A Recap of April 2010

Here I am enjoying my Easter basket full of tattoos, fun growing animal tablets, and my favorite snacks. We had a fun Easter egg hunt at Raiden's house.

And here I am at Aukai's 1st birthday party with all of Mommy's yoga friends. I got to play in the pool, eat some yummy Hawaiian food, and took some pictures with her older sister (well, she's a few months younger than me) Vaihiti. Don't we look cute together?

We went to the zoo for Earth Day activities. I made a caterpillar hat, saw a skink, and shoveled some compost in a bag to take home. Of course, I also led Mom to all of my favorite animals and played in the petting zoo. She ran into a few of her students from both schools. We ate popsicles, too. The best part was seeing the zebras eating so close we could practically touch them!

This month, we also did a charity walk for March of Dimes -March for Babies. I slept most of the time, but boy did I have fun playing in the bouncers later!

March of Dimes - March for Babies Walk

We did the nearly five mile walk from Kapi'olani Park to Ala Moana Park and back this morning. I was asleep in the stroller while Mommy pushed me. We got a bag full of goodies, snacks, energy drinks, etc. from various vendors, and then I had fun playing games and riding the big bouncer slides. We munched on hamburgers and hot dogs and had fun visiting with the rest of the kiddies and mommies. Thanks to all of those that donated to the cause to help those families and babies who are born pre-term! Team Honolulu Mommies raised $7100 for the March of Dimes!

Check out more pictures from the walk by clicking on Team Honolulu Mommies. We met up with a woman who has been doing the walk for 39 years. We walked with her half of the way and walked with her through the finish line!

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?