There are so many stories. I'll do my best to contain myself. Taya loves baking, and she's a great sous chef. As you can tell, she gets to do the most important job of a sous chef (cleaning the bowl after we're done). And also the second (posing as if she's Deborah Madison on the front of our favourite cookbook, who I told Taya was holding a spoon sternly because she was going to spank someone).
Tivona really came alive. In this 26s special-moment video, you can see her squealing as I 'attack' her.
Dada makes Tiva squeal
And here's our little jumper Tiva (35s special-moment video), squawking and jingling. Also see Nanna, whom we had the good fortune of seeing for a good visit (and Grandpa not shown), partly to help while I was in Germany for a workshop.
Tivona bounces, squawking and jingling
The two girls are really showing their love for each other. Below, they're holding hands, and here you can see them grinning and laughing.
We had a big change in our family. We said good-bye to Mr. Echo, who, as I said once and Taya will likely say forever-more, "took good care of us". Here Mr. Echo treated us to a day at the beach, enjoying cherry blossoms and beautiful sights at Kits Beach.
That day was Tiva's first experience in a restaurant that served alcohol (Rocky Mountain Flatbread). She wasted no time trying to order some white wine (27s must-see video below). :)
Tiva wants white wine, and she wants it now
Taya continues to amaze us with her conversation. In three special-moment videos, Taya tells me I'm telling stories about Uncle Tony & Auntie Elisa's wedding (36s below, and the funniest once she actually gets the joke--18s--here), and chat with her about the new car (60s, here).
"Dada, you're telling stories!"
So there you saw me playing jokes on Taya. But Taya gets back at me, too, like when in the following exchange:
KC - We have to eat the pineapple tonight, so please remind me (mostly to Ljuba).
TS - Dada, please get the pineapple!
KC - (laughing) You're supposed to remind me tonight!
TS - I already reminded you!
Ay!
In this 66s must-see video, you can see how Taya and Tiva are really starting to thrive on each other, as Taya gets Tivona giggling with her antics.
Tivona laughing at Taya's antics
And in this 67s special-moment video, Tivona gets Taya (and Ljuba) going with her fish-flopping.
Fish flop!
Here's Taya, Tivona, and I in the park. Note again the chilly spring weather!
Tivona really cracked me up when she started eating finger foods. She was game to feed herself, but of course it was hard for her to deliver into her mouth slippery food like pears (a favourite of hers). So hard that once a piece was in her hand, it was actually less of a draw than a new piece in front of her. In this 51s special-moment video, watch her pick up a piece, then ditch it as a new piece comes into view, repeat, and repeat!
Tiva learns to eat pear, and Dada has fun with it
In April, we got to see Auntie Chinook--and Tiva got to pull some long hair!
Having Chinook visit also meant a rare family shot, here on the slide at a nearby park.
As I alluded earlier, after nearly 9 years of faithful service, we finally gave up our first car (Mr. Echo), and bought a gorgeous blue Hyundai Elantra Touring. Here's Taya and I picking it up at the dealership.
Taya is a real painter already. Watch this 16s special-moment video to see her tell Ljuba to stop distracting her as she paints rain.
Taya painting rain, movie
We got Tivona some squeaking eggs because Ljuba thought she'd love them, and was Lj ever right. Tiva adored them. In this 65s special-moment video, you can see her trying to crack one to help with our Mother's Day muffin-baking.
Dada tempting Tiva to move forward for Jitter Bug
Tivona, like Taya, learned to crawl by soldiering with her belly on the ground. Unlike Taya, Tiva mostly did two-arm pulls, whereas Taya used to alternate. But watch this 54s special-moment video to see Tiva experiment with using her head as a fifth appendage. We also love the way she rested in between pulls.
Tivona experimenting with crawling styles
Taya has the most elaborate tea-parties, as she imagines the needs and wishes of her army of toys. This little army invades our couch nearly everyday, and no matter how forcefully we beat them back, they're always out conquering their territory the next day. It really amazed us to actually watch Taya go through the bed-time routine with these toys: she feeds them dinner, then brushes their teeth, kisses them all, puts them all in the blue bin (far left in the photo), and puts that under the easel, with her aprons blocking the light (so it's nice and dark).
Tivona delighted us with a head-wag that reminded us of capoeira. Watch this 37s must-see video of our littlest entertainer.
Tivona shows us her head-wag
Tivona really started moving these two months. You can see her swimming/soldiering technique here, in this 33s special-moment video.
Tivona is motivated by the stick
We have a new saying in our family (actually, we've got lots, but anyway…): I know a tiger named trouble, and it's spelled T-i-v-o-n-a. Look at the innocent face as Tiva is discovered ransacking Taya's precious toy bin.
Taya continues to be a mostly happy toddler, but she continues to have her moments of terrible-ness, screaming crying and raging. Here she shows a rare moment where she's quietly "mad at Mama".
Taya and Tivona are really starting to play together now. Not all the time, and not always harmoniously, but anyway, see here how thrilled Tiva is that Dr. Taya gave her a clean bill of health.
We had some wonderful visitors, and we all enjoyed their company very much. Here's Tivona with Husein's daughter Sofia. All four girls got along amazingly: it only took 5s after Sofia and Naila met Taya that they whisked her away, one hand each, to help her in the playground. Who would've thunk it, 23 years ago when Husein and I started hanging out together???
And here's Taya with Gary. She still remembers him from last year, partly because I imitate Gary (or try to) when reading Aussie books to Taya (she likes it that way!).
Fitting that we're now poised to buy our tickets to visit Australia … stay tuned!
