Saturday, March 15, 2008

Fab at Five

This week, T turned 5 months. One more month and he's half way to the big 1 year mark! Hooray! I remember at 5 weeks how C and I thought he was just the cutest thing and wanted him to remain 5 weeks forever. Well, it's been 5 months and I have to say, the feeling is even stronger. He may not always smile directly at us or respond to our silly gestures, but C and I find him to be just the cutest little dumpling in the universe of dumplings, pumpkins and cutie bears! As for things he is doing as of now --

  • He is a curious george. Whenever he is up and alert, he can't stop looking up, down, side to side. He hardly pauses to stare at anything for more than a minute. It's like the world is his oyster and he's on a mission to explore every nook and cranny of what's out there.

  • He drools so much we put a permanent bib on him at all times. For a month or so, we thought he was teething but there's no teeth in sight so am assuming this is all just part of their normal development (?)

  • He loves Shakira. Whenever he's cranky or whiney, we put on Shakira's song "Estoy Aqui " and he calms down, smiles and then starts to jump in the jumperoo to the rhythm of the song. He's a man of good taste!

  • He likes to stand a lot. His legs are pretty strong and instead of sitting, C and I can usually hold his little fingers and he'll stand right on his own. Of course, he can't keep standing without us but he likes the support. His favorite place to stand is in front of the mirror where he can do his soliloquy, a couple jumping moves (he forgets that he's no longer in the jumperoo) and sport big dimple smiles!!

  • I have to say his smiles are the best. They just melt our hearts. His eyes disappear, his dimples come out and his mouth widens upward. And then sometimes, he'll let out an adorable high-pitched chuckle and an occasional squeal. These are the moments we live for and I can't even begin to tell you how hard C and I work to get those little noises out of him!!

  • Tristie likes to stick fingers in his mouth. Hardly does he stick just one into his mouth. Usually it's two. Sometimes three and occasionally his whole hand.

  • At his four month appointment, he was in the 90th percentile in weight and 25th percentile in height. Given that he doesn't seem like he's growth lengthwise, he's probably looking/feeling a bit similar in terms of percentile..?

  • During his 4 month visit, T's doctor harmlessly asked if we had any history of "cross-eyedness" in our families. Of course, when C's parents looked alarmed, the doctor told them that it was nothing to worry about but proceeded to ask again (what the $^#%&!!!). You can imagine how paranoid C's parents were when they heard and came home. And then of course, how paranoid C and I were (well, I was probably more paranoid than C). I think my little brother was once a bit cross-eyed when he was a little kid but I always thought that was cute so maybe this is part of little T's charm? (he he). Needless to say, my mom is taking away all the mobiles in his crib for fear of exacerbating his eyes and we are on the lookout for any symptoms of googlie eyes!!..

That's all for now. I went a bit crazy taking pictures of him this weekend with the new little cap my mom brought for T. I've posted quite a lot of pictures in this entry but just think of it as an opportunity to almost feel like you were there in person. I'm sure if you scroll fast enough, you'll be able to witness the movement. Happy 5 months little T. We love you our little hunni bunches of chocolate covered oats! xoxooxox.

Guess how old I am?


How many fingers can I stick in my mouth?

Sticking my fingers in and smiling at the camera

Teddy likes to hang out with my on my birthdays

Teddy, why are you still wearing that silly hat?


I am still 5 months old!

Hanging out with blue baaaaaa

On the couch


Looking up


Ha ha ha ha


Ahhhh....


Whatcha looking at?


Getting tired so I'm holding on..


Getting up again. Whats over there?


Mommy, why are you down there?


Can't keep my head up


Ok, got it up again. Look at my puckered lips.


What's over there?

Wow, that's cool...

Wowee

My michelin cheeks


Now, I'm officially tired

My second wind..


Done for the day. Hasta pronto, amigo!

Thunder thighs!!

Resting after a jumping session on my jumperoo


Playing

What's over there again?


What's that? (Tristie and friends looking at the mini desserts)

Elmo looking down, T looking up

Elmo, stop staring at my pie & fruit tart!


You guys...make some room.

Daddy and the birthday boy

Family picture

Tristie's friends hanging out at the party


T, grandma Cho and Auntie S

Grandma Cho and me


Auntie S is the best


Getting more kissies!!


Big, crazy par-teh!!

Hanging out with T's friends

How mommy, daddy, grandma and auntie celebrated *gobble gobble* (T is starting to wonder whether these monthly parties are for him or for the adults..)

Sunday, March 9, 2008

One fine day


Today was probably the nicest day we've had this year. Flowers were in full bloom, kids were riding their bicyles in shorts and sandals and the sun was glowing. There was not a cloud in the sky. It was one of those days that make you so happy to be alive (or just happy to live on the west coast!). After having been in Beijing locked in a conference room for over a week, the sunshine, the clear unpolluted skies and the warmth of the bay area made me so glad to be back home. And so glad to be back with little Tristie.

Someone must have known that we needed this beautiful day as it was our last day with C's mom and dad. After two months of living with us and taking care of T, grandma and grandpa Choi left today to go back "home" (tonight to be specific) and we are so incredibly grateful that they took such great care of T. Thanks to Grandma/grandpa Choi, T is a much more talkative, smiley, happy, fat little singing baby. Both T and grandma/grandpa have grown so attached to each other, they have made plans to see each other again. C's parents will definitely be back for T's first year bash and likely before that (sometime over the summer). Yay - we can't wait and I'm sure little T will be counting down the days!

Additionally, Sunday marked the changing of the guard as C's parents left and my mom arrived to help out for one more month. Our last month of free help. C and I did our best to try and prolong family help but we have finally decided to put an end to all the burdening and find external help. We shall reveal our new addition to the family very soon!

Until then, enjoy the weather, the sun, the warmth and the following pictures of T and the family.

PS -- T is responding to peekaboos these days and giggles whenever we do it (well, whenever he feelsl like it, that is). We got a great shot of him laughing but unfortunately the file is too big to upload so we'll try to find a way to shorten it and post it. It's really too adorable.


Mommy in black and me in blue

Like my blue hoodie?


We're having a swingingly good time!



Who's that cute little girl over there?


How many adults does it take to carry T?

Getting ready for bathtime

Check out my arms..

Like my fatty rolls?

Duck lips again

We're rad in red

Like grandpa, like grandson

Grandma/grandpa Choi and T

Getting ready to take a stroll


Getting ready for my ride

Looking outside (blooming flowers!)



HEH HEH HEH HEH

Ha ha ha

C, his parents and T

Family picture

Sitting outside on the grass

Hee hee

Having fun with mommy


Thanks Grandma and grandpa for an awesome 2 months together!!