Starting Early...

As I have metioned before, Inoke stays home with Nadia on Wednesday and Thursday. He has become quite the skilled babysitter these past few weeks. The other day I came home for lunch break and found him on the ground reading Nadia her favorite books. Nothing funny about that; except instead of the normal "Goodnight Moon" it was the Fijian version. He was translating the story into Fijian and I couldn't stop laughing. It just sounds so funny to hear the story in Fijian. Don't get me wrong I am really glad that he works very hard to speak only Fijian to her so she can learn both English and Fijian; it was just a funny sight.

Another of his favorite activities is Skype. Well if you can call Skype an activity. Can I just say that I love Skype?!?! It saves me so much money on $5 phone cards and you get to actually see the people! It is the best. You know it is Inoke's day off because the first thing he wants to do when Nadia wakes up in the morning (even before her bath, bottle, diaper change, etc.) is get on the laptop with her and talk to family. It is really cute watching her sit there and smile at Nei Talei on the other side of the world in England. Inoke loves to show off Nadia and Nadia loves to smile and babble on at the screen. It is pretty dang funny.

I got a couple pictures the other day:

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

That's Happy Chinese New Year (to those in less Asian influenced areas of the nation)... I have to admit Hawaii is the only place I have lived where Chinese New Year is actually celebrated and referenced as more than just some random tidbit of trivia. So today is Chinese New Year and I figure since I did such a poor job at making resolutions on the western New Year... today is a new beginning.

First I want to be the first one to apologize to every mother out there. Prior to actually experiencing having an infant I had this preconceived notion that being a "super mom" was easy; the mom in question must just be lazy, or not educated, or not up to date on what a modern mom should be...etc. Yeah, well the last two months have really given me an opportunity to reflect and assess. I had this notion that I would be able to be that "super mom" you know the one who is able to get in an hour workout, shower, fix her hair, have her make up done, and get everything laid out for the day before the baby wakes at 6am. Uh, yeah. Or the "super mom" that just packs her baby in the stroller and goes for a nice walk with the baby cooing all the way sans stops for diaper changes, bottle feeds, or screaming babies. You know that mom that it seems like an effortless thing to continue on like nothing has changed. Now, don't get me wrong. I adore Nadia, she is the most amazing little girl and I treasure every moment we have with her; but I just have realized that being that "super mom" is a whole lot harder than it looks.

So my resolution for this new year is to work on being that "super mom" by golly I am going to get my workouts in, my hair fixed, my toes painted, and my shower in every day. Any suggestions you "super moms" out there have are totally welcome.

Here is a shot of me and Baby Girl...

She is getting to the point where she takes an interest in baubles and toys. She especially loves this bunny my friend Kathy sent for her. Giving some lovin' to the bunny...

We're rollin'

Last week Nadia turned 3 months old. Wow. She is growing so fast. She brings such a sweet spirit to our home, it is amazing having her around. Me being the totally over analitical mom that I am; was stressing out that Nadia hadn't rolled over yet. I mean is she supposed to roll over at 3 months? (I know I sound like a dork). So I was chatting with Annie and she asked about tummy time. Well I have been propping Nadia up on her boppy for tummy time because it takes her longer to scream if I do this. But something Annie said rang a bell; if she doesn't like tummy time she will roll over to get off her tummy faster... huh. So I gave it a whirl. Yep sure enough. She screamed and in about 2 seconds she was rolled over and on her back. Inoke and I couldn't get enough of her rolling over so we kept putting her back on her tummy to do it again and again. She got pretty iritated at showing us her new trick after a couple times. I got some pictures though...

Her she goes...
rollin'....


and badabing, on her back!...
whoa.. that was a workout...

Nadia loves making faces and poses for the camera so I get some hilarious expressions. Here is her Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, kung foo stance....And "Are you talking to me???" Wanna box?...
Oh and her is a picture of her little dress on Sunday. That is my favorite dressing her up for church. :)

Night Out...

Inoke took us out to Chili's for dinner in honor of my big day. It was the first time we have really ventured to a restaurant since Nadia's arrival. I have to admit I was a wee bit nervous about her starting to cry and worried that I would not be able to quiet her; you know the average worries of a new mommy. Of course my imagination got the best of me, she did great. She just chilled and looked around. Even when she was starting to get tired; she just cuddled up and patiently waited for us to be ready to go. Now if I can just get her to do the same every time... :)

Here is a shot of the two of us at the restaurant...And here is Nadia, Inoke is teaching her young to love Adidas and football. I laughed because it almost looks like a "Laie Boyz" sign she is flashing.

Things that make you go hmm...

So against all my wishful thinking I have not been able to stop the clock so to say. Today I turned 30. No more twenties for me. Normally birthdays just come and go and they don't bother me. I mean who cares if you are in your twenties. Something about being 30 is irritating though. I can't quite put my finger on it; just the thought that I am THIRTY... ugh. I had all these plans when I was "younger" by the time I was thirty I would be married and have all 5 of my children and be a super stay at home mom that bakes cookies and fresh homemade bread. Huh, guess that hasn't quite happened, eh. At least I got the married part right.

Here is a self portrait from lunch today. Eeks. Are those really crows feet at the creases of my eyes?!? I swear all those years of lathering on the baby oil instead of sunscreen is starting to catch up to me. Yikes. All I have to say is dont' be surprised when I turn 30 again next year... cuz I think that is the oldest I can possibly choke down.

Exciting new things...

The last few weeks we have just been adjusting to the joys of parenthood. We are slowly getting the hang of it all and falling into a routine. Nadia is doing great. She is growing and getting quite the little personality. She is literally a bundle of joy, smiling all the time. Her favorite thing is to "talk story," serious the girl will just chill there babbling on and on waiting for you to reply to her coos. Inoke's work schedule rotated so he now has Wed & Thurs off, giving him an opportunity to hang out with Nadia while I am at work. I don't know who has more fun. The other day I came home for lunch and Inoke volunteered to put Nadia to sleep after her bottle, the following is what happened:

Hmmm. Isn't he supposed to be putting her to sleep, not her putting him to sleep? I do have to admit I can't really blame him, holding her is just so relaxing.
Other than that here are a couple pictures of what we have been up to:

She is getting really good at her "tummy" time.
And here is one with her just chillin' after a bath. That's all the new and exciting happenings for now...