Ohana

The past few days Naiona has been hanging out with his island ohana. It has been so great to see him interact with new people. He's so friendly, happy and curious. We are really enjoying our time in Hawaii. I wish we lived closer. I guess we just have to come back every year!!

Auntie Florence

Ivan's high school friends and their boys.

Auntie Paula and Uncle Verge

Grandpa Al

Tutu Charlotte

Baby's 1st Beach

Yesterday Nainoa had his first experience at the beach. He had a great time visiting sitting on his blanket playing with his toys. When I sat him near the water a wave splashed him in the face and then the party was over. He didn't like the cool salt water (which isn't that cool, but isn't his favorite bath temperature). When I tried again he turned to me and grabbed on for dear life. It was the first time he showed that emotion of being afraid and grabbing for his Mommy. My heart melted. I brought him back to the water later and he still didn't like. Oh well. Maybe we'll try again today.

Aloha!

ALOHA!!! We made it safe and sound. I was so nervous about flying the 6 hour 40 minute plane ride without Eye, but Nainoa was a great little traveler! He continued on his regular schedule, sleep, play for two hours, sleep again. He never cried. There were so many nice people on the plane willing to hold the baby while I went to the bathroom. Everyone commented how happy he was and how good he was. I was very proud.

When we finally landed in Oahu, Daddy was there to greet us with leis. I love the Nainoa's keiki lei.

Daddy was so happy to see his son in his homeland. He kept saying, "Welcome to the homeland son!"

We went straight to Tutus and Grandpa Al's house to open gifts. It was so nice to watch the baby with his other grandparents. Popo and Naiona were definitely feeling each other out. When Popo started barking, Naiona barked back too. It was very funny.

We got up at 5:30am and it was still dark outside. He's down for his 1st nap and then we are off to Waikiki beach which is 2 blocks away!!!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Mele Kalikimaka! I might in the air to Hawaii as you read this post or maybe I'll be with Ivan eating some ono Hawaiian food. Since Ivan is in Hawaii and my Mom is in the hospital with my brother it was just Lolo, gLo, Nainoa, Haukea, Kiko and myself celebrating an early Christmas on Christmas Eve. Even though we weren't complete we had a great day. My sis and I took Lolo out for some Filipino food. We both felt bad that Lola hasn't been here to cook Lolo's favorite foods. We had lechon, chicken adobo, lumpia shanghai and Lolo had pinakbet. Here are the highlights of our Christmas Eve before baby went to bed.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with aloha.

Breastfeeding like Baby Jesus

My friend Leigh, of Marvelous Kiddo posted this amazing post about Breastfeeding the Baby Jesus. The original post came from Peaceful Parenting. I LOVED all the images of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding Christ the Child. After I watched this video it inspired me to take my own photo of Nainoa and I under the our Christmas tree.

Today I had a great day with my sister, Lolo and Naiona. I missed my Mom and my brother a lot. Tomorrow Nainoa and I will be traveling to Hawaii. I am a little nervous about the 6 hour flight with out Eye. Hopefully I will get a row all to myself. Safe travels to all those traveling tomorrow including myself!

Christmakwanzacrawling

It's official. Nainoa is crawling. Music is from Dan's Christmas album, "Ho: A Dan Band Xmas" which can be bought on iTunes just in time for Christmas! He's also going to be on Jay Leno tonight at 10pm!

www.thedanband.com

Cuteness in front of the Christmas Tree

baby bunting giving by uncle r.j.

7 months!

Lolo calls Nainoa "Mochart" (his way of saying Mozart) whenever Nainoa sits in front of his piano. Enjoy my little 7 month old Mochart!!

Gettin' his move on

Gone are the days when I could leave Nainoa on the bed and have him be in the same position when I return. He is getting his move on for sure! His favorite thing is to spin his self around. He uses his big belly as the base and moves 360 degrees. He can almost crawl and likes to lift his but in the air to a modified downward dog. Nainoa gets soooo excited when he scooches foward. He lets out a big yelp as if he's saying, "Mommy look at me go!"

He is 22.5 pounds, 27.5 inches long and still above the 95% percentile. I think he is getting the hang of this whole eating thing. So far Nainoa has had rice cereal, avocado, pears, applesauce, peas, bananas and sweet potatoes. He eats 3 times a day. Dr. Moore said that I can start giving him diluted apple juice after each meal to help him soften his doodoo. (tmi?)

I am getting very excited for Hawaii. Eye is there now doing press. All of our clothes are there waiting for us to arrive on Christmas day. I am so glad that we are going at the age Nainoa is now. He is so much fun to be around. He's always so happy and cheerful. I can't wait for him to hang out with his ohana!

Started out in this position

Somehow he ended up here trying to downward dog!

Girlfriend and Cousin

This week we had a really short 48 hours in LA. Between going back and forth to the hospital, I had just enough time to squeeze in a visit with Nainoa's girlfriend Pema and her brand new 3 months old cousin Dru.

Nainoa and Pema met at Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino. In all my life of living in Los Angeles I had never been there. The Japanese Gardens were just gorgeous. I felt like I was was back in Japan.

Nainoa was SOOO happy to see his girl.

Pema was thinking about last time when Nainoa accidentally hit her in the face.

Nainoa consoling Pema or getting fresh?

Cousin Dru who's 3 months and VERY cute!

Dru couldn't figure out just what to make of Nainoa.

St. Nick

With all that has happened with my brother, (he's getting better everyday) I haven't had time to think about any sort of holiday spirit. Today I decided that it time. Eye and I took Nainoa to get his first picture with St. Nick. Even though he had no idea who this Santa guy was he was so happy. Even before he sat down he was all smiles! He was just so happy! Naiona did so much better than Mommy's first time photo. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas....

Cuteness

I have been so consumed with life that my posts have been sporadic. Here are some of my favorite photos of Nainoa from this past week. (My brother is doing much better, he's eating real foods, talking and they took out the tube from his head.)

Nainoa fell asleep on Daddy while he was walking around on the phone.

Uncle Danny stopped by the L.A. house.

Bundled up to walk the dogs. It's 40 degrees outside!

Baby Mamas (Put A Sling On It)

My friend Leigh from Marvelous Kiddo made this video. My friend Birdie from Wild About Baby sang and choreographed it. This gave me so much joy I had to share! Also Happy Birthday to baby M who is one year old today!!! (he's the cute baby in the center).

My Brother

As some of you may know my brother had a severe stroke last Monday which is why I haven't posted anything for a while. They found a blood clot in his brain and had to do surgery to remove it. My whole family is in L.A. and my Mom is basically living at the hospital. He is still unconscious but showing small signs of improvement. He opened his eyes a few times yesterday and moved his right hand a bit. (His whole right side of the body is not moving due to the stroke.) I am trying to keep positive and strong for my family. The only thing that is giving us smiles and laughter right now is Nainoa. He is our saving grace.

My brother and I haven't been as close as I would like to over the years due to a number of things that I'll keep private. When I would argue with my Mom on different issues concerning my brother she would say, "You don't understand the love a mother has for a son. You just don't understand." Now I do. I understand kind of love you have for your child. The unconditional, forgiving, supporting love you have. I love my brother and I pray that he comes out of this stronger than ever.

Many of you have been praying for my brother and I thank you. Please continue to send positive, healing light toward him. I know it's working.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had such a great time last night. My whole family was there plus two great girlfriends Jen and Elaine. I felt so lucky to have everyone at the table eating, laughing, enjoying each other's company. So much aloha filled the room. The food was soooo ono and I think I am still full from all the food! Nainoa definitely joined in the ceremonies by having his own sweet potatoes. As you can see in the photo below, it went everywhere but his mouth. (He woke up this morning with the same sweet potato on his forhead...woops.)

We had to quickly take our family photo before Nainoa went to bed. Jen and Elaine were in charge of taking the photo and getting Nainoa to look towards the camera. Eye had to take a picture of them because they were cracking us up!

I love my family and friends. I am so thankful.

Sending you all our aloha!

Party In My Tummy!

Thank you Yo Gabba Gabba for this song that is so fitting.

Trickery in the Chicco

Ivan put together our high chair given by Grandma Pat. Baby was having such a good time playing in it! Then Nainoa started to chew the edge of the tray so I put some sweet potatoes right were he was gnawing and he seemed to like eating. He kept on going back for seconds so I kept putting more sweet potatoes on the edge of the tray. Whatever works!

Weighing in at...

Today Ivan and Lola took Nainoa to the pediatrician while I taught Pilates all day. He weighed in at 22.2 pounds and is over the 95th percentile. Even though the nurse measured him at 28 inches long Ivan thinks he is more like 27 ish since his head wasn't touching head ruler. Our pediatrician said to keep trying to feed him solids everyday. I tried the sweet potato again and after four small baby teaspoons he started FUSSING. I've been reading Super Baby Food and it suggests to make feeding fun and not to show disappointment when Nainoa doesn't like eating. I smiled, cheered, sang yumm yumm songs and seriously did a song and dance but it didn't help. I have one more day of feeding him sweet potatoes and then I am going to move on to bananas or avocados. Maybe he'll like that better. My BFF said it takes about 7 to 13 times before he'll starts liking it. I have 9 more tries to go.

I took this picture while Ivan was trying to read the paper with Nainoa on his lap. Naiona kept taking the paper and shredding it like we do in the Stomp number "Papers." He LOVED the sound it made while he ripped the papers in half or when he banged the papers together. SO CUTE!

Mmmm not so much.

This past Saturday we tried sweet potatoes. When I gave him his first small teaspoon of it he smushed it around his mouth. I thought, "Oh this is going to be easy he likes it!" Even his second bite he kinda liked. Then the back arching started as well as the turning of the head. There was no third teaspoon because he was totally wasn't into it. Then this morning I tried again, and he took in a small tiny teaspoon of sweet potatoes. As you can see by this photo Nainoa was NOT feeling it at all. I'll keep trying though, maybe he'll like pears, or apples or even avocados. Keep you posted on his taste buds.

6 months!

Nainoa is 6 months today! It really does go by fast. He is getting cuter and cuter by the day. The more aware and reactive he is to the world the more I fall in love. It is getting harder to leave him. I had two 8 hour days with out him and I was just devastated! Anyways, he is growing up fast. Nainoa is sitting up a lot better now. I can tell his abs and back are getting stronger. He still topples over when sitting up but it's getting less and less. He likes to grab at his feet. He's loves the happy baby pose now. He LOVES to stand. He squirms a lot when getting his diaper change. I bought him a piano like his cousin Marley. (Check out Marley's skills) Nainoa likes to switch the sheet music back and forth more than he likes to play. I can't believe how he's growing into such a little boy! His hair is growing in but he still has a band of baldness around his head. Nainoa LOVES to talk. He does this low grunt that is just hilarious. Oh and we are going to start solids this weekend. We are going to start off with sweet potatoes like his girlfriend Pema.

Here is Nainoa's first monologue that I translated for your enjoyment.