Lunch Time

Hana seems really happy at her school, and they certainly dote on her too.  When we pick her up, the ladies are often holding her and have some funny story to share about her activities for the day.  We think she's a bit of a favorite, and why wouldn't she be with a smile like that?

Making Hana's Birthday Present

This year, we decided that Hana could use a kitchen re-model for her birthday.  Since an entire tear-down wasn't necessary, we decided to add an appliance.  Leif made his plans and decided to make her a refrigerator... with a little help from his assistant of course!

An evening with friends

Some of our best friends are Griffin and Avery (baby Silas and baby Hana are playmates too).  Last week they came over for dinner and a romp.

Hana showing off "Max's" Dumptruck

Dr. Griffin

Super Max

 It is a great chance for the mama's to catch up and the kids to burn energy.

What about Max?

We've been talking a lot about Hana around here lately, how bout an update on Max?


Max continues to be a funny, rambunctious almost-three-year-old.  He's inventing new stories everyday, and his world is peopled with "monsters" "crocodiles" and "scarfs." If you are wondering about the "scarfs"... Max watched the lion king for the first time a few weeks ago.  Since then, he is often assigning us all roles in his reenactment:   "Papa, I am Simba, you are The King [mufasa] and samson is Scarf [scar, the bad lion]...you tell scarf to go away!"

Max surprises us everyday with what he is learning.  Here's some pictures of his budding skills:

Max is also becoming increasingly social.  We've formed a great friendship with one of his classmates from "the old school,"  Ethan and his parents.  A few weeks ago we met up with them to ride the train in old Poway.  These boys just love to romp together around the playground, they are truly two peas in a pod.

Of course, Jackson lives across the street and is a frequent playmate too.  When Hana inherited a barbie convertible from the neighbor, the boys promptly claimed it.  Any given weekend Max & Jackson can be found cruising the street looking for babes trouble and squabbling over who gets to drive. 

Max went to Jackson's birthday party a few weeks ago, and he loved all of the jumping but I think his favorite was the t-ball. Max has a knack for making contact and whacking the ball.  I think baseball is not too far in his future. 

Max keeps us on our toes that is for sure!

Hana is feeling better

Thanks for all of the well wishes!  After 2-3 days of a high fever, Hana is almost back to her normal self.

our little girl can rock hand-me-down dino PJs with the best of them

We were so disappointed to cancel her birthday party, but she needed to rest.  Plus, we couldn't expose all of those other babies to the yuckiness.

the ladybug tu-tu went unworn

We had a very low key weekend, opening presents slowly over a few days.  Hana threw her cupcake to the dog, so we didn't really get the traditional birthday cake experience.  Max certainly enjoyed his cake though.

 

Margo was a life saver this week.  She took care of Hana all day on Friday while we were at work, and then watched the kids again in the evening so that Leif and I could go on a Valentines date.  The kids love it when Nana visits.

 

Hana was back to smiles by Sunday evening

Bday party canceled

So disappointed we had to cancel Hana's birthday party, but she has a fever an feels pretty terrible. Feel better baby!

Hanalei you are One Year Old!

One year old

 Dear Hana,

We are so excited that you are turning one, what a huge milestone! You have brought a light to our little family and we feel complete now that you are here.  This year has been amazing watching you grow from a tiny little infant, just 7lb 8 oz, into a beautiful little girl. 

I remember it so vividly.  One year ago, I was getting anxious because you were 10 days overdue.  Everything was in order: diapers were stacked in your freshly decorated nursery, the baby bag was packed and I had been off of work for a few weeks to get ready for your arrival.  

mama's belly at 39 weeks (3 weeks before you came!)

I’d been experiencing Braxton-hicks contractions in the evenings for weeks, and kept expecting to go into labor at any minute.  By Valentine’s day, I was getting antsy and was determined to avoid getting induced.  So after a firm pressure point massage, I got out the stretchy pants and walked 4 miles around Lake Miramar.  I must have been a sight hauling my ginormous belly around the lake.  

It did the trick though, because that evening the contractions kept getting harder until we knew you were ready to come.  After laboring at home for a few hours, we packed up for the birth center where you were born in the water at 12:45am on February 15^th.  

3 days old

You were the best valentines present that your papa and I could have given each other. 

This year has been very exciting for us as you have grown into a little person and we have all grown as a family.  Here are some highlights of you at one year:

• You are a healthy 19 lbs with 5 teeth and hair just long enough for tiny pigtails

• You love to climb.  No chair, coffee table or drawer is safe with you around.  Sometimes you take a big tumble, but it doesn’t seem to distract you.

Exploring the Mc Donalds play structure

• You are snuggly and cuddly.  Though you love to grab toys and bring things to us, you will often crawl into our laps and just sit there and play (though that may involve climbing all over us, offering to share your food with us and sticking your fingers in our mouths and noses).  I just love that you want to give us hugs and snuggles.  That must be a little girl thing.

• You love to sort things.  Shape toys are your favorite.  Putting play food in and out of your dishes is a very close second and putting toys back in the storage containers is second nature.

• Sleeping can be a challenge.  Some times you are sound asleep all night, but just as often you wake up at least once during the night and then punish us with an impossibly early 5am wake up time.

• Toothbrushes rock.  Hands down toothbrushes are your favorite toy.  Playing with the family toothbrushes keeps you occupied while mama gets ready in the morning. 

• Eating … not so much.  You are certainly eating solid foods, but have no patience for a spoon.  You only want food that you can feed yourself so yogurt and oatmeal are off the table.  String cheese is hands down your favorite, but more often than not you toss food on your highchair right to Samson.   You do about 4-5 bottles a day, and often don’t finish them.

• Booger face. You've had a low-grade cold for the last month and a half which means we are constantly wiping your nose.  We've even changed the lady gaga song from “poker face” to “booger face” in your honor.

• You love your brother. No one  makes you laugh as hard as Max.  You tolerate his rough wrestling because you love his attention.  He hoists you up by the armpits and carries you around, it just cracks us up.  As you’ve gotten older, you don’t let him get away with stealing your toys anymore.

• You know the important words.  You are proficient at “ma-ma” and “da-da-da” especially when you want something ;-)  you call for the “doh-doh” when you want Samson to come over and eat your food, and can ask for a “bah-bah” when you are ready to drink your milk.  You jabber and chatter in only a language that Max seems to understand.   
• You took your first steps last week.  Though you still prefer crawling right now, you are becoming a walker one step at a time. 

• You have a sweet, calm nature.  We know that if you are crying and fussing it is because you are not feeling good.  The rest of the time you are sunny and even-keeled …smiling and pretty patient with us parents and your brother.

We love you Hana and are so excited to celebrate your first birthday with you today!

First Steps

Last Monday Hana took her first steps.  For weeks she has been practicing her walking with papa and mama, holding on to our fingers as she paces the floor.

Last Monday, we got some new bedroom furniture delivered and all of us were sitting on the floor in the master bedroom planning out how to arrange everything.

new bed

 While we were hanging out on the floor, Leif mentioned that the ladies at daycare had been hinting that "Hana is standing up by herself very well these days," and he suspected that maybe she had taken a few steps at school that day.  Well, no sooner were the words out of his mouth than Hana took off!  She took about 5 steps across the floor before dropping triumphantly to her knees.  Of course we all hooted and hollered.

getting to her feet this weekend 

Since then, each day she gets up the courage to try walking once or twice.  Crawling is still the preferred method of transportation and it seems like taking steps is still really scary for her.  But look out, in no time this girl is going to be running around!

Everyone is excited about you walking, even Samson