February Firsts

Kai is 5 months today!  This has been a big month for Kai.  At the start of the month, he was babysat for the first time.  Tutu was planning for months Papi's big surprise 60th bday bash on Saturday the 6th at the Newark Hilton followed by surprise "honeymoon" to Maui.  Auntie Nadia came over weekly to "practice" taking care of Kai and getting acquainted with her little nephew.  My biggest worry for the night was that he wouldn't take the bottle and that our night would get cut short.  However, all was well and Tio Sergio was a very attentive and caring babysitter.  Nadia said that Sergio was so worried that Kai would somehow choke in his sleep and so, he slept on the floor next to his crib.
 Here is Kai with his auntie:

That weekend, we had lots of visitors for the big party and also, for Super Bowl Sunday 44.  Kai had a blast with his ヒおじちゃん(Great Grandpa.)
Here they are at Elephant Bar having lunch together:

 

On the 11th, Kai met his japanese "grandma" for the first time.  She didn't want to be called おばあちゃん because it sounded "too old." Instead, she is "Grandma."  We had a great time with her. Ryuta took time off from work and we got to hang out and show Kai some of the sights.

Here is Kai waiting for his grandma to show up:

Finally! 

 

Tutu had been giving her grandson a hard time (almost since birth) about possibly looking like a girl. We loved his hair very much and thought he looked quite おしゃれ and stylin' like a little rock star, surfer boy. At times it was a bit unruly and crazy and long, but we decided to finally try giving him a haircut. In my mind, it was just going to be a little trim.  We had the two grandmas entertaining him, papi and I taking pictures, and daddy cutting.

Here is the BEFORE shot of our little Elvis:

 

DURING:

  

AFTER: 

So clean cut and happy (or at least Tutu is happy now..) 

On Valentine's Day, "Grandma" watched Kai while we went out for a nice dinner just the two of us.  Ryuta was really sweet with roses and a HUGE card. My shoulders have been aching for months (seriously) and I got treated to a massage.  Then we went to this sushi place.  I was so glad to have some relaxation and some time alone to spend with Ryuta. :)

On President's Day, we went with Tutu and "Grandma" to Napa.  It was Kai's first time to Napa and we all had a great time.  We started with a casual lunch in Yountville, then wine tasting at Grngich, and then, sparkling wine/champagne at this really cool, scenic spot called Domaine Carneros.

 

That week, we went into SF to do some exploring and to apply for Kai's 1st japanese passport.  

Kai took his first studio pics at JC Penny.  We got some coupons, but man, are those expensive! The lady there was really nice, really good with Kai, and took great pics.  It was so tempting to want to buy all of them b/c the pictures were so cute!  I'll post them later when we get them next week.

"Grandma" was here for 10 days and we had a great time spending it with her.  Next year, Kai will probably get to see the rest of the Sanui clan, like his grandpas, "evil G," and Miho obachan and Seigou ojichan.

Life at 4 months

This month has been rainy and cold, so Kai and I have been "bonding" indoors.  He does a lot of squealing to catch my attention or talking to himself.

We try to read a book, sing songs, watch a little youtube Sesame Street, veg out, stare at ourselves in the mirror between naps and feedings.  Kai went to his 4 month well check-up at 17 weeks and his weight went up from the 75th percentile to the 77th percentile and his height from the 15th to the 40th!! He just keeps growing and growing!Look at our little snuggly teddy bear...


One of Kai's new hobbies is shoving as many fingers in his mouth as he can.  So far the record is 3 fingers and 1 thumb.

Something that takes up part of my week is laundry.  I'm glad that we bought LOTS of burp rags and that my son is spoiled with lots of clothing options because he is a SPITTER-UPPER.  Otherwise, I'd probably have to do his wash daily.  Most of his laundry is due to spit-up.
Look what I found in the wash...

Life is good.  I have to remember everyday to be really grateful for what I have.  Little Noah Kai is a beautiful, joyful, healthy boy and Ryuta is so playful and affectionate with him.  Some days I miss teaching and I miss the respect and pride in saying "I'm a teacher." I get reminders from old co-workers that I can always go back to teaching, but I will never get this time back with my son.  I have to cherish these moments.  Kai is growing and changing so quickly even in these few months.

Baby Talk video

Kai has been a lot more expressive. Mostly when he lays on the ground, he "talks to himself." It's quite cute to hear his voice since he is generally a quiet, content, little fellow..

Playing peek-a-boo video :)

This past month, Kai has been a lot more interactive, alert, and aware of his surroundings/people around him. It has been fun playing games and singing songs. Some of his favorites are patty-cake, "I'm a Little Teapot" with Tutu, and peek-a-boo. He is smiling and laughing and trying to "talk."

Here is Kai playing peek-a-boo with mommy... (Please disregard the annoying voice of mommy!)

Mama's boy for sure!

I found some pics of me when I was a baby. I was a September baby, too... See the resemblance? :)

Kai & Keila's first shopping date video

Kai is being a typical dude & wondering, "What am I doing here?" with his Barry Manilow hairstyle while Keila is looking like Dr. Evil and pondering the meaning of life in Newpark mall.



Barry Manilow hair

Our 1st family holiday pics

Costco had a coupon on greeting cards. The expiration date on the coupon was 11-29. I wanted to make sure that we took a holiday pic as a family so that we could use our coupon for our christmas cards. We took a bunch of pictures. My parents are really into photography and took pictures of us. I think this is the first year I couldn't wait for mom to bust out all of her boxes of christmas decorations!
Which one do you like?

Kai looks so pudgy! What a good Santa! haha

So festive..

Kai is waving hi!

Surprisingly, we seemed to like the fireplace pictures the best compared to next to the tree.

Fireman/monkey hat Christmas boy

Steve Urkel Christmas boy

Look at that tummy! Filled with lots and lots of nutritious power milk.

Our special gift..

His two month pic with his bear friends

fall family pic

It was hard to get a good pic of the 3 of us and to get Kai awake and looking at the camera.. Wake up, boy!

Wake up, Kai kai.. it's daytime!

Smile!

The best part of the holidays this year is not the gifts or the food or the decorations, but being a family and taking lots and lots of pictures to remember all of these precious memories. Happy holidays!