Kokochi

A snippet I want to keep

Putting Aila to bed, her dressed in her rainbow striped PJs, I sat in T's small kid chair in front of Aila's crip, breastfeeding Aila. Singing my 寝んね song to her.

She had blankie, and massaged it for comfort with one hand, while on the boob. I know her feedings are coming to an end, albeit slowly. It's really only for comfort now, so I am super appreciative of our small moments together. Her hand, holding blankie, reached to my mouth, making eye-contact. I kissed her hand. Blankie, boob, hand-kiss from mama. She repeated it over and over tonight.

I want to hold. I know it will shift. But noting here since it's these snippets that are so precious as she grows. 

This one is for Dav

Bedtime craaaaaziness!

I bought new pjs for Aila. Tesla chose them. They just fit, instead of being  a tad big. Mama never learns how big her babies are!

Of course T picked the most colorful, funky pjs...it turns out this fits Aila and her crazy personality just fine.

T wore her most striped pjs she has to match. I love watching T & A together.

Aila shopping in Tokyo

At the grocery store:

At a knick-knack store:

Sisterly sliding

Tesla helping Aila slide. I love how Tesla thought of bringing Aila to the other side, letting Aila walk towards the slide while T went the shorter way back to be all ready to hold Aila when she arrived. Very thoughtful.

Scenes from T's magic party

We had a magician come. Great hit! Entertained the kids, and was personalized. Lots of fun right at our home, and I think it was special for T to be able to have her classmates over at her house.

I love how happy T looks.

The horse cake. 

Opening presents: see Aila right in the middle with all the big kids?

Kids happy to be together. I like that my grandma's painting is so prominent in the background : )

The wonderful magician. Frankly, this guy is amazing. I have no problem recommending him. He made T feel special.

Kids mesmerized by the magic show.

Family shot.

 I think this below captures Tesla at 6. I can see her adult self...

Tesla is 6!

That was quite a year! Aila was teeny tiny last year. This year, we all went to St. Francis and had dinner, allowing Tesla to order whatever she wanted. She got a mickey mouse shaped pancake, and a banana split with lots of whipped cream. Oh, the energy she had after that.

It was a bit strange for me since I had to leave the house for work before she woke up this morning (she was up late watching fireworks). I'll have to plan better next year, maybe making a morning surprise message/gift beforehand. She didn't seem to mind today tho.

*Giant kudos to Rachel & Cesar& Zev for sending a huge bouquet of balloons! That made the day special!!

Her celebrations will continue. Tomorrow we'll take her to a store to pick any toy she wants. We gave her the choice of a dress or toy, and she took toy. Cute. Love that.

Saturday is her party...at/inside our home. Ai. Last year was outside and freeeeeeezing, so I opted for indoors. Got a magician to come to hold the kids' attention.

Message from a youthful self

There are several things I want to do as a parent for T and Aila. One is to have each teacher that they have write a personalized note, and compile it as a book to be presented when they graduate from high school. 

The video below gave me another thing: I'll get both of them to leave messages for their future selves. With all this easy recording technology around us, there is so much they can do that never crossed my mind when I was growing up.

Who has curly hair?

Granted I had her hair up in miniture pigtails, Aila's hair is turning crazier as it gets longer.  This is definitely from the Kennedy side of the family : )

Kinda cool we have a straight-haired gal, and a curly-haired gal. I love discovering their differences and similarities.

Try this

This is fun. Really.