Birthday

We went to Disneyland! And really I must say it is the best thing to do for your birthday, if you like birthdays. I really don't mind them. So I had a blast!!!

We are currently at my parents house hanging out. Raffi is running amok and running more amok. It is neat to see his discipline skills maturing. He responds to a possible or actual time out and I've actually seen it curb his bad behavior. So amazing!

He is mimicking so many more words now. "Trash" is the most recent new one I can remember. When he hears a siren, he cups his ear with his hand and says "Listen." He is still obsessed with garbage trucks and gardeners.

Back to Dland: We went on the Carosel 3 times. That was hands down Raffi's favorite ride, we also went on the Train 3 times. Also another big fav. We went on Snow White, Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, and Small WOrld. Raffi wasn't a big fan of the small world(see picture). Cried and danced almost at the same time. We went around Toon Town and near the end of the night we went on the Pirates of the Caribean. And he did great. I was soo impressed. He was shocked at the drop parts of the ride but didn't even cry. So crazy.

Family Beach House

I was visiting family for almost 2 weeks in August. I spent some time at my parent's and then at a beach house in Southern California. My wonderful and generous grandma gets the family a beach house almost every year. And it is always a good time. Sometimes I feel a little trapped by my little guy and limited in the fun stuff I can do, but every year it gets better. And raffi enjoys the beach more and more as he gets older. Through this time he added new words, Moon, tried to say Grandpa, and others that are escaping me at the moment. He just chatters away and talks your ear off, but you just can't understand 90% of it.

Raffi loved the ocean, running amok in the house and being the center of attention. My cousin Kelly is pregnant, so it is neat to see that we will have two little ones in the coming years, to destroy everything. Two boys, even!

There was a lot of firsts as well. I took him to his first baseball game, Angels vs. Tigers, Angels lost. And he did so amazingly, I thought for certain he would be crazy and running off the bleachers. But he stayed in the little area in front of my seat and wasn't bothered by the thousands of people and noises. It was great.

Raffi got skateboard lessons from his big cousin Scott. Of course, Raffi found the skateboard while no one was looking and fell trying to get on it. but he just got up and went back for more. So it was great that Scott gave him some assistance. He just loved it. as you can see.

My brother and I took Raffi down to the shore one morning and we had fun building sand castles and then he destroyed them. As evidence I have video! Grandma-ma gave him a cool double wagon for his birthday in June and we were finally able to utilize it at the beach boardwalk. He loved to be taken on wagon rides up and down the walk. He slung his arm over the back rest like he was just chillin and cruisin! And since we've been home, I took him to our local paved trail for a walk/wagon ride and he loved it. He just lasts so much longer in the wagon than in the stroller. So I'm going to try to do it weekly. Good exercise for me.

The family went out for our annual dinner out and we were by the area with rides and such. I knew Raffi loves the Carousal so we headed over there. He caught one look of the Ferris wheel and it was pointing all crazy. He wanted to go on the Ferris wheel. Which I was thrilled, not really, I don't like heights. But we went on it and of course he loved it.

There are so many other pictures and some more video, I'll have to post them later.

Yeh! Found our camera.

Our digital camera has been MIA for over a month. I checked all of Raffi's hiding places because I was sure he was the last one to have had it. So today, I moved the couch and low and behold, there was the camera, a cookbook, 2 balls, 3 pens, raisins, papers and a phone book. Thank God.

I will now be able to take good pictures at our family beach house trip in a couple weeks. I've been packing today, because I will be leaving soon to go see my parents.

Raffi is saying "Got it" when he gets something and "home" and some beginnings of "mine." He is getting so tall as well.

This week, I cooked entirely out of the The Toddler Cafe by Jennifer Carden. So far so good. Raffi hasn't like all of the recipes, but they have been pretty tasty. I've liked them. There are several recipes using veges in creative ways. I haven't really had time to do that yet. It has been baking frozen french fries and stuff like that.

Raffi is finally starting to like some chicken. And he has discovered the joy of dipping things in Ranch dressing. So he is already a big ranch fan. He ate a couple bites of chicken nuggets at Mcdonald's. He really likes those apple slices. So it is funny we go to McDonald's for apples. And I sometimes get the yogurt apple walnut snack salad.

I particularly hungry right now, and all my snacking is not even filling me up. Even some chocolate chips!

Somebody come feed me!

June Month in Review

June was a major event month and in true fashion I didn't blog about it. So my critics have reminded me!

So in review:
Raffi and I went Strawberry Picking at a farm. He did really good, actually picking the berries, (not eating them like the other kids in our playgroup were doing) and putting them in the box. I was so impressed. He got plenty muddy and I ate pie, so it was good times for all!

Raffi had his first professional haircut. We went to one of those kid places where you sit in a car. He was fine in the car like seat, until the lady put the smock on him. Then the crying and anger began. I had to assist in holding him to get the haircut finished, but he is a trooper and the hairstylist was fast, so it all worked out in the end. He looked so handsome and like such a big boy. I loved his haircut; his father - not so much.

We had a 2nd Birthday Party for Raffi with some work friends on June 13th. The party went well and Raffi was full of high energy and seemed to even be embarrassed when we sang Happy Birthday to him.


Raffi and I also went for a trip to So. Cal to visit family. We had a good time and had another birthday party where Raffi demonstrated his John Daly impression. Funny Boy.


Raffi is saying an additional 5 or more words. His babbling is getting more and more distinct. I'm so surprised he is not fully talking yet. He always seems like he right on the cusp. His motor skills are excellent and he is just crazy anyplace he goes. He loves to climb, go on the big slides at parks, and loves to dance to any good music.

We also started going to a local amusement park for preschoolers. Raffi loves the train and the carosel. It is fun to enjoy it with him, I can't wait to take him to Disneyland.

Raffi had his "2" year Child Wellness Doctor appointment. He is about 23 pounds and 33 inches tall. It was good news because his weight percentages went up (prior appointment it had decreased and gone off the chart.) So this was great! His ears look good and he was in overall good health. And no shots, so that was the best part of all. I swear he grew a whole inch in the month of June. He just seemed to sprout into a boy on his 2nd birthday!

On a personal note for me. I feel like the last couple months have been more peaceful, including feelings of contempment. As always there was instances of challenging circumstances and events. I am confident that God is with me and He can use even the suckiest situations for his Glory! Amen.

Thank you Mom & Dad

Really this is a shout out to my parents. A huge thank you for all that they do, but specifically on this last visit. It is really difficult to get the simplest house chores done with hubbie and I not the most handiest and with a toddler running around. So it was a great help to have my dad here. He fixed a towel rack, replaced a shower head, fixed my closet rod, various other tasks and weeded and tidied the backyard. My mom took care of Raffi while I got some great alone time.

God is really at work in my life and He is so blessing me with my parents. Thanks mom and dad. And then on Sunday, Hubbie babysat so I could go watch a movie with a girlfriend. Thanks Hubbie. We saw Paul Blart: Mall Cop. It was cute. Yes it is no Slumdog Millionaire (I will see it eventually.) But the movie was a great fun no-thinking escape.

And I did watch a bit of the Oscar's I just can't not watch Hugh Jackman. He is so awesome.

Above is a pic of my mom (grandma) and Raffi at a Farm. Hello Cow.

cold, yes, yes again.

Well raffi's nose started running on Tuesday. I got a doctor's appointment that day and I made a good call. Raffi had ear infections in both ears. I knew with liquid in his ears just a week or two ago that he was prone to it again. So we are seeing an Ear, Nose Throat (ENT) Doctor in a couple of weeks. I won't be surprised if we get tubes put in by a couple of months. For being sick and such Raffi is doing pretty good.

Grandpa and Grandma have come for a visit this week and Raff is really showing off. He was so hyper the day they arrive he wouldn't go asleep until after 10pm. He had a great time with them today and I was able to get away and get a haircut (it has been since October) and have lunch with dear super friend Julie.

Well its late and I've got to get some sleep. Night.

Catching Up.

Ok, what have I missed to talk about. The last two months, I've thought, oh that would be good to write about in my blog or that would be great. So still I have a blog written about not writing in my blog. I am probably not the only one with this problem. So back in it.

So to catch up & some xmas pics:

Christmas: Lots of fun. Visits with Family was a blast. Raffi didn't really care about xmas too much, I think next year he'll get it more.

Development: Raffi is chattering a bunch, mostly non-scensical. He can mimic tree, duck, fish, and other basics. He points and says "tis" for this and he says "see" when he wants me to pick him up so he can see what I'm doing in the kitchen. He is definitly understanding verbal direction more, whether he chooses to obey is another story. He responds to the no-nos, drop, lets go bye-bye, etc. It is wonderful to see him grow.
Raffi w/ Santa

When we were not traveling, we spent the time going to playdates with various moms groups, park visits, returning stuff at the mall, and hanging out.

I've started counting calories this January, coupled with a bout with the stomach flu I lost a bunch of weight! I have this great handy application on my Iphone where I keep track of my calories. I had no idea I was eating so much during the day. Those times in between meals snacking, really add up!

So I've been doing it for a couple of weeks and have increased my exercising (a bit, getting back into the stroller walks/hikes.)

So things are pretty normal crazy around here!

my bro's rock band

My brother is in a band called Cubicle, and their music video Wall Street Polka made it on an CNN international Ireport. My brother, Mark, is the serious looking drummer.

Lions and Tigers and Astronauts?

1. This past week: Raffi is sleeping through the night. (I nurse him to sleep and for a nap; so 2-3 times a 24 hour period.) Sometimes he does wake up at night, I rub his back and most of the time he goes right back to sleep.

2. Last Friday: I went out for my first mom's night out (after 7pm). It was the first time I'd been out without the baby past 7pm. It is weird driving in the dark. I don't do it that often. It was great. Doug was able to get Raffi down with no problem. Yeh!!!

3. Halloween was tons of fun. Raffi was an astronaut and looked super cute in his so professional looking costume. (Thanks for picking it out Sam!) We went to 2 Halloween playdates (One I dressed up as an Egyptian Mummy...from space) and did a little 10am trick or treating at a local little town main street. I'm looking forward to next year when it will be a little more interactive for him.

4. Mid October: Raffi and I went down to So. Cal for a visit with family and friends. It went well logisitically and Raffi had a great time. He started repeating words more often including: Thank You, Turtle, nite nite, fish, bye bye and other random words which he never repeats.

Grandparent Fun

The Grandparents (plus one great-grandparent) was a success. I know they had a great time and enjoyed experiencing Raffi in person, instead of over a web cam. My father and I played a little par 3 golf, while my mom babysat. On Saturday, Doug and I had a date and saw the latest Batman movie. We came home to Raffi taking a nap on my mom, it was so cute. I sadly didn't take as many pictures as I have on previous visits. Of course, there was a lot of eating of food and dessert, especially chocolate cakes (from various restaurants.)




My parents could probably better describe their visit, but Raffi had a blast for sure. He was going a mile a minute talking and running around. He always kept an eye to make sure someone was paying attention to him and loved to play peek-a-boo with the grandparents. Raffi also had some amazing conversations with my 92 year old grandma Audrey. I'm not sure this week can compare with the last, with his favorite audience gone.

Music Class and reading

I forgot to mention in my last blog that I finished the novel I was reading; Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner. Or did I mention it. Now I can't remember. ...Nope, just check, I hadn't. I blogged that I was reading, but not that I finished. Which, I did. It has been like over a year or so since I finished a fiction book. It felt victorious.

Music class went well. As soon as Raffi's little feet hit the classroom floor he was running around examining the doors, electrical outlets, the boom box, etc. He was in a room full of strangers and usually he is glued to my side. Nope, not that day. He would swing by give me a smile and keep on moving; Basically through the entire music class. While other children were sitting calmly on their mother's, grandma's or nanny's lap. But no, not Raffi. I guess he really does have my DNA in him. Ha ha. I'm starting to get a little frightened of what life is going to be like for the next decade or so with an active boy!

Raffi did clap a couple of times and did his own dance, which is twirling around with his head cocked to one side. For a first class, I declare it was successful. I'm looking forward to watching his development in this class.

Today, my parents and my dad's mother are coming for a visit for several days. I'm really excited. I can't wait for them to witness the little boy that has emerged from my baby.

Follow-up thoughts and such

Yesterday, I came to a epiphany about my worry about Raffi's weight. I have wanted him to be 20 pounds because #1. He could use his new car seat, and #2. Some notion in my head that he needs to be 20 pounds. So the realization was that just because he reaches 20 pounds isn't going to make him more healthier, happier or really anything of consequence. He will just be 20 pounds. Raffi is healthy and quite happy; so no more fixating on his weight for me!

Did I mention, that Raffi has had a cold all week and lovingly gave it to his mother. Oh yes. While mentioning our colds to my dad, he reminisced about all the illnesses we brought home to him and mom. Especially, the time my brother and I gave my dad the chicken pox; which for an adult is much worse. He was quite miserable, I remembered as well.

I made some odds and ends addition to the blog, i figured it needed some art. I keep telling myself that I'm going to review any artwork that I've come across, ie the Seattle Art Museum and really haven't. Eventually, I will. I hope to take Raffi to the San Jose art museum and also make it back to the San Francisco ones.

Home again.

We all made it home safely yesterday. The travel was much smoother the way back. Over the weekend, we went up to Anacortes, WA for lunch and looked at the pretty Victorian houses overlooking the San Juan Islands. On Saturday, we went to the Children's museum, had lunch with some old friends, and went to Tacoma, WA for some of Doug's favorite Teriyaki. On Sunday, we hit Pike Place market for breakfast for one last hooray before we packed up and headed to the airport. Raffi did great on the plane, I think his ears were bothering him a bit on the descent, even with nursing, but he is such a champ.


This is a picture of Raffi in the hotel lounge area. He loved to run around the lobby of the hotel. In this pic he was looking out the window and talking to all the people that walked by.

But, as sad as I was to leave Seattle it is good be home. This week, Doug is off from work, so we hope to have lots of fun, just hanging out.

Vacation.

Happy 4th of July! I remember last year I was leaving the NICU/Hospital visiting Raffi while Fireworks were going off. Now he is eating Korean take out food and some tangerine Popsicle. They grow up so quickly, I've heard.

Raffi and I had a great vacation with the family at the beach. We drove at night this time which made the trips much easier. Raffi's development is just growing by leaps and bounds. He is walking a couple of steps, between objects that are pretty close together. He is also waving when you say goodbye.

I know there was more I was thinking in putting in here, but I can't remember them at the moment, my child is beating me.

Vacation and Teething

We just got back from a trip to visit family in Southern California. Overall it went well, there always seems to things that go awry but it was good to show off the little one and hang out. Raffi started getting his first teeth last week. I'm sure they were coming in before I noticed. He is doing pretty well for being a teething baby. Now the frequent night wakings start to make a little more sense.

Raffi's awareness has really increased in the last couple of weeks. It is just amazing. He is going to be a little boy before we know it.

I've posted a video of Raffi in his jumper his Great Grandma got him (thanks grandma!) I couldn't figure out how to rotate it so, sorry about the sideways video.