Happy Anniversary

Yes, it's another anniversary for James and me. But this time, it is our 11th anniversary of being a couple. We don't really celebrate it anymore since we've been married (except for last year as it was a little more special). But I just think it's crazy that it was 11 years this day that James and I made the decision to date exclusively. Do you guys remember the term "going together?" Ha ha!!

Here is the first professional picture that we had ever taken. Wow, who are those youngsters!? {I had totally forgotten about this picture and mistakenly omitted it in our wedding slideshow. :( }

Our Future Longhorn

Last night after Papa's birthday, we went to Main Event with a bunch of Mommy's cousins to hang out and have some fun. Cousin Albert won this Bevo for us. It's so awesome! Thanks again, Albert!!!

*Note the hands of our future Longhorn. See how close he is and without any prompting from anyone. That's my boy!

This Day In History: Our Big News

I remember those segments during the news broadcasts back in the days called "This Day In History." Well, for today, it would be easy. Yes, it's my dad's birthday. But I remember a year ago today, we got the official word from the doctor that I was pregnant. I remember waiting anxiously later that afternoon to tell my parents. "Happy Birthday, Dad. You're going to be a grandfather again!"

Earlier today, James and I were reminiscing about that fateful day, everything that has happened this past year, and how our lives have changed. What a crazy, but incredible year it has been!

I wanted to post the picture of the ultrasound from that the doctor's visit that day, but can't because it is in storage. I will put that up another day. But for now, here is another picture of my dad and son.

Happy 60th Birthday, Papa!

Papa turned the Big 6-0 today!

Papa, Anh Tuan, and I started the day by playing tennis. Then, Daddy and Andrew walked to the tennis courts to see us for a nice little visit. Later that night, we celebrated with a nice dinner at home courtesy of Uncle Anh Tuan (Veracruz Striped Bass) and Cousin Tan (Kalbi (Korean short ribs). Cousin Albert and I served one of my dad's favorites desserts, Rice Krispy treats. I know, he's so easy to please.

Happy 60th Birthday, Papa! We love you so much! Here are some pictures of the birthday boy.

Doctor's Visit #3 - Four Month Check Up

We had Andrew's Four Month Check Up this morning.

Four Month Check Up Vitals:
- Height: 25 in (from 23 in at two month check up);
- Weight: 13 lbs 0.5 oz (from 11 lbs 2.5 oz at two month check up); and
- Head Circumference: 16 3/4 in (from 16 in at two month check up).

His height is still around the 50% range, but his weight went down to the 40%. But his head, it was down in the 60% range; however, still larger than average.

Dr. Isenhower says the slow down in weight is nothing to worry about. He's probably not gaining too much weight since he is an "active" baby. Well, he sure showed them this morning. A.J. didn't want to lay on his back while they were taking any of his measurements or evaluations. It was a sight to see him on the scale rolling over. {And Mommy without her camera!} After two attempts, the nurse didn't care anymore if he was on his back or stomach for the weigh in.

The nurses and Dr. Isenhower were impressed by his ability to roll over. Doc said Andrew is doing very well in all facets of his health. The fun part of the visit--she said Drew is ready for real food. The not so fun part--A.J. got three more shots, but did fairly well. He cried for a good bit, but wasn't too pissed off. My little trooper.

So, tonight was the night. My baby's first meal of solid food...but is rice cereal all that solid?! I think he did really well. He got the hang of it pretty good and seemed to enjoy it. We shall see how it goes tomorrow...

Here's the video so you can check it out for yourselves.

Happy Four Month Birthday!

Andrew is four months now and is growing and learning as fast as ever. James and I continue to be astonished by how much he continues to change--sometimes daily, it seems. We still have a pretty happy baby, but there are times where he will cry when he isn't happy. He definitely has a firm grasp that crying will change the status quo until we can figure out what will make him happy again!

Some of his current likes and dislikes as of late:

Likes

1. Books {he will even try to help turn the page and/or try to put them in his mouth};
2. Toys;
3. Putting anything in his mouth;
4. The television {we are trying to nip this in the bud!}
5. Exercising with Papa {video coming soon, I promise};
6. Lying on the floor so he can roll;
7. Standing {with our support, of course};
8. Sitting on our laps at the table while we are eating {by the way, he is so ready for real food};
9. Baths; and
10. Sleeping with Mom and/or Dad.

Dislikes

1. Car rides {boo!};
2. His car seat {please see Dislike #1};
3. His swing;
4. His bouncer; and
5. Whatever he deems unsatisfactory at any given moment including the Likes mentioned above.

Drew has also began to laugh/giggle and just recently learned to do raspberries. Sometimes, he will start to laugh when you laugh. I love hearing him laugh. Makes having to hear the crying somewhat tolerable.

Here is a video of him laughing a bit. I know it's kind of hard to hear. I haven't played with the camcorder enough; and I had to sit somewhat far away because if I was too close, he will tend to just watch the camcorder instead of doing what Mommy wanted to record.

Happy Birthday (again)!

Ballet Dancers

I am sharing some pictures taken by my mom for Cara and Emma's ballet recital on June 15th. Mom said the girls were great in their recital as well as their gymnastics meet that weekend. Sorry we couldn't be there. Hopefully, next time.

The Whole Night

Andrew slept the whole night through--from 10PM to 6AM straight. He has been seesawing between waking up 1-3 times a night. So, we aren't holding our breath as we know that this may have been a fluke. But a nice fluke at that.

Here is a picture of his first time sporting a cap taken this morning before our walk. Love it!!

A Boy and His Toy

Andrew's hand coordination is much more developed now. He places his hands on the bottle sometimes. But for more fun, A.J. is much more into toys now that he can grab them and of course, put them in his mouth.

Here is a picture of a boy and his new toy courtesy of the Armstrongs. He loved it immediately when Mom bought it home from her trip to Ohio.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy First Father's Day, Daddy!!

I am so lucky to be married to a wonderful husband who is an amazing father to our son. It melts my heart when Andrew sees his father and then smiles at him. I love it when James plays with A.J. and they seem so happy just to be together. Or when James reads to Drew. Just anytime I see them together, I am just amazed by how my love for these two men continues to grow.

And I want to say another special Happy Father's Day to my own dad, who never ceases to amaze me by his love and support for not only his children, but to our family. I love you, Dad!!

So, Happy Father's Day, Daddy, all the fathers in our lives, and to all the other Daddies out there.

Here is a slideshow of Drew with some of the fathers in his life.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Yes, today is my birthday. I am a year older. It sucks. Enough said.

Nah, it’s not that bad. Then again, don’t get me wrong, it’s not that good either. I just hate turning another year older. But I do have a lot to celebrate. I thought about how thirty-two years ago today my mom delivered me and how three months ago I delivered Andrew. I have a wonderful mom and a wonderful son. Mom and Dad, thanks for having me!!

I had a very nice birthday dinner with Papa, Ngoai, Uncle Footon, Aunt Hong, Uncle Hung, Daddy, and Andrew. I opted not to do anything too extravagant since Daddy has his CFA Level II exam tomorrow morning. Drowning my sorrows…I mean, celebrating will have to wait until a later, more appropriate time. Maybe tomorrow night, we can combine with Daddy celebrating no more studying and Mommy celebrating having her husband back!

Here's a picture of our Bumbo-Bee taken a couple of weeks ago. We thought it would fun to let Andrew try the Bumbo out and see how he fared. Not too bad, but he has some more time before he's ready for it. Also, here is a photo of Andrew with Papa from today.

First Haircut

After much deliberation and debate, we finally did it. We always knew we would have to cut our child’s hair sooner than later, but it was just a matter of when and how. As for when, we decided to do it tonight. As for how, Little Man got a fade.

He was good at first being quite still, but I think he got a little overwhelmed by Ngoai and Mommy trying to hold his head still for that long. He got a little fussy in the middle, but calmed back down towards the end. I am so glad my mom is a professional! It looks so much better now. No more mullet!! Hooray!

Here are some photos of the first haircut.

Road Trip

Just like the movie of the same name, Andrew’s first “Road Trip” was to Austin. We headed to the capital of Texas to celebrate Uncle John’s 40th birthday party. He was great in the car sleeping most of the way. As for the party, A.J. was good about all the people—some familiar and some not so familiar—around him oohhing and aahhing over him and holding him. He got to meet some more family: Aunt Sharon, Auntie Eileen (Doris’s sister), and Uncle Bill (Auntie Eileen’s husband), Mary (their daughter), and Adam (Mary’s husband). Andrew was a great little party animal sleeping for only about 45 minutes during the four hours we were there. He finally started getting fussy around eleven; then, it was time to go home. But we had a great time seeing everyone and celebrating with Uncle Johnny.

On Sunday, we met James’s family out for brunch where Andrew got to meet his cousins, Peter and Kathryn, both of whom were very sweet to him. That afternoon, we headed on the next leg of our road trip, which was to Dallas, where I had to report to on Monday for training for work. Mom was nice enough to agree to watch Andrew while I was in training. Drew did not fare as well as the car ride before. He had a meltdown about twenty minutes before our arrival to my Aunt Hoa’s house. Poor thing was just so overtired and did not want to be in the car seat anymore. I stopped the car at a gas station; and within two minutes, he was asleep. We spent the night there and got to hang with my cousins, Tan and Albert.

The next morning, I headed to the hotel where our training was being held while Mom stayed at Aunt Hoa’s for the day. That night, the Doans were kind enough to drop Mom and Drew off at the hotel. Then, MaryAnn, David, and Dina all stopped by the hotel to see the little man.

On Tuesday, MaryAnn picked up Mom and Drew and took them to a nearby mall. Later that evening, we headed to Grapevine to see my Grandma, my mom’s brother, and his family. So, Andrew got to meet even more family!!

Finally, on Wednesday, we headed for Houston. We stopped at McDonald’s and took Andrew out of his car seat so he can stretch his legs figuring that this might prevent any reoccurrence of a meltdown. What do we know?? Not much apparently. After we put him back in the car seat and started driving again, he started to cry inconsolably. I asked Mom to stop at the rest stop where I took him out and held him. He calmed down and after fifteen minutes, we started back up again. This time, he was much better. I talked, sang, and read to him for about an hour until he got tired and fell asleep.

Of course, we could have gone without the meltdowns, but we can’t say we weren’t surprise. I mean the poor kid had to sit in the car seat for over eleven hours in a five day span—not to mention the other shorter car rides in and around town. Am I scared to take him on another car trip? No, but I will definitely think twice before I do.

Here are some pictures of Andrew at the party with Auntie Eileen and Cousin Mary.