Well I know it's been quite a while since my last post so I apologize for taking so long to update. Lot's been going on and we've been so busy. Since I last wrote Arya has gone to the zoo, made some more discoveries with his capabilities (jogging in place, speed walking, and dancing), and found a friend (Elmo). Here are some pictures of his endeavors.
Arya went to his first adventure playland with Ali and I this week. He was on cloud 9 and so excited for everything. Most of all that his baba was with him and he could walk everwhere in a wide open space! Yippee! No dogs, no cats, no small rooms, just kids and fun stuff everywhere! First we ate together then we headed off to the infant play area where Arya had a chance to go up and down some activity cushions and a slide! It was fun for us too to see him smile.
After the fun we decided to go have some ice cream. Ali and I always wanted to try this happening place called "Leatherbee's" and just never got around to it. Finally we did and after tasting the ice cream, wow....it was well worth the wait. Arya enjoyed it too!
On another note, this week Arya has learned a few more words (partially or in his own version): girl (dokhtar, just the "tar"), go (boro, the whole word), Tina (just the "ina" part), and Jamjam (just the "am"). Understands a lot more also as far as bringing things for us and putting things away.
I'm not sure how it happened but I am thinking it's from learning what we do. In his own way Arya has learned to get the phone and talk. Not really talk, per say, but rather talk to the person he is thinking of while holding the phone to his ear. It is the cutest thing. I wish this happened when the person was actually on the other line. Usually this happens when they are not. In this video he tries to talk to his baba then to his uncle (daee) or (doodao)
I thought this was a cute pose too...like what mommy?
We celebrated Ali's birthday yesterday at the restaurant. It was the best way we could see him and we thought it would be fun to share it with everyone else there. I got a ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins (thanks to their advertising 1000 times on tv) but it was very very yummy! Chocolate ice cream and cake with vanilla ice cream filling. mmmmmmmmm! Arya enjoyed it very much too. We gathered around in one of the booths near closing time and gobbled it down with some tea afterwards. For gifts Ali got a nice mirror for shaving in the shower and some dressy socks from my parents, a beautiful black briefcase with a lock from Kami & Tina and a couple shirts and shorts from me & arya. It was a short celebration but hopefully enjoyable to all. The employees got a piece of the cake too.
It has been a while since my last post, so I have to apologize. We've been a bit busy and a lot has been going on. As some of you may know we opened a pizza place (Extreme Pizza) in folsom, ca. The grand opening is tomorrow so a lot of work was needed on Ali's part. We were there for moral support and to keep him company some of the days and other days just visiting. I have also been working and taking care of Arya.
Watching a movie while in the restaurant
He has been blurting out some of his own language lately. It's still jibberish to me but to him it seems to make good sense. For example when he doesn't want something or when he wants to be left alone or when he's had enough of a certain food I'm giving him. He has mastered the word "Na" or no. But the problem is he doesn't know how to say Yes so he says No even when he means yes. I can kind of tell when he wants it because his eyes brighten up instead of look away. Heheheh.
The look when he knows he's got me
Other interesting things he seems to be doing is really looking at me when I read to him and how my mouth makes certain sounds. He tries to lip the sounds but not really say them yet. Maybe it's still a bit difficult for some of them. But when I ask him about things I've mentioned over and over he seems to know what I'm talking about.
Hopefully I can teach him more and more every day.
A nice cold watermelon after lots of play on a hot day
Today was a memorable day filled with laughs, chasing Arya around, and gathering for Papa's birthday. We had some of the most delicious food Nana made and even got a chance to sit outside in the nice weather. Mother Nature has been gracious to us this year. Usually July is extremely hot this time of year. Lately it's been in the 80's low 90's.
The evening came late for fireworks this year. The show started after 9:30pm. But even so Arya seemed to be a bit scared of the noise and I didn't want him to go outside with all the sulfur smell so we tried to watch from the window and listen to the "BOOMs" from inside Kami's house. Jamil also stayed inside but he seemed to enjoy them from the window. Arya not so much either way. Prior to that we had a nice evening outside. The weather was gorgeous and the kids played. Unfortunately Arya got his first big booboo walking on the concrete and slipping and falling on his lip which ripped and bled and he also scraped his chin. Ugghhh...hopefully it won't be something I need to get used to. An icy helped make it all better with a bowl of watermelon. I feel like he truly ate more than I ever would! Sorry baby. Hope everyone had a great weekend and 4th and many prayers for all those wishing for freedom.
