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!