A whirlwind holiday

Whoa -- is Christmas over already? It's been a hectic few weeks! We've been busy:

• Being sick.
• Visiting with Judy, P'ng, and Kaixiang. Having four kids around has put a new slant on our family gatherings. We take comfort in the fact that we'll be able to have a nice, quiet sit-down dinner as an extended family in about fifteen years.
• Going to Talan and Tyler's birthday party. Wei Wei couldn't wait to tell Po Po that he got to see a magician, pet a bird, and got a balloon twisted to look like Elmo.
• Celebrating Christmas. We have no idea where we're going to put all of Wei Wei's new toys. I have a feeling I know the solution: his stuff will continue to take over the house. He loves all of his gifts, but has been spending extra time with the digital camera (he's unfortunately inherited our (lack of an) artistic eye, judging by his photos), Hess truck with motorcycles, crane with power tools, and race track (Jerry had to number the track pieces to be able to put it together again -- apparently we're not smarter than a five year-old).
  
  
  

Complete Wong Throng

Judy, P'ng, and Kaixiang landed last week, so the Wong Throng is represented in totality in New Jersey. Unfortunately, we haven't been the healthiest bunch. We've all been battling a combination of nasty colds, coughs, flus, and stomach viruses. The Leonia branch has had it the worse (everyone has been hit there). Poor Audrey. I really thought that we would have to celebrate the holiday through conference calls.

The only healthy ones have been Jerry and Mom. My theory is that they are too ornery to get sick.

Still, it's been a great time, although it feels a bit more hectic than usual and a lot more logistics to figure out. We were all together this afternoon and it seemed to be mass chaos . . . although maybe it was the sheer quantity of food and the food stupor we were all in.

We should have some good photos and will post some soon . . . hopefully before Memorial Day (ha-ha-ha).

Raising a 16-year old daughter

If, for some reason, Garrick is ever a 16 year-old girl I will be ready. He is currently fascinated with horses. Yep, horses. Specifically, he likes a video on Youtube posted by a 16 year-old girl. The song really makes it something every boy would love.

You really only have to see the first 30 seconds to get the idea.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUJOY7y_8QQ

and his response

Wei Wei watching his video turned out to be more fun than the actual video.

A Christmas Greeting

I was trying to have Wei Wei do a video Christmas card but I ended up with this. We hope to have more soon.

Too much time on our hands

We managed to get Wei Wei into bed at 7:30pm. That's right. 7:30pm! A short list of our activities follows:

1) ate 3/4 of a bag of Smartfood.
2) ate 2 pieces of banana bread (homemade)
3) watched an episode of Project Runway
4) talked to various Wongs on the phone
5) ate a bowl of ice cream
6) surfed the web for great things like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_3Utmj4RPU&feature=related

7) learned that Natasha Bedingfield is a white girl--this has an entire back story
8) played Snood
9) updated the blog

At least he's wearing it

There's been continued interest in underwear (good news). He's worn them to daycare for two days in a row now (good news). He's also told me that he won't use the toilet at daycare -- he only pees in the toilet at home (not-so-good news). And he's kept his word. He's wet his pants both days, though not until after lunch! That's some pretty impressive bladder control.

And we think he's been secretly reading Justine and Vasco's blog, as he's been showing some pretty impressive 'tude lately. Everything seems to be a battle. Jerry and I think we should come up with some sort of scoring system to rank the tantrums and "compete" with the twins and others in a Tantrum Tournament (we could do single-round elimination or a round-robin format).

False glimmer of hope

We're just starting on this journey of toilet-training, I think. While Wei Wei's been using the potty (to pee) here and there, he hasn't shown too much interest in it (or the many things we dangle in front of him as an incentive, though he can recite them all).

After he peed in the potty this morning, out of the blue, he said that he wanted to wear underwear.

Excuse me?
Was this it?
Was this the start?

Nope, only a false alarm. He wore underwear for a total of three minutes (no exaggeration), then wanted a diaper again.

Oh, well.

November activities

November has been busy. We went to the coolest birthday party ever -- Ethan had a REAL fire truck at his party. Boy, was that a hit. That's going to be tough to beat. Ethan's mom said that next year they're going to play it low-key and go to Europe for his birthday instead.

Wei Wei also got to see Sophia and Colin. Sophia is a month younger than Wei Wei and they hit it off fabulously.

Thanksgiving was great -- we went to Auntie Amy and Uncle's Jerry's house. It's nice to spend it with family. Even the Nathan and Kyle went (for a while, at least).

Halloween Pics

Some Halloween-themed photos of Wei Wei (as himself and as a tri-athlete). Even though we only went to 15 houses, for some reason, Halloween seemed like a very long night. He hasn't quite gotten the knack of trick-or-treating, but had a fabulous time trick-or-treating with Ethan and visiting Jen and Charlie.

Even Jerry got into the action -- here are the boys, putting their fierce game face on.

A few of Wei Wei's favorite things

They did a list in daycare and these were Wei Wei's responses:
Favorite book: race car book
Favorite movie/tv: race cars
Favorite animal: horse
Favorite sport: race cars
Favorite color: red
Favorite food: macaroni and cheese and helicopters
Favorite drink: juice and milk
Favorite toy: Halloween toy
When I grow up, I want to be a: giraffe
My family: Wendy, Daddy
Favorite parent: Terrance the tractor (we added this question)

Questions? He's got 'em

Wei Wei entered the question phase a while ago (why? why? why?), but he's been saying and asking the funniest things lately. Some of our favorites:
Can I put ice on my feet?
Why isn't our car full of frogs?
Can we see what's on tv?
Are robbers bad?
Why is this toy so happy?

And last night Jerry asked Wei Wei to read him a book. Wei Wei happily obliged -- he fetched a book and they sat on the sofa together. He opened the book, looked at the page, then turned to Jerry and said ,"I can't."

We're still here

August to September was busy and September into October seemed to be even busier! We went to California for a week's visit. Spent the first half in San Francisco and the second half in Los Angeles. The main purpose was to visit Judy, P'ng, and our main man Kaixiang (now almost one year old!), but other highlights of the trip include:

Train ride in Tilden Park
Watching the sea lions off Pier 39 (they are a noisy and raucous bunch and don't smell that great)

Seeing our relatives in San Francisco: Yin Yin, Mark, Luke, Whin Whin, Khin Khin, Amy, and Spencer (not Wei Wei's finest moment, as he was terribly jet lagged at that point). We also got to visit auntie and uncle in San Francisco by the marina -- they had a train set for Luke and Spencer's visits, so Wei Wei was in heaven.

Visiting cousins Ken, Diana, and their kids (Kristin and Kenneth) in Davis

Seeing Sue and watching airplanes take off and land

Seeing all of our cousins in Los Angeles-- we all packed on the weight because where there's family, there's food. And there was a lot of family and a lot of food. Burmese food, Korean tofu, homemade mohinga, and Chinese food. We were in heaven.

Picking persimmons from cousin Jing Chi's backyard -- we managed to bring back a whole box! (Dad was happy about that too!)

Navigating the flight from SF to LAX and then from LAX to NJ. People have scaled Mt. Everest with less luggage. Judy and I were quite the sight.

The past month was really busy.

I just noticed that it has been over a month since we posted anything on the blog. Wow, we must have been really busy. We did manage to squeeze a lot of activity into the past 30 or so days. The biggest event was our trip to North Carolina for the annual Weedville extravaganza.

A whirlwind weekend

We were very busy this weekend. We had an end of summer party at Garrick's daycare, followed by an evening out with friends and finished things off with a trip to the Jersey Shore. A photo montage follows (I always wanted to use montage in a sentence!).

Wei Wei's new look.

We had Wei Wei's hair cut. He is now a little more trendy. The photos are not the best but I hope everyone gets the idea!

Kaixiang's triumphant return

The Wong-Loke contingent from California came to visit last weekend. Kaixiang is clearly thriving -- he is a whopping 20 pounds and looks like a giant next to Kyle and Nathan. We had a great visit. We did put P'ng through his cooking paces and found that he is a pesto-making master and pesto-making machine. Delicious and potent. Jerry's been on a serious kick on it. Mom and Dad were in their element -- all four grandsons together!

The Torlucci's in Bloomfield

Joanne, Mark, Carina, and Sophie were in New Jersey to visit Mark's family and stopped by our house for a visit. Wei Wei loved playing with the girls -- they played t-ball and in the sandbox. We hope they remember how much they loved living in New Jersey and move back . . .

Here are a few photos of Wei Wei and the girls.

Lots of boys and one girl

We saw the Lims and the Mahr-Wongs last weekend to meet Brandon, Salena and Walt's three-week old. He is cute as a button with a ton-o-hair. (Seriously, that boy has a lot of hair.) The four Lim boys were also there. Wei Wei LOVES the Lim boys -- they are playmates to run around with (well, not with Talan, Andrea and Loi's youngest).

Poor Siena is the only girl out of the group. She is way, way, way outnumbered right now.

We all think Mattox should get crocs -- he looked adorable in Siena's yellow ones, although Loi didn't really agree. . .

We managed to corral most of the kids onto the sofa (Talan and Brandon are missing):

The next David Beckham!

Wei Wei in his hip soccer wear and new sunglasses! (Thanks to Jake, who shares his same birthday, same year!)

Daycare Graduation

Three boys are "graduating" from daycare this summer -- that is, they'll be going to kindergarten in September. They had a graduation ceremony recently and everyone got to participate. It was a hot day and the heat seemed to wear on Wei Wei, as you can see from these photos. Poor thing was so sweaty.

Walking Wounded

It hasn't been a kind week to the Wong-Fuller compound. Match the ailment/affliction to the family member:
1) Pneumonia
2) Intestinal distress, possibly caused by rogue Veggie Booty
3) Bloody nose
4) Two broken toe nails and a huge lump on the shin from falling down the stairs
5) Fever
6) Sore shoulder and back from sleeping on Wei Wei's floor
7) General crankiness (although this hasn't been limited to just this weekend)
8) Sleep deprivation

Answers:
1) Jerry
2) Jerry again
3) Wei Wei (after head-butting me in the back of the head)
4) Wendy
5) Wei Wei
6) Wendy (I was just too tired to argue)
7) Wei Wei, mostly, although we could all be guilty of this
8) All of the above

We just can't wait to see what this next week will bring -- bring it on . . . . we ain't skeered.

Surprise visitor from Florida!

Wei Wei, Xiao Yi (Ali), and I went to see Met Opera concert at our local park on Friday night. Wei Wei did great for the picnic/pre-party and managed to sit through about 45 minutes of the opera before he got bored. That's not bad. We took a quick walk and watched some more before we left at intermission (or what we think was the intermission). Thank goodness they publish plot summaries in the program. Tough enough to follow opera, let alone with Wei Wei beside you.

So we head back home and get Wei Wei in bed. Jerry had left me a note that he went to the movies and in he walks in around 11 pm -- with Joanne! He flew her in as a surprise! So Joanne spent the weekend with us and it was wonderful. Jerry even made spa appointments for us, so we had a massage on Saturday afternoon. She headed back home on Sunday afternoon and we miss her already. Wei Wei was taking a nap when she left and he asked for her when he got up.

I informed Jerry that I will be re-upping his contract for another year.

Everyone loves bubbles

Over the past weekend, we all went outside and played with bubbles. Everyone loves bubbles.

Nathan and Kyle

Here are the first photos that we've received from Audrey and Badri. Like they're busy or something. Puh-leeze.

Nathan is on the left and Kyle is on the right. We think they are the cutest things ever. Can't you tell they are thinking of their Auntie Wendy?

Pavarotti...well not really

Garrick is practicing for a recital at daycare. I think he still needs a little more practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ49yDNC8sc

Update -- Twins and Bulldozer

Nathan, Kyle, and Audrey were happily all discharged from the hospital on Sunday. Mom is staying with her and Badri to help out. As you can imagine, feeding, burping, and changing the boys is an all-day job.

And also happily, we were able to find another green bulldozer!! Wei Wei also fell in love with a police car. He didn't seem too interested in the bulldozer after seeing the police car, but we weren't taking any chances. He has too good a memory.

Crisis averted . . . whew!

This weekend's lesson: buying a small, inexpensive toy seemed so harmless at the time, but buyer beware! It turned into two trips to the store, another new green bulldozer, a police car, and then cancelling an internet order for a green bulldozer (Jerry wanted insurance).

The Green Bulldozer

We went to the store yesterday and while we were there, bought Wei Wei a green bulldozer, which he loved. And in what I'm sure will be the first of many instances like this, we think he left it in the restaurant last night. That's got to be a record -- purchased at 4 pm, lost by 7 pm.

So . . . . he's getting ready for bed and looking for his new green bulldozer. Jerry and I are searching the house, the cars, the garage -- everywhere for the darn bulldozer. So I go back to the store last night and OF COURSE they don't have anymore. I buy another bulldozer.

First thing Wei Wei says this morning: "I WANT MY NEW BULLDOZER!"

Houston, we have a problem. We try and break the news to him gently. We show him the alternative bulldozer and tell him how cool it is.

He does not buy it. He hands me the new bulldozer.

"I don't like this bulldozer. I want my green bulldozer."

We're now all getting dressed, prepared to visit every Kohl's in the tri-state area to look for another green bulldozer.

Cousins!!!

We have new twin nephews! Audrey had a scheduled c-section on Wednesday, May 30.
Nathan -- 6 lbs, 3 oz -- 19 3/4" long
Kyle -- 4 lbs, 13 oz -- 19" long

They are soooo sweet, cute, and cuddly, as only newborns can be. All of a sudden, Wei Wei looks like a monster next to them. He is not that impressed. I think he senses they will be competition for attention.

Audrey is scheduled to be discharged today, but we're not sure yet whether the twins will be able to go home with her. Due to Kyle's size, he may have to stay in the hospital a little longer. We'll know more later today.

Our Indy Visit

We went to visit Indiana last weekend. Wei Wei got to see Grandma and Grandpa Fuller, Auntie Laura, Amanda, and Dallas. He spent the weekend playing with dirt and water balloons and even got to see some real chickens (courtesy of the Fuller's neighbor).

Mother's Day Weekend

Our activities included a picnic in the park, playing with dump trucks, a hair cut and lunch on Sunday with the whole family (that is present in NJ of course). Here is a quick photo diary of the weekend

For Pete's Sake

Can someone tell me how to get Wei Wei to sleep with some semblance of a routine. As I write this post, it's 9:50pm and he is upstairs screaming like I'm killing him. He's been doing it for almost 1.5 hours. This, for better or worse, has become the daily spectacle that Wendy and I face. I think I should seriously consider valium for me or for Garrick.....end rant.

I am also, at times, amused by the array of excuses he comes up with to try and lure me back into his room. I will start a list because it would probably make for a funny blog. His originals for today were: "I want to wear Ba Ba's shirt", "My (fill in the blank) hurts", "I don't like this pillow", and so on.

On the bright side, he is great the rest of the time.

MMMMUFFINS

Wei Wei loves muffins!!

Rain Rain and More Rain

Yep, 5 inches so far today and more to come. You could literally float a boat in the yard. Nice Spring so far. Didn't have anything important to post but I wanted to put up a few new pictures to keep the Grandparents up to date. Nothing special about any of the photos except that I liked them!

Today's Funny Quotes

I was sitting with Wei Wei today playing with his trains when I noticed that he had a very prominent rear-end, between his jeans and his diaper, a.k.a "toddler butt." I said to Wei Wei "You have toddler butt today" and Wei Wei responded by doffing his Mickey Mouse hat and saying, clear as a bell "Yes, I do."

He has also started to refer to Wendy and I as "Hey guys," which I can only assume comes from his day care. On that note, I will now blame any phrase that isn't exactly cool for a 2-year old on the day care center.

I also took Wei Wei to the lab today for standard bloodwork. Our pediatrician tests all kids his age for CBC and lead. He did really well. He did cry a lot during the big event, but he pulled it together when I produced a new toy for him. He's been doing well since we got home. The next task is to get the bandage off!

Happy Easter

We tried to get this up on Easter, but we are running a little late. Story of our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CTrhh6gI20

Wei Wei's New Wheels

After turning two years old in February, Garrick couldn't wait to have more freedom. He began to dream of the wind in his hair and the sun on his face (although not in his eyes). As spring drew closer, he decided that he must get a new tricycle and hit the streets of Bloomfield to fulfill his dreams. After much searching and deliberation (translated- how can I sucker Mom and Dad into a new toy), Garrick found the object of his toddler affection. She was red with yellow handle bars and a yellow dump bucket. It finally arrived and was assembled by Mr. Goodwrench (AKA- Ba Ba). The next day Garrick took to the streets. We were lucky enough to get some photos of the big event.