Chase is 15 Months Old!

Saturday, 27 September 2008

Usually, a drive up Tantalus is a beautiful, scenic drive, especially when the baby is asleep in the back, the sun is shining, and we know that we've had a productive morning of cleaning and packing (getting ready for our trip this weekend to California). But, I didn't realize that my sinuses were so plugged that the drive up the windy road would make my ears hurt, my head ache, and leave me feeling quite nauseous. Needless to say, we headed back down the road quickly and pulled over on the side of the road so that I could get some fresh air and collect myself. Next stop: Food for Tanya. Must get food. Nothing unusual, I know.

And, after food, of course we ended up doing some window shopping.

What a productive Saturday.

Today Chase is 15 months old!

What he's into lately:

* Sitting down on ledges, steps, and chairs. He likes to climb into his chair (and then stand!).
* Climbing up onto the bed (or couch) and backing down off the bed to get down.
* Climbing up stairs (He can get up our first ten stairs by himself, and then he looks up and starts crawling hand and knee because he realizes he has like 90 more stairs to get to the driveway!) and our hill of a yard (He likes climbing up the slope, but then usually falls down backwards or flat on his face into the dirt because it's so steep!)
* Picking at Mommy's underarm stubble and picking at her mole on her tummy and pretending to eat it.
* Dancing and stomping his feet. He loves to do "If You're Happy and You Know It".
* Laughing at his goofy Mommy and Daddy "trying" to sing and dance. He went into hysterics watching us do "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" (and I was in hysterics trying to teach Chris how to sing the song in the right sequence).
* Nursing (so much for weaning...with two colds this month, he's been back to the boob quite often)
* Drinking from a straw and a straw sippy cup
* Using his spoon (though he gets frustrated with trying to pick things up with the fork) to eat his food (left or right hand, doesn't matter)
* Chewing on things and putting things in his mouth (Though I thought we were over this stage months ago, turns out he's got molars and new bottom teeth coming in.)
* His new Crayola electric toothbrush (He loved brushing his teeth before...but now he loves it even more, and now we can really get at those molars!)
* Watering the grass (and shooting the hose at Nana!)
* Pushing the Swiffer or any push toy or play vacuum around the house
* Turning the TV on and off. He doesn't watch TV. He just discovered that something happens when you press the button. So, he'll press the button to turn it on, see the picture/hear the noise come on the tube, then turn it off, and wave his hand "All Gone!". It's that whole cause and effect thing...He's figuring things out in that brain of his! Uh oh!

His Favorite Books These Days:

* Goodnight Moon
* Five Little Monkeys
* Today, I Will Fly
* The Tiny Tadpole
* Peggy Pig's Dirty Day
* any pop-up book with sounds (especially Corduroy, Elmo, & Snappy Sounds books)

UW Mini-Reunion

Friday, 26 September 2008

Call it our own UW mini-reunion. We celebrated the day we met, 15 years ago, at the University of Washington's Freshman Orientation at the HUB, by going to dinner at Buca di Beppo. Sitting in the restaurant, you could have thought we were in Seattle by Lake Union. There were a few of us from Kamehameha and a few of them from Punahou. We were sitting one row away from each other in the auditorium. The people said to turn around and say hello to those around us. That's when we figured out (along with the local inflection) that there were other people from Hawai'i sitting right near us. We introduced ourselves, then realized we were actually in the same dorm as well. That was the beginning of our lifelong friendship.

Kai, Stacy, Melissa, and I enjoyed chatting about our friends, laughs, fights, men, dramas, roommates, and houses we shared (of course we didn't share our men) over the years while living the college life in the U-District. Most of us stayed in the Seattle area for years, and slowly, we're all returning back to Hawai'i to start our own little families. We did some window shopping afterwards, stopping at a maternity store and Nordstrom Rack. Our night ended when we realized we are all getting a bit too old to stay out past 9 pm on a Friday night. Geez...

(Though I took the opportunity to do some shopping at the Rack for the next hour. By the time I got home, I realized I hadn't seen Chase for about 15 hours today...ended up nursing him most of the night. I think he missed his mommy. I missed him too.)

The Multi-Purpose Rice Pot

Thursday, 25 September 2008

Yup, I'm now sick again. Probably with the same sinus infection I had a couple of weeks ago, as I'm blowing out the nasties again. Lovely. Chase seems to be okay, a bit plugged up, but still as active as ever. I skipped yoga tonight (as I don't think people want me draining and blowing my nose around them in a hot room.).

Chase enjoyed playing with rocks and dirt on the driveway this afternoon. He found another use for the rice pot (that is often used as a stool for when the uncles are weeding... Yes, it has been long retired from making rice.)....pounding on it like a drum and collecting pebbles.

Budget Cuts

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

We had an emergency staff meeting at school this afternoon. As we watched the Superintendent of our public schools give a speech on TV, we realized how serious budget cuts will be this year and next. If grade levels didn't use their funds this past year, they lost 75% of them. By next week, the superintendent needs to send in a proposal of how to cut over $31 million from our schools. The public is welcome to submit ideas and thoughts on what should be cut by going to the Department of Education's website (www.doe.k12.hi.us). Suggestions will be taken through this weekend.

Back Into The Groove

Tuesday, 23 September 2008

Chase is sick again, with a sneezy, runny nose. Poor baby. I'm sure it's not too long before I catch it again.

I had an awesome 6:30 pm yoga class tonight. I felt strong and aligned. I had a great rabbit pose, and I must have snapped something back into place because my back feels better now.

Cruising and Dancing

Monday, 22 September 2008

Chase had fun running around the mall this afternoon. He enjoys looking at all the doggie stuffed animals in the kids store, and we enjoyed a pretzel. Got home from grocery shopping and Jay was watching TV in the living room.

He played with Chase. Chase threw the soccer ball to him and brought him books to read to him. He danced to the music from his toys and books. It was nice to see Chase more at ease with his Uncle Jay.

Beach Fun and Belly Dancing

Sunday, 21 September 2008

Today was Vaihiti's 1st Birthday barbeque at Kaimana Beach Park. It was the perfect day for a beach barbeque. The sand was hot, but the ocean was cool, and there were lots of tradewinds. The water felt good. Chase liked playing in the sand with the shovel. He slowly started to work his way into the water. Vaihiti, daughter of Alexis (my friend who owns the Bikram yoga studio I go to), slept most of her party, even during the singing and cake. We got to paint a square to contribute to the larger photo mural of Vaihiti. The guys went stand up paddle surfing and played in the water. Chase ran around and chased the birds and bubbles. Us yoga regulars got to see each other in plain clothes rather than sweaty yoga clothes. It was a nice, relaxing time.

Tonight, we went to The Pyramids restaurant to try and get a glimpse of the belly dancers again. At first, we weren't sure if she was going to show up. We had already eaten and were told she would come out at 7 pm. It was ten past seven already. Finally, she came out. Chase was just entranced. He clapped and danced and stared at her. This one wasn't as beautiful as the last one he saw, but she definitely could shake those hips. Chase loved it. We stayed for a second number too, until the blaring music and one excited baby told us we better get him home, otherwise, good luck trying to get the boy to sleep.

Reunion with U'i

Saturday, 20 September 2008

Skipped yoga this morning because I overslept and my back is still tender. Chris, however, was up at 7 am to feed Chase breakfast and was out of the house by 8 am. He was going to meet his bike buddies for a morning hike. He took Chase and his hiking backpack up to the Kuli'ou'ou trail.

This meant I got to sleep in...for the first time. And, boy did I...until 9 am! WOW!

I ran some errands, and they returned in time for a late lunch. I took Chase for the afternoon. We went to meet my good high school friend U'i and her two sons. I recently found her on Facebook, and am so glad that I did. We were really close in high school, yet we haven't seen each other since practically high school/early college years. Now, we're both married with kids. We found out that both of our parents (her mom who raised her and my dad who raised me) passed away last year from tragic illnesses. We enjoyed lunch, catching up on our lives, and we walked around the mall, stopping to look at the koi fish and shopping for makeup. She tried to get me to wear makeup by taking me to the MAC counter. While her sons read the books I gave them, and us mommies got our faces made up, Chase had fun looking at his reflection in the walls and dancing to the loud pop music playing in MAC counter area. He didn't even care that we were there for over half an hour. U'i's boys though (3 and 7) started to get a bit antsy. Guess they just don't know how to boogie to the music.

We promised to keep in touch and get together again. Hopefully next time, Chase wouldn't be so clingy to me (as he was having a bit of the stranger danger with U'i and wouldn't really warm up to her), though he did enjoy looking at the fish and walking around Ala Moana.

Chris met us around dinner time. We went to Build-A-Bear for the first time ever. As novice bear makers, we had no idea how to go through the store and choose a bear and fill it, etc. Chase was a bit too young to have any sort of preference for a stuffed animal. We both went through the many choices with him several times. But, even after his hugs with certain stuffed animals, we weren't sure if we could just leave the choice up to him. So, we decided on an elephant for him. After all, that is his favorite animal at the zoo. We didn't buy a sound for it. I mean, you can't put a different animal sound with an elephant. No, we didn't fluff the bear, or elephant. He kissed the heart before the gal put it in and sewed the elephant up. But, I highly doubt he'll remember the heart being in there. We didn't buy clothes for it. Clothes for an elephant? No, that's just too weird. We didn't even know you're supposed to name it and go to the computer to get a birth certificate for it. But, eh, Chase won't care. I did decide to get the baby elephant as well. It was more Chase's size because he could hold it in his hand. Besides, by the time we had gotten to the cashier, he had already sucked on its tail.

Eh, so we're novices at the whole Build-A-Bear Workshop thing. I mean, we didn't even come out with a bear. We came out with two elephants. But, we had a gift card from his birthday. Besides, he'll probably be more interested in the process when he's older and can actually have more input into the whole "building" thing.

Date Night

Friday, 19 September 2008

Chris took off early from work this afternoon so that he could join us in checking out a potential daycare. She's licensed and experienced. Turns out her son actually knows my brother from their young soccer playing days and high school. She even remembered my mom's name and knew that my dad passed away last year. Got to meet the three other two year olds she watches. She gave us a very detail oriented handbook. Seems great, and she even provides USDA approved meals and snacks. The only drawback is that her house is out of the way for us. She lives about 15 minutes in the other direction (not including traffic, which in the mornings would be horrendous after we drop Chase off, so Chris would probably have to do the dropoffs so that I could get to school on-time). We'll have to see. This might be our only alternative to securing something so that we can transition Chase from Miya (since she is nearly 5 months pregnant), even though I know the Halsalls still want to watch him a few times a week.

Chris and I had a much needed date night tonight. It was great. We enjoyed Happy Hour pupus and drinks at Ryan's (thanks Maila and Lyon for the great gift!). Then we enjoyed the movie "Burn After Reading". Brad Pitt just cracked me up. Yes, the storyline was dumb, but it was still hilarious.

Unfortunately, Chase was still awake at 10 pm when we picked him up from the Halsalls. He spent most of the night sleeping, waking, nursing, sleeping, waking, nursing.

Afternoon at the Mall

Thursday, 18 September 2008

After I picked Chase up from the Halsalls, we went to meet my teacher friends at the mall for some coffee (though I had some delicious tomato bisque soup instead). Chase napped almost the entire time, for an hour and a half, which allowed us to chat about girl stuff and marriage stuff. When he woke up, Chase was shy with Emily and Michelle, wouldn't do any of his cute tricks, and just stared at the kids all around us.

Then, as soon as we started walking around, Chase suddenly got a burst of energy. He got all fiesty and started running down the aisles, thinking I was chasing him. He would run, turn around to look for me, and then laugh. Sometimes, his body would get ahead of his feet so that he'd fall flat on his face. He loved looking at the dogwood bench again, while running circles around the white picket fence that surrounded the exhibit.

It's Hot Out

Wednesday, 17 September 2008

Had a salesperson come and give me an estimate on putting in a solar attic fan. Our house is just so darn hot, especially with the late afternoon sun. We get blasted with heat from 1 pm till 6 pm. And with single wall construction, our house just heats right up. It always has, for the past 30 years. But now I'm trying to change that. Let's add that to the list of things to do. Then prioritize and budget what needs to be done first. I'm up to Windows, Lanai, and Solar Attic Fan. Now, where's the money to do all these things?

Chase played in the pool twice this afternoon. After he played in the pool, I dried him. Then, he played in the driveway. After that, he decided to go for the pool again, with clothes, diapers, and shoes on. Oh well. It IS hot outside.

All that water play must have tired him out because for the first time, Chase fell asleep while sitting and eating in his high chair. I was even cooking stir fry on the stove at the time. So, it was loud in the kitchen. Then, Chris goes, "Omigosh, I think he's asleep." I look over, and sure enough, the kid's got his eyes closed, head bopping and all.

It's too bad though, because it was only 6:15 pm. So after a shower and to bed for him. But, this only means he's going to be up all night because he doesn't have a full tummy of dinner. It's only 9 pm, and he's already been up several times to nurse.

The Growler

Tuesday, 16 September 2008

Chase is always into whatever Taiga is into. Taiga is fanatical about cars, ever since he saw the movie "Cars". He has become quite the car collector. Chase wants to play with Taiga's cars. But, Taiga always tries to give him a ball instead, even though he has hundreds of cars. Taiga likes to line up his cars all in a row.

Today, Taiga's grandparents took him out for a little bit. So, Miya and Chase were all by themselves. Miya said that Chase would wimper for Taiga and point at the door. In order to distract him, she took him for a walk to look at the turtles and fish at the church/preschool around the corner. When they came back, Chase entered the living room and suddenly realized that, because Taiga was still out, he had ALL the toys to himself!

Miya said Chase let out a rascal, growling laugh and headed straight towards the row of cars. He started to mess up the whole row of cars Taiga had neatly arranged earlier.

That's my son for you.

It was too hot to be inside the house this afternoon, so we played in the pool in the yard. Uncle Gary, Geoff, and Daryl came by to watch Chase. Chase loved filling the pool up with water, holding the hose, spraying himself with it, and laughing over and over again.

Chase growled all day today. He has a growling, sneaky laugh. I think he also does it to experiment with his voice.

Even though my back was sore, I went to yoga tonight. Just took a prescription pain pill before I went to bed.

Is That Really A Dog Made Out of Wood?...As Long As It's Not From A Hazelnut Tree...

Sunday, 14 September 2008

I had a great yoga class this morning. One good thing about being injured is that I don't need to do all the sit-ups and can take it easy on poses when I need to. It's kind of frustrating, but I need to let my body heal. I think if I start going at least 3 times a week to Bikram yoga, on a regular basis, then I'll get my strength back and heal my sciatica in time. I've got to go now that I've paid a whole chunk of change for a year's worth of membership. Since I didn't have to pay last year's membership, I figured I'm really getting a 2 for 1 deal. I have no excuse now.

Chase ran to the door when I got home and gave me a couple of big hugs. He didn't care if I was all sweaty and stinky. That's what makes kids great. After his nap, I took him to see Aunty Chris. Chris, my dad's old girlfriend, has always remained a close friend of mine. We went to check out her new place. They turned her garage into a studio apartment, with its own kitchen and bathroom. It looks great. Her son and wife and granddaughter are now living in the big house, remodeling it and making it their own. She treated me and Chase to lunch at CPK. Chase loves the bread there.

After we parted ways, Chase had fun running around the mall. He loved running around the bench exhibit because there was a bench made of dogwood. It was a dog head and tail statue, with the body (in the shape of a bench to sit on) made of dogwood. He had fun pointing at it and kept tippy-toeing to get a good view of it over the picket fence. It seemed to be the main attraction for toddlers at the mall. He was running so fast down each corridor. A couple of times, he fell and hit his face. But he'd get back up and start going again. One time, though, he fell and hit his face on the tile floor (the rest of his body was still on the carpeted side of course), so now he has a fat bottom lip.

I thought, okay, good, he's tired himself out so that when we get home, he'll take a long nap.

But, no. He kept running around at home. He had fun throwing a soccer ball. So, I started dribbling and kicking it down the hallway, and he thought that was hilarious. He'd do a "throw in", and I'd kick it around. He also had fun biting off pieces of foam from this huge tubular foam thing we have lying around (It was originally for packing a bicycle.). When I scolded him, he would spit it out and give it to me. Then, he started noticing that I was throwing it away in the garbage can. So, he began purposefully taking bites out of it, would walk over to the garbage can, and tap on it, asking me (in his own little language of course) to lift the lid so he could throw it away. He's quick, that kid. So quick, that he managed to take the night light out of the socket while I wash washing dishes. His quietness alerted me, so I asked, "Chase, what are you doing?" It must have been that teacher tone in my voice because as soon as I turned the corner, he had this devlish grin on his face and went running down the hallway and into the bedroom and bathroom with the night light in his hand.

After a few hours of running around, reading books, exploring his new and old toys, and snacking on things, I knew the only way I could get him to fall asleep was to take him for a car ride. So, off we went for a 20 minute drive to Costco. It was perfect. I got to get groceries for the house, and he got to sleep. I happened to park in the stall right across from my stepmom, and she said hi and asked if I needed help, as we both seemed to be leaving the parking lot at the same time.

Chase had a good dinner, and Daddy came home just in time from his rainy, wet bike ride in order to bathe Chase and put him to bed.

Hazelnuts are REALLY nuts

Saturday, 13 September 2008

Note to self: A hazelnut is a nut. Hazelnuts grow on trees. Do not eat hazelnuts ever again.

7 am yoga class was a riot as we surprised our teacher with a birthday cake and broke into song at the second to the last posture. Went to lunch with a bunch of yoga regulars at the trendy restaurant Town. We got together to celebrate Janice's recent nuptials and to look at her beautiful wedding pictures. A family friend, Justin Young, was actually our waiter (Hawai'i is just way too small). I have only been here once before, and thought it was overpriced for dinner. But, today's lunch was good, and Justin was right. The fries with all those organic herbs (They grow their own garden and have their own compost area on their property.) were tasty.

After lunch, I went to afternoon tea at the Kahala hotel with teacher friends from school. We were celebrating Emily's birthday. I ordered the only decaffeinated tea, a sweet blend of flowers and herbs, they had on the menu. Yeah, I know, hard to think we're drinking hot tea in a hot climate in the middle of the afternoon (and today was especially humid). It nicely paired with all the delectable treats though....about four different sandwiches and four different sweet things.

That is until I almost went into anaphylactic shock.

Well, just kidding. Not exactly. But, I did have an allergic reaction to something I ate. Within a few minutes, got all congested, my nose starting running, and it was draining into my throat. I started coughing a lot. My throat got all scratchy, and no matter how much tea or water I drank, I couldn't clear it. Slowly, my throat started to close up. I was like, "I think I'm having an allergy attack to something."

I stopped eating and drinking. Within a half hour to an hour, the itchiness in my throat went away. But, my throat was raw from coughing so much.

I headed to pick up Vietnamese pho soup for dinner (the third time this week!) to soothe my throat and congestion. Ran into friends from UW that I haven't seen since college! Lately, I've felt like it's been a reunion summer. Actually, this year was my 15th high school reunion, but I didn't know about it, nor really care to go. Though I've lived in Hawai'i for 3 years now, I haven't really run into so many people from my past until recently.

When I got home, I tried to think of what was on the menu. I called my friend and asked her if there was hazelnut on something. She said that one of the bread thingies we had was coated in hazelnuts.

I know from my previous allergy tests in Seattle that I'm allergic to all sorts of Northwest trees: Alder, Birch, Hazelnut, Oak, Poplar, etc. I love the flavor hazelnut, but I guess hazelnut syrup in your latte wouldn't give you an allergic reaction. I've just never eaten an actual hazelnut before.

Now I know. If I'm allergic to hazelnut trees, then yes, I'm allergic to the nut. So, I probably should avoid eating hazelnuts. At least I know what will happen if I do.

Eating Foam

Friday, 12 September 2008

Chase has been eating everything, from crackers to foam mats. All of a sudden he's started putting things in his mouth again. He hasn't done that for months. A lot of it is to get a reaction though. He'll stand there with a rock and make like he's going to put it in his mouth, while making sure I'm looking, just to hear me say, "Not for Chase." Lately, he's been taking bites out of the foam borders from his alphabet mat and foam thing we have laying around the house. At least he's good about giving it to me after he takes a bite out of it. I swear we feed the kid. Honest.

We went to the mall to wait for Chris after his evening haircut. Stopped by Whole Foods and ran into an old high school friend and my cousin's friend Traci. It's always nice catching up with people you haven't seen in years. We also ran into the Halsalls and another friend (actually their family dentist they grew up with), Bruno, a thrillseeking traveler who shared his crazy tales of heliskiing and diving and avalanches.

We had dinner with the Halsalls at Panda Express. Then Chase ran around the mall until we decided we better get home because it was way past his bedtime. Thank goodness the weekend if finally here.

Learning Chores

Thursday, 11 September 2008

The principal (interim one, since our actual principal has been on sick leave since the beginning of school) read the Patriot Day declaration today.

Chase had fun watering the grass (and himself) at the Halsall's today. He takes the hose and flicks his wrist up and down so he gets a lot of the plants and grass. He also loves pushing around the carpet sweeper on the lanai. I tell you, by next week, we'll have him doing all the chores around the house. He's got to earn his crackers some how!

I blew out a bunch of nasty stuff today, which tells me I've had an infection, but at least I'm getting it out. Went to yoga tonight, but took it easy since my back/hip still hurts. A couple of yoga teachers think it's probably my sciatic nerve. It's going to take time for it to heal. I felt better after yoga.

Leaky Pipes

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

Today was a day of leaky pipes.

Though I wished I could sleep all day, I worked all day with a sneezy, runny nose and tissue in my hand. I picked up pho for myself and Miya. Since Chase fell asleep in the car, we went to check out the new Whole Foods. Our first one on the island just opened today at Kahala Mall, close to home, replacing the Star Market grocery store that was there previously. Of course like any new thing that opens in Hawai'i, everyone flocked there for the grand opening. So the aisles were jam-packed. I just looked around, got some samples, tried a smoothie from the cafe, and picked up menus from their To Go section. The prices seem okay for a mainland store. I wouldn't buy all my groceries there, but it's nice to see a lot of local vendors selling products there.

Chase missed out on the whole thing (no pun intended). He woke up when we got home an hour later. We came home to a wet kitchen floor and a flooded cabinet under the sink. It's a good thing I have family as neighbors. Uncle Ray came to the rescue to fix and replace the rusted pipes. Uncle Gary had to stop at the hardware store for us. An hour or so later (I don't know because I was sleeping), we had new drain pipes for our kitchen sink.

I had to wake Chase up at 11 pm to nurse him because I was super engorged. I've noticed this at yoga too. I guess my supply is up. It wasn't the only thing leaking today.

Taiga's Shadow

Tuesday, 9 September 2008

Today was Chase's first day back to Miya's since he's been sick. Miya said he just followed Taiga everywhere. He would crawl up the two flights of stairs and run all over the house looking for him. If he couldn't find him, he would wimper. She's trying to work on teaching him Taiga's name so he can call for him. They like to play with Taiga's hundreds of cars, but if Chase tries to take one of a set, Taiga gets mad. In exchange, Taiga will give him a ball to play with. Chase puts up a fight though if he really wants something.

I got a relapse (or perhaps never fully recovered from the last sickness a week or so ago) and am all congested again. So I opted for no yoga tonight. It's probably not too sanitary to be wiping my nose after each pose. Chase was a busy boy playing on the driveway this afternoon. He loves squatting in the dirt, playing with all the gravel and little rocks. While washing the car, Chase wanted to help hold the hose.

Tonight, Chase ate some avocado from our tree. But he only ate it if I mixed it in really good with his poi. I've noticed that if I give him his own empty bowl and spoon, he gets distracted stirring and I can feed him more.

Doing Everything Himself

Monday, 8 September 2008

After school, I took Chase to check out the new Wee Play & Learn at Ward Warehouse. Similar to Gymboree (though I've never been to Gymboree, so I can't really compare), the 10,000 square foot brand new facility has an art center for older kids, a huge room full of tumbling apparatuses for toddlers, a yoga/kickboxing room for moms, a nutrition bar for healthy snacks, a cute salon chair for keiki (child) haircuts (which are actually going to be done by the Halsalls' hairstylist Debbie), and lots of music, balls, puppets, and fun. Chase woke up in the middle of our tour and wanted to get down and play immediately. They did a mini class for us, which included circle time with songs and playing with scarves and wands. Of course, my Chase was the only kid who left in the middle of circle time to go run and climb and jump on the climbing apparatuses. I thought I wasn't going to be able to leave. He loved all the huge balls and playing in the ball pit. I'm going to check out the numbers and schedule and see if we can fit this in. I think he would really enjoy going there a few times a week. Plus, it's brand new, so everything is clean!

Chase ate nearly three bowls of poi tonight, plus noodles, fruit, and other things. He's into holding his own spoon and putting into the bowl and feeding himself now. During bathtime, he takes the washcloth, asks me to put soap on it, then he pats his face gently and smiles. He also takes the toothbrush and brushes his own teeth! We had fun playing peekaboo behind the shower curtain during bathtime. Such an independent little guy. He's definitely got a mind of his own!

Zoo Regulars

Sunday, 7 September 2008

We went to the zoo for "Jungle Adventure", a Hawai'i Children's Cancer Foundation fundraiser. It was the first time we got to see the animals so active. It was feeding time, so many zookeepers were out in the cages and could tell us more about the animals. We always see animals we've never seen before when we go to the zoo. The giraffes got real close and stuck their tongues out to get the leaves off the branches. Met the Halsalls at a new Mexican eatery tonight for Sunday dinner, though it wasn't as good as Taco Del Mar or other places around town.

Here's Chase showing off his "Incredible Hulk" moves at Big City Diner. He learned it from Taiga, and if you say, "Incredible Hulk," he'll do it on command.

Boys I Tell You

Thursday, 4 September 2008

Even though this week was a short work week (Labor Day on Monday and a professional development day for teachers tomorrow), our family is still getting over our colds, so it turned out to be a pretty long week. Many sleepless nights with a screaming baby, which meant rolling out of bed in the morning (no tumbling baby this time though), and rolling on in to school (I seem to be getting there later and later this year without having time to eat breakfast - unless you count my scrambled eggs in a ziploc bag as "breakfast on the go" - or make my lunch).

Besides our sleep deprivation returning, we've also realized that weaning Chase is going to be more difficult again. It seems as if every time he gets sick, we take a setback in our sleeping/eating/drinking routine. Chase has definitely been nursing round the clock. Tonight, he screamed for at least half an hour after being put down in his crib. But we let him cry it out, and when I discovered, after my shower, that he was still screaming, I decided to nurse him. After awhile, he just wanted to be wide awake and play, the wiggly monkey boy he is. He started crawling and climbing all over me, kicking me in the face, pulling my shirt down (after I'd pull it back up), and rolling all over the place, jumping up and down (all the while still attached and nursing now). After half an hour of that (and trying to pretend I was asleep), I finally gave him the sign for "all done" and he gave me this surprising blank look. Suddenly, he lunged over, opened his mouth, and bit me on the shoulder! Then he gave out this devlish, growling laugh. Bad boy! I picked him up and headed straight to the crib. He knew it was coming and tried to bite me a couple more times, but I just put him down in the crib screaming, told him "I love you and goodnight" and shut the door. This time, he only screamed for a couple minutes before going out.

Boys I tell you....They love the boob, but then they turn around and bite you.

Tumbling To The Zoo

Monday, 1 September 2008

Chase took a tumble off the bed this morning. In our usual morning slumber, I always try to corral Chase towards the middle of the bed because he is always jumping and bouncing and kicking around while we're trying to wake up/sleep. Suddenly, he bounced right off the bed, and fell in between the bed and the desk. He was not hurt, but more shocked from falling. Minutes after we consoled him, he started bouncing all over again. That's why my mom used to tell us "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" Yeah, that woke us up and got us up out of bed real fast.

I decided to go to 9 am yoga after my long hiatus of a couple of weeks. My back and hip pain are gone, so I figured I could ease back into it this Labor Day. It was a good practice. I stayed in the back row and did my own thing (though the teacher scolded me once for cheating on triangle pose..eh, who cares). I didn't push it today, and rested when my back was sore.

This afternoon, we went to the zoo. The last time we went, we didn't get to visit the Keiki Zoo, so we took Chase there today. He absolutely loved the pigs, tippy-toeing over the fence and pointing at them. He probably thought they are his own personal pets since we have them all over our mountain of a yard, though ours aren't quite as cute. We went to pet the goats, and though he was interested, by pointing and grunting at them, he wasn't quite brave enough to pet them on his own. We were a bit disappointed by the petting zoo. Although it has been remodeled, it doesn't seem like there are as many animals you can pet, like when we were kids. The best part of the day for Chase was probably playing in the dirt and grass with sticks and rocks. Even the playground full of kids couldn't steal him away from his sticks.

We went across the street to the Waikiki beach to wait for the Parade of Champions. Since the Waipi'o baseball team won the 2008 Little League World Series, we were anticipating a huge parade down Kalakaua Avenue. Once again, Chase enjoyed playing in the dirt and people watching. But, after an hour of waiting to just see a line of radio station cars, the Boy Scouts, and a poopy diaper (and his bad parents left the diapers and wipes in the car), we decided to get Chase home, fed, and ready for bed.

Hopefully, no more tumbles this time.