Feeling hot hot hot

The weather brings to mind Buster Poindexter- Hot hot hot...

See people rocking -- Hear people chanting -- Feeling hot hot hot
Keep up this spirit -- Come on let's do it -- Feeling hot hot hot
It's in the air - Celebration time
Music sweet - captivate your mind
We have this party song - This fundamental jam

So we go rum-bum-bum-bum
Yeah we rum-bum-bum-bum
Feeling hot hot hot -- Feeling hot hot hot - Oh Lord

Yes, mommy is a bit old, but at least she can still remember the songs of the 80's. All the cheesy one hit wonders of the time...ahhh the weather and allergies must be getting to her or more likely Uncle Eric's carpool mp3 lists hahahaah! Meanwhile Der is commenting on my song choice and said why that song why not The Cure. Wait this is a blog entry for the girls, so back on subject...

It's been a while since I wrote an entry...gomen nasai! Both Sophie and Hannah now say: mamamama, dadadada, babababa, etc. They talk a lot, but no matter how much they babble Derek and I find it extremely cute! Although we wish they knew the connection between mama and dada. They are much more aware of what is happening around them and seem to be going through an ADD phase where every noise or movement that happens, they turn to find out what is causing it and drop what they were doing. This can be quite annoying when we're feeding them! Both girls love to smile at each other and laugh (seems like they have a joke between them). I keep telling Der to film it because it's sooooo cute! It is hard to catch it on film because it is kind of a spur of the moment thing.

Hannah has mastered the art of rolling over and some mornings we find her in weird positions in the crib. She also loves to show off her new trick while we change her diaper and change her clothes. Sophie also knows how to roll over, but she doesn't pull the rolling bit while we change her instead she's more into grabbing everything and anything. So she likes to hand us the diaper, slap my hand, or grab anything within reach while we have her on the changing table. Yes, changing a diaper or changing clothes is a challenge and I know it will get trickier when they get more mobile.

Speaking of mobile, no crawling yet! Every time I speak to a relative or friend that is the first question, so to answer the masses, "no" :( BUT they are getting there soon.

I know I mentioned it before, but the girls love the strawberry apple stars that Gerber makes. I try to place it in front of them and watch them try to pick it up and place it in their mouths. Sophie is pretty good at it, but Hannah needs some practice. The ones that don't make it to their mouths end up being sacrificed to Emi who patrols the area while they eat their crackers.

The girls are pretty good with eating just about anything however they don't like the following Earth's Best food which contains plum, beef, and green beans for Sophie.

Here Hannah expresses her feeling for her pink baseball cap.

Sophie shows Daddy her piggies.

Here Hannah and Sophie are starting to enjoy playing together. Derek and I enjoy the giggles while they last; before they have ingrained in them that, "sharing is caring" and the crying begins (Sophie already likes whatever toy that Hannah has)... All the parents know what I'm talking about *wink wink*

Silly girls

The silly things the girls like to do is throw all their toys down from their exersaucer or walker, scream at the top of their lungs, laugh while we go up or down the stairs, look around to see who's around the corner, tap us on the leg or shoulder, grab our hair or faces, and Hannah likes to get Mommy and Daddy excited by saying mamamamammaa, dadadadadada (we know she's just babbling, but we'd like to think it's more hahaha!). Meanwhile Soph Soph just says mmmmmmm....mmmmmmm.....MMMMMMMMM!!! I keep hoping she'll just come out and say mmmmmmmmMAMA :D

They started to eat little crackers (strawberry apple flavor little star shaped ones) that dissolves in your mouth. Sophie got the hang of putting the little crackers in her mouth, Hannah needs some coaxing. They've also have started to drink some juice and water from a cup or sippy cup. It's getting harder to entertain them as they get more and more active.

We put the jumperoo up a notch as Sophie is growing taller each day!

Hannah is silly and likes to put her teething ring in her mouth without holding it.

Sophie trying Jiu-jitsu out

Daddy likes UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) or MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) you know all that testosterone stuff that Mommy doesn't like, well here he monitors the girls in what looks like a future match LOL.

Another Ex-Tower Get Together

We had another small bay area get together, a sort of going away party for Lance who is heading down to South Cali. Our future Tower Records re-unions might include a 20 yr ann. one possibly (extended to people outside of the bay area, in 2010)...as I've been governed that responsibility and we all know how that goes with miss forgetful mommy!!! This time around our host house was Huey's, thank you to the Ong's for having us gather there.

The weather has been really hot since we got back to the mainland, so the girls have been wearing their shorty onesies. I've been preparing for the next growth spurt by buying future outfits for the girls. I don't know why it's probably a new parent thing, but I get so into buying everything the girls need and even after that is all said and done it still feels as if there is never enough. It's also like the other stuff as well, are you doing everything you can to make sure your babies develop well and the list is long of worries:

Are they eating too much, are they eating too little, do they need more exercise, are they learning at a fast enough pace, are they having too much stimulation, is that a rash or something I should be worried about, are they sick or is that teething pains, organic food or is the non-organic stuff ok, sippy cup or no sippy cup, holy cow!!! If that doesn't drive you crazy the next few years will be overkill!!! Anyway I've been rambling off, must be the heat...

Auntie Elisa hanging out with Sophie.

Auntie Cindy Loo is feeding Miss Hannah.

Audrey, Akiko, and Hannah. Yummy hat!

Here we are hanging out on Huey's back porch facing the swimming pool. Daddy with Sophie, Emi, Mana, and Mommy with Hannah.

Some Ex-Hawaii-Tower folks back row left to right: Cindy with boyfriend Jerry, Lance, Ben, Huey, and Elisa. Front row left to right: Akiko and Audrey, Jonah, Mommy and Hannah, and Daddy with Sophie.

Auntie Elisa kiss kiss Sophie.

Auntie Cindy B. with Hannah Banana.

The Sakai's.

Saturday Fun

After trying to adjust to the 3 hrs difference from Cali to Hawaii to Cali again. The girls have had some issues re-adjusting to our usual schedule, but we're not sure if it's due to teething (Hannah has two teeth coming in and we haven't seen any coming in for Soph, but she sure drools a lot) or if it's the time thing or if they're catching my cold. Either way they were in some good spirits during this Saturday photo session.

Miss Smiley Banana and Soph Soph holding hands.

Your bib tastes really good, did you have pears for lunch?

Hannah, Sophie, and Daddy.

Homeland finale

Here the girls swing on the indoor swing that Grandpa Sakai made for cousin Julius. Soph Soph loved it.

Hannah was a bit too small for it, but she still had fun.

We went to visit Uncle Chris at work and bumped into Auntie J.T. (Chris's sister-in-law). Mommy holding Soph Soph, Uncle Chris holding Sydney (J.T.'s daughter), and J.T. holding Hannah.

Hannah and Sophie having playtime at Grandma and Grandpa Sakai's house.

Mr. Greg Lau, Daddy with Hannah, Grandma Sakai, Grandpa Sakai with Sophie, Dan Takemune with son Jazz, and his wife Christie.

This was our second to the last day. Unfortunately we didn't take any pics of the babies on the last day. We were too busy and had to huli on to the airport. We all had a lot of fun, but it was too short a trip. Next time we'll try to schedule it when no airlines go out of business! My sympathy goes out to Aloha Airlines and ATA employees.

Homeland part 4

Uncle Calvin with Hannah and Auntie Stacie with Soph Soph. Thanks for coming to visit us!

Sunday night we had Sakai side family get together. Here is a pic where everyone is looking at cousin Julius.

Auntie Joy (yes, there is another Joy in the family...Derek's sister) is feeding Miss Soph Soph.

Cousin Karina loves the twins, here she is hanging out with Soph Soph.

Uncle Jay (Derek's brother) with Soph, Me hiding behind Hannah, and Karina.

Uncle Jay makes Sophie giggle in the swing.

Thank you cousin Julius for letting us play with all your toys!

Homeland part 3

On Saturday we swung by Derek's friends' house (the Uyeda's) and hung out for bit. Sophie thought it was super funny when Mrs. Uyeda walked her down the stairs; and started giggling. Hannah was asleep, so she missed the stairs fun.

Later we went to my side of the family's get together at Auntie Sindy's house out in Wapio and the girls got to meet their Great Grandma and Grandpa there along with a lot of uncles, aunties, and cousins.

It was a lot for the girls to take in, going to all these new places, new people to meet, and being constantly on the road. All in all they did great and I hope they had a great time meeting our friends and family. I'm sorry for those friends and family that we didn't get a chance to meet up with, hopefully our next trip will be longer and maybe we can have a more relaxed get together.

Daddy grew up with his fellow Wahiawa skating friends Kevin and Gareth Uyeda and their family.

Great Grandma Jane and Sophie!

Daddy, Hannah, and Great Grandpa Froggie!

Uncle Troy and my social baby Banana.

Auntie Sindy and Ha nah nah nah.

Auntie Sindy gave cool toys and pretty outfits, Thank you!

Cousin Jayden and Hannah Banana.

Thank you Auntie Sindy for putting together a great family get together! We had a lot of fun and it was great seeing everyone.

Special thanks to the following people for the baby gifts and other:
Uyeda's, Kusaka's, Chun's, Cheryl Mostoles and family, Jay Sakai, Harris Okuda and family, Sindy Mostoles and family, Grandma Kage and family, Great Grandpa and Grandma Kuwata, and last, but certainly not least Grandma and Grandpa Sakai.

Homeland part 2

The next day we went to the beach and the girls went swimming at Ala Moana beach. It was a bit cold, but the girls braved it and really enjoyed the water. I got a sun burn, because Der forgot to lotion my back. The girls were lathered up in some good sunscreen, so they were spared. The twins were styling in their matching sunglasses and hat, people probably thought they were boboras actually they're not far off 'cause they're actually katonks. I'd like to think that they're local girls by heart though!

Later we stopped by my old house in Manoa to say, "Hi!" to the familia. We ended the day by all sharing one small cup of shave ice from Waiola near the stadium park (sadly we only went once to Waiola!!!). I ordered haupia and vanilla with vanilla ice-cream on the bottom. Both girls made a strange face while taking their bite, I guess they're not used to something that cold to eat.

Hannah, Mommy, and Sophie enjoying Ala Moana beach.

Hannah modeling off her beach wear.

Not a good pic of me, but Hannah looks good and the beach and skies were so pretty.

Daddy forgot his swim shorts, so he had fun with the girls on land. Here Sophie and Daddy have fun with the camera.

Daddy likes to takes those really great shots of us...NOT, but it's a silly pic I had to post. Soph, Grandpa Kage, Mommy, and Hannah sheltered under the porch as the rain hit.

Grandpa Kage and Soph Soph.

Sophie taking a bite of shave ice :)

Hannah taking a bite of shave ice :)

Mama taking a bite of shave ice :)

And finally the community shave ice's last person to take a bite...Daddy :)

Homeland part 1

I have to pick a few of the pictures I took of our trip back home to Hawaii, because I took ALOT!!! I'll try to post just some, but you know me... I always say I'll post a few, but end up posting up more. Anywhoooo both Der and I were afraid of the long plane ride home, but the girls being the good girls they are (yes, I'm a proud mama) lived up to their great demeanor and did great on the plane ride to and from Hawaii (5 hrs going and 4.5 hrs back).

Mama needed a trip to the lady's room really badly and this nice flight attendant was nice enough to help carry the Banana. Hannah ended up being passed around to almost all of the flight attendants and took pics with almost all of the crew (I only took this pic of these set of attendants), but one of the ladies took several group pics. Mahalo United Airlines!!!

That night we ate at Gyotaku with the Kage side of the family. Here Grandpa Kage graciously poses for mommy.

Cousin Jayden was so happy to see us and we were happy to see her too (except for Sophie who was too tired). Here Nana Kage is eating her miso soup next to cousin Jayden.

Uncle Chris (my brother) and Hannah became good buddies instantly.

Awww so cute!!! Uncle Chris, the Banana, and Jayden.