Manu's Birthday!

Manu just had a birthday!  He and I had just arrived back Thursday night from a blissful 3-week excursion to visit family in OK.

We had to get back before Manu's birthday so we could celebrate with Nate!

Nate had the whole day off and the three of us savored the day together.  Then we had a great pizza dinner at the beach (pepperoni with extra sand anyone?) with some friends.  We headed back to our place where everyone had milkshakes, except Manu.  He opted for three clementines instead.

A few fun facts about Manu for his birthday:

• Manu is totally addicted to the Piano Guys music videos.  If you haven't watched them, you should.  They're really pretty good.  We're in the midst of an intervention.  Do they have a 12-step program for toddlers? 

• He loves to throw things.  Which is usually fine since he has (mostly) learned that throwing things at the piano or computer = timeout. However, it can also make for interesting Sacrament Meetings.  Watch out if you're sitting behind us.  Or in front of us for that matter.  

• Takes a 2-3 hr nap every afternoon.  Heaven.

• When we go to the park, he'd rather dig in the dirt than play on the playground.  

Happy Birthday, Manu!  We love you!

 P.S.  when did you get so big?

Birthday 2012

Don't worry, the title is not a typo.  On Wednesday Nate and I finally got to go out and have the little birthday adventure I'd been scheming about since June of last year.  It might have something to do with the love of my life working two jobs and being the bishop of our ward.  And my dear friend being super sick and not able to babysit Manu on the few days he did have off.  Maybe.  I feel I've dealt with the situation with remarkable patience. (We won't mention that I'd practically given up on it)


But Wednesday everything finally came together.  The day was perfect - not much wind, clear skies, calm water.  So we went sea kayaking!  It was amazing!   We started off at Kailua beach and paddled out to the Mokes (Mokulua Islands). These two islands (Mokulua means "twin islands") are part of the Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary, but you can land on the beach of the left island (looking from shore) and look around.


Here's some pics from the adventure:

paddling out

On the beach at the Mokes (rhymes with smokes)

(Katie, this one is for you) this is a nesting Shearwater.

Looking back toward Lanikai beach

The second island 

It was so perfect, I told Nate this is what I wanted to do every year for my birthday.  Can't wait to go out again!

Manu is 18 months!

On Sunday, Manu turned 18 months!  

And you all know what that means - nursery!  Yes, I've been looking forward to this for a long time now.  In fact I've been taking him for a month now so that by this time Manu would have no problem being left in the nursery for 2 hours during church.  Well, and let's face it - I wasn't getting much out of Sunday School or Relief Society chasing him around and trying to keep him quiet and entertained.  We spent a lot of time in the hall.  I love nursery already.  Church seems so much more refreshing now.

We started our celebrations with a few unapproved art projects: table, door, fridge, stove....legs, nothing is safe.  This boy loves to color!

We made some delicious peanut butter snack balls.  Manu helped by scooping all the ingredients into the bowl, onto the counter and into his mouth.  

But, he's been learning to clean up after himself, too.  

I often call Manu a little wanderer because that's what he likes to do best.  He wanders from room to room investigating and finding things to play with and entertaining himself.  He has recently discovered numbers and letters and is fascinated by them.  He asks to sing the "ABDs"over and over (for some reason C gets left out unless specifically asked).

Whenever he hears the beep of a truck backing down our street, his face lights up and he runs to to door and says "truck! see, see!" So we go out and watch.  It's usually the garbage truck and really could it get more exciting than watching a big truck lift up and empty dumpsters?  It's been a slow week so far, stuck in the house with a cold, so sometimes that's the highlight of the day.

Manu loves to sing songs and will ask for more as long as I'm willing to sing.  Except for one song.  "I Am a Child of God" is only allowed at nap time and bedtime.  If I start singing it any other time of day, he thinks I'm going to put him in bed and starts crying.  I wonder what he does when they sing it in nursery....

Manu 1 year ago:  6 months old

Manu now!

What a difference a year makes!  Happy 18 months, Manu!  It's been quite the adventure being your mom and we're just getting started!

Manu's 1st Birthday!

It's nearly a month ago, but while we were in Oklahoma with my family this summer, Manu had his 1st birthday!  We had a fabulous celebration.  My sister, Kathryn, and my Dad also have birthdays near Manu's and we partied together.  They didn't seem to mind the Very Hungry Caterpillar theme.

Manu with his Daddy, the birthday cake, opening presents, eating cake, the dinner party

Nate Skyped in for the festivities and we had fondue for dinner!  Manu wasn't sure what to think of his cupcake; he just rolled it around.  He loved the ice cream, though!   Happy Birthday, Manu!

Just before his birthday, Manu took his first steps.  Now he's roaming around like crazy!

He's also starting to use a few words (uh-oh, mama, dada, more, no, hot, hello, and bye).  He says bubbo for blueberries or strawberries, which is too cute.  I think no is the funniest, though, because he seems to use it for yes and no.  And he just walks around the house singing no, no, no, no...

We had a fabulous time in OK and I know I've been delinquent about posting pics, but I'm mending my ways, so get ready for more posts in the coming week!

Messy Mealtime

There's a few things you should note about this photo:

One being that for the last two months or so Manu has refused to wear a bib.  He immediately reaches up and rips it right off.  As you can see from his orange-tinted face and belly, that had the potential to add up to a mountain of dirty shirts in my laundry pile.  So now he eats shirtless.  Like a caveman.

Another is that Manu really knows how to relax and enjoy his meals.  He likes to reach back and stretch or lean to one side and put his arm up on the back of the chair as he eats.  What a ham!


As of yesterday, Manu is officially 11months old.  Let the countdown begin!

 First birthdays around here are a big deal.  We'd love to follow local tradition and throw a big party for all of you, but I have just two words to explain why we won't:  student budget.  Let's be real, folks.  If you're really disappointed, you can come over for a cookie.

Instead of a party, Manu and I are running away to Oklahoma!  Wahooo!

Birthday!

I had a great 26th birthday this weekend!  After a fabulous homemade breakfast sandwich (you know it's going to be good when the sandwich is dubbed "Heart-Stoppin' Fun") and a nap for Manu, we hit the beach!

Manu is loving the water these days and that plus having Nate along made it a perfect way to spend my birthday afternoon.  We were so busy splashing around in the water that I didn't take any photos at the beach, but Nate did snap these before we left:

Manu's hair gets a little crazy when we put sunscreen all over his head.  It makes a great styling gel.

Peace.

Manu has also started developing his musical abilities.  (ie. he realized that he can reach the piano keys without my help), much to our neighbors' chagrin at times, I'm sure.

We finished of the day with delicious Thai food, a sweet card from Nate and Manu, and a playlist of fun new songs. 

Now before you laugh that I didn't make it in to any of the pictures on my own birthday blog, look carefully at the top photo.  Those are my calves.  Plus, I know why you all check this blog anyway.  Even if it is my birthday, you're all hoping for a glimpse of Manu.

4 Months!

Little Manu turned 4 months old on Sunday!  This is what he did to celebrate:

Modeled his new jacket from AJ.

Slept.  (we're working on starting to sleep through the night again, and I think we're really close)

Partied it up with the Samoan ward and our friend Liu.

And for the big finale:

(please excuse my baby-talk voice in this video)

he learned to roll over!  

(unfortunately he rolls over while he's trying to go to sleep and wakes himself up, but I still think it's super cute to watch)

Happy Birthdays

Okay, let's pretend for a moment that today is October 23rd.
Happy Birthday, Nate!  I love you and am so glad that you are a part of my life.

You are an awesome Dad.  I love to watch our Manu when he's with you.  Like father, like son.

I've never seen a prouder, more loving daddy.  Manu and I are so blessed to have you.

You have a great sense of humor.

And you always keep me on my toes.  Thanks for sharing life's greatest adventures with me!  I love you!

And now, let's pretent that it's October 27th.  Manu is three months old now!  We've seen a lot of changes this month:

Manu helping with the laundry.

Manu is now enjoying tummy time!  Hooray!

Manu has also discovered his hands and loves to suck on them and whatever he can grab hold of.

And, he's still our happy little guy!  We love making him laugh with raspberries and silly noises.

We love you, Manu!