Kokochi

Aila tried a lemon

Inspired by a video of babies trying a lemon for the first time, I wanted to try it on Aila. 

As you'll see, it turns out I had a Meyer's lemon (from Uncle Markus' tree), and it was very sweet. Next time...

Tippy Toes

 Aila knows keys are important. Particularly the car keys that have buttons that make the car beep. I found her reaching as far as she possibly could. And she got 'em.

Her toes are beyond tippy toe. They are en pointe!

 

Sisters play, sisters nap

More pics from Marie while I worked. It's so reassuring to know T and Aila are getting warm loving care by grandmother. It means the world to me.

Now that Aila is clearly more than a baby, and interacts, T and Aila can play together. Sort of. I am beginning to hear, "mama, Aila is messing up my project!!" while T asks me to keep Aila away. Today, however, Marie got them see-sawing together. 

And in sync, they crashed into a nap together . 

Eating like a big gal

Marie sent this to me today. Aila has been keen on doing things more and more by herself. When walking around, she even refuses my helping hand as if to say, "I'm fine by myself!" (even though she still face plants a lot). I think her new skills are making her proud and happy : )

Aila's first birthday

My baby turned 1 on May 20th. I am belated in posting, but thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations (Thank you, Michelle!).

This was a very significant moment for me. My little baby is now heading fast into toddlerhood. I remember remarking how fast T changed as a newborn. With Aila, it felt faster since I had more stuff going on, but I was also more aware to appreciate every second. I still feel washes of gratefulness that I was able to have Aila. Lucky mama I am.

I want to mark this moment to express how much I love this little gal. How much I marvel at how different she is from T, and how funny and oh-so-cute she is. Her daily babbles, her wobbly walk, her attachment to me, the jokes she plays out to us, her knack in knowing which buttons on devices are most important. Dav and I laugh everyday just watching her and Tesla. 

It sounds corny, I know, but I totally feel that we had this space for Aila in our family, and with her here, the table is set. 

I love my Aila. Congratulations on blooming so wonderfully 12 months outside of the womb!

 

Like her sister, she is a blankie gal. And that beautiful birthday dress? From Gran Marie! Thank you!!

Love this side look on her. That yellow flower in her hair is from Michelle.

That's our gal! 

With her Great Grandmother, Maria. 

 Surrounded by her older sisters : )  And balloons.

Very cute cupcakes made by Michelle, decorated by kids.

Fav snapshot. 

More  pics.

T's understanding

[I drafted this a few weeks back but never posted; leaving as is]

I felt guilty yesterday for not being able to join Tesla's last field trip. This is her last week as a kindergartner, which is a special time of development. It's between the lovely all-play-time at preschool and a transition to when kids begin to understand the cycle of school, its schedules, homework, activities, and long days. At kindergarten, kids attend the same school space as older kids, but still get to be the little pre-school self. Next year, however, is a bit more of the real deal. (Although we'll be kickstarting her 1st grade year with a week at Burning Man.)

Anyway, I told T I felt bad for not being part of her field trip. She said it was ok. Then I found this. She has no idea how much this means to me : )

Aila signs "more"

We went to the restaurant the other day. Aila looks so big on the other side of the table. She signed "motto" (more) in sign language. So cute. This gal is catching on quick!

Caterpillar art

Remember those tiles we painted for the Rosa Parks garden mosaic? 

We plastered them on a wall, so now they are permanently there. Was a nice afternoon art project. I feel grateful for the parents who put it together. Apparently the next project is a butterfly on another wall. 

Happy garden it is!

Thank you, Nikola Tesla

This says it all. We are very proud of Tesla's name. It will be fun to explain to Tesla who she is named after, and why we chose her name. 

Excellent presentation : )  I keep thinking Edison = doucebag now.

4 years ago today...

Dav gets old photos emailed to him from a service called Memolane.  He forwarded today's, and in there was this one cute photo of tiny Tesla helping daddy make Mother's Day breakfast for me, 4 years ago. So cute.

Tesla finishes kindergarten in 2 weeks. She reads now, is independent, and is a great big sister. Aila turns 1 in just a few weeks. She walks, giggles, and does peek-a-boo to us. 

I am completely smitten by my family.