Gabby and Isabel playing together

Isabel and Gabby are instantly good friends.  Emily, Roy, and Gabby are visiting for the long memorial day weekend.  They napped together, slept together overnight and now playing together in our living room.

Isabel - the Next American Idol - fireworks

New Orleans Remembered - Feb 2011

I went to New Orleans with my girlfriend Dawn in late February, a week before Carnival, for 4 days.  We were able to stay right in the French Quarter at a friend's condo - very centrally located to everything.  I finally had a chance to upload the photos.  Here are the highlights

- Oysters, oysters, oysters, yum - raw, charboiled, rockfeller style, all kinds

- big crab salad sitting on the 2nd floor balcony looking over French quarters on a sunny afternoon just chatting and catching up.

- Dancing the night away

- finding a lock smith at 4:30am in the morning (lost our condo keys oops)

- getting beads from strangers without flashing anyone (just smiling)

- giving away our beads to handsome strangers

- Dawn's expert bull riding skills

- cemetery tour (I know sounds morbid but quite interesting)

- walking around bourbon street (the bands on Sunday night were amazing in every bar)

- seeing some women over sharing themselves for beads

- the doggy parade (so cute)

- lobster dinner

- A wonderful hotel night stay (since we lost our keys the night before)

Isabel does home decoration

Check out her master piece of numbers and letters

Lei

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Isabel is back in the crib

She got this great tent that goes over her crib from tita tusa this weekend.  Ever since then she started napping and sleeping overnight in the crib again.  She hasn't slept in her crib since 9 months ago.

We has been trying to entice her back to the queen bed but no results.  She LOVES her tent and insists on closing the drapes on it when she naps or sleeps at night.  I guess she is learning about her personal space.  
Such a big girl now.

Lei

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Isabel's 3 year old Check Up

Isabel is a very healthy girl and had a quick check up

• 55% for weight (32lb) and height (37.5 inches).  I was surprised that height is only 55% but that's what she said
• Her eyes seem normal to the Dr.  She defers to Dr. Susan Day, the specialist and the Specialist we saw on April 16 says Isabel should outgrow it.  The only thing Dr. Hume (her pediatrician) asked was perhaps it was not eye related but a short seizure but when we described the symptom and show her the video of her playing the guitar, she concludes it's not brain or seizure related.  Dr Day's diagnosis is good
• Her skin also is normal.  Just keep putting lotion, keep her from scratching and only bath every other day. There is unfortunately no cure.

So it was a quick and short visit.  No shots today. We also got her paperwork for her pre-school.  Isabel is such a big girl now.  Next visit, next year May 7th after she turns 4.  ahhh...

- Lei

The Birthday Girl in Concert!

-Lei

Happy Anniversary to my Mama and Daddy!

For my Mama and Daddy. Happy Anniversary! I Love You! Hope you like my gift.





-Isabel

Isabel at Little Kickers

-Lei

Isabel can order her own food

A Big thank you from Isabel

Isabel wanted to say a personal thank you to all of you for her gifts.  See the video

Hugs and Kisses, Let's Play Soon!

Isabel

Isabel's 3 year old - Birthday Photo Story

As always, Agnes was brilliant in creating this photo story for Isabel.  She was able to include almost every child that was able to attend Isabel's birthday party at myGym today.  What a wonderful celebration.  20 kids and 30 adults.  Wow.  Enjoy the photo story!  This is also Isabel's favorite song - Just the Way You Are.

- Lei

My Dear Isabel - Happy 3rd Birthday

My Dear Isabel,

Happy 3rd Birthday.  I can't believe you are already 3 years old.  Time flies and it's been a treasure to watch you grow every second of every day.   While we are in charge of your growth, you are the one showing us the beauty, the innocence, and the brilliance of life.  It's an amazing perspective.

I am ever so proud to be your mama.  You have grown to be such a happy, imaginative, and clever girl.

• I love watching and listening to your laugh.  It's like the whole world is alive with happiness when you laugh.  I hope you will always keep a little bit of that sense of wonder and joy in life.  
• I love watching you figure out your puzzles.  I can tell that little brain of your developing logic quickly and it's wonderful also to see your face light up when you finish in triumph. 
• I even love it when I know you are using your charming, clever ways to get your way (like going to bed later, opening a toy sooner, get something you want to eat.)  It's just so cute.  Good things I am hip to your game (with Yaya's help).
• I love that you love flash cards and asks for it as a game you want to play over and over.  What an egg head.  such a mama's little girl :-)
• I love that you love to dance and sing - already such a musical girl. I know you will make good use of your new guitar from Lao Lao.
• I love that you are so affectionate and social.  You are generous with your kisses and hugs and you are not shy to approach little kids at the Ferry Market to play.  
• I love it that you are already speaking some Mandarin.  It's so cute and natural for you it seems to combine English and Mandarin with me.  I am so glad you are getting to learn my home language. 

I know I am suppose to teach you a lot about life but as your mama, I am so glad to learn a lot also from you as I get to see life from your eyes every day.  I am excited that you will start school 2 days a week in June - it's hard to think you will be by yourself from 9 to 4pm two days a week but I know it's time and you are ready.  I have to learn to let you go a little and let you develop to your full potential.  

Most of all, I wish you another year full of learning, laughter, mischieve, and adventure.  Every year it's a new experience and I can't wait to see what this new year as a 3 year old for you will bring.   I love you with all my heart and soul.

- Lei