Easter

Camping with Dada - Napa SP

Maui - more photos

Maui - arrival (Video)

After several weeks and a 5 hour plane ride of anticipation, Zealand was ecstatic about arriving at Maui. He was easily sold on the warm ocean breeze that greeted us at the arrival terminal.

Maui - smiles

Dear Zealand at 22 months

Dear Zealand,

You have officially entered the phase where you are interested, and sometimes determined at all costs, to do things all by yourself. Although, you still ask "mama carry you" - your take on carry me from all of the times I ask if you would like me to carry you, and you still need lots of care and attention. It is a wonderful combination of growing independence alongside absolute dependence. In the photo above you had spilled all of the beans for the bean soup we were making and wouldn't allow me to clean it up. Every time I reached for the broom you would say your signature phrase, "Z Z dooo it." Which is fine, except you don't really do it. Each time I reached for the broom you would shriek out a protest.

I am doing a pretty good job at being patient and allowing you to explore your new desire to do as we do and exercise your independence. We have also worked out some good negotiations - I will take off part of the key chain for you to hold (after allowing you to try and open the car with the key for five minutes) so that I can finally drive us home. Once we get home the new ritual is for you to stand outside our apartment door for a good five minutes, sometimes ten, trying to open the door with the key. You want the door closed and then after a few minutes you will say "mama ope door." I open the door and then you shut it for some more fun. In the meantime I am usually unloading groceries or kicking my shoes off.

Lest I give the impression that we are most of the time pretending that you are doing certain things, I must add that you can now really can do a lot on your own. You have become quite adept at putting your own train tracks together and maneuvering a long string of trains along the tracks you build. In the airport on the way home from Maui you pulled along your own car seat on a set of wheels designed for the purpose much to the amazement and amusement of fellow travelers. This might have been your favorite part of traveling. You now put away all of your own toys (most of the time) and usually always when we ask. You know where everything goes, a separate basket for train tracks, trains, etc. You seem to enjoy this task very much and are very proud of yourself.

You now walk up and down stairs holding the rail with such skill that increasingly I am comfortable allowing you to do so without hovering. You throw balls well, and as evidenced by the picture above, have learned the art of the fake smile. I suppose a good as skill as any. You now count to ten (we think you learned this from doing sit ups with your da da), and can sing at least three songs. You can say/sing a good deal of the alphabet - although that is hit or miss, and you recognize lots and lots of letters.

And, language for you has really, really taken off. I feel like I say this each month but each month feels like a milestone in this regard. You now regularly speak in 3-4 word sentences. It started, I believe, with your skillful use of prepositions. We were driving a few weeks ago and you noticed a fire truck down the hill from us. You said "firetruck down there." I was surprised because we haven't really worked on this with you. It is easy to forget how much you pick up on through conversation and through all of the books that you like to read each day. I know your mind is constantly picking things up and storing them. What a delight when we first hear what is inside! You now regularly explain where things are - "ba (pacifier) in the bag," "ow wee down there" - you love to share that you got an "owee" and when we say where you either say "down there" or "over there."

I have been so pleased with your communication. Not with the number of words you know, although we are impressed, but with how active and creative you are with language. I have yet to experience a phase where I feel uncertain as to what you are trying to say. You are very good at explaining your needs with whatever words are at your disposal. I often would say to you "you don't need lamby" as we left the house. You then began to say, "Z Z need lamby," and now that has expanded to everything you want. "Z Z need milk, Z Z need mama," you name it. I love experiencing the development of your mind and the mirror of that process - your language. You are our own clever and unique little guy who never ceases to amaze. Lately your da da and I have regular moments where we say, "did he just say that?" and shake our heads. You are popping right now with new words and concepts. Looking out of the airplane window you said, "airplane wing." We don't remember pointing out the wing of the plane but there you have it. Right now you are quicker than our memory of what we have explained to you.

Oh, and before I forget, another delightful development, you have learned to say "thank you mama." Music to my ears... Usually you say this at dinner time while you are eating. You cock your head to the side and say those sweet three words. I am pretty sure you connect food with thanks as your da da often says thank you at dinner time for the food on the table. As they say, the way to a man's heart..

You are one sweet boy. We continue to marvel at all the ways in which you are growing - emotionally, cognitively, and physically. Already you are one well rounded kid. Your father and I might deserve some credit for this - but you make it seem so natural and easy for you, as if we are just here to watch and beam with young parent pride. I do give most of the credit to you - you have made our job as new parents very easy so far.

We love you Z Z!

Love,

Mama

Our Trip to Maui/Liz and Peter's Wedding

(Pic. above: Zealand's first step into the ocean outside of our condo. He couldn't have been more thrilled).

We arrived to Maui after a six am start that began on a bus, then BART, then another bus and then finally the Oakland airport. Our flight was five hours with a short connecting flight from the big island to Maui. Zealand enjoyed every leg of the trip and did beautifully on the plane. He ran the aisles of the plane turning many heads as he did so and scarfed down at least four pieces of my homemade banana bread along the way.

It began to rain as we neared our condo and several gorgeous rainbows appeared against the mountains through the clouds. An auspicious sign for the beauty and joy to come! By the time we checked in the sun was out again and Zealand could not wait to head down to the ocean. He was literally squealing and panting with sheer delight as the waves licked his feet, his thighs and rolled up against his chest. We then walked to a calmer part of the bay and all three of us waded in for a swim. I mark this moment as the beginning of Zealand's true love of the ocean. Prior to Maui he had only played at the edge and had been more interested in sand toys and throwing things into the water's edge.

Duane was eager to expose Zealand to the world of water sports and patiently took him out on little adventures close to shore. Zealand was excited to try but needed to stay close to shore. Usually after a few minutes he would say "back." We followed his lead and were careful not to push him.

Most mornings he would ask to go for a walk and walk we would - along the beach and up to a path along the coast or over to a cluster of rocks near a home to many sea turtles.

During the days Zealand would often say "swim ocean." Being as pregnant as I was I wasn't very comfortable taking him out in the waves so I would either suggest a walk or the swimming pool. Our condo pool was heated to 80 degrees! Perfect for a pregnant mama and a little guy! He loved pool time - holding on to the bar and lowering himself into the pool, holding on to the side and saying "up and down," floating on a boogie board, playing with pool noodles, blowing bubbles, singing songs, and being thrown up in the sky by his dada. We were amazed at how little fear or reservation he showed. While wearing his life vest he got a kick out of letting go and dipping under for a few seconds. Going under never seemed to upset or alarm him. He is a natural in the water.

While Zealand had the time of his life and I simply took in the surroundings and enjoyed water time and early morning walks along the coast, Duane took advantage of all of the water sports that were happening all day long with the wedding party. Peter and Liz are action heroes and generously rented five surfboards, five paddle boards, windsurfing gear, and diving equipment for anyone who was game. While Zealand slept or spent time with me Duane managed to get in a few dives, a good dose of surfing and paddle boarding throughout the trip, and a nice full day windsurfing with Peter and his friend Jason. A few times he even caught nice surf right outside our condo. Zealand watched with wide eyes. His da da is his action hero.

Our condo was oceanfront with friends and family of the bride and groom surrounding us from side to side and above us. There was a patch of grass, individual patios for all guests with chairs (and in our case toys as well), bbqs at either end, and fences to hold us all in. This made for a perfect backyard for little ones. Each morning Zealand would head to the back screen and make his way outside where he walk the path to see what he could see. We could even stay inside making breakfast or whatever knowing that he was safe. Our next door neighbors, Lori and Jim, also have a little guy, Aiden, who Zealand enjoyed playing with. Aiden is four months younger but just as curious and happy as Zealand is. On our last night they held hands for a bit while strolling around on the patio.

Both Zealand and Aiden developed a crush on Liz's sister Gretchen's youngest daughter, Eloise or "Ellie." Zealand followed her around the night of rehearsal dinner asking where the "go go" went (he calls girls "go go's"). Aiden seems to have more skills in the girl department and took her hand and invited her to sit down next to him on a lawn chair. But, Zealand had his chance the night of the wedding while Aiden slept peacefully back at the condo with his grandparents watching over. He scored a dance with the beautiful Ellie! Right before this picture was taken he looked over at us and laughed with a look that said, "can you believe this, look at me!"

The wedding was held at an old sugar mill and the whole evening was straight out of a fairy tale with cupcakes, a gelato bar, dripping flowers from the terrace, red and white striped straws for jugs of lemonade and iced tea, glass, candles, wildflowers peeking out of jars, buddha statues, light wood antiques, a waterfall, stone patios, and a passionate fully in love couple who wrote their own vows and were married by the groom's brother and bride's sister. It was magical. A dream wedding.

Zealand caught the spirt of it too and danced the night away after polishing off a rather generous portion of coconut and chocolate gelato. He stood in the middle of everyone clapping his hands maniacally over and over again like an energizer bunny. He attracted many beautiful ladies, including Liz's mom, who couldn't get enough of Zealand dancing. After dinner he kept asking "party?" He finally got his party.

Our first trip to Maui as a family of three was full of fun and love. Thank you Liz and Peter for including us in this special week. The spirit of your relationship and who you both are helped to create this wonderful week. All we had to do was show up! The trip, I know, will be with us forever. We can't wait to come back with our family of four.

Maui - candids