Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Isabel's New Ride



I got this for her 3 weeks ago and she loves it. She plays on it everyday. It's a toy that can be used 3 ways - first as a rocker, then as a tricycle with a handle I can push, then an independent tricycle when she gets older (I can remove the handle). very cool toy!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Playing with cousins

Isabel had so much fun playing with her cousins - Alec and Andy (Manuel and Dianna's son) this past weekend. Dancing, peek-a-boo, hugging, playing.


This collage is courteous of our talented Agnes. You can click on the collage to see a larger version



-Lei

Kittycat doll Isabel and Welcome to America Isabel Style

This is just too cute. She is getting more and more animated everyday. Enjoy!



- Lei

Isabel loves mommy's shoes



Monday, September 14, 2009

Labor Day weekend with Grandma Han


My mom got a last minute ticket to come and visit us over Labor Day weekend. Isabel had a blast. Even though she hasn't seen her in 4 months, I think she remembered her (maybe her voice). As soon as my mom came in, she just came to her and wanted to be held. Isabel let my mom hold her for a long time, which is unusual for her. Isabel was like that with us as well when we came back from Chicago.

I guess it's her way of expressing that she missed Grandma. The weekend went by very fast. The last two pics above was Tuesday morning right before my mom was leaving. It was almost like Isabel knew, because she was kind of quiet and sad all morning.

- Lei

So many changes in a month

Time is going slow and fast as I watch Isabel grow. She is only 16 months and has a whole life time of development ahead of her. At the same time, in the last month, she had some major changes
  • No more baby bottle - in one day, she transition to drinking milk from her sippy cup and drinking juice from a sippy cup too
  • Eating cheerios on her own - she loves cheerios. We get the low sugar, high nutrition kind. She can now pick up each one and feed herself. In fact, we bought a no-fill snack cup so she can walk around with it and eat on her own.
  • Want to feed herself - for her meal, she also wants to hold the spoon and try to feed herself.
  • She runs - When she walks with me to Safeway for example, she will run most of that time because she is so excited to be outside. Her running speed is a fast walk for me. I have to make sure to keep up with her. Those little legs are working
  • Very cautious about what she puts in her mouth - we are lucky she is very selective and doesn't just put anything in her mouth. Even new food, she will be tentative and only try it. This will keep her safer
  • She waves at people - to say hello or goodbye. Especially at safeway, she smiles at everyone and waves
  • She raises her arm to be held - She would run to me and hold out her arms to motion she wants me to hold her.
  • She knows when we are leaving - this is getting harder but we try not to make it a big deal. She knows when we are going out and not taking her. Sometime she cries a little
  • She understands a lot of things we say - She may not be talking much yet but she knows a lot of what we are telling her.
  • She "talk" all the time - in her own language. She will run on and on like she is telling us a lot. It will be kind of cool and scary when she actually speaks.
  • She is afraid of daddy - We always thought that I will be the disciplinary in the family but apparently we are wrong. I can't hold my disapproving face too long without smiling or laughing - not very effective. Jaime can and sometimes she would be crying and she would stop as soon as he walks in and see his disapproving face. She is still sulking but no sounds come out. It's so cute and amazing to see. I guess Jaime also has a deeper voice which seems scarier to her. She is also afraid of Grandpa, maybe for the same reason.
- Lei

Just hanging out with Isabel

I was reading the latest vampire craze book "new moon" on the bed. Jaime went out to get diapers (what a good daddy!). It was a rainy afternoon outside - damp but also warm. Isabel decided to come over and just hang out. I pulled her up to our bed (which is pretty high) and she just started playing with her new snack cup full of cheerios.

I was not tense like I usually am when she is on my bed - perhaps she is older and I think she knows not to try to jump off the edge or perhaps I just feel more at ease as a mom. I was not trying too hard to play with her (not secretly worried that maybe I am no fun for her). I guess I have been a bit like that ever since she was born.

I used to babysit for money as a teenager but after that my contact with babies and toddlers is minimal. Every time I did have contact, I always felt like I didn't know what they liked to play with, like I was too adult for them. I remember a time up to I was 20 when I was the head of the kids pack and everyone did follow me around and I played with them all. Well, I guess I transitioned to full "adulthood" and felt disconnected instead with most kids.

Yesterday was another transition I guess. I felt at ease being a mom. I knew I didn't have to try too hard to be with Isabel. She was just happy to be with her mommy (that' me - I still have to pinch myself sometimes on that thought). She would get up once in awhile on her feet like she was surfing and then fall on me or on our soft comforter.

I started also doing peek-a-boo with her using my book. She loved that and started giggling (a heavenly sound). I would read a little and she would pull my book down, so she can see me. The old me would have been annoyed by the constant interruption. The book is really good, but I was happy to just let her do whatever with me. Motherhood is teaching me to practice patience everyday. It also takes so little for her to be happy. She is just a happy kid. We are very lucky.

It was just a nice afternoon spending some time with my Isabel while reading. I am enjoying motherhood immensely with all its ups and downs. I highly recommend it.

- Lei

Friday, September 11, 2009

Isabel's first Photo Shoot

My friend JuanPablo graciously offered to take Isabel's photos with his fancy cameras, as her birthday present. We all had fun that day taking pictures. This was about 2 months ago.

Here are some highlights of the photos. We entered one of them in the Cutekid photo contest. Can you guess which one? Wish us luck. Enjoy the photos.


- Lei