2011 in Review

We clearly did not keep this blog updated as much as we had hoped in 2011. Of course, a new year resolution is to do a better job in 2012, but no guarantees. So, to make up or the lack of 2011 posts, we've decided to do a year in review. Apologies for the lack of visuals. Daddy upgraded the computer software and all of our older photos and videos are now saved on an external hard drive. Oh well.

JANUARY

We had just returned from a big trip to the Philippines at the end of 2010 and started the new year by dealing with jet lag (so much so that we can't remember how we celebrated...). The big events of this month were: 1. Mommy going back to work. This was a surprisingly easy transition thanks going back a couple days a week and also to an amazing nanny that we found, Anna. 2. Tyler turning one. We celebrated the big birthday with an Elmo themed party with friends and family and Tyler got to eat his first of now many cakes. Oh, and Daddy had a conference in Vegas and Mommy and T stayed home (for the first time?).

FEBRUARY

This month was quite uneventful. We had a couple of out of town visitors - Allyna came to visit from NY and the Abaya's were in town from Chicago. Otherwise, it seems Mommy didn't do a good job of keeping track of the happenings.

MARCH

March had a few fun events. We went to Fairyland for the first time with the Vongtama's and Tyler and fun hanging out with Ela. We attempted a trip up to Tahoe with the Rosenzraicks, Minors and Friedman's, but Tahoe had one of the biggest snowstorms of the year and we didn't make it very far and ended up spending an afternoon in El Cerrito at the Minors. Daddy made videos for both of these events that can be found in earlier entries. Also, Mommy had a birthday. She turned 33 years young. =) Oh, the big news of the month - we found out that we were having a second baby.

APRIL

Not too much going on. The month started off with T having a photo shoot with Lolo and Lola at Whippersnapper. Unfortunately he was under the weather so not in top notch form, but he still managed to have a good time and we got a few good pictures. Mommy and Daddy took a weekend trip to Vegas so Tyler got to spend a whole weekend at Lolo and Lola's in Pacifica. Mommy also went away for the first time by herself since T was born on a "Girls' Weekend" to Denver with her NYC girlfriends. Easter was celebrated at Ben's house with the Posse. They are all getting so big.

MAY

T took his first trip to Mexico to attend Auntie Kristy and Uncle Bryan's wedding. Getting there was a nightmare as we got stuck in Dallas for a night, but despite the headaches, he was a great traveler and we made it to Mexico in one piece. T had a blast playing on the beach and dancing the (early) night away at the wedding as well.

JUNE

Lolo turned 70 years old and Lola threw him a surprise birthday party. Tito Jonathan (aka Tito Jojo and T likes to call him now) and Tito Michael flew in from Boston for the big surprise. T was getting over his first stomach virus (he managed to puke on Mommy numerous times, pucked in his car seat, puked in the bath... you get the picture), but he had fun at the party (the kid likes to party). Unfortunately, he passed on his virus to everyone else, including Lolo, and on his actual birthday, Lolo didn't get to enjoy the food at Alexander's Steakhouse and T, who wasn't fully recovered, was exhausted from the party the night before and had one of his biggest meltdowns to date (everyone took turns taking him outside, but eventually, Mommy had to walk home with him screaming and squirming in her arms). T also had his first major boo boo and visit to the ER. He slammed his big toe on a door at Peekadoodle and his toe nail fell off. Ouch.

JULY

T got to spend another weekend at Lolo and Lola's while Mommy and Daddy took another quick trip to Vegas. I mention these trips because I imagine they are some of T's best times - what's better than hanging out with grandparents and going to the beach? =) Tyler also went to his first baseball game (the Giants vs. the Mets) and Mommy made sure he was wearing his Met's jersey. Thankfully, we were in a private room (thanks to Auntie Leslie and Uncle Mike) so he didn't get booed by anyone. And, it was a baseball month because he went to his second game in July as well. This time it wasn't in a room and he didn't do so well sitting in his seat. He isn't quite ready for America's favorite pastime yet. The month ended with Nico's birthday pool party. You'd think T would have a blast with all the water and slides, but as much as he seemed to have fun, he also seemed somewhat overwhelmed. Huh.

AUGUST

We had a big trip to Japan this month. T was an awesome traveler thanks to the IPad and Tozzel (a puzzle game on the IPad that he got really good at). We went to Disneyland which was fun despite the heat and jet lag and T still being a little too young for most of the rides. He learned to say "dog" after meeting Obachama and Jiji's dog making us realize that we will have to get a dog in the near future.

SEPTEMBER

Daddy went for a "Boy's Weekend" to Vegas this month. Mommy started "nesting" for the new arrival. T was still clueless that Mommy's belly was growing and growing. We went to Curiodyssey for the first time, just T and Mommy, where T was fascinated with a lot of the exhibits. It was a fun Mommy and T day.

OCTOBER

We finally made it up to Tahoe to make up for the trip we didn't get to take in March. There were fears that it wouldn't happen again since Tahoe got hit with it's first big storm of the season. But, this time we were in luck - by the time our trip rolled around the snow had mostly melted and we got sunny, beautiful weather. T had a blast hanging out with the older girls while we were up there too. He really likes older kids. This month we also started "Music Together" which is a music program for little ones. T loved the class and teacher and for the most part was really active in the class (he only tried to make a run for it a couple of times). We also had a special visitor this month - Auntie Ruko and Tyson (who is only 6 months older than T). T loved having Tyson (and Auntie Ruko) over and they 2 became buddies. Of course, we can't forget Halloween. T dressed up as Spiderman (Daddy's favorite Marvel character). His costume fit him perfectly and he got to wear it 4 times. First at Lemos Pumpkin Patch with the Posse, then the GGMG Halloween party, next at Sofia's 4th (it's hard to believe she's already 4!) birthday party at the Discovery Museum, and lastly trick or treating for the first time on Fair Oaks Street. Oh, and he finally got to be forward facing in his car seat.

NOVEMBER

This was a huge month - we welcome Emma Naomi into our lives. She was born by scheduled c-section on November 10. T had mixed feelings about her in the beginning and reacted harshly when Obachama showed up a week later from Japan to help Mommy and Daddy out, but now, he has fallen in love with her and is even protective (he doesn't like when other kids get close). Emma has been a social bee from the very start and went to her first birthday party (Drew's) at just over 2 weeks. Fortunately for all of us she has been an easygoing baby. I'm going to do a separate post about our little princess since she deserves it. =)

DECEMBER

The end of the year. It went by quickly and we totally missed keeping track of all of T's many milestones. He's running, jumping, babbling, talking, hugging, kissing, loving, laughing, a pro with any "I" device.... The kid is even Superman. He fractured his left foot this month (dropped a cast iron lid on it) even though he was limping for about 3 days he continued running and jumping. Mommy even took him to a dance class at the JCC for the first time and he didn't show any pain and he was super involved and excited that he never once made a break for it (highly unusual for T). We only figured out his injury because he continued to limp occasionally and Mommy and Daddy decided we should go ahead and get an x-ray just to be sure he was OK. The pediatrician checked him out and he didn't exhibit any pain, but probably decided to amuse Mommy by giving her a slip to get an x-ray. She called surprised with the results. This month, of course, was full of holiday parties. T loves to party, but every time he gets overstimulated he sleeps poorly. I guess it's all the fun that continues to go through his head when he's sleeping. We also had to say good bye to Obachama after a month (despite T being mean to he at first, he grew attached and I think even he missed her). And, we celebrated Christmas with lots of gifts, a visit from Tito Jojo and Tito Michael, and Daddy's birthday up in Napa. Daddy also bought Mommy a new car. We said goodbye to the Audi and hello to the Toyota Highlander SUV. And, also goodbye to 2011 by having dinner at home with Lolo and Lola and going to bed at normal time (that's 8pm for T). Mommy and Daddy were going to watch a move and ring in the New Year with champagne, but were pooped from all the fun that was had and feel asleep early on the couch, woke up to the sound of fireworks at midnight, and went to bed. No complaints though - it really was an amazing month and year.

Though, writing a review of the year makes us (really Mommy) realize that we didn't do a good job of keeping track of major milestones or even keeping the blog up to date. Since we want this to be something T, and now Emma, (notice the change in the blog's name?) can look back to, we are really going to make an effort to do a better job this year. So, wish us luck.

Cheers to a new year full of many, many more memories and life moments!