The right side of the bed

Nine times out of ten, Daniel wakes up from his naps in a great mood. He talks, he babbles, he does whatever he does in his pack and play until I come to pick him up. Sometimes I wish I had a hidden camera to see how he entertains himself after he wakes up. I know he likes to grab whatever is within grabbing distance because sometimes I'll find random things in there with him--shredded tissues, lotion, towels, etc. He's a funny little buddy!

Breakfast Guest

Daniel and I were enjoying a nice, leisurely breakfast when we had a surprise guest show up at the back door. I think he was hoping to score an invitation inside, but that was not going to happen. Instead, we just looked at each other through the glass as he jealously watched Dan consume a delicious apple banana.

(We've seen about six peacocks in the backyard while we've been here at the rental. I guess they live in the neighborhood and just roam in and out of peoples' yards. They don't seem to bother anyone and the neighbors have even said that they'll come right up and eat out of outstretched hands. I'll take their word for it.)






Bonus points to anyone who can identify the following (modified) movie quote: "I eat (peacocks) like you for breakfast."

Playtime Fun

Dan is becoming very accomplished at playtime. He's really enjoying all the toys and books that friends have loaned us while we're homeless, plus he makes toys out of many other things--his stroller, trash cans, pots and pans, foot stools, plastic spice jars, pretty much anything.

I snuck up on him in the first video and I caught him in a laughing mood in the second. He's my best little buddy!

Walking Fool

It's hard to get a video of the little man when he's walking! Mostly because he's either walking toward me (and I have to catch him) or toward Zach and I have to help get him started. But we managed to get a few steps on camera yesterday, so leave me alone please!

Things are great in the vacation rental. We're just hanging out at home while Zach goes to work as usual. Dan and I don't have a car during the day, so we've been riding TheBus if we want to go into town. The bus stop is very close to the house and it's super convenient, even when I'm lugging a squirming buddy and his stroller onboard. Today we just hung around the house but we'll go into Kailua tomorrow to have lunch with a friend. If tropical storm Felicia holds off, that is!

The view from our driveway:

Swimming at Hale Koa

Zach had Monday off, so we headed down for a fun day in Waikiki. On the way there, we stopped at The Counter in Kahala Mall and had delicious gourmet burgers. Layne and I went there for my birthday in March and I wanted to take Zach there before we move. He loved it too, just as I suspected he would. And Dan thoroughly enjoyed the sweet potato fries!

After lunch, we headed to the beach and pool at the Hale Koa. Dan loves the ocean, but it's kind of a pain to set up umbrellas, get the stroller through the sand, set up camp, etc. So we splashed around for a little while in the ocean but then we headed to the pool for a more calm time. Dan loved jumping off the side into Zach's arms! We had a great day and it was nice to just relax after our busy weekend.

Addison's Birthday Party

Yesterday we headed to Addison's first birthday luau. Addison's parents are Jason and Kristen, who were in our birthing class last year. Kristen and I also worked together and Jason is in my old squadron. Confused yet? Addison was born 3 1/2 weeks before Daniel, so that means that his first birthday is coming up soon. I told him not to get any fancy ideas because Addison had such a great party. Dan's going to be lucky to get a cupcake and a new toy or two.

Addison's luau was at a cabin on base, right on the beach. The food was incredible, the band was great, and the weather was perfect (until it started pouring right before the cake came out). I managed to take a few pictures, in between catching up with old friends, stuffing my face, and making sure that Dan hadn't wandered out into the ocean.

Patiently waiting for food:


Guess we need to strap him in each and every time because this is his latest trick:

Fascinated by the bubble machine:

Walking with help

For all my tens of readers, I'm sorry that I've been such a slacker. Between Zach getting home, my mom and aunt being in town and then leaving, packing up the house, moving out, moving in to the rental, and watching the little man, my time has been pretty much occupied. But now things are much more settled because we're in the vacation rental (which is gorgeous, by the way!), and there's nothing left to do but enjoy Dan and Zach and Hawaii before we leave in one month.

In Dan news, he has taken his first steps!!! On Thursday, which was his 11-month birthday, he walked from Zach to me and back again, all by himself! This video was taken a few days before that, when he was using his toy to help him walk. Enjoy!