Mama and Dad can't keep up with my new activities in this blog. Here are recent updates:
1. I can say, "go go" which means dog in Chinese. My babysitter, Mrs. Tran, reported to Dad that I'll say this and point to the calendar on her wall, which has a picture of a dog on it. Mom and Dad haven't tested this theory to see if I call Lucy a "go go."
2. I point to stuff and say, "whuh whuh," all the time. No one understands me yet.
3. Tabletops are no longer safe haven for things like Mama's glasses, PDA's, laptop computers, etc. I can reach and pull them down now. My parents (and their gadgets) are in trouble.
4. I like fitting and putting things into containers. Where I used to just chew on my stackable nesting cups, I now like to stuff them full of lego pieces, or nest them in one another. In my bath, I like to fill a container with water and pieces of the alphabet and then pour them all out. Then I repeat this over and over. I also have started to play with my shape sorter set, though someone has to point where I'm supposed to insert the shapes. But once I know where to put the shape, I can fit it in with a little help here and there.
5. I understand "no" better now, as well as "gentle." But...that heater vent in the hallway is just sooooo irresistable and tempting, I can't help but try to stick my fingers in there, even when I'm shaking my head, "no." I just can't help it.
6. A couple days ago, I was playing in the living room and Mom was in the kitchen around the corner. I guess I must've been silent for awhile, so she came to check on me. When she rounded the corner, I was just on the verge of figuring out how to open the cabinet door to get to the DVD/CD player. Based on the expression on Mom's face, I knew in an instant that this was not cool. Mom's a sucker for my charms, so I gave a BIG sheepish smile, crawled right over to her ankles, reached up, and when she picked me up, I squeezed her neck as hard as I could to give her a huge hug. She couldn't do anything but laugh. (Note to self: Remember this technique for future reference. Bwaaaahhh ha ha hahhh...)
7. I like to push my walker toy across the living room floor. When I hit the wall or corner, I scream until someone turns me and the walker around. Then I take off again. We can do this about 30 times in an evening.
8. I enjoy back massages from Dad at night after my bath. It calms me down and helps me relax.
9. I am learning the meaning of "together" and "apart." I can sometimes put together two mega block pieces (these are like Legos only bigger and chunkier), and I can always pull them apart.
10. My appetite is back. Last night I actually ate some zucchini and carrot pieces by myself while Dad and Mom had dinner. We try to eat together as a family every night.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Monday, August 14, 2006
New and improved
Thanks to Jenni (and Maiya) for turning me on to this new video hosting service! Let's see if this works...let me know if you have any problems viewing this on my blog.
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Saturday, August 12, 2006
I love to read
In addition to my BBQ in the park, I also had a Korean celebration of my first birthday. There were about 50 or 60 of my relatives there from Dad's side of the family. It was pretty opulent -- Halmoni and Haraboji rented a hotel banquet room with a Korean buffet, and the setup was pretty fresh. Check out the above head table where I sat, and check out the balloons!
And here's a pop-quiz for you: look at the photo below, and tell me which of these things is not like the others?
During the party, we played a traditional fortune-telling game called dol ja bee where I basically get to choose from a layout of various items. There was thread (representing long life), book (scholarship), crayons (artistry), money (wealth), and pencils (not sure, maybe a life of sitting at a desk?). Mom and Dad asked guests to vote for what I would choose. They made these cute baskets where people cast their ballots:
After photos (more will be posted later), eating, and cake-cutting, I sat down on a blanket and Dad and Mom arranged all the items before my feet. Can you guess which item I went for? I went for a computer mouse! You see, at the last minute before the game, the hotel manager brought over his own dol ja bee set that included, of all things, a computer mouse. Against Mom and Dad's objections, however, Halmoni and Haraboji replaced my colorful crayons with a computer mouse. Mom still prefers to believe that I will grow up to be artistic and creative, and not develop tendonitis in my mousing hand.After the mouse, I chose the book. Dad had a feeling that was going to happen, since I've been pretty interested in my books at home. There's a basket of books in my room, and sometimes I will even forgo the chewable toys and wheels, and pick out a book and flip through the pages. THIS, however, is my all-time favorite book, Touch and Feel WILD ANIMALS.
When given a choice between this and any other book in my collection, I always choose this one. There is a lion with a hairy mane, a lizard with bumpy skin, a dolphin with smooth, slippery skin, a koala with a furry body, and this....this is my all-time favorite page in the book -- a tree frog with sticky pads on its fingers. I can sit for minutes, just poking the sticky pads like this:
Well, it's gonna be awhile before I get to play with a mouse or a computer so in the meantime I'll gladly settle for my books.
Friday, August 11, 2006
More firsts (contributed by mama)
Hello to all of Devin's readers.
Today I heard Devin say his first word! It was "nai" which means "milk" in Chinese. Can you believe it? His first word was in Chinese, and I barely can distinguish my head from my butt in Chinese. It turns out that his babysitter, Mrs. Tran, has been teaching that to him. Part of me feels a tad bit disappointed that I -- his very own MOTHER -- didn't manage to teach him how to ask for the one thing that tames the savage beast in him. Well, I did say I was just a "tad" disappointed. The rest of me is just so delighted that he's got a vocabulary word for such an important request -- and that maybe now he can start asking for nai instead of thrashing about and trying to claw my eyes out.
Next I need to teach him how to say, "Mama it really itches right here behind my ears, my eczyma is starting to bother me in my elbows, particularly on my left arm, and I think that cream works but the bath soak does not..." At that point, my life will be so much easier, but he's gotta say it in English because I would need a translator otherwise.
So I think it's kind of cool that he understands some Korean -- particulary, "manseh," which of COURSE is a useful word to know because it means "goal" or more like, "gooooooaaaaal!" (His grandparents are red tees sportin' fans of Korea's soccer team.) But actually the word is more useful than I ever thought. When it's time for Devin's bath and I'm trying to undress him, a loud "manseehhhh" not only echos well in the bathroom, but usually elicits very rigorous arm-raising, at which point I whisk his shirt off over his head.
Speaking of baths, Devin does seem to understand that word in English. When he hears it, he sometimes will even drop the rug corner that he's been chewing on to crawl full speed into the bathroom. He pulls himself up at the edge of the tub, and begins systematically flinging his bath toys into the tub. Next, he will get up on all ten toes, and try to hoist his little leg over the edge, even when he's still fully clothed or when the tub is dry. In some ways, "bath" is the equivalent four letter word to "walk" which elicits a similar spastic response from Lucy at the front door.
AND, this evening as I was getting ready to take Lucy and Devin for a "w... a... l... k..." I patted the stroller seat and called to Devin, and he climbed into his stroller by himself! The kid is acrobatic. He can barely walk but he's pulling himself up and able to shift his weight to get that knee up over shoulder height. I was watching this, thinking that proportionally, this was equivalent to me climbing on top of a mini-van without the advantage of a running start. Isn't it?
Today was a lot of firsts. Seems like the past weeks (maybe even the past month) I hadn't noticed many new activities, and then Devin was sick for a bit. Well, he's fought off that virus now, and perhaps he's just catching up, I suppose, on all the things he probably wanted to accomplish. Funny and so amazing how quickly this all came at once. I love him so much even when he's not doing much -- like the times when he just sits on the floor and grunts while staring at the ceiling (go figure) -- but when he displays all these new activities, i am reminded that he is learning and soaking up the world around him, and I am so excited to see what comes next.
"definitely more mischief!"
Today I heard Devin say his first word! It was "nai" which means "milk" in Chinese. Can you believe it? His first word was in Chinese, and I barely can distinguish my head from my butt in Chinese. It turns out that his babysitter, Mrs. Tran, has been teaching that to him. Part of me feels a tad bit disappointed that I -- his very own MOTHER -- didn't manage to teach him how to ask for the one thing that tames the savage beast in him. Well, I did say I was just a "tad" disappointed. The rest of me is just so delighted that he's got a vocabulary word for such an important request -- and that maybe now he can start asking for nai instead of thrashing about and trying to claw my eyes out.
Next I need to teach him how to say, "Mama it really itches right here behind my ears, my eczyma is starting to bother me in my elbows, particularly on my left arm, and I think that cream works but the bath soak does not..." At that point, my life will be so much easier, but he's gotta say it in English because I would need a translator otherwise.
So I think it's kind of cool that he understands some Korean -- particulary, "manseh," which of COURSE is a useful word to know because it means "goal" or more like, "gooooooaaaaal!" (His grandparents are red tees sportin' fans of Korea's soccer team.) But actually the word is more useful than I ever thought. When it's time for Devin's bath and I'm trying to undress him, a loud "manseehhhh" not only echos well in the bathroom, but usually elicits very rigorous arm-raising, at which point I whisk his shirt off over his head.
Speaking of baths, Devin does seem to understand that word in English. When he hears it, he sometimes will even drop the rug corner that he's been chewing on to crawl full speed into the bathroom. He pulls himself up at the edge of the tub, and begins systematically flinging his bath toys into the tub. Next, he will get up on all ten toes, and try to hoist his little leg over the edge, even when he's still fully clothed or when the tub is dry. In some ways, "bath" is the equivalent four letter word to "walk" which elicits a similar spastic response from Lucy at the front door.
AND, this evening as I was getting ready to take Lucy and Devin for a "w... a... l... k..." I patted the stroller seat and called to Devin, and he climbed into his stroller by himself! The kid is acrobatic. He can barely walk but he's pulling himself up and able to shift his weight to get that knee up over shoulder height. I was watching this, thinking that proportionally, this was equivalent to me climbing on top of a mini-van without the advantage of a running start. Isn't it?
Today was a lot of firsts. Seems like the past weeks (maybe even the past month) I hadn't noticed many new activities, and then Devin was sick for a bit. Well, he's fought off that virus now, and perhaps he's just catching up, I suppose, on all the things he probably wanted to accomplish. Funny and so amazing how quickly this all came at once. I love him so much even when he's not doing much -- like the times when he just sits on the floor and grunts while staring at the ceiling (go figure) -- but when he displays all these new activities, i am reminded that he is learning and soaking up the world around him, and I am so excited to see what comes next.
"definitely more mischief!"Wednesday, August 09, 2006
One down, a LOT more to go
That weird rash/eczyma thing all over my body was soon joined by a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing. One of life's most enjoyable activities for me is eating, and I couldn't even do that anymore. No more chicken, pasta, veggies, no more potatoes and rice. Not even milk. The only exception, the only thing I would eat: little Cheerios, like manna sent from heaven.
Mom and Dad took me back again to the doc because I wasn't sleeping/eating well, and also because that sandpapery, bumpy, evenly dispersed rash was starting to subside but in its place I was developing large red bumps like bug bites. The doc looked in my throat and found that I had blisters back there. Remember all that drooling and business about molars possibly coming in? Turns out it was probably the beginning of this virus, and the drooling was because I couldn't swallow. Since I didn't have blisters on my hands or feet, he ruled out hand-foot-mouth disease, and said it must be a throat virus. However, he still thunk that my bumps and "bug bites" are eczyma (this was after he read my chart saying I had eczyma and after barely even paying much attention to my skin).
Mom, however, in her non-medical opinion but armed with common sense and the ability for high-level deductive reasoning, thinks that they are related to the virus or the heat, and are in addition to the more classic eczyma symptoms I have in the folds of my elbows, neck and scalp. (And between you, me, and the internet, Mom hasn't been particularly impressed with my doctors these days. In fact she's been downright disappointed with them.)
The exciting news was that this viral diagnosis came from the doc just one day before my first birthday bash! The doc said that three things will make my eczyma worse -- hot baths, sun, and sweat. So it wasn't music to my doc's ears that my party was being held in a park. Right then, it became *vitally* important that Mom and Dad secure the prime spot of Clover Park not because this particular area had grouped tables and grills, but because it was *shady*. We decided that the party must go on, so Dad and Mom got up at 4:30 in the morning and staked out the place at the park. No one else on earth was determined (or crazy) enough to be there before dawn, so my parents won the prize.
After they covered the tables and unloaded all the BBQ gear, Mom went back home and Dad slept on one of the tables in a sleeping bag. It was probably the best stretch of uninterrupted sleep he'd gotten in a few nights -- until the police came. You can watch the full story on the next episode of COPS, but to make a long story short, they let my bad boy pop stay at the park because they were convinced that he truly was there to BBQ (bags of charcoal and party goods at his side) and not to sleep off a bad hangover.
Anyway, six hours later the party began! About 70 people came, and it was cool in the shade. I did pretty well, with little fussing despite my discomfort. Mom and Dad think that all the activity just distracted me from my throat and skin, and in the end we had a great time.
So thanks, everyone, for coming to my party, and thanks to Lau Lau for traveling all the way from Florida to be with me, and to Halmoni and Haraboji for making so much food -- critics reviewed that, "the meat was to die for."
By the way, if anyone took photos during the party, would you please send your photos to Dad or Mom? They were too busy eating and chatting to take very many pictures. But what we do have, you can see here in our Flickr account!
Mom and Dad took me back again to the doc because I wasn't sleeping/eating well, and also because that sandpapery, bumpy, evenly dispersed rash was starting to subside but in its place I was developing large red bumps like bug bites. The doc looked in my throat and found that I had blisters back there. Remember all that drooling and business about molars possibly coming in? Turns out it was probably the beginning of this virus, and the drooling was because I couldn't swallow. Since I didn't have blisters on my hands or feet, he ruled out hand-foot-mouth disease, and said it must be a throat virus. However, he still thunk that my bumps and "bug bites" are eczyma (this was after he read my chart saying I had eczyma and after barely even paying much attention to my skin).
Mom, however, in her non-medical opinion but armed with common sense and the ability for high-level deductive reasoning, thinks that they are related to the virus or the heat, and are in addition to the more classic eczyma symptoms I have in the folds of my elbows, neck and scalp. (And between you, me, and the internet, Mom hasn't been particularly impressed with my doctors these days. In fact she's been downright disappointed with them.)
The exciting news was that this viral diagnosis came from the doc just one day before my first birthday bash! The doc said that three things will make my eczyma worse -- hot baths, sun, and sweat. So it wasn't music to my doc's ears that my party was being held in a park. Right then, it became *vitally* important that Mom and Dad secure the prime spot of Clover Park not because this particular area had grouped tables and grills, but because it was *shady*. We decided that the party must go on, so Dad and Mom got up at 4:30 in the morning and staked out the place at the park. No one else on earth was determined (or crazy) enough to be there before dawn, so my parents won the prize.
After they covered the tables and unloaded all the BBQ gear, Mom went back home and Dad slept on one of the tables in a sleeping bag. It was probably the best stretch of uninterrupted sleep he'd gotten in a few nights -- until the police came. You can watch the full story on the next episode of COPS, but to make a long story short, they let my bad boy pop stay at the park because they were convinced that he truly was there to BBQ (bags of charcoal and party goods at his side) and not to sleep off a bad hangover.
Anyway, six hours later the party began! About 70 people came, and it was cool in the shade. I did pretty well, with little fussing despite my discomfort. Mom and Dad think that all the activity just distracted me from my throat and skin, and in the end we had a great time.
So thanks, everyone, for coming to my party, and thanks to Lau Lau for traveling all the way from Florida to be with me, and to Halmoni and Haraboji for making so much food -- critics reviewed that, "the meat was to die for."
By the way, if anyone took photos during the party, would you please send your photos to Dad or Mom? They were too busy eating and chatting to take very many pictures. But what we do have, you can see here in our Flickr account!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
My week with mama
Last week, papa went to DC for a conference. He was gone for 5 days, and during that time, mom sure did spoil me. Let's say she was just a big ole' sucker for my charming ways. It was so bloody hot during those days, so we had a fun time sleeping together in the living room where the A/C unit is located in our apartment. Mom also cleared off her entire calendar those days just to spend some quality time with me.
During all that heat, I developed a pretty bad rash which was followed by a couple of visits to the doctor's office -- and prodding and poking from two different doctors. There was some prescription cream involved, after which my bumpy, sandpaper textured rash turned hot pink with inflamation. Mom stopped the cream and after spending a couple of hours in front of the computer, she came back and started soaking me in the tub with clear tepid water. Ahhhhh...relief. I got some new tub toys to keep me occupied, and somewhere in the string of 15-minute long tub soaks, I learned how to blow bubbles into the water. And I also realized that I can dunk my face completely underwater and lick the bottom of the tub. But it's not all that fun actually, I don't recommend it as a hobby.
Along with the soaks, mom also started contributing to California's power crisis and blasting the air conditioner to keep my skin cool and dry during the heat wave. She also rearranged the furniture in the living room (where our wall-unit A/C is located) so that I was surrounded on two sides by sofa, one side by a chaise lounge, and one side by a heavy coffee table turned on its side.
It was her way of simulating my crib and keeping me in a confined and safe space, but ha! That didn't stop me -- most of the nights, mom slept on one of the three couches and I slept on the floor in the "pen," but a few times when I was supposed to be napping, I managed to crawl over the chaise lounge while mom was passed out on the sofa. Somehow she heard me scrape my spoon against Lucy's food bowl (how can she hear so well?), woke up, and ran over to whisk me away before I could get a bite.
In the end, the doctors say it is eczyma, or atopic dermatitis. One doc said I may outgrow it by the time I'm two years old, but another doc said I will probably have this (on and off) for the rest of my life! Well, I hope the first doc is right. Here, this photo should sum up my condition pretty well:
Today, back to day care.
During all that heat, I developed a pretty bad rash which was followed by a couple of visits to the doctor's office -- and prodding and poking from two different doctors. There was some prescription cream involved, after which my bumpy, sandpaper textured rash turned hot pink with inflamation. Mom stopped the cream and after spending a couple of hours in front of the computer, she came back and started soaking me in the tub with clear tepid water. Ahhhhh...relief. I got some new tub toys to keep me occupied, and somewhere in the string of 15-minute long tub soaks, I learned how to blow bubbles into the water. And I also realized that I can dunk my face completely underwater and lick the bottom of the tub. But it's not all that fun actually, I don't recommend it as a hobby.
Along with the soaks, mom also started contributing to California's power crisis and blasting the air conditioner to keep my skin cool and dry during the heat wave. She also rearranged the furniture in the living room (where our wall-unit A/C is located) so that I was surrounded on two sides by sofa, one side by a chaise lounge, and one side by a heavy coffee table turned on its side.
It was her way of simulating my crib and keeping me in a confined and safe space, but ha! That didn't stop me -- most of the nights, mom slept on one of the three couches and I slept on the floor in the "pen," but a few times when I was supposed to be napping, I managed to crawl over the chaise lounge while mom was passed out on the sofa. Somehow she heard me scrape my spoon against Lucy's food bowl (how can she hear so well?), woke up, and ran over to whisk me away before I could get a bite.
In the end, the doctors say it is eczyma, or atopic dermatitis. One doc said I may outgrow it by the time I'm two years old, but another doc said I will probably have this (on and off) for the rest of my life! Well, I hope the first doc is right. Here, this photo should sum up my condition pretty well:
Today, back to day care.
Monday, July 24, 2006
11.5
Well, seeing as I have so little time these days (been busy at day care) to post to my blog on a daily basis, I have to give at least a 11.5 month update.
1. Now eating spiral pasta with Mom's homemade mush: either chicken with sweet potato and apricot, or chicken with veggies. Mom cooks the chicken, then blends it with different combinations of veggies like carrots, celery, onion, zucchini, etc. She's going to try eggplant next.
2. Now with EIGHT teeth -- four on bottom, four on top. The drooling has started again, so I think the molars are coming in.
3. I have developed a habit of biting Mom's ankle and Dad's leg whenever I want to express affection. Watch out. Especially when the molars come in.
4. I took my first sip out of a straw a few weeks ago (no more sippy cups - been there, done that). Last weekend I figured out that I can blow bubbles and create some really nasty looking backwash. I also like to take a sip of water, then open my mouth, making me ready to enter a wet T-shirt contest.
5. I chase Mom around on the futon by crawling at her like a mad dog (see also #3 above), and I also try to crawl away from her when she comes after me.
6. I took my first step last weekend, then fell over right afterwards. A couple days later, I realized that I can take steps and NOT fall over if I hold onto the furniture. So I am officially cruising. Watch out.
7. I am now 31 inches tall. That, my friends, translates to 2' 7".
8. I now get my baths in the full adult "real" bathtub instead of the little plastic version.
9. When I hear music or singing, I bounce around.
10. When Mom or Dad read a board book to me, I can turn the pages on my own. I especially like turning the pages fast when it's a boring story, and I also like turning the pages back to the front cover to remember what we're reading.
1. Now eating spiral pasta with Mom's homemade mush: either chicken with sweet potato and apricot, or chicken with veggies. Mom cooks the chicken, then blends it with different combinations of veggies like carrots, celery, onion, zucchini, etc. She's going to try eggplant next.
2. Now with EIGHT teeth -- four on bottom, four on top. The drooling has started again, so I think the molars are coming in.
3. I have developed a habit of biting Mom's ankle and Dad's leg whenever I want to express affection. Watch out. Especially when the molars come in.
4. I took my first sip out of a straw a few weeks ago (no more sippy cups - been there, done that). Last weekend I figured out that I can blow bubbles and create some really nasty looking backwash. I also like to take a sip of water, then open my mouth, making me ready to enter a wet T-shirt contest.
5. I chase Mom around on the futon by crawling at her like a mad dog (see also #3 above), and I also try to crawl away from her when she comes after me.
6. I took my first step last weekend, then fell over right afterwards. A couple days later, I realized that I can take steps and NOT fall over if I hold onto the furniture. So I am officially cruising. Watch out.
7. I am now 31 inches tall. That, my friends, translates to 2' 7".
8. I now get my baths in the full adult "real" bathtub instead of the little plastic version.
9. When I hear music or singing, I bounce around.
10. When Mom or Dad read a board book to me, I can turn the pages on my own. I especially like turning the pages fast when it's a boring story, and I also like turning the pages back to the front cover to remember what we're reading.
heat sucks
OK, global warming sucks: this heat rash thing is getting a little out of control. Do you have any idea what it's like to have tiny, itchy, ugly bumps all over your body? And I mean *ALL OVER* your body? (yes, that is what I mean).
This morning, we were going to have a photo shoot with Marta, my photographer. We had everything ready for the shoot for my bathtub scene, my walker toy, and my arcade table...took *weeks* to prepare. And then I wake up today looking like a page out of a braille book! How am I expected to show up on Target print ads if I perpetually look like I've got measels? Sick little boys don't show up in Babies 'R Us ads. Do I have a chance? Not.
So Mom and Dad set up this crazy 3-fan system at home. The cool air relay goes something like this:
kitchen AC on high >
honeywell "vornado-type" fan directed through living room >
20" directed honeywell fan in hallway >
oscillating wall-mounted fan >
Devin sleeping a little better
Anyway, I hope this thing takes a long vacation...because I've got a BIG one-year party coming up! By the way, you're invited...but you've gotta RSVP! Drop me a line if you want to come.
This morning, we were going to have a photo shoot with Marta, my photographer. We had everything ready for the shoot for my bathtub scene, my walker toy, and my arcade table...took *weeks* to prepare. And then I wake up today looking like a page out of a braille book! How am I expected to show up on Target print ads if I perpetually look like I've got measels? Sick little boys don't show up in Babies 'R Us ads. Do I have a chance? Not.
So Mom and Dad set up this crazy 3-fan system at home. The cool air relay goes something like this:
kitchen AC on high >
honeywell "vornado-type" fan directed through living room >
20" directed honeywell fan in hallway >
oscillating wall-mounted fan >
Devin sleeping a little better
Anyway, I hope this thing takes a long vacation...because I've got a BIG one-year party coming up! By the way, you're invited...but you've gotta RSVP! Drop me a line if you want to come.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Eleven months!
Today I'm ELEVEN months old, and...
1. I'm increasing my vocabulary. I now say (repeatedly) "ta ta ta tah," "wowww," "dada," "hoooo," and "goooo." When I get sleepy and nuzzle my face into my blanket, I say, "goy goy goy goy." When I watch poker tournaments on TV with Dad, I say, "aaallll innnn!"
2. Mama and Lau Lau (grandma on mom's side) took me to the LA County Arboretum, where I saw peacocks, up close and personal. When one of them (the peacocks) started to squawk at me because he wanted my banana, I started crying.
3. I had my first auditions. One with Kindercare for a commercial and another with Target for print advertising. I was a shoe-in for Target, but the clothes were too big for me. I loved seeing all the lights and looking at all the new people, and I did a fantastic job just being myself.
4. I now have four teeth on the bottom row, and three up top. I am eating steamed veggies, tofu, avocado, bananas, chicken/turky and rice, and I love Cheerios. I tried eggs and yogurt this month, too, and after the yogurt incident, I developed a weird rash all over my body. Am I yogurt-intolerant? Hard to tell. That same day I also had sunscreen slathered all over my little body, and it's been extremely hot. So I'm not sure what exactly caused me to look like I barely survived a brawl at the local saloon.
5. I love to play with the wheels on my stroller. I often sit next to my folded stroller and spin the wheels for ten or fifteen minutes. Then I try to eat them.
6. I am showing no interest in walking, but I am really good at standing up. I can even stand without holding onto anything, for 1o-15 seconds. I can go from a squatting position with my hands on the floor to a standing position without holding onto anything, too!
7. I've been promoted to Size 4 diapers, and I got new shoes, too.
8. I understand "no" -- mama and papa certainly say it to me enough. When they tell me "no," I just shake my head to show them I understand but then continue to put electrical extension cords in my mouth, or assault mama's hand-painted decorative wooden ducks.
9. When papa says "GO Korea" in Korean, I raise my hands up over my head in victory!
10. My nap schedule is getting a little more regular - well, mama and papa are just beginning to figure it out. I wake up in the morning around 6:30, then I take a short nap around 8 (usually my car ride to my babysitter). I take a longer nap around 10:30, and then another nap at 2. Then, I take a short nap (usually my car ride home) around 5:30. The past week, I've started waking up and crying in the middle of the night. Mama and papa have recently been letting me cry myself back to sleep the past couple of nights. Last night, I cried for 40 minutes before I fell asleep.
1. I'm increasing my vocabulary. I now say (repeatedly) "ta ta ta tah," "wowww," "dada," "hoooo," and "goooo." When I get sleepy and nuzzle my face into my blanket, I say, "goy goy goy goy." When I watch poker tournaments on TV with Dad, I say, "aaallll innnn!"
2. Mama and Lau Lau (grandma on mom's side) took me to the LA County Arboretum, where I saw peacocks, up close and personal. When one of them (the peacocks) started to squawk at me because he wanted my banana, I started crying.
3. I had my first auditions. One with Kindercare for a commercial and another with Target for print advertising. I was a shoe-in for Target, but the clothes were too big for me. I loved seeing all the lights and looking at all the new people, and I did a fantastic job just being myself.
4. I now have four teeth on the bottom row, and three up top. I am eating steamed veggies, tofu, avocado, bananas, chicken/turky and rice, and I love Cheerios. I tried eggs and yogurt this month, too, and after the yogurt incident, I developed a weird rash all over my body. Am I yogurt-intolerant? Hard to tell. That same day I also had sunscreen slathered all over my little body, and it's been extremely hot. So I'm not sure what exactly caused me to look like I barely survived a brawl at the local saloon.
5. I love to play with the wheels on my stroller. I often sit next to my folded stroller and spin the wheels for ten or fifteen minutes. Then I try to eat them.
6. I am showing no interest in walking, but I am really good at standing up. I can even stand without holding onto anything, for 1o-15 seconds. I can go from a squatting position with my hands on the floor to a standing position without holding onto anything, too!
7. I've been promoted to Size 4 diapers, and I got new shoes, too.
8. I understand "no" -- mama and papa certainly say it to me enough. When they tell me "no," I just shake my head to show them I understand but then continue to put electrical extension cords in my mouth, or assault mama's hand-painted decorative wooden ducks.
9. When papa says "GO Korea" in Korean, I raise my hands up over my head in victory!
10. My nap schedule is getting a little more regular - well, mama and papa are just beginning to figure it out. I wake up in the morning around 6:30, then I take a short nap around 8 (usually my car ride to my babysitter). I take a longer nap around 10:30, and then another nap at 2. Then, I take a short nap (usually my car ride home) around 5:30. The past week, I've started waking up and crying in the middle of the night. Mama and papa have recently been letting me cry myself back to sleep the past couple of nights. Last night, I cried for 40 minutes before I fell asleep.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Summer is HERE!
LA Arboretum with Lau Lau
Peacock at the Arboretum
Picnic at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Cheerios from Karen
Melany and Victor's Garden Wedding
A talk with Papa
Fourth of July BBQ at the Hamlin/Weisman's
Help! David Hamlin's trying to put me on the grillThursday, June 01, 2006
Ten-month Update
1. I am a LOT more stable standing up now. Sometimes I can even let go of both hands. And I love to stand up. I even stand up in the bath tub.
2. I am beginning to share things. I pass my slobbery toys to mama, but never when she asks for it.
3. I am eating Stage 3 baby food. I'm starting to eat fewer times during the day, but am eating more at each feeding. I still drink about 24 ounces of milk each day.
4. I visited San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was a long drive up there from LA.
5. I've found a new game that I like to play: I put a cup on the lid of my plastic toy bin, then tilt the bin so that the cup rolls toward me. When it hits me in the head and falls off the toy box, I can pick it up and put it back on the box to start over again.
6. I play peek-a-boo over and under my crib railing.
7. I wear size 12-16 month clothing.
8. I got another haircut.
9. I am 98% successful at getting cheerios in my mouth.
10. I'm back on a regular night time sleep schedule (sleep by 9 pm, wake up by 6 am).
2. I am beginning to share things. I pass my slobbery toys to mama, but never when she asks for it.
3. I am eating Stage 3 baby food. I'm starting to eat fewer times during the day, but am eating more at each feeding. I still drink about 24 ounces of milk each day.
4. I visited San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was a long drive up there from LA.
5. I've found a new game that I like to play: I put a cup on the lid of my plastic toy bin, then tilt the bin so that the cup rolls toward me. When it hits me in the head and falls off the toy box, I can pick it up and put it back on the box to start over again.
6. I play peek-a-boo over and under my crib railing.
7. I wear size 12-16 month clothing.
8. I got another haircut.
9. I am 98% successful at getting cheerios in my mouth.
10. I'm back on a regular night time sleep schedule (sleep by 9 pm, wake up by 6 am).
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Nine-month measurements
Today I went to my doctor's office for my nine-month checkup. Same old, same old...you know, a lot of talking between the doc and my papa and mama about my sleeping and eating, along with some poking and weird lights in my eyes. Among some new news is that I can start eating cheese, yogurt, and cheerios this month. Next month, however, I get to eat eggs. Doc said my physical exam was "wonderful."
I now weigh 22 pounds and 8 ounces (85th percentile), and measure 29" long (75th percentile). The whopper of the news, however, is that my head is 18.75 inches in circumference (95th percentile). Yes, you read that correctly -- NINETY FIFTH percentile...Out of 100 boys my age, I am number 5 in line if you arrange us by the size of our noggins. My head must be really huge because Doctor Kaminker actually measured my head TWICE to make sure the first reading wasn't a mistake.
I now weigh 22 pounds and 8 ounces (85th percentile), and measure 29" long (75th percentile). The whopper of the news, however, is that my head is 18.75 inches in circumference (95th percentile). Yes, you read that correctly -- NINETY FIFTH percentile...Out of 100 boys my age, I am number 5 in line if you arrange us by the size of our noggins. My head must be really huge because Doctor Kaminker actually measured my head TWICE to make sure the first reading wasn't a mistake.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Transportation Demand Modeling, Lesson I: Mode Choice in China
For those of you who aren't transportation planners (or who don't have a mom who is), the title of this blog entry simply means the modes I used for travel to, in, and from China:
Papa and me, enjoying the bulkhead seats
BY TRAIN:
Our spacious train car
Aboard the Z-train from Shanghai to Beijing
Inside the subway station at Tiananmen Square
BY TAXI:
Pictured here with Uncle Eric and Papa
And notice: NO CARSEAT, WOW
Hired car and...
My own!
Looking around outside the Forbidden City
Getting ready to hike to the Great Wall (pictured behind us)
Powerboat ride on the reservoir along the Great Wall
BY PLANE:
Papa and me, enjoying the bulkhead seatsBY TRAIN:
Our spacious train carAboard the Z-train from Shanghai to Beijing
BY SUBWAY:
Inside the subway station at Tiananmen Square
Pictured here with Uncle Eric and PapaAnd notice: NO CARSEAT, WOW
BY PRIVATE AUTOMOBILE:
Hired car and...
My own!BY STROLLER:
Looking around outside the Forbidden CityBY HUMAN:
Getting ready to hike to the Great Wall (pictured behind us)BY BOAT:
Powerboat ride on the reservoir along the Great WallStay tuned for my next posting, which will highlight the new friends I made while traveling in China...
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Nine-month update
Here's what I've been up to this month:
1. I now have four bottom teeth, and little white spots showing on the top row. I continue to drool like a waterfall.
2. Just a few days ago (April 29) I pulled myself up to a standing position (see photo below). Later that night, Dad came to check on me to make sure I was sleeping, but he found me standing in my crib smiling in the dark. The next day, my crib mattress was lowered.
3. I haven't figured out how to sit back down, so when my legs get wobbly, I cry and wail until someone comes to help me.
4. I traveled to China for two weeks and saw Shanghai and Beijing. I rode planes, trains, taxis, and boats.
5. I now can say, "mama," and I say it whenever I want to see mom, or when I want food, or when I want to sleep, or when I want to play, or when I need my diaper changed. Mom says she's going to teach me new vocabulary words like "papa."
6. I scream in protest when anyone removes my toys.
7. I love to eat teething biscuits, rice cakes, tofu, avocado, and rice porridge.
8. I can sit by myself and eat in a highchair.
9. I am losing my cheeks (facial).
10. I have learned how to shake my head, "no!"
1. I now have four bottom teeth, and little white spots showing on the top row. I continue to drool like a waterfall.
2. Just a few days ago (April 29) I pulled myself up to a standing position (see photo below). Later that night, Dad came to check on me to make sure I was sleeping, but he found me standing in my crib smiling in the dark. The next day, my crib mattress was lowered.
3. I haven't figured out how to sit back down, so when my legs get wobbly, I cry and wail until someone comes to help me.
4. I traveled to China for two weeks and saw Shanghai and Beijing. I rode planes, trains, taxis, and boats.
5. I now can say, "mama," and I say it whenever I want to see mom, or when I want food, or when I want to sleep, or when I want to play, or when I need my diaper changed. Mom says she's going to teach me new vocabulary words like "papa."
6. I scream in protest when anyone removes my toys.
7. I love to eat teething biscuits, rice cakes, tofu, avocado, and rice porridge.
8. I can sit by myself and eat in a highchair.
9. I am losing my cheeks (facial).
10. I have learned how to shake my head, "no!"
We went off to China and when I returned...
...I stayed a few days with Halmoni (grandma on Dad's side). When I got home, I found that THIS happened to my room. It looks tons better now. Thanks, Dad and Mom, for finally decorating my place.
Stay tuned for pictures from our visit to China.
Stay tuned for pictures from our visit to China.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Mama's gettin' crafty
Mom made this taggy blanket for me. She spent about five hours cutting ribbons, deliberating on the fabric selection, measuring and cutting fabric, pinning, and sewing. I fell asleep that night before she was done with it, but when I woke up I found it in my crib next to me. I promptly ignored it.
I've got better things to do than play with the tags on this blanket, like gnawing on the wood of my crib like a little woodchuck, and figuring out how to bust out of the safety gate to my room like a wrongly imprisoned woodchuck. (Did you know a woodchuck is the same as a groundhog?)
Dad is modeling the blanket here, front and back. As you can see, he was pretty exhausted, too, after she made the blanket. He patiently pushed me in my stoller all around the fabric store while Mom turned the place upside down looking for something called "chenille." What the heck is that? She didn't know, either, but just knew it was soft...I'm not sure if she found it in the end, but she emerged from that chaos with something fuzzy.
Mom got the idea for the blanket (okay, okay, she simply copied it) from her friend, Yukari, who also gave us all that neat ribbon you see in the photos (thanks, Yukari!). Yukari's got a photo of her blanket on her blog, too. Maya loves hers!
I've got better things to do than play with the tags on this blanket, like gnawing on the wood of my crib like a little woodchuck, and figuring out how to bust out of the safety gate to my room like a wrongly imprisoned woodchuck. (Did you know a woodchuck is the same as a groundhog?)
Dad is modeling the blanket here, front and back. As you can see, he was pretty exhausted, too, after she made the blanket. He patiently pushed me in my stoller all around the fabric store while Mom turned the place upside down looking for something called "chenille." What the heck is that? She didn't know, either, but just knew it was soft...I'm not sure if she found it in the end, but she emerged from that chaos with something fuzzy.
Mom got the idea for the blanket (okay, okay, she simply copied it) from her friend, Yukari, who also gave us all that neat ribbon you see in the photos (thanks, Yukari!). Yukari's got a photo of her blanket on her blog, too. Maya loves hers!
I clean up pretty well
This photo was taken in early March at my Mom's cousin's (Chia-Wen's) wedding reception in Cincinnati, Ohio...just moments before I shoved the whole tie into my mouth.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
I'm EIGHT months old
Accomplishments this month:
1. I am now crawling forward, and can build up pretty good speed even though I'm dragging my belly on the carpet. By the time I've reached my destination I'm usually covered in dog fur.
2. I continue to drool a lot and I tricked my doctor into believing that my upper teeth were coming in. She said, "in the next day or two" -- that was three weeks ago, and still no teeth.
3. I sleep better at night when I've been at day care. When I'm home with Mom, I'm cranky in the afternoon and don't fall asleep easily at night. (What the hell is she doing to me?)
4. I eat finger foods. I can pick up little crackers. I'm 50% successful at getting a cracker into my mouth before it completely dissolves and turns to mush in my chubby grip.
5. I sneaked out of my room a few times when Mom turned her back - now Dad's installed a gate to keep me in my room. They have entered the world of child-proofing equipment.
6. I continue to meet other babies. Mom is looking for a Mommy and Me class to help me with manners, though. I met a baby three days younger than me; I crawled right up to him and gave him a head-butt.
7. I went to a sports bar and watched the Bruins-Gators NCAA championship game with Dad and his buddies. I had a beer. Mom's a Gator so we left her at home.
8. I like bubble baths.
9. I babble a lot when no one is listening.
10. I can drink water from a sippy cup, but most of it pours down my chin.
1. I am now crawling forward, and can build up pretty good speed even though I'm dragging my belly on the carpet. By the time I've reached my destination I'm usually covered in dog fur.
2. I continue to drool a lot and I tricked my doctor into believing that my upper teeth were coming in. She said, "in the next day or two" -- that was three weeks ago, and still no teeth.
3. I sleep better at night when I've been at day care. When I'm home with Mom, I'm cranky in the afternoon and don't fall asleep easily at night. (What the hell is she doing to me?)
4. I eat finger foods. I can pick up little crackers. I'm 50% successful at getting a cracker into my mouth before it completely dissolves and turns to mush in my chubby grip.
5. I sneaked out of my room a few times when Mom turned her back - now Dad's installed a gate to keep me in my room. They have entered the world of child-proofing equipment.
6. I continue to meet other babies. Mom is looking for a Mommy and Me class to help me with manners, though. I met a baby three days younger than me; I crawled right up to him and gave him a head-butt.
7. I went to a sports bar and watched the Bruins-Gators NCAA championship game with Dad and his buddies. I had a beer. Mom's a Gator so we left her at home.
8. I like bubble baths.
9. I babble a lot when no one is listening.
10. I can drink water from a sippy cup, but most of it pours down my chin.
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