Family Pictures

We finally got around to taking some family pictures. Our goal was to take them before the 2007 year was through...but that didn't work. We were too busy. Then, we actually got dressed when she was 5 months...but it was way to hot and voggy. Cameron and Na'u were sweating as we stepped out the front door. Then, 7 months rolled around and luckily our friend Megan was here to take the pictures. Thanks Meg!

The Bumbo Chair, One size fits all?

This past sunday Uncle Kana bought Na'ulei a new chair. It's called a Bumbo, and is supposedly praised among baby critics. There are many great reviews about the product. Some of the positive features this chair offers are:

-portability

-stability

-lightweight
-great baby support (baby won't fall out, and gives baby good posture)

-no straps needed

-made of comfortable nontoxic foam

The Bumbo came to us at a perfect time, because Na'ulei has been eating baby food for the past month. We've been struggling with holding her down and feeding her at the same time. So we looked forward to the Bumbo. However, when we opened the box, we were a little worried about its size. By now, everyone is aware of Na'ulei's larger than normal thighs. We weren't sure if her legs would fit in the leg slots.



We attempted to put her in, and to our surprise...Na'ulei fit!!! The chair is perfect, or at least we THOUGHT it was perfect. Watch and you'll see.

Too bad they don't make Bumbo in Polynesian sizes.

It's Official!...Birthday Boy!

Since our last post, this Tuitele family has been through alot. Let's start with Cameron. Cameron graduated from the police academy last thursday, May 29. I got to pin his badge on.

After all the recruits got pinned, they all shouted "159 Mana'opa'a" (which was their class number and name). Just then, Na'u started to cry...really loud. She got startled while grandpa Timmy was holding her and everyone in the audience started to laugh. When Cameron went back to work the following day, everyone was talking about it and knew that it was Tui's baby crying.

Officer Tuitele is in the top row, fifth one in from the right, next to the bald haole guy.

Thank you to family and friends who came out to support Officer Tuitele.

Some of the little supporters...Teija and Kayla.

Some of the bigger supporters...Anthony, Aho, and Loa.

Congratulations Daddy! We love you!

Although Cameron graduated from the academy, he still has alot more training to go through before being out on his own. We'll keep you posted.

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This past monday, June 2nd, we celebrated Cameron's 27th birthday. We didn't get to do much because of work and going to the big family home evening but we had fun. We got to sing happy birthday and eat yummy chantily cake.

Happy Birthday!

Rice Cereal

So, today Na'u turned 5 months and was able to eat rice cereal. Of course, we had to record this special moment. Eating from a spoon seemed like no surprise to Na'u. She must have learned from watching her daddy eat, and never sharing. Finally she got a spoon of her own!

Here are a couple candids from the feeding. After the first few spoon fulls, Na'u started to enjoy it.

At the end...Kanak attack!!!

Multi-tasking

Preparing for the Future

Guess what Na'ulei is doing.

So...we were able to catch Na'ulei watching TV! Usually she glances at the screen, then quickly loses interest. Well, something special was broadcasted on TV for the past 3 nights. If you look closely at the screen, you'll see a beautiful hula dancer. The Merrie Monarch hula competition is something Lohi (and apparently Na'ulei) have been waiting for all year. Na'ulei seems to have the same interest as her mommy, dancing! The sound of the oli (chant) and the graceful moving of the hands and feet kept Na'ulei's attention for hours. Who knows, maybe one day Na'u will become Miss Aloha Hula.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Two weeks ago, Mama Dino, Uncle Ohu, and Aunty Ava visited us for a week. We live in the middle of town and it's kind of dangerous with the fast cars and random people. The kids are used to going out the front door and entertaining themselves (on Moloka'i that is) so it was kind of different for them not being able to. We had to find different ways to entertain them. We had a blast. Here is what we did.

We went to the zoo.

...saw some elephants....

...pelicans and antelopes...

...african safari animals...
...and this cute timon (from the Lion King).

We then continued on to the Keiki Zoo where you could actually touch the animals.

We took pictures with the pigs...

...the goats...

...and this cute lama. I think he thinks that we're interesting creatures.

Did you notice in this lama picture that Na'ulei only has one sock? If you were wondering, no, the lama didn't bite it off....it was the GOAT. Look closely in the goat picture and you'll notice that I am holding the sock in my hand. I was trying to get close enough to have a nice picture with the goat and then all of a sudden...BAM...it bit off Na'ulei's sock in one swift motion. It tried to eat it fast but I was faster. I snatched the sock out of his mouth. With one more bite, I think we could have kissed that sock goodbye.

On another day we went to the Hawai'i Chilren's Discovery Center. I'd recommend going there if you have kids. It's a neat place where kids can learn and play at the same time.

Here the kids are learning about the body.

The kids can learn about people in wheelchairs. There was a small obstacle course behind and it's actually harder than you'd think.

There was a small town with a grocery store...

...a fire station...

...a police station (just like daddy)...

...a news cast room...

...and a garage.

Another floor showcased homes from different countries. You could even play dress-up.

Here we are in Japan...

...and the Philippines (these two pictures are for you Kiki).

This is what they ride in the Philipines.

All in all, it was so much fun. If you go...hope you have a good time.

Happy Easter!

We hope that everyone had a great Easter cause we sure did. Na'ulei woke up to find that the Easter bunny left her a basket full of goodies. She got some rice cereal and crackers, spoons and bibs, sippy cup, toy, beach floaty, and a book of signs (ASL).

But, we think that she found the cellophane to be more interesting than anything found inside. It crackels when you touch it and it's strange that you can see through it. What baby wouldn't love cellophane :).

Then we went to church where Na'u got to wear her pretty Easter dress (FYI-this little dress is 12 month size.) Thank you Grandma Sandy.

We also got to take a family picture. Sunday's are the one time during the week where we are all guaranteed to be dressed up.

This was the first time that Lohi spent Easter with Cameron's family. Since Easter was during spring break, Lohi's family came over from Moloka'i. We all had such a fun time.

The Ing's and Tuitele's have a big Easter egg hunt. Most everyone, young and old, gets to participate. This is how it goes. Each person gets assigned an egg (plastic) color which includes solid colors, kalakoa (mismatched colored eggs like green top matched with pink bottom) ones, pastels, or patterned eggs. You're only allowed to find your color. Each person has 10 eggs to find one of which is big. Inside you're guaranteed a dollar. Once each of your eggs are found, you can look for the bonus eggs- four are big yellow eggs with red stripes, one metal, and of course, the wonderful golden egg. Each bonus egg includes money but are the hardest to find.

There we all were (21 people) running around the yard looking for these eggs, sweating, and having a fun time. We are glad to report that both Cameron and I found a big, yellow, striped egg. My little brother Ka'ohu found the golden egg. It felt like we were all kids again. I would have posted a picture of this wondrous event but it was so fun, no one had a camera handy. We were too busy. Can't wait til next year.

Happy Birthday Uncle Kiki

Just wanted to wish Uncle Kiki a happy birthday!

We love you!

day at the beach

While on Moloka'i, Na'ulei went to the beach for the first time. We went to our favorite beach, make (mah-keh) horse. Half of the beach is nice and sandy while the other half is rocky. When the waves wash up against the rocks, little pools are made. Since it was a really nice day, the sun hit those little pools and made the water warm. Na'u has always loved her baths so it was no surprise that she loved the beach. We had her in the cutest little bikini ever (compliments of Aunty Ava). We're looking forward to many more beach going days.

We stayed in the water and sun just long enough to take pictures. No babies were sun damaged during this footage.