Kawena has done so good swimming lately. Christina and I have taken him often/regularly to the Dodge YMCA pool, and he’s started his 3 to 5 y.o. swim class.

He has been jumping in and swimming, learned to hold his breath, and swim up. Seems like magic to us almost! He swims with no floats, and we just support him when swimming if needed, and also have him swim on his own for a few seconds, or as long as he doesn’t start going down and swallowing water.

Since Christina is due with no. 2 in the next month, she loves going to the pool as well. More swimmers!

Today he has basically learned to tread water, between 15 secs to a minute or more. It makes him happy! He couldn’t stop trying it over and over, even if he swallowed water. Near the end, he even floated in the upright position, face up! I didn’t even know that was possible, but he’s got the right boyancy right now.

I think that could be the secret of life: enjoying things and activities for their intrinsic value.

Sunday, Kawena went to the Cole Bros. Circus (his first). They were in Brooklyn for week, and they travel under the “big top”.

Cousin Hana was also celebrating her 6th b-day, and wanted to come out. Also there: Dasi, Hava, Lils, Sean, Sasha and lil Arun.

Wena’s favorite movie right now is “Dumbo”, so seeing the real circus in town was a must.

Kawena’s favorite was the “Elephants and Tigers”.
Dasi’s favorite was “the clowns”
Hana’s favorite: “the man shot out of the cannon!”

Today after his bath, Kawena went shi-shi in his potty without telling anyone. We just saw the results! Good thing, he nevah have any pants.

tiny grappler

Originally uploaded by goodness

OK, so the kid is really strong. He grabbed the front of the metal rack, did a full pull up, then slowly placed his feet.

Since then, we have tried to avoid reminding him he can do this.

This was last month at 13 months of age.

mama
dada
out
bottle
uh oh
up
water
hello
open
all pau
hi
“ah doo” (no one is sure exactly what it means, but probably self-affirmation)
noodle
doo doo
on
down
radio
hana
katie

Also, he understands:
au au
kau kau
holo holo
moi moi (actually, i heard him say this the first time tonight, reading “hop on pop”)
nite-nite
telephone
round and round “fan”
out
teeth
auntie
uncle
dasi
grandma
grandpa
bye bye
be right back
opu
piko

brooklyn late march 2008 055

Originally uploaded by raulgoodness

Tonight, Kawena took a whole 6 deliberate steps to mama, all by himself! He knew it too.

Even tho he’s been under the weather – stomach virus

on the job site

Originally uploaded by raulgoodness

Mom and Dad have been working hard on the new apt. This week – finally moving in to Ditmas Park!

watching behavior

Originally uploaded by raulgoodness

Grandma Kathy came to visit for another week. She and Wena really hit it off – best buddies!

This is getting dressed, before going out to Bubby’s for an Easter brunch .

More!

Originally uploaded by raulgoodness

OK, this is from a few weeks ago, but can’t resist the post — I fed Kawena what was left of my porterhouse steak – the T-bone!

Of course, legend has it that Manu let me gnaw on the t-bone back in the day. Plus, everyone knows marrow is the stuff of life. In any case, once wena got the hand of it, it was all gusto.

standing!

Originally uploaded by goodness

Kawena busts a move. He stands for 5 seconds or so at a time. Especially if he can hold 2 things at once. I think that is more his objective, not the actual standing.