My friend Christina just had her baby -- Nicholas Ryan Kendall -- after almost 13 hours of labor. An amazing fact considering this is her third baby. With my third baby, Taede practically flew out, almost taking out our nurse in the process.
Why am I talking about my friend's baby on a blog supposedly dedicated to my kids? Well, I have a confession to make.
NO - I'm not pregnant! Sheesh. And don't pretend that thought didn't pop up in your head.
However... Taede is such a good baby... and the big kids love him so much... and outside of juggling naptimes and big kid pick-ups, having the 3rd baby is easier than I thought... and he's a really good baby... I would be lying if I didn't confess to having some thoughts (some very fleeting thoughts) of enjoying the highs of babyhood one more time. As in evening out the players to 4 total.
But like I said - these are fleeting thoughts. A blip in my musings during the day, while playing with Taede or when I see Malia kissing him.
And if this post doesn't make Truong run screaming to the urologist's office for his Friday night date with a bag of frozen peas, I don't know what will.
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Congratulations to Christina, Ryan, Mikayla and Trevor. And Happy Birthday Nicholas!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Dance Class
We started Dance Class today and it was very cute. A little odd but cute. There's only one other girl in the class so I felt a little conspicuous doing the dance moves with Malia with Taede wrapped on me.
Oh, did I forget to mention that it's a Mommy and Me class? Yes, it's a parent participation class. So imagine me, with Taede on my chest and a huge camera clonking on my neck, trying to take pictures while showing Malia how to do the dance moves.
Yeah, it was great.
Anyway, Malia was very excited to wear her dance stuff and I have to say she looked darling in it. The class was a little slow but what do I know about dance class? I decided to try it for month and we'll re-evaluate whether or not to renew then.
Our little dancer.
Not sure what move she's doing here. Maybe the Butterfly?
She's about as flexible as me.
Check out that smile on her face.
Gratuitous picture of Taede since there's not much going on in his life except for naps. He's such a good baby...
Oh, did I forget to mention that it's a Mommy and Me class? Yes, it's a parent participation class. So imagine me, with Taede on my chest and a huge camera clonking on my neck, trying to take pictures while showing Malia how to do the dance moves.
Yeah, it was great.
Anyway, Malia was very excited to wear her dance stuff and I have to say she looked darling in it. The class was a little slow but what do I know about dance class? I decided to try it for month and we'll re-evaluate whether or not to renew then.
Our little dancer.
Not sure what move she's doing here. Maybe the Butterfly?
She's about as flexible as me.
Check out that smile on her face.
Gratuitous picture of Taede since there's not much going on in his life except for naps. He's such a good baby...
The First Week of School
Malia started preschool on Tuesday and it was hard to leave and not be the stalker mom. I was very sad because I knew I would miss her but at the same time, I was relieved of the guilt feelings I get whenever I leave her alone in the house to take care of Taede.
Truong was able to come with me which was great because I had to figure out how to get Kael to the Big Kids' playground, soothe Taede because it was his naptime, and participate in Malia's Singing Circle Time. All occuring at the same time. Once class started, Malia went to her spot at the art table and started her project. I snapped a few pictures and since I didn't have any other excuse to stay without looking neurotic, decided to leave. I asked her for a kiss and reminded her that I would come back after lunch to pick her up. She said "OK, Mommy."
That was it. "OK, Mommy." She didn't even bother to look at me when she said that.
Truong went in there to say good bye and I thought we'd have a few issues since she's Daddy's Little Girl. The past 2 weeks she's been a monkey on his back and for a split second, I thought it would be better if he just left without saying anything. He walked in, gave her a kiss, told her to have a good day at school.
She said: "Bye."
That was it. Just "Bye." I don't think she looked at him either.
It was a little sad. Obviously I didn't want her to be sad and cry and carry on. But a little emotion would have been OK. Something to show me that she cared. A look? Maybe a hug? Anything??
I go to pick her up, and Shana and I end up sitting in the parking lot, spying on the girls. Malia shares the classroom with Gina, but they have different teachers. That means they share art time and recess, but not circle time or reading time. At lunch, we see the girls playing together which is beyond cute. Gina has been in school since the start of the academic year so she's an old hand at the playground and Malia is just following her around.
Shana tells me that even though Malia didn't cry this morning, she'd bet that the second Malia sees me picking her up, she'd burst into tears. In fact, Shana was so sure of that fact that she bet me a cup of coffee. And you all know me and coffee...
Shana owes me a cup of coffee.
I was so proud of Malia. She ran over to me, but didn't cry. A classmate almost took her down with an around-the-neck hug but she took it in stride. Mrs. Lerma (her teacher) said that she did great in class (minus a potty accident because Malia wanted to (1) potty only with Mom, not Mrs. Lerma and (2) wanted to use the other bathroom that I've been taking her to in anticipation of going to school, not the bathroom for the little little kids in the classroom). She also said Malia did well with the other kids in class. They were all over her, saying how little she is, how cute she is, and "does she talk?" -- as if she was some little doll.
In the car going home, Malia asked if she could go to school again tomorrow. And she's been asking that same question every morning the entire week. So I'm happy to say that our first week went without a hitch.
People keep telling me that it must be great having all this alone time with Taede now that I've got 2 out of 3 kids in school. Well... it is nice to have some time alone with Taede: I get the car ride home with him and that's about it. His nap starts when instant we arrive home (8:45am) and he naps up until I have to wake him to go pick up Malia (11:00am). After we pick up Malia, it's naptime again, for both kids. That means I get no errand running time. Because when they wake up from their nap, it's time to pick up Kael and there's no way in hell I'm taking 3 kids to the store.
Malia starting her art project.
She's very focused.
She was playing with Gina until Gina wandered off somewhere so Malia climbed on the truck structure. Apparently she doesn't like playing with boys because you can see her wagging her little finger at the kid. I can imagine her saying "No, no, no!"
Can you see the disgruntled look on her face when her space is invaded by not one, but TWO boys? Mrs. Lerma told me that in class a boy named Adam rested his head on her shoulder and Malia gave him a dirty look and said very firmly: "Get. Off. Me!"
That's my girl.
Truong was able to come with me which was great because I had to figure out how to get Kael to the Big Kids' playground, soothe Taede because it was his naptime, and participate in Malia's Singing Circle Time. All occuring at the same time. Once class started, Malia went to her spot at the art table and started her project. I snapped a few pictures and since I didn't have any other excuse to stay without looking neurotic, decided to leave. I asked her for a kiss and reminded her that I would come back after lunch to pick her up. She said "OK, Mommy."
That was it. "OK, Mommy." She didn't even bother to look at me when she said that.
Truong went in there to say good bye and I thought we'd have a few issues since she's Daddy's Little Girl. The past 2 weeks she's been a monkey on his back and for a split second, I thought it would be better if he just left without saying anything. He walked in, gave her a kiss, told her to have a good day at school.
She said: "Bye."
That was it. Just "Bye." I don't think she looked at him either.
It was a little sad. Obviously I didn't want her to be sad and cry and carry on. But a little emotion would have been OK. Something to show me that she cared. A look? Maybe a hug? Anything??
I go to pick her up, and Shana and I end up sitting in the parking lot, spying on the girls. Malia shares the classroom with Gina, but they have different teachers. That means they share art time and recess, but not circle time or reading time. At lunch, we see the girls playing together which is beyond cute. Gina has been in school since the start of the academic year so she's an old hand at the playground and Malia is just following her around.
Shana tells me that even though Malia didn't cry this morning, she'd bet that the second Malia sees me picking her up, she'd burst into tears. In fact, Shana was so sure of that fact that she bet me a cup of coffee. And you all know me and coffee...
Shana owes me a cup of coffee.
I was so proud of Malia. She ran over to me, but didn't cry. A classmate almost took her down with an around-the-neck hug but she took it in stride. Mrs. Lerma (her teacher) said that she did great in class (minus a potty accident because Malia wanted to (1) potty only with Mom, not Mrs. Lerma and (2) wanted to use the other bathroom that I've been taking her to in anticipation of going to school, not the bathroom for the little little kids in the classroom). She also said Malia did well with the other kids in class. They were all over her, saying how little she is, how cute she is, and "does she talk?" -- as if she was some little doll.
In the car going home, Malia asked if she could go to school again tomorrow. And she's been asking that same question every morning the entire week. So I'm happy to say that our first week went without a hitch.
People keep telling me that it must be great having all this alone time with Taede now that I've got 2 out of 3 kids in school. Well... it is nice to have some time alone with Taede: I get the car ride home with him and that's about it. His nap starts when instant we arrive home (8:45am) and he naps up until I have to wake him to go pick up Malia (11:00am). After we pick up Malia, it's naptime again, for both kids. That means I get no errand running time. Because when they wake up from their nap, it's time to pick up Kael and there's no way in hell I'm taking 3 kids to the store.
Malia starting her art project.
She's very focused.
She was playing with Gina until Gina wandered off somewhere so Malia climbed on the truck structure. Apparently she doesn't like playing with boys because you can see her wagging her little finger at the kid. I can imagine her saying "No, no, no!"
Can you see the disgruntled look on her face when her space is invaded by not one, but TWO boys? Mrs. Lerma told me that in class a boy named Adam rested his head on her shoulder and Malia gave him a dirty look and said very firmly: "Get. Off. Me!"
That's my girl.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Good thing she's potty trained...
Otherwise she would have peed in her pants!
One of the official Disney photos is of her walking towards the Princesses, around the corner. Up until then, she had no idea what (or who) to expect. The photo shows Malia with her mouth hanging open as she first catches sight of Snow White. It was incredibly sweet. Even with the open mouth.
She doesn't look happy in the pictures, but she really is. That's her "Are you freaking kidding me?!" serious face. It's also her "I need to act cool" face.
Before visiting the Princesses, we visited Pixie Hollow. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that visit. I was laughing too much at Malia's reaction. We first saw Fawn and Malia was awestruck. So awestruck that she hid behind the stroller. Fawn was so sweet that she ran over and started playing peekaboo with Malia to get her to come out. I ended up being in the picture with them since Malia was too shell-shocked. Next was Tinkerbell. She did much better with Tinkerbell. She gave Tink a hug and showed her her light-up ladybug shoes. Here's the Disney link - hopefully it works.
It was my maiden voyage with Malia and Taede. Luckily Taede sleeps very well in the wrap so it was a pretty easy trip. Since it went well, we'll be doing Disneyland again. We still have to visit Belle and Jasmine...
One of the official Disney photos is of her walking towards the Princesses, around the corner. Up until then, she had no idea what (or who) to expect. The photo shows Malia with her mouth hanging open as she first catches sight of Snow White. It was incredibly sweet. Even with the open mouth.
She doesn't look happy in the pictures, but she really is. That's her "Are you freaking kidding me?!" serious face. It's also her "I need to act cool" face.
Before visiting the Princesses, we visited Pixie Hollow. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that visit. I was laughing too much at Malia's reaction. We first saw Fawn and Malia was awestruck. So awestruck that she hid behind the stroller. Fawn was so sweet that she ran over and started playing peekaboo with Malia to get her to come out. I ended up being in the picture with them since Malia was too shell-shocked. Next was Tinkerbell. She did much better with Tinkerbell. She gave Tink a hug and showed her her light-up ladybug shoes. Here's the Disney link - hopefully it works.
It was my maiden voyage with Malia and Taede. Luckily Taede sleeps very well in the wrap so it was a pretty easy trip. Since it went well, we'll be doing Disneyland again. We still have to visit Belle and Jasmine...
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Christmas and New Year's
We've had a busy 2 weeks. First was our trip to San Jose for Christmas, which we cut short a day due to Malia getting the flu. Which she passed on to Taede and then he passed on to me. Malia is completely healthy. Taede is completely healthy. And me? I sound like an 80 year old smoker, hacking my lungs out. Which I wouldn't really mind if that meant I couldn't cough uncontrollably anymore.
We headed home Friday and on Sunday met my sister and her family at Knott's Berry Farm as my sister decided to spend New Year's with us. Well, "with us" meaning in Southern California since they spent half their time in San Diego. Malia and Kael were thrilled that their cousins stayed at their house, a rare event since we usually travel up north. And they showed their joy by sharing every single toy, upstairs and downstairs, with Jarod, Amelie and Collin. And when sharing toys wasn't enough, they played with the toy bins (which were empty since all the toys were strewn thoughout the house). Conversations amongst adults had to be conducted with shouts to be heard and Taede's white noise machine was cranked up a few notches. We had one day of rest (Tuesday) while the cousins went to Legoland and on Wednesday we met them at the San Diego Zoo. "We" meaning me and the kids since Truong had to work. I was so tired from pushing the Chariot which was loaded down with 2 (lazy) kids while wearing the 3rd on my body, up and down those damn hills at the zoo, that I went to bed at 9:30pm New Year's Eve.
(Sorry, honey - Happy New Year! I love you! )
On Thursday we headed back to San Diego (this time with Truong) and visited the Midway Museum. Not knowing what to expect, I thought we'd spend just half a day there -- how interesting can an aircraft carrier be? Instead, we didn't get home until 8:30pm! Malia had a 20'ish minute nap from Museum to the gas station to the restaurant. That was her only nap all day. Was she crabby at dinner? Umm... I would have to say... YES. Friday we hung out at home and the kids had a great time making a mess of the house. Saturday morning the cousins left.
Whew! What a busy 2 weeks. It feels weird having to get my head back into our regular programming of school and solo parenting. As busy as we were, as crazy and chaotic as the house got with 5 kids, 1 baby and 4 adults, it was a great visit.
Such a great visit that we're doing it again. In February. Yes, they're coming back....
We headed home Friday and on Sunday met my sister and her family at Knott's Berry Farm as my sister decided to spend New Year's with us. Well, "with us" meaning in Southern California since they spent half their time in San Diego. Malia and Kael were thrilled that their cousins stayed at their house, a rare event since we usually travel up north. And they showed their joy by sharing every single toy, upstairs and downstairs, with Jarod, Amelie and Collin. And when sharing toys wasn't enough, they played with the toy bins (which were empty since all the toys were strewn thoughout the house). Conversations amongst adults had to be conducted with shouts to be heard and Taede's white noise machine was cranked up a few notches. We had one day of rest (Tuesday) while the cousins went to Legoland and on Wednesday we met them at the San Diego Zoo. "We" meaning me and the kids since Truong had to work. I was so tired from pushing the Chariot which was loaded down with 2 (lazy) kids while wearing the 3rd on my body, up and down those damn hills at the zoo, that I went to bed at 9:30pm New Year's Eve.
(Sorry, honey - Happy New Year! I love you! )
On Thursday we headed back to San Diego (this time with Truong) and visited the Midway Museum. Not knowing what to expect, I thought we'd spend just half a day there -- how interesting can an aircraft carrier be? Instead, we didn't get home until 8:30pm! Malia had a 20'ish minute nap from Museum to the gas station to the restaurant. That was her only nap all day. Was she crabby at dinner? Umm... I would have to say... YES. Friday we hung out at home and the kids had a great time making a mess of the house. Saturday morning the cousins left.
Whew! What a busy 2 weeks. It feels weird having to get my head back into our regular programming of school and solo parenting. As busy as we were, as crazy and chaotic as the house got with 5 kids, 1 baby and 4 adults, it was a great visit.
Such a great visit that we're doing it again. In February. Yes, they're coming back....
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