Devin Kekoa Yee Izon

Aloha Family & Friends! 

My does time fly when you're having fun!  Everyday we look at Devin in awe and can't believe that our little boy is almost the BIG 1!!!  We will be celebrating the occassion with a 100+ guest party at a Chinese restaurant in Hawai'i on March 8th.  We hope you can all join the fun! 

Devin is now able to stand unassisted and can multitask while standing, e.g. clap hands, wave, hold and play with toys, even dance.  He walks throughout the house holding onto our hands or furniture, but can also walk up to 5 steps all by himself.  T

Devin is still drinking formula, but soley drinks from a sippy cup or straw-sippy cup.  Can you believe it only took 1 day to wean him off the bottle!?!  He can sit and drink half of his milk by himself, but hasn't quite learned how to tilt the cup when it's less full.  He continues to feed himself finger foods and uses a spoon to feed himself table foods--but does need some help scooping the food.   

Devin continues to impress us with his vocabulary.  To date, he can say:

• mama, mom, mommy
• dada, dad, daddy
• Audi (our dog)
• dog, doggy
• ball
• apple
• all pau ("all finished" in Hawaiian)
• kau kau ("eat" in Hawaiian)
• yum, yummy
• hi
• bye
• yeah
• no, NOOOO
• I get
• got you
• thank you
• I did it
• Daddy did or Daddy did it (he usually says this when he's mad...even if Darin isn't around)
• down (when he wants out of his high chair or crib and/or when our dog, Audi is licking his face)
• light
• flow (for flower)
• nai-nai ("milk" in Chinese)
• wa-zat? (what's that?)

While he can't say "opu" ("stomach" in Hawaiian) he pats his belly when asked, "Devin, where's your opu?"

Warmest Aloha,

Darin, Celina, & Devin

Aloha Family & Friends!  Can you believe Devin will be 1 year old on March 15th!?!  Where did the time go?  With him approaching his first birthday, he is growing and changing everyday. 

This past week, he started standing without having to hold onto us or the furniture.  First he stood independantly for about 5 seconds, then 10 seconds, and now he's up to 30 seconds-maybe even longer-AND he's even already taken his first step!!!  Oh boy, it won't be long before he's walking and running! 

In our last blog, we forgot to list "thank you" as one of the words/phrases that Devin can say.  And now we can add "I did it" and "what's that" to the list.  We still can't believe how verbal he is.

Lately, Devin has been trying to grab the spoon and bowl during meal times (obviously, when he is not eating finger foods) so we've decided it was about time to bust out the big boy bowl.  We bought a bowl with a suctioned bottom so he can't throw it and showed him how to feed himself without any food.   This evening after dinner, we put 2 tablespoons of apple sauce in the bowl and let him feed himself.  It was sticky and messy, but he did a really good job and loved every minute of it.  We plan to let him feed himself a little apple sauce after each meal to get the hang of it before we let him feed himself his actual meal...although we're sure our dog Audi would love all the goodies on the floor.

Check back soon for updates and pictures! 

Warmest Aloha,

Darin, Celina, & Devin

(Okay, I just spent the past 30 mintues writing a lengthy update and then hit the wrong button and lost it all.  Grrr)

Happy New Year Family & Friends!  We hope you had a wonderful, safe, and blessed holiday season.  Devin's first Thanksgiving and Christmas was spent with Celina's side of the family in the Bay Area and his first New Year's was spent at home in Hawai'i. 

These past few months have been extremely busy.  In Novemeber, Celina and Devin spent 3 weeks in the Bay Area.  They had a wonderful time with family and friends and a day trip at the newly rennovated California Academy of Science, a museum that Celina enjoyed as a child.

On the plane ride back from the Bay Area, Devin caught a nasty cold on the plane but it didn't damper his spirits or slow him down.  Shortly after returning home, he learned how to go from tummy to sitting, crawl, how to pull himself up to standing, and how to cruise (or walk holding onto us or furniture).  Since then he's learned how to go from standing to sitting and is now constantly on the go--whether it's crawling from room to room or cruising holding onto furniture, us, or even Audi, our dog.  Haha! 

In December, the 3 of us had a fun-filled weekend in Maui.  There Devin went into the pool for the first time and he LOVED it!  He couldn't stop splashing us and laughing.  Also, in December, the 3 of us spent more time in the Bay Area. 

Devin has an impressive vocabulary for his age.  He can say:

• mama, mom, mommy
• dada, dad, daddy
• Audi (our dog)
• dog, doggy
• ball
• apple
• all pau ("all finished" in Hawaiian)
• kau kau ("eat" in Hawaiian)
• yum, yummy
• hi
• bye
• yeah
• no, NOOOO
• I get
• got you

Additionally, he mimics a lot of sounds and words.  We now have to be VERY careful to not say naughty words in front of him. 

Devin has been successfully weaned off of baby food (he still drinks formula) and eats finger foods or chopped table foods.  Yummy!!!  While he doesn't refuse any foods, we will throw his not so favorite foods...but he will eat it if we put it in his mouth.  Also, when he's full, he will throw whatever food is left on his tray and/or wave "bye" at the spoon. 

Check back soon updates and pics!  Don't worry...it won't be another 2 months before the next update.

Warmest Aloha,

Darin, Celina, & Devin

These past two weeks have been quite an adventure!  Devin can now sit-up all by himself!!!  This new position has allowed Devin to learn how to play with his toys, Audi, and us in a whole new way.  And we're all loving it!  Devin can also wave "hi" and/or "bye," and say "mama" and "dada."  He only says "mama" for a few times after she puts him down and he wants to be carried, but he LOVES to say "dada" repeatedly throughout the day. 

During the last weekend of September, Celina's cousin, Sheena, and her 8 month old daughter Jocelyn visited from San Francisco for a long weekend.  Although their stay with us was short, it was nothing short of fun!  We all oohed and awed evertime Devin and Jocelyn looked at each other or reached for one another.  Devin and Jocelyn also enjoyed their first trips to the Honolulu Zoo, Ala Moana Beach Park, Ala Moana Shopping Center, and even to the movie theaters.  Other highlights were when Jocelyn's (who is teething, wasn't used to the heat or time difference) crying made Devin cried.  One time at home, Jocelyn was crying and then Devin screamed, through his hands into the air, clasped his hands, and started crying.  His response took Jocelyn by surprise and she stopped crying.  A few other times while Jocelyn cried in the car, Devin sat in his carseat silently crying with tears rolling down his face, frowning, and quivering his chin.  We can't wait until December for more adventures!

Devin's menu and appetite continues to grow.  He's now alternating between peas, green beans, carrots, squash (which he's decided he now likes), sweet potato, apple sauce, pears, and bananas.  He also enjoys sampling rice, bread, banana, and apples from our plate.  During Sheena and Jocelyn's visit, the mommies and babies went to Zippy's Restaurant for lunch.  Celina was giving Devin grains of rice, but decided he had enough since he just finished his own lunch.  Devin kept yelling at Celina for more rice and wouldn't stop until he saw the waitress take away the plate. 

Check back soon for more updates and adventures!

Warmest Aloha,

Darin, Celina & Devin 

We're sad to announce that Devin's "too quiet baby" phase is over.  Yes, he still has some moments where he's quiet deep in thought, but now that he's mastered the art of rolling over both ways, he's back to cooing, babbling, screaming, singing, and vocalizing his needs for a bottle, his sippy cup, to eat solids, to be carried, or for toys he threw out of reach.  Since he is now able to recognize and vocalize his needs, we've decided to teach him how to relax and put himself to sleep for a nap or bedtime.  Until recently, we rocked, sang, or gave him a bottle to help him sleep so we thought he'd be completely resistent.  The first day was beyond difficult...we put him in his crib while half asleep and he woke up screaming bloody murder.  While he's still somewhat resistant for naps, he has no problems falling asleep on his own at night. 

Now that Devin can roll over, he chooses not to.  Instead, this week he is practicing how to crawl, stand holding onto us or the furniture, and sit up by himself.  Also, this past weekend we bought him an activity center-sometimes referred to as a stationary walker-which he LOVES.  We'll post pictures of him playing in his activity center and sitting by himself next week. 

Devin continues to do well with solids.  He is still eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner but is no longer eating an afternoon snack since he's taking in more solids and bigger bottles (8oz 3 times a day).  His meals now consist of 2 tablespoons of rice cereal and 2.5-3 tablespoons of vegetables or fruits with water (no more juice).  So far he's had peas, green beans, carrots, squash, apple sauce, pears, and bananas.  He LOVES everything, except for the squash. 

Devin had his 6 month check up on September 15th.  He's a lot lighter and shorter (please refer to his growth chart http://devinkekoa.webs.com/growthchart.htm) than we thought he was going to be, but was given a clean bill of health by his peditrician.  His next appointment isn't until December for his 9 month appointment. 

Well, Devin is screaming and crying in his crib refusing to nap so that's it for now.

Warmest Aloha,

Darin, Celina, & Devin

Celina's cousin Sheena says "a quiet baby is better than one that cries all of the time."  She's probably right and we should be thankful that Devin's screaming and spitting fit has ended.  But now he's SUPER quiet...only laughing or whinning when we put him down, he's hungry, or he's in pain.  Being the over worried parent that Celina is, she searched the internet for "baby too quiet."  Other parents have had the same "baby too quiet syndrome" between 6-9 months and speculate that it's caused by the baby concentrating on other skills, such as learning how to roll over, crawl, and sit up.  And since that's just where Devin is at developmentally...Celina isn't so worried anymore (but she'll still check with the doctor at his next appointment). 

Speaking of learning how to roll over, crawl, and sit up...Devin continues to enjoy the freedom of rolling over from his tummy to back and is still trying to perfect rolling over from his back to his tummy (that darn arm keeps getting in his way).  He loves slug-crawling or walking [with our help] and chasing Audi.  Audi also loves it! 

As you can tell from Devin's Growth Chart or Photo Gallery, Devin LOVES eating.  He is now consistently eating 6.5oz of formula 4 times a day, 3 meals of 2 tablespoons of rice cereal mixed with 2 teaspoons of either pureed fruits or veggies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and 4 teaspoons of apple sauce or a slice of mashed banana for afternoon snack.  Solid meals and snacks are accompanied with 2oz. of fruit juice and water mixed together.  Boy, oh boy...we wonder how much he's going to tip the scale next week at his 6 month appointment. 

Warmest Aloha,

Darin, Celina, & Devin

Aloha Family & Friends!  Again, much apologies for the overdue updates, but since our last blog entry we've moved.  We're now living in a condo in Mililani, a beautiful community-oriented town in Central Oahu.  (If you don't yet have our new contact information, please email us at celinaanddarin@yahoo.com )  

Shortly after settling into our new home, Albert & Marisa (Celina's brother and sister-in-law) stayed with us for a week long visit.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them and can't wait to see them again along with the rest of our family and friends who live in the San Francisco Bay Area during our December visit.  During Albert & Marisa's visit, Devin experienced the feel and sound of the ocean.  Initially on Saturday at Mokuleiia on the North Shore Devin screamed at the cold water but soon welcomed the cool sensation.  On Sunday in Waikiki, the same thing.  But on Wednesday at Sunset Beach on the North Shore, he wasn't having any of it.  He did NOT like the rougher and cooler ocean.  Hmmm, maybe we should try the swimming pool first.   

At 4.5 months old, Devin began eating 1 teaspoon of rice cereal mixed with water once a day.  And just as we suspected, he took to eating from a spoon very well...weeks prior to that, he  watched with an intent curious eye as we ate.  He is now eating 2 tablespoons of cereal mixed with water and purreed peas three times a day.  He's also tried banana and apples.  We're extremely anxious to find out how much he'll weigh at his 6 month appointment on September 15th. 

Also, around 4.5 months old, Devin began showing signs of teething...rubbing his gums, drooling, and whinning.  At around 5 months old, we saw 4 white spots on his upper gum line. Today, we see one tooth slowly making it's way out.  How long does it take for a tooth to fully surface?!?  Celina was checking everyday (sometimes 3 times a day), but now Devin won't let her.   

Last Tuesday, Devin slug-crawled by himself all around the living room.  He hasn't down it alone since, but will if we put our hands under his feet he puts a big smile on and happily crawls his way about.  And during Albert & Marisa's visit, Devin rolled over tummy-to-back 3 different times, but we missed every single one of them.  And it wasn't until last night that he started rolling over again.  Last night, he rolled over tummy-to-back 3 times and this morning 2 times (and yes, thanks to Darin's patience we've captured it on video).  We think it'll be another few weeks before he masters rolling over back-to-tummy.  While he works on mastering that skill, he'll also be practicing how to sit alone for longer than 20 seconds.  He still scoots, but he no longer screams for somebody to pick him up.  (Thank goodness)!

Hopefully, now that we're settled into our new home, Celina will regularly update this website. 

Warmest Aloha,

Darin, Celina, & Devin

Aloha Family & Friends!  Much apologies for not updating the website sooner, but with our recent trip to the San Francisco Bay Area and our upcoming move we haven't had much free time. 

Celina and Devin flew to the Bay Area on June 25th.  At only 3.5 months old, this was already Devin's second long plane ride (the first was coming home from Oklahoma).  Celina was VERY nervous about flying with him, but our good friend Jane provided wonderful tips for breezing through security and during the flight Devin remained his normal happy self.  And once the plane landed in Oakland, all of the surrounding passengers commented on how well behaved Devin was!  

His mellow demeanor remained throughout the trip and he relished in being constantly showered with love by family and friends, especially PaPa (maternal grandmother), Guong Guong (maternal grandfather), Uncle Al, and Auntie Marisa.  Devin's laid back state was extremely helpful when Uncle Al gave him his first hair cut for preparation of his Red Egg & Ginger Party, which was a success!  Much mahalo for everybody who attended!!!  (Pictures of his first hair cut and party can be seen in the July photo album).

Unfortunately, due to all the constant love and attention throughout our trip to the Bay Area, Devin no longer likes to sit by himself.  He makes high pitch, ear piercing squeals and scoots himself until somebody picks him up...yes, we just discovered the reason for this new behavior yesterday and hope to nip it in the butt. 

Oops, Devin just woke up...hope to finish this blog soon.