Bye Summer Vacation!

Goodbye Toddler 1, Hello Preschool 2!

I'm a bit sad that our summer vacation is coming to a close. Tomorrow, Miles and I are back on the grind (hello, anatomy labs!). And Miles is starting preschool with his new teachers, Beth & Sarah, whom he got better acquainted with on Friday. I have a good feeling about his new teachers, getting to know them a bit and seeing how they interacted with Miles and the other kids. Miles also met 2 of his new classmates, Drew & Ely. I just finished packing up his change of clothes, pack of pull ups, and some nappies for tomorrow's first day of school. I'm not as worried as I was the first time he went to his toddler 1 class but I am hoping that now that he is much older and more independent, it will not be such a hard transition. I'm about to pray all day tomorrow and check in to see how he's doing. I need to chill off worrying so much about the boy and what he will experience in his new classroom with new friends and new faces! Before we left the campus, we asked Miles if he wanted to visit Adrianne (his toddler 1 teacher). His face lit up and he immediately walked over to the door. He is still attached to Adrianne and I hope that he can build a good relationship with his new teachers as well. Talking to Adrianne, we found out some good news-- Mark, from toddler 1, is going to be in his class! Someone familiar in the classroom will be comforting for the boy.

Here are some pictures from his meet & greet day at his new preschool:


Miles was intrigued by the cool stick bugs in his new classroom.


He got situated in his new office space.


Miles met his classmate, Drew & tried cooking in their new kitchen.


He also met Presleigh, and got along great right away.

We enjoyed our last summer break days with a whole afternoon day of playing at Children's Wonderland with Dangdang & Uncle Eric. When they are both together, all rules are out the door and they run wild! Then on Saturday, Justin, Miles, and I had a fun day at the Discovery Museum in Sausalito. We had a lot of fun, especially Miles & Justin (the big kid!). Miles and I use to go there a lot when we lived in SF but he was barely 1.5. He was so busy with every room, having so much fun playing. I couldn't help but notice how hard he plays with his curiosities running wild, he was really non-stop until the museum closed. I wish I had that much energy and drive! I love how kids get absorbed in what they do, truly living in the present!







Today, we went to Ayana's christening and Miles enjoyed himself at the party. He loves playing with Ayana and really tries to engage with her, playing peek-a-boo and talking to her, being very gentle. It's so cute. I think that when it's time for him to be a big brother, he will do such a good job. Ayana is such a happy and chill baby. She makes me want a daughter (in a few years!!).

Photographer in the making

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Miles has been going to town with the camera. Justin says that he gets it from his side of the family, the Lucido side, because his late granduncle Gary was a talented photographer. At first, I thought about buying him one of those kid cameras that they sell at target but then decided that our digital camera was even better. He's been pretty good at holding it correctly and focusing on whatever it is that he wants to capture. Here are some of his shots:


Painted Big Toe.

Family Collage.

House Plant.


And here's his "Daddy Getting Ready for Work Series"







And the grand finale....

Thomas the Train!

In other news, I didn't realize that it is ROCK THE BELLS weekend here in the Bay! Last time I went, I was pregnant with Miles back in '05. I definitely want to try to go as a family. What a great Hip Hop, kid-friendly show for Miles to experience!

Great Imitators

I'm really enjoying this book I borrowed from the toy library in Napa. It's called, You are Your Child's First Teacher. Anyways, its been a great read so far and the author of the book is coming from a wardolf perspective. In one chapter she emphasizes how kids from birth-6 learn from imitation. We've learned this from our experience raising Miles but after reading the chapter, I have been more conscious and aware of the things I say but especially--the things I do, Justin included--that end up being reflected back to us by Miles..and sometimes, even smacking us in the face!

The other week, we were walking down the street and their was poop on the ground. Miles notices it and says to Justin and I, "Be careful, don't step on the shit!" Hmmm, I wonder where he got that from.

And this morning, we were playing pretend, Miles wanted me to be the baby and he was the daddy. He balls a fist, holding it behind his back, saying, "Baby, I have a special treat for you..." then he opens his fist to show me his imaginary treat and he says, "It's a dollar toy!"....then he does it again and says, "It's a fruit wrap!"...and then again and says, "It's nem-n-nems (m&m's)!"

Summer time, summer time.

Whew! What a busy summer it's been. We've been trying to do and see as many things as possible before school begins in a few weeks. The past 2 weekends have been lots of fun. Miles got to check out a graffiti permission street/block party in the Mission at Lilac st. Here are some highlights:


Enjoying fresh mango slices w/ Aunty Diane in the Mission.


Posting infront of Fury One's piece.


Mi Amor!


He saw this one and said, "Mommy! Take on of me and the baby!"


Miles saw his Uncle Yzer and found out that he was not only a good DJ but a dope Writer!


Miles wanted to take flicks too-so here's one he shot of his other Aunty Jen.


..And he took this one of writers in action.


He got a treat from his Aunty Jen and found out how yummy taffy is.


And before we left the graff/block party, he found his favorite characters (that writer must have kids)!

This first weekend of August was a lot of fun too. He had a sleep over at nanay's & papo's house while Justin and I had our date night (give thanks for that!). I think it was the first time we had a date night this whole summer besides one night when Miles was in Hawaii and before Justin left for Korea. It is sooo important for us parents to have these! We feel so refreshed afterwards--and its not because of the wine or beer (hahaha) but the fact that we can just take our time, enjoying a nice dinner and even taking a stroll--just the 2 of us--to enjoy quality time as a couple. So while we did our thang, I heard Miles played all night with Dangdang! I have to admit, into our date, Justin and I were missing Miles' company like a couple--of losers! We really are a group of 3--Alvin, Simon, Theodore...Run DMC...Haiku de Tat...you name it.

Anyways, the next morning we went to the Aloha festival in our old SF presidio hood. We picked up Miles cousins, Boo & Angel and they spent the weekend with us in AC. Miles misses them already and wants to go swimming at the AC pool again with his older cousins.



Miles fell asleep early and Angel baked up some goodies.


Angel's finished product!


Miles is devouring the cupcake while we have family fun w/ photo booth!












We had a good laugh w/ photo booth & good times with Boo & Angel! We miss you two already!

Nanay's 60th Birthday

This weekend was a busy one. My mom aka nanay, had a 60th birthday party. It was a small gathering but there was enough food to feed a village. It was also an excuse for me to attempt making kalua pig via slow cooker. It was 20 hours of our pad smelling like bbq! Not a pleasant smell after an hour of it (It would make a vegan sick!). But, I also made mac salad to go with it--Miles' granma's recipe--and while I thought the kalua was terrible (I seriously considered throwing it away rather than serving it)--it must have been ok because it was gone at the end. The 20 hours ended up being worth it!

I will post more pics up when I borrow some from papo's camera but let me tell you...as we all sang Happy Birthday to nanay, we were also watching Miles & Darrien, being anxious to blow the candles out--I remembered that 2 years ago, the 2 boys were sitting on nanay's lap as babies with fat rolls and everything! (I'm sure I posted the pic in a July 2006 post) But Now, here they were, standing on their own, singing happy birthday, blowing the candles & everythang!?! It's almost scary how fast time has passed! I think overall, nanay seemed happy to reach this age and to be surrounded by family and old friends. I think this was probably the only time we ever had a function in honor of nanay but I think it's about time! Papo planned it not only cause she's the big 6-0, but also because she's about to retire! Here's to everyone hitting milestones!


Miles hangin' out with his Kuya Andre.


Darrien & Miles jumping w/ Aaron playing outside.

OMG, July is almost over?!

I thought I would be able to blog more during the summer since I didn't have to study but I was so wrong. Miles has been keeping me busy 24/7. I'm gonna miss being at home with him and planning out our days together! But thank goodness for this summer break! Once school starts it is back on the grind and I really appreciate having had this summer of quality time with my big boy.

Oh and about his nappy intervention--which lasted for a lil over a week, Justin and I caved! After that week, we realized that we were torturing Miles and ourselves more than helping him! He doesn't use it as much as he did--only for sleeping--so we are going to keep encouraging him to go to sleep without it but we will not take it away. I'm sure he will be able to ween himself off slowly as he did when I was nursing him. Let's cross our fingers on this one!

Here are some pictures of Miles' summer:


This is his Iron Man mask which he insists we draw on him regularly.

This was one of his favorite things to do.

He finally got to open his Christmas gift from his Aunty Tintin & Aunty Maritess...'tis the season for shave ice!

Darrien gives Miles a bear hug @ the Cache Creek hotel room.

Miles takes a picture of nanay & papo @ Cache (he's a photographer in the making)

Miles & his daddy are in the kiddie tunnel of Splash Zone @ Monterey aquarium.

He loved trying things out at the exhibits.

Big head Sr. & Big head Jr.

He loved watching sardines swim in circles.

And he got a good laugh watching the sardines swim with their mouths wide open, eating.

Our touristy family picture--thanks to the man who took it!

"fine dining"...at Denny's. Hahaha!

Water play @ Dangdang's house.

Aunty Teresa & Uncle Tom with all their children!

Cousin Lucy & Miles keeping each other company @ Oxbow Market.

The Elacio/Sano/Ejanda/Cadabes cousins--Miles, Lucy, Darrien, & Wicket.

Lucy hanging out in the pizark.

Miles is trying to swoop on Lucy's scooter.

Dangdang doing his favorite thing, grubbing!