Lolo's Grandson

When you live with your parents, there are some things you just have to go with. I told my Dad that I didn't want 9oa to watch boxing because I didn't think he was old enough to really understand the sport. I have fond memories of watching boxing as kid with my Dad. As early as I can remember I would always sit with my Dad while he watched boxing waiting for each round to end just so I can say, "10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 DING DING DING!" I love my Dad and I know that sometimes he doesn't always follow my rules, but it's okay. My parents aren't going to be here forever so there are somethings you have to let go.

Okay Uncle Dan.

I am so sorry for the lack of posting. School, work, being a mom has consumed every minute of the day. Uncle Dan made it apparent that I need to keep posting. So I am trying to fit in something at least once a week instead of once a month. Even if it is just something funny Nainoa says or a really cute picture. I will leave you one of my favorite things Nainoa has said to me this week.

Nainoa has just got out of the bath, I'm putting on his diaper (yes he's still in diapers with no potty in our near future!)while he's pulling and tugging at his titi (Tagalog for penis).

Me: What are you doing Nainoa?

Nainoa: I am dancing with my titi Mommy!!!!

Halloween

Haunted Hay Ride

Making Shaka with his happa friend Leiah

First Day of School

I have been a complete mess this past weekend because, yes that's right, Nainoa started school last Monday. I really can't believe how much he is growing up. I had a complete break down when I dropped him off. I was trying to be all strong and say bye in the most cheery way while Nainoa is bawling saying, " I WANT TO HUG MOMMY!!!!!!" Knife in heart.

I think he had a good time. When I asked him if he wanted to go to back to school he said yes. It works out perfect because the Childcare Campus is at my school so we both go to school together on Mondays and Wednesdays. The teacher is awesome. She strongly believes children learning through play, she teaches the kids conflict resolution and uses redirection.

Today is our second day and I am anticipating another teary goodbye. All my mommy friends say it takes at least a month for the crying to stop. Then I'll cry when he doesn't cry for me when I leave! Haaha!

On a personal note, school is hard, challenging, fun and exhausting. My brain is always full and I have no time to blog, talk on the phone, watch Glee or do anything but study. (I am really lucky to have the Lolos here, especially while Eye is on the road for the next 6 weeks) I got A's so far on all my tests. Studying time for me is at 5:00 am when the house is quiet and everyone is asleep. Today I don't have a test so I thought I would blog and keep everyone updated at 5:30 in the morning!

Nainoa walking to the car. Me, crying already.

Nainoa painting baloons for me!

End of Summer and Back to School

Sigh. I can't believe I have time to write this post! I have been so swamped with school, work and of course Nainoa. There has been no time for anything. Since it is officially the end of summer in some places (not in Vegas because it is 100 degrees today), I thought I would post some of my favorite pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Pool time with the twinsies at Aunty Elaine's house.

My cute boy!

Look at his long legs!!!! Eating cereal at Aunty gLo's apartment.

MARLEY!!!

Knocked out from the 12 hour day at Disneyland.

I did it!

Skyping

I am back from my solo trip without Eye and Nainoa. I must say it was VERY strange being at the airport without snacks, diapers, stroller and yes the running toddler. I thought I would be a mess but I actually was fine. I was so busy in SF that I didn't have time to be sad. I did break cry for just a second when I was Skyping Nainoa and he was crying, "Mommy come home!" I must say Skype is awesome. It really changes the dynamic of being away from your child. It was so comforting to watch him eat dinner, tell him good night or say good morning and that I loved him so much. I don't think I would have handled without Skyping every day. I have to say that because I was gone Nainoa was SUPER clingy today. He didn't even want anyone else to talk to me. "Don't talk to Mommy!!!" Really? I guess I asked for it being child free for 3 days.

I have to say also that I am so proud of my BFF. Two kids is no joke. One new born and one 4 year old needing your attention is no joke. Parenting is no joke. I was so glad to do whatever I can in those three days. She is such an amazing mother who gives and gives and gives. I seriously don't know where she gets all her patience. I was so inspired by her these past two days. She really has shaped the way I parent. I learn from her. I am so so proud of her.

Baby N awake

Back to sleep.

King Kailophosaurus

Mommy of the Year

Left It On The Plane

We finally made it home. It has been a few days and we are all struggling to get over jet lag. Nainoa was pretty good on the plane. There were a few moments he lost it but overall everyone around us were pretty happy!

I have officially stopped nursing. In the last month in Oz we were only nursing at nap time. I kept telling Nainoa that when we got to Vegas there will be no brrmm brrmm. The parrot that he is repeated it back to me several times. I told him that he can have as much as he wanted on the plane but when we got to Vegas that was it. On the plane he said to me, "I can have brrmm brrmm, but no brrmm brmm in Vegas."

It has been two days and he has only asked twice. My reply has been, "Sorry Nainoa we left it on the plane. We are in Vegas now so that means no more brrmm brrmm." He just kind nods but then he takes out my boob and says, "I just want to lay on it," then proceeds to put his ear down on directly boob. My boobs have become his comfort blanket. I am okay with that for now. I thought I was going to be more emotional about it, but I am really okay with it. I still can feel close to him without nursing.

Tomorrow I am going to visit my BFF and her new baby boy in San Francisco. BY MYSELF. Yes, I am taking a trip without Nainoa for 4 nights and 3 days. Gulp. I am nervous and excited at the same time. How will I do?? I have only left him for one night. Eye will have the Lolos and the twinsies to help him out.

Lots of change is going here. All for the good.

Last sunrise from our apartment in the Gold Coast

Donating our toys. Poor Rudy looks so dejected.

Look at all of our stuff we brought home!!

Hanging Up The Boots

Tomorrow we leave the Gold Coast and travel back home to Las Vegas. I can't believe how fast it all went. Our family has changed on this trip. All for the good. Australia has been so great for us and I have learned a lot. I have appreciation of The Lolos even more. I feel really lucky to be able to go back to school full time for the next two years with the support of my family. I am sad to leave this easy life but I'm excited for my next journey. I am hanging up my Stomp boots for good. It has been an amazing 15 years.

Nainoa has grown up so much here physically and mentally. He is such a little dude. His memory is unbelievable. He loves doing Stomp around the house. It's so funny how much he notices different things in the show then tries to recreate it. He loves to swim with his swimmers. Nainoa's favorite thing to do is jump in to the pool and fully submerge himself. He loves to sing, dance, play the guitar, drums and whatever instrument he is exposed too. It's amazing how much he has changed. He also has been challenging two year old too. Tantrums, pushing, spitting, snatching toys and no sharing when playing with others his size has also developed while he has been here. That's a whole other post to write about it. He's better with older kids. Sigh...yes the terrible twos are in full effect here.

Wish us luck on our flight. We are flying our of here at 11 am in the morning. So basically Nainoa will be up for the whole flight. Then we land and get to experience Tuesday all over again. Back to reality.

Sydney

We had an opportunity to fly to Sydney to perform at the Helpmann Awards. It was so surreal being in Sydney and to top it off we got to perform at the Sydney Opera House. All day we kept on saying, "P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney Australia." What an amazing city. I can't believe we only have 12 more days here in the Goldcoast. I'll be sad to leave but ready to start my new journey.

Nuevo Oh Sanko

I have had a great time with my friends here in Australia. I was fortunate to be asked to be in this new "dance company." Thank you to my wonderful husband who sacrificed not being in this company to stay home with Nainoa so that I can pursue one of my dreams of being in a "real" dance company. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Auntie Guya!

Weaning and Independence

I have finally come to the point where I believe that we are both ready to wean off the brrrm brrrm. Last night I told Naiona that brrrm brrrm is only for when the sun is out before his nap. Since he has been going with out it for most nights I know that he doesn't need it to go to sleep. All of our babysitters have successfully put him to sleep. Since we only have 3 1/2 more weeks here in Australia I figure that we keep the nap time nursing, nurse on the plane back to Vegas and that's it. Done. We've left brrrrm brrrm in Australia.

Nainoa has been voicing his independence lately. "Nainoa do it" or "I do it by myself." We have been swimming in the pool lately with water wings. We usually go back and forth to from the jacuzzi to the pool. I usually get out with him and hold his hand down the steps to make sure he doesn't slip and crack his head open. Today he said to me while he was leaving the jacuzzi, "Mommy you stay there. I don't want Mommy." He is a big boy now you see and doesn't need his Mommy to hold his hand. "Okay I'll stay here I replied." Of course I didn't stay in the jacuzzi. I did follow 3 feet behind him and watched him get down on the pool steps by himself and swim out to the middle of the pool. He did really good for a couple of minutes then he turned to me and said, "Mommy come here, hold my hand." Big smile. "Okay Nainoa here I come!"

Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo

Seeing live crocodiles at the Australian Zoo was something else. They are massive. The day we went Steve's Irwin's family performed in the show. It was a trip seeing his wife feeding the crocs let alone his 13 year old daughter! He fed elephants, pet a wombat, rode on his first tea cup ride and then crashed out. What an experience!

The Joys of Co-Sleeping*

* to be fair Ivan get's the worse of it

9oa's Fake Laugh

Not sure what he was laughing at. Check out what a ham he's becoming. Like mother like...????

Beach! Beach! Beach!

With only 5 more weeks to go we have been trying to take advantage of going living so close to the beach. In 5 weeks time we will be in 110 degree desert weather with no beach around. Nainoa loves being here and has grown so much with all these new experiences. He is talking so much. People can't believe it when I tell them he is just two years old.
Thins he's been saying lately.

Mommy what are you doing?

Mommy come sit with me please.

Daddy got frustrated with the dishes.

Have a good show!!!

Come on let's go!

I want to go to work too! (Usually with tears streaming down as we are leaving for work)

I want to run Mommy.

Things he has been doing lately.

He loves to pretend cook. He likes to put his animals in a bowl and make cake, pancakes or mac n cheese.

He loves to help wash the dishes or help me cook.

He loves to color on everything BUT paper.

He loves loves loves to jump. He especially loves to jump off of things like stairs, buckets, the bed or piles of sand.

Here are some of snap shots of our time at the beach.

Whale Watching

We took Nainoa whale watching a couple of weeks ago. I was a bit nervous to see how he would do. Would he get sick? Will he jump off the boat??? He did great. The boat was huge and we spent a lot of time inside because it was cold and windy. We saw a ton of whales. Nainoa loved coaxing the whales to jump!

Precious moments

i just can't get enough of napping photos.
so precious.

Mooloolaba

A couple weeks a go we went to up to Mooloolaba to do a school workshop for our friend's kids. Our old props guy, Will, now lives in Oz with his wife, Michele, and 3 beautiful children, Kierra, Ryder and Jay, in this cute little town on the Gold Coast. We spent two nights and two glorious days hanging out at the beach, eating fish and "cheps", watching the NBA finals, and just hanging out family style. Nainoa just loves the Wilson kids. I love watching him play with them because he is just so happy.

Mooloolaba beach playground.

Nainoa loved their turtle named Chase.

Brekky.

Nainoa loves Jay.

The kids playing pipes.

Beautiful park near their house.

We saw turtles and dolphins!

Bath time with the twinsies.

Brisbane Business

Twice in one week we drove up to Brisbane (Ivan drove not me. He is an excellent driver on the wrong side of the rode). On Tuesday we went to see Yo Gabba Gabba. Nainoa loves Yo Gabba Gabba. He was so excited to go see the show but of course after the hour drive and hour wait he then turns and says to me, "I wanna go home!" HUH?? We are FRONT ROW at Yo Gabba. Nainoa gets up and starts running down the aisle toward the exit. This is not happening right now. After much distraction, hence the Muno doll, the show finally started and he was totally stoked.






Thursday we went to see Walking With Dinosaurs. We started to prep Nainoa on how the dino show might be loud. We practiced putting his hands over his ears so he wouldn't get scared. We looked at the trailer a bunch of times. I would say, "K...what do we do when the dinosaur roars and it's too loud?" He then would cover his ears. I was a little nervous on how Nainoa would react to these huuuge, life size, amazingly real looking dinosaurs. He did awesome. Didn't cry. Wasn't scared at all. He did cover his ears a few times in the beginning but then he just got used to it. When the T-Rex came on stage he yelled, "T-REX!!!!!" at the top of his lungs. If this show is ever near you you must go.