Palm Desert - On the course with Bapa

Here are some pictures from Bapa and Andy golfing out on the course - I couldn't stop snapping pictures as there were so many fun moments.

Big Drive

He would then plop his ball next to Bapa's drive and hit from there

I love how he was just tagging along behind Bapa

Bapa showing him how it's done

One of twenty-some putts

Andy showing Bapa where the hole is

IN THE HOLE

Buddies

Taking a little break to watch Bapa

Reading the green

Off to the next hole...

Palm Desert - Golf

As mentioned in a previous post, Palm Desert was again a special trip.  It is so fun to see the kids grow and learn in so many ways after they spend countless hours outside playing and discovering.  After this winter and spring and the awful weather we have had, it's the first time in my entire life that I have contemplated moving to a sunnier location.  I LOVE Seattle - the water, the mountains, the people...but this winter has been gloomy and I am ready for some sunshine in Seattle.

Okay, back to Palm Desert.  One of my favorite memories of Palm Desert this year is Andy's obsession with golfing.  This trip he actually was able to go out on the golf course with Bapa and play a couple of holes.  It melted my heart to see him mimic Bapa's every move and see how excited he got when he made contact with the ball.  He even wanted to sleep with the golf hat that Bapa gave him as well as the green tee that he found.  Andy also is a very encouraging golf partner.  EVERY time you hit the ball he yells - NICE SHOT!  or IN THE HOLE!  He likes to yell out to random players as they tee off in front of my parent's house.  He even compliments his own shots : )  To set the record straight - Andy loves golf - but he is 2 1/2...so we are encouraging his excitement, loving playing with him, but not so worried about his backwards grip, that he can't decide if he is a lefty or a righty (even with a right hand club), and that he putts so softly that it takes about 20 shots to move 10 feet.

Catching Up...again

It's crazy how quickly time passes and I feel as though I always am "catching up" on this blog.  The truth is that I have spent many, many, many hours in front of a computer over the last 10 years.  Now that it's not part of my job title - I tend to go days without opening my computer.  I love my blackberry for that very reason.  So although I take pictures and often think - "that would be good to capture on the blog," I struggle to actually get to it.  Since this blog is for capturing the kids and creating a book that they (and I) will be able to look back on...I need to get better.  So, here goes the catch-up:  Palm Desert, Easter, my birthday, and Mother's Day.

Oh Joy...

As mentioned in my previous post, I vowed to watch Andy's monitor more closely during nap time.  Yesterday, Andy took a nice long nap - phew.  Today, well, I put him down and stepped away from the monitor for 5 minutes.  I came back to see that he was naked.  I quickly ran upstairs with wipes in one hand and carpet cleaner in the other.  What did I find?  Andy was stuffing his poop into his sock.  Really?!?

Silence isn't always a good thing...

About a month ago, we thought Andy was showing signs of wanting to be potty trained.  We got out Andy's potty, we ordered the Lightening McQueen underwear, we had a line-up of treats for when he actually succeeded at trying or going in the potty.  Andy enjoyed participating in our song and dance, loved his new toys, but at the end of the day - he would rather not hassle with the underwear and rather enjoyed watching me clean up his messes.  I have heard with boys - they will let you know when they are ready and not to force it.  So...back to the diapers we went.  In a way, it's easier for me.  I have control (sad, I know), and I already am changing Katie's diapers, so it's just adding a few more to my day.

Also, Andy now is napping about every third day.  I still put him down for a nap, but if he isn't feeling it, he plays with his toys and enjoys some "quiet time."  Andy is really good at entertaining himself and actually asks for nap time most days as he enjoys reading to himself and playing with his toys.  I have a monitor in his room since it's far away from the rest of the house and usually leave it on to make sure he isn't getting into too much trouble.  Some days, when he is tired of his toys, he likes to empty all of his folded clothes out of their drawers and make a big pile.  Other times he likes to strip his bed of all of the sheets.  But mostly, he plays make-believe with his animals, cars, and toys, or he reads his books...or he naps.

On Tuesday, Andy decided to take all of his clothes off, including his diaper.  No big deal - he did just get back from California where he enjoyed some naked time in the sunshine.  His sheets were freshly washed...and now were soaked with pee.  The carpet was marked all over.  Sigh...after laundry and carpet cleaner...we were back to new.  Just a one day thing, right?  Nope.

Yesterday we went for a jog around Greenlake, had soccer, and stayed after and played in the bouncy house for a good 45 minutes.  Guaranteed nap (usually).  Well Andy napped...and then silently got up, took off his clothes and diaper, and pooped.  His poop was little hard balls (sorry if TMI).  So, Andy decided to continue his day of soccer and play soccer with his poop.  His dresser was the goal.  I checked the monitor and saw that he was naked, so I went upstairs and checked on him.  So fun to find about twenty little poop balls under his dresser. Andy was thrilled with his success.  Fun times.  I guess I need to be a little more concerned when Andy is "quietly" playing in his room.

Where did the sunshine go?

We just returned from a 10 day stay in Palm Desert.  It was WONDERFUL.  The kids and I were down there for the full time and Kyle joined us the last 4 days for an extended Easter weekend.  The weather was warm, sunny, and such a nice change from the winter we have had in Seattle.  I had a tough time boarding the plane today - just thinking about heading back home.  Andy's thoughts echoed my thoughts when we landed.  He looked out the window and said, "Mom, where did the sunshine go?"  I told him that it stayed in Palm Desert.  On the car ride home from the airport (in the pouring rain), Andy said he wanted to go back down and play some golf.  He asked if we could go swimming in the rain when we got home.  When we walked in the door, he ran and grabbed his plastic golf clubs.  Needless to say, I am not the only one who already is missing our routine down in the warm sunshine.  Ka and Bapa were Andy's (and Katie's) buddies for the week.  It brings me so much joy to see my parents light up with our kids and even more to see how much our kids adore them.  Andy and Bapa were attached at the hip and they were buddies golfing, swimming, reading books, telling stories, sharing cookies, and golfing some more.  Andy even wanted to sleep in his new golf hat and asked for Bapa first thing every morning and when he woke up from naps.  Andy was a broken record asking "watcha doing Bapa?" and "where's Bapa" or "what's Bapa doing?"  I was even able to get a few holes in with my dad.  Ka cooked the best meals all week, helped change diapers, fed Katie, gave the kids baths, cuddled with Andy to get him to fall back asleep at nap time so I could read my book, and shuffled the kids to and from the pool every day.  She was my TV partner at night, when I could stay up past 9PM, and my walking buddy in the mornings.  I even was able to have a night out with Jodie and a night out with Kyle and some of our friends that were down there at the same time.  I could get used to the routine we established!  Thanks Mom and Dad for such a relaxing 10 days and for being so selfless with your time.  We were spoiled and appreciate you so much.  Stay tuned for pictures!

Happy Birthday Auntie Puss

Yep, that's Kristin's name in our family.  Kristin has given all of her friends "puss" names - in the cat way - and we have continued on with the tradition with our kids.  I really dislike cats...okay, that is putting it nicely.  I am extremely allergic to them and I just really don't see anything positive about cats.  So, to Andy, Kristin is auntie puss.  We celebrated Kristin's birthday with our two families on Friday at our favorite restaurant, Varlamos, and with our girlfriends at the Queen Mary Tea House on Saturday morning.  Love you auntie puss!! Loved seeing our boys interact : )

They just love to give kisses - great blackmail for later in life

Getting into the cupcakes

Katie saying hello

Love this boy!

What?  Something on my hand?

Birthday girl and Max

Entertainment at Varlamos for the evening

Queen Bee

Friends!

Katie and her Mum-Mums

We were introduced to Mum-Mums by Kristin Rose.  They are the BEST.  No mess and great for teething.  Katie loves them and could eat them all day long.

Getting excited..and look how great her scar looks!

Hooray!

Food These Days

Our morning routine is pretty regular these days.  Andy LOVES oatmeal and wants to eat it every morning.  He gets pretty excited about his oatmeal...and makes quite a mess. 

Waiting patiently in his rainbow jammies

Yeah - I am a big boy - no big deal

What?  Something on my face?

And what would we do without Trader Joe's applesauce?!?

New Day

Sometimes I will leave the TV on in the background during the day - usually on channel 5.  At 11AM, New Day Northwest comes on and the introduction song is super annoying.  The introduction also has a picture of a ferry boat and the space needle - so Andy LOVES this show's  introduction.  He yells - NEW DAY!  Kind of sad...but funny at the same time.  Last week I attended my Mama's with Cameras group and one of my favorite photographers, Me Ra Koh, was the guest speaker.  I attended Me Ra's workshop right after I was pregnant with Katie and Me Ra really inspires me with her story.  She's currently on the Nate Berkus show as the featured photographer.  After the mama's meeting, she was asking for baby models to be on the New Day show that Thursday.  So I signed up and we were on the show.  It was fun to see how the show works and to have a morning with just Katie.  Check it out - Katie did great!  Kyle and Andy watched it at home and Andy was SUPER excited to see his mom on New Day - it was cute to see him explain it to me when we got home.

http://www.king5.com/new-day-northwest/A-baby-forever-119007169.html