Aolani's First Christmas

Better late than never, but it's not too late since Epiphany was yesterday ;)

Last week, we finally celebrated the Holy Day with both families.

First, the Olivers --

Kylie, our niece, helped Grandma pass out the presents.

What could be better than books?!

Kylie assembling Aolani's new stacking rings.

The "push" toy

Kylie's new rocking ride

When Aolani goes missing, look in the trash...

Now, the DiMartinos --

Her first baby doll from her great grands

When she walks, she will pull this hen behind her, and it will leave eggs in its wake.

Wooden bead maze

We dubbed this bouncy, blow-up steed, Dominick (the Italian Christmas Donkey).

Ready to Pounce

• Aolani got her fifth tooth last week. I think I'll stop counting soon ;) From stories I hear, she is not a bad teether at all. However, she is a biter, especially when she is nursing. And it's extremely painful. I let her hold my apple the other day, only to find that she broke through the skin with her teeth. Her smile is changing on me...
• As Aolani is constantly clapping now, she will even try to clap while she is crawling. This results in her lifting one arm and slapping her face -- funny!
• I need to record the cousins getting together. Here's what happens: Kylie comes in and Aolani screams with excitement FOR 10 MINUTES. Kylie does not know what to make of this welcome or Aolani for that matter, so she either a)runs away; b)stares at her from a distance; c)acts timid and clings to the grown-ups; or, d)ignores her.

Aolani is ready to pounce, and scared Kylie says, "Get her away from me!"

• What do I do for exercise? I try to ride a hand cycler 3-5x a week. I aim to lift my hand weights each week, but this is getting dangerous. And, Ricky stretches me every night for 10 mins.
• As it takes an hour to put Aolani to bed (the entire routine), we are currently aiming for 6:30-7:30pm, but it really does vary.
• Here is our princess in her purple kimono. She keeps growing, but alas her hair is shy in making its debut!

• Verse to memorize this week: Proverbs 16:25 ~ There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Penguins Sound Like...

• We took Aolani's measurement's yesterday: her height didn't seem to change, but her weight was 18 lbs.
• She is constantly making baby talk, aka gibberish.
• I learned the easy way to clean your blender, instead of trying to get the food off the blades manually. Simply fill it 1/3 with water and a squirt of soap, put it back on the stand (lid ON), turn it on, and watch it clean itself! We often make smoothies, so this was a helpful hint for us.
• Fall is here, and the layers begin:

• This is what we look like during the day at home alone:

• Our escape artist found after another failed prison break attempt :)

• This is her new favorite position. She only crawls to get to something to help her pull up. The bad news is that she likes to fling herself backwards and bang her head against the bars. She now sports multiple bruises across her face - it's pretty pitiful-looking :(

• Kylie and Aolani had their first sleepover last week. Their personalities are noticeably quite different. Aolani is such an extrovert and just loves people. I know that if she could walk, she would have been chasing Kylie!

• Last night, we passed out Bible tracts and candy. And penguin squeals.

• I did not get last week's verse down pat, so... try, try again! 1 Peter 5:10 ~ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Let Me Out!

• Our little party-girl! We had a friend from Asbury University visiting over the weekend, and we went to Myrtle Beach to visit my side of the family. Aolani got to meet two more of her great-grands (my dad's parents) for the first time. Her cousin, Kylie, was there. This was the first time they really interacted - it was so cute!

• Ricky is published! Read about childbirth from his perspective.


• As of last week, she has begun to help me turn the pages when I read books to her :)


• After her morning nap today:

Caught red-handed trying to bust out!

• The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is Sunday, November 14, 2010. Inform your church to participate and remember our suffering brothers and sisters in prayer this day. Here is the international website for information about IDOP and some helpful resources you can use.


• Verse to memorize this week: 1 Peter 5:10 ~ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Marco? Polo!

Part of last week, we were able to meet my immediate family down in Marco Island, FL. We flew while everyone else drove because we were not able to stay as long. We had never been there, but we now call it 'The Continental Hawai'i.' It is that nice. If there is another family vacation down the road, I think this will be the destination :)

Aolani was ideal on the flights - wooing every other passenger with her coy, flirty smiles! The weather was great; it only rained the day we were leaving ;) By far, the most noteworthy news regarding the trip... by a fluke (aka grace) all the handicap accessible rooms were taken, so Ricky and I had to settle on getting moved up to the penthouse. Yep, the penthouse at the Marriott's resort. I have never (and likely it will never happen again) seen, needless stayed, inside a penthouse suite. But, oh my! Our deck was larger than my parent's and my brother's rooms put together! What a delightful and unexpected treat this turned out to be. Thank You, Father of lights. Let me just say that there is something special about being on the rooftop :)

Aolani did get to experience some firsts on this trip. Ricky took her into the ocean, and he also submerged her under water (in the pool). Supposedly, babies hold their breath when you blow on their face. So, he blew and dipped. I was suspicious (I'm the mother), but hey, she's alive... Here's some pictures:

Marco Island is gulf side. The beach had soft, white sand. Not that I would know; I didn't ever feel it!

Aolani and her cousin Kylie had three of the same outfits. Here's the first one: a sun suit.

See my nervous expression in the background as Ricky blows and dunks?!

Lindsay, Kylie, and Jacob (my brother)

"I'm too cool for this pool"

Outfit no. 2 = bathing suit

I love this picture of Kylie - it looks like she has the football and is warding off the defense as she runs the ball in for a touchdown. Go, Kylie, go!

"Toss me in, Dad. I can float!"

Grandma Oliver

Pawpaw Oliver

Our precious niece

This makes the third identical outfit. Aolani may be smaller, but she can obviously hold her own - here she is ripping her cousin's ear off!

Family portrait

Farewell to this tropical paradise!

Marco Island is highly recommended!

Our Labor Day Weekend

Ricky's parents came down for a visit, and here are the results :)

• They brought her a Bumbo, which is very handy!

Is she practicing the sprinkler?

• Her first dip in a pool (didn't love it, didn't hate it)

The water was too cold for Mommy to join.

That's my old bonnet!

• Aolani and Nonna (Ricky's mom) played a coughing copycat game that is hilarious!
• Her buddy, Grandpa
  




• Progress: Her bald spot is gone, her second bottom tooth debuted, and she can sit up for a good while :)

• Stranger anxiety has made its appearance this past month. This is when a person she is not familiar with gets in close proximity, pays her attention, and then she starts frowning and crying, gets scared, and curls up to the person holding her. So far, she has only done this with men. It's really sweet and endearing, though.

• We got to see our niece, Kylie, walk a little on her own Sunday... too cute!

• I can't read and nurse when I'm away from home. So after being out this weekend, I have another lullaby for you. Yippee!

Glory, Glory to the One (to the rhythm of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Glory, Glory to the One
In six days He got it done.
All He made was very good,
Only add His precious Blood.
Glory, Glory to the One
In six days He got it done.

Glory, Glory to the One
In six days He got it done.
On day seven take a rest,
for He knew it would be best.
Glory, Glory to the One
In six days He got it done.

Mosaic

• We went out-of-town for the weekend to participate in a softball tournament. We didn't have a chance.

Cousin Kylie

Aolani's first time in a stroller (Kylie's)

• While we were away for two nights, we decided to use disposables. BIG mistake. Those little diapers cannot begin to handle her poopy explosions. She managed to destroy two outfits, toys, cloths, and elusively spread her extractions from head to toe. I was so thankful to return home to the bumgenius!


• Her bottom right tooth broke through her gums yesterday!


• We obtained Kylie's Johnny Jump Up yesterday: