Saturday, January 28, 2012

Two for One (Sydney edition)

As many of you may know, Casey and Sydney were both born on the same day... Exactly two years apart. Today we celebrated Casey's 3rd birthday and Sydney's 1st birthday. It was a beautiful day, and we had a great turnout. Friends, family, a taco caterer and a balloon artist all helped us celebrate. Props to Mommy who did a wonderful job preparing. And a special thanks to cousin Ashley who spent a week with us, helping out. Without them, the party would not have happened.

Mommy baked him a personal birthday cake. All for him to do as he pleased.

Sydney spent most of his time looking around, and soaking everything in. This was quite possibly the biggest party he has experienced to date. In viewing the photos below, it should become obvious what the highlight of Sydney's day was... CAKE!!!

Sydney with his Nanny, Rei.


Sydney laughing at his big brother trying to blow out candles.


Just getting started on his personal birthday cake.


The damage isn't too bad so far... Yet.


Wow!

Two for One (Casey edition)

As many of you may know, Casey and Sydney were both born on the same day... Exactly two years apart. Today we celebrated Casey's 3rd birthday and Sydney's 1st birthday. It was a beautiful day, and we had a great turnout. Friends, family, a taco caterer and a balloon artist all helped us celebrate. Props to Mommy who did a wonderful job preparing. And a special thanks to cousin Ashley who spent a week with us, helping out. Without them, the party would not have happened.

Casey was aware of an impending birthday party. A week earlier, he attended a birthday party for his friend Allison. He came home and said, "My party is next". During the week immediately preceeding the big day, Casey would say, "My birthday party." I had to keep telling him, "Not today baby, but soon". Finally the special day came.

Casey had a blast. Lots of his friends showed up; he splashed around in the pool and played lots of chase with the other young fellas.

Casey watching Ben the Balloon artist make his Seahorse balloon sculpture.


Casey and Cassandra splashing in the pool.


Casey huffing and puffing and blowing his candles out.

Casey obliging Daddy's request for a kiss.


Casey posing with his personal birthday cake.


Casey isn't too messy!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Upright

Sydney has broken through. He took his first steps... Last night, he was taking some steps, but he was very camera shy. Anytime he saw a video camera, he would react by plopping down on his behind. This time, maybe he was ultra-focused on Dad, or Cousin Ashley was just stealth with the Iphone camera... but he performed for the camera.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Gettin Close

Sydney is getting oh so close to walking. He can (unknowingly) balance himself standing up for a few seconds... Until he realizes he isn't holding on to anything and quickly sits on his butt. His older brother can't wait for him to walk, he is so anxious to play chase with him. Right now, they play their own version of chase, with Casey running wild, and Sydney crawling like mad trying to keep up with him.

Stay tuned, with any luck, we'll have a video of Sydney's first independent steps soon!

Ass-gasket

Last night, in the middle of his swim lesson, Casey looks at me sitting besides the pool and says, "I have to go potty". I thought, wow, he's making progress. I have been told, ( and I must admit, it makes sense), that the first step in potty training is when they know AHEAD of time the sensation of having to go. So, I get him out of the pool, hustle him to the bathroom. I struggle to take off his swim diaper.. I'm getting nervous, like the bomb squad trying to diffuse a bomb. I don't know how much time I have, I can only assume bladder (and bowel) control is a more advanced topic that comes later on in potty training. I clean off the toilet seat for him and get ready to set him on there.. He says, "No Daddy, I want paper"... He's pointing at the dispenser on the wall. Quizzically, I ask him, "You want an ass-gasket?" He sure did! I set out the gasket, and sat him down... Nothing. After about 2 seconds, he says "I'm done." Nothing happened. Maybe he has stage fright... I don't know. It was a false alarm, but I'm OK with that. No harm, no foul. Next time it might not be a dud, it just might be a live bomb!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Step Ladder

Sydney is at that stage where the coolest thing in the world is the remote control. Not the little plastic play ones that come with his toys; only the real thing will do. This evening, I was down on the floor playing with Sydney. Multitasking, I was controlling the TIVO when he wasn't looking. Once, he turned around unexpectedly, and saw GOLD!!... the remote control in Daddy's hand. I quickly tossed it on the couch, out of reach... or so I thought. Sydney, who is just learning to balance and stand up, managed to stand on my leg, then he hoisted one leg up to my shoulder, and used the leverage to SIT ON MY HEAD. This gave him the proper height to reach the remote control!

Gotta give him credit; resourceful little one...

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Poor Doggie!

Casey's love for his DOGGIE has been well chronicled. Well, we almost had a disaster recently. Over the Christmas break, we spent some time in SD, visiting Nai-Nai and Ye-Ye. On Christmas day, we packed up and left, but 45 miles north of SD, we got a call from Nai-Nai. EMERGENCY... Casey left his doggie in SD. Thankfully, mommy has planned ahead, and has doggie's twin in a suitcase. We brought him out, and Casey didnt miss a beat.

Meanwhile, from back in SD, I got the following email from Nai-Nai. "Casey may not miss his doggie, but I think the doggie missed Casey. When I got downstairs in the morning, I saw doggie sitting in the corner so sad looking. I felt sorry for him, so I gave him a bath (in the washer) and took him upstairs in our bedroom."

Good to know doggie is in good hands while he vacations in SD.