The 4th

I had great plans to go out on the fourth, but in the end Cairo and I spent the day at home playing with the dogs, her wagon, and her toys (Erik was in and out running errands). It was nice to have a slow paced day, enjoying the sunshine. Plus, Cairo has completely worn me out the day before.

Erik, Cairo, and I went out to dinner and went by to visit Grandma Jill (who was recovering from a cold). When we got there, Mei was just having her bath and getting ready for bed. Cairo and Mei kissed each other good-night and we left. We had planned to see the aerial fireworks display in Arcata... but, as the sunset Cairo grew sleepy and Erik and I decided that a movie sounded better than fighting off the mosquitoes.

July

Tickle- Tickle

Yesterday marked a year to the day we first brought Cairo up north... and boy how things have changed. At this time last year Erik and I were sleep deprived, I was recovering from two operations, and we were trying to get Cairo to put on some weight. This year, Cairo is sleeping for 13-14 hours straight each night. That means that I get to sleep my 8 plus hours with no interruption. Cairo is getting big and more and more independent. She still only have two teeth and isn't walking yet, but she has a new tooth just waiting to poke through and she is getting more and more steady on her feet.

Lately, Cairo has been mimicking many of the things I do and she wants to help me. For example, when I sneeze, Cairo has to sneeze, too (though her sneeze if actually a forced cough). Then, she has to rub her nose with a kleenex or sock or napkin. The other day I rubbed my eye with the inside of my shirt, then Cairo had to use my shirt to rub my eye for me, too. If I am wiping down something (like her highchair tray), she has to help me wipe it as well. These are just a few of the many, many things that Cairo is doing... not to mention the sounds and voice inflections she mimics. My favorites are when she says "poo-poo" or when she barks at the dog (or the cat across the street).

Cairo is getting new words here and there, like "bue" (blue without the L). She says this when she wants a blueberry. I also think that she is trying to say Sienna (my dog's name)and it comes out like Ne-na. Though Cairo is getting a few new words and sounds, she still doesn't quite grasp the meaning of everything. A dog-dog is any and all animals. Cairo is very adamant about this. A typical interaction with Cairo goes something like this:

Mom/Dad: "Look, Cairo, there's a cat! Say Cat."

Cairo: "Dog-dog."

Mom/Dad: "No, Caaa-aaat, caaa-aaat."

Cairo: "Dooo-ooog, dooo-ooog."

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Mom/Dad: "Cairo, are you playing with your duck?"

Cairo: "Dog-dog."

Mom/Dad: "It's a duck. Duuuckkkk, duuuckkk."

Cairo: "Dog-dog" or the occasional "dog-ck, dog-ck"
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We see a cow.

Cairo: "Dog-dog"

Mom/Dad: "That is a cow."

Cairo: "DOG-DOG."
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She just doesn't get it. I hope that by the time she gets into kindergarten that she figures it out. I am sure that she will.

One last things I would like to mention is Cairo's tantrums. I tell my mom about this and she just laughs at me and gives me no sympathy at all. Karma. Cairo sure did wear me out the other day. By the time she went to bed I was exhausted. How someone has six kids is beyond me!

Most of the time Cairo is very sweet natured and she is a pretty good girl. However, if you plan to set limits that she doesn't agree with, Lord help you. Cairo will throw her head back, hit the floor, and scream. Too bad it doesn't work for her. I am sure that she will realize sometime soon that I am meaner and more stubborn than she will ever be (I hope)... and I don't give in. It's also too bad for Cairo that her Daddy is just as steadfast as I am. When she does this, I normally just walk away. It is no fun to have a fit is there is no one to watch.

Okay, I am going to stop with the rambling. I am sure that Cairo will enjoy reading this when she is older...

Blueberries!!!

It is blueberry season (Cairo's favorite). There is no way to better enjoy the season than to pick your own berries. Today, Grandma Jill, Cairo, and I headed south to Petrolia to pick blueberries. There were tons and tons of yummy, ripe blueberries for us. We had to finally stop picking berries when we decided Cairo had eaten too many. As I was picking them, Cairo was plucking them out of the bucket and putting them into her mouth. No better time to do it when they are organic!

Cairo eating yummy berries.




Cairo and Grandma on the beach near Cape Mendocino, the western most point in California and home of some rocky coastline.


Here is a look at Cairo's first time facing forward in her carseat... I think she enjoyed seeing where she was going instead of where she had been.

Little Climber

Cairo can't walk but she can climb. She will crawl fearlessly over and/or onto anything she can. A few days ago Erik was on a two-step stepping stool and Cairo grabbed onto the rails and stepped up behind him to the top step. Today, as Erik and I were sitting in the family room with Cairo, she very easily and quickly got on the coffee table. Erik and I both paused for a second and then Erik said, "she just climbed on the table!" (obviously!) Of course, I ran for the camera before she got off.

The Potty!

Here is one of Cairo's birthday presents. We have sat her on the potty several times, but she has not really used it yet. Sooner or later we'll get her on there when she has to take a pee...

Sharing

Cairo is just starting to learn about sharing. Up until now, she hasn't had the chance to spend much time with kids her age. With Mei around, Cairo is getting to practice her sharing and playing skills. Mei is a pro at this and is very patient with Cairo. How much more fun can it be to have a cousin your age?

Here is Cairo sharing a cookie with her daddy... then grabbing it back with her teeth (no this was not staged) so that could play with it on her own.





Mei came over with Grandma Jill to play this week. Cairo and Mei sported their matching purple suits, a gift from the baby shower.

Cairo's Birthday Party... in Bayside...

Today, family and friends came over for a BBQ to help us celebrate Cairo's birthday. We had burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, bubbles, presents, ice cream cake, and nice weather. Although the the main part of the BBQ took place during Cairo's typical nap time, Cairo was a trooper and only got a little fussy towards the end. Happy Birthday Cairo and may there be many more fun and exciting years to come.

Cairo playing in her new wagon with toys.


Bubbles everywhere (though I think mommy and Guinness had the most fun with them)!


Mei and Cairo checking up on the party in the backyard.









Grandma Jill and Grandpa Lee gave Cairo this kitty. Mei got a similar stuffed baby for her birthday, too. Mei's baby was named June (ha ha), so keeping with the play on names we called Cairo's kitty Alexandria or Alex for short (not to be mistaken for little "Der").


The loving and proud parents.


Aside from Mommy and Daddy, there is no one Cairo loves better than her silly Aunt Kyoko!!!