Gilroy Gardens

Mommy and Daddy surprised me with a trip to Gilroy Gardens over Memorial Day weekend. I love amusement parks, especially roller coasters! Unfortunately, as we found out when we got there, I'm about an inch under the 42" minimum height requirement for most of the fun rides. So, there were no roller coasters for me that day. There was still lots to do though. It was a bit crowded since it was a long weekend, but we'll be back (we ended getting season passes). Colin should be able to go on some rides next time too, if he sits still for long enough (he couldn't even sit still on the merry-go-round)!

See Colin in the middle?

The spinning garlic ride that made Mommy almost get sick.

What do you do with a toddler who runs all over the place? Stick him in a maze and let him run around aimlessly. Hehe.

One of my favorite rides of the day was the paddleboats. We waited about forty-five minutes in line but I had so much fun it was worth the wait. We got a yellow ducky paddleboat and since my legs were too short, Mommy ended up doing all the work. 

Before we left, we played some carnival games and won some prizes. I went home happy and can't wait to go back!

Photos from Mother's Day

This year's secret Mother's Day gifts from daycare and preschool.

For Mother's Day this year we spent the weekend at the grandparents' house. They always love it when we sleep over and we like the change of scenery. Plus, it's always nice and sunny in Sunnyvale! We went out for dim sum, then played a game of miniature golf. It was good quality time with the family.

Colin's version of miniature golf - grabbing all the balls he could pick up and dropping them in the hole. 

We had some visitors on the course.

Fourteen Month Update

I'm such a happy toddler and always on the move! Here's what I've been up to lately.

Development:
Last month I finally started to take an interest in books - not just trying to eat them like I did before but actually looking at the pictures and listening. Now at bedtime and naptime, I can sit quietly through several stories without making a fuss. I've also been caught sitting quietly and flipping through the pages of a book by myself. Such a change from a few weeks ago! I know and can say the word book when I see one - that is the only new word I've picked up this month though.

And, thanks to all the books we've been reading, I know what sound a sheep makes. Whenever I'm asked, or even if I see a picture of a sheep, I will go "baaaah!"

I've also figured out how to point, mostly at food or cups on the table, but also at flowers, balloons, and things at the supermarket.

Not exaggerating but this is always how I walk around the house. I'll go through the laundry basket and pick out all the blankets that I can find, then drag them around the house with me.

Sleep:
I take a fat morning nap everyday, but often fight the afternoon naps and most times end up crying/complaining in my crib for an hour. If I do eventually fall asleep, I don't wake up until 6pm-ish, which then pushes back my bedtime. So, looks like a consolidation to one nap should be happening soon.

Activities:
We've been spending a lot more time outdoors, especially on days that Kaitlyn has preschool. Kaitlyn and her classmates usually stay after class to play and ride scooters, so we end up spending a good portion of our afternoon at the park there. I can spend over an hour running around, climbing the play structures, playing in the sandbox, and collecting sticks.

Last month Kaitlyn started gymnastics class at Junior Gym, with a conveniently scheduled open gym time for all ages right afterward. There is plenty of open space, padded floors, rubber balls, and other toys to keep me entertained. Yet another way for me to expend my boundless energy!

On non-preschool days Kaitlyn goes to daycare so I get Mommy all to myself. We stay busy with either my Little Wonders class or going to the gym. I still get a little separation anxiety when Mommy drops me off at the gym daycare but then am fine after a few minutes. It's nice that we finally found our groove these past few months, though things will be changing soon once preschool ends and summer vacation starts.

Likes: Running around the house naked. Ha. I used to hate getting diapered and changed after getting out of the bath, then Mommy discovered that if she lets me and Kaitlyn run around naked for a bit, we're both so much happier. I'm actually more willing to get out of the bath and eventually put on the diaper if we get those few minutes of "naked time." So, it's become part of our nighttime routine. And I've only had one accident and peed on the carpet once so far!

Dislikes: Getting my hair cut. Daddy bought new clippers and they scare me!

Mommy couldn't help it. She had to take a picture of me crying.

I really love hanging out with Brady. Like, a lot. 

Thrills at the Zoo

We took a spontaneous trip to the Oakland Zoo a few weekends ago. It's always fun to see lots of different animals.

Colin's first meeting with a goat.

Had to take a picture with the zebra since we matched.

But the best part about this zoo is not the animals; it's the little amusement park that's connected to it on the way out. They have a train ride that takes you to see some wallabies and emus that you can't see from inside the zoo, and a bunch of little thrill rides. If you ever go to Oakland Zoo, make sure to factor in an extra hour for all the stuff at the end. 

My favorite was the mini roller coaster. Daddy even took a selfie video during the ride, and you can see the smile I had on my face the entire time. Made the whole trip worth it.

Thirteen Month Update

Hello toddlerhood! Life is so much more fun now that I'm walking - fun for me at least, exhausting for Mommy who's constantly trying to keep me out of trouble! I am always exploring and rarely ever stay still.

Talking:
I added two words to my vocabulary this month: dog and ball.  Not much, but I've been too busy with my physical development! Other words I've tried to repeat are "ba-ba" (balloon) and "buh-buh" (bubble).

Teeth:
Three more teeth popped out this month. I now have four on top and three on the bottom! I have a very toothy grin that I love to flash to strangers.

Sleep:

Mommy keeps trying to push my morning naps back but I just can't hang. I wake up around 6:30-7am each morning and by 10am I'm ready for my first nap. Looks like I'll continue taking two naps a day for awhile.

Since I moved back to the crib, Kaitlyn spent the last few weeks sleeping between Mommy and Daddy because my middle-of-the-night crying kept waking her up (not that she's complaining). We had to sleep train again and it's starting to work. Recently there have been a few nights where I've slept straight through until morning! 

Likes: climbing up and down the three stairs that lead to the den, climbing play structures at the playground, going down slides, collecting sticks, ride-on toys

Dislikes: swings (they seem to bore me and I'm always trying to get out), getting taken out of the bath (I complain every time)

Finally big enough to bathe in the big bathtub! Makes bathtime so much more fun.

Week with the Cousins

The Tans came to visit us for a week while they were on Spring Break. As always, I had so much fun with them. We played nonstop, had sleepovers in my room, danced to all my favorite music videos, and ate lots of yummy treats. Best of all, I finally got to take Alex and Kieran to preschool and show them my classroom - I had been wanting to do so for the longest time. It was the best week ever!

Checking out the reptiles at Curiodyssey.

Colin trying to catch the fog at Curiodyssey.

I was so proud that I went down that giant slide for the first time!

Walking to preschool.

Pizookie!

Berkeley Habitot Children's Museum

We were in the east bay so spent an afternoon at Habitot Children's Museum in Berkeley. It's a small museum with a very intimate feel - you can literally walk from one end of the museum to the other in less than a minute - but there's still lots to do. Colin got to roam freely about the place and explore while I spent lots of time in the art studio.

Easter egg decorating

We really enjoyed playing with the "goop" (equal parts glue and starch). We'll have to try making it at home sometime!

This was a "wind tunnel" - a large fan that blew fake flower petals everywhere. It doesn't look very windy, but it was.