First pair of shoes

Living in Hawaii definitely has its advantages when it comes to dressing a baby. I rarely have to worry about making sure Daniel is warm enough (except when we go places that are air-conditioned!). So yesterday at the pool is the first time that he has ever worn shoes. Appropriately, he wore a pair of flip-flops, or slippahs as they're known out here. He didn't seem to mind them too much, but they were a little big, so we'll keep them around and try them again in a few weeks.

Doesn't it look like he's getting ready to jump in the first picture? Adorable.




I'm getting ready to dress him up in a blue outfit today in honor of Election Day. Zach and I were talking the other day about how cool it is that Daniel is born in such an exciting time, politically. We're nerds, I know!

Playing Poolside

Once Daniel was back on dry land (after our two minutes in the pool), he had a little snack and was much happier. I think his brand-new swim trunks are already too small, so I changed him back into his street clothes (which are 3-6 month size and fit just fine). Any guesses on what he'll weigh at his 2-month check-up tomorrow?

He's starting to pay more attention to everything around him and he even plays a little now. I'm trying to get him smiling and laughing on video, but he's not cooperating with that. I need to just ambush him one day before he realizes what I'm doing.

For all of Lauren's friends that read the blog, you'll be happy to see her in a cameo appearance in this post. She's decided to transfer to the Deloitte offices out here, so say your goodbyes. Ha!

First Swim

Lauren and Jesse took a catamaran ride from Waikiki to snorkel with the turtles today. I didn't think Daniel was quite up to that challenge, so we remained landlocked and ran some errands while they sailed. Then we all met up again and ate lunch by the beach and hung out by the Hale Koa pool. (The Hale Koa is a hotel in Waikiki for military personnel.) The pool water was fairly warm so I thought that Daniel would enjoy a dip. I wouldn't say that he enjoyed it, but he seemed to not totally hate it. When Zach's back, maybe we'll try the ocean!

Lauren and Jesse are here!

My sister Lauren and her boyfriend Jesse are here! I really do love having houseguests, as long as they don't mind holding a screaming baby every now and then. Lauren is a little nervous around little D, but Jesse has jumped right in and loves to carry him around.

They arrived yesterday and we were planning on going to the Kailua farmer's market, but it was a little too chilly and rainy. So we stayed in and had fun watching The Office and 30 Rock. Glad they came all the way to Hawaii to watch my favorite shows with me!

Today was a gorgeous day, so Lauren and Jesse went to the beach and hung out for a little while. They're driving my convertible (another incentive for people to visit us--an aqua Thunderbird is all yours) so I hope they put the top down. Tomorrow morning we're going to try our luck with another farmer's market. I know we'll get some great stuff that they probably don't see too often at their Kansas City grocery store.

Zach's off to Yuma for 10 days of training with the squadron. He didn't miss his flight this time (probably because he had to muster at the barracks beforehand. Ha!).

Here's Daniel on his 2-month birthday yesterday (please ignore my triple chin--it's a bad angle!):

Sleeping peacefully:
Looks like someone wants to go to Yuma with Daddy:

Thanks to Grandma Mary Ellen for a pumpkin shirt for Halloween (he wore his I Love My Mummy shirt yesterday):

Mommy's day out!

Or, more accurately, Mommy's four hours out! I was able to make my escape to go to the salon on Saturday morning because I desperately needed to wax my way back to having two eyebrows. After that mission was accomplished, I went to a charity wine-tasting event with my friend Laura. The event was held at the Paul Mitchell (the hair guy) estate in Lanikai, about twenty minutes from our house. It was great to socialize with adults and have a good time, all while helping out a charity. Win-win!

Zach stayed home with baby D and had a great time as well. He did ask me several times, "How does it feel to abandon your son?" My reply--"Great! Thanks for asking!" It was definitely a little weird to be out on my own, but I think it's healthy for all three of us for me to have some time away and for Zach to get a little taste of what my life is like everyday. He also asked me as I was heading out the door, "What does Daniel like to do?" Well, he's 8 weeks old, so there's a lot of sitting around, feeding, pooping, napping, etc. Not a lot of Lego-building together at this stage of the game.

Here are a couple of pictures of me. From my weight right before the baby was born until now, I've lost 26 pounds. As you can see, I still have a ways to go, but progress is being made! And say goodbye to my long hair--I'm donating it to Locks of Love on November 12th. I cannot wait to have a change!

Daniel's favorite game

The little man loves to sit in his vibrating chair and kick his blanket off. So I throw it back on him and he kicks it back off again. And again. And again. And again. It's fun to watch him work one arm out, then the other, then his legs, and then he's free! Until I toss the blanket back on him again. Sometimes he'll get this big grin on his face, so I know he knows he's playing. It's truly amazing how fast he's becoming a real little person!

Little Don Ho

Tiny bubbles.....

Doesn't Daniel look handsome in his Aloha shirt? Thanks to Danielle and her husband, Brad, for sending this cutest shirt ever. I paired it with a lovely pair of knit pants and I think Daniel looks quite dashing. It was the first time he has worn a button-down shirt and I think he was a little confused by not having a onesie on. Zach came home and said, "What the heck is he wearing?" I think he looks adorable! (And I actually managed to catch Zach in his flight suit after work. Usually he's stripped down to his t-shirt and underwear before making it all the way to the couch.)