T'n'T's extended summer, T.O. and Vancouver

For 2011.8.20 - 10.2

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.

T'n'T's summer in Vancouver (May 23 - Aug 20) 2011

Summer came late and short in Vancouver, which had everyone talking about how they hadn't much enjoyed 'June-uary'. We did, but we were certainly buoyed some by the prospects of some sunny travel in the fall.

The late spring and its crappy weather brought us some sicknesses, in large part because Taya was in preschool (aka germ factory). In late May, Taya got a high fever. The lousy sleep it entailed was no fun for any of us, but some moments Taya was the least troubled of all of us. After she woke up after only 90 min of night-time sleeping, I cuddled her and gave her Tylenol, etc. Then she declared, "I'm actually done sleeping already." Ah, no.

Tiva went through many changes in this period. In late May, she was just soldier-crawling, and she had sparse straight hair and a tiny round baby-body. Here she is playing with her play-mat and Duplo.



And here she is playing with her booties with Nanna, who graciously joined us for a visit while I had some travel to Vancouver Island for work.



Like Taya was, she's keen to do all the things we do. In this 36s everyday-life video, she sits with Mama and plays with pens.



Writing a dinner memo with Mama

One day, Taya asked me, "Dada, how do you learn to be a good Dada?" My answer: "I had Grandpa and Nanna as great role models." And in keeping, Taya's caring for her toys continues to escalate to new heights. In this special-moment video, Taya feeds Baby Taya in her own booster seat.



Taya doctoring baby Taya

I love the way babies move. I know I'm going to miss it hugely when they're grown. So here's one for the memories: an everyday-life video of Tivona's feet.



Tivona's little feet

Taya is a colourful character. Here, especially so decked out in my Rasta shorts and belt. ;)



Tivona is very helpful. Here she is carefully re-'folding' the laundry that Mama just folded.



Tivona loves Taya's things. She loved crawling around and rolling around in Taya's crib. In this 59s special-moment video, she is going a little cuckoo in typical Tiva style.



Taya nursing bunny, Tiva rolling and hissing

Tivona started teething again in late June. We found out 'cuz we found Bunny sporting battle wounds after a wrestling match with Tiva in the crib.



Tivona loves the barn toy that we got for Taya at her first year. We hadn't wanted to buy many plastic toys, but this one got so much loving, we don't regret it.



Tiva, just like her sister before her, loves the camera. Here she is roaring for it.



The girls were very helpful as we packed up to go to Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast (BC)--they obliged us by travelling in our duffel bag. They love doing this kind of thing together.



At Gibsons, Tivona was reminiscent of Taya when we were in Hawai'i. In this 23s must-see video, Tiva does her darnedest to eat rocks, and Ljuba does her darnedest to stop her.



Tivona eating rocks at Gibsons

Taya is still enamoured with the sea, too. That pleases us, because we are too.



Despite the fact that Tivona was 10 months at Gibsons, and Taya was only 7 months when we were in Hawai'i, they fit into this sunsuit very similarly. Here she enjoys herself walking along with Mama.



And here she plays with some of the toys we brought up to our (rented) vacation home.



Taya found ways of occupying herself while Tivona napped. Although, of course, many of these ways were not conducive to Tivona sleeping only feet away in another room, with a door lacking a handle. See this 26s special-moment video of Taya declaring herself a "little fancy lady!"



"I'm a fancy little lady!"

Ljuba and I struggle to find enough Taya time, now that Tiva is an attention-grabbing person of her own. Here we have some fun on the couch at Gibsons.



We bemoan the fact that we don't get out to the woods nearly as much with Tivona as we did when Taya was a baby. But it seems like Tiva loves the woods just as much. Watch her wave her hands in this 25s special-moment video as she bounces along on Ljuba's back.



"Giddyap, Mama!"

Taya keeps asking to go to the forest, too. Gibsons was good, because we got out--despite the lousy weather. Here Taya's standing in a rotted-out tree, with Ljuba. About her joy at getting out into nature, Taya said, "I'm quivering!"



We don't have a photo to commemorate it, but one of the more memorable experiences on the Sunshine Coast for Taya was cutting her hand on some barnacles. (Just today she expressed fears of having barnacle-covered rocks come up out of a white sandy beach--no rocks or barnacles in sight--and giving her a booboo.) Later that afternoon Taya related her experience back to my experience of cutting my hand just a couple days earlier, while cutting a partly-ripe avocado with a well-nicked knife, to try to understand and remember a new term I'd used quite loudly (this is how she accumulates her admirable vocabulary). She asked me, "Dada, what did you say when you got your booboo?" Umm….

And here's Tivona and I (Kai) on another Sunshine-Coast hike.



Tivona's laughs crack me up. So I got a thrill out of playing finger-peekaboo in this library book, and I get the same thrill watching/listening to this 42s must-see video.



Peekaboo with Dada's fingers

You could watch this next 56s special-moment video and see nothing interesting, or you could watch it and see the extraordinary lengths that Taya goes to to ensure that her toys are well cared for. Watch her bundle them together into their bin--all cuddled in a big cylinder--then tuck it under the easel, and cover the opening with her apron, just so.



Taya putting her toys to bed, and making sure it's dark

Similarly, as you'll see in other pics and videos, Taya's love for 'doctoring' continues. So it was a thrill for her to meet my best-man Husein and his family, Husein being a surgeon. After that visit (last blog), Taya and I had the following exchange: "What does Husein do? [He's a doctor, a surgeon.] What does he do after that? What does he do after that?" (after my answers she says it in her own words) "… He works on people's tummies usually. And the lower parts. I want to see what kinds of scopes he has. Does Husein use a stethoscope?"

Tiva had a very different experience of swinging, dropping, and throwing motions. Taya loved them right from the beginning, even as a very small baby. Tivona had to grow into them--at first she hated to be thrown around (go figure). In this 27s special-moment video, you can see that she's started enjoying it rather more.



Tiva and Dada, ka-boom on the swings

Taya is a real sport much of the time. Sometimes Ljuba and I try to squeeze in a little exercise routine when she's 'napping' (she doesn't actually sleep anymore), and often we're not done when it's time to get her out. We bring her down and she does some exercises with us. She actually usually does all kinds of gymnastics on her own while 'napping', also.



Most of all, though, Taya is a conversationalist. Even when you imagine she's not listening, sometimes she is and she pipes up, making good sense. Like when I asked Ljuba what I should do about my tight pec muscles pulling my shoulder out of alignment again (an injury that required many weeks of nightly physic exercises). Taya, looking down while peeling garlic for dinner, advised me, "A massage would help."

We are well through the worst of the sleepless night-woes. Tiva mostly sleeps through the night, and Taya has done so for a while now. But every once in a while they throw us off with some night-waking or a very early start to the day. It doesn't necessarily mean they aren't chipper--at least for parts of the day--as Tivona demonstrates in this 33s special-moment video.



Tivona panting (0500 wake-up)

Tivona has an immense patience for some tasks. In this 83s special-moment video that Ljuba took, Tiva shows the extents she'll go to in order to attempt a task on her own, even though she knows how to ask for help. (And in this additional 25s everyday-life video, Tiva shows how she can drink on her own from a sippy cup--here.)



Tivona struggling to pick up puzzle pieces

For those who aren't getting enough pictures for this three-month period of the girls' lives, here are links to three additional photos: of Taya and her bathtub art (here); of Kai's PhD supervisor Simon, Simon's wife Carole, Kai's colleague Junling, and Junling's wife Xi with our family when Simon's talk at UVic reunited us briefly (here); and of Kai, Tivona, and Taya at Mt Seymour Demonstration Forest (here).

And here's a collage of Taya and Tivona goofing off together. We love it when they engage each other like this!



Tivona wasn't quick to roll over, grasp objects, crawl or walk. But once she learns a physical task, she's generally very adept. Here she shows her agility, evading my efforts to seize back something she had grabbed. See the additional 11s must-see video (here) and a 14s must-see video below.



Tivona the evader, 2

I had fun asking Taya about BC Day (Aug 1). Check out this 37s special-moment video.



Canada Day? MEC Day? ABC Day? Happy BC Day!

Tiva shows off a bunch of things in this 84s everyday-life video: her love of balls, her 'round-the-world' bum spin, and her beautiful Mongolian spots, which go from her bum all the way up her back to her shoulders.



Naked Tiva, her Mongolian spots, her ball, and her words

And here's the little cheeky monkey coming after us.



Does Tivona like plums? This photo says it all.



And this 47s special-moment video catches out little fruit-murderer red-handed (and red-faced) in the act of massacring some berries.



Tiva the fruit murderer

Even though she seems perfectly content with where she's at, Tiva is excited to do things that Taya does. In this 34s everyday-life video, Tiva and Taya are excited to do some synchronized drinking together.



Taya and Tivona drinking

As I said earlier, Taya's generally a real sport about things. Here she gives a big smile just to be hanging out with us all while Tiva sits on the potty.



And Tiva offers a smile, too.



Until next time, Happy Pottying to all!

T'n'T's spring in Vancouver (Mar 20 - May 22 2011)

It's hard to believe that I'm more than two months behind, even with this 'update'. Taya and Tiva are so demanding right now, and now that my pat leave is over, it's hard to find time for these bits of fun. Note, however, by seasons, I'm barely behind, as it only just feels like summer here.

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!