Sister talk

First day daddy is out of town, everything went well. Kaitlyn started missing her daddy already. I told her to write journal about what she missed daddy about. Sure FishWorld is on the list! She draw a card saying she missed daddy. Umm, that makes me a little jealous. What about if I leave for a few days? Will she be celebrating that mommy is gone so she would have more freedom to do whatever?!

It's so much funny to watch two girls talking to each other! Amazing and melts my heart! I always wonder how they get along with each other before Meghan was born. Now, when I see them getting closer everyday, I feel so relieved and so happy. There will be good sharing and rough conversations down the road, I'm sure...

What's new with Meghan? Everyday I noted something new with her, seriously! Like today she sucked her bubbles back while playing on her tummy. Guess won't be far from the day she eats real food :-)

What else?

1. Since she tries to sit up whenever possible, she gets frustrated if she can't . What she does is she will pull up her shirt in the front to try to lift herself up. So cute, guess she hasn't learned physics yet, doesn't know that even the strongest person in the world cannot lift himself up. Haha...

2. When playing on her tummy, she can use one arm to hold up and spare the other hand to reach things. Good try!

3. She likes sticking her whole hands into her mouth and licks fingers. Doesn't look like she likes sucking anything, not even a pacifier ( I tried... ), instead just licking things. Does it relate to the problem that she refuses bottles since 1 1/2 month? Spoiled baby!

4. Ohh, she bites me already! Although she did it before every now and then. But today, she bites hard and did it at least 4 times in a roll. Hey girl, don't do that if you still want mommy to feed you!

5. I can't really swaddle her tight anymore, she always finds her way to get her arms out. I often find her outside her blankets (even it's like three layers) in the morning.

6. And she grabs things so tight. She pulls my hair off, and pinch me so hard. Ur...

7. Not sure if she starts recognizing strangers already. When my friend Emma came visiting us over the weekend, she burst out crying/screaming when she hold her, twice! Maybe she was just hungry then...

This is gonna be a tough girl - strong-willed, persistent, active, and very focused when watching something for mins. (like things she finds out on the wall, on the floor, and any person talking).

What's new this week

What's new this week? Meghan is busy practicing her roll-over skill, eyes/hands coordination (grab and holding things). Of course sitting up, talking, and observing everything. So interesting to see her changes everyday. For a lot of her developments, once you miss it, it's gone. She learned it and will not go back again. It reminds me of many things about baby Kaitlyn. But the same time it makes me feel guilty theat I wasn't around Kaitlyn that much.

I feel so blessed to stay home taking care of her at this age. Of course we make less money now, but by making little arrangements, our lifestyle haven't really change much. I get to experience all the growth milestone of our little girl, plus participate more daily activities with Kaitlyn both at school and home. No money can make up for this! Things I do miss from working is me interact with outside world, have more free time doing things for "ME", feel free taking more vacations, and some worries of "IF". Anyway, enjoy while I can, life is never perfect. This balance point will be shifted between career and family from time to time.

Holding key set really well:
My favorite things to play - my fingers:

Here is just an example of babbling. She carries the "conversation" way better after feeding, on my lap. But its hard to catch it, because she's very sensitive to the camera. As soon as she notice the camera, she stops talking and smiling. I need to find sth. to disguise my camera.

By accident, I found out she really likes books. Whenever I hold a book in front of her (when she is not tired or hungry), she gets excited and starting reading, talking a lot. I have no desire to teach her read at this age at all, just fun to watch her reacting.

Right around 3 month, Meghan started sitting up by herself a lot more. Here are two clips taken right around the holiday.

First one was taken a week before 3month - my car seat baby. Since she won't fall asleep by herself in the crib, we walk her to sleep in car seat a lot during the first three month. Better than holding her to sleep.

Another one was taken a week after 3month. Excuse the mess on my bed...

Here is another clip I took during X'mas time, I got to show it. Kaitlyn has been such a great mommy's helper/big sissy. She wanted to push the stroller so Meghan won't cry. One time, she rock her to sleep! Half way in the video, I can hear Kaitlyn asking how much money does she get for pushing stroller? "Better be more than $1", as she said - that's a lot of money for her already! Haha... Funny - smart girl thinking about personal finance already! Haha...

I want it but my hands don't listen!

See how determining Meghan is when she wants to get something! So funny!

And towards the end, you can hear Kaitlyn saying "tug-of-war". Does it mean conflict started early already? I'm so happy to see Kaitlyn's kindness and patient to her baby sister.



See if the video works.

Afraid of blogging again!

After almost a year of not blogging, I'm a little nervous to re-blog again. Why? Don't know where to start, don't know if I will stop again, feel guilty I missing a lot or even more... (Well not that much since I did write things down on paper notebook after Meghan was born). The longer I don't write, the more I'm afraid to write again. Well, it's better to start tonight then just thinking but not doing anything at all!

So this past week was fun and busy. Kaitlyn had an early piano class on Friday, since she had a b-day party on Saturday. We drove 30mins in rain for a 30mins class dragging everyone in the car... Then, Saturday was grandma's b-day, Meghan's 100day celebration, then Sunday was Kaitlyn's half-birthday. We didn't really do anything big to celebrate, let's assume Cody's b-day party is also for us, since we all had fun together.

Here are some cool pics of Kaitlyn before going into the laser room. I was surprised to know she won the first place. We missed it because we had to take Meghan to restroom for diaper change - good timing, she was screaming after pooped while we watching. I don't know how Kaitlyn did it, she doesn't either. I believe she runs fast, but she had never played this before, she is not the one that's like shooting or chasing after others, she is not that active in public either... maybe she is calm and good at aiming others while hiding herself.

Let me see what else happen to Kaitlyn this month so far:

1. She sent out her first artwork to publisher - National Geography Kids. We're not aiming for publishing (but sure hope so), but to practice and have fun. We were reading NGKids the other day, and she saw the magazine ask kids to draw a picture of "what do pets do when they're home alone". Kaitlyn loves dogs and cats, she was all excited to draw it. Well, I decided not to put any pics for this since it had too much personal information. I have to say I really like her drawing. Not matter she gets selected or not, I'm so proud she is interested and willing to try.

2. First day back to school, was cold!

3. Making recycle paper by herself.

4. She loves playing with Meghan. Her favorite sayings for now are 1) "Hello, chubby chubby cheeks!" when she sees her; 2) "It's ok, little buddy!" when she sees Meghan crying. It's so cute to hear her saying that.

As far as Meghan, sure time flies by quickly. She is 100days old now! (Doesn't mean much here, but big deal in China) Ever since she turned 3month old, she seems having major development everyday. She is very alert to surroundings now, she loves Kaitlyn's voice/action. She babbles more and drooling more, she tries hard to sit up, she enjoys going out and so busy observing everything. She loves smiling, but the same time, her temper grows bigger as well. It's so funny to see her gets mad within a second and scream loud. Ohh, she also giggle a lot. Sometimes one giggle a time, sometime one after another. It cracks me up!

A funny pic of Meghan - sure enjoys her ride, with fingers all sucking in her mouth singing for herself, and one foot high up on the cup holder...

She is very attracted to TV and computer screens - we put her in front of BabyEistein for the first time, sure another fan is here on daddy's day off: (I promise I won't let her watch much TV!)

More pics of threesome playing together:

Kaitlyn wants to put Meghan's hands on her tummy, I was afraid Meghan may hurt Kaitlyn. Funny to see Meghan's face - sees like she is saying "I don't' want to, she asks me to... "

"Am I cute?!" So comfortable sitting on top of daddy's belly.

Busy looking at everything at the grocery store with grandma.

Three women in the house:

Announcing New Blog!

Start my new blog today as our family grow!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Lunar Chinese New Year!

What a great weekend, got to talk to many relatives and friends in China and friends this weekend! Since I couldn't get the 10-day holiday there, I'll give myself at least half day on Monday to relax and enjoy time cooking dinner for everyone.

Sunday night, we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, it was so crowded! Food was great, but the surprise dessert was the best! It's their homemade mango ice cream made from real mango. So smooth and creamy!

I caught this picture, so funny to see their expression - it's like Kaitlyn did it purposely, telling daddy "So yummy! I'm finishing up!" And daddy looked so eager to take a bit! Haha, both of them likes sweets so much:-)

Kaitlyn was tired and crampy when we get to the restaurant, but I guess the coke really worked well! Ever since daddy let her try it during Christmas holiday, she love it! That's a big reward for her to behave well in public, but the a few sips could get her really hyper for the rest of the night.

Plus, she has good reason to drink it, because her school ask kids to collect pull tabs and send to school, because those have high recycle value. I don't understand why? The same time school take off soft drinks off school menu, they're rewarding kids to drink more at home to collect rewards at school?

After dinner, we went to the temple with grandparents, to wish for good luck. Temple seems so strange to her, she wonders what are people doing to lighted sticks? Why do people kneel down praying so seriously in such a smoky place? Who are those statues inside the temple? How come one of them looks like a cartoon character grandma brought from China?

Just like a friend said the other day, all the traditions doesn't make sense for them, especially for the ones growing up here! I don't even get to see a lot of things for living in the city when I was little. It will only serve as childhood memory. For one day when she grows up, if she ever wonder about her ancestor and her roots, the memory will help her pick up thinking about her faded identity...

Monday was the Australia Day celebration at school, we both went to school to spend some time with her. She is so proud we make it! Sure it's a good thing when child sees their parents show up at school. One girl kept saying my mom will be here! Luckily her mom made it, otherwise I would feel so sad for her.
Jason is her good friend at school, now I know why - they're neighbors! Jason is such a sweet cute boy. It's funny Kaitlyn had one issue with him, because the very last time she checked out a book about "civil war", Jason said that's for boy. Kaitlyn was a little upset about that, kept telling me that's not, everyone can read it. I'm glad to see they do talk and share many things at school.

I made salmon, fajita chicken, and some spicy tofu for dinner. (Kind of wired meal, I made tofu just to finish up some leftover ground turkey.) Grandma make a vegetable dish. Surprisingly, she ate quite a bit of spicy tofu! Yeah, my girl can eat spicy now! We keep engaging her try it out, she just refuse to try any! Today, she kept asking for more. I'm so surprised. See she is eating one bit after another, of course with milk.

sleep walking?

Did this ever happen to me when I was little?

It was very cold last week and one night, Kaitlyn snug into my bed before daddy went to bed. Then in the middle of the night, I was suddenly woke up by Kaitlyn, (that's probably sleep with her, I easily wake up many times at night) she quietly crawled over me, slipped down the bed. I thought she was going to pee-pee. And was wondering why she didn't say a word. Um, big girl, she knows what she needs to do!

Then strangely, she put on her slipper, walked out of the room, stand in hallway for a second. (I can hear daddy was watching TV.) But she didn't say anything, and didn't come back to the room either. Just disappeared.

My instinct told me to check on her. I heard she walked to her room, turned on the light, and turned it off. Then I saw lights were on and off in each room upstairs. What's going on? What's she doing?

I stand by the stairs downstairs, watching her walking down. She then saw me, smiled... I asked her "what are you doing?" She said "looking for YOU!" with a surprise expression on her face! I said "I'm right next to you in bed? You didn't see me?" She shook her head said "no".

Daddy walked over, asking what's going on. After I told him, he said don't wake her up if she's sleepwalking. But is she? Her eyes were open, and she apparently know what's she doing.

When we told her what happened the next morning, she has no idea what we're talking about! Maybe she is! What a weird thing!

Happy New Year!

Well, it's the second weekend of the new year already, I'm finally sitting her updating the blog. We had wonderful holiday break and this week was the first week we all come back to work and school.


Kaitlyn started this semester with YMCA after-school program instead of taking bus home. I thought she might feel sad, b/c there are only two girls in her class staying late (Lucky the other girl already lives in our neighborhood, so they know each other). So all other kids have someone at home? (How?Any way.) She really likes YMCA so far, she got to meet her old friends (older siblings of her classmate at Montessori). She loves to play with older kids. She likes their snacks better (more "unhealthy":-), she likes the activities, more variety and more chance to play with older kids. Daddy said she was crying not want coming home the other say when he picked he up. Guess that's a good sign.


She seems much grown up now, totally in transition from my baby girl to big school girl. Especially every time we come back from trip, she will become more mature (both good and bad).


1. She is more polite nowadays. Instead of we remind her, she will say "thank you", "please" and "Yes, mama" by herself.

2. She can sing many complete songs. Especially Christmas songs. I love the way she sings, so cute.


2. She is better at sharing with others. Even though she has preference whom to play and still shy with new people, she is getting better and trying. There is this one girl on our street, she used to refuse to play with her and even locked the girl out twice. Now she still doesn't prefer to play with her, but she will try to find common interest when she comes over. She is better at expressing her feelings not holding on to herself.


3. Speaking of that, she does get way better at expressing her feeling, care about her feeling now:-)

An example from last night, I told her to finish food in her bowl before eating fruit or leaving the table. She asked me: "Is 'full' my feeling? I just feel full, right?" I said yes, thought it's just like another question she always ask how things work. Then she asked me seriously, "Then why are you begging me to eat?" I looked at her, saying "I'm not begging you, I want to finish dinner before playing!" She respond very unhappy "why are you ordering me to eat? Isn't that my feeling?"

Daddy laughed so hard this time, happy her little girl can think and strategy herself out of trouble. OMG, I foresee more and more challenge from my little girl on everyday little things.


3. I remember last year she complained boring a lot, but not much this year (I should say this year as last year 2008). Most of the time, once she leaves school, she wants to go straight to home, not going anywhere else. She enjoys doing things herself. I guess she is practicing what she learned from school from schoolmates. Not necessary what teachers taught her, but anything she picked up from classmates - tricks, ideas, good and bad. Being the only child, she learns how to entertain herself.


4. We finally bought a piano, as my husband said another expensive furniture. But he actually enjoyed more than us! This is always one of my dream to have a piano, and continue learning. Kaitlyn wasn't that excited, but she still likes to try it, and kept asking when she start the class.

Some funny picture of she is playing the piano:

As soon as she hears about taking piano class - pretending she was shocked and fainted..
That's another things, she is so good at acting, such a drama queen. Her tears come out anytime she needs, and turn laughing the next second.

Yeah, there was another funny story. Last week one night, she want to sleep with us. She was all smiling and excited when daddy said ok. In a second, she brought her toys and a big pillow standing by our bed. I said no no, not all of them, our bed is not big enough. Instantly, she put her head down on her pillow, leaning on the bed, crying "you just don't want me be here! You don't want me!" Her face does make us feel guilty like we hurt her feeling so bad. Of course, she got it her way. Daddy's girl, she kicked daddy out to watch tv:-) haha...


A lot more picture to edit, but I found these two I like a lot.

princess party

We put up our Christmas tree so early this year. I really love the Christmas season, and hate to see all pretty decorations up for just two weeks.

Of course, someone else beside daddy and mommy also works hard on this as well:-)

We went to a birthday party at this cute tea house in old Katy. All girls had a great time playing the dressing up. I need to find a picture of her taken two years ago and compare how much she has grown! Kaitlyn picked her outfit and all accessories, she is into blue colors recently.

All little princesses were sitting nicely waiting for the next one, checking out each others outfit.

This picture is blur, but I had to put it on. Is this like she's going to her prom?! Time flies...

bubble bathing time

One of her favorite things to do during the cold weather is to have bubble bath. I need to order more lush balms, haha...
This time, I put her online with my parents. She loved to perform the show and be able to see herself on video the same time.