aloha friday!

Aloha Friday and Happy Labor Day weekend! 

Any exciting plans this weekend? Rob leaves for work today, but at he's home by Sunday morning. Then he has pretty much all next week off. Kick arse, right?! No big plans for the weekend for Christian and I really, but I'm sure a couple of trips to the beach park are in order. On Monday we're going to have a BBQ at Lanikai Beach (where else?!?) with lots of friends and family. And that is by far one of my favorite things to do. Christian is still battling a cold with a runny nose, and is a tiny bit fussy, but still pretty happy overall. Is this kid ever not happy?! Oh, I remember a time. Yesterday on the way down from Manoa Falls. This Mama carried him on her hip most of the way down, and then he enjoyed a fantastic view from Dad's shoulders the rest of the way. Being on Dad's shoulders with a cup full of Cheerios. What could be better? I mean, really.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

our life, lately

I think a papaya just fell from the tree out front. Nope, just a branch. Speaking of, how rad is that we have a papaya tree in our front yard? I love the idea of not ever having to buy fruits and vegetables from the grocery store, and living off the land, having a garden. One day when we have a home of our own, this will certainly become a reality, I hope.

Anyway, life lately. Happy, peaceful, simple, feeling immensely blessed.

We've discovered a cute little beach park very close to our house that we've been going to lately. We even met another family that brings their little boy there. He's a little older than Christian, but Christian keeps up. Right now we're kind of limbo at WeePlay. Christian is still taking two solid naps a day that fall around 9am and 2pm. But he's definitely outgrown his "baby class." And unfortunately the toddler classes are not really convenient with the current napping situation. Luckily they do have an "open play" that I can take him to for a little while.

Anyway, I take a lot of pictures with my phone. I've seen a few other blogs, including one of my favorites, do a weekly blog post of pictures from their phones. I think it's a great idea actually. What better way to "show" the daily routines of life than through pictures taken on a whim with your phone?

So here is our life, lately.

one year well baby

Today Christian had his one year "well baby" visit with the pediatrician. I'll tell you one thing, something you probably already know, Christian does not stop smiling. He has smiles for days, and for everyone. Even the nurse that gave him three shots and a TB test. Yes, he cried, but when he was back in Mama's arms, he looked at that nurse through red eyes and a tear stained face, and smiled just as big as if she'd given him a cupcake. Which she wouldn't, because Christian has an egg-white allergy. (See what I did there?)

It's true. It's a very very mild allergy, but the doctor said to hold off on egg whites until he's at least 3, and will most likely have outgrown it. Both times that Christian has had a vanilla cupcake, and the one time he had a chocolate chip cookie (I'm talking a few small bites here), he has had redness around his mouth where the icing/cookie touched.

Here's his one year stats:

Weight: 21lbs 12.2oz (just below 50th percentile)
Height: 31 5/8" (95th percentile)
Head circumference: 18 3/8" (50th percentile)

He's tall, and his head is not big!! The doctor said that babies generally don't gain weight as fast as they were gaining until around 18 months. Has to do with all this running around and no huge jump in caloric intake. Blah blah blah. He's perfect, and he's healthy! Amen.

Christian's birthday and party

On Saturday, Christian's first birthday, we celebrated with a fun little party! Also, just to fill all the mainlanders in, it is Hawaiian tradition to celebrate the first birthday with a big ol' party! So, we were just trying to fit right in! ;) (Yeah right, this would happened no matter where we were living!)

I think all the little guys (and big guys ;)) had a blast! I know this Mama sure did! Thank you to Mimi and Papa for allowing us to use the beautiful space at their condo - which included a nice big grassy area for running around under the palm trees, a pool, and a neat little cooking nook with a grill! 

I so wish my mom could have been there to celebrate with us. I know she wishes she was there too. But, we did have her on the phone (at 10pm her time!!!) while we sang Happy Birthday to Christian. 

But this birthday got started the same way every Wednesday and Saturday do... outside watching the garbage truck come down the road! Yep, this is the highlight of Christian's Wednesday and Saturday mornings. And usually the driver throws us a shaka. 

Our landlord's youngest daughter, Sophia, and their Japanese exchange student, Natsumi, rode over to Mimi and Papa's with us to help out however we put them to work. They were so great, and a huge help entertaining Christian while we got things set-up.

Thank you to grill masters, Rob, Papa, and I'm pretty sure I saw Cousin Alan over there too, for some ridiculously delicious chicken.

Cupcakes courtesy of Cake Couture, and mini-cupcakes courtesy of Mimi! Cookies from the Honolulu Cookie Company. I was on a sugar high for at least two days.

Dad and the birthday boy sporting their Ti Leaf leis, a gift from our first and best friends here on the island - Joel, Jayme, Isabel, and Joey. They also brought me a lei of flowers. I was blown away at it's fragrance! We kept it as long as we could and the smell just filled our living room. Heavenly. Much aloha to the G family!

It is Hawaiian tradition to bring leis to any sort of celebration to show love and aloha! Here's some more info on Ti Leaf leis, and leis in general.

"Uh, Mama... I'm not too sure about this..."

And that's about as much as he ate. So much for the smash cake photos! Haha! Definitely less of a mess to clean up afterward!

The Dads of WeePlay. Maybe we should make a calendar? 

I wish I had gotten pictures of EVERYONE there. I probably should have hired a professional photographer to take pictures. Ok, the thought did cross my mind... but I thought that might be a little overkill. 

Christian loves Sophia!

Mimi & Cousin Alan

Cousin Leah rocking her party hat! 

Grill master Papa!

Oh, hi. I'm stuffing my face!

Cousin Leah showing Christian his brand new guitar!

"Here, let me help you out birthday buddy," says Ryutaro. Ryutaro and Christian share a birthday! We celebrated Ryutaro's birthday the next day at another fabulous party.

Gosh, what a wonderful day. I feel so truly blessed that in the short time we've been here on the island we have met so many wonderful people to be a part of our lives and Christian's life. I still can't get over that Christian is a year old. We are incredibly blessed. 

Thank you to everyone who has been such a big part of Christian's life - even if you live 6,000 miles away! But I do think it's time to move all of our friends and family in various states across the mainland to Hawaii. Sound like a plan? Everyone up for living in Hawaii? 

And happy birthday to our little man. You are such a light in our lives, filling my days with tons of smiles and laughter. You are loved by so many people, especially your Mama and Dada... and Baxter. 

birthday boy

Happy birthday Christian! 

I can't believe that my sweet, baby boy is turning one today. It's just that... I can't... I mean... what? Obligatory phrase: where did the time go?? Sigh. 

Christian, 

You have only been in our lives for one year, but I cannot even imagine our life without you. You are a blessing, a miracle, the most amazing baby, a gift from God. Your smile lights up my day, your hugs melt my heart, and I live for those slobbery kisses. The love that your Dad and I have for you has no words, it just doesn't. To say that we love you so much, doesn't even begin to cover it. I love you more than life, I want to keep you in a bubble and keep you safe forever, I don't want the world out there to taint your innocence. Ah. We love you, Christian. We will love you forever. We will love you no matter what. We love you. 

Love, 

Mama

{photo courtesy of: Nicole Seu}

aloha friday!! & happy statehood day, hawaii!

And HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY to Christian's good buddy, Luca!

What a busy day! And seriously, where has this week gone??? I've been running around trying to collect things/decorations/place cupcake orders for Christian's 1st birthday (and day we are celebrating it) tomorrow! I'm not organized AT ALL. It's kinda driving me a little crazy, but I'm just trying to roll with it. I mean, we'll be surrounded by friends, family, and yummy cupcakes (homemade by Mimi and special ordered), so that's all that matters!

That's Christian pointing at the trucks in his new favorite book, Little Blue Truck, which is a birthday present from his Auntie Brandi. And by favorite book, I'm not joking. It has been a loooong while that he has sat still while I read him a book, but this one, he loves. He points TO IT, seeks it out, and we'll sit down and read...and he actually sits there. I'm not sure how many times I read it yesterday. Then he steals it away to turn each page, and point at the truck. We read it before his morning nap today, and when it was over, he wanted to read it again. It's perfect! Thank you Auntie Brandi!!! :)

Oh, and it's Statehood Day today! Apparently another holiday that Hawaii celebrates (Hawaii celebrates everything). But today is a pretty important day, I do think. It's celebrated on the third Friday of every August. In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state in the union. But truthfully... I'm not really sure how many Hawaiians are actually happy about becoming a state. Aaaaand can't say that I blame them either, just sayin'... Anyway, if you want read a little more about it, then here's some info. I personally find it really interesting. 

Aloha everyone!! Have a great weekend! 

staycation: the beach

The best part of a beach vacation? THE BEACH! Our house was steps away from beautiful Kailua Beach, which made it so easy for quick trips down there between naps, lunch, the pool, or whatever else was going on. Christian cannot get enough the ocean water splashing in his face. He would charge it to the ocean, a wave would get him right in the face, we'd all hold our breath to see if he was going to scream or not, and then laugh our butts off at Christian laughing his butt off. He LOVED it! Violet was a little unsure of the water, but loved playing in the sand, and digging holes or building castles with Mimi. Lilley loved "jumping" the waves.

We decided to spend one day at Lanikai, my most favorite beach. The water is so clear, so warm, so beautiful. After practicing in the pool, Lilley got to snorkel for the first time ever in the ocean at Lanikai. I think she was quite impressed with all the colorful, tropical fish she saw. I even went snorkeling for the first time since Yokohama Bay... when I was TWENTY-SIX weeks pregnant!

I don't know what it is about the sun and the water, but it is exhausting. Good naps all around!