Happy Halloween!

So, this year I really wanted to do a theme family costume thing... I started early in the planning but Ahmad said the kids were too young.... then 2 days before Halloween, Ahmad had the best idea and needed a costume for work "Hey Jenn, Lets do a coordinated costume" me: "Wow, wonder why I did not suggest that earlier so we could plan and buy the best coordinated outfit?'

Anyhow, Here we are a much of misfits but Kai enjoyed his Astronaut Suit (and the teachers help convince him it was super cool... he really wanted spiderman) and Fin barely fit into Kai's Giraffe costume... I can not control the 9mth baby giant... and Ahmad and I settled on The Nightmare before Christmas.  His friends in DC have always said he makes a great Jack the Pumpkin King!  We entered a work contest and heard some people actually voted for us... get out!

Boys Bonding part deux

Here is another photo of Ahmad bonding with the boys.  You can not tell but this was taken at 8am in the morning.  Fin woke early today and Ahmad took him outside to play.  By 8am he was ready for his first nap and nap they did!

Boys Talk

I love this picture.  It was cool, Kai was feeling better and I heard Ahmad ask him if he wanted to go outside and sit and drink together.  Kai of course had his milk cup; Ahmad is beer.  They pulled up chairs and cheers and then drank... Ahmad tried to engage Kai in some conversation.   

I quickly ran out to take this shot, I think I will try to do something similar every year, it was such a sweet and priceless moment!

Bath Time

The night time routine is getting a bit easier for us.  Kai has fun in the tub, once coerced into taking a bath and Fin, well he LOVES the water!  Ahmad and I laugh that these boys have it nice, bath time involves a jacuzzi tub... its kinda like the sitcom that was around we were we little with Richie Rich (did i just date myself?).

Sunday Funday

This weekend we had the kids to ourselves, we did the park and then lunched at a local favorite spot.  I find it funny, we are never too sure what Kai will want to eat so we pretty much order one of all his favorites (soup, cheeseburgers, fries, pasta...).  Kai picked the table and sat in a grown up chair while Fin dined on homemade baby food.

Fin and I picked up an ice cream cone for Ahmad while Kai napped in the car... yeah, we are one of those parents.

Bed time stories

Has nothing to do with the post but a sleep association... I just loved this sweet boy!

Well I will just start off stating we are not the model family when it comes to sleep training.  We had a great run at it with Kai for ~16mths, textbook really and simple.  Kai was sleeping 13+hrs a night with a quick put down to bed by 4 months.  Then it all changed...  He switched new rooms at daycare and freak out at bedtime (he is not one who likes change) and we let him sleep with us... I held off going trying to get him back into his own crib as I wanted him in his own room but at this time Ahmad's sister was with us and then we discovered we would be moving a month later... Flash forward we moved, had a second kid and Kai was still with us in our room.

Now Fin is another story, he was really gassy and woke often as a newborn and because of it he sleeps maybe a few hours straight a night for these first months....  I had him in a cradle (not his crib) because it was inclined and it was suppose to help alleviate pain from gas.  At 5mths I tried the crib but he was onto me laying him down and bedtime started taking an hour... We also needed to get Kai out of our bed... and Fin to sleep faster... So as one kid moved in the other moved out.

Now the funny part (and the point of the post)... Ahmad happens to move with the toddler.  So, it was fine when Kai was with us in our Queen bed and only 1.5 yrs old (small enough) and it was fine when we got our new California King but now as Kai moves out into his own twin bed... so Ahmad followed... I could not help but laugh tonight as I thought, what a Dad... he is going to sleep with Kai on the trundle of Kai's twin bed to be sure if Kai wakes in the night he can reassure him things are fine...

Lesson:  Kai and Fin when you are a teenager and Daddy says you can not do something... Know all actions are and forever will be out of the strongest LOVE for you!

Family photos

I broke down and had a family photo shoot in our backyard this weekend.  The pictures came out amazing and I can not wait to send them out to family.

Kai was a great brother helping Fin sit up.  We explored the whole backyard for the best shots.

 

Genetech Gives Back

We had our annual Company Picnic and this year Ahmad was here to join in the fun.  We took the boys to AT&T park where Genentech celebrates giving back to the community with a concert.  This year the acts were Colbie Coillat, Foo Fighters and Usher!  

Ear Protection is necessary

Fin gets into the fun

One shall not miss a nap

Neither will this one

Amusement Parks Galor!

So, those who really know us, know Ahmad is just as much a kid as our kids (hence our Animal house).  After having so much fun down in Santa Cruz, the next weekend he was determined to take the boys on more rides.  Santa Cruz was out of the question with Graduation crowds deterring our travel time, so we opted to join California's Great America theme park.

There seemed to be less rides for little ones under 42" tall, but we all had fun and left the park just in time for naps.

Even Fin enjoyed the park!

The cars reminded me of Hershey Park.

Kai was blown away and could not wait to meet Snoopy

He was so proud! 

Amusement Park Fun

The advantage of having everyone meet us down in Santa Cruz was that we were able to visit the boardwalk.  I have so many fond memories of family trips to the 'Shore' and adventures on the boardwalk.  It was also the first time we had the chance to see how Kai would react to the rides.  His favorite was a dragon kiddie roller coaster with Daddy.  We even got to take him on the log ride, in which mommy held him tight and sacrificed her sweater so Kai would not get wet (yes, the point of the ride).

Did someone say clams?!

We took a day to go down to visit UC Santa Cruz for Leila.  Ahmad and I went down and the grandparents brought the kids down in the afternoon.  We made reservations at the best seafood restaurant in the area to celebrate.

Kai had his first try of clams and he LOVED them.  I think he has more Demler in him than we are prepared for... He also was treated to a kids sundae where he had some ice cream and as he told the waiter " its my favorite".

Both Kids were so well behaved and it was a long day for all.

Kai enjoying the clam "by self"

Jurassic Sunday

We stumbled across this great Dinosaur exhibit this weekend.  It was funny because just earlier in the week Ahmad bought Kai a bunch of dinosaur play toys.

T-Rex!

It was amazing even for us adults.  There were ~50 life size / moving dinosaurs and a separate area of play things for the kids.

All were scared at first but then loved the exhibit

Its been a long time since I studied or were interested in dinosaurs.  The main dinosaurs on display are all new to us... however, of course they still have the ferocious T-Rex (Kai's favorite).  The grand finale for us was a picture in front of a green screen ... running from THE T-REX!

The dinos behind Fin moved and roared!

Kai was only interested in riding T-Rex

yes, yes we are one of those families!

Olympics

Our household is a big Olympic watching place!  We stay up way too late and get way to excited during the summer Olympics.  What better way to get Kai involved then to get him a rock'n London 2012 Olympic outfit!  

Practicing his crawl... out of water!

Toys, Toys and more Toys

Who let daddy shop?  This weekend we stopped by the baby store in the city to check out new car seats for Kai.  We left with a car full of goodies.  

Kai trying out both exersaucers while Ahmad thoroughly inspected the details of each.

Our car leaving the store.

Kai playing on his new play mat at home.

Kai vs. Kitty (take 2)

This morning we had a rematch... Kitty showed up strong but Kai demonstrated some new attacks, such as a side bend and now he is throwing hooks!  Check out the action!

What is behind the name?

I took this picture in Iran (it is Cyrus Tomb)

As we started out on deciding on a name we knew it would be important to provide meaning to whatever we choose.  We wanted to find the right mix of real inspirational meanings and people in which our new one would be named after.

Kai:

• This name has many various meaning in multiple different languages.  We were drawn to the meanings in Hawaiian ("Ocean") as Ahmad and I swam together with baby Kai in the Escape from Alcatraz earlier in the pregnancy, in Navajo ("Willow Tree") as we live off Willow Street in SF.
• Kai is also a reference to the Kayanian Kings from Persian texts as well as in the Shahnameh (or Book of Kings).  Kai means King and would be or is pronounced Kay in Farsi. 

Cyrus:

• Here we were inspired by Cyrus the Great who is well known for his human rights, politics and influence on our (America's) modern day government.
  Maybe I'll write a whole blog on Cyrus at another time.  

If you want to read more about the name and inspiration used to named our son please see the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_(name)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayanian_dynasty

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_Great