The Golden State, Part One

In September, we were finally able to visit California.  It was great seeing family and friends, and it we were so happy to introduce Liam to everyone for the first time.

We weren't certain how Liam was going to take the flight.  It was his first plane trip and two days before we left, the doctor said that he had an ear ache.  But!  He flew like a champ!  I'm certain that Mickey Mouse Club and Dora helped, along with the trusty iPad and Nexus.  Yeah, we're fans of gadgets.  Dad was engrossed too.

Liam was awake for the whole flight, but once we got into the car, he passed out.  Must have been all of the excitement.  He woke up once we got to the hotel, though.  And of course exploring meant checking out the phone.  What do you mean it doesn't come away from the wall?  And what is this cord thing?!

The next day we took it easy and went to lunch with Tutu and Puna.  I swear he had them wrapped around his little finger.  But they all had a good time.

That night, we visited some of my best friends, Rob and Catherine, and their kids Bobby and Jessica.  Although Liam took a while to warm up to these strange people, Rob soon won him over with a good game of high five and a couple of laps around this ramp.  Way to go Uncle Rob!

Pigtails and Crewcuts

Since Liam was born, I've always trimmed his hair, both because it was a cost-saving move and because I was nervous about his reaction to an actual salon.

Well, my last attempt was...shall we say...not quite as successful as I would have hoped.

A little too short and uneven to boot.  Let it never be said that a new hairstyle can't do wonders to your look.

By the time it got this long, I had made a few half-hearted attempts to trim it again, then just began justifying the long hair look.  It was good for the knights, right?

But we caved and took him to Pigtails and Crewcuts just after his second birthday.  It's a pretty neat place.  Liam got to sit in a car and watch some movies while a woman with way more patience and skill than I will ever hope to have swayed with his head turns and managed a miracle.  

Actually, he was really well behaved (except for those head turns--he just really needs to know what's going on).  He even informed them when the video wasn't working.  "Uh-oh!  It's broken!  Video no work!"

Not a crewcut, but look at that handsome man!

Owl

This is Owl.  Liam got him for Christmas and he quickly became his best friend.

He was there when Great Grandma G's Christmas present arrived...

...and he hangs out with Liam on Mama's big red chair.

Lately, Owl goes wherever Liam goes.  Clearly, playing with the iPad wouldn't be complete without him.

As Liam has become more verbal (verbose, more like) he's been telling Owl lots of things.  When we stop at the red light he says, "Red light, Owl.  Stop!"  When we asked him if he wanted to do the bumps (he likes driving over the speed bumps that lead into the Capitol's parking area and since it's generally a short detour, it's not so bad), he said, "Bumps, Owl?"  

And since he's taken a fancy to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, he sometimes says, "Oh no!  Owl tummy ache!" Then he strokes Owl's head gently and gives him a hug to make him feel better.  

Yup, Liam and Owl will take on the world.

Even Dad Dad loves Owl!

Liam and Dad Dad

Dad Dad does more than his fair share of taking care of Liam.  They're like two peas in a pod.  Except for when he "knows his own mind."  Liam, not Dad Dad.  At that point, he's my son!  But here's some photos of the Ng boys hanging together...

Just hanging out in Bishop Square.

Eating "noonals" at Macaroni Grill.

Using a relic at Kahala Mall.

Boys being boys at Chilis.  Sigh.  

Umm...Hello? Christmas?!

I just realized that it's July and I never posted anything about Christmas!  Bah...mea culpa!  So, without further ado...Christmas 2012!

We had our annual Cheesie Christmas party, where Liam was still relatively uninterested in opening the gifts he received.

We spent some time in Nordstrom, watching folks ride up and down on the escalators.

And since we'd just moved, there was no time or place for a tree, so we had a Christmas Ninja-topped pile of presents.  Seriously, our friends and family are so generous!

Liam woke up before the sun, of course, and again, had no interest in the pile of presents.  And who can blame him?  Take your chances with the mystery pile, or play with the car you know is fun?

As daylight hit, he slowly began to go through his loot. 

And then we went to dim sum with Grandma and Baba.  It was a good holiday at seventeen months!

The Merry Month of May

Yeah, so it's July.  But the month of May was merry!  Here are some highlights...

At My Gym, they brought out the cool toys and Liam was one of the few tall enough to ride the two-wheelers.  Since he's not that in to sharing these days, this suited him just fine.

Mr. Cool in his shades.

Mama and Liam at Eggs 'n Things drinking water with spoons.  Like you do.

Mmm...we love us some Cheerios!

Dad Dad, Liam and Owl enjoying a moment while we wait for the elevator.  Mmm...we love us some milk, too.

First Birthdays

As my co-worker has often pointed out to me, it seems like we're going to birthdays every weekend, and the majority of them are first birthdays.  Of course, I don't always bring the camera, but here's some photos from  some of the shin digs we've been honored to attend lately.

In March, we went to a party for the daughter of one of Mikey's co-workers.  This was probably one of the best we've been too.  We dressed up for the photo booth picture, though Liam decided to go au naturale.

They had taiko drummers...

...and the Birdman, who talked story and released multi-colored homing pigeons.

The first birthday for our sitter's great grandson had cool games and big hall hall to run around in.

Liam got a turtle stamp, which quickly had to be washed off because he didn't want it on him.  Just like mama.

Then he took several selfies...

...and played with the chopsticks.

In April, we went to a party for the daughter of a good friend.  It was fun to see old friends and Liam's buddies from the sitter.  He fished in the pool and got a balloon Lightning McQueen.  Well, he fished once he found the right end of the fishing pole.

No parties in May, but June is jam-packed.  Our first party of the month was for one of Mikey's classmate's daughters.  We had so much fun that we forgot to take pictures until after we got home!  "Really, mama?"