Meeting Baby Whitney

Sunday, December 27, 2009

After yoga and house chores, we met Jen and Brian and baby Whitney for shaved ice at Waiola’s. They borrowed some baby stuff from us while they were visiting from Seattle.

I tried to play peek-a-boo with baby Whitney, but she was only mildly interested. Next month, we'll get to see Whitney's cousin, baby Reagan, when they visit Hawai'i. It's nice to see some baby girls for a change!

Earlier today, I visited Auntie Stevi’s. I tried to climb her stairmaster and said, “Look, I’m mountain climbing!” I slept on my new red quilt from Auntie Stevi and Uncle Gary. I really like it because it’s something new for my bed. I wanted Mommy to sleep on my car bed with me though.

I always hear fireworks in the “vawee” (valley).

We ate dinner at Big City Diner with Nana and Pop. I spilled ice cold water all over the table and Nana.

I'm 2 1/2 Years Old!

My favorite things these days:

* Responding to Mommy in her same sing-songy tone:

Mommy: "Come eat dinner!"

Chase: "No, I'm reading books!" or "No, I'm playing with blocks."

* Saying "NO" and having mini-meltdowns or tantrums. This usually happens if the parentals try to cut my bathtime short or try to stop my playing time because they say I have to eat dinner.

* Telling Mommy, "I wuv you!"

* Pointing out "My moon". At school, my symbol is the moon. But lucky me, I get to see it every night in the sky!

* Playing with my imaginary friends:

In the bath one night, I got a new toy, so I said, "Rubber Ducky, meet New Rubber Ducky." They liked to play together that night.

* Making Mommy and Daddy make funny noises after I do it. "You do that!"

* Showing my belly: When I said goodbye to Mommy on the Big Island (she was staying for a couple days of training and we were flying back to O'ahu), I gave her a parting goodbye, as well as I picked up my shirt and showed her my belly. She just laughed. So, Daddy did it too.

* Correcting people:

1) Sometimes Mommy will ask me to pull my diaper up. I often have to correct her and tell her, "It's not a diaper. It's a pull-up!"

2) One day, I asked Nana if I could watch the Muppets Show on the computer. She said she didn't know how to find it. I told her, "Muppets dot com!"

3) Daddy was checking out Mommy's new phone that same night and so I asked him, "Daddy, are you checking email?"

My Favorite Books:

* Frog and Toad are Friends

* Frog and Toad Together

* Fox in Socks

My Favorite Phrase:

* "I can do it ALL BY MYSELF!"

Mommy and Daddy have been trying to be more diligent about potty training on the weekends. They even set a timer so that I go every 45 minutes. But they're realizing that it's hard to get me potty trained just on the weekends, especially when our weekends have been so busy lately.

Big Island

We just got back from spending the weekend on the Big Island. Mommy had a training in Waimea for work, and just got back tonight.

We had a fun time driving around the whole island: The old Saddle Road, rainy Hilo, the volcano, South Point, and Kona, but the pictures and the blog will have to come later since Mommy has yet to send out any Christmas cards, shop, wrap any presents, and heck, we haven't even had time to decorate our Christmas tree that has been drying out in our house the past couple of weeks. Let's hope we trim the tree before Christmas day.

Merry Christmas to all! (and the cards will be in the mail soon)

Happy 1st Birthday, Raiden!

We went to Raiden's 1st birthday party today at Treetops Restaurant in Paradise Park. It was a Super Mario Bros. themed party. Mommy felt like she was inside the video game, as they were playing the music over and over again. I slept through it all. But, when I woke up, I looked out the big windows and said, "Mommy, we're in a jungle!" She took me out to the lanai to look at the beautiful trees and lush greenery. I asked, "Where are the tigers and lions and giraffes and hyenas and monkeys?" She said she didn't know. Maybe they were sleeping or hiding. I replied, "I see the monkeys! They're up in the trees eating bananas! I like bananas!"

I kept asking to go outside the different sliding glass doors to see the jungle. "Where are the spiders? Where are the animals"

We stayed late (after they were all cleaned up) to get my caricature made. Then, Mommy showed me the chickens and roosters outside. I wanted to go hiking at Manoa Falls. But, Mommy said we didn't have hiking shoes. Perhaps we could go to the zoo.

She tricked me though because we ended up running errands at the auto parts store instead. We ended up at Ala Moana to go look at Santa Claus, the train (once again, I was tricked because I couldn't go on it), and Jungle Fun (but she only let me play pretend on the ride and games). I liked watching the girls dance Tahitian on the center stage. Then, we went to the toy store where I played with the train set and the doll house. Mommy wanted to take a picture with Santa Claus, but by the end of the afternoon, I had fallen asleep. So, we just headed home.

Daddy was already home from his long day of working as raku assistant. I showed him all the goodies I got from the birthday party, including the favors and centerpieces of balloons and a pail full of lollipops. I had fun lining up the lollipops all in a row. When it was time for dinner, I shouted at Daddy, "NO! I'm playing with my lollipops!" Daddy said something to Mommy about me not knowing that they can be eaten. But, I don't know what they're talking about. They sure do line up nicely in a row.

Mommy is still nursing a sore throat, hasn't gone to yoga all week, and is not getting much sleep due to blogging and internet shopping. Daddy has been working all week and weekends and has to leave at 3 am to escort the wheelchair racers in the Honolulu Marathon tomorrow. Thank goodness we're going on a vacation to the Big Island next weekend. We all need a little rest and relaxation.

Hiking and Movies

We went hiking today with Mommy’s coworker friend, Michelle and her husband Adam and baby Allison. Six month old Allison is so cute, calm, and smiley. She’s just precious. We hiked up Makapu’u. It was very windy when we got to the top. We hope to go hiking again soon (if the weather cooperates that is…It’s been very rainy and windy lately…Winter’s here!).

We ate at Teddy’s burgers. Mom stayed out of the windy and rainy night by going to a late night movie with the girls. She met Tracy and Linh for drinks and dessert first. Thanks Tracy for treating Mom for her birthday (especially since she realized she forgot her wallet!). Then, she and Linh went to meet Miya to watch the movie, “Precious”. She said that it was a sad movie, but it made all of them appreciate their families and children. Besides, it was nice to have some girl time! They all haven’t seen each other in months!

Playing At Work With Mommy

Guess what?! I'm 29 months old today! Now that I'm almost 2 1/2 years old, Mommy decided that I am old enough to go to work with her (that is, on a day off).

For the first time, Mommy had to work the day after Thanksgiving. No Black Friday shopping for her! She had to work today at KS preschool or request vacation off. So she decided to take me to work with her. I loved playing with the centers and she and other teachers disinfected the toys. I got to play in the sand box, slide down the slide on the play structure, and check out all the different classrooms. It was fun to finally see where Mommy’s second job is! (Oops, don't ask me what I'm doing in the first photo.)

I fell asleep when Mommy got to Costco afterwards. She braved the crowds with a sleeping toddler in her carrier. It’s no wonder why her back his sore now! Later, in the afternoon, we met Daddy getting his haircut. I was still sleeping when it was time for mine.

Debbie started to cut my hair while I slept on Daddy’s lap. She said that was a first for her! I eventually woke up so that she could finish cutting the back.

We ended up eating at Kahala Mall and seeing all the Christmas decorations. The lights and poinsettias are so pretty!

We ran into one of my student teachers from preschool. She told Mommy and Daddy that I’m so hyper around them (I was dancing, jumping, hiding in the clothes racks, etc.) which is completely opposite from how I am at school. Mom says it’s a good thing I’m obedient at school!

I am 2 Years & 5 Months Old!

Yup, I am almost 2 1/2 years old!

I am still as picky as ever when it comes to food. Mommy has now come to the conclusion that because she could only eat bland food when she was pregnant, and because Daddy is also a picky eater, I was doomed from the start. At preschool, I typically eat fruit for breakfast and fruit and rice for lunch. Breakfast sausage and bacon and chicken are the only types of meat I'll eat. And carrots. I love carrots. In fact, I told Mommy the other day that carrots are my favorite food. At home, I like to eat pasta noodles. And I still like my scrambled eggs.

THINGS I'M INTO THESE DAYS:

* Correcting Mommy and Daddy when it comes to their vocabulary.

For example, Mommy will read a story to me and tell me that there's a bird. I'll tell her, "That's not a bird. That's a duck." Or she'll tell me, "Look at that monkey." But, it's really a chimpanzee.

The other day we were looking at Christmas lights, and she said, "Look at the reindeer moving their heads!" I told her, "They're not moving their heads! They're bobbing their heads!"

Nana keeps trying to convince me that this picture in one of my animal books is something called a "skink". I tell her, "No, that's not a skink. That's a lizard eating a skink."

I said, "I'm a boy." Mommy told me that she's a girl. I told her, "No, you're not a girl. You're a Mommy!"

* Getting Savvy with Technology

Mommy will go on the computer or Daddy will play with Mommy's new phone, and I'll ask, "Are you checking email?"

I told Nana that I wanted to watch muppets on the computer. She said she didn't know how to find it. I told her, "Muppets dot com."

* Animals: I love all my elephants, my baby elephants and my mommy elephants. I have animal puppets and stuffed animals everywhere. The zoo is my playground.

* Adding Color Commentary on Basically Anything and Everything

* Reading, Reading, Reading

I'm memorizing a lot of books now and choose books by the titles.

I am tracking the words with my finger when Mommy or Daddy read.

I am recognizing letters (though I call them "numbers") in books and print. (When I was taking a bath the other night, I asked Mommy, "What number is this?" pointing to the "H" and "C" on the faucet.)

I like to read the letters on the title page of my books.

THINGS I'M WORKING ON THESE DAYS:

* Potty Training: Mommy's convinced that boys take a little longer simply because I don't care if I'm wet or poopy. I just want to play. I've tried being "Naked Boy" but after awhile, I just want a diaper or a pull-up back on again.

* Using my words even when I may not like the answer. Oftentimes, when I'm not sure what the answer might be, I'll grunt like a baby, "Mmm?...Uhh?". Like if I want to jump off a high ledge or if I want to play with a toy in a store, but I'm not sure if Mommy or Daddy will say yes. And if I really don't like the response, I'll shout "NNNNOOOO!!!" (though that often doesn't get a good reaction)

* Letting Mommy and Daddy help me brush my teeth. My favorite words phrase these days is "I can do it ALL BY MYSELF!"

Mommy & Daddy's Favorite Things:

* I tell Mommy, "I wuv you, Mommy. You're the bestest Mommy."

* I tell Daddy, "You're funny, Daddy!"