Aloha!

We've returned from paradise.  It was wonderful to spend a whole week in Maui - the weather was truly therapeutic: mid-80's with a mild breeze almost every day.  

K. absolutely loved it.  As you'll see, most of my photos are of him checking out the landscape, usually with one of his cars or airplanes.  Seems he can find a spot for driving his little vehicles around virtually anywhere.  He is 100% boy, I'll tell you.

Our place has three swimming pools, which include two kiddie pools which are tons of fun for both the tots and the parents.  K. spent hours every single day exploring them.  

I'm still recovering from jetlag, so today I'll just post a couple of highlight pictures from our adventure.

I Know I Promised...

OK, I know I promised no more politics-related posts on Kibi's decidedly NON-partisan blog, but ... oh, well I couldn't resist this one.  We felt the need to do our part in the battleground state of Virginia, so this was taken of us on Election Day, canvassing in southern Arlington.  And we were excited that our efforts paid off!

On to other topics.  Sorry I've been MIA the last few days... lots going on, from the election ... to both me AND now Kibi being sick (a nasty cold that works its way through your system slowly and annoyingly).  And then our biggest news... we're going to MAUI on Saturday!

Yep, through a strange set of coincidences this year was The Year Of Travel for the Kibi Clan ... starting with Florida in February, Florida again in June (to visit different sets of family members), North Carolina in July, Ohio in August, Oregon in August, and now... Hawaii!  

It's a long story, but... well, we bought a timeshare there.  Yep, before the economy tanked, we decided to invest in oceanfront property through a resort chain that allows you to exchange stays for visits at other resorts throughout the world and/or continental U.S.  Time will tell if we made a mammoth mistake (ha!) but we are actually very pleased with the arrangement.  

We did it mostly to ensure we make a commitment to a family vacation every year, emphasizing the FAMILY part, since my husband's and my extended families are rather large.  We took the plunge over a year ago, and this will be the first time we're testing out the new place.  

We're bringing 6 other family members with us this first time, and very excited about a week of R&R ... that is, after we make it past the 12 hour flight!  I'm not thrilled at the prospect of taking an 18 month old with a cold on a cross-continental flight.  Oh well, I took him to the doctor today and she gave him the all clear, along with the tip that Benadryl should help with his runny nose AND help him to sleep - hooray.  And besides, I fully realize the ridiculous-ness of complaining about a flight to... Hawaii!

So, I'll likely not be posting for a while... at least until we get back (Nov. 16th).  So, hope everyone out there is doing well, enjoying political ad-free days and nights, and savoring these last few quiet weeks before the frenetic holiday season is upon us!

Take care.

Words, Words, Words... and Their Many Uses

We seem to be experiencing another Kibi developmental growth spurt, mostly having to do with his vocabulary.  For example, I'm excited to report that Kibi has started using 2-word phrases.  They're not exactly the phrases I would've imagined would have been his first, but they're interesting nonetheless.  

The first time he said a multi-word phrase (he hasn't done it since) was about three or four weeks ago.  I was changing his diaper and he said, randomly, "Mama .... please .... yogurt!"  My husband and I both heard that one and were amused and pleased that he finally was using "his words" to communicate his wants.  We haven't heard that particular grouping since he uttered it, but in the meantime he's developed a small handful of favorite 2-worders.  They are:

"Go away!"  (part of a game his dad taught him in which he throws an inanimate object - stuffed animal, leaf on the ground, food on his high chair, etc. - as far away as he can)

"Eat it!" (this sounds vulgar, but it's intended to encourage his dining partner to partake in his meal when he is finished with his portion)

"Read it?" (this is my favorite, although I'm sure I'll soon come to regret saying that... he pleads with whomever is sitting closest to him to read a book he has just picked up)

The other words he has really, really taken to saying lately are our names - "Mommy" and "Daddy" - as often as humanly possible.  I think it's his way of making sure we are a) present and b) paying attention to him.  We'll be sitting around the table eating a meal when K. will look at me and say, proudly, "Mommy!" and then look over at my husband and say, "Daddy!" happily.  Of course, this always gives me warm fuzzies.  

The other way he will use our names is by saying our name in perfect rhythm, OVER AND OVER, until we guess what it is he is trying to tell us.  For example: 

"Mommymommymommymommymommymommy..." 

"Yes, Kibi?" 

"Mommymommymommymommymommy..." 

(Silence while Mommy tries to guess) "Do you want some crackers?" 

"Yeah."  Mystery solved!

And guess what he's taken to doing while I am talking on the phone or otherwise engaged in conversation.  Yup, you guessed it -  but about 10 decibels louder.  Fun, fun!  

Sometimes the constant demands for my attention are exhausting... but at the end of every day, once I have some quiet time to unwind and think about things, I remind myself that without a doubt, these "Mommy" and "Daddy"-centric days are days to cherish, because the time will come one day when we will only WISH that he would still believe that we are the center of his universe.  Don't you parents out there agree?  

Sniff, sniff...

Trick or Treating Fun

Here are some highlights from our Trick or Treating excursion last night.  We made it to about 8 houses before K. started getting restless, which was fine for us, too.  Turns out, I DO have a nasty cold (my voice is almost completely gone), so I was in bed by 9:30 last night.  

K.'s dad let me sleep a little this morning while he and K. played downstairs, so that helped, and now I am feeling a little better, thankfully.  

We're headed out of town on vacation next Saturday, so I'm hoping that IF K. gets what I have, he gets it well before we get on the plane.... we'll see.

Anyway, enjoy!