Happy holidays and goodbye 2010!

I'm noticing that as Kai is more and more mobile and active and interesting, I'm finding less and less time to grab my camera to capture it all.  Here are a few snapshots of December 2010 in our lives..
Kai LOVES noodles!!! 
Kai is a big fan of noodles, but spaghetti with meat sauce hands-down is the best and tastiest and funnest and messiest meal of them all.

Yummmmmm!!!!!!!!!!

Meat sauce leave-in hair conditioner

Walking, running, playing
Our baby is no longer techinically really a baby.  He is running all over the place and I'm sure if he were taller, he'd be climbing over more things, too. It's interesting to see what he learns each day or how his mind works or what he gets into.  Recently, I had to move his diaper pail up onto a high stool because Kai really wanted to dig his hands into there and pull out his stinky diapers. Gross!  He still really enjoys throwing things down the stairs and he's into hiding objects.  For example, yesterday, he hid the remote controls in my slippers!  He still likes digging around in the kitchen cupboards and throwing tupperware around the floor.  I have to keep an eye out and actually move the remotes because I caught him also taking the batteries out of the remotes and sucking on the batteries.  Kai hasn't really said any new words, but he's picking up the baby sign language more.  He waves bye-bye more regularly.  He signs "milk" and "more" all the time.  At gymboree he claps and follows along during the songs.  He knows just when it is parachute and bubble time and really likes to watch the gymboree teachers.  Kai still really enjoys reading a lot and could read his favorites again and again.  A new favorite "Brown Bear, Brown Bear"... Tutu read it to him six times in a row! And he signs "more" to read it again as soon as the story is done.  On Thursdays, when the weather is not rainy, we go to the park to join the japanese moms.  It is good for Kai to get out to the playground and it is also good practice for me with Japanese.

What adventure is out there today, mom?!

making a mess/"playing"

at the Japanese moms' group with Keila and Auntie Katie

running around semi-naked... so much fun!

Tahoe
My parents have this timeshare in Maui that they have NEVER used.  We have benefited from their ownership by using their timeshare points to go to Tahoe.  This year we planned a trip with the thought of taking Kai to see the snow for the first time.  Ryuta was an avid snowboarder and went 7 times one winter.  Since Kai's been born, he hasn't gone in 2 years.  Our original plan was to go to Tahoe with my parents and the Fukudas.  The babies could experience the snow and my parents could babysit one day while we hit the slopes.  Well, the weather report for the weekend sounded pretty horrible with an incoming snowstorm.  We decided to leave Kai home because we just couldn't see getting stuck on the roads and have a screaming kid in the back.  It ended up being a weekend getaway just the two of us... and it was wonderful!  It was just a pair of warm, waterproof gloves and a ski mask away from perfect.  We borrowed mom's landcruiser and had no problems at all getting there or back and actually talked the whole way roundtrip! (Usually one of us sleeps while the other drives.)  We got to hang out, eat lots of carbs and junk, sleep, go to Heavenly, gamble.  It was great!

at the top of mountain... freeeezzing!!!

at the casino... Ryuta got -$60 and I got +$4 in roulette.

Christmas
Does your family have any holiday traditions?  Our family has been creating new ones.  Last year, my grandpa and his wife came to stay with us from Las Vegas.  Also, last Christmas Eve, we went to my aunt's house for crab.  Last year on the 26th, Jenn and the girls came up from SD and everyone hung out and exchanged gifts.  Due to the success and general merriment, we all decided to go for a repeat of last year.  Grandpa and Lynn came again.  We went down to San Jose for Christmas Eve for crab.  On the 26th, the girls came up from SD.  A new one we tried this year was sukiyaki for Christmas dinner.  Ryuta was commenting on how he wasn't the biggest fan of American holiday foods (turkey, mashed potato, etc.), so we thought having a little japanese feast might be a neat idea to try.  Ryuta went to Mitsuwa market and prepared the whole Christmas dinner.  It was yappari very oishii!!! Of course, we spent the whole week of Grandpa's visit playing Wii everyday.  I'm trying to get Kai back to his normal life after the holidays.  We stayed up later than usual (although Kai woke up earlier than usual, too. not a good combination.) Anytime someone grabs the TV remote or appears to.. he grabs the Wii controllers and bends down and grabs the Wii fit board from under the sofa.  He stands on the Wii fit board with the Wii controller and looks at us like, "ok, I'm ready!"  He played the penguin slide game on Wii fit by just standing on one side of the board.  The iceburg just tilted to one side and the penguin kept sliding to the left, but Kai caught 33 fish!  He was pretty amazed, too.  Although I have to teach him that Wii is NOT a normal part of our everyday life.  Only when Grandpa is here.  The two things I've really enjoyed during the holidays this year was: (1) watching Kai watch and run around and scream happily while he chased after all his older cousins (I thought a lot about Ryan, Sarah, and especially Andrew..and wished they were here) and (2) watching Kai try to open his gifts.  It was definitely a lot more interesting than last year when he just lied there and stared at the ceiling.

San Jose Christmas in the Park

Jenn & I with our kiddies

singing for the 1st time in the choir for the Christmas service..

Joy to the World!

handsome Sanui men :)

Christmas with Grandpa

our 2010 Christmas card

It's strange to think that 2011 marks not only a new year, but a new decade.  We will be spending New Year's Eve at home with friends, good food, and games.  We hope your holiday season is safe, warm, and memorable!

the not-so-sneaky non-eater

I do have to say that IN GENERAL Kai is a little piggy wiggy eater.  He LOVES his food.. especially meat, broccoli, peas, grapes, cheese, bread, noodles, bananas, crackers, etc.
But, when he just isn't quite feelin' it or is full or whatever the reason, he thinks he's real sly with some of his moves to stop eating.  Little guy just needs to learn how to tell he is done.  Sometimes he throws his food and sometimes he....

The Touchdown Maestro

This little guy has got us ALL wrapped up in his little finger(s)!!!!!!

Ee Urrr Ni...1 year 2 months! (Let's learn chinese!)

Going for a ride in my car

 Let's learn Chinese!
Sorry, random title for this post.  I just thought about the old chinese people we see every week at Gomes Park.  About once or twice a week, I've been taking Kai for walks to Gomes Park which is just down the block from our house.  There is a really nice little playground next to the trees and expansive lawns and it is also where we had Kai's birthday picnic.  Every time we go, we see this little chinese toddler (who kind of looks like Kai.. do all cute asian boy toddlers look the same?!) and his grandparents.  So far the only information the grandpa and I were able to exchange was that Kai is ONE year and TWO months and his grandson is ONE year and NINE months.  I tried to ask his name, but he started to shake his arms and head that he doesn't understand.  I asked some of my chinese friends how to say, "What is your name?" in mandarin. Ni jao summa ming-tse? I practiced again and again, but then the other day, we went to the park and the little boy was with his dad who speaks english.  I didn't get to practice my new chinese, but I learned that the boy's name is James.  I figure that since Kai will grow up in the community I will really need to buckle down and learn the ways of the Chinese and Indian neighbors we have.

Running through the fallen leaves

My little explorer and the laws of physics
Kai is now 14 months and he is such a little explorer now.  It is such a joy and wonder to watch him move and to see how his little mind works.  We moved the gate from the entry way to the bottom of the stairs, so now, Kai has full access to roaming the downstairs.  He LOVES it! My mom has this big, round wicker basket, that Kai likes to throw things into.  Kai has figured out how to pull things (like paper bowls and paper plates) out of the small crack of an opening in the cabinet door (the baby proofing cabinet "locks" give a small space for the door to open) and Kai likes to then attempt to proceed to throw things away in the garbage.  I don't know if it is the boy in him or just him but Kai really enjoys throwing things.  If I leave the bathroom door open, he'll grab some toys and run in there and throw them into the bathtub (and I've caught him on attempts to drop things in the toilet, too!)  Kai will also take his blocks and wooden puzzle pieces or any small toy actually and stand at the top of the stairs gate and throw them down the stairs and see how far they will go.  Mom said to be careful not to leave out anything valuable like keys or cell phones within his reach because Kai's cousin used to like hiding things such as his parents' car keys.  Other than the wicker basket, Kai also likes to shove things under the couch.  I am still looking for the chicken on his farm puzzle! I think Kai might have thrown it away and poor, little chicken is in toy heaven.

Good morning, world! Here I come!

Discovering the laws of physics

Gilroy Gardens
On a cold and slightly rainy Saturday, our friends, the Dangs, took us to Gilroy Gardens, amusement park for little tikes.  They have annual passes and on certain member days, they can bring free guests.  We were the lucky free guests! Kai got to ride the merry-go-round and other little rides.  Surprisingly, Ryuta rode some of the rides with Kai.  Ryuta usually can't handle rides that spin or go in circles and ALL the baby rides do that.  But for the love of our boy, Ryuta stomached it well and took Kai on a bunch of the rides.

me & mama riding the horse-y and having a blast (really)

Girls Day and Valerie's birthday
Happy birthday, Valerie!  While the daddies watched the kiddies, the mommies got to get some pampering at the nail salon with boba in hand! It was heaven.  

HAPPY BDAY VALERIE cupcakes courtesy Katie

Pampering heaven!

Thanksgiving and first visit to Santa
This Thanksgiving, we went to Auntie Nani's again.  There was a ton of food.  Ashley, great job on the pies! Mom, forgive me for constantly doubting some of your recipes-- the casserole and the cranberries were delish!!!  Cousin Evan wanted to play with Kai, but unfortunately Kai just doesn't seem so interested yet.  There were THREE dogs (enough said there)-- Pua, Wicked, and Tawny-- and grandmas and aunties to give lots of hugs, holding, kissing, attention, and food.  Poor Evan just couldn't compete with that.
On Black Friday, we went to Newpark mall where I waited for over 30 minutes to get a salted, caramel hot chocolate (but boy was it worth it! soooooo warm, sweet, and yummy!!!) Then, we took Kai to take his first picture and visit with Santa!  We told the worker that we wanted one picture with just him and then one with the whole family.  We wanted to pick between those two options.  Ryuta handed Kai over to Santa's lap while I hid.  Kai screamed his head off with outreached arms to Ryuta to "HURRY UP and SAVE ME!"  The photographer said that we had to pick one of the screaming pics of Kai because they would be deleted off his computer.  They were very sad, but also very cute, but we wanted to try again with the 3 of us, too.  So, we took some with Santa all together.  The photographer didn't tell us he was taking the picture and he also didn't try to get Kai's attention.  We ended up buying this picture because it was the only picture that Kai was looking. I'm not totally happy with the Newpark mall picture people, but whatever.  It was exciting to take Kai to see Santa.

pre-screaming

Ho ho ho!

next to the tree with my handsome boy (look at the camera!!)

Fun on mama's shoulders

Christmas family picture

The holidays are upon us and there is so, so much to be thankful for.  We have a niece on the way coming next spring. We have great friendships. We have money to live to provide for food and our home.  We have a healthy, vibrant, curious toddler who loves affection, food, books, music, and throwing things. We have each other and it has been really great that my parents are so close (like really close) to help with Kai, to form a bond with him.  I thank God everyday that he gave me a hardworking husband who loves us and also that I get to spend my days with our son and watch him grow.  Happy holidays!

Pants on the ground

Kai has learned how to take off or jump out of his pants... Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground!

Keila the "Heart Breaker"/Man Killer

Pumpkins and Spock

October was a really fun month.  We took Kai to the pumpkin patch.  He was about the same size as some of the pumpkins!  This month, Kai started walking!  A new side of Kai has been emerging with his new legs.  He toddles about like ET on short legs and he has such pride and confidence and excitement and adventure with his new skill and new perspective on the world.  I love seeing the smile and joy on his face.  However, it has also brought about curiosity and mischief, too!  Today, in the computer room, Kai started knocking all the movies and DVDs on the floor, which was fine.  But, then he walked over to the garbage can and started tossing all the contents on the floor.  I moved it up on the desk and he proceeded to the other can across the room.  After moving that one, he discovered dad's pile of papers on the end table to "sort through." And so on... I am now seeing more and more things that need to be changed around the house with the "new" Kai on the loose.
Kai has gotten really temperamental about how he likes to eat his food.  Some days he is upset if he can't feed himself.  Other days it is fun to get fed by a fork or chopsticks.The banana is no good if it is not on the peel.  Most fruits need to be still attached to the seed and Kai has to feed himself.  If it's not chicken, no thanks.  Throwing my food or sippy cup on the floor is fun.  I love yogurt. Ahhhh... also, we have tried to give Kai real milk and he's been getting better with it.
Kai has been an awesome night-time sleeper, but we STILL have our day-time nap issues.  Still trying to see what works or what time... I really hope Kai will get more consistent before the nap time officially disappears.  I really need that down-time!
It's crazy and I don't know if this is a guy thing, but Kai really needs to learn the meanings of emotions.  For example, mommy is happy.  Kai doesn't care.  Mommy is stern, looks angry, and says NO!  Kai thinks it is the most hilarious thing in the world.  Really funny.  The responses don't always correspond correctly to the correct emotion.  Shouldn't it be "yay!"= laughter and happiness? And anger, sternness= sad?  Most of my 3rd graders seem to cringe at my stern looks and tight discipline, but my 13 month old could care less!
For Halloween, we went to Todd and Veronica's annual pumpkin party.  We went 2 years ago and our yoda pumpkin didn't win the most votes.  I was so determined this year to bust out the big win.  I researched Martha Stewart and other festive websites.  I wanted to stay uniform with our costume theme and made a Spock pumpkin.  We didn't win, but it was still really fun to see our friends.  Kai and his other baby friends had a costume party at our house on Saturday.  Our family dressed up as vulcans!  On Sunday was Kai's first time trick or treating.  I was sooooo interested to see how he would respond or what he would do. Would he just walk away? Would he be scared?  The first house he actually tried to walk into!  After that, he got the hang out standing there and holding out his pumpkin for candy.  We went with Keila, Jacob, Avery, and Berkeley.  Mom and Dad came with us and I was grateful that we all got to experience it together.  The night was complete by coming home to the Giants winning on a black and orange night. :)

Happy birthday, Auntie Cindy!

our little pumpkin

This is fun, daddy!

Ah, he's growing up too fast!

Sanui family at the pumpkin patch

Happy 2nd birthday, Amelie!

Giants win the World Series!!!

I need to scrape the Spock more to show the candle-light.  We didn't win, but guess who did?!

SPOCK!

Kai getting into mischief...

Baby Spock! Live long and prosper!

The highly intelligent, logical, non-emotional vulcan family

Captain Kirk, Uhura, and Spock

Trick or Treat!

OCD in the DNA?

Ostrich and giraffe.  Out of the wild animals puzzle, he likes to grab these.  I am guessing they are long and easy to hold onto?

So, we've noticed that Kai is very particular about certain objects.  My son has odd obsessions.  In one sense, he is observant, but also... a little OCD? In a group of objects, he ALWAYS goes for the same ones in the pile.  He likes to hold onto the 2 objects and walk around with them. For example...

These are part of the train engine on his stack-able blocks train. They are the only parts that don't have a hole that goes all the way through.

These are from a pile of bath toys.. why not the turtle or fish, Kai?

Kai LOVES this book.  It is styrofoam and has little pop outs on each page.  He is oddly obsessed with the eggs and the hoghouse door, but not the cow or tractor.  He likes to walk around with them and as you can see, suck on them.

Doggy and Froggy.  Out of the assortment of stuffed animals, Kai likes to walk around with Froggy in one hand and Doggy in the other.

The numbers 6 and 8.  At the moment 0, 7, 8, and 9 are missing.  Now, we think that Kai likes 6 and 8 because they have holes that he can hook his fingers into.  However, I've watched him look at the 6 and 9, but he always goes for the 6. Why? 6 is green and 9 is red.  Maybe he prefers green? But it is so interesting that he somehow sees a difference.

Red and orange... hmmmmm.

Various members of our family have been accused of having slight bouts of OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  It is a mental condition in which things always have to be a certain way or in a certain order.  If not, the mind is in disarray and there is chaos internally.  I find it so interesting that Kai has these slight pecularities.