

I had fun looking at the fish pond outside the hotel where I got my hair done.  Then, I played around Kapi'olani Park with Dad as we walked back to the car. 

Mommy went to see Aunty Michelle's baby at Queen's Hospital.  Allison Elise, who was born yesterday morning, is 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 inches long.  Mommy always says it's weird to hold such a little baby, so light, with that little kitten cry.  I don't even recognize myself as a little baby but I always point to people's bellies and say "baby".  

A New Wagon!

Nana and Pop's neighbor, Aunty Sue, found me a wagon on the side of the road.  It was in pretty decent shape, so she brought it home for me.  I hope she didn't take some kid's toy because, after Pop cleaned it up, I have had nonstop fun climbing in and out of it, and putting down the sides.  

Now, I have a car to ride in up the hill, a wagon to sit in, and a car to sleep in at home.  

What are these people getting tired of carrying me or something?!

ALS Awareness

May is ALS Awareness month.  This Saturday is the annual ALS seminar.  I will probably go with Mommy to go man the support group booth.  She still has to make a poster display for the booth. There was a nice article in the Star Bulletin today on Chester, who was diagnosed with ALS last year.  He reminds Mommy of her father, my grandpa.  She says it's because of his laid back, local, accepting attitude.  He's living life to its fullest, traveling as much as he can, knowing that this disease is terminal, but not letting it get him down.  Even though I never got to meet him, Mommy tells me that Grandpa was just like Chester.  He really had a zest for life.  

Each year, we lose people to ALS.  As we lose some, more are diagnosed, and there is still no cure for this debilitating disease.  Please help support Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in its quest to, one day, find a cure.

"I Not Working."

When Mommy picked me up from the sitter's, Auntie Susie's, I told her, "Mommy working."  But she told me she wasn't working right now.  That's why she picked me up.  Then I said, "Daddy working.  Nana working.  Pop working."  She told me, yup, they're probably all working.  Finally I said, "I not working."  Mommy just laughed.

I spent the late afternoon at Nana's and Pop's, since Mom and Dad had a meeting to go to.  When I got to their house, Pop was busy weedwacking the yard.  I "helped" him out by reaching into his nice big pile in the big red bucket and throwing it all over the yard.  It was so soft, and it was fun watching bits of grass fly away in the breeze.  But, everyone kept telling me not to do it.  

So, of course I just laughed and did it some more.  I even tried raking it up with Pop's big rake and my little rake.  But, it was so much more fun just grabbing the grass cuttings with your hands and throwing it all over the place.  I was a really big "help".  After all, "I not working."

Happy Mother's Day!

Mommy says she doesn't even remember what she did last Mother's Day because she was still trying to figure out how to be a Mom.  This year, she was ready to have her day.  

Since it was Mommy's Day today, Mommy got to do whatever she wanted.  Of course, that meant starting with yoga first thing in the morning.  Apparently, only about half the people as usual went.  She's one of the crazy people that woke up at 6 am on a Sunday to go sweat it out.  Go figure.

Then, she spent the afternoon with her girlfriends, Linh and Miya.  She went with Linh to the outlet mall in Waikele.  She bought a nice purse for Nana at Nana's favorite purse shop...Coach.  Mommy would never buy one for herself, (and of course this one was on sale!) but since it was Nana's birthday and Mother's Day today, she figured Nana deserved it.  

They grabbed lunch and ate at Miya's, visiting with 3 month old Aika.  Then, the girls went to get their nails done.  Mommy loved it, since she hardly ever spends the whole day out!  

We all got home (after Daddy and I spent the afternoon at Nana's and Pop's) in time to get ready for dinner.  We had a nice dinner at BluWater Grill in Hawai'i Kai.  I loved it because I got to watch the duckies in the water and see all the boats go by.  Nana pointed out a sparrow, but I told her, "No, bulbol."  I kept arguing with her.  I KNOW my birds.  It was fun feeding the ducks after dinner.  

I fell asleep on the car ride home, so I hear I missed out on chocolate birthday cake and present opening.  Geez, I always miss the fun stuff!   No tricky candles this time though...so I guess it's alright.  Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there!  (Aunty Michelle and Aunty Kai....any day now, and you'll be mommies soon too!!!)