Recap of March 2010

Cousin Eileen visited from Vermont (on her way back from Australia) this month. It was great to finally meet her since we've never made it to the East Coast. She got to know me really well since I spend a lot of time at Nana's and Pop's.

I liked to show off and do funny things for Eileen. One night, I looked at an old photo of myself with a net on my head. I said, "Let me find the net and catch my head!" I showed her how to play with pots and pans in the kitchen and how to strain the eggs.

We took Eileen out to dinner at our regular and favorite spots, hiked Makapu'u, drove to the North Shore, and found out how much Eileen likes shopping.

Mommy went to a baby shower for her friend Karissa.

We went to Maka's birthday party. There was a fun bouncer, tattoos, and balloon artist (I got a tiger of course!).

Mommy had a week of Spring Break vacation off from both jobs. She did a lot of sleeping, report cards, and more sleeping. We went to hang out at the pool with mom's friend Kai and baby Coby. We played at the park, where I found a huge walking stick and had fun playing in the leaves and trying to eat berries from the tree.

I had my Spring Break the following week, so I had to stay at Nana's and Pop's.

Mom and Dad got to see the final show of "The Chorus Line" on stage because Pop wasn't feeling well to go.

Mommy took me to the Windward Mall pet store and play area. Everytime I see cute puppies, I go "He's so cute! I want to take him home with me!" It was so much fun.

We played at the neighborhood park. Mom and Dad also took me to the Honolulu Family Festival. They won me all sorts of stuffed animals, I got to ride on rides that made my tummy tickle, and Daddy and Adam went on a hangglider ride. Baby Allison got to go on her first merry go round ride.

We went to Italian dinner with Nana and Pop and got Tutti Frutti yogurt for dessert. These frozen yogurt places are so popular now. I already know the drill. I run up and grab my own cup and run to the flavor I want.

At 33 Months, I'm finally pretty much potty trained. Last month, Mommy started using a sticker chart. Every time I went pee, or "shi shi" (#1), I'd get one sticker. And if I went "doo doo" (#2), I'd get 2 stickers. Although I don't like when Mommy or Daddy look at me when I'm making doo doo ("Don't look at me!" I say), I always bend over when I'm done and ask, "Can you wipe my butt?". And I remind them about how many stickers I've earned each time. When I reach 20 stickers, I get a new book. Mom and Dad remind me not to force it just to get the 2 stickers.

After all, we had a scare this month that almost sent us to the ER when Daddy discovered my insides outside after I had gone doo doo. The doctor told us to make sure I don't strain too much and to drink lots of fluids. I wasn't bothered by it all but it freaked out Mommy and Daddy. It's a good thing I love prune juice!

I did have to go to the doctor to get my second H1N1 shot. I told the nurse "Thank You" since she gave me a cool band-aid. She thought it was funny...I guess kids don't often thank her for giving them shots.

This month, I've become "Mr. Destructo" (as Mom calls it) when I go through rages of throwing my toys and destroying the house. It's usually because I'm tired and grouchy or having cabin fever. I've gotten time outs for hitting and not picking up my toys (which disappear if I don't pick them up).

My favorite movie to watch at home: "Alvin and the Chipmunks" - GlamMa gave it to me for Christmas, and I just laugh hysterically when I watch it. I've also learned some phrases that Mommy and Daddy would rather I not know.

Mom and Dad say that I have such a vivid imagination....I'm always making up stories and talking about the "monster band in the park" or seeing the "elephant coming down the stairs" that I've been having nightmares this month which has made sleeping for everyone difficult.

My favorite sayings:

"Aw, man!" (picked up from a friend at school)

"Shucky darn!" (Nana says it a lot)

"Oh my goodness!"

"For goodness sakes!"

"Next time..."

"Last time..."

"Sure! Why not?" (and with a shrug of the shoulders)

"You gonna put me in time out?"

"You're my best friend."

"Are you going to cry?" (if I take something away from Mommy or Daddy)

"I haven't read that book in a long long time!"

"That's my favorite book!"

"I haven't been there in two weeks!"

"I slept for two weeks!" (after waking up from a long nap)

"I'm not a baby...I'm a boy!"

"I can't remember." (what letter or song or words are in the book)

"Maybe it's out of batteries."

"He's/she's soooo cute...I want to take him/her home with me!" (when seeing a stuffed animal, a puppy, a baby, etc.)

"But, WHY?!"

An Interview with Historian Tony Judt

Mommy wanted to post this because it touched her to listen to it. It's been nearly 3 years since Grandpa lost his battle to ALS.

There was a great interview on NPR's "Fresh Air" today...Tony Judt, a historian, talks about his view and experiences of living with ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease). Diagnosed with ALS in 2008, Judt is currently writing a series of essays on his experiences. The interview is just under 40 minutes, but if you have the time, it is inspiring to listen to.

Interview Highlights

On how living with ALS makes him feel:

"You mustn't focus on what you can't do. If you sit around and think, 'I wish I could walk,' then you'll just be miserable. But if you sit and turn around and think, 'What's the next piece I'm going to write?' then you may not be happy, but you certainly won't wallow in misery. So it's an active choice every day to renew my interest in something that my head can do, so I don't think about the body."

On what he has learned from his ALS:

"Unlike cancer, which I've had in the past, or AIDS or some other major organic breakdown or disease, no one has any ideas how to fight it. So once you get past the thought that this is ridiculous — Why can't they do something? — you stop thinking of your body as the object to fight. ... I was a very controlling person. And for me, I did not like to be in the push car, to be in the stroller — because it meant my mother was in charge. ... And from very early on, I've hated depending on the kindness of others. And I'm learning to do so, and it's a very good sentimental education."

On what gives him pleasure:

"The thing about ALS is that there are only two things left, beyond your head, which still work. One is the reproductory apparatus, and one is the excretory apparatus. Then you keep those until you die. So you still get pleasure from sex, and you can still get pleasure from anything you can see, anything you can say — and although this may not last much longer, anything you can eat. ... Sometimes, I think, well, all the good things in life are still with me. Food. Sex. Videotapes. I've got it all — what's the problem?

A Recap of February 2010

February was a lot of fun because we got to do all sorts of things that only come around once a year!

We went on rides, got "tatoos", and got fun prizes (like my guitar where I showed everyone how to do my famous "air guitar" move). Plus we got to hang out with Dad's pals, Vince and Jason as they reminisced about the good 'ole days at Punahou (Did I mention that their 20th reunion is coming up this summer?).

Here I am doing some dribbling action at the park. I can't wait to join a soccer team! (Sorry the video is sideways! Does it make me look like I'm dribbling in a straight line?)

We celebrated Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary by going to Hilton Hawaiian Village for a staycation. We usually go to Turtle Bay, but because it was Valentine's Day weekend, the popular resort was all sold out. So, we got a last minute Kama'aina deal at the nearby Waikiki hotel. Even though we were only ten minutes away from home, Mom and Dad loved the awesome room with two balconies, ocean view and on the 29th floor! It was beautiful (and gave us a little vertigo at the same time). I got a penguin stuffed animal from the hotel, whom I now call Penny the Penguin. We had fun playing in the pool all day, going down the slides, and hanging out in the hot tub. Before dinner, Mom and Dad dropped me off at Nana's and Pop's. They went back to Waikiki to have a nice Valentine's Dinner at PF Chang's. Although they had to wait awhile for dinner, they killed time by talking to tourists and watching all the lion dancing going on (for Chinese New Year's). The next day, they enjoyed lunch at Mariposa.

We celebrated Dad's birthday near the end of the month. Because his birthday fell on a Tuesday, Mom and Dad couldn't miss "Lost", so they enjoyed organic bentos for dinner while watching their favorite TV show. Nana and Pop brought treated us to Ruth Chris' for a delicious meal. We had to tear apart the cushions in the nice booth to get all my crayons at the end of the meal. That's what you get for bringing a 2 1/2 year old to a fine dining restaurant. We had fun playing hide and go seek outside the restaurant. We had the traditional cake and presents at Nana's and Pop's.

No Tsunami, But Lots of Throw Up

It started out at 4:30 am......

As Nana put it, "It was like watching paint dry" yesterday, as we all watched the tsunami warning coverage yesterday. No big waves materialized, but roads were closed, and people were sent to higher ground, bringing Mommy's friend Michelle and her family to the house even before the sun came up. We made sure our house guests, Michelle and Adam and baby Allison were well fed. Daddy made waffles, bacon, and a fruit salad for breakfast. Mommy made pizza and about 20 spam musubi (using her 3 at a time musubi maker that a parent gave her as a gift), introducing Adam (they're originally from Texas) to his first spam musubi. Baby Allison used my pack n play to take a 3 hour nap (the longest ever!). Then, I took a 3 hour nap after she woke up.

So, yes, you could say it was a momentous occasion for all.

Even though it was kind of a lost day, at least no damage was done and no one was hurt. The city was really organized and proved that they're prepared for the next time.

We actually went to Kamehameha Schools' annual Ho'olaule'a in the afternoon, but I wasn't so into all the rides.

What Mommy and Daddy really weren't prepared for though was for me to be throwing up all night long. It all started as we pulled into the driveway at around 10:30 pm last night after having Daddy's belated birthday dinner at Ruth Chris' Steakhouse with Nana and Pop.

Here I am busy reading my book while we wait for Nana and Pop at the restaurant...

And calculating the tip after dinner...

And playing hide-and-seek and chase Chase outside.....

Apparently, this happened when I was asleep:

First, Daddy is frustrated because his magic candles are gettin' the best of him...

Daddy can still break out a birthday smile....After all, it is his favorite birthday cake from Leonard's Bakery.

And he already had flamin' strawberries at Ruth Chris' for dessert!

After all of these festivities, we headed home....With me still fast asleep in the car...But, as soon as the car came to a stop, I threw up all over my carseat. Then, a couple of more times down the driveway. I threw up a few times every hour all night long as I tried to go to sleep and Mommy and Daddy tried to keep up with my laundry and bucket changes. It was a long night, and just like yesterday, we're not sure if we're in the clear yet.

Mommy and Daddy hope that the worst is over. (But it looks like we'll be indoors all day again today as the sunny skies we once had yesterday have turned to blustery, windy, rainy ones today.) I guess you could say I'm making up for the lack of waves yesterday. Gotta throw in some excitement somehow.

Can we just sleep all day today? (and Mommy wants to know if she can get another weekend to replace this one...It was a real doozy.)