Despite the daily frustrations of being a parent, Helaina really knows how to do little things that make your heart melt and forget the irritations (at least for the moment anyway). Most of these things can not be caught on camera and are can only be written/read in a way that gives you a really watered down general idea. -- They are little presents you get for being mommy and daddy. Chris and I call them "mommy or daddy pay day"
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| Jackie "H" |
Leg Hugs
When you have been away from her for a while (especially when Chris comes home from work), Helaina runs full speed up to you and as the name describes, wraps her arms around your legs with the biggest smile on her face, which in turn brings a huge grin to yours.
The Hallway Run
Where ever she is going these days, Helaina is usually running. The more frequent illustration is when we leave or come back to our apartment, she runs full speed ahead with her arms flailing through the air and humming or singing a tune. It's pure and utter joy for her to do so. I wish we were so easily pleased with the simple things in life.
The Happy Song
Our little composer in the making has "written" and performed her own song up. It simply goes "Happy Dadda, Happy Dadda"....over and over again or whoever she is singing about at that moment. It's simple but so sweet. So far Momma, Dadda, & Bebe have been the subject matters for the song. Recently, she has also added the proper anatomical name for the female part to her song. It takes everything I have not to laugh and it usually is not enough. There is something about "happy giina" that can crack the most hard nosed person.
Prayers
We say prayers with Helaina before each meal/snack, when we go to bed, and if she is scared/stressed. Recently, she has started adding to the prayer list of people/things on her mind. We obviously want to encourage her participation. She usually adds "Ro Ro, Jim and Jo Jo" (her local aunties and uncle) and of course, bebe. This past week when we were going to bed, we prayed for "chicken" which is what we had for dinner. Needless to say, Chris and I were unable to keep a straight face. Chicken is particularly funny because no matter what meat we are eating, she calls it chicken. I can't wait to hear her upcoming prayers and I pray that we are able to handle them in a way that keeps her participating.
Belly Hugs & Kisses
We try to talk a lot about the baby that will be her in 3.5 months to Helaina. It is enough to melt the coldest heart to see her hug and kiss my belly. The other day she felt the baby move in my belly and I had to hold back the tears of joy at the sight on her face. I hope that she will embrace the baby the same way once baby is here.
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| Monthly Belly shot 23 weeks |
"Hula" Bus
Oahu is full of touristy things to do. One of the newest and notable is a double decker, convertible, red bus that brings you to all the tourist sites. Amongst some other pictures painted on the side of the bus, there is a King Kamehameha portrait and a very large hula dancer. Helaina has had a lot of recent exposure to the hula at our Aulani visit, (Disney's Hotel here,) and at baby Hula (a class we have taken a few times). Therefore, hula dancer stands out on the side and so according to her, it's the Hula Bus. Whenever, we see them, which is a lot, she will call out Hula bus. It's nice to have something to add to her trash truck repertoire. We were fortunate enough to score some free tickets to the bus and went with a mommy group this past week. She loved it. She was 'smurfette' as the 4 other kids were all boys. She was able to hang and fun was had by all.
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| listening to the audio portion of the tour |
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| 400 XL shirt at Hilo Hatties |
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| Reflection of the double decker bus with us on top |
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| I think she may be bossing the 4 boys around here. |
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| Dragon in China town |
In times when your child is approaching the independent exploration phase of a two year old, these sweet little things are sometimes the only glue that keep you 'sane' as a parent.
