Late summer was a bit different this year, thanks to my (Kai's) sabbatical. Instead of preparing for the grind of the fall semester, we headed off to Toronto to visit family (we missed most of our friends this time). On the plane ride over, I tried to prepare Tivona for the trip. Here's a 69s everyday-life video of that exchange. (If you're wondering why I was doing the funny cackle-laugh, it was my attempt to elicit a a similar funny laugh from Tiva, as she had been doing it spontaneously before the video.)
Tivona and the windy plane
We had the good fortune of spending a fair bit of time with Ljuba's family when mine was canoeing up North. Sandra met us at High Park, where Tiva and Taya did some swimming in a splash-pad with water fresh from Lake Ontario (it must have been ~4C). They seemed to mind it much less than we did! In this 23s everyday-life video, Tiva tries to drink some.
Tivona drinking at High Park
Coming back on public transit, Tiva showed us that the most likely suspects for pickpocketing are not strangers, but our very own troublemakers. See this 47s special-moment video.
Tiva the thief
We were really grateful that Simona timed her visit to coincide with ours. As an unexpected minor side-benefit, she brought along with her this kiddie pool, and Taya and Tiva loved it, as you can see below and at this extra pic (linked through the blue words here and below).
One thing that Tivona's birthday brought was a headful of curls. With those, Tiva reminded us especially of her Auntie Sandra, as you can probably see in this photo below (with Tiva holding one of Dedek & Babica's apples, which Tiva loved, as you can also see here).
Tivona and Taya both loved their time with Babica and Dedek. But both also got on to Dedek. Taya kept asking Dedek why he was always watching TV and playing the computer, and in this 29s special-moment video Tiva has taken Dedek's remote and is refusing to give it back (most of the action is in the first few seconds).
No, no, Dedek! No remote for you!
The trip to Toronto in late Aug provided us with an opportunity to celebrate Taya and Tivona's birthdays together with their Kovacic extended family. And the party provided the opportunity for balloons, which are of course a source of joy for most toddlers and babies. In the special-moment videos linked here (37s) and here (59s); Tiva bounces a balloon down on her head, and mouths one while spinning around and around in a circle.
Taya had tons of fun just decorating for the party. By the time that the actual guests arrived (e.g., Aunties Elisa and Simona, here) she was utterly spun.
I've posted a bunch of photos from that party-day: Ljuba and Tiva eating a garden apple (here); Tiva hammering a balloon under Ljuba's and Sandra's watchful eyes (here); Taya opening a present (here); Tiva trying on a gift (here); and others (you can navigate to them in my Webshots album from any of the other links). But here are the ones I liked best of all.
Here's Taya showing her undying love for Simona and Sean's dog Pumpkin--you can see the adoration in her eyes (that's not just the flash).
Here's Taya blowing out candles on the shared cake.
Here's Tivona waving around one of her gifts.
And Tiva moving pots around in the garden (oh how we miss having a garden in Vancouver!).
Here's Auntie Sandra and Tivona.
Here's Tiva investigating beer bottles.
Here's Tivona with Uncle Celio. Unlike Taya, Tiva won't just go to someone else and happily hang out in their arms. She loves to say hi and smile, from the safety of Mama or Dada's arms, but if she's put in someone else's arms, she often quickly reaches back to us, as she does here (even though she's smiling).
Tivona loves her Mama. Presumably because nursing has worked so well with Tiva (not so with Taya), Tiva feels a certain comfort with Ljuba that I don't seem to be able to give Tiva. (Taya seemed to be equally comfortable with us two.)
We all love playing with Tiva's little feet. Here Taya tickles Tiva's feet, while she's in Ljuba's arms.
Tivona is social just like her sister, in many respects. In busy social settings when she's somewhat the centre of attention, Tiva clenches and shakes with pure excited energy. See her do it at the DeAngelis' place, when they graciously hosted us for an early dinner, in this 32s special-moment video (here) and the photo below.
Both girls loved the DeAngelis' dogs. Here's Taya with Elisa and Timmy.
Later in the trip, we had a wonderful two days at Soo & Tony's with T'n'T's cousins, but I somehow failed to get many good photos at all. Here are a couple of Tiva, with colouring utensils,
And with Nanna at the zoo.
Then we had a great few hours with all the Chans downtown, but we forgot our cameras. Ay.
On the way home, I captured an 18s must-see video that encapsulates the indignities forced upon babies when their parents have to … well, you'll see. I love the way Tiva completely plays along, looking down just at the right moment, giggling along with me.
What to do with Tiva?
One of Tiva's greatest expressions of love for me was her patting. When I tell her I love her, she often pats me (and say "pat, pat, pat"). See this 21s special-moment video.
Pat, pat, pat
As Tivona has got more interactive, Taya has taken a renewed interest in her, as you can see in these two photos of the girls together.
Here they are both inspecting Taya's dolls.
Tivona's little body has the muscle-bound curves of a Kovacic, as you can see in this photo of her trying to put on one of her hats (there's another here).
And Tivona is expressive just like her big sister, too--we love the way she says "Labble, labble, labble" and also "Uh oh!" in the 44s everyday-life video below.
Labble, labble, labble ... uh oh
As Taya's grown taller, she's thinned out. Some people make fun of her belly (which protrudes), but that's just her fibrous diet. As you can see in this photo of Taya dancing, she's actually getting a little skinny.
I love chasing down the two girls and having them squeal in delight. In this 29s must-see video, Tiva shows how much she enjoys it by flopping down at the end, trying to get caught.
Chasing down the troublesome T'n'T, Tiva tries to be caught
Another thing that I do to crack the girls up when mealtimes stall is to blow their fingers, as you can see in this 28s special-moment video.
Blow my finger, Dada!
Here at breakfast I try to encourage their self-feeding by cheering for their scooping.
Yay, Tiva, good scooping! Yay, Taya!
In the rare moments when Tivona's go free reign of the house, she takes advantage by exploring Taya's toys, an activity that often otherwise elicits squeals of indignation from Taya. See Tiva's exploration in this 71s everyday-life video.
Tiva exploring Taya's toys while she's got a chance
Tiva's been talking more. When she says 'Sour', she usually scrunches up her face like she does in the later part of this 49s everyday-life video.
Painted face Tiva--yoghurt is 'sow'
Another skill that gave Tivona great pleasure when she mastered it was climbing into and sitting in chairs. In this 18s everyday-life video, Tiva and Taya sit in the two little chairs, and show off sunny smiles.
Taya and Tiva sit in their chairs
Taya's first trip to the dentist sparked a new generation of 'doctoring', that using dentist tools got from the dentist's office. See these two special-moment videos (25s, and 51s), and the photo below.
Taya, as you're learning new trades, do you think that you can also learn how to pack and move??? See coming blog posts for Australia, New Zealand, and California.
