Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday season, our first with Ke'alohi.  Like most parents learn, when it comes to babies, expect the unexpected and try not to get disappointed if things don't go as planned.  I had originally planned in my head this perfect night where we would take Ke'alohi out trick-or-treating in her pumpkin costume on this perfectly decorated street with lots of kids and everyone would ooohhh and aaahhh at her.  I forgot though that one, she is a baby and two, we are in Los Angeles.

Lucas and I were able to get off work early so that we could all get ready to celebrate Halloween.  Once we got home we decided that we were hungry and would go to an early dinner and then go trick-or-treating.  At dinner, Ke'alohi quickly fell asleep on Lucas and that's where our night started to head south.  Thinking that going out was still an option, we started to brainstorm where we wanted to take her and realized that in West Los Angeles, there are not much options for safe and decorated places to go trick-or-treating, especially for a baby. So we scraped the idea of taking her out and settled on getting Pinkberry and going home.

Even though I didn't get my "perfect" Halloween, I'm holding out for my perfect Christmas back home in Hawaii!

Aquarium of the Pacific

This morning, we decided to do something fun and go down to Long Beach to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific.  This aquarium is not your normal aquarium that has a glorified fish tank, it's like that and Sea World combined.  There are the usual exhibits with educational material, but there are also shows and "petting tanks" for adults and kids too.  

We got to touch baby sharks, moon jellies and a baby ray.  The highlight of the day had to be getting Ke'alohi to touch a starfish and seeing her reaction to the different textures she was feeling.  We got to see the sea lion and seal show where they taught us the difference between the two species; sea lions have external ears and seals don't and sea lions have front flippers which help them sit up.  Ke'alohi was a champ the whole morning and was either fascinated with all the fish and animals or sleeping on Lucas' shoulder.

After all the excitement of the morning at the Aquarium of the Pacific, we met Lucas' parents at Furusato, our favorite Korean BBQ joint, for lunch.

Someone is Starting to Teethe...

I don't think the excitement from last night has settled, but this morning we've noticed that Ke'alohi's fingers are spending a lot more time in her mouth playing with her gums. Sure enough, when we took a closer look you can start to see the outlines of her first tooth coming in!!!

As exciting as that is, we're both a little apprehensive of how Ke'alohi is going to react to the teething process. Wish us luck!

First Time Rolling Over!

We knew it was coming any day now, the day that she would roll over.  Tonight as my mom was putting Ke'alohi to sleep she started screaming like a hysterical woman saying, "Ohh my!  She just rolled over!" Lucas and I ran upstairs as fast as we could with a camera in hand and waited impatiently for her to do it again.  It took some coaxing but Ke'alohi did it for us three more times tonight. 

She still needs to work on bringing her arm out from underneath her, but she's MOBILE!

Mr. Bone's Pumpkin Patch

I got my love for movies from my mom.  We might also be the only two people that have no problem hearing plots, endings, and spoilers before we actually see the movie or show and it doesn't bother us.  It drives my dad and Lucas crazy that we like to spoil it for each other!

Because of all the movies we watch, we love it when we get the chance to see actors or actresses when my mom is visiting us in Los Angeles.  Last time she was here, we saw Bill Rancic and Ryan Gosling while driving around town.  Since my mom is in town this weekend for Halloween, we decided to go to Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in West Hollywood.  Yes, there were many pumpkin patches that we could have gone to, but this is the only one we KNEW stars would be at.  Anyone who is anyone in Hollywood, takes their kids here.  This place is such a magnet for stars that they actually have a section in the front for paparazzi to take their pictures.  We were not disappointed because we saw Mary McCormack from In Plain Sight and Jerry Ferrara from Entourage!

Besides getting to see them, we had a fabulous time taking pictures of Ke'alohi in her costume, looking at pumpkins and decorating one into a little witch!  We will definitely be coming back next year for our pumpkin!

Celebrating Halloween at Gymboree

This week at our Gymboree class, to celebrate Halloween, all the babies wore their Halloween costumes!  To nobody's surprise, Ke'alohi was the most adorable pumpkin out there.  She rocked her tights and costume like it was her job!  

All the other babies were cute as a button but this little girl might have stolen the show like she stole Mommy and Daddy's heart!

Mommy's Got a New Diaper Bag!

I'm not going to lie, before having Ke'alohi, I really didn't care that much about handbags or purses.  Now that carrying a bag (along with a baby) is a daily occurrence, I have a new found love and desire for the most functional AND cutest bag to use.  Last week I sadly ripped my old diaper bag that I loved, but quickly got over it when I realized I would get to buy a new one.  

After days of research and browsing, I found the bag for me, the Babymel Amanda Diaper Bag!  It is gorgeous, functional and perfect for me!

Puna's Here for Halloween!

My mom got in late last night for a week long visit.  She is here to see Ke'alohi's first Halloween, grab dinner with Lucas' parents and to join in the trick-or-treating fun!  I was so jealous of her today since she picked up Ke'alohi early from daycare and spent the whole afternoon playing.

This might be my favorite picture of her in her exersaucer!

Five Months Old!

So today, I spent Ke'alohi's first month-iversary apart at work.  Boo!  I knew it would suck and it did but it did give me some time to think about what has happened in the last month and her first month with me back at work.  And boy there have been a lot of changes for us all!

Ten Facts about Ke'alohi at Five Months:

1. Weighs 17 pounds and 5 ounces and measures 25.75 inches.
2. Loves it when the dogs come up to her face and say hi.
3. Almost rolling over but gets stuck on her side.
4. Sleeps best if on her tummy and with ocean sound machine on.
5. Now likes to screech at her toys and at Mommy and Daddy.
6. Favorite day is Friday since Daddy gets off work early and brings her to Mommy's office.
7. Cannot get enough of her exersaucer toy!
8. Laughs and giggles, but right now only at Daddy's faces.
9. Still drinks six ounces of formula at each feeding but tends to eat eight ounces at the daycare.
10. Sleeps awesome in her crib!

Best Gift to Give a Hawaiian...

One of my good friends from high school, Gari-Ann, wrote on her blog a post about "How do you know a Hawaiian loves you?" and it was one of the best things I have read in a while.  It made me laugh until my insides hurt because it was totally true!  The best gift to give a Hawaiian and show that you love them is HAWAIIAN/LOCAL FOOD!  We Hawaiians, eat some weird (and delicious!) food and we always got the best packages in college.  I remember the packages my parents sent me always weirded out my non-Hawaiian roommates but would get raided by my Hawaiian ones.  

Two of my coworkers went to Hawaii this past week to visit family and they came back with awesome gifts.  Janette brought back Ke'alohi the cutest outfit and two Hawaiian shirts.  I can't wait to put Ke'alohi in those clothes!  My other coworker Perry brought back (drum roll please) LAULAU!  Laulau is a Hawaiian dish that is pork and butterfish, wrapped in luau and ti leaves, then steamed.  It is one of my favorite foods and she got it in Hilo at one of the best places for Hawaiian food, Wiki Wiki Kitchen.  It is sitting in my freezer waiting to be eaten by me.  The only problem I have right now is deciding when to eat it and hiding it from Lucas so he doesn't get to it!

Living up here on the mainland has made me realize how much I love Hawaii, miss it and I can't wait to move back!  Thank you Janette and Perry for bringing back the sweetest gifts from your vacation!

Starting to Plan the Infamous Baby Luau...

I've decided to start blogging about not only things happening with Ke'alohi but things happening with Lucas and I.  Yes, our lives are still completely consumed with our little girl, but there are things that don't always involve her.  Hahaha. I swear!

So my first post will be about me starting to plan Ke'alohi's 1st birthday aka the BABY LUAU.  Well, not talking about her didn't last long!  Hahaha.  In Hawaii, a baby's first birthday is a big, I mean BIG deal.  For some, like me, there are more people that attend a baby luau than a wedding.  When my parents planned my party, we had close to 350 guests!  We will not be undertaking that kind of event, but we are definitely trying to plan a medium-sized party where both my family in Hawaii and Lucas' family traveling in from the mainland and Europe can enjoy and take part in Ke'alohi's 1st birthday.  

Though most people say that it is best to start with a theme, I'm most worried about the venue.  Lucas and I have been trying to brainstorm for the last few weeks and have narrowed it down to two options.  We decided that we like Sea Life Park or Kualoa Ranch.  Both places are absolutely beautiful and would make a wonderful place for Ke'alohi's party but like a wedding or any big event, it all comes down to convenience of planning since we aren't in Hawaii and the dollar signs.  

With that said, we have picked Sea Life Park and can't wait to celebrate her special day with all of our friends and family!  Stay tuned for more Baby Luau planning fun!

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Another Visit from Auntie Jill

We are so thankful for Auntie Jill!  Since we have had Ke'alohi, she has made it a point to make sure she stops by and visits us as much as possible.  Through all these times we have seen her, she has decided that Ke'alohi is in great need for a cute nickname, one only she is allowed to use.  We have all dubbed that because Auntie Jill is going to be the cool auntie in the convertible Audi that will take Ke'alohi shopping, she was going to get an equally cool nickname: Lola.  

You might be scratching your head, but this name is so perfectly Jill's and will be a favorite of Ke'alohi's in the years to come!

4-Month Photo Shoot with Janel

Our Little Pumpkin

Ke'alohi Loves to Swing

Let's be honest, we LOVE Janel with Focus Photography Inc. Janel is really at this point a part of the family and has truly been there right next to us for every big milestone we have had. Today we met with her at Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch to take some Halloween and Christmas photos. We started off a little rocky this photo shoot because Ke'alohi was a bit hot and uncomfortable in her Halloween costume, but once she was in her other dresses, she was a rock star and Janel was able to get some great photos. Unfortunately we were not able to meet Maxine because she was hanging out with Daddy but Janel promised that next time we will get see her.

Here are our favorites!

Kissing Our Precious Gift!

Our Little Family

Gymboree Champ

Ke'alohi's daycare have been telling us for a while now that she was a strong little girl who was going to be active and mobile in no time.  We are definitely starting to notice it more now as she is developing, learning new things and most of all when we are at her Gymboree class.  

Every Saturday we get to spend time in class singing and playing and today she had lots of fun with the other babies watching the parachute and staring at Mommy and Daddy try to sing in tune (well more Daddy).  Hehehe.  Soon we will be in the Level 2 class where we get to play with some of the equipment and toys like slides, tunnels and rings!

First Time Finding Her Feet!

It still amazes me when I see Ke'alohi do something for the first time because we have no idea how they learn things or the reason they do something for the first time.  She has been kind of lifting her legs now for a while and twisting her body from side to side but has never grabbed her feet.  Today, while we were on the couch, that little girl just grabbed her feet and brought them into her body like she had been doing it for weeks!

Now she can't get enough of her feet and is constantly trying to grab them.

Jase Keolamau Dubrovin Paiva is Here!

Ke'alohi might have a prom date, but she will still need a boy back home to teach her to surf and where all the best beaches are and we know who that is: Jase Keolamau Dubrovin Paiva!  Our friends in Hawaii Jessica and Sean, just welcomed their second child, a baby boy into the world and we cannot be more happy for them.  This has really been the best week!  He was born early this morning at 4:01 am, weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches.

We were lucky enough to get to meet and hold their first child, Seja, when she was just days old and we can't wait to meet Jase when we go home for Christmas ! He is the luckiest boy with the best parents and sister!

Jacob James Robirds is Here!

With all these milestones happening with Ke'alohi, I'm sure you are all probably wondering who she will be going to prom with in 18 years and we have your answer: Jacob James Robirds! Our friends Jenn and Jon welcomed their baby boy into the world today and we are beyond happy for them. He was born this evening at 6:31 pm, weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 20 inches. 

He is such a lucky little boy and has the greatest parents! We can't wait to raise our children together and for Prom 2028!

Air Mail...

Today we went to Lucas' office to pick up something and decided to have a little fun in the mail room boxes!  Daddy thinks that the things I do to get a cute picture are border-line cruel to children but he just doesn't understand what it takes to get a good picture.  Anyone who knows my family knows that we love our pictures and will pretty much do anything for the "perfect" photo and spent hours (and I'm not joking!) taking our Christmas photos each year.

Think of this as me just training Ke'alohi.

First Time Holding Up Her Bottle!

Any working mom will tell you missing the first time your baby does something is the absolute worst part of going back to work.  I knew that it was inevitable that I would miss something of Ke'alohi's, I just didn't know it would happen so soon.  That is why, to make myself feel better, nothing is "official" until I have seen it.  Therefore, even though the daycare told us on Friday that she held her bottle up all by herself, it didn't REALLY happen until tonight when I got to see her do it and was able to take a picture of her doing it.

While Lucas was feeding Ke'alohi tonight, she was so hungry and the angle Daddy was holding the bottle wasn't how she wanted it so she stuck up her hands and held the bottle herself!  It was the cutest thing but another indication that our little one is starting to be able to do things on her own.  Nooooo!

Ke'alohi's Newest Obsession

Yesterday we picked up Ke'alohi a Baby Einstein exersaucer and she loves it!  Her bouncer with the toy bar just isn't cutting it anymore for other than a few minutes at a time and for feeding her.  We knew that she needed something that stimulated her more and could really grab and keep her attention.

This exersaucer was the ticket and we can't wait until she can enjoy and reach all the toys as she uses this the next couple months!

Fridays Never Meant So Much to Me!

It's Friday night and I've realized that Fridays have a new meaning to me.  They mean I get to spend the next three nights and two days with my little girl.  I got such a treat at work today because Lucas was able to pick Ke'alohi up from daycare and bring her to my office when he picked me up from work.  I got to show her off to my coworkers and show Ke'alohi my office.  It was so much fun having her play on my desk!

I wish I could say that we have some exciting things planned for this weekend, but we don't because Ke'alohi came home from the daycare today with a cold.  It looks like Lucas and I are getting it too so we will be spending this weekend taking medicine and trying to get better.  Boo for colds!

First Day of Work...

If I could sum up this day in one word it would be "tears."  I thought these hormones and tears were supposed to stop after the pregnancy?  I guess they will never really go away when you become a mom.

We woke up extra early this morning to get Ke'alohi and myself ready for our first day apart.  As usual, she took it better than I did and went to her daycare like it was a place she has been going to for months.  I spent the day getting back into the swing of things at work, keeping busy with our 2012 budgets.  5 pm could not come soon enough and I was ecstatic to get her back into my arms.

For now, we are just trying to get adjusted to our new "normal."

Kasey's Baby Shower

Today was an exciting day!  Even though in the back of my head I was bumming that it was my last day of maternity leave, I am glad that I got to spend it with my friends laughing and smiling.  And we had a great reason to celebrate; Kasey is going to be a mom!

We spent the late morning and early afternoon munching on food, playing games and watching Kasey open presents!  We still couldn't get the options for the baby's name out of her though, but we'll keep trying.  Ke'alohi was able to stop by at the end of the party to show Auntie Kasey some love and to give Grandma Wafer, Kasey's mom, some practice.  As expected, Grandma Wafer and Auntie Kasey were naturals and more than ready for Baby Stinson to make her debut!