Dusit Zoo, July 2008

It was a beautiful day... too good to pass up, so we went to visit Dusit Zoo.



I visited this zoo once before, almost a decade ago, and while it isn't a top notch facility it's come a long way in improving.



Here's our son, Antonio, with my wife, Kanittha, all dressed up and ready to go to the zoo.







We started Little Nio looking at some of the birds... and while he showed some interest it didn't really get him all excited.



Then we went to look at some zebras...



Some deer...



And some kangaroos. Interesting stuff, but it just didn't really make Little Nio excited.



It was only when we got Little Nio to the elephants that we got a big smile.



By the time we got him to the lion cages, Little Nio was really excited.



But the really highpoint of our zoo visit was the big tiger. Little Nio could not stop smiling and pointing at the big cat, and calling it, "Sam".





I guess all the excitement took a lot of energy out of Little Nio. His batteries ran out by the time we hit the zoo tram and he was fast asleep in his Daddy's arms. After an hour power nap, he was up and about again.

Basic Skills, July 2008

Every child needs to grow up and acquire some essential skills for survival. It's never been very clear which skills need to come before others, so we tend to allow our son, Antonio, to develop whichever skills seem to take precedence.



Here he is sitting in front of one of my computers.





Checking out the monitor and typing up a storm on the keyboards.







Here he is reaching over to grab the mouse. Everything within reach of his little hands is fair game.



The other skill he's acquired is feeding himself with proper utensils.







Like all new skills, it takes a while to get things all mastered, but he's working on it.

Great Fun, June 2008

Almost four months in our new house and it's settled into a real home for us.





Here's our son, Antonio, checking out some of the reference books I have on my library shelves. He's fascinated with books. Let's hope that this fascination develops into a full blown thirst for knowledge and learning.



Here we are sitting together — Little Nio, his Daddy and our cat, Samuel. His first word isn't "Mommy" or "Daddy", nor is it "Meh" or "Pohr" (which it Thai for "Mom" and "Dad"). His first word is "Sam" — the name of our cat. He doesn't always get the "m" in at the end, but it's a start.





Not exactly the safest spot to sit, but Little Nio thinks that the steps are the perfect height for sitting on.



Here he is with his Mommy, sitting on the staircase.





We're happy here. The ends still meet, but it's a lot work keeping it all together. At the end of the day, when you get a smile like this, it makes it all worthwhile.









Another thing that Little Nio likes looking at are DVD's. He's very interested in watching stuff on television, but we try to direct this and get him to watch more intelligent things like documentaries. Here he is checking out some DVD's from the Discovery Channel.







Raisins are another favorite that Little Nio has and here he is spreading it all out and getting ready to share it with Mommy.



Big lopsided smile with his Daddy. It really, really does make it all worthwhile.

Even More Little Nio Comics, July 2008

Just had to share even more "Little Nio" comics.

These are too fun to put together because Antonio is really a funny little boy. I don't meant that he is awkward or ridiculous, but that he already has a sense of humor and is very naturally playful. His personality shows through even at this young age.



The one above, "Little Nio and the Spare Rib" was taken at this upscale food court in the Mahboonkrong shopping mall, called "The Fifth". We ordered a plate of baby back spare ribs and just let Little Nio feed himself. And as you can see, he has no problems polishing off the bone.



One of the things Little Nio enjoys doing is spending time with me in the study, where all my computer equipment is installed. Here he is drinking out of his froggy mug and making an absolute mess of himself. This one is entitled, "Little Nio's Drinking Problem".



This is an older series of images where we've got Little Nio set up with some of his stuffed toys. It's just too adorable that our son is so cute, he blends in perfectly. This one is called, "Little Nio Explains Camo".



The one above was also created more recently, but the photographs were taken when Little Nio turned one year old. Here he is enjoying his birthday cake, so this one is entitled "Little Nio and the Birthday Cake".

More Little Nio Comics, June 2008

A few more recent comic strips featuring Little Nio.



This first comic strip is entitled "Little Nio Saves the Chicken". I know that it sounds a lot like something a superhero might do, but all he's doing here is saving it for later.



This second comic strip Little Nio Picks a Book, has our son perusing the titles of my reference library. Unfortunately all of the books on the shelves he can reach are all technical manuals, so they are bound to put him to sleep.



This third strip is named "Little Nio Defines Finger Foods" and was taken at a lovely restaurant at Central Chidlom.



This fourth comic strip is the most recent in the series, entitled "Little Nio and the Mummies". We're hoping that Little Nio's natural curiosity develops into a genuine thirst for knowledge and a deep love of learning. Here he is examining some DVD documentaries.

By the way, before I forget, today is my mother's birthday (Little Nio's Lola Nene), so here's a wish of love to her - for good health, much happiness, tons more blessings and lots and lots more birthdays!

Back to KiDO, June 2008

Over the weekend, we all had the opportunity to go out and spend time together as a family.





Here's Little Nio and his Mommy, busy stuffing his face with veggies.



As if to prove the point that all the veggies are indeed going down, Little Nio gives us a view of the inside of his mouth. He really isn't picky with foods, although lately his appetite hasn't been as much as it was a few weeks back. Nothing to be concerned about, just something to keep in mind.



Hanging out with Daddy at the Kanom Chine restaurant.



The next day we were able to enjoy some fantastic Italian cooking at a restaurant outlet named "Mediterraneo" located on the fifth floor of Central Chidlom department store.



Here's Little Nio trying to explain to his Daddy that Spaghetti Carbonnara is indeed a finger food.



Little Nio goes back to KiDO!



It's been nearly a year since he last visited KiDO, but all his play-teachers still remember him very well. Here he is trying to read a Thai children's book, upside down.



Trying out the slide with Daddy.



Not too bad.



Next an attempt on the slide with Mommy.



Much better results.



After a long and very enjoyable day together, Little Nio cuddles up in the big bed with his Mommy, safe and sound back at home.