15 Month and End of 2014 Update!

First of all, Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!

Rachel's 2nd Christmas

She was happy to be with her cousins and grandparents

December has been a whirlwind of traveling. Actually it began in Nov when we drove up to the Bay Area to spend a Thanksgiving with the Zee side of the family

The women at thanksgiving

Auntie Flora, Delia, and Erin made sure Rachel had a great time with trips to the playground and duck pond

She even helped cook some of thanksgiving dinner...not!

Then we drove back to LA for one day. And left for London the next day.

Rachel's approved passport photo (used an app to take it)

Jet lag with a 14 month old was a new experience! She would wake up ready to party, but only for two nights in a row. Then she assimilated, which we are grateful for!

We loved the culture and unique taste of the UK

One of the most memorable parts of our trip was when we went to a children's Carol Christmas service at St. Paul's hammersmith: the entire service was for kids with Christmas songs and a "Dora the explorer" themed treasure hunt which was like a journey to find Baby Jesus in a manger. Kids were toddling everywhere and no one minded! The most relaxing church service with child ever!

 Rach attended her first "mums and tots" group at Justin's boss's church. The mums drank tea and ate brownies while our kids went wild with the toys. It was glorious.

For Justin's birthday, we went to whole foods for all you can eat sushi! How appropriate that they offered it on his birthday 

Hello Big Ben! It IS big.

Hook Em horns at Westminster abbey!

Justin's co-worker and wife hosted us with a traditional English lunch with minced pie for dessert!

Rachel got along great with her British friend, Sienna, who shared all her toys with her

Traditional steak and ale pie: a one-time meal for the trip. 

And that's a wrap on 2014! 

12 Month Update

How did we get her to lay still?

Secret weapon: lovie. Her soft hippo head attached to a small blanket. Can be used in long car rides and other situations where peace and quiet needs to be achieved.

Just like that, one year of Rachel's life is over, and life resumes as if she has always been here, at the center of everything. The sacrificing has become the norm, barely even a second thought (for the MOST part). We always swore we wouldn't be those parents whose lives revolved around their kid, but then you have your own kid and they are so utterly dependent on you, that you just do anything for them. I figure they can learn the world doesn't revolve around them when #2 comes along.

We got to celebrate her bday in style at Chickfila-she had her first ice cream, fried chicken nugget, cupcake, and chocolate cake, all in one week!

Laura made the cupcakes and Rita made the cute decorations on top!

Kathy, Edwin, and Allie came to visit! Allie loved Rachel, but Rachel is still learning how to be friendly!

Keeping cool in the summer = many trips to the local library (which has cool toys!)

Caught in the act

Texas forever (thanks aunt Kathy and uncle Edwin)

Rachel and Emi strategizing how to make some trouble

Gaby is the easiest baby to babysit. Ever!

Just being her charming self. She's going to walk soon

Cheesing it up with mommy

Thanks for visiting us, auntie ling! For feeding me applesauce and feeding my parents tender greens (yum!)

Family hike at Griffith park

Auntie Jeannie is the best! She lets me drink out of a big persons cup! Thanks for playing with me so much!

Hey! This is not how typical cake smashes go, right? ;)

And that's a wrap on the 1st year!

11 Month Update

Take 10: the closest shot compared to the past months

We regrouped and settled for this.

This just gets better and better!

Rachel is developing even more of her personality, now that she really knows how to imitate (like sticking out her tongue or scrunching her nose) and socialize. What a joy it's been to watch her discover new food, new people, and new surroundings.

What's been fun:

- loves Dancing and music! She shakes her butt and waves her arms (usually while pointing at the same time), and head bangs to the music

- Loves animals- she gets extra excited when she sees a bird or the frog Hopkins from baby signing time

- Bookworm! She looks at a book and signs "please" asking me to read it to her, which currently entails her flipping the pages as fast as she can.

- signing "please". In efforts to establish manners, we taught this to her and it looks like she is scratching her armpit, like a monkey, but it's close enough and consistent :)

- Fake laughing - to get your attention, Rachel likes to send a chuckle your way and see if you will chuckle back

- new versions of peek-a-boo: now she knows how to hide behind the couch and then pop out to surprise you! She also likes to cover her face and we say "where's Rachel?" Then she uncovers her face and giggles!

What's been not so fun:

- First Cold - Rachel got sick for the first time and had green snot for 10 days straight. That made for some pretty bad napping.

- Back Issues - it's been taking longer than expected for Mommy's back to heal, so Daddy has had to be both a Daddy and Mommy for this past month.

- fingers poking everywhere - her nose, electrical outlets, etc. The nose is cute, but the electrical outlets are dangerous! We are working on childproofing the house.

- Teething: when is she NOT teething? She was busy getting 4 more teeth in this month. (The two beside her front and bottom teeth)

Since Daddy has been spending a lot more time with Rachel, she actually cries when he leaves the room! It's the cutest thing because it shows how tight their bond is.

Here are some pictures of Rachel's 10th month!

Lots of little friends being born! Visiting little Cadence (1 day old)

Rachel dwarfing Weston, snoozing away

Saying "so long" to Nancy, who reminded us how we are "beloved by God". Needed to hear that!! Rachel was pretty psyched to hear it too!

We walked to the neighborhood Denny's. Rachel had a blast eating her first pancake!

Cruising around in her walker is part of her daily routine (thanks auntie Jeannie!)

Playing piano is also part of her daily routine (thanks Auntie Katie and uncle Chris!)

Selfie with Grace and Abby

Having such a blast with Aunt Tori

Swinging with buddy Kaylee

Playing with Caloway 

Daddy's been giving tons of baths!

Chubby fingers

Summertime means sunglasses, but Rachel says not yet

Loves to scrunch her nose with you

The Tiens visit from Houston! What a treat!

The bond grows ever closer :)

Twinsies with Abby 

I finally know how to use my sippy cup by myself!

In the middle of signing "all done" or waving - they look the same sometimes

Eat mor chikin! Tried her first grilled chicken nugget

Family time at Newport Beach

First dim sum! (Cheung fen and Lo bat gou)

She is pretty upset about diaper changes

She discovered goldfish this month and is quite pleased about it

Perhaps carbs are the way to this baby's heart

Getting excited about Baby Shu! Bunch of texans having Californian babies :)

Rachel and chubster Karis at Le Pain

Our good little napper has returned (or did she ever really exist?). Two naps a day, 1-2 hours each. We will take it as long as it lasts.