Short Road Trip

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Today Ron took Simon on a tour with his Bay Area Reefers (BAR) group to a clam research facility.

(photo courtesy of one of the BAR members)

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Iris and I took a short road trip to visit Auntie Betty in Millbrae. Iris did really well on the ride there and back, even with the bit of traffic we hit. She didn’t cry at all and put herself to sleep. I was a little nervous about her fussing about being in the car seat so long. But she a pleasantly surprised me by being very calm and peaceful. She enjoyed getting out to stretch though.

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She even took a nap while at their place. It probably helped they have a nice cushy comforter.

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Uncle Henry came home after work and played with Iris.

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She seems to really like Uncle Henry and was all smiles. Maybe she is already liking boys!

(photo courtesy of Auntie Betty)

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I love this backseat mirror for baby. It’s very clear so that I can actually see what’s going on in the backseat. She looks content to me!

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Brother and sister reunited in the evening.

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UC Botanical Garden

Friday, August 16, 2013

Simon and Iris admiring each other this morning.

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Today we visited the UC Botanical Garden. It’s been over 10 years since I’ve been there when I had to go for a class field trip. Since Simon likes flowers and tree branches, I thought he might find it interesting. Iris was a pretty good girl through our visit, riding in her stroller.

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But the gardens are better seen by walking. There are paved paths but some are steep and hard to maneuver. There are also lots of narrow paths and steps to see the more interesting places. So if we come back, I will bring Iris in the Ergo so we can see more. It took Simon a little while to warm up to the idea of the gardens but he seemed to enjoy looking around and walking all these different twist and turns.

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We stopped by the lawn area to have a little snack. I laid out a blanket for Iris under a tree and she really enjoyed watching the branches and leaves sway above her. It was the perfect temperature with a light breeze. She was wiggling around happily.

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Big brother Simon joined her on the lawn after exploring the Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden with Annie. He’s snacking on a pear that we brought. It was around 12pm so he was hungry and ate a lot of fruit and cookies.

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Simon enjoys picking things up off the ground like branches, nuts, pine cones, and leaves.

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The gardens have lots of beautiful flowers and interesting little creatures.

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Before we left to get a real lunch, we stopped by the redwood grove. Simon loved walking the paths, up and down and around.

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A little rest and drink of water before we leave.

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We had a late lunch and arrived home about 3pm but Simon did not want to nap. So I let him stay up but eventually he got quite fussy and disagreeable. We were reading books and he asked me to kiss him (which I thought was so sweet) then he asked if he could kiss me (which he did) the proceeded to stick his finger into my eye near the lower lid and scratch me with his fingernail. He got a timeout and things went downhill from there until he finally decided to calm down and want a snack. Which led to this:

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This was about 6pm. Ron moved him from the kitchen table and he whined a little bit about wanting his stuffed animal but before Ron could even get it, he passed out again.

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Soon after, Iris followed suit.

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So we had a quiet dinner, just Ron and me. Iris woke up right after we finished eating but Simon is out cold for the night. Ron carried him to his room eventually and he didn’t even wake up. I guess I did a good job of getting him to expend his excess energy!

Radio Disney at Blackhawk Plaza and Civic Park

Thursday, August 15, 2013

No more summer camp means Mommy daycare for Simon. We’ve had a busy two days with more to come before Simon starts preschool.

Wednesday, August 14:
Iris is starting to wiggle around more to move on her back. This is causing a little bald spot on the back if her head. It happened to Simon too so I know there’s not much I can do about it (those pillows don’t help) but I feel sad about it all the same.

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Simon checking out Daddy Ron’s fish tank.

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Late morning we headed out to Blackhawk Plaza after picking up Grandma Tam. At the plaza, Radio Disney had a free event for kids. They had four small activities to complete in order to get a prize. Here’s the lion’s leap where you race by jumping over the hazard cones.

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There was also a spinning wheel and bean bag toss. Then last but not least, a DIY zebra paper bag puppet.

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His prizes for completing all activities were a pair of 3D glasses from Planes the movie, a bracelet, and a pencil. After we were done, Grandma Tam treated us to lunch nearby. It was a warm day but comfortable sitting underneath the trees with a slight breeze.

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Kids making silly expressions.

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Simon played a little in the playground then we went to the market to buy some duck food. Only $1.95 for a little bit of fun for little kids.

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Action shot.

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Great thing about Blackhawk Plaza’s family restroom: toddler size toilets!

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A fun and exhausting day for all. Radio Disney also gave out goodie bags for adults which included red clown noses. They were promoting the Ringling Bros circus coming to town. Simon got a kick out of wearing a red nose.

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Thursday, August 15
Iris is getting more coordinated and can grab onto her toys. When she pulls them and music plays, she looks a little startled at first but is slowly figuring out action and reaction.

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While Iris was at home resting (she had a fitful night of sleep, waking every 3-4 hours), Simon and I went to Civic Park. First we visited the library for Storytime then had a picnic and then played at the sand park.

Iris sleeping before we left.

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Simon enjoying a grilled cheese and SPAM sandwich on flaxseed whole grain bread.

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Acting silly while finishing up lunch.

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Simon enjoyed playing with another little boy’s transporter truck rather than his own toys.

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Little Iris was waiting for us at home with an uncomfortable stomach. A bit constipated so was fussy most of the morning.

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But generally she was still smiling and happy to play. You could hear her tummy rumbling so I hope she’s able to get relief soon. More water and fiber for me to help her along.

Iris, Happy 3 Months!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

It was a two outfit kind of day. One for the morning from Auntie Callie and Uncle Tim.

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Iris also had a photo shoot this afternoon at Janie and Jack. They offered a free photo shoot and free 8×10 when I spent more than $75. So I signed up since it was free and coincidentally on Iris’ three month birthday. We won’t see those pictures until September but this was her outfit today.

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After the photo shoot, I went to check off an item on my carbohydrate craving list. A sweet almond pretzel from Auntie Anne’s. Iris was exhausted from the photo session and was fast asleep.

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Simon’s morning included playing in the backyard and finger painting. He painted long blue trailer trucks with brown wheels. The one on the bottom even had a curved smoke stack. He got a little frustrated while painting since he can’t erase but continued trying even after crying. He loves his trucks!

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Today was the perfect weather for swimming. Hot hot hot! Only problem was that there were only boys in class today so they got a little rowdy and weren’t listening closely to the teachers. There is only one girl in the class but it seems calmer when she is around. Here is Simon rushing to me to dry off after class.

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Wow, three months! Happy day our little Iris!

Sweet Smiles and Sounds

Monday, August 12, 2013

Sweet smiles today from our kids.

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And sweet sounds of a happy baby.

Notes for mommy:
– Iris has only been sleeping about 5-6 hours straight at night. No longer the incredible sleeping baby. Maybe growing?
– I never thought I would be so happy to see yellow poo but Iris’ poop color has returned to normal. No more green!