Pool party

...in the backyard! It was a hot day. Rosie quickly fell in love with the pirate boat...






Which resulted in some heartbreak when she had to get out (hose water takes a while to warm up!)...

SF beach day

Today we headed north to San Francisco to hit the beaches and meet up with good friends L and M. We laid out in the sand and played in the water. Rosie loved playing chicken with the waves. She would run toward the water, holding our hand, then run away or jump in our arms when the water came closer. We may have a thrill-seeking toddler on our hands.
After that we hung out at the Beach Chalet for lunch and walked through a little street fair celebrating Queen's Day and had our first taste of stroopwaffles.

Frills and grand entrances

Unfortunately Mommy and Rosie didn't see eye to eye on this fashion choice...Rosie put up a fight taking off her Elmo dress/shirt/frill-crazy outfit.


Rosie's simultaneously perfecting peek-a-boo and her grand entrance!

Flower tour

We love to walk around the neighborhood. Rosie takes her time smelling every flower and bush, occasionally trying to climb a tree. She looks for cats under cars and will also take grass naps if it's a long walk.


And of course we need to bring provisions (blocks and crackers!)

Mockummercial

Just having a little fun. Though if we scored a new hybrid out of it, I wouldn't complain :)

Vavôs' Anniversary

Yesterday we spent the day with the Vavos and celebrated their 49th anniversary! We started the celebration with a Portuguese lunch at Sousa's Restaurant. Then we headed down to Santa Cruz where half of California decided to go on this record-high day. Rosie loved the beach and getting to play in the water. We then drove along the coast and ended up back in San Jose for dinner. It was so warm we ate comfortably outside. It was great spending time with Vavô and Vavó on their special day.

Show me those muscles!

A reinactment of a scene from Canada Part Deux by the Bui cousins.

17 months

Highlights of month 17:

• Hilarious sense of humor. Rosie seems to understand how to be silly and loves to joke around with us. Some of the best times are in the mornings when she is in bed with us, rolls around giving us kisses, then tries to steamroll our heads (meaning roll right over our faces) and  does so laughing. She and DaddyO are amazing together. They make each other crack up...two peas in a pod.
• Communication. Rosie is starting to talk a little and can say: more, más, up, car, bubbles, wawa (water), mama, Ba, Vavo, and a bunch more babbling/nonsense words (Dilbert?). She continues to sign, which has been a pretty amazing way for her to let us know what she needs. Rosie is also mastering more animal impressions: cat, dog, cow, horse, monkey, sheep, goat, bear (which she just learned at the San Diego Zoo), elephant. She is understanding the majority of what we're saying. She will not pick up after herself (selectively), including throwing away things in the garbage when asked to. She also loves to now lead us around to get us to do something for her. Or, in some cases, she pulls me away so she can take my seat! Sneaky baby. The Monkey See Monkey Do is in full effect.
• Movement: Rosie is now practicing the nuances of walking, including the ever-challenging vertical motions. She LOVES to sit, usually on our front step. And the way she sits is like when she sits in our laps to read a book - she puts herself in reverse. Rosie can get herself down from the bed safely. She loves to climb.
• Social being. No surprise Rosie continues to be quite social. She loves to walk right up to someone and give a wave. She also likes to eavesdrop on others' juicy conversations. For the most part though, it is well received. Rosie loves to give kids and babies hugs and kisses, as was evident when she could not keep her hands off Cousin J the other week. She is super loving.
• Musical ear. Rosie loves songs! She has started to request specific songs using certain hand motions. For example, she move her hands like a spider for Itsy Bitsy Spider, she puts her hand on her head for Head Shoulder Knees and Toes, she points her finger for Kia Con Buom Vang, she uses one hand to rub the other for Wheels on the Bus (that's her interpretation of the round and round motion), she claps her hands for If You're Happy and You Know It. She loves to be serenaded. We can't wait until she starts singing to us!
• Eating. Rosie's favorite thing is still fruit (strawberries, oranges, apples, bananas, melons, grapes, you name it she'll devour it). She is starting to eat veggies on her own a little. The funny thing she does is refuse meat if it's cut up and prefers to hold a big piece (chicken leg, rib) instead. She does still like eggs thankfully.
• AquaBaby. Rosie still loves the water! Over the past months she's been swimming a few times and she goes crazy for it. She is really brave in the water, letting us dunk her under briefly and jumping into our arms from the ledge of the pool (which could be a little scary if she's TOO brave and not so careful). Today she was having the time of her life wading in the water in Santa Cruz. She could have spent hours in the water and sand if we'd let her.

I know I say this every month, but she really has entered an amazing stage and everyday she leaves us awestruck at how lucky we are to have her in our lives. She has such a special soul.

Paparazzi

The celebrity at night:



The celebrity and family trying to get away from the media:

San Diego departure

Our last day in San Diego involved a morning swim then meeting up with Uncle M, Auntie A, and Baby J. We grabbed a quick lunch then headed to the zoo where we met up with the rest of the O clan. It was a hot day with lots to see. It is a pretty special place and we were with pretty amazing people. We had to run off from there to catch our flight. Sadness!

San Diego (days 3,4,5) and Naming Ceremony

The vacation's main event was the naming ceremony of our dear Baby Cousin J at his grandparents' house today. It was a beautiful afternoon in El Cajon and all the family and guests were beaming with joy. The ceremony was very special, hearing the history behind his name, how his name came to Auntie A in a dream, and the blessings he received from 3 proud generations. What was particularly striking was the gathering- a house packed with family and friends who love Auntie and Uncle and, almost
instantly, Baby J. The lovely tradition and sense of community were very touching and made me think of how I want that for our Rosie as well.



In other, less-exciting news, the 2 says prior were filled with rain, high winds, and a sick Mommy. But DaddyO and Rosie got in some really good time. It is so sweet seeing them together. They make each other laugh, it makes your heart melt.

Rowing a boat on a rainy day:


Just plain goofy:


Big cheesy smile while eating big block of cheese:


Eating in bed and being so mishievious:


Always room for cheese!

Location:Harbor Island Dr,San Diego,United States

San Diego day 2

After sleeping in and a morning swim for Rosie and DaddyO, we headed to Coronado Island. There we had a picnic lunch at a park then headed to the sand. Rosie really loved playing on the beach, rolling around, and bringing us new sand.












Family arrived in San Diego that afternoon so we were off to El Cajon to spend the evening with Uncle M, Auntie A, Cousin J and the O family.
Here is Rosie giving her cousin a big kiss...we're working on getting her to give hand kisses.




Here is a post-dinner read aloud of "The Pout Pout Fish". It was a pretty magical moment seeing Rosie totally enamored with her uncle and aunt. She was listening very attentively and even made her kiss-kiss face on cue (and on the first read!)




We love family time!

San Diego Day 1

Yesterday we packed up and headed south to San Diego. Sunday is going to be the naming ceremony for Cousin J so we figured we'd make a vacation out of it and come down early. Plus that means even more time with them!

Yesterday's flight was short and sweet, though Rosie decided I skip her morning nap so it was a little cranky at first until she finall gave in.



After we landed we hit up a grocery store to stock up on essentials and vacation treats then headed to the hotel to rest.



Next up: swimming! It was a little breezy so we took a quick dip.






Rosie loved it, of course. We then showered up and got ready for dinner. This little one was enjoying the view au naturel (warning: exposed baby bottom!)



As we headed out to the GasLamp district, this little one fell asleep so instead we headed north to La Jolla where we watched the sunset. Mommy followed Rosie's lead and fell fast asleep too so it was mostly DaddyO who enjoyed the view.

Dinner was calling so we headed into town and ended up at the Prospect Bar and Grill where there was a live violin and acoustic guitar duo performing. So we got to eat outside under a toasty heat lamp to some fun music. Rosie was working the crowd as usual.
Rosie must have really charmed the guy sitting behind us because when we were ready to leave we found out he had paid for our dinner! We didn't know it until he was long gone so couldn't thank him.
So now we will be on a mission to pass on the random act of kindness.
What a great first day of vacation!

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The silver lining to paying property taxes today was getting the chance to explore the County of Santa Clara building. Can you find Rosie?

We had a nice day of house cleaning, playing with Rosie, and enjoying the nice weather. We strolled around Santana Row and made a stop by the chess board.






She kept wanting to kiss the pieces which we were strongly advising her not to do!

Last June I organized a baby chess game with Rosie's friends at this board. So cute to see the change in 10 months! Someone asked me yesterday whether Rosie still makes her surprised face and I'd totally forgotten about that! Ha. I dug up the slideshow a photographer friend put together. Enjoy! Slideshow

Easter 2012

Happy Easter! After a lovely morning at the farmer's market we headed to Livermore for an even lovelier time with family. We whipped out the real camera (i.e. not the phone) and managed to capture some great shots. Enjoy!

Early morning Easter reading. This was one of the books Mommy remembers from her own childhood!

Keeping an eye on Cousin A

Easter basket from Auntie!

Family photo

Curtsy for the blocks.

Sweetness

Uncle G and Auntie

Oooooooohhhh... I love you biscoitos

Vavó and Vavô

Egg hunt

Laying eggs...?

Uncle R and Rosie egg hunting together.

Cousins M and J

Prima and Vavó

Too cute!

Cousins picture: the New Generation

Cousins picture: Old School

Orange you glad....?

Mini Vavó in her cousin's Acores apron

A magical moment.

Rosie and Primo A, the baby charmer