Monday 30 March 2009

Seven weeks old



He says the funniest things

Leif is happily snoozing on my lap at the moment, so I must take advantage of this two-hands-free moment to share a few funny things Kaj has been saying lately.
- We often bring our i-pod in the car so we can listen to music together, and one day Kaj requested some tunes while he was going somewhere with Tom. Daddy reported, "Sorry, Kaj. I don't have the i-pod today, and all there is on the radio is Thai pop." As you might imagine, any time we enter the car now, we hear, "Turn on Thai pop."
-This morning at Toddler Time, Kaj was sitting with the other kids listening to a story that included a bit about a lion. He started roaring, so I leaned over to ask him if he was a lion. His response? "No, mom. Kaj a wild thing!" (Where The Wild Things Are is currently a favorite book, and yes, Kaj always refers to himself in the third person. He's getting the hang of him/her/them, but no "I" yet.)
-Kaj is starting to talk about feelings/opinions. "Kaj so excited...That makes mommy so happy!..This book so funny,"etc.
-A naughty streak, literally... Kaj's now pretty good at doing his bathroom business in the john, which is quite exciting in itself, but last night I had to bite my lip to prevent cracking up. Kaj was sitting on the toilet while Tom read him another favorite book of the moment, Skippyjohn Jones. Out of nowhere, Kaj leaned way back and released his bladder, making a fountain and leaving a giant puddle on the floor, grinning ear to ear the whole time. Needless to say, he got a talking to, but I was rolling on the floor inside.
Gotta run! More later.

Wednesday 25 March 2009

Family of Four

Whew! Let's see how many minutes I can squeeze into this sitting at the computer before I'm called to action by someone! We've been on our own now for about a week, and we are slowly but surely getting the hang of things. We've had a few bumps, like Tom's impending kidney stone, and more than a few meltdowns, but I am feeling successful at this moment, so I'm going to enjoy it while I can! Tom needed some time to get some work done this morning at the computer, so I had the challenge of meeting the needs of both Kaj and Leif for a solid chunk of time entirely on my own. We spent our first block at the sand and water table, which we keep on the balcony outside our bedrooms. Kaj played quite independently for over an hour making "hot cocoa" for mom and serving Mingus bowl after bowl of water. I was able to put Leif in Kaj's crib for some of the time just a few feet away, but I was also able to hold him as needed since Kaj was so absorbed in his play. Next block: Playdate with Emina at teacher housing. We played on the playground for awhile, and then moved upstairs when the heat started coming on too strong. We're just entering the hot season, so outdoors at noon is a no-no with a new babe in tow.
After a couple of fussier days, Leif has been a trooper all day. We've had some nights lately where he has been up every hour or two, which has been a big challenge. He is easily unsettled by extra air, and even with our best attempts at burping, usually wakes himself u
p shortly after each feeding due to what appears to be discomfort. We're still learning. Last night was better, but his longest periods of consolidated sleep are still during the day, but I to wake him when he's sleeping well. He always sleeps better on nights of good day sleep. I'm back to school in three weeks, so I hope we have a little better handle on successful strategies with his night feeding/burping routine/lack of routine by then.
On a tangent, today at lunch we somehow got talking about string instruments, and Tom asked Kaj if he would like to play a string instrument in a few years. He said, "No, daddy. Kaj play bassoon!" We should have known better, since he is obsessed with the opening to the Chinese
Dance from the Nutcracker and "Grandpapa's Theme" (don't you dare forget the double "pa" or you will be corrected) from Peter and the Wolf. N0w for the photos...

Kaj making the most of our living room pillows before a swim

My two boys - Kaj must be examining a new crease in Leif's leg - this kid loves the milk!

Koala! And notice the receding hairline? I'm putting my money on light brown new growth
Snuggle
I love this face
More of my two boys
On his way to Toddler Time
"Kaj hold baby brother?"


Thursday 19 March 2009

Beer Garden

Tonight we went to the Pauliner Beer Garden near our place for our final meal with Karl and Sunny before they head back to Iowa City tomorrow evening. In the outdoor evening area the restaurant has a big fountain with a bust of the namesake, some bearded fellow. Last spring when we went there, Kaj called this guy "daddy," but tonight, almost a year later, he has now identified him as "Strauss," as in Johann Strauss, the composer. We've been playing a music matching game online, and apparently he's learning something!

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Catch up

I'm stealing a few minutes now to try to catch up on a couple of highlights from the past couple of days. I wish I had the energy to write more frequently, but we're still getting into our groove around here as a family of four. I hope to be rolling soon!

Kaj has been saying some hysterical things lately. As his vocabulary has been taking off, there are occasionally times when we don't understand him. The other day Tom finally echoed back to him what he had said after a few minutes of not understanding each other, and Kaj sighed and said, "That's what Kaj's talkin' about!"

Leif is now dishing out the smiles. When I snuggle him into my chest in an upright position, he often strains his neck back/up and looks up at my face. Last night at probably 2 am in the light given by our small nightlight, I saw him look up at me and grin the grinniest of grins. 

Leif's also losing his hair! We've been noticing little patches of scalp near his hairline, and it becomes more apparent everyday. Will he be blonde like Kaj or more of a brunette? Time will tell...

Photos from the week

Leif in his PJ's
a midday snooze...
Our Viking
sleepy boy
I love these over-the-shoulder shots

Tuesday 10 March 2009

Monday 9 March 2009

Weekend in Pattaya

We spent the last three days at the beautiful Rabbit Resort in Pattaya. We had never gone to Pattaya before in our four+ years here (and had kind of been avoiding it since it has a reputation for its seedy nightlife), but some friends had recommended the resort. It is only a two-hour drive from Bangkok, and it's close to the best zoo in the area - perfect for a family with a new baby. 

We had a lovely time. I spent most of the high-sun hours inside with Leif, but we took some nice walks in the Baby Bjorn and naps by the pool. Kaj was bolder than ever with his swimming, and he and Tom collected sand dollars and starfish on the beach during low tide. 

No one ever told me getting lovely pictures takes so much effort with two kids! I don't mean getting them to look at the camera;  I mean simply carrying a camera to dinner and not having get wrecked en route or forgotten about due to other distractions! Moving on but related to this photo... Sometimes when I'm nursing Leif, Kaj will come sit by us on the sofa, and I  say affectionately, "My two boys," while giving them both a snuggle.  Kaj now likes to recreate these moments at the most inopportune times, like in restaurants when I'm trying to nurse modestly while eating with one hand. We made it work here, but barely!

Lounging by the pool

Sunday 1 March 2009

Toddler Time


Every Monday morning Kaj attends a play group organized for ISB teachers' kids by a wonderful friend and colleague, Caryn. Since I've been home on maternity leave, I have been able to go with Kaj, which has been very special for both of us. Since Leif needs to be with me 24/7 these days (I'm not quite ready to take out the breast pump yet! There will be plenty of that soon...), Khun Jun and I have taken the boys together and tag-teamed as needed. This is a perk I realize I will definitely NOT have in a few short months! 

Khun Jun with Leif
Caryn reading to Kaj and Anabel

"Going for a swim" in the pillows

A quite cuddle 

Kaj and buddy Aidan


the Thai-style play house

 
Kaj on the bouncer

On the see saw with Aidan, Emina and Avery ready to join in