Christmas 2010

Some highlights of our Christmas in L.A.

Early morning Christmas walk with Daddy.

Pretty leaves.

First present of the day.

Helping Daddy open gifts.

Posing with Auntie Guya.

Mommy and Nainoa.

Uncle Mel and Twinsies.
(Can't believe it was 1 year ago that my brother was in the hospital)

Trying to pose with the Lolos.

After all was said and done Nainoa rather play with the cardboard wrapping tubes.

Play date with Dru!

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

I have always loved getting a tree and decorating it. It just brings back so many great childhood memories. I have a toddler who LOVES balls. How do I have the perfect pretty Christmas tree that isn't bald on the bottom or surrounded by a barricade? I decided to take my clients advice and get the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I LOVE IT! It is the cuuuuuutest tree ever. I could not NOT get a tree. I finally feel like it's Christmas in my house. Thanks Charlie.

Vegas Baby

Last night was the first time Eye and I spent the night away from Nainoa. Gasp!! I can't believe I actually did it! Eye had a Dan Band gig at the Mirage Hotel. Even though he is local he still got a hotel room. It was perfect because the hotel was only 15 minutes away from home.



Even though I have seen Dan's show a million times I really wanted to see the show this time because a very good friend of mine "Uncle Bim," as Nainoa says was doing back up for the very first time. I wanted to show my support to my friend and it just seemed like a fun night out.

Jim & Gene

I really wanted to take Nainoa to sound check so he can see Uncle Dan and Uncle Bim do their thing. We've been listening to Dan's Christmas album at home and Nainoa loves it. (I talk really loud over the inappropriate words)

Uncle Dan and Nainoa

Nainoa wanted to hold Uncle Dan's and Dadda's hand.

When we got to sound check Nainoa wanted to play with all the props especially the neon drum sticks. I had to pry him off stage. Thank goodness there wasn't a melt down. As soon as the music started he danced and jumped around. He loved all the lights. He was so good through out the whole sound check. All the guys loved enteraining Nainoa. He had so much fun and I had fun watching him.

Soundcheck at the Mirage.

After sound check was over we brought Nainoa home and put him down to bed. It was not easy. Over stimulation, over tired and a late bed time was not a good combination. After a lot a crying he finally went to bed. I started to question whether it was a good idea to leave him over night after such an ordeal. Eye was supportive and said it was my choice since I have never left him over night. The only thing I was worried about was the 3 am brrrmmm brrmmm. Was he going freak out when I'm not there to give him comfort? Better question, was I going to freak out? We both decided that we would make a decide after the night was over. The Lolos said to enjoy the night and either way they were fine with sleeping with the Nainoa.

The gig was great. Dan was funny and Jim was awesome. You couldn't even tell Jim had never performed with Dan. When everyone else decided to go to sleep it was 2:00 am. We had a great time. Do we go home? Do we spend the night at the hotel? Will Nainoa be alright when he gets up at 3:00 am without brrrmm brrmm? Will I be okay without him? After going back and forth I decided to stay. It was close enough that if something did happen we would be home in 15 minutes. I deserved a night out with my husband. Once I committed I was fine. I had faith in my parents to deal with Nainoa. After all they did raise 3 kids. I didn't sleep very well. I woke up every hour thinking I was home. We left the hotel at 7:45 am. I didn't even call to tell the Lolos we were on our way home. When I got home Nainoa's face lit up and he screamed, "Mammaaaa!!!!" Phhheewww. I won't bore you with the full run down of Nainoa's night. In a nut shell he did wake up and call for me at 3:00 am. Lolo transferred him from crib to bed and he slept till 8am. He was totally fine and in the end I was too.

Nope

My son rejected me today. My feelings were hurt and I feel like crying just writing about it. Today I came home from being gone all morning and I felt like being close to my son because I missed him. I sat down on the floor he gave me a hug and a kiss and I asked him, "Do you want some brrmm brrmmmm (breastmilk)?" Nainoa replied, "Nope!" Knife in heart. Knife turns right and left. " Are you sure?????" So I whip it out and he suckles for what seemed like a millisecond and said, "Done!" He then walks away from me. I'm speechless, sad and hurt all at the same time. I totally feel rejected. I try to swallow the fact that baby is no longer a baby and he may be starting to self wean. I don't think either of us are ready to completely wean cold turkey. (Although I could do without the 3:00 am sessions) I still love our bonding moments when it is just him and I. I love those moments when he looks up at me so lovingly. Ugh. It's all happening way too fast. World Health Organization recommends to breastfeed for at least 2 years. I really want to make it that far but I'm not sure it will happen. I seriously get sad thinking about how one day soon he won't need me at all. He already doesn't need me to fall asleep at night. So basically we just nurse for nap time and in the wee hours of the morning. Sigh....well at least I have that....for now.

Day at the Park

I had Nainoa all to myself today and what a treat that was! We spend the day at the park basking in the amazing 70 degree Vegas weather. Aaahhhh

Morning Cup of Joe

Nainoa copying Mommy drinking "cawwwwpeee"

p.s. I fixed the setting to the last post so now you can view 9 drumming.

Nainoa Drumming at 18 months

Ever since we got back from L.A. Nainoa has been drumming more and more. It seems as if after he watched Dadda perform in the Pandemonium he is drumming with more energy, passion and intensity. It's exciting yet also terrifying knowing that we have such an influence on these little people.

Napping and Waking

My favorite moments...

nursing and napping

and waking up to this face.


(shirts from Polarn O. Pyret)

iPhone Pics

12/2/2010
Lolo & Nainoa taking a stroll on Mariner bay.

Yo Gabba Gabba!!!!

I took 9 to see Yo Gabba Gabba last night. He had a great time. We've only watched a few videos from their website. He really likes the "I Like To Dance" and "Party In My Tummy" video. All we listen to in the car is Yo Gabba Gabba. Nainoa loves Biz Markie's Beat of the Day on the album so when he came out last night he was so excited. Then when Biz started to sing his hit, "Ohhh bbaaaaabbyy you...." all the parents went crazy. So cool. Since the concert was near his bedtime I thought for sure he would turn to me and say, "Done!" But he was so transfixed. He clapped after each number, even though he only knew half of the songs. He was really good through out the whole concert. I had a great time too. There were times I got even teary watching both kids and parents sing along to all the songs. At the end during their "Goodbye" song a cute 4 year old girl with Yo Gabba Gabba painted on her face started to sob. She was so sad that it was all over. She was genuinely so heartbroken that Tootie, Foofa, Brobee, Plex and Uncle Ahmet (Nainoa thinks DJ Lance Rock is Ahmed) were leaving. I totally started crying for her too. Then I got all emotional. I kept thinking how fortunate I was to give these experiences and also share these experiences with my son. Before the age of 2 he has been to the theater to watch his Dad, played on stage with the cast and now he has watched his first rock concert! What kind of impact will it make on him? Who knows. I'm just thankful that we can have these special moments together.

Aunty Icks

Nainoa has grown very attached to Aunty Icks (Simmy) since they spent a lot of time together in Miami and in Los Angeles. They adore each other. It's just so sad that Aunty lives all the way in London. Whenever we watch YouTube clips of Pandemonium, he always points and says, "Auntie!!!" We try and Skype as often as we can so he can see her. Thank goodness for video chat!

Americana Mall, Glendale

My favorite picture of them.

Giving Thanks

We had a great time in L.A. last weekend. We squeezed as many friends and family as we could in the three short days we were there. I loved the fact that my whole family was together for Thanksgiving. I only wish that Nainoa hadn't burned his fingers on the floor heater at the start of the night. He screamed throughout dinner. I felt terrible and everyone felt horrible for him. (Check out Dorian's face in the family photo) Thank goodness he can communicate with us. We had a cup full of ice water and he kept on asking for it by screaming, "COLD! COLD!" You saw the relief the ice water gave him. Then he was fine and then a minute later he was screaming again wanting to dip his hand. He was fine the day after. His blisters just popped today and we are keeping it clean and putting baby Neosporin.

Dorian couldn't hide the fact that Nainoa's crying was bumming her out.

Nainoa has been hugging a lot. He LOVES to give hugs and kisses. When he sees someone his own size he yells, "HUG!" He'll rush over to them and give them a big hug. Sometimes it a bit too hard. I don't think he knows his own strength. The other day at Marley's he was hugging him so hard that Marley had enough and said, "No!" If you have Facebook check out his link of Marley and Nainoa's dance party.

Nainoa hugging Kaiyayai

Nainoa met a very good friend of mine from New York last weekend also. They hit it off. Nainoa kept wanting to see pictures of himself after Wes took them. It's so funny how quick they learn everything. After every picture he took whether it was him or not, Nainoa kept wanting to see the results. Too cute!

Nainoa and Wes

Pandemonium

Wheeewww! What an amazing L.A. week it has been. The show was success. We saw so many friends and family. The Lolos came down and stayed with us so that we can go out at night. It was great but very tiring! We went out pretty much every night. The highlight of the week was when 9 went to sound check before the show. We put on his coat tails and gave him his baby squonka so that he can join the cast. Luke (co-creator of Stomp & Pandemonium) a.k.a. BusterConductor got inspired to get dressed and do a photo shoot with 9. It was a perfect way to start the night. 9 was so happy. He loved the show. He stayed up past his bed time and almost watched the whole thing. He was so good during the show although he did cry out, "DADDA!!!" during the quietest moment. I love that he loves the show. I love that he loves drumming, squokaphoning and shaking. Sigh...I love my son.

9 with the cast of Pandemonium

9 squaring off with BusterConductor

Playing together in harmony!

Dueling it out.

Halloweeeeen!

We celebrated Halloween this year with the girls this year. We all met at Glo's apartment and headed to the fancy shmancy houses that Dan recommended us to go. 9 dressed up as Buster Conductor from Pandemonium and I dressed up as a Pandemonium performer. Dadda made 9 his own baby squonkaphone and I made him baby shakers. He was sooo excited to show everybody his moves. He was guided by the twins on either side of him. It was so cute. He loves the twinsies and calls them all the time when we are at home in Vegas, "Gilllliii....Dorriiii."
After 9 tried to go into three houses he decided the stroller was the best bet. Can't wait for next year!

3 reasons why I will move back to L.A. one day.

1. Marls

2. Dru Dru

3. Pema