Welp. Chiara is over a year old now and I found this sitting in my drafts. LOL. Hitting publish anyway.
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Friday, December 18, 2020
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Birthday 2016 - Southwest Road Trip
We went to White Sands National Monument in July to celebrate my birthday! It is an amazing place. The roadtrip consisted of:
White Sands NM itself did not disappoint. Luca had an incredible time running and jumping on the dunes. The sand itself wasn't hot since it isn't actually sand. It's a gypsum where if you stuck your toes in, it was almost cool! However, he started getting cranky and complained of feeling sick. We thought he was constipated due to potty training stress. But then he was getting kind of listless and his skin was cool instead of hot like I thought it would be in the heat. We became alarmed and left early. I looked up the symptoms and he was likely entering early stages of heat exhaustion which can lead to heat stroke, which is really scary for a little one! So, I'm really glad we left despite spending the least amount of time in the place that was the goal for the entire trip.
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Las Cruces, NM
- Tucson, AZ
White Sands NM itself did not disappoint. Luca had an incredible time running and jumping on the dunes. The sand itself wasn't hot since it isn't actually sand. It's a gypsum where if you stuck your toes in, it was almost cool! However, he started getting cranky and complained of feeling sick. We thought he was constipated due to potty training stress. But then he was getting kind of listless and his skin was cool instead of hot like I thought it would be in the heat. We became alarmed and left early. I looked up the symptoms and he was likely entering early stages of heat exhaustion which can lead to heat stroke, which is really scary for a little one! So, I'm really glad we left despite spending the least amount of time in the place that was the goal for the entire trip.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Luca Turns Three: CELEBRATIONS!
We made it a bit of a birthday weekend, whether he knew it or not.
LACMA Rain Room
We took Friday off work to take Luca to the Rain Room exhibit at LACMA. I thought he would really get a kick out of it and run around. I even brought a change of clothes. But he wanted to be held most of the time. He said he liked it afterwards though. He had the most fun at the "noodle" exhibit. (Jesús Rafael Soto’s "Penetrable")







Birthday!
Low key day -- purposely unplanned. We had breakfast and he had a cupcake. We went home and hung out. He did watercolor on the deck.







Party!
I know, I always said he wouldn't have another party until he turned five. But we went to a couple of his classmate's parties and I felt kind of guilty. We kept it as easy as possible. Exactly 2 hours long at Travel Town, on Sunday. Pizza was delivered. My sister generously gifted the amazing cake. I paid for an hour of playtime through the Gift Shop - they set up an area on the grass, in the shade of a giant tree, and put out a bunch of tracks and trains. They had every character from the Thomas story, including the buildings! The kids were so excited. Luca especially loved seeing Cranky the Crane Hook. I'm not sure why but he really loves pointing out cranes. I CAN'T BELIEVE I TOOK SO FEW PHOTOS. UGH. Hopefully some of my friends will send some to me. GoPa Harold captured a really beautiful one of Luca waiting for cake. We were waiting for my dad to get back from the restroom and all the kids surrounded the cake table. They were so well-behaved. Only one tiny finger slowly reached out to poke at the frosting. It was cute.


LACMA Rain Room
We took Friday off work to take Luca to the Rain Room exhibit at LACMA. I thought he would really get a kick out of it and run around. I even brought a change of clothes. But he wanted to be held most of the time. He said he liked it afterwards though. He had the most fun at the "noodle" exhibit. (Jesús Rafael Soto’s "Penetrable")








Birthday!
Low key day -- purposely unplanned. We had breakfast and he had a cupcake. We went home and hung out. He did watercolor on the deck.








Party!
I know, I always said he wouldn't have another party until he turned five. But we went to a couple of his classmate's parties and I felt kind of guilty. We kept it as easy as possible. Exactly 2 hours long at Travel Town, on Sunday. Pizza was delivered. My sister generously gifted the amazing cake. I paid for an hour of playtime through the Gift Shop - they set up an area on the grass, in the shade of a giant tree, and put out a bunch of tracks and trains. They had every character from the Thomas story, including the buildings! The kids were so excited. Luca especially loved seeing Cranky the Crane Hook. I'm not sure why but he really loves pointing out cranes. I CAN'T BELIEVE I TOOK SO FEW PHOTOS. UGH. Hopefully some of my friends will send some to me. GoPa Harold captured a really beautiful one of Luca waiting for cake. We were waiting for my dad to get back from the restroom and all the kids surrounded the cake table. They were so well-behaved. Only one tiny finger slowly reached out to poke at the frosting. It was cute.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Luca Turns Three

My sweet, sweet boy. You are the best thing I have ever done. Right now you are flourishing in school, making friends, and having fun. Your potty training at school is going so well, despite refusing to do it at home. There were some tough times right around 2 and a half when your nerves and your emotions were so raw. But right now, you are light and love. One of your classmates refers to you as the laughing or smiling Luca. You've retained your amazing unique little scamper: arms down, elbows locked, hands flailing, short little quick steps. You do an adorable little jig whenever you're happy. You wiggle in your seat whenever you taste something yummy. You're talking up a storm, singing, making up songs and words. You are obsessed with trains. Maybe you'll grow out of it, maybe not. You're making memories with the children of my own childhood friends. You're happiest when surrounded by your family - your PoPo, GungGung, Auntie, and Uncle included. You're a bit of a celebrity at the Dim Sum restaurant your PoPo takes you to - all the waitstaff come over to say hello. You're also bossy right now, and love telling your parents what to do, where to stand, whether to walk or run. Your confidence amazes me. Your joy is like a light. I love you Luca.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Happy Birthday to Me from Sergio
Sergio surprised me with a Fujifilm x100s for my birthday last weekend. I am so thrilled to start shooting more with a "real" camera again. I loved my Sony NEX-5 but it became too heavy to lug around. I can slip this one on cross-bodied and I barely notice.
Shooting in all automatic right now while still learning the settings. Loving what it can do so far.
Shooting in all automatic right now while still learning the settings. Loving what it can do so far.










Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Luca Balloon Portraits
As part of Luca's birthday, I took photos of him with some fun balloons. Because why not? Any excuse to get a giant gold balloon.
Or course, one of my favorite of the bunch is the one filled with blurry, cali light magic.
It is not easy shooting a toddler. I have so many more blurry photos than not. But then, you sift through and find this sweet face, miraculously in focus.


Or course, one of my favorite of the bunch is the one filled with blurry, cali light magic.



It is not easy shooting a toddler. I have so many more blurry photos than not. But then, you sift through and find this sweet face, miraculously in focus.

Sunday, April 5, 2015
Luca Turns Two!


Luca is learning in rapid fire these days. He's so quickly become our little boy. Once in a while, I can capture a moment where he still looks a little bit baby. But for the most part, Luca the kid has arrived.


We surprised him with a trip on the "big" train. He was really so excited. While we were waiting for our train, a Metrolink train passed by, blaring its horn. He was quite stunned. The look on his face...poor guy. Afterward he kept saying, "Scared. Train. Scared. Scared." I had to cover his ears the next time the Metrolink came by.


But actually getting on OUR train, sitting in the chair looking out the window -- was so exciting! Spotting things he recognized as they went by the window was a fun game. It kept him occupied for a full hour we think. With intermittent pauses to climb on the chairs, flirt with neighboring passengers, eat, drink, throw, cry about wanting to go down the stairs....




He even squeezed in a nap before we arrived in San Diego!


We ate pizza and enjoyed the fanciest birthday dessert a two-year-old has ever had.


The day after his birthday we stopped in at his Gong-Gong's and Po-Po's for a birthday wish. He is still getting the hang of blowing out candles. He understands the concept but his technique is not quite right yet. It's more like pursed lip almost spitting.

My baby boy. Happy birthday my sweetness.
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