Camping out

Every night Lydia camps out in her bedroom doorway. She often time places her blanket down and lays on top of it, just waiting for Trung or I to put her back in bed. I think it's almost a game for Lydia, just getting some extra attention before day's end because she goes right to sleep afterwards. Here's the sleepyhead...

Tastes of Italy

Saturday, Lydia and Sophie had a playdate with Parker. The kids had so much fun playing with toys and with each other (Sophie, not so much the latter), while the adults chatted. We had a lovely dinner of oh so cheesy pizza and spaghetti with turkey meatballs...yum-oh!

Parker and Sophie socializing
Doh!


"How's the weather down there?"Catching a shot of Lydia in mid-air.

Know I know my ABC's...


A hug...and a kiss until we meet again. *muah*
Today we met up Henry, Susanna, and Ethan at Carino's for dinner to celebrate Chinese New Years. Trung and I got the special "dinner for two for $19.99", though we upgraded for a few dollars more. Not a bad deal with soup or salad, a full entree, and a mini dessert. I've noticed several restaurants have similar specials, probably due to this recession.

Day visit

My brother Mike came home from Dubai for a short one week visit this time around, so he only got to spend a day in Austin with us. We did our usual dim-sum and California Pizza Kitchen lunches, and I made dinner of shrimp cocktail, chicken marsala, and clam chowder. I tend to go all out when Mike comes to visit, so I think Trung really likes when Mike is in town. :) Mike's luggage got stuck in London on the flight home, so he didn't have the stuffed animal camels that he got the girls when he came to visit. We'll be sure to get pictures of Lydia and Sophie with their first camels next time we're in Houston. See you in April, Mike!

Bedtime reading with Lydia

Lydia enjoys "reading" her counting book almost every night before bedtime. Sit back, relax, and also enjoy Lydia's rendition of "Twinkle twinkle little star".

Hugs and Kisses

The girls are now beginning to quarrel; well, whatever you call a toddler pushing away a whimpering baby. Actually, I think it's called "sisterly love"...though, where is the love?

Oh, there it is!"Ha ha, big sister is napping so I'm going to eat her doll!" (Trung thinks Sophie looks good in blue, but probably because I rarely put her in that color)"Yippee!"I loved how Lydia used to kiss mirrors at her own reflection at Sophie's age, so I taught Sophie to do the same thing; now she can't stop! Sorry for the shakiness towards the end of the clip; I couldn't stop laughing.

Petite Pansy

I didn't realize how small Sophie was until we went to her nine month appointment yesterday. (The appointment was a couple weeks late due to a change in our insurance from Trung's job, thus a change in our pediatrician which I was not happy about). The baby is only 15 pounds and 7 ounces (5 %tile) and in the 25% for her height; for quick reference, Lydia was 18 pounds at this age! Sophie eats plenty, and sleeps 12 hours at night and 3-4 hours during the day, so I don't know why she's not gaining weight. The pediatrician is not concerned since Trung and I are "petite", so I'm not the least bit worried. Though tiny, girlfriend sure can move...

I did it!

I'm not quite sure exactly how it happened, but Lydia is now "going potty" on a regular basis! We got Jocelyn's old potty book during our visit to Houston during Christmas, and it has since become Lydia's favorite book. In the book, the little girl exclaims "I did it" when she learns to potty, so Lydia now always says "I did it, poopoo peepee!". We are still working on a schedule to teach Lydia to control her bladder because she has become a bit obsessed and wants to "go" all the time. The funny thing is she really can make herself go!

Celebrate!

Today we attended Kaitlin's first birthday party.

The number of kids in our little group is still growing. And to think, just three years ago it was just us adults!Lydia and Sophie had fun playing with Kaitlin's toys and with the other kids. Here is Lydia going down the row of guys sitting on the couch and playing the xylophone on their laps. She barely knew some of the guys too! hee hee

Then she and Jason feed each other grapes.
My girls!Sophie took a cap nat on the twelve minute drive home and didn't sleep a wink during her afternoon nap. She did surprisingly well at Fogo de Chao later where we celebrated my cousin Michelle's marriage.The newlyweds!
Cousins!

We've got flip

The girls have slight waves in there hair that they got from Trung. I was able to manipulate Sophie's hair with my fingers to create a "flip". Sophie didn't like it at first,but soon learned to accept it. :)

Confinement

Sophie may look sweet, but she sure makes a mess!

Play yard time! Where has our living room gone?

What have I done to deserve this? (drool, drool)"It's not so bad, Sophie", Lydia assures the baby.Lydia likes the new layout.

Making a mess

Sophie has been getting into everything lately. It just might be time to bust out the play yard, or what Trung like to call "the cage".


Lydia has been helpful in "tattle-tailing" when Sophie heads towards the TV or contributes her little hand prints to the screen. She pronounces Sophie's name quite well now, though it wasn't very long ago when Baby's name was "Soapy". Now if only Lydia can get her own name down...she might always be "Ya".