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We're headed to Hawaii in a few short days to celebrate Naiyah's first birthday, so I'm fairly certain I won't have time to take pictures or post between now and then. As far as new posts while I'm gone, well...I might be taking a two week hiatus from my blog. Or I might continue to post a couple of times a week like I usually do. I really don't know which yet. Mostly likely, I'll probably post at least once or twice, if for no other reason than to put up slideshows of our adventures. Or just to post a picture of a gorgeous beach to inspire jealousy, haha!
A few things ARE definite, my macro lens will certainly be getting a workout with all the beautiful flowers they have, and I'm also looking forward to playing more with my zoom lens. And I will be sure to get some amazing shots of the kids. See what you have to look forward to? =)
Sunday I took the kids and went for a short hike by our house with my parents. It was just starting to warm up, so it was perfect. Not too hot, and not too cold. I was able to borrow my neighbor's hiking (kid) backpack, so it was great to be able to test it out before buying one. Thanks Rachel and Garrett! Overall I really liked it, but I think I need one that's made for a short person. I wound up with a few bruises Monday on my shoulders just because it was a little too big so I couldn't adjust it quite how I needed it. But we still had a great time! Here are the pics, in no particular order. And no, they aren't of any hugely artistic quality, just pics of the day from my little Sony point and shoot. Sometimes it's just not feasible or necessary to bring along my Canon.Naiyah's 'deer in headlights' look. This is how she looked most of the time we were out.
The closest thing I got to a smile after bouncing up and down wildly to try for a laugh.
Grandpa Sean...doesn't he remind you a little of Uncle Fester here?
It was very bright and I was facing into the sun, so I am squinting. But Naiyah is too cute not to post this one! Even if I look like crud.
She stayed asleep after I took the carrier off and until I took her out. I thought this pic was too funny the way she is just OUT of it!
Aren't we so cute...Mommy has frizzy hair and Naiyah has her deer in headlight look again.
Oh wow, a smile from Tristan that is NOT cheesy! Well, it was on it's way to a cheesy grin, but I caught it part way there.
Grandma tickled Naiyah to hopefully get a laugh. No laugh, but we did get a somewhat better smile than her earlier smirk.
Grandma and Tristan. This is quintessential Tristan these days.
Here are our Easter photos for everyone (whoever isn't on FB so hasn't already seen them, lol) to enjoy. We had a nice holiday and the kids had a lot of fun finding the eggs we hid around the house. Well, Tristan did anyways. Naiyah mostly just chewed on the top of the first egg she found. Although she did figure out how to open them eventually! The funniest thing was that she could NOT crawl in her Easter dress. It went down past her knees and had three layers, so every time she tried she would just slip and belly flop. It was hilarious. Finally my mom took pity on her and started helping her walk everywhere. The other funny moment was when my mom asked me if Tristan should be eating so much candy. He had taken his basket of eggs and camped out at his little table in the corner and was methodically working his way through the candy! There was a nice little pile of wrappers next to him by the time he was discovered. Needless to say, he did not eat much dinner. Oh well, sometimes that's what holidays are all about. Candy and family. =)
We've had some absolutely gorgeous weather lately. Thus, blogging has taken a definite back seat for a while so we could get out there and enjoy it. Just a couple of quick photos (I have a HUGE backlog from last weekend that I still have to process) for your enjoyment.
I'd say they're related, what do you think?
This was when they were both fast asleep Monday night. I thought it was so cute that they were sleeping in almost the exact same position, except that they had their opposite arms raised.
I like to read. One of the things I like to read these days are other people's blogs. If blogs are well written I think they offer a fascinating peek into someone's life. They're like an advice column, only you get to follow the same person day in and day out. Very addicting. There are about seven or so that I read regularly, some of which are friends' blogs and some that are written by complete strangers to me.
One of the blogs I follow I happened upon when I was part of an online group of women with babies the same age as Naiyah. The lady has a son that is about the same age as Tristan, and her little girl is the same age as Naiyah (obviously). Her blog sparked my interest because her kids are half Asian also. But that's where the similarities end. She owns a GORGEOUS house in California. She stays at home. She has a housekeeper and a cleaning service. She and her family regularly take little trips and stay in hotels just for the fun of it. She regularly gets massages.
And she has a baby girl with Down Syndrome.
You know...when I'm reading her blog sometimes I get jealous. Who wouldn't? She seems to have such a fantastic life where she gets to do whatever she wants. She doesn't seem to have any money problems, anything that she HAS to do. And then I sit here and realize, she'd trade situations with me in a heartbeat if it meant her little girl was healthy and didn't have special needs. Recently she posted that her daughter has to have open heart surgery in a few months to repair holes in her heart (apparently it's a fairly common co-occurrence with Down Syndrome), because they are causing her to burn too many calories and she isn't growing well. Wow...reading things like that makes me realize that I wouldn't trade places with her AT ALL. Nuh uh, no way, no how. And if you ascribe to the belief that a higher power is in charge of why things happen, just maybe she has the financial resources she does for a reason. It also makes me appreciate my two healthy little kiddos that much more. I can handle all the crap that comes along with life, I can handle the stress that not having lots of money brings, I can even handle my kids'...spiritedness. Because we're all healthy and happy and in the end, that's what really matters.
I have such an increased appreciation for my life and family now. Every time I read her blog going forward, it will be a reminder for me to continue to appreciate what I have.
Last Saturday the kids and I went to our local YMCA for their open swim session. We went with our friends who have two little boys nearly the exact same ages as Tristan and Naiyah. Tom was supposed to go with us, but wound up having to stay home waiting for the Comcast repair guy because of internet issues. Luckily my stepdad was able to come instead, otherwise Naiyah would've had to stay home this time.
We all had a great time swimming. Tristan's swim lessons have really given him a lot of confidence, so after conning Grandpa into letting him put on a lifevest, he spent most of the time paddling about by himself. He also showed me his "bobs", which is where he ducks his head ENTIRELY under the water. He's doing so great! Naiyah also enjoyed her time in the pool. She wasn't clingy at all! Her favorite thing was for me to toss her up into the air and splash back into the water. She also let me dunk her once, and wasn't upset at all! (Don't worry, I wouldn't have even tried if she'd shown any fear of the water at all.) I seem to have two little water babies, guess they must have gotten that from Tom. I certainly am not a swimmer.
During the Y's open swim session on Saturdays, they bring out this giant inflatable they call "Treasure Island". It's basically a long obstacle course for the kids to run along, then there is a slide at the end. Tristan wanted to do it so badly he was willing to wait in line for almost 5 minutes. That's a long time for a wet little boy with next to no fat on him! By the time it was his turn, he was shivering so hard he could barely walk. Adding to his trouble was that the obstacle course was really meant for kids a little bigger than him, so he couldn't get over the first climbing part and Grandpa had to help him out. But he persevered, shivering and all. And made it all the way to the end successfully! Once was enough though. I think the line was a little daunting because of how cold he was while waiting.
One of the funniest things about the day is that while my friend Elizabeth and I were in the locker room getting our babies ready both before AND after swimming, two different women asked if they were twins! The first time around, we were both there and just kind of looked at each other and laughed. After a polite denial of course. I mean, come on, we were both there with them, and they really don't look THAT alike, aside from both being half Asian and about the same size! Nate has black hair, darker skin, and generally looks very Asian. Naiyah has light brown hair and fairly pale skin, and (I think) looks generally Caucasian. Some people must just not think before they open their mouth! It was slightly more understandable to have the second person ask, as I was in the restroom at the time and Elizabeth was temporarily watching both babies. Still, I think it's funny how whenever anyone sees two babies of roughly the same size and age they assume they're twins.
Anyhow, I would have taken pics, but unfortunately cameras and water don't mix well. Another time. I'm sure we'll have more playdates with Nate and Westley, and I'll get photos then!
