Family Saturday at the ICA

Since our family's gotten a bit bigger, we decided to go out to the Family Saturday at the ICA. We haven't been there in a few months. I was excited to go! Phoebe came too, but she was asleep the whole time. That means I get to tell you about it!

When we got there, Ronak and Aunty Sarita were waiting for us!


Ronak and me playing in the entryway

We had an fun time in this thing. The two circles of mirrors spin around you as you stand in the middle, which could have been dangerous, except they spin very very slowly.

This one was fun too. The guy drew on the wall and posed next to it so that it looked like he was catching all kinds of stuff. You'll have to go to the exhibit to see if he caught the car.

Afterwards we went to go make some crafts then it was on to lunch. One of the neat features of the ICA is that there are no high chairs, which means that me and Ronak get to sit on big people chairs. How fun!


We can get down whenever we like!


Here I am contemplating the parking lot

I love visiting the ICA!


Looking to see whether there are fish and divers in the harbor. I am also so excited, I am pooping.

Doctor Visit

Aki and I both had a doctor's visit today to weigh in. I am still quite svelte. I weigh 24 pounds and 3.9 ounces wearing nothing but my diaper, even though everyone says I look fatter.

Aki has been growing really fast. She's now 7 pounds and 8 ounces now, which is a pound more than she weighed a week ago. Mommy joked that I should start breastfeeding again, but then she picked me up and I started squirming, and that was the end of that.

Tonight Aki hung out with me in my room before I went to bed. I let her play with my baby Pooh but then I had to trade her for my baby mouse. Of course, no pictures, since mommy and daddy forgot the camera next door. Too bad, huh. Maybe next time!

I love Aki

My sister
Originally uploaded by Owen's peeps

As Requested

Here's a short video of me as requested by Uncle JT. I'm doing kung-fu moves with Owen talking in the background.

Living easy

So today I had a relaxed day, with P'Tip coming early and my first trip of the spring to the playground.


First, I lounged around in the big big bed. "I go sleep here!"

Then it was on to the playground. Daddy took me out because of the lovely 46 degree weather. We saw some fire trucks go by while I was on the jungle gym.

After the playground, there was some excitement in our little area. It turned out that the fire trucks came to our house! Some leaves had caught on fire up on the hill, and the fire truck came to put it out.


Not much of a fire

When I got inside, I got another present for being such a good brother. It was a new fire truck! This one came from friends in New Orleans.


Reading the story book that came with my new fire truck


Then we hung out with Phoebe. When she's unswaddled, she has kung fu hands.


Phoebe is cute.

Easter Brunch

It's Easter today! Ronak and his parents came over and we went out to brunch.


Here I am waiting for Ronak. This picture combines my love of the Easter Bunny with my love of masks.

This picture was also taken just before the tragedy of the day: my ukulele broke! I was just playing it, and the neck fell off. I guess that's what happens to $10 ukuleles when you like to stand on them to reach things up high. Mommy wouldn't tape it back for me, but daddy said he'll try to fix it tomorrow.

Then Ronak and his parents came and we went to brunch at West on Centre.


Waiting for our food to come out


The Easter Bunny came over from the park to visit us


Phoebe came too. She slept the whole time.

I had a lot at lunch because the food was so yummy. Easter is a fun holiday!

Prints

Today I am one week old! Today was also my due date. Owen would have been 2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days old on my birthday if I had been born today.

Before dinner number 1, mommy and daddy took out some white fluffy stuff and pressed my hands and feet into them.


My hands can open all the way? Are we done yet? I'm hungry!


Feets


Hands

Later mommy took apart Owen's fluffy prints from when he was a baby to see how much Owen's grown.


I hope I'll be this much bigger when I'm 2

Easter Egg Hunt

Today while Aki was sleeping, daddy took me to an Easter egg hunt in the park. We got there a little early, which was good because it was super crowded. Good thing there were lots of eggs to go around.


Hidden Easter eggs


The Easter Bunny left the mall to come to this party


His helper gave me this lollipop

Then it was time for the hunt! The horn blew and all the kids ran into the lawn. Lucky there was a toddler area because I didn't want to get knocked down by the big kids.


My priorities--first pick up random rubber band, then Easter egg


The mayor was there to hang out with us


Showing off my score, 7 eggs.


Eating my first lollipop ever on the way home. Crunch crunch.

I had a lot of fun this morning. It was a lot more exciting than last year's Easter egg hunt anyway.

Happy Good Friday

Easter Bunny, Hamburg Pa
Originally uploaded by The G-tastic 7

Hi, it's Owen again. Phoebe hasn't been up to much in the last day so I decided to update you on how things are going with me.

I am loving my new baby sister. I am also loving having daddy play with me 12 hours a day. I'm not quite sure which I love more right now.

Part of the 12 hours a day has been running errands with daddy. Today we went to the Watertown Mall and bought more diapers. Phoebe poops like 3 times every time she eats, so she goes through diapers like I did.

We saw the Easter Bunny today. He kind of looked like this guy, only dirtier. I was happy to watch him from behind his fence, but I sure didn't want to go up to sit with him, even if he was handing out candy.

Tomorrow mommy wants me to go out to an Easter egg hunt if it's nice enough. And Sunday is Easter! Happy Good Friday!

First doctor's visit

Today I went to my first doctor's visit in the office across the street. I like my new doctor. She told me that I gained more than another ounce since yesterday, making me 6 pounds, 9 1/2 ounces, without anything on, compared to yesterday when I had all my clothes and diaper and was 6 lbs, 8 oz. Then she told mommy to keep feeding me as much as I want, which I definitely like, since I'd love to eat for an hour every hour!

Owen's first doctor's visit

How I got my name

Mommy and daddy told me today about how I got my name.

So Phoebe is for P, which is the next "letter" after M, N, and O (Mike, Nan, and Owen). Phoebe is the name my folks liked best of all the P girl names. Daddy liked Priya, but it's kind of funny to have an Indian name for an East Asian baby. I mean, even though mommy has one.

Owen helped pick Akiko. Because daddy's half Japanese and Owen has a Japanese middle name, they decided to find something like that. Owen chose Akiko because he loves this library book called Aki and the Fox, and the main character is named Aki. I think he thinks I'm Aki. At least, that's what he calls me. He also has been saying that he is Kon, the fox from the book.

Maybe it's not as interesting as Owen Ichiro, but it will do for me. Here's a little from Aki and the Fox. It's out of print except as a different translation, Anna and Ken Visit Grandma. Somehow, that just doesn't seem right.


Front cover


Kon the fox was bored...


When he woke up, a music box was playing softly. There was a tiny bundle in the cradle. Kon felt his heart beat faster-- the baby had finally come! She was a beautiful little girl, and her name was Aki.

First full day at home

My head still so heavy

Ok, so there's not much to say about my first day at home. Eat, sleep, poop, eat some more.

At one point mommy was changing my diaper and called daddy to come help her. When daddy wiped my butt, I pooped all over his hand. Owen said he's never done that before...

Because we went home so quickly, a nurse lady came to visit this afternoon. She was nice and checked me and mommy out. She also told mommy that I gained 6 ounces in the last day. I guess I have been eating a lot. Gotta pack it in before my first doctor's visit tomorrow!

I'm home!

So today I got another bite, this time on my foot. Then since everyone was feeling pretty good, we left our beautiful room and went home.


Mommy and me getting ready to leave the hospital


Me and daddy


The paparazzi were waiting for us outside the front door. Lucky I had my privacy canopy up.

We settled in at home. Owen sat in my car seat, and claimed it was his for sleeping.

Then Owen's friend, Ronak, and his mommy and daddy visited us. They came with presents for me and for Owen! They're the ones who also got us the flowers you can see behind mommy's head up above.


Owen and Ronak conversating


Ronak giving Owen his present in my carseat


My first home visitors

I'm very happy to be home, and I think mommy, daddy and Owen are too. I am eating better than ever and gathering my energy for a big all-nighter tonight. Yay home!

Phoebe Taking Over

Hi, I am Phoebe.

I was kind of out of it for the last two days, so I let my big brother tell you about how things have been going. But now I'm feeling much better and I've decided that I might as well let you know how I'm doing.

Today I spent a lot more time awake. I also got some clicky stuff in my ears and a little bite in my leg. But mostly I just ate, fed, and pooped. Any questions?


Checking out this "mama" character


I guess she'll do

Some things I've learned in the last couple of days:


My head is really heavy


My eyelids are heavy too

Later Ah Mah and my big brother Owen came to visit. He made lots of noises while he was here, but we had dinner together. Mommy says I can't show you what I ate, so here's what Owen had.


My big brother goofing off at dinner

I think it's time for another nap now. It was nice to meet you all, and I will be sure to write more later!

Phoebe is 1 day old

Ok, Owen here again. I went to visit mommy, daddy and Aki again this afternoon, and here's the update on the last 24 hours.


Turns out the view from their room is even nicer at night


Last night Phoebe got to sleep with daddy. Something about constant crying. Daddy doesn't look too unhappy though. Maybe I should try this technique.


When I got there, I set up camp by the window. The light is perfect for my artwork!


Phoebe set up camp in Ah Mah's arms


What are you looking at?


It's kind of crowded in this bed


Phoebe doesn't really open her eyes very wide


Maybe because it's so bright. Now, if she only had sunglasses...

Daddy took Ah Mah and me home after dinner, but I'll try to post more again after I visit tomorrow...

Day 0

Ok, here are some more pictures that daddy took of our family yesterday on Phoebe's birthday. I'm waiting with Ah Mah at home to go see baby again today.


Here's mommy waiting for baby to come out


What baby looked like when she came out


What a fat baby!


No need to cry, baby...


One eye open, my favorite technique


Mommy and baby settling down in their room


When I came, I got to watch Phoebe have her first bath


She was the model for the newborn bath class


There was some construction equipment outside the window


Ah Mah and us grandkids

Ok, more when I get back to the hospital today...