18 month Stats

I've been neglecting our blog and have finally found some time to update on what's going on with the Berliners. Lucas turned 18 months and that's a big milestone! No more baby, but a little toddler. He likes to run up and down the hallway, our driveway and just about anywhere. It's more of a waddle, with flapping arms. His new words are bye bye, apple, hi, ice and egg. He understands a lot and points at things, like where's your shoes, your socks, the plane, the truck. Everytime the train comes by, he says choo choo and wow. He can dibble a ball, throw it, and he loves doing puzzles and shape sorters. More teeth are coming in, he's got top and bottom molars and the canines are coming out. That hasn't been fun for him and for us. He's still mr. social, and whenever we go out he's always trying to get a strangers attention. Last weekend, we went to a japanese noodle house and he got our whole section laughing because he kept chuckling at this lady and playing with her from our table.


Height: 32 1/2 inches
Weight: 25.6 lbs
HC: 19 inches

Here he is with his tower of animals. He just loves to throw things.

Swimming Class

So we started swimming class for Lucas and the first lesson didn't go so well. Basically, he was completely terrified of the water and was clinging onto Todd for dear life. He's been in the water before at my brother's pool in Vancouver and Aunt Robyn's pool in LA, but he was a baby so he probably wasn't really aware of his surroundings. Well, he for sure is now - aware that is! The good news is that on his second lesson, he loved it. We did go to Monterey and hit the hotel pool there, and perhaps that made him more comfortable. His face even got dunked into the water by the instructor, and he swallowed some water. He'll learn sooner or later to close his mouth right?

Mother's Day

Sometimes I can't believe I'm a mother and when mother's day comes around (this is #2 for me), I forget to include myself in this special day. This year my two boys took me to Monterey for the weekend. The weather was beautiful and the drive really nice since Lucas slept the entire way and Todd and I got to catch up on things. We drove past some farms and they were selling cherries, avocados and fruit for so cheap. A lot of California produce comes from this region. We checked into the Portola Hotel & Spa, and were given fresh baked chocolate cookies. Yum, so far so good on this hotel. The room was nice decorated in nautical colors and Lucas just loved roaming a new room. The hotel was so centrally located that we just walked everywhere - fisherman's wharf, the cannery and downtown. After lunch and a nice walk (Lucas wasn't at all tired), we took a dip in the swimming pool. This time, he loved the pool, after a few minutes of "i'm not really sure of this". I started chasing him and his dad in the pool and then his face turned into giggles and smiles - this isn't so bad after all. We had dinner at a local italian place and then headed back to the hotel to hang out. We thought Lucas would be exhausted by then, but he stayed up with us till 10pm and then conked out in our King bed. The next day I was treated to a spa pedicure and it felt so nice to be pampered. My toes felt so refreshed! It was a great weekend and every mom deserves a day (or weekend of pampering).

Twins + Maddie Visit SF

We were all so excited to have Jen, Jul and Maddie come and visit us again. It would probably be the last time in awhile for Jul to come since she is expecting baby number 2 in September. On this visit, they got to do the touristy things and I got to be a tourist for a weekend. We lugged our toddlers all over the city and they were troopers through it all. It wasn’t was easy as the last couple times they visited, since they were much younger, less mobile and slept much more. Lucas loved chasing Maddie around the house and she loved running away from him. It was fun to see them interact with each other, although sometimes they were fighting for toys. Here are some pics from their trip. Highlights include: Alcatraz tour, painted ladies from full house, Tomales Bay and Oyster shucking, parks, hanging out, eating, and oh yeah the Van we rented. (Todd is now a lover of Vans..I on the other hand am holding out on that)

Silly

There's just about something everyday that Lucas does that makes me laugh. I don't know if it's a silly boy thing or what but already at 16 months he's up to shenanigans. The other day he decided to experiment with walking down the hallway blindfolded. He took his blankie, placed it over his eyes and just randomly started walking and bumping into things while laughing. He didn't laugh when he bumped his elbow in the wall and then tripped - yet a few minutes later he tried again. Silly! Today he took a cup and discovered he could make noises with it by cupping his mouth, and did this over and over again. Sometimes, he will run in his room and climb into the rocker and just sit there. I hear giggling and then I come in and he's waiting for me to discover him on the chair. Then there's the rolling of the eyes, not sure where he got that from (maybe me..oops). Oh and when he knows it's time to get dressed, he runs away from me half naked laughing. That's the streaker in him. He sure keeps me entertained..that little guy.

Streaking through the house and into his corner to avoid clothing.

Smashing the face into plastic lids. Looks like fun.

Oh Wow

Spring Celebrations

April is always a fun month..First, it's my birthday (always fun) and then Easter with Lucas. This year my mom flew in for my birthday and gave me the best gift (besides the beautiful handbag) babysitting for the entire weekend! Todd and I got to go to a movie, get dessert, go out for dinner and bar hopping with friends in the city. Of course Lucas loved spending time with his Poh Poh and vice versa for my mom. See, everyone wins!

Lucas loves story time.

And gymboree..

and bathtime..

I had a wonderful birthday, which started off with sleeping in and then breakfast in bed. We went to the city for some Thai lunch and then dinner with friends in the city. Todd even got tickets to see Alicia Keyes.

Lucas is trying to steal a bite...

We spent Sunday at Todd's mom's place, where she throws her annual Easter party. It's become an annual tradition of Easter egg hunts, games, crafts and brunch. Too bad Lucas took his nap during the hunt, but there's always next year. He did have a blast hanging out with his cousins...he's the littlest one.

Yes, real chickens at Coni's place.

Coni, my mom and Diane

Brunch craziness...

Cousin Joey turned 21!

Matchy matchy on easter.

Pavilion dedicated to Todd's Dad in the backyard.

Looking for those eggs...

Craft time

Todd's cousins Ashley & Joey.

Ashley stayed with us and Lucas had so much fun with her. She taught him "nam nam" which I think means eat your veggies.

Oh and we went to a wedding in Sausalito and it was the most beautiful day for a wonderful couple.