Thursday, November 26, 2009

I am thankful


We had a wonderful day of giving thanks, and eating two Thanksgiving feasts! At my mom's, we celebrated and got to hang out with little Kayden Dale. Here, my dad holds his two grandsons.


I mean, really. Enzo atop his castle. Afterall, the name Enzo is from the Latin "estate ruler" and the Italian "Henry" (The Great).


We spent some time being silly, of course. What Jesmer family occasion wouldn't be complete without potty humor? I think my mom revelled in the diaper-changing stories we told and the shared techniques we imparted on one another. Being novices, Tim and Claire explain Kayden's first T.B.E. (total butt explosion) on Tim's oldest son, Anthony.


And of course, the compulsive shoppers - er, I mean those looking for a good deal - spent some time plotting out their courses for Black Friday.
I didn't get a shot of the fantastic feasts or a group family photo (boo!). And my camera died from no juice before our next stop at Jeff's family's house. This year we all have been so fortunate to share good health and lots of laughs, new life, and new adventures. We are very blessed and very grateful!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

A-loooooo-ha, Ko' Olina, Oahu, Hawaii


We had a wonderful vacation in Hawaii - and it was much anticipated and much needed. Two years ago at this time, Jeff and I were having our babymoon at the same location and now it was time to head to the islands as a family, celebrating our threesome. For some reason, I didn't have my camera at the ready to capture the 56 minutes that Enzo screamed at the top of his lungs on the flight over the Pacific Ocean. Perhaps I got overconfident, since this is how we started out the 5 1/2 hour flight.


Thanks be to God -- Enzo slept for about two unconsecutive hours, and only wanted Jeff to hold him.

I don't have a photo of the first excursion in Paradise. Costco, of course. It's tradition. So we finish our shopping and Jeff spots a new menu item on the food court menu board that he's never seen on the mainland. Teriyaki beef bake. He sends me to fetch one, while he waits in line with calm and happy Enzo. Standing in line on the other side of the store, I think to myself, almost unconciously "why won't that poor child stop screaming?" Finishing my transaction, I turn and expect to see Jeff finished with his little receipt in hand. Instead, I see him exactly where I left him, with one of Enzo's wrists in each of his hands, waving them frantically, mouthing something unintelligible to me. I wave back and fill up our soda.

As I approach them, I begin to realize something is terribly wrong. The stench. The fear in Jeff's eyes. The panic in Enzo's face. The stench. Oh, it's my child who's screaming. I see that Jeff is holding Enzo's wrists because if he lets go, what is covering Enzo's hands will end up even more so in his hair, on his shirt, on Jeff's shirt, in Jeff's face, etc. Of course, our diaper changing kit is in the rental car. Now, how do we get this child out of the shopping cart and into the restroom?! By lifting him by his wrists and dangling him all the way to the restrooms. Jeff took one for the team. I realized I couldn't leave the store to retrieve the diapers because we hadn't paid for our items and I wouldn't have been able to re-enter the store because I'm not the Costco member, Jeff is.

About 20 minutes later, Jeff and Enzo emerge from what I'm sure is carnage. There was a twinkle in Jeff's eye when he said "I made a paper towel diaper."

We settle outside with his beef bake and all our groceries. Jeff was traumatized. The passers-by who spent some time in the restroom as Jeff was in crisis looked with pity on us. Since all was under control, we left Enzo in the cart and took our first bite of lunch. And we hear what sounds like raindrops on a cardboard box. Oh right. Enzo just pee'd on our take and bake (later in the week) margharita pizza. Because he was still wearing a paper towel diaper.

We lost it. And all started cracking up.


Enzo's morning ride in the laundry basket.


Contemplating his future.



On a canoe ride at the Polynesian Cultural Center.


My preppy kiddo.


LOVE this BodyGlove wetsuit with a bullet-proof vest inside.


Diving off the Ko'Olina Cat -- a snorkeling catamaran. I think the only reason he was initially afraid was not because he was buoyant in the middle of the Pacific, but because his father decided to suit up with snorkel gear, looking like a scary sea monster.




A sunset wade.


Pupus, cocktails, and birdwatching - oceanfront.



Fun with buckets and shovels.


Splish splash.


"I'm gonna get chu!" A game of hide and seek and chase me, all rolled into one!
Probably the best vacation we've had... and definitely the best one we've had as a family! Mahalo Oahu!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A day in the life of Enzo


Taking his wheels for a spin.


Getting a little push from Grandbob.


After gassing up, he does a walk-around to be sure all is in tip-top shape.


Test-driving a trike.


Silently indicating he wants to go outside.


Taking a water break in his favorite spot, waiting for me to get my shoes on.


Wrapping up the day with some singing. ..



...and a breathy - Marilyn Monroe - coo.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

18 month check up


I saved up all my questions, since Enzo hasn't had a *planned* doctor's visit since he was 12 months. He checked out fine - 26 lbs. and he stood on the scale himself! 50% for weight, 75% for height. He's rockin his walk and loves to push the doctor's stool all over the office. Although he got four - count em FOUR - shots, he celebrated with some bubbly.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Happy 30th Claire


Tonight, we had the chance to celebrate Claire's birthday with a nice (and out) Italian dinner. It's been a few weeks since we've seen Kayden, who peacefully slept the entire time.


I asked if I could wake him up to hold him, but I wasn't allowed.

Enzo was on his semi-best behavior. If by that you mean taking a walk around the restaurant every 20 minutes to settle down and walk the ansies off.

Claire's mother-in-law Vicky was in town from Texas to lend a hand to Claire, as Tim has gone back to work. It was great seeing her. And, of course, my mom loved being the in presence of her two grandchildren together for the very first time!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Close call on Metrolink 603



Me: "Jeff, my train just hit a truck and it looks like whoever is in this truck is dead, for sure."

Jeff: "I'm on the scene. I was at the intersection and I saw your train hit it. The guy was stalled on the tracks and I yelled for him to get out and run. He was like a deer in headlights, but got out in time. Two seconds later, your train hit at about 50 mph."



I look out the window and I see my car (there between the two police cars) pulled over with the hazards on. Then I see Jeff there, on his phone talking to me, standing next to the traumatized guy whose truck it was.

"What?! I didn't even know you took this route to go to work after dropping me off at the train station. Do you see my train every morning?"

"Yes."

For the next two hours, Jeff kept us who were on the train apprised of what was going down. Fire and rescue inspecting the train. Engineer getting a breathalizer. Police collecting debris in the road. Road closure. Metrolink Safety on the scene, interviewing Jeff as the key eyewitness. Metrolink PR getting a statement from Jeff. Sherriff wants to know if the train tried to break before the impact. Conductor indicates minor injuries of passengers on the front of the train. (Which is why I ride in the second to the last train car.) Front bumper of the train has damage. Train track looks good - no damage. Etc. Etc.


What an adventure for a Wednesday morning. Just a three hour commute to work. And everyone was okay, which is what matters.