What a Busy Day

Our "Diaper Daredevil" at the end of his rope.

I'd like to take a moment before waxing poetic about my amazing son and say "thank God for grandparents." I had the incredible fortune to know three of my four grandparents and I have many stories about my dad's mom that passed just months before I was born, so on some level I feel like I knew her, too. I had a very special relationship with my Grandma Ruth and miss her to this day. I especially miss her when I watch Kainoa eating raspberries and blackberries by the fistfull. I know she would have been right there with him...and adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Now, Kainoa has the great fortune to spend time with his grandparents and all four of them are alive and kicking and adore him AND he even has a Great Grandmama. Grandma Phyllis and Papa Andy, from Hawaii, were here in February and got to spend many days with our little guy and we can't wait until their next visit.

This afternoon, as they do on many afternoons, my parents were here to be with Kainoa while I went to work. They are so generous with their time and we so appreciate that they are willing to help out. I have a hard time putting into words how much it means to me that Kainoa and they are building a strong relationship and that I never worry when they're together. Thank you so much, Mom & Dad.

This morning was another morning for firsts for us. Today, Kainoa watched and enjoyed a full episode of Baby Einstein! We tried a few months ago, and he had little interest...but, today he climbed into his rocker with a book and was "reading" to himself. So, I thought, hmmmm...I have a couple things I'd like to complete without his "help" and popped in our Baby Mozart DVD. Low and Behold, he watched it! He got especially excited when the Planet Mobile came on. We'll have to find one for his room. :-) Maybe we can do a little Sesame Street or Wiggles next week. I was amazed by his attention span and for 30 minutes today, he was still and I completed a project. What an accomplishment (for both of us)! Another fun little 'milestone' was Kainoa smiled on command for the camera for the first time today.

"Reading"

Get on the Bus, Gus.....

Need I say more?

Yesterday was a huge milestone. Probably more for me than for Kainoa. Well...it was pretty big for him too. Not the traditional ones (smiling, walking, teeth, etc) but significant nonetheless.....Yesterday was the first time that Kainoa stayed with someone other than family. Our friend and neighbor, Katrina, has three beautiful little ones and she graciously agreed to take care of Kainoa while I went to work for a few hours. It wasn't as big a deal as I thought it would be...of course it helped that it was Katrina and I have such trust in and respect for her, and it was especially wonderful to walk in her house and see Kainoa and Katrina's two boys playing and he was having a grand time! It did a mama's heart good. As we approach starting day care part time next month, this definitely helped with my anxiety.

Musings.....

So, if anyone ever wondered if Kainoa "belongs" in our family...here's proof positive! He is a definite cake (and ice cream, and cookie, and pretty much anything sweet and tooth decaying) eater. We have been blessed with a little guy with a great appetite (among soooo many other wonderful attributes). He'll try just about anything...my mom still gives me a lovingly hard time for the variety of food that I offer him and he usually eats. Stroganoff is one of his favorites. A true foodie in the making! A mama couldn't be happier.

A good friend tells me repeatedly..."Thank Goodness children are cute and do something endearing everyday...it keeps you from killing them." whoa nelly thank goodness for his adorable giggle and the Tums 'Rattle' Kainoa found in his morning exploration of the bathroom. He came out shaking the Tums bottle and carrying his favorite toothbrush and laughing. It had been a particularly challenging morning with a late night for me and a very early morning for him. He was into EVERYTHING, starting with the diaper pail, moving to the garbage bag I was taking out then to the dog food & water bowls, then on to the shoes in the closet and putting them in the hall. He was non-stop! I can't blame him...all those things were so tempting and interesting to a 15 month old and it was my fault for leaving them so accessible....but geez....couldn't he have woken up and just wanted to read or snuggle all morning?!? A mama can dream.... Oh yeah, and another thing toddlers help with....reminding you where you forgot (or were too lazy) to babyproof. Oh well, another project for nap time!

Easter

Our first Easter together was quiet. We had Grandma & Paka and Geoff & Jen over. No big egg hunts although Kainoa LOVED the plastic eggs from Uncle Jerry. The day was gorgeous here and we were able to enjoy being outside. The blooming flowers were amazing. Timi does such a great job maintaining and cultivating our garden.

Here are Paka & Kainoa enjoying a rose

A little brag moment...

This is the cheesecake I made for dessert and I was so pleased with the results. I modified the recipe from Delicious (an Australian magazine given to my mom from her co-worker Jo..thanks Jo). It's a crustless white chocolate lemon cheesecake with a strawberry lychee whipped cream "frosting"....yummmm!

Our First Trip to the Beach

We had a wonderful trip to Bodega Bay for spring break thanks to my parents generosity. My brothers, their families, my parents and us all met up at a great house for a week long break. Great food, Great company, a Fantastic Clown Fish kite and even a few whale sightings!

Kainoa wasn't too sure when he first touched down on the cool sand...but he sure enjoyed walking on it once he realized he could wipe off his hands. He REALLY didn't like it on his hands. I wished I could have captured that look on his face...clearly it said "GET IT OFF, NOW." He also enjoyed all the birds and dogs on the beach.

This trip was also another first for us...Kainoa's first time away from home for overnight. What an experience! I don't know what I would have done without my parents. (Mom & Dad, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!) I was sick, Timi wasn't there the first couple nights because he had to work, they only had a small version of a Pack 'N Play (any of you with kiddos from St Lucy's know the evil that is the Pack 'N Play) and I forgot to pack a nightlight. Hmmm....all those things add up to A LOT of crying (both mine and Kainoa's) and not a lot of sleeping (everyone in the house). Anyway...we were creative and all learned a lot and eventually got some sleep. To Kainoa's credit (and my relief) he did sleep the whole last night in the Pack 'N Play without any problems!

I'd post more pics, but sadly, there was a finger print in the middle of my lense and all the photos came back with a blurry spot in the middle of them. :-(