The Last Day

I've heard in Texas that it's a proper Southern thing to eat Black Eyed Peas on New Years to bring good luck. I also heard that if you eat cabbage it's supposed to bring in money for the new year.

So today I made kalua pig and cabbage and we headed over to Katie and Graham's house for black eyed peas and corn bread. Everything went together perfectly. And just to be sure that we went over the top, we danced to Black Eyed Peas music too. Since tomorrow is officially New Year's Day, we'll be having more black eyed peas and I think I might grab some mochi ice cream just to make sure all bases are covered here (superstitious much?) to make 2011 a good year.

The kids had a blast. It was awesome to see them all in the tub together and to spend the last day of this year with special friends.

The sunset tonight made pink clouds. I gazed upon it knowing that another year is gone - albeit a hard year - but another year none the less. I tucked Kai into bed first and kissed him goodnight. I then tucked in Ry and told her that another year was leaving and tomorrow would be the beginning of brand new one. She looked at me in total confusion and asked what that meant. I told her that she would be turning FIVE in 2011 and her eyes opened wide with excitement.  I kissed her and left the room with mixed feelings. I nursed Cruz to sleep and he went into his crib without a peep.  Peter kissed me goodbye and headed off for work - another Holiday night by myself.

I am sitting here on this last day of 2010 with lots of work to do but no desire to do it. I'm both afraid and excited for the new year.

Happy New Year

Oh 2011.... I'm hoping you're a good year. 2010 has been a rough year for me personally on so many  levels. I struggled to write a "Year in review" letter that was upbeat and not too depressing. Between Kai's issues, money, marital fighting (it's better now though, promise), Ryenne being a pill, dogs passing away, business.... it's been rough. But getting better every day. The very best thing that came out of 2010 is my beautiful Cruzito. Before Cruzito I didn't know how a 3rd child would fit into our crazy lives. And I simply cannot imagine my life without him now. 

Click the letter to make it bigger. 

As my friend Katie so eloquently put it - and pardon the French here - "Fuck You 2010. Bring on 2011!"

Visiting and Stuff

 The day after Christmas we got very special visitors... Nikki, Kaeli, and Makena came for a visit. The kids were SO EXCITED to see the girls. They instantly played, made trouble to each other, played some more. It was wonderful to sit with Nikki and just talk about "stuff" and catch up and find out about their new life in the "Big D". I'm happy that they are enjoying it up there, though still sad at the same time to not see my friend as often as I had before. 

Nikki is one of my very dear friends and I miss her a lot. Sometimes it's just nice to chat with another Hawaii girl about "home", about our missing good ono grinds, about bringing the kids up half haole, half hawaii style. Nikki I love ya! I'm so glad you could come and visit with us! 

Peter caught this picture below of Kai Boy. It's so cute because he's all alone on the couch wearing a "Big Guy" jacket when he's so tiny. He is just the littlest guy.

Last night was a rarity for Kai. He asked to cuddle with me in my bed (at 2am). Kai usually prefers solitude at night and seeing him sleep never happens for me. He crawled into my bed, gave me a kiss, said, "I wuv you mama" and curled up close. I tell you.... I was so near tears and it was such a "moment" with my big boy that I never want to forget it -- ever.

 Our therapy sauna arrived the other day. Peter and I put it together and my mom helped too. We did a session and my dad did a session, but it's doing a weird beep thing so I'm going to check the connections again. Ryenne was a super helper with unpacking all the recyclable materials in the boxes.

 Cruz's favorite food lately has been chocolate chip cookies. Can't blame him. Actually when he had a tummy bug, the only thing he wanted was booboo milk and then a cookie. So that's what he had for 2 days straight.

Ryenne Update

I have taken everything that has been commented and emailed and telephoned in to me very seriously. I've been panning through the many recommendations I've received and decided what works for our family and what doesn't when it comes to Ryenne. One thing is for sure.... she has forced me to step up to the plate when it comes to being tough and firm.

We are seeing some wonderful improvements in her behavior and I think we can attribute it to these things:

• the Brain Sustain powder she is on really seems to help mellow her out
• we have cleared all her toys and pretty things out of her room - all except her books, bed, and clothes - so when she throws a tantrum things won't get broken
• doorknob was installed backward so when she hits, yells, pushes, ect she goes to her room and door is locked from the outside
• complementing/recognizing her good behavior
• involving her with more help around the house - putting laundry into the machine, pushing buttons, pouring ingredients into the pot when cooking, adding cinnamon to cereal - just little things that make her feel more involved and as though she is "helping" instead of being a bother. 
• we've also added the car mat, cars, and puppets to Kai's room. After bath time we all go to Kai's room for stories and to play as a family. She has started to realize that Kai's room is "the cool room" and if she wants her fun things back in her room she needs to be on very good behavior

So far so good. When she's sweet she is such a beautiful person. I want to keep that side of her around all the time. 

I'm not ready.

Cruz stood up today. He balanced on his two legs for quite some time - several times today. I am not ready. I selfishly want him to stay little.

Our Magical Christmas

Our Christmas morning began with Ryenne waking me up and asking why Santa Clause hadn't visited our house. I looked down the staircase with her and she commented that our stockings were gone and our tree hadn't been put up. She started to tear up. 

She had been so naughty lately that we all felt it was an important lesson not to bring the tree out again. 

She was starting to get upset and I took her downstairs and she discovered the two gifts on the table along with the sparkly note and that Santa had delivered the gifts to Gams and Pops house. She perked up and said she was glad that Santa hadn't forgotten her house. 

Kai woke up and Cruz woke up and both had blown out their diapers. While Ryenne waited patiently to open the gifts, I was elbow deep in two boys' poop. It wasn't how I had envisioned Christmas morning to begin! But I powered through. Ryenne and Kai each opened their gifts and each got a top from Santa. We put the kids in the car and took both our cars to Gams and Pops house so Peter could come home after presents and go to sleep.

When we pulled into the drive, we saw the cow that Pops had made for the ranch - it's a happy cow. I love it! It's a gift for their landlords - I hope they like it as much as I do. I know I'll smile every time I visit.

The tree was sparkling inviting us inside.

Ry and Kai rushed to the gifts. They were sooooo excited!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. Ryenne was gazing at them just waiting for us to start.

Cruz looked adorable in his Santa outfit (thank you Marti!)

Cruzito's very first Christmas.... opening his stocking for the first time. He was a bit cranky cause he had a tummy bug and wasn't feeling great.

The very best gift of all.... Grandmama coming for Christmas. Ryenne is named after her because she's one amazing lady.

Super crazy tired with no makeup on but having a ball!

Kai Boy got cars in his stocking. He was all over it.

Cruz's gifts from his Papa and Grandma in Hawaii. I helped him open it.

Peter got Superman boxers from the kids :)

Gams and Pops got the kids a car mat. It's a HUGE hit. Kai adores it. He thinks it's hilarious to make the cars crash.

I got Peter a carbon fiber wallet. He got me Dolce & Gabbana perfume. I love it.

This was one of my favorite gifts of the day. It's a story for Ryenne read by her Grandma Marissa (one of those recordable books). It was so awesome to hear her voice reading to Ryenne. Ryenne was so happy that it was HERS. I teared up. I so wish that we could see them more often.

Puppets from Uncle Nico!!!

Kai Boy was a little clueless about this one, but Ryenne knew just what to do with it. It was another of her favorite toys she got.

I made this little piece of art for my mom. Each color represents someone who loves her.

Pops is getting some aloha shirts!!

Kai Boy was thrilled about all the Thomas clothes from Grandma and Papa!!!

Grandmama and Meesie

Cruz getting some love from Gams

This pen has been in her hands non-stop!

Puppet show and drawing

Loves his Pops!!

We feasted throughout the day, played with toys, laughed, napped. It was totally laid back and awesome.

Merry Christmas

Christmas was fabulous! Lots of pictures and stories coming soon... but I'm pooped!!! Enjoy the video :)

Merry Christmas Eve!

Ah Christmas Eve...

Ryenne was up by 7am telling me, "You know what? It's Christmas Eve!" and she's been excited all day. I gave her the Xymogen shake this morning and she has been pretty good today.

A couple videos from today:

Cruz having a bath in the sink playing his favorite game... Peek-A-Boo

And me playing Peek-A-Boo with the older two just before we baked cookies for Santa

I think it's kinda hilarious how Ryenne whacked herself with the cookie box and how Kai went from saying "Merry Christmas" to wearing the cookie pan as a hat :) 

We started our day  heading out for the grocery store which was CRAZY BUSY. I am having a carpal tunnel episode and making cookies from scratch just doesn't sound fun right now so we wanted to pick up some cookie dough, pie, and egg nog. The kids were so good throughout the craziness at the store. They were each rewarded with a balloon at the register. 

Cruzito got crazy messy with his banana at lunchtime so into the sink he went.

While the boys were napping, Ry and I made reindeer food. We used rolled oats and cinnamon. She decorated her bag and I did Kai's. When Kai woke up we stood out on the front stoop and threw the reindeer food out onto the grass. A rogue rain cloud was passing over at the time, so the kids just threw it within reach. The cinnamon smelled good. 

Gams, Pops, and Grandmama came over for dinner. We had an amazing salad and spaghetti. Gams and Pops took our stockings home with them after the kiddos went to bed. Peter and I enjoyed eating Santa's cookies and we made a card for the kids letting them know that Santa stopped by but took the gifts over to Gams and Pops house (we didn't set up our Christmas tree after taking it down the other day). 

I am actually relieved that we're going to Gams and Pops house. Firstly, they have more comfortable seating (a recliner and a rug) and I'm hoping (perhaps) that I'll feel more like a kid instead of an adult. 

Peter works tonight and tomorrow so he'll be pretty tired throughout Christmas morning but will stay for gift opening and then head home to sleep. I can't believe Christmas is already upon us.

Merry, Merry Christmas - to all my dear family and friends. May the Season be yours to enjoy no matter who/what you believe in.

It's not all terrible

I know that my last posts have been so downtrodden (is that a word... it just seems like the right word). I was really in a funk.

Firstly here's a video of Cruzito playing with cars. I find it so interesting that little boys naturally gravitate toward cars and trucks and start to say "Vroom" before anyone even teaches it to them. He's also crawling with his tummy off the ground... growing!

 On Saturdays Hannah comes over to watch the kids for a few hours while I can edit sessions and catch up on photography things (but I still never have enough time to tackle clutter control!). On Saturday Hannah brought the kids Christmas gifts and asked if they could open them right away. Of course the kids were happy to oblige. Ryenne got a puzzle, a purse, and a chapstick, Kai got a puzzle book, and Cruz got a teether. It was really sweet and unexpected. (all the photos below are iPhone)

 Since there's no preschool I have been trying to keep the kids super busy. We made pancakes the other day. Kai was so funny because I hadn't let him hold an egg before and he squeezed it and it exploded everywhere. He was really afraid of it. Ryenne did a super job pouring milk and stirring. They ate every last drop of pancake. Ryenne really excels at baking and cooking.

 We had therapy yesterday and it went really, really well. Kai was excited to get in the sauna and we talked and sang for the half hour we were in there. He also let Marti put headphones on him. The last time we tried Kai lasted about 5 seconds before wanting them off. He wore them yesterday for almost 25 minutes! He was so patient. He also got quite a trunk workout on the swing. He was a tired little guy after this session. 

Marti also gave me a sample to try of Xymogen Brain Sustain to try Ryenne on. It's a supplement/protein powder. In all honesty, after I gave it to her this morning, she has been great today. I don't know if it's just a good day or if the Xymogen is really helping.

 Since Peter is pau with school (pau means finished for all you mainlanders), he got to come to Marti's to watch for the first time. He got to play with Cruz on Marti's toys too.

 This morning we had planned to meet with Katie, Jackson, and  Hogan for a casual walk at the Circle C walking trail. I wore Cruz in his carrier and we made all the other kids walk with us. It couldn't have been a more beautiful day. I think it was about 60 degrees with some slight overcastness to the sky - enough to create beautiful light. I love how Ry and Jackson are such good friends.

 Katie and Hogan. Katie and I are going to sign up for a 5K together. I told her I am too chicken to do a 10K.

 Don't know why she's so forlorn in this one... she had a really good time.

 After rest time we noticed that the tree outside had FINALLY dropped most of it's leaves. They were amazing shades of brown, orange, red, and purple. We decided to go play in them. By this time it had warmed into the low 70's. Cruz likes to taste leaves.

 This was so funny because he didn't want to put his knees in the leaves.

 Poor Kai had a meltdown in the leaves. Between the crunch when he walked and them just being everywhere, it was sensory overload for the little guy. I felt really bad because I thought he would have enjoyed it. 

Grandmama arrived safely to Austin today!!! And she got to meet Kai and Cruz for the first time. Magical.