My Birthday Adventure.

Yesterday was the perfect day! It started at 5 o'clock in the morning, driving down to Kualoa Beach Park for the sunrise. Despite it being windy and cold, having breakfast and watching the sunrise with my sweetheart was the best beginning to the day. I debated going through with this hike until the very last second...obviously, I went through with it....and I am SO glad that I did! It was a good 15-20 minute paddle out on the longboard (Chad pushed me the whole entire way - thanks Love). We hiked to the top of the island, rock-climbing and hard-core hiking all the way up. At the top, we could see 360 degrees around the whole island, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. We finished our hike and took a slow walk around the entire island. It was so fun just being able to do this together, by ourselves ;)
It was the absolute best way to celebrate with the most important person in my life. Chad, thank you for making this day so special (and for making this cute movie)! I love you sweetie ♥

the beach + a shark + a babe

= the cutest photos ever!

Kai Kai's 6 month photos are up on the photoblog. to see more adorableness, click here.

An Update on my SIX month old!

It's been 6 months already?! seriously, where did all the time go. 

I feel like I just had a newborn, like yesterday...

but now, weighing in at 14lbs 11oz, Kaiyu is doing all sorts of non-newborn-like stuff.

Let's take a look, shall we?

He spends a good part of his day on the floor.

exploring,

reaching,

scooting,

and crawling.

here's a little out-take.

I like when he tips over. it's my favorite.

He can also sit by himself for a good while, with no support.

He has started to eat solids.

his first taste of real, human food...

Okinawan sweet potato.

Hence, the purple mess.

 Kai Kai also loves applesauce (he can eat a whole container in one sitting) and rice porridge.

He loves playing with his big brother. 

copying his screams, kicking with excitement, and laughing...lots and lots of laughing....

I just love watching these two.

He has brought such joy and love into our home, and has melted our hearts completely.

We love you little Kai Kai.

Happy 6 month birthday.

xoxo

Happy feet.

Our baby Kai Kai turned 4 months last week.

Kai has grown so much in the last month.

Not only has he mastered the art of rolling over...

but he is has started to wiggle and scooch little by little.

He reacts to facial expressions.

He loves peekaboo. especially when big bro Noa does it.

He has become quite the screech{scream}er.

Otherwise, he is the happiest, smiliest little peanut.

After discovering his hands, he has now found his feet.

It's just so adorable to watch him grab his feet and roll around.

We all love him sooo so very much. 

A "little late" Birthday Tribute.

I finally got a minute to do a little mini photo shoot with Kai for his 3-month.

I wanted to share a few of the photos, along with some of his latest developments:

At 3 months, baby Kai Kai:

*can lift and hold his head up really well.

*can do mini-push-ups while on his tummy.

*smiles and even giggles sometimes.

*is able to sit up with assistance.

*can bear a little weight on his legs.

*loves being held. hates being left alone.

*has found his thumb.

*can blow bubbles.

*is so ticklish!

Now on to the good stuff. enjoy his sweet little face.

Love LoVe LOVE this little angel!

for more photos from his photo shoot, go to my photog or click here.

An "Almost" Birthday Tribute.

My big boy Noa is turning 2 this week!!! Whoa, I know.

Since I have a crazy weekend coming up, I thought I would write a little pre-birthday birthday post before things get too hectic and I forget to recognize such a huge milestone in my baby's life. {Don't worry, there will be a birthday party post later :D...probably much much later}

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SO much has happened in the past year in this little guy's life. He has accomplished A LOT. 

So much growing, so much learning, and SO much loving.

{From 1 to 2...}

From baby to toddler.

From barely speed-walking, to RUNNING full speed. (and skipping, of course.)

From being able to say just a few words, to speaking in full sentences, and learning new words and phrases every second. {in two languages, might I add...} Having real CONVERSATIONS with us.

From eating soft, mushy baby food, to eating pretty much everything that we eat and put on his plate.

From having short fuzzy baby hair, to long shiny curly locks. (which we still are debating whether or not to chop off)

From having a few teeth on top, a few on bottom, to having full grown baby teeth (minus the very back molars)

A few more accomplishments of this amazing little boy:

He talks to Mommy in Japanese, while talking to Daddy and his family in English.

He puts 2-5 words together to make sentences. Asks for things, tells you things...has a conversation with himself.

He loves songs, especially gesture songs - twinkle twinkle, popcorn popping, wheels on the bus, head/shoulders, and a few Japanese songs - とんとんとんとん、パン屋さん，糸まきまき、げんこつ山のタヌキ....etc.

He can remember names and call people by them.

He has mastered the iPhone/iPod touch, our cell phones, laptops and TV.

He is so loving and caring toward Kai...and his "baby," a little tiger stuffed animal.

He can "Tahitian" dance...with his knees....haha

He jumps, dances, does "gymnastics"........he's a ball of energy....energy I don't have...

He is so fun, so active....and he has really developed a personality to match.

{wheels on the bus, and if you're happy and you know it...}

I fall more and more in love with this little boy. I can't believe how fast he has grown.

NOA ~

My little one... Watching you grow and learn has brought me the greatest joy.

and I am so so proud of you.  Your smile and your laugh, your kisses and hugs....I can't help but smile and be happy. YOU brighten up the gloomiest of days!

Keep being you. Grow up strong.

Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

xoxoXOxoxox

Our Ocean...

Wow, it's been a while since my last post....

but that's only because I've been enjoying my time with Noa, Chad, Chad's family...

and this chunky monkey

 

We finally decided on a kanji for Kaiyu's name.

海裕

 

meaning abundant ocean.We thought it was very fitting for him.

I can't believe he is 2 months already!

well, 2 months and 11 days, to be exact.

We had his 2-month wellness checkup today.

and Kaiyu is...

12 pounds 5 ounces

23.5 inches

yup he's a chunk...gained a full 2 pounds since his last appointment.

Kai is so much fun...

He coos and gives us lots of social smiles and laughs.
His back and legs are so strong, it seems like he wants to stand up or crawl already.
Noa loves him to death. I often find him just laying next to Kai on the bed, holding his hand or stroking his head.

We are so lucky to have this little guy in our family.
We love you little Kai Kai.



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Not really a side note, but I want to mention our other little guy........
Since, at the time Noa was born, we couldn't decide on fitting kanji characters for his name, we chose to give him some now....and they suit him perfectly.

希明

....meaning, bright hope.

ONE Month!

It's been a whole month already!

I say it every time, but time flies! especially with the second one. 

Sweet little Kai Kai...

＊ eats and sleeps like a champ

(he sleeps like 18+ hours a day)

＊ is growing bigger and bigger everyday

＊ has the chubbiest cheeks ever (as seen above...it's the cutest!)

＊ only wakes up a couple times a night :D

＊ loves to cuddle/be held

＊ loves tummy time

＊ brightens everyone's day!

10 pounds 4 ounces
21.25 inches

(*added after his one-month check up)

Keep growing little one.

We love you.

Happy One-Month Birthday!

 Love Mommy Daddy and Big Brother Noa

Birthdays and Updates

Yesterday was my birthday....

I am now past my Quarter of a CENTURY mark!

...boy do I feel old....

but the day was perfect, spent with the two people I love and care about the most!

These two....

I just love 'em!!

We went into "town" [AKA Honolulu].

We ate....

Went shopping.......

{Koi fish at the mall}

got lost in the city...

(not so fun)

Ate some more....

and had a Blast!

It was a fabulous day :D

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On another birthday note, my little boy turned 18 months on Monday!

Officially, a year and a half.

Nursery-going age.

And definitely not a baby anymore.

Noa's latest developments and new tricks:

His weight - still small - 22.5 lbs

＊He runs super fast!

＊He can say "buh-bye" instead of just waving [AND says "see ya!" - didn't ever teach him that...]

＊He can go get a diaper when you ask him to, and throws it away in the trash when you are done

＊He says "done!" when finished doing/eating something

＊He is getting pickier and more demanding, and he knows exactly what he wants

＊He can throw a ball and "shoot" a basketball

＊He can say surfboard - sounds more like "Po-bord" - and can "paddle" on Daddy's board

＊When he sees pictures of things he knows, he calls it out: example - fish, cars, surfboard, beach...

＊He "tickles" you

＊いたいのいたいの飛んでけ！ [when he gets hurt, he does this thing where he throws the ouchy away...so cute! It also lets him forget the pain :D]

＊He says "mine" but I'm not sure if he knows what it means...

 ＊He can fake cry -  usually when he doesn't get something he wants

It's so fun to see him grow and develop new skills!

He will always be a little baby to me tho!!

Love you baby!! xoxo Mommy

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＊PS a little shout out to ALL the February birthdays out there＊

especially to.....

My sister - Yoko, my dad, and my mom!!!!

Love you and miss you tons!

Noa's Quarterly Report (videos!)

Noa is now 15-months old!!!
...I can't believe it!

How he's grown in the last 3 months:

☆he is SO TALKATIVE!! - his vocabulary has been expanding day by day - and he mumbles to himself a lot!

☆he can now say (mostly Japanese, but some English): Hi!, foot (あんよ), hand (お手て), pineapple, apple, pasta ("pa-pa"), baby, keys (かぎ), 着いた, ouch (いたい・たい),  no, bread (パン), belly button, milk (牛乳), やだ, eyes (おめめ), drink (飲む), doggy (わんわん), oatmeal, cheerio, cereal, banana, アンパンマン, cookie, what (なに？)・・・I know there's more!・・・ 

☆he loves to listen to (and try to gesture to) Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Popcorn Popping

☆he eats 2 whole packets of oatmeal for breakfast! (one apple/cinnamon mixed with one plain)...then wants more cereal afterwards...how is he so small?!?!

☆he loves smoothies and fruit - grapes, bananas, apples, pears, watermelon, strawberries, pineapple...

☆he sleeps through the night! (Hallelujah!)

☆he has been falling asleep on his own for 2 months now! 

☆he's starting to like vegetables...(raw) cucumber, tomato, (cooked) potatoes, carrots, celery, corn, green peppers...

☆he plays well on his own...plays with other kids even better!

☆he's showing signs of understanding both Japanese and English 

☆he says "uh-vyu" when you say, "Love you!"

☆still gives the best kisses, and blow-kisses, ever!   
☆he says "uh-oh" when he drops something
☆he loves throwing things
☆his favorite snack: a tie between banana and cheerios (the plain kind)....but when he can have it, its definitely smoothies!
☆his favorite thing to play with...my cell phone or keys
☆his favorite song: Itsy Bitsy
☆his favorite toy: mega blocks




Here are some great videos of how Noa has been growing!
(sorry my phone camera video quality isnt that great...)

Noa saying "pineapple" :)

Noa got a hold of my phone...and recorded a video...

This is how Noa has fun, while daddy is studying in the library!

 

translation: "gyu-nyu" = milk and "pan" = bread... "oishii" = YUMMY!

I'll be back to post his 15-month stats after his doctor's appointment soon!

Birthday, birthday...Birth-DAY!

Having 3 blogs to manage is A LOT harder than I anticipated...fun, but very time consuming!

This blog is designated to do one thing, and one thing only - to inform our friends and family about the daily happenings/adventures {whether BIG or small} of our little family - and I plan to do just that....however long it may take!

On Saturday {as many, if not ALL, of you know} we celebrated little Noa's birthday. He's ONE!!! I say this all the time, but it's true = Time seriously flies! - I can't believe it has been a year already!

from this:

to this:

to finally this:

i can't believe it...in 12 months?....really?!

Noa has truly been a blessing in our lives. It has made me grow up so much more than I could have ever imagined being a MOM, and he has taught me to be a better person, a better friend, a better daughter, a better wife, and a better mom. He is so happy all the time - and can brighten up a room with no effort at all...He seriously means everything to me.

For this very special occasion, we decided to have a little picnic - just as a family - low key and very simple. Our goal was to make this a memorable day for Noa, and for all of us. First birthdays only come ONCE...

needless to say, I've never planned for such an event, so this was a first for everyone involved :)

I made some cupcakes - thinking that all babies must have cake on their 1st birthday!

I think they turned out pretty cute, don't you?

the theme was "blue/ocean" in honor of the next chapter of our lives fast approaching...

Noa hesitantly took a bite a lick...

and.....

He DIDN'T LiKE it!    :O

{I thought ALL babies loved the first taste of CAKE?!? what's wrong with my baby??!?}

...was the first thought that came to my mind...and then, i thought:

but wait, shouldn't I be happy that my 1-year-old doesn't love everything sugar? I mean, really, did I WANT Noa to love/be addicted to sweet, sugary foods? - of course not! So why was I so upset/crushed?...

well...I made the cupcakes especially for Noa...envisioning how he was going to devour the whole thing in seconds...and secretly hoping to get those adorable "first birthday cake smashing/bashing" pictures...even though I didn't get the first of my wishes to come true, I did get this:

...which was plenty "frosting-covered baby" for me!

isn't that just ADORABLE?! my favorite is when he gets frosting all over his hand from blowing a *kiss*...I just love him to death!

While all this was going on, us "adults" enjoyed a little Cafe Rio and juicy watermelon...YUM

and some quiet peaceful time in the beautiful breezy weather under the trees.

This was the perfect day!