Miles Goes Gallibanting

We had an eventful weekend! Friday night was daddyʻs payday so he took mommy and I out for dinner. We met with him downtown after he got off from work. Iʻm learning all the right moves from my dad already. He surprised mommy with a bunch of yellow and orange roses which made her all mushy. Anyways, they are too corny for me. Iʻm a 1 year old boy and I need some life outside of mommy and daddy world. Enough with this mushy hugginʻ and kissinʻ, just feed me and let me roam the grounds! And so I did--at Farmer Brownʻs soul food restaurant. That was the first time I went to a club outside the womb! The DJ was spinnin reggae, making me do my raga bounce. I loved the crazyness inside that restaurant--so many people, loud music--all the stimulation a boy loves. Aunty Christina and Uncle Arjuna, had dinner with us too! I had fun feeding Uncle Arjuna some jalepeno cornbread. I wanted to feed the guy next to us but he was beyond my reach. After dinner, we just drove around the ʻSco, a late night out on Friday with my parents. I had so much fun cruisinʻ the TL and seeing all the crazy SF people.

On Saturday, daddy had a gig in San Jose so mommy and I spent the day at Lolaʻs house. I pretty much played with my cuzz, Darrien all day and night. I kept smacking Darrien in the face because I got too excited at times but Iʻm learning how to "be nice." When I hear mommy say that, I place my hand on Darrien gently and put my head up against his head for some love. Heʻs always nice to me and smiles everytime but I can be such a snob sometimes and crawl-run away from him when heʻs coming for me. We do have a lot of fun crawling after each other and getting into the cabinets. I also like to snack with Darrien and feed him too. The next day, I went with Darrien, Uncle Eric, Ninang Jen & mom to Japan town. While Ninang Jen got her hair did, me & Deng-deng got to check out a Bboy battle at a car show. This was our first time at a car show and Deng-dengʻs first time to watch Bboyin. I didnʻt care much for the cars and ladies and their de-de though until I heard loud bass and drums coming from huge speakers. I couldnʻt help but bounce in my stroller. And when I saw who was playing that music--it was my dad! No wonder why the music was sooo familiar! I was standing by the wall bouncing to the breaks, giving people a show. Darrien was having a lot of fun watching the Bboy battle with Uncle Eric. I was too--until the guy next to me started eating shave ice infront of me. Mom had to buy me and Deng-Deng some shave ice to keep cool from that heated battle. Daddy danced with me for awhile in between spinning his records and everyone kept calling him, "Jus Jones." All my Bboy Hiphop uncles were there hanging out with me, including my Ninong Dre! All of them could dance! Itʻs no wonder why I like to dance to this same music.

Boo!

Miles had said his first word in Hawaii and continues to say it every day, every night, to everyone, to anyone, and to himself, "Boo!" Being a 1-year-old means business for Mileskiii, letting us (his parents) know that he is a freedom lovin little boy. He owns his feelings and really pushes us to go by whatever it is that he is feeling! So one second, heʻs feeling wacky and silly, making faces and sticking his tongue out at us. The next minute, heʻs crossing his eyebrows, pursing his lips, and slapping the air with his heavy palm--embarrassed because we had the nerve to laugh at his silly antics. Ay yay yay, what a little boy weʻve created. He is definitely full of character and shows many different sides to different people.



Since the weather has warmed up, Miles has been spending mornings playing in our lovely concrete front yard--next to the big green garbage dump. Mileskiiiʻs homeboy, Diego, has all his cars, tricycles, push toy playthings out there to share. Miles gets all grimey crawling on the concrete and is so happy just to be outside. Itʻs great! Later on in the day, Iʻve been taking him to the park on California & 25th--to enjoy more sunshine, fresh air, and people watching. Heʻs warmed up to playing in sand, going down slides, climbing the actual play gym thing, and even interacting with a few of the other kids.

Yesterday, as soon as we walked in (yes, Miles can walk now but prefers to hold one of our hands), he stopped right infront of two blonde little girls, staring at them forever as if they were the Wiggles. He was just watching them talk to each other. After I pulled him away, an action he loathes, he started grunting and stiffening his chubby little body, telling me he wanted to be free. So I just let him go. And he crawled back to those little girls and smiled. Poor baby, they didnʻt even pay any attention to him saying, "Boo!" Itʻs a whole new ball park now. Miles & his freedom. I really just let him go off--ofcourse, Iʻll be a few feet away from him, watching every move. But now that Miles is a big boy, understanding a little more about our world, he is not one to stay close to us and cling. Thank God. Iʻm glad I donʻt have to carry him forever! But then again, I do get a little sad now that he doesnʻt want me to carry him forever. But he is still a little boy with little fat feet feet.



He also likes to wind down on his own--without being rocked. Heʻs down to having 2 bottles, using his pacifier less, growing up. My baby is a little boy. And I do type that in amazement. One of the many great things about him being a little older and wiser, is in the way he communicates. He has a sense of humor and knows how to make us laugh. One of the best things is waking up with his face in your face, whispering, "Boo." And as soon as I open my eyes, he has this huge grin and starts doing his little bouncing dance, shaking his hands in the air!

Ok, see I can go on and on about anything Miles. Our days are so simple and full of love. I am such a tree-hugger when it comes to my baby. He has definitely softened us up a bit :)

Happy Birthday Miles!

Well we are back home in SF! We had a very relaxing, fun and memorable time in Hawaii, visiting grandparents and meeting family and friends! Miles got to do a lot of outdoor exploring, loving nature and Hawaii night skies, feeling grass and sand on the soles of his fat feet, and the ofcourse--floating in the ocean!

We all were pretty spoiled on our vacation, eating just about everything, cruising, sleeping in--basicallly doing all the things we donʻt normallly do here in the bay. Miles had such a good time with grandma & grandpa, spending the night with them and playing all day long. He was really at home in Waipahu. It really felt as though he belonged there! I felt like i belonged there! I miss the nature, good vibes, and warm weather already!

New yearʻs eve was reminiscent of my childhood when fireworks were legal and seen & heard everywhere! The city was literallly clouded in smoke and it sounded like war was going on in the backyard. Ruben and Erica flew in for the festivities!

Milesʻ 1st birthday was such a special day for us all! I couldnʻt believe that it was exactly a year ago when I was in the hospital with Jus, my mom, and Lea. It really felt as though that day had just happened. Itʻs amazing how fast Miles has grown into the toddler that he is today. His birthday in Waipahu was filled with delicious local food and pupus, full of family, extended family, and friends, as well as kids and babies. Aunty Theresa put together a very thoughtful and creative slideshow, from Milesʻ newborn days up to the days leading to his birthday. I felt emotional watching it, seeing how small the monster once was, wishing I could keep him that size forever! All I can say is that Justin and I, and Miles would not have survived all the CRAZY, overwhelming, and life-altering changes without all the support and love we have been blessed with from God, our parents, family and close friends. Maraming salamat!

And some pictures from Hawaii..more to come!











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On our flight home, Justin and I were pretty sad to be leaving mom and dad & Hawaii. Poor Miles! Iʻm pretty sure heʻs wondering where his grandparents are! Since weʻve been back, Miles has been crawling to the door and yelling to go outside!

On Saturday, Miles had a birthday dinner with family at my parentʻs house. It was pretty funny when we were singing happy birthday to him because Darrien was right next to him and he would start crying everytime everyone yelled "blow the candle!" It felt good to be around a bunch of babies, Miles and Darrien being some of the oldest ones! Their cousins were all there; Aron, Nina, Jenna, and Andre. Miles got more presents and love!









We spent the weekend in Vallejo so Darrien and Miles could catch up on their playtime. Darrien is crawling superfast now, cruising along the couch and climbing the stairs. Miles and him also have such a funny relationship already. Theyʻll fight over toys, pushing and smacking each other, then the next thing you know they are reaching to touch each others hands and smiling! Itʻs so cute....My parents have never been happier with these two fat boys! They are the remedy to their stress! Give thanks for babies!