with Ben and Ang
Well Kai, we have read this book to you about one million times and you never get bored of the lamb, and the rabbit and the grasshopper, and of course, the Big Bad Fish! It is a joy to read to you…but do you think we could read a different book?
With two older siblings Kai has to be strong, or else be pushed around. Well, don’t worry, he definitely isn’t going to let that happen. He has a very strong personality and very strong desires. When he wants something he doesn’t give up, and Cassie and Jay have definitely discovered that! Unfortunately that can mean pushing, fighting and grabbing. BUT there is no loss of love! When we say, Kai can you give Cassie and Jay a hug, he goes in gives them a squeeze and even adds a kiss from time to time! So sweet!
Kai is in the fun stage of beginning to copy sounds and have his own words for things. He does sign language for food items like more, please, eat, drink etc. His first word was definitely ‘Dada’ and he knows exactly who it refers to, but his second word that he just started saying a few weeks ago is ‘Eeya.’ What does that mean you ask? Well, his favourite stuffed animal that he sleeps with every nap and night…Eeyore. He loves to squeeze ‘Eeya’ and snuggle the donkey that is pretty much the same size as he is.
He took his first steps today. Well, a couple days ago we sat across from each other and held his arms and he took one step before falling into the others arms. But today, we were just sitting on separate couches talking and badda boom – 3 steps across the room!
It’s a good day to take your first steps, just a few hours before you turned 1.
Kaiser accomplished something else today. He found Angela’s Bible and decided he would rip out a page (oops!). To top it off, he got a piece of the cover and started chewing on that too!
Sadly, Angela was alone as she joked about Kaiser really ingesting the Word of God and how he seems to be taking it a little to literally.
Kai, we realized something this week. Mostly because you were sick you fell asleep on both of us a few times. As we held you in our arms while you slept we realized there aren’t many more days left where you will sleep in our arms. You are such a sweet, active little boy, that although of course we don’t want you to be sick, we sure did cherish those times this week where we could hold you and watch you sleep. We love you Kaiser.
Kai is growing up and finally getting teeth. He is 10 months old as of yesterday and he only just has his top two teeth and his bottom two teeth, but the top two were definitely not fun. It seems like more are coming in now too! Well, I just wish it would end soon. But thankfully he will be able to chew one day, so I guess it is all worth it!
He is also super mobile, crawling around, pulling himself up on everything, moving around from couch to table to couch like he is the boss of the place :) I’m glad he is such a mover, that way he can keep up to his siblings, but what a handful!
It’s such a pleasure when little babies smile and giggle!
No wonder then that we can’t get enough of this little man’s smile! Of course we can’t get a good picture of it in action either. He’s sitting in his bumbo, looking for toys to play with, eating like a monster from planet buffet and bringing smiles to everyone, including the under 5 category!
Kai, your big gummy smile is one of the best things that start our day! It is so fun to watch your little body develop and grow. In a week you will be 6 months old! Time for real food (well, if you can call rice cereal food!). Exciting! Pictures to come soon.
I’m watching you! Lately I’m becoming much more alert. I look around for Mom or Dad. Ooh, and I love watching Cassie and Jay do anything fun, like running in the backyard or colouring or playing with trucks.
And yesterday afternoon I totally did a rollover from my tummy to my back. Now I make my parents put down pillows whenever I’m on the bed or couch.
And I’m definitely smiling lots now but still haven’t done a really good giggle – I’m just keeping my parents in suspense. It’s fun being in charge!
He’s done it! Note the date – July eight. Yes, it rhymes…
Anyway, Kai rolled today, not for the first time but many times over. From his tummy to his back.
Kai’s doctor visit today went great! He is a tall boy, 61cm. Of 100 guys his age, he would be in the top 5 for height. He’s also a lightweight at 5640 grams, in the top 30 of 100. First vaccines done too!
ps. Ang had her final after-baby check-up. Everything is healed and healthy!
June 19, 2012. Mark the date :) That is the day that Kai looked up at me and offered his first real smile (not gas-induced). It was so precious as he looked into my eyes.
6 weeks old. Mark the date- first all-night sleep :) Thank you Kai for being the great sleeper that you are. Eat, Wake, Sleep… yea!
Wow how time flies. Aunty Lisa and Uncle Mike just spent 2 weeks here, giving us the wonderful opportunity to get on our feet since you joined us Kai. They held you lots, played with you, bathed you, changed you and loved you! You may never understand how great your uncles and aunties are, but hopefully one day you’ll become just like them!
Monday the doctor is not doing any checks because it is the long-weekend, but contractions get worse through the day. Monday night, Ang is unsure if we should go in or just leave it till morning. Well we both lie down at night and within two minutes we are both very sure that we need to go tonight. At least it will take the fear of home birth away.
So as I leave to get the babysitter, Ang calls and tells me that I should hurry… So i speed like a maniac. In 45 minutes we are in the hospital and another hour later Angela is holding a little blue ball of Kai!
And they all lived happily ever after!
Just thought we’d put up a little pic of Ang on the brink of busting! Plus its a pretty cute shot.
Thursday afternoon Bingo’s heartrate was low (90 bpm) after 4 checks with Ludmila (our doctor – picture your 60 year old Ukrainian grandmother with a health license). So after making all the preparations to have the baby, we head to the hospital. After a new checkup there, we’re told the baby is fine, but you will have to come in again every day at lunchtime to make sure.
Friday’s appointment goes well, Saturday’s is good but there are some contractions and dialating has begun. Sunday Angela is dialated to 6 but no contractions. Natalia, the delivery doctor at the hospital says Ang should stay the night. After all, once things get going the baby will be out in just a couple pushes. Yowsers! What’s going to happen? Stay tuned.
Bingo our son, you are only a few months away from blessing us all with your presence. We pray for a peaceful and safe next two months as you grow and get all ready for this world. We also pray that God will lead us to the right name for you and that your brother and sister will be all ready to welcome you into the world! We love you already!
Bingo, I know you love me but do you need to kick Mommy so much?
Everything with Bingo is right on track. Weight gain is gain. Development is good. Angela started to feel him kicking at just the right time. Pregnancy couldn’t be going much better. Speaking of development, after the ultrasound today, it has been confirmed that Cassie and Jay will have a baby brother!
Little Bingo has been seen on ultrasound, but now officially felt by both Mom and Dad. He is growing and beginning to kick and move. You may notice the pronoun ‘he’. Well for now the doctor said that she thought it was a boy, but it was a few weeks early on the ultrasound to be totally sure. I guess we will have to wait for a few more months before our second ultrasound to really know for sure.
Today was Bingo’s first appointment.
For now, Ludmila is our doctor, and she did a great job today! Of course, Bingo is still only 16 to 17 weeks old, so he’s got a lot of growing to do (does the phrase, “skin and bones” mean anything to you?). But we saw Bingo’s heart beating away, 135 bpm, strong, steady and very much alive! YAY! Still no conclusive evidence of gender, but not to worry, we’ll know soon enough… Speaking of, Bingo’s due date is also inconclusive, but anywhere between April 25 and May 10 we should have one more incredible experience in a hospital room (it better be in an hospital room!). Can’t wait to meet you Bingo! (By the way, don’t worry if you can’t tell what is baby on the image … I can barely tell either!)
Teaching Adventures 