I am embarrassed that over half of Kalani's life has flown by, undocumented on our blog. Thanks to all of you for your "gentle" reminders to post - Kalani will appreciate it in years to come. It feels near impossible to summarize the last two months and accurately capture all of the feelings and experiences we've had. It's been wonderful, and wonderfully challenging at times. I went back to work, Kalani started daycare with Rashawn (aka "Mommy #2"), we had Bubba's baby blessing at Buckner, Kalani was inducted into Center Place Singers as its youngest member, and we've been to so many birthday parties and play dates that I can't remember them all.
We have come a long way it seems - from being so tired the first week of work that I left my office to attend staffing with my shirt still up from pumping (oh my!) to struggling through more recent sleepless nights due to Kalani's 3 least favorite "C's": cutting teeth, colds, and constipation - I am glad to say that we are not just surviving but we are truly enjoying our little guy, who is usually quick to bestow a sweet smile or laugh to everyone he meets.
Kalani (aka Bubba, Bubby, Little Man or Sweetbottom by his mommy) has also earned two nicknames at daycare. Lani Love was bestowed on him because all the girls at daycare kiss on him (who can blame them really?) and Animal was just conceived last week due to his rambunctious cry and head shaking while waiting for food (named after Animal from the Muppets - notice he has the same reaction to being hungry as his mother).
It's amazing how much he has changed in two and 1/2 short months... Excuse the mass of photos coming up - there is much to share!
Here he is with Grandma Penn, Grandma Boo, Great-grandma Maly, and his aunties and cousins on his and my last hurrah before heading back to work. We had a great day at the Nelson and Plaza. At two months old, he was already so cultured...
Kalani, or "the boy" as Grandpa Walter calls him, is so sweetly bonding with him in this picture at one of our many gatherings at Vadsana's old house - makes me sad to know we won't be hanging out there anymore, although we can't wait to have many more get-togethers at her new fancy house!
During the last two months, Kalani loved his baths... then he hated them and screamed the whole time... then loved them again. We never quite understood why...
Capturing his first day at daycare with Rashawn. It was SO hard to leave him (I still call every day to check on him and Rashawn is wonderful about helping me cope with my I-Miss-My-Kalani attacks.)
I was greeted on my first day of work by this beautiful bouquet. It was such a nice surprise!
Kalani thinks he is ready to walk... This photo is a precursor to our new most fun game as of yesterday - throwing Kalani in the air. He loves it and dissolves in laughter!
Kalani was blessed at the Buckner church a day after he turned 3 months old. Here he is looking quite serious. Or maybe sleepy. Maybe seriously sleepy?
Hanging out with Uncle Dale and Grandpa Tim after the blessing. Look how little his head is (he was at the 10% in head circumference).
The boys... and their babes.
Everyone sitting so nicely... Let's hold hands everyone!
Kalani getting in closer for a good snuggle...
Oh Boy, Grandma Carol is SOOOO funny!
"Driving" around at family reunion where his parents were the head cooks - He must of eaten good that weekend - look at those cheeks!
Kalani loved to spend time in Addie Sue's swing, which we set up in the kitchen at family reunion. His sweet face cracks me up here!
His thoughtful look...
His purposeful look...
His "Whatchu looking at?" look...
Kalani loves his butterfly playmat. He is sharing it here with cousin Chloe, who thought he was as much fun to play with as the mat!
So many smiles and laughs from this guy (usually). He is just so joyful and he fills me with joy every day!
More like Daddy every day. We were sick last week with nasty colds. I came into the living room last Monday to find Kalani sitting on the couch with the remote by his feet, crazy hair and all, intently watching football...
Big Boy! Look who is sitting up so good now! It's so exciting to watch him grow... but at the same time, I don't want it to happen too fast. I just want him to be my little guy forever.
I am now a blogging superstar - two posts in less than a week! Above is our first attempt to feed Kalani cereal. He loves it in his bottle, but he was not a fan of eating it off a spoon. Shortly after this snapshot, he let us know how much he did not like it.
