Great News Day!

So, today we got great news. Kelly is NOT at high risk for type 1 diabetes. This does not mean that she will NOT get type 1 diabetes ever, but it does mean that she now has the SAME RISK as any other child does, rather than the elevated risk of a family with a child with type 1 diabetes already. She had some special blood draws done (she was brave!) and she does not currently have the antibodies (like I have 2 of them) and she also does not have any of the high risk alleles. Her risk of developing type 1 diabetes was 1 in 20 (since she is my sibling and I have it) and now her risk (with these test results) is back to 1 in 300 - which is the same as every other child's risk of developing type 1 diabetes in his/her lifetime. That's great that she may not have diabetes like I do - I wonder what she will have that does not work as well as it should instead. Everyone has something that does not work as well as it should you know. Some people have lots of things that don't work as well as they should and I just have one - my sleepy pancreas. Mom's wrist does not work as well as it should. Dad's eyes don't work as well as they should. Mimi's gall bladder does not work as well as it should. Papa's cell division did not work as well as it should. Grandpa Arie's hair did not work as well as it should.

Dr. Melton (a super smart scientist at Harvard, both of whose kids have type 1 diabetes) also had a great news week on the research front. This week, scientists at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) reported the first success in generating new populations of insulin-producing cells using skin cells of Type 1 diabetes patients. The achievement involved the newer embryo-free technique for generating stem cells, and marked the first step toward building a treatment that could one day replace a patient's faulty insulin-making cells with healthy, functioning ones.
(See the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2008.)

This does NOT mean a cure is coming soon. But it is another big discovery that brings a cure one step closer. Mom and Dad are still hoping for a cure by the time I go to college - 14 more years. We'll see what the future brings... Thank you scientists and thank you to everyone who helps fund these scientists so we can find a cure for diabetes.

Secrets

I love secrets. I tell secrets to Kelly all the time. Mom did not even hear the one I said last night to Kel's ear.... shhhhhh... I said you will always be my sister and I will always love you.
I am also a super good secret keeper you know - like a vault.
On this note, Mom is so proud of me lately. Ever since the big bad STRAW/slingshot day, I have decided to be nicer and Mom is really proud of me. I have been helping her more around the house, I've been nicer to Kelly, I've been more patient and learned to do more things on my own, I've cleaned up after myself better and I've been super loving. My heart is getting bigger, and it feels .... good.

My First week of School

I am having a great first week of school. It is so fun to be back. I am a SENIOR now! Same uniform, new book bag, same bus driver and route, different teachers, different play yard (bigger). This year, we also get a PE teacher and some Spanish too this year. We also get to start eating LUNCH at school in a couple of weeks in the Big person cafeteria. Mom is not happy about this - she said she will miss me too much. In fact, our first day having lunch at school is Tuesday, September 8 - Mom's birthday - so I invited her to come to lunch with me that day. She was so excited! I will tell you more about my teachers and classes and stuff in a few weeks, once I get more of the low down on school these first few weeks. Stay tuned.

Hawaii - Summer Vacation 2009

The 4 of us just got back from Hawaii and we had a fabulous time (minus the last blog posting). Highlights were:

* We went fishing at Kona Village and I caught lots of fish! I would have caught more but Kelly kept eating my bait (bread - don't worry people).
* Mom and Dad went zip lining - without me - they LOVED it - and promised to take Kelly and I sometime. They were not even scared one bit and they were jumping off huge cliffs and zipping for 1,000+ feet! I feel proud of them!
* I snorkeled for my very first time ever and I loved it and saw lots of fish! I even liked snorkeling in the pool - I'd go back and forth and see how many laps I could do without bringing my head above water.
* I watched many sunsets from our front row seats in the hammocks - but I never saw the green flash. Kelly cried. She did not like it when we said Night Night to the sun. She cries when I go to bed too - she misses me.
* I was a sous chef for Makiko and Tim - I helped fold gyoza and make sushi and I learned all about Japanese people and how they sit around on their knees and chat for hours. Kelly even LOVED our creations.
* Kelly-boo LOVED the beach - last time, we were here, she did not like the sand one bit, but this time, she loved it. In fact, she would pick it up and rub the sand all over her body (Mom said this was a great exfoliating idea?). She also loved being in the ocean. She would plop herself right down in the rough part of the shallow water so that she would be tossed around a little by the little waves. The rougher, the better - she would laugh hysterically.
* Kel and I built lots of sand castles together too - I was teaching her my architect skills.
* I won an ice cream sundae in a water bucket filling contest
* I fed the fish everyday (shhhh - I always fed "Yellowy" a little extra)

Happy Beach Bunnies...



Kel's sandy bum...



My architect apprentice - starting a new sand castle




Gotta go for now - I start school in a few short hours - KINDERGARTEN!!!

Aloha!

The Straw - Uh Oh...

Today was not a good day for me. We are on a wonderful vacation at Glamma's house, having fun in the sun and playing and I am getting to do anything I want - like make Kelly fall out of the hammock, pinch Mom, talk back, not cooperate, not clean up after myself, etc. Mom has been sending me to my room for this behavior for the last few weeks, but today, it was different. She usually just sends me to my room for 5 minutes and then we talk about it, I say sorry and we move on. But today, after I slingshot Kelly with a rubberband from across the room, things changed. I was so proud of myself for actually hitting my target, but Mom was not impressed with my marksmanship. She went cuckoo. She did the arm grab so hard I thought my arm was going to fall off and there was not a proud bone in her body. I could tell -this was a bad move. She looked me straight in the eyes with her furious eyes and said that I hurt Kelly and that was not Ok and it has been happening too much and that no one (not she, Daddy or Kel) wanted to play with me anymore. It was 3 in the afternoon and she sent me to my room and took all the toys out for the rest of the day!! What happened to the 5 minutes and the Sorry? I had HOURS to think about what I did and have been doing. I guess I have not been choosing to be that nice lately. I would not really like it if someone did those things to me. Hmmm. Maybe I should be nicer - after all, I do just have one sister and I want her to like me. I only have one mom and dad too and I want them to like me too. I better change my ways.....

Taylor's Wedding

Today was my third flower girl appearance! My mom's cousin Taylor had a fancy fancy wedding today (Fancy Nancy would have approved) and I got to be in it! Mom said it was the most beautiful wedding she's ever seen - it overlooked the Pacific Ocean and it felt like we were in Italy (one of Mom and Dad's favorite places). I liked it because I LOVED my fancy ballerina dress...

Me and Bride Ashun...



Uncie Mark was in the wedding too...




Proud Uncle Dick and Aunt Jan...



My Great Grandparents Celebrating at the wedding...



Surprise Guests at the Reception - Papa would have LOVED this - go Trojans!



Speaking of weddings, I am probably going to marry Will.... Here is a drawing I just made for him.

OUR NEW HOUSE!

Well, I have exciting news to report. WE WON OUR HOUSE! Yes, this house - the one we've been borrowing for the last year. Hip Hip Hooray. It is official. I am super excited, but you should see my mom.... I am trying to take a picture of her joy today but I can't even catch up with her cuz she is zipping around. So, I decided to take a picture of something still....they just hung the little part on the bottom!

I want to be an architect

....this week.

Here is the designer's challenge - which do you like best?



I come by my building skills honestly.... Glamma built an entire estate in Hawaii, Dad builds awesome blanket and pillow forts and Mom is a master ice cream sundae builer. Kelly knocks all of our creations down. Oh well.

My First Swim Meet!

Today was my very first swim meet ever - the big end of the season SWIM PUPS meet. I was so excited to swim in my brand new Jamie JAGUAR bathing suit (that is one of my many nicknames you know). We swam freestyle (breathe touch, blow touch) and then backstroke. I am not sure how fast I was in freestyle - when I got to the other end, I was the only one left in the pool, but maybe that is because I was soooo fast I just could not see anyone else near me? Anywho, I tried my best (Mom says that is what is most important) and I swam extra fast when I heard Mom and Dad and Kel and ... Will B cheering for me at the side of the pool! I tried my best and I earned my first SLIC - a special token that I used to buy a Starburst. Such a fun morning!

Here is me diving in for my lap of freestyle! Good form, huh?



Me doing my backstroke...



Me and My Swim Team - can you find me?

Happy 4th of July!

Boy, what a jam packed and fun day we had today!

We started at 7 am - Mom and Kelly and I went to buy decorations and streamers for our bikes - we had to look cool in the big 4th of July parade in our neighborhood.
We ladies went out to breakfast at the Easy Street Cafe - yum - I made sure to do my carb loading for my big exercise morning.... after all, I was going to be in my very first official running race ever this morning - the 4th of July Family Fun Run.
I was kind of nervous but once the bell went off, I took off. Mom and Dad and Kel could barely keep up with me! I RAN (not walked) the ENTIRE MILE! Dad was wheezing. Kelly slept. I was the fastest 5 year old finisher of the day! As if this was not enough exercise, I then rode my bike in the big neighborhood parade - all the way - a whole mile again and people threw candy to me and tried to squirt me with water - it was so fun! Then, when we got to the clubhouse - I swam and swam and swam until Mom made me get out of the pool. THis is all before Noon!

Doesn't my new bike look awesome all decorated?!



Dad's tie was a hit too!


Off to Soli's house for a super fun 4th of July party - with sparklers and all.



Happy Birthday America - we celebrated big time with you today!

Marin County Fair

Today, we went to the Marin County Fair and it was so much fun! I went on rolly coaster rides all by myself today for the first time ever! Kelly-boo even went on some rides today since she is a big ONE year old now. My favorite non rolly coaster ride was the house of mirrors - Mom, Dad, Kel and I all went in together and I got to be the leader and it was so funny and hard to find the way. Loved it. We also got to meet Marin's poet laureate and he had the coolest chair all made out of books and we made a poem on a balloon together. We also played the water shooter game and Mom won against tons of people and she let me pick the prize and you will NEVER guess who I found.... after all these years.... tucked in the very back... only one of them.... priceless ...... Sniffer's MOTHER! It was meant to be.

That's me with the blue baseball hat...the brave one.



Me in the poet laureate's book chair...



I was inspired by all the artists at the fair, so when I came home Mom and I did an art project together and we made an awesome chandelier - I can make more if you want to buy one - Daddy is teaching me business.

Pill

Mom says I've been one of these lately. I'm not sure what it is exactly but I know it is not good. Maybe it is because with all of the house stuff that has been going on, she is not paying enough attention to me! She has been sending me to my room 3 times a day. Fine with me. She is no fun to play with right now anyway. We are supposed to move in a week or so and we don't even know where we are moving to yet and Mom is frazzled. Don't tell her, but I saw a white hair peek through. She has bags too. Someone needs more beauty sleep and hopefully she'll catch up on some "nice" sleep too while she's at it.

Kelly's Birthday Parties!

So, Kelly-boo had lots of fun parties too (though not quite as many as I did)! It started off today - her actual birthday - with a fun dinner at the RAINFOREST CAFE - how nice of her to pick MY FAVORITE SPOT! We had so much fun - she loves the gorillas there and even signs gorilla by pounding on her chest. Mom even let us get the crazy volcano tonight for dessert for the first time ever (though I noticed she ate most of it!). Anyway, I was proud of my sis because she was not afraid one bit of the big moving animals. She is brave like me.

The Birthday Girl with Glamma and Grandpa!






We also had a huge party for her at our house (though it was kind of a happy birthday Kelly/we're moving out/happy summer party all in one!). Everyone had so much fun at our luau! We had Hawaiian tunes and kalua pig and swimming and all - it was soooo fun!

Party Time!! (Daddy had too many beers!)

Kelly is ONE!

Happy Birthday Kelly boo!

Here are some updates:
* She walks - she started walking regularly about a week or two ago.
* She loves me - she follows me around everywhere and cries when I leave her room before bedtime at night.
* She has 8 front teeth and is getting her back molars now and she is not even cranky
* She still has no hair
* She loves to play tag and chase with me
* She is the happiest baby I've ever seen - even happier than I was!
* She almost never cries
* She is tough - and does not complain much when I lay on her or throw her or pinch her or roughhouse with her
* She still loves her giraffe lovey - I wonder what she will name it
* She still takes 2 naps a day - 90 mins each - Mom says "YAY!"
* She still breastfeeds but she eats TONS of food too - she eats EVERYTHING but fruit - the only fruit she likes is banana and applesauce. She loves brussel sprouts, asparagus, green beans, sweet potatoes, peas, meatloaf, salmon, eggs, butternut squash soup, risotto, rice, potstickers, chicken, oatmeal, and bread. Of course, she loves ice cream too and grunts until she gets extra bites.
* She is a good little communicator - she grunts and points when she wants something. She nods yes and no. She signs "more" and "all done". She points to her bed when she is ready for a nap. She coos when she is done with nap to let us know to come and get her.
* She loves slides and climbing - almost as much as I do. She can climb anything! She especially likes to climb our foam pillows and do obstacle courses with me.
* She loves chase and hide and seek (though she needs more practice at the latter - see below picture)

Kelly thinks she's hiding...



* She loves watching me jump rope. I can do up to 30 something jumps you know!
* She LOVES swimming - she jumps in and loves to splash and play.
* She loves to take baths with me every night - we splash Mom - it is so fun.
* She finally likes books - thank good ness - her faves are the caterpillar one and Limu and I love my Daddy because.
* She signs elephant and gorilla and she knows her arms, face parts, knees, toes, feet, and even elbow!
* She LOVES music and dancing and she flaps her arms like crazy.
* She wakes up at 6:30 (before me) and goes to bed at 6:45 (before me) every night and she NEVER wakes up in between. Mom says she is a little miracle.
* She loves bikes and wagons
* She loves horses!
* She loves to be outside
* She sometimes tells us when she poops and pees - she pooped in the hot tub the other day (don't worry, it's all good now). Please still come over for pool parties!
* She is totally ticklish
* She loves to brush her teeth with the automatic vibrating toothbrush - she giggles like crazy.
* She loves bugs, especially spiders
* She loves horsey rides - here she is getting one from Mimi...

* She loves .... LIFE!

Orange Belt

We did it! Mom and I got promoted from Yellow belt to orange belt today! We were so excited! I did my very best and they said my kicks were super. They said Mom's "keyhaps" improved too. She messed up one of the moves in one of her forms, but she did everything else just right.

Here I am after just receiving my orange belt - I felt so happy.



I got promoted before Mom so here is me with my orange and Mom with her yellow belt!



Master Kim is on the left. He is our teacher like Master Shifu. We always listen to him and when I am naughty, Mom says that she is going to call Master Kim - then I always choose to be nicer.



I think it is going to be really hard work to get a purple belt because I have to know all of Takeuek 1 and that is 18 steps you know. I also have to break a piece of wood. Maybe before Christmas we can get our purple belt...if we keep tryin'.

"I will practice with all my effort in the spirit of Tae Kwon Do to be the best I can."

Nicole's Wedding

Today was a very special day - it was Nicole Rotter's wedding day, and I got to be in it! I had a very important job - walking down the aisle just before Nicole and making it look beautiful by sprinkling flowers on the ground for her. I was super excited about this big job and kind of nervous too because Mom and Dad were in the audience really far away from me so I had to remember all of my jobs by myself.
I was SUPER good at remembering the hold the flower basket and smile part. I smiled more than I've ever smiled before. I walked perfectly too - not too fast and not too slow - just right. I did not trip or fall even though it was a REALLY long grassy aisle you know. In fact, I did not drop anything either - including the flower petals!! When I realized I forgot to drop the flowers, I did not panic. Phew. I quickly turned around and walked all the way back to do it again. I sprinkled flowers like nobody's business and the aisle looked just right for Nicole. She said I did a good job and that she was proud of me - I was so happy about that. I was proud of her too - she looked more beautiful and happy than ever marrying Prince Joe.



Me Giving Nicole a Good Luck and I love you hug...



Nicole and Joe ...



Me Watching Nicole marry Joe (do you see my petals in the background?)...



The wedding party!



Mom and Dad let me stay up SOOOO late - later than I've ever stayed up before. I had so much fun!

Slumber Party!

So, this weekend was so much fun - we had a huge slumber party at my house. 6 kids, tons of swimming, play all day, no tears or boo boos, lots of yummy food, a movie with popcorn and all, bedtime stories, we all slept in my room, pancake breakfast - what could be more fun? I wonder why when I asked Mom if we could do it every weekend she said No?

Water jumping contest winners...

Soli won for style...



Evan won for smiling while diving...



I won for best cannonball...





Evan - my other boyfriend besides Will...



Me - Chillin'....



Watching movies...



Reading bedtime stories...



Good Morning!



Mom was so proud of me because she said I shared my room so nicely- so I am getting extra bedtime stories tonight! Hooray!

My Last Day of School - Juniors

I feel so grown up. Today was my last day of school this year. I am almost a SENIOR! I'm sort of sad because I LOVE school - we just play all day long. And I love Will Bollini and now I will not get to see him every day. Mom promised summer would be fun too and then when summer is over, I get to be a SENIOR! That will be cool! I really loved my party dress I got to wear today. Nurse Lee Ann gave it to me and it is so poofy and beautiful - I felt like a princess at our tea party today. Thank you Nurse Lee Ann!

Here is a photojournal of my last day of school...

Me with one of my teachers, Ms. Carper - it was her last day too because she is leaving to marry Prince John...



Will and I - ahhhhhhhhhhh




My friend Hana and I - she is going to a different school next year. She got a pet turtle for her birthday.



Me making my entrance during the last day performance. Mom was so worried about me during the performance because I had tears. Afterwards, I told her they were just happy tears and she hugged me extra tight.



So long School - see you soon!

Breakfast at Uncie Marks!

Uncie Mark invited me over for breakfast today - he & Jess cooked me fancy eggs benedict and it was homemade and delicious - way better than Moms. He had special poaching pans and even a secret ingredient like Zhang in Kung Fu Panda. After breakfast, I got to play with Jess' kitty - I wonder why she kept running away from me and Kelly - cats are supposed to be cuddly. And, the best part was that Uncle Mark let me play his video game boxing - it was so fun.

The Chefs...



Kel and Uncie Mark...



Here I am in action...