HAPPY NEW YEAR!
After ringing in the New Year with Kathy's family in Yorktown, we headed back to Boston.
It took a few days for
Aurora to get back into the "swing" of day care. That first week, she definitely preferred to
hang out with Mama and Baba (preferable in their arms too) than playing with her friends.
We tried out the Children's Museum for the first time. We went after work on a Friday night
($1 admission). Jon immediately loved it. Aurora was
a bit shy at first (hundreds of kids everywhere!), but by closing time, she did not want to go home. We
became members that night and then went back the following two weekends.
Aurora has gotten quite bossy - a sign that she is a normal toddler. She tells us what she
wants and wants to do, and what she doesn't. She knows how to ask for certain foods and songs
to be sung ("baa baa" "bumblebee" "wheels" "ashes" etc.) When we are walking after her, Aurora will sometimes
turn around suddenly, strike a pose with her palm out, and shout "stop!" She will also command us to
"sit" or "come" as needed. Aurora has figured out most of the
colors (green is still hard for some reason) and is learning her
shapes now. Her words are becoming more and more distinct and it is easier ot understand her.
At school, when we pick her up, she
will run over and give us a hug and then wander off to play some more if she is not ready to leave just yet.
It is only when she sees another kid come over and start to interact with us
that she will come back and declare that this is "My Mama" or "Rora's Baba"
just so we all know the score. The same thing happens when we
drop her off in the mornings - she tells everyone multiple times that this is "Rora's Mama" or "Rora's Baba." She
also tells me who's Mama other women are ("Riddy's Mama" and "Hannah's Mama").
The month ended with some major firsts. After months of sporadic attempts,
Aurora successfully used the potty one Saturday morning. I think she was as surprised and proud of herself as
we were of her! The next day she attended her first kid birthday party.
January 1, 2010: A new year, a new haitcut for Aurora. Wai Po continues the tradition of cutting
hair in her kitchen.
Later that day, we went out to play in the snow
Rather than sledding, Aurora preferred to work on the snowman. After she found a good stick,
she preferred to do her own thing, walking around the yard.
Video: Uh oh!
Video: How many sticks?
Baba makes a good horse!
Video: Giddy-up!
Isaac, Elena, and Aurora play the Wii together.
Video: Shake Aurora!
That night, after dinner out, we celebrated Wai Gong's birthday
Video: Happy birthday
January 2, 2010: We packed up the car once again and headed home to Boston.
January 6, 2010: Aurora and Jon "just dance"
Video: Pump it up
January 8, 2010: We took advantage of $1 Fridays at the Children's Museum to try
it out for the first time. Here Jon's making a giant bubble around himself.
In "Peep's World" Aurora got to play with lots of water.
Aurora finally felt completely comfortable when we found the playspace.
Video: Choo choo!
Video: A panda on a duck
Video: Aurora does it!
Video: New friends
Video: Puzzles!
Basketball! It must be genetic (hopefully Aurora is much less injury prone than her Baba!)
January 9, 2010: Aurora loves to play with water.
Video: Aurora (un)does the dishes
Video: Soap!
January 10, 2010: We went to the Natick Collection to pick up Baba's spiffy new suit for Owen's
wedding in May. While there, Aurora had the chance to play in the kids' space they have at the mall.
As she watched other kids play, she got new ieas about how to use the equipment in non-traditional ways.
Video: Sliding one way
Video: Sliding another way
January 17, 2010: Another weekend, another trip to the Children's Museum. We are
slowing exploring all the different rooms and activities they have there. Here Aurora
checks out the construction zone - she sat in a Bobcat, played with various types of
building toys, played with cars, and crawled through a tunnel.
Aurora gets to drive Mama around - she takes the turns fast!
Then she goes to the market, where she buys up all the bananas before pilfering
stuff out of someone else's basket!
We visit the Japanese house they have in the museum, where Aurora and Mama try out a
game where you have to put the pieces back on the face (blindfolded). How did we do?
In the "Kid Power" section, Aurora uses her arms to light up some lights and then pulls
herself up on a pulley.
Bumpity-bump!
January 18, 2010: Aurora likes to pick out her own clothes. Most mornings, we let her
select from two outfits. This day, she proudly put together her own.
That evening, she refused to walk on the cleared part of the paths. She liked walking on top
of the icy snow instead.
Uncle Anthony came over for a short visit and for a while Aurora had two playmates.
Video: Puppets
Video: Boots
January 24, 2010: We spent a little time at home reading books before heading back to the
Children's Museum. Not sure who likes it more - Jon or Aurora!
Video: Pull!
Since we first set foot in the Children's Museum several weeks ago, Jon
has been dying to try to climb up the three story tower they have in the lobby. We even
found a sign that said parents could try it as well. Unfortunately, Aurora had always been hesitant
to go (it is usually teeming with kids). Today was Jon's lucky day. He and Aurora made it all
the way to the top, and then back down again.
Video: Climbing up
Video: Exploring on her own
The golf ball room is quite popular with all the kids, including Aurora.
In "Peep's World" Aurora asked to put on the plastic smock and then proceded to
play with the water tables.
January 25, 2010: Aurora likes the outfit she has on today. She especially likes
pants with pockets now. She is often seen walking around with her hands stuck inside
her pockets.
January 31, 2010: Greer's first birthday party. It was at Gymboree, and Aurora
had a grand time playing (mostly by herself or with Jon).
Video: Hokey pokey
Yummy! Pizza is one of my favorites!
The birthday girl also enjoys some pizza.
Cake for dessert!
The frosting is the best part! Want some Baba?
