Kai!

We had another super fun filled day today. We went to the park with Megan and Burke this morning. We followed that up with his nap. After that we went down to have a picnic with Cheryl, Makensey, Bradley, Melissa and Eva on the greenbelt by the library. It was super fun. Kai and I then walked down to the beach for a little bit. He went down for his second nap and when he woke up we went to the store. Nana came and watched him for a little while until Daddy came home while I went to the gym! It was so nice to be back at the gym! When I got home we had dinner and then we gave Kai a bath. After the bath Kai was getting help from brushing his teeth and Daddy asked, "where's Kai?" Kai looked at himself in the mirror and said, "Hi Kai!" Then he proceeded to laugh hysterically at himself! : ) So cute!

Words, Phrases, and More Words!

Kai is just growing and growing right before my eyes...he is saying so many wonderful things and I am so glad that I am home for the summer to see and hear everything! Lately he is saying b-ball for baseball. He loves to watch the A's play with Daddy. : ) He says b-bar for breakfast bar in the morning and b-boy for big boy. He has started putting on his glasses and saying, "Duuuuude!" He has taken to calling Grandma "Memaw." He know what trash is and were to put it. He knows the sounds for a cow, sheep, a snake, a monkey, a mouse, a bear, a lion, a dinosaur, and a car make. He loves trucks! He now blows kisses and gives high five. Every time he goes down the slide he says "weeee!" So much fun. Everyday is a new adventure that I look forward to with him. : )

Eskimo Kisses, Knucks, Tea Parties and Head Banging!

So Kai has learned a few new things. His latest thing that I absolutely love is giving me Eskimo Kisses. : ) He loves it. I also taught him knuckles (which is pounding his knuckles on top of mine) on the long drive back from Gilroy along with tea party which is locking pinkies and sucking thumbs. So cute. I just adore my little boy. : )

Smiles

This morning Kai grabbed my hand and put my shoe in my hand as if to say, "Mom, let's get going!" So, this afternoon I asked him if he wanted to go get lunch with Grandma and Papa. He smiled with all his teeth for the first time ever...so cute. Then, when I started to put his shoe on his foot he said, "YESSSSSSS!" He is so funny and cute. I just love every single day I get to spend with him. : )

First Bike Ride!

Today Kai went for his first bike ride! We got him one of those cool baby seats that go on the back of your bike at the Seal Beach bike shop. We also got him a cool helmet with sharks and fish on it. He looked so cute and had so much fun. We rode with Joe and Emily to have lunch at McDonald's and then we cruised over to the bike shop, ordered him a squeeky whale horn and got me a basket. We then continued on down to the park. Later in the day we went down to Sweet Jill's for "cookie Friday," back to the park, and then by Grandma and Grandpa Howdy's house. It was a fun-filled biking day! : )

Kai's 1st Birthday!

Kai's fantastic festivities started today, Thursday, his actual birthday, April 1, 2010. Julie and Jaya drove down last night to spendhis birthday During the day, I went to work and Daddy took the day off. Daddy, Kai, Julie, and Jaya met me at the aquarium as I scheduled my field trip on that day so I could spend it doing something fun with Kai and my students. : ) Kai saw some really cool fish, went through the Lorakeet forrest and even touched some stingrays and sharks! : ) So cool! Later on, we had lunch and Grandpa and Tutu met us for cupcakes and to check out the aquarium. They alsobrought you a really cool little octopus bucket with two really cute shovels for the beach.

This evening, Grandpa and Traci Russell flew in from Colorado to join Grandma and Grandpa Howdy, Grandma and Papa, Grandpa and Tutu, Uncle Doody, Julie and Jaya, and your dad and me in celebrating your first birthday at Ruby's on the pier in Seal Beach. It was an extra special evening havngour WHOLE family together. We all had a lovely dinner and everyone passed you around. Art, my old manager at Ruby's came out and sang the Ruby's birthday song solo just for you. : ) You have done amazing things by being in this world Kai Bear and I could not be more grateful for that. You are my entire world and I love you.

After dinner, wewalked back to our house and opened some gifts that yourgrandparents' got you. You got a really cute whale bubble blower, a xylophone and building blocks and more...: )

It was more than I could have ever asked for. The most perfect day for a perfect child. We love you. XOXO

Kisses and Reading

I wanted to write because Kai has been doing a few really cute and noteworthy things. For a couple of weeks now Kai has been giving kisses on demand. If you ask him to give you a kiss he will open his mouth and plant a wet, slobbery kiss on your cheek. I especially love when he turns your head with both of his little starfish hands to give you a kiss on your cheek.

Kai has always loved to have books read to him, but now he will pick a book of his choice, crawl over to you, sit in your lap and hand you the book to read. I love that he is already showing interest in reading.

Kai has been such a joy to watch as he grows and learns. I am so proud of him.