Isabel the Performer

Isabel is getting to be such a big girl.  She starts to really remember all the lyrics even after hearing the song only once or twice.  Thankfully she really prefer female singer and most of the songs has been PG level.

Here she is singing and dancing to "What makes you beautiful." - Miss Isabel Mei Lapena

Indian summer

Weather is finally getting nicer in sf as we approach our Indian summer. Here are the girls by the pier having a little lunch and enjoying the sun.

A good dentist visit

Isabel is amazing at the dentist. She does not complain at all and is a perfect little patient. I am so proud of her. Results: no cavities, minor amount I plaque in certain areas. Dentist just told us to help her floss more as her teeth are close together and also insert our finger to move her lips out to brush hard to reach areas of her teeth (good luck to us on this last one)

A very good nap

Both kids sweat a lot when they sleep, although this is quite excess. Look like isabel had a great nap! :-)

Alexis stands up for the first time - on video

Alexis has been secretly standing up by Isabel's bed and by the balcony entrance but we have never been able to capture it. Well, today, I was sitting on the roller and she was fascinated and crawled right over and stood up. Thankfully she did this three times and I was able to capture the last time on video.

All is right in the world when Alexis laughs

We try to capture every chance we see Alexis laugh. It's surprising what makes her laugh but the sound is so delightful and pure. It always warms my heart. Here she is laughing at a ball hitting her in the face.

Jay the Baby Whisperer

Our friends Jay and Tonia and their daughter Sydney all became good friends of ours when they first moved to SF two years ago.  Sadly, they had to move back to Colorado six months ago and now only gets to visit her once or twice a year.

Here we are meeting up with them at one of our favorite restaurants - Delancey Street.  It's the first time they have seen Alexis and usually Alexis is scared of strangers, especially men.  Well, apparently Jay is an  exception.  She was happy as a clam in Jay's arm just smiling and laughing.  I couldn't believe it.  check it out.
You also see Sydney and Isabel so happy playing together. It's too bad they don't live near us any more :-)

Fairfield Water Park

Isabel dunked her head voluntarily for the first time in the pool. This is a great pool in Fairfield called Allen Witt Park. Isabel loves the kiddie slide and Agnes and I love the big slides. It's only a 45 min drive from SF and with carpool lane there was barely any traffic.

Alexis loves to sit and smile

Being on the table is even better. A while new perspective.

Isabel and Alexis love beard papa

Beard papa is a dessert that is a pastry with fresh cream inside - strawberry flavor is the best. Not too sweet and do easy to eat. Even Alexis love it. Here she is wanting more.

8 oz water equals tom&jerry

You are probably wondering what this is about. In a word - bribery of a 4 year old. Isabel does not like to drink water. But she LOVES TV. So we realized that the reward system works on her much better than punishment.

Drink 8oz of water in 5 min and she gets to watch Tom & jerry for 30 min.

So far it's working. :-). Figure crossed.

Lei
Sent from my iPhone

Another great day in Fairfield

I took Wednesday off and took the kids to Fairfield for the day for the farmers market and the water park. We got great produce from Larry's produce and isabel had a blast at the water park.

Even agnes and I had fun as we went a few times on the big kids slides. Ling Ling slept the whole time at the water park until the very end here where she posed for nice photos with mommy with a very rested smile. ;-)

Lunch with Bito and Bita at in &out burger

Crawling with curiosity

Alex is crawling super fast now but not on all fours (see video 1). She looks more like a seal when she crawls and super fast. She is fascinated with everything on the floor level. Since iphones can record from the front camera, this second video is of her looking at herself on the phone. Lei

Riding the Puffer Train at the zoo

For Calista's party, all the guests got free passes to the zoo and the puffer train.  Here is Gavin and Isabel really enjoying the train ride.

Update: new old toy

We just pulled this toy out of storage and Alexis is fascinated. Bita and bito bought this for Isabel on her first birthday. Amazing how time flies and now Alexis almost ready to use it.

Big Ronen turns six

While he was too busy playing to take a photo with isabel. Isabel had a blast at his party with balloon wings, pirate ship bouncer, and watching a show

A very happy Alexis

Feeling of motherhood

Sometimes I am still in disbelief that I have two kids. I feel like I still am trying to figure out life and who I am. But motherhood has been a true gift of life so far. I get this indescribable feeling of love and joy from my kids.

I think this picture can best describe how I feel about motherhood - a sense of peace, joy, and love all at once.

Lei

Alexis sat up by herself yesterday

For the first time.

Great day in fairfield

I took the day off and took the kids and agnes to Fairfield. Here are the highlights
- Larry's produce is literally a market by the farm. Everything is fresh and cheap, even cheaper if you pick it yourself. We picked 10 little peaches and some eggplants. Only $1.80 total. Also bought a tons of fruits and Veggies. We also bought whole BBQ chicken and cantaloupe and horchata agua frescas for lunch.
- next we went to the water park in Fairfield. You can see the photos. A kids heaven. The water is only 1-2 feet high. There was also slides for larger kids. I went on them once pretty fun. We are all exhausted but had fun and a nice tan.
- only took 50 min to get there. No traffic. Carpool lane and fasttrak helped as well.

New digs

We finally put the crib back in isabel room so they are sharing sleeping space now and we can have our living room back. It's so nice not have to tip toe around in the dark after 9pm

And both rooms looks great. Isabel is being a really great big sister and love it that her little sister is sleeping in the same room now.

Alexis has adapted pretty well as well. Only woke up once becoz big sister was whining in the middle of the night. So far so good.

Only downside is isabel and Alexis wake up by 630 or sometime earlier. Once one wakes up the other will as well.