May 31, 2007

This morning we walked to Triangle Park with Auntie Michele. Then, Grandma came to visit us . She went with us to our swimming lesson and took these pictures.

Here's Gigi practicing her kicking.

Here's Gigi posing for Grandma. :)

Here's Gigi learning to hang on to the side of the pool. The goal is to have her support her own weight all by herself.

Here's Gigi doing an underwater "zoom". I actually scoot her through the water and let go, while the instructor catches Gigi after her quick float.

Gianna LOVES being in the water.

After the swimming lessons, Gianna slept for almost two hours!

When she woke up, we all went to Kaimuki Dry Goods, so Grandma could buy some fabric. She wants to sew some blouses for herself. It was such a hot day, that Grandma thought that shaved ice would be good. So we all went to get some.

Gigi just had plain shaved ice.

Although she kept making unhappy faces, Gigi kept wanting more.

In the late afternoon, I had a doctor's appointment. Good news! Everything turned out to be okay. Dr. Li said that things may be weird until a year after I stop breast feeding. I'm just thankful that I'm healthy.

Gianna went to sleep by 6:45 PM. Sid and I had dinner together, and then we watched a movie, The Painted Veil.

May 30, 2007

Today was a jam packed day! At 8 AM, Gianna and I went to get Papa from the BMW dealership. His car needed fixing. Once we picked him up, we went to the Honolulu Club. Papa wanted to work out, and I wanted to check out the day care center. Auntie Joyce sends Mackenzie there all the time.

Gianna had fallen asleep in the car, so I stayed in the car with her. She slept for about an hour and a half. Once she got up, we all went to see the day care center. Auntie Lena works there in the weekday mornings. They had a lot of stuff there. The place seems nice, and so does Auntie Lena.

After the Honolulu Club, we rushed home to get ready for swimming lessons and to go to Sherwoods for the Team 8X picnic. Papa took these pictures.
Our class only had two other parent & child pairs.

Uncle Ben is "washing" Gianna's hair.

Gigi is practicing her kicking technique.

This is a paddling exercise.

Can you believe that Gigi is holding on to the pool wall all by herself? Look at the white fingertips.

I'm blowing bubbles to show Gigi what she is supposed to do one day. She LOVED this. She thought it was very funny to see me dunking my face in the water to blow out bubbles.

And, here's the final product...baby dog paddling!

We made it to the beach by 12:30 PM, and we stayed for about an hour. Gianna got to splash around in the ocean, but we didn't go all the way in, because of the Portugese Man of War. :( Auntie Marion said that she got stung!

We were warned, but we still played in the ocean.

First, we just hung out by the shoreline.

Then we took a dip in the water.

After we played in the ocean, we took a COLD shower. Then Gigi hung out with Papa in her cover-up to keep nice and warm.

When we got home, Gianna and I got cleaned up.

This was the second time I brushed Gianna's teeth with baby toothpaste and the finger brush. She loves it! Before this, I was just using a wet washcloth. She didn't care for the wet washcloth.

Then Auntie Maile called to invite us over for a play date. We strolled on over to her house and played there till 5 PM. When we got home, Gigi took a long nap!

Papa washed my car. :) Then we had a late dinner, and watched Shrek 3! Papa is AMAZING!

May 29, 2007

This morning we walked with Auntie Michelle to Triangle Park.

Then we had breakfast, and went to our first swimming lesson.

May 28, 2007

This morning we walked around Diamond Head with Auntie Michele!

Grandma came over and we all went to Gymboree. It was CROWDED! There were so many fathers there today. I guess it is because it is a holiday.

Afterwards, we picked up some sandwiches at the New York Deli, then made a quick stop at Kaimuki Dry Goods. Gianna fell asleep in the car, so I stayed with her while Grandma shopped.

From 1 PM to 5 PM, I tutored for the last time for this school year. YEAH! I hope everyone does well!

While I was gone, Gianna took a nap. Papa took this picture of her.

He said that she woke up, loooked around, then fell back asleep in this position.

He also took this picture of her.

May 27, 2007

We slept over in Wahiawa again, last night, because Sid was working the overnight shift. In the morning, Gianna played in her exersaucer, while Grandma, Grandpa, and I ate breakfast. What a treat it is to have breakfast made for me!

In the afternoon, Gianna, Papa, and I went to Halle's third birthday party at Leapin' Lizzards in Halawa.


Here's Gianna on a jumper.

Gigi is wearing one of the outfits that Grandma bought in Haleiwa.

Papa's knocking Gianna around! :o

After playing on the jumpers, we had pizza, cake, and ice cream upstairs. Gianna ate some of Connor's soy yogurt. She really liked it!

Gigi also liked munching on the party hats!

It was an exciting, but exhausting time. Gianna fell asleep on the ride home.

For supper, we went out with the Lums to Gaizen. Halle had fun playing with Sid.

Connor shared some of his tofu with Gigi. She wasn't too keen on the tofu. :(

May 26, 2007

Grandma babysat Gianna while I tutored for FIVE straight hours! I saw five students, back to back, from 11 AM to 4 PM! Then I picked up dinner for everyone, and Grandma, Gianna, and I went back to Wahiawa. Gigi and I are sleeping over, since Papa is working the overnight shift.

Gigi fell asleep at 8:45 PM. She was SOOOO happy and playful before bedtime. She was like the energizer bunny!

May 25, 2007

Today, Gianna and I went to Wahiawa to pick up Grandma on our way to Haleiwa. I had a dental appointment, and Grandma said she'd watch the baby while she visited with Mike and Devi, our cousins who are dentists, too.

Afterwards, the three of us went to eat lunch at Kua'aina. I had packed her a lunch, and I fed her in the restaurant. Gigi LOVED being in the restaurant. There was a non-stop flow of customers. She was so excited! She made faces at the customers, and they made faces back at her. It was hilarious!

Then we stopped by a cute shop near the Haleiwa Bridge. I was children's store, and the owner had really neat things in there. Grandma bought Gigi a couple of outfits. We also got another pair of sunglasses for Gianna, because she has started to chew her sunglasses! She's teething again, so now she takes off her Baby Dior glasses and gnaws on them! YIKES!

Until she stops, Gigi will be using another, more chewer-friendly pair.

Gigi went to be by 8:30 PM.

May 24, 2007

This morning we walked with Auntie Michele again. This time we walked down Monsarrat to Queens Beach and back. After the walk, Gigi had breakfast, then we went to play at Auntie Maile's house till Grandma came to visit. Here's Gianna playing with Connor. Gigi had a WONDERFUL time!

After playing at Auntie Maile's, Gianna played with Grandma while I went to see Auntie Michele for a much needed pedicure. When I got back home, Gigi was taking a nap, so I took one, too! Last night I stayed up till almost 2 AM! I was on a mission to get stuff done. After the movie, I did two loads of laundry, made apple sauce, made pureed pears, then I started to cook some braised beef for Gigi. The beef needed to simmer for about 2 hours, so I only let it simmer for 30 minutes, then I put it in the refrigerator. This morning Gianna woke up a little after 5 AM, so I finished cooking the beef this morning.

When Gianna finally woke up almost 2 and a half hours later, we all went to Zippy's for lunch. Grandma wanted to eat fried noodles. I packed Gianna's lunch, and I fed her at Zippy's. She ate the braised beef, peas, and apple sauce! She had a very good appetite!

When we got back from lunch, Grandma and Gianna were playing. Gigi LOVES Grandma. She screams when she plays with Grandma. It's pretty funny.

In the afternoon, I went to tutor a student, while Grandma babysat Gigi. When I got back at 5:15 PM, Grandma suggested I give Gigi an early bath. She said the Gigi seemed very tired.

Lately, Gigi's been taking showers with me, but today she had a bath. The last time I gave her a bath, she dunked her face in the water. She even blew out bubbles with her breath. This time I brought the camera into the bathroom, and I was able to catch her dunking her face in the water.

Next week, we start swimming lessons. I think Gianna is ready for them.

Gigi fell asleep by 6:30 PM! :)

Potty NOTE: Gigi has been doing a FABULOUS job with the toilet training! She poos everyday in the toilet! She also usually pees when I put her on the toilet, but she still pees in her diapers, too. I was worried when we went to eat lunch at Zippy's today, because Gigi usually poos after lunch, but she waited till we got home!

Actually, she waited till I got home from tutoring, Grandma suggested that I put her on the toilet, because she didn't poo while Grandma was babysitting Gigi in the afternoon. As soon as I put her on the toilet, Gianna peed and pooed! It's WONDERFUL! Her toilet use has really cut down my use of diaper wipes, because I don't have to clean up the messy poo diapers.

May 23, 2007

Today, Gianna and I went walking with Auntie Michele. We walked to Triangle Park in the morning, and Gigi stayed awake for the entire trip.

After our walk, we played together until it was time for music class. Papa came with us! We all had a nice time, but we had to leave early, because I had a facial appointment at La Mer at Neiman Marcus. :) By the way, Papa and Gigi gave me spa treatments at Helen's Haven for Mother's Day. :) I'll have to make an appointment ASAP. I've been neglecting myself a bit. :(

Anyway, while Gigi was playing on her piano, she smashed her finger between the music pages. I gave her a bag of frozen veggies. Papa just laughed, but he did take these pictures.

Rather than using the frozen veggies to soothe her finger, Gigi used them to soothe her teeth and gums.

Gigi fell asleep by 7:30 PM. Papa and I were able to watch the movie Blood Diamond.

May 22, 2007

Gianna is 8 months old today! Happy Birthday to Gigi!
We started off the day with another jog around Diamond Head, but we increased the route again by going the long way around Kapiolani Park! Our route is about 5.3 miles!

After our morning workout, Gigi was a bit out of sorts. I think her gums hurt. :( She was biting on anything and everything that she could get her hands on. I finally gave her some Tylenol, because she seemed hot and flushed. We stayed in and played with Papa today. Gigi just did seem to be in the mood to go out.

Here she is drinking water from her sippy cup.

She fell asleep before 8 PM.

May 21, 2007

Yesterday (Sunday) Gianna and I jogged around Diamond Head again, but we made the route a little longer by going all around Triangle Park. Gianna was also DROOLING like crazy! Anyway, today I noticed that Gianna had cut an upper tooth. She was not fussy, though...thank goodness.

We went to Gymboree class today, and it was CROWDED! There were so many babies there! We say Arden and her mom from Baby Sign Class, and we saw Kaya and her mom, Connie, from Mom & Baby Yoga class. We also saw Adam and his mom from Ohana Music Class, and Mason and his mom from Gymboree Music class. Gigi had a wonderful time. She played with Mason and Sophie, the other baby who has pierced ears.

In the evening we went to dinner with the entire family to celebrate a belated Mother's Day since Grandma was in Vegas. We all went to Cassis. We had a great time. Here are some pictures of our evening.

Here's Gigi playing with Grandma.

And here's Gigi eating the artisnal bread!

Here's Papa and Gianna.

And here's Grandma and Gigi.

May 13, 2007

Happy Mother's Day!
Gigi and I started the day off with a jog around Diamond Head. We made it around in a little less than an hour! It was our fastest time yet, mainly because we got caught up with a running group. Thank goodnes the group headed toward The Kahala, as we veered left at Triangle Park. Everyone was running, so I felt I needed to keep up. CRAZY!

Here I am with my sleepy baby. Papa took us to brunch at The Kahala, and it was REALLY good...surprisingly good.

Gigi entertained herself with the silverware.

Then she kept standing up in her bassinet! She wanted to get in on the action.

We also saw Auntie Ana who took Gigi to show her off to everyone. :) Auntie Ana also put Gigi to sleep! We should have had brunch at Plumeria!

And to our pleasant surprise, we saw Auntie Lani. She now works at The Kahala. She's a recent auntie, too. Her nephew is six weeks old.

After we got back home, I was able to capture Gigi "walking" on video. She started using the couch to take a few steps a couple of days ago, but I was never fast enough with the camera to catch her in action. I'm amazed at how quickly she's growing and developing!

May 11, 2007

Gigi and I went to Auntie Allison's house to visit while she babysat Mason. Auntie Jen and Auntie Evelyn were also there.

Here's Gigi crawling by Mason. She wasn't very interested in playing with him...instead she was on the GO! She crawled all over Auntie Allison's living room: she crawled from the chair to the window...going under the grand piano, then she crawled circles around the chair that Auntie Evelyn was sitting. She stood up against the coffee table, and then she started to make her way into the hallway.

I had packed a bag of toys to bring over, but I left them on the kitchen counter...argh! We only stayed for an hour. We left at 7:30 PM. Gigi needed to take a bath and go to sleep. Unfortunately, she cried the entire way home! :o! I think she didn't want to leave the party.

May 10, 2007

Just a quick note. Auntie Amy came to visit, but I was out tutoring students. Grandma was home to babysit Gigi. Grandma said that Gigi was really good. She used the toilet a couple of times, and when I got home, she pooed on the toilet. :)

Gianna fell asleep by 8:30 PM. :)

May 8, 2007

Gianna got her ears pierced today! :)

Yoga :)

Bed @ 8 PM. :)

May 7, 2007

For the last FIVE days, Gianna has been using the toilet! She has pooed everyday in the toilet, and it has made my life so much easier. It's so CLEAN! We are still working on the timing of the pees, but she usually pees on the toilet right when she wakes up in the morning and after naps. During the day, I try to have her pee before she has a snack or meal. Things are going well. :)

Today, we missed stroller strides, because I had to drop the car off for a check up. The good news is that we did make it to Gymboree at 11 AM. There were a lot of babies there today. Gigi enjoyed it. Here she is crawling through a tunnel.

Because of our weird schedule today, Gianna didn't take a morning nap, and I she didn't get an afternoon nap, because of gym class. At 1 PM she showed signs of fussiness, so I rocked her to sleep with the digital regae channel on. She slept for about an hour and 45 minutes in her crib. She woke up crying, but she still looked sleepy. I immediately put her on the toilet, and she peed, but she was still crying and still very sleepy. I placed her on our bed, and we both took a nap together. I got up after hour, but Gigi slept till 5 PM! She essentially took a FOUR hour nap today!

I was worried that she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, but things have gone really well in the evening. When she got up, I put her on the toilet again, and she peed. :) Then I got her dinner ready...salmon & peas. She ate it all up, so I gave her some applesauce, too. It was cold, because I made it yesterday and it was in the fridge. She ate it all up, too! Then Gigi played for a while and at 7 PM, I just had a hunch that she might have to go pee.

When I checked her diaper, she had already peed, but when I put her on the toilet she pooed! She is such a good baby! She even fell asleep by 8:30 PM!

May 4, 2007

Great news! Gigi peed and pooed on the toilet again! As soon as she stirred this morning, I immediately put her on the toilet and she peed! Then, Gianna and I played for a while in the living room. I noticed that she started to push, so I quickly took off her diaper and put her on the toilet. She pooed! I was SOOO happy! Then we had breakfast, and we went to stroller strides before going to lunch at the Pineapple Room.

Here's Gianna with Auntie Jen.

And here she is with Auntie Tyra.

When we got back home, Gigi took a short nap. After she woke up, I put her on the toilet again and she peed! Hooray! I went to tutor a student while Papa babysat. Then we went to Auntie Marion's house in the evening for a pau hana.

Here's Gigi with Uncle Robin. She had fun playing around with him.

Gigi also loved being with Auntie Mary. I think Gianna had a great time! When we got home I gave her a bath, and she was asleep by 9 PM. :)