They're gone

Snow White and the Wicked Queen!

They are really gone, the best neighbors EVER! Today the Koch's moved. Yes they are close by, yes we will see them, but definitely no it will never be the same again. I will miss hearing Ava, "Can I come in?". "Of course you can". "She said I could come in mama." I can still hear Ava screaming, "KE-KO-KA" when we first brought him home from the hospital. I will also miss Hailey knocking on the screen door to say hi. I will miss knowing that someone else is home during the day. There is a certain reassurance, knowing that Cassie was there in case I needed something, and I often did! It was so wonderful to have them come visit us at all times during the day and to be able to go and visit them too.
Kekoa already misses them. He looked in their window today and saw that things were packed up and gone. He said, "bye bye", fussing and crying, not understanding why he couldn't go over to play. It is so weird to have their apartment all dark and empty. We were all very blessed to have had each other for neighbors as long as we did. It has been wonderful becoming friends through our babies, a very special thing. We will miss you guys so much but are so incredibly happy for you and your new place!

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween and love it even more now that I have a little one. It is so much fun and the cutest thing to see all the kids dressed up. We rushed off to Fremont this morning to take Kekoa and Kaiwei trick-or-treating, well really Kaiwei. Why? Because Jenny's water broke this morning and she went into the hospital! New baby brother should be here by morning.

We went to the Fremont Hub, a shopping center, where the stores all had candy for the kids. It was nice because it was from 1-3 in the afternoon. The plan was supposed to go like this, Kekoa would sleep in the car on the way to Fremont. We would eat lunch once we got there and then go trick-or-treating. Instead it went like this: Kekoa didn't take a nap in the car. I tried to get him to sleep once we got to Fremont, no such luck, but he did nurse. We left for trick-or-treating, no lunch. Kekoa didn't get a nap until 3:00, in the car on the way back home!

Anyways, it was still so cute to see the two boys in their costumes together. Kaiwei was SUPER excited about being a dragon and boy was he adorable. Kekoa was in super good spirits, especially considering he had no nap. He was as happy as can be and had the best time walking around. He was such a great helper, pushing the stroller everywhere. Kaiwei wouldn't let go of my hand, he was jiejietastic, all about his jie jie! Jenny's mom is here, all the way from China, but Kaiwei was attached to his big sister! Kekoa loved Jenny's mom and she at this up, carried him for a super long time and was just loving it. It was a really warm Halloween day, in the 70's. Kekoa's fleece monkey suit was a bit on the warm side!

Both Kaiwei and Kekoa had enough at the same time. Kaiwei wanted me to carry him so I asked him if it was time to go home. He said, yes. I was very surprised, thought we would have a little struggle getting him to want to leave, but he was ready. He was very sad to see Kekoa and I leave though, crying and everything! :(

On our way back home, Kekoa and I stopped at the hospital to see Jenny and my dad. Kekoa now says "pop pop" when I tell him we are going to see Papa Beezy. Kekoa got to walk around the lobby with my dad while I went in to see Jenny. He had a great time, cruising the halls with my dad, playing in the water fountain. Jenny was doing great when I saw her, very calm. I don't remember ever being calm when I was in labor at the hospital.
Keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly!

Kaiwei did not want his picture taken, so I told him I was just going to take pictures of Kekoa, that Kekoa was going to sit next to him, but I would only take picture of Kekoa! :)

















Kaiwei is not so into taking pictures right now...can you tell?


At the hospital...totally happy with his truck!

Halloween party

Friday, October 29

My moms group had a Halloween party today. It was so much fun, so many kids, the cutest costumes, and lots of laughs. Amazing that 1 year ago, these toddlers were just babies in their costumes and not moving around at all! Kekoa had a super great time exploring and playing with all the new toys. The best part was Auntie Cassie was there taking pictures! Kekoa was very excited to see here there!










Cassie in the tree, trying to get the "money shot" :) Really just trying to get all these babies in a picture together!!



My monkey and Ty, the Tyger! :) soooo cute!
Watch out Kekoa, Walter the shark is behind you!

mommy moments

This evening, Kekoa and I came home from Target and the park sooooo hungry. I immediately got started on making dinner, spaghetti and meatballs and a salad for me. Kekoa followed me into the kitchen, gesturing to the counter tops, wanting something to eat. I gave him peas as a healthy appetizer. He was momentarily satisfied, left the kitchen to play. A few minutes later, he came back into the kitchen with a book, "The Sailor Dog". I had the pasta in the boiling water and was in the process of defrosting the meatballs. It would have been so easy to shoo him away, bring him into the living room to play with his toys, get finished with the cooking so we could both eat. But, my little son was so excited about the book, talking to me, showing me pictures, while he was at my feet. How could I just shoo him away? Instead, I put mind over matter, put away thoughts of my growling stomach, and sat on the kitchen floor with my son. He scooted into my lap, his little body fits perfectly and so snuggly, and we looked through the book, exclaiming at all the exciting pictures and barking like a dog. When we finished, he stood up and waddled into the living room on his own, satisfied.
I love and cherish these moments.

I don't want to forget...

How you say "mama" now, all the time, in such a sweet way.
How much you love trucks. you always have one in your hand as you walk around. you bring one with you whenever we leave the house too!
How much fun we have during meal times. you love to read a "good book" or play with one of your trucks. you are also super silly and try to make me laugh.
How much fun we have during our dance parties. you know come running into my arms when i ask you if you want to dance.
How much i love it when you say, "Oh wow"
How you go to the bathroom door to wait, when i tell you it is bath time. when i ask you where your tugboat is, you say "bubo" and we go look for your tugboat. once it has been located, you carry it back to the bathroom door and wait for me to get the bath ready.
How you are my little shadow, following me around, making sure you know where i am at all times.
How momtastic you are, the love for mama is fierce and strong. the feelings are mutual.
How tonight at dinner, ava came over to visit and was making you laugh so hard. you two were actually playing with each other, she was teasing you with the balloon and you just thought this was the funniest thing ever.
How we snuggle up on your little mattress every night to read books before your bedtime. you are starting to really enjoy the stories and not as concerned with constantly flipping the pages of the books. i then tell you to pick one book to bring to bed, you do, and we walk together into the bedroom for "sleepy" time.
How you now call Papa Beezy, "pop pop" when you see his picture!
How your chubby, soft cheeks feel when i give you smooches.
How much you understand right now, everyday it blows me away, you understand more and more.
How you sit by the door and grab your shoes when it is time to go somewhere.
How you still like to throw things off your highchair, and then you say "uh oh" as you turn your head to look down at whatever you threw.

oh there are so many things i don't want to forget...

A Halloween costume preview...

October 26

On Tuesday, we took our little monkey out for some Halloween festivities. Santana Row had a great event for the little ones. All the stores had trick-or-treating, there was music and of course balloons. They also had places where kids could decorate pumpkins and get their faces painted. Kekoa didn't know quite what to make of it all, but he did have a very good time, walking around and checking everything all out. It was our first real outing without bringing the stroller. Kekoa did a super great job walking everywhere. The pumpkins were a huge hit, but the best thing for him was the firetruck. He even came home with an orange balloon, which is still keeping him very occupied today! I thought he would enjoy the music, but I think he was feeling a little overwhelmed with all the kids, babies, strollers, and parents running around. I know I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and very crowded. It was much better once we left the central area and walked around to the stores. There were so many cute costumes, so many cute little kids. The best costume we saw was a boy, around Kekoa's age, dressed as Nacho Libre (if you haven't seen this movie, you must, it is really funny). He even had the little moustache drawn on his face. I hope Santana Row has this event again, it was really fun.

Get ready for the cuteness...

We're going where?
Ok, I'll show you my tail...
And why am I wearing this exactly?
Can't wait to go...

Please get me out of this monkey suit!
Notice how tightly Kekoa hangs onto his yellow cement truck in these pictures...
So many babies in costume!



Wait a second, what is over there?
Ooooh, water!





"Oh wow"!






Kekoa got a little break, leaning up against this storefront window!


Look, its the wicked queen. Just kidding, its Ava! :) o








Fire truck madness! There was a real life fire truck and Kekoa was SUPER excited. The firemen were so nice and helped the kids inside. Kekoa was in heaven.





So excited about the firetruck!