Vanilla wafers

Xiao Li has been in a MOOD lately. Seems like every pic we've taken of her has her scowling or pouting or crying (or some combination). Here are a few from earlier in the month when she was in a good mood. This was her having her very first cookie. She is her daddy's girl.

Chatterboxes

Wei Wei is a talker -- the only time he's quiet is when he's asleep. Looks like Xiao Li is going to be the same. At 14 months, she's already got quite the vocabulary:
> Ma Ma
> Ba Ba
> Ge Ge (brother)
> Wei Wei
> Po Po
> Mei mei (little sister -- Kaiyi)
> Bye-bye
> Hi
> Ni ni (milk)
> Bao (pick up)
> Mao (cat)
> Go go (dog)
> All gone
> Elmo
> Wei? (Hello?)
> Patti
> Kyle

Artwork

Jerry has a new adornment -- that's right, here's his newest tattoo. Actually, that sounds like he has a ton of them when this is only his second. He already has a tattoo of the monkey king (Wei Wei's zodiac sign). Xiao Li's zodiac sign is a rat (not as cute), so he got a phoenix, which represents the female.

This is only part I. He needs to back for part II for more coloring.

Halloween pics

I still can't believe that it's already November. Here are some pics from Halloween of our ninja and cow (and pumpkin).

Wei Wei has been in fine form:

• Do the Wonder Pets brush their teeth?
• When Ma Ma goes to Africa and Ba Ba buys his Ferrari, can I get a metal detector? [These were Jerry's conditions, not mine.]
• Those shoes are adorable.

Jerry is sitting here with his leg shaved. Tattoo tomorrow!

We have real lift-off!

Xiao Li took her first steps today (that we know of, at least). A few steps at daycare, then a few more at home.

We're still here . . .

. . we've just been busy!

Is it me, or is it hard to believe that it's already mid-September? We had a great summer, although it went by too quickly (which is always the case).

Judy, P'ng, and Kaixiang are now officially NJ residents. We love them having them around. It's a hoot to see all four boys run around together. Xiao Li is going to have to work hard to keep up with them! (As is the future Wong-Loke baby girl.)

And in other big news, Jerry turned 40 and Xiao Li turned one. Here are some photos commemorating the big events. Happy birthday!

Budget Friendly Summer Fun

This goes to show that you don't need much to make a four-year old happy. I guess the water was a little cold . . .

Houston..we have lift off!

Here she is with her best attempt at crawling. I give her points for creative form.

I love Pablo

Here is what you've been missing.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

We've been lame in posting photos, so here are a couple from a few weeks ago when we had a nice weekend.

Xiao Li is still eating like a lumberjack. At her eight-month appointment, she was almost 19 pounds and 29 inches. At this rate, she's going to be Wei Wei's size in about six months.

Some good quotes

Wei Wei's been on a roll lately. He's had some good ones:

• I can't wait until it's winter because then there won't be any pollen.
• If I have to kill a mosquito, I would use a knife.
• I want to work at Noggin when I grow up so I can play with Pablo.
• [Said while getting out of the bath, standing away from me and bent over] Here's your breakfast! Go ahead and take a bite!

Compare and contrast

Garrick and Adelaide at about the same age. I think Garrick might be about 1 month older in his picture.

Here she is trying to roll over again. It takes a little while, but she gets it done!

Some Adelaide video

Here is a quick video of Adelaide trying to roll over. She just didn't want to cooperate. Maybe later. She is 7 months old now, that means walking is coming soon!

Weekend Pics

Here are a few from this past weekend. Wei Wei was trying to look menacing. I'm not sure he got it!

Xiao Li is starting to sit in a high chair and rolling over.

Ready for summer

Wei Wei has had three favorite items of clothing lately: two "cowboy" shirts (plaid button-ups) and this swim vest. He likes to wear it when wrestling with Jerry. It makes him tough, which is relative.

Xiao Li is eating like a lumberjack. Her menu has been expanded to include green beans, carrots, and sweet potatos.

Our Butterball

Xiao Li had her six-month check-up today. She's bigger than Wei Wei was at this age. She's 17 lbs, 3 oz and 27 3/4". That's two pounds heavier and two inches longer.

Wei Wei had better beef up!

Catching up on photos

We've been slacking on posting -- no excuses really, just been busy. We all have spring fever. C'mon sun and warm weather! So here are some photos of the family and a photo from Wei Wei's speech contest at Chinese school (he did great -- I half-expected him to bail out at the last minute, but he went up and performed like a trooper). Some other updates:
> Xiao Li is a chunky butterball. She's just learning to roll over and has started solid food: the cereals, yogurt, and green peas. Wei Wei still adores her.

> Judy and Kaixiang are coming in for another visit this week. Can't wait to see them -- check out Kaixiang and Wei Wei in the bathtub and all of the boys eating together from their last trip.

> Wei Wei is still going to Little Gym and loving it.

> Wei Wei is already in the "I know that" phase. Yessiree, you can't tell that boy anything that he doesn't already know.

Snazzy haircut

Quick update

Judy and Kaixiang returned to California and we still all miss them. Kaixiang is too darn cute. We love our nephew.

This is my first week back to work. I miss Xiao Li and Wei Wei like crazy.

Wei Wei continues to be a buster. We love him, but he can drive us crazy with his questions and talking. Both of which are nonstop. Seriously, is this kid ever quiet? My two favorite Jerry quotes from this past weekend:
1) Wei Wei, did someone put a question chip in your butt this morning?
2) Wei Wei, go sit on the couch and think about breathing through your nose.

Wei Wei turned FOUR years old on 2/7. Holy crap. Where did the time go?

Wei Wei wondered today why Uniqua doesn't wear shoes.

Crazy Math

Basic math: 3 kids (Adelaide, Wei Wei, and Kaixiang) + 2.5 adults (me, Po Po and Judy) = mass chaos

Advanced math: 5 kids (Adelaide, Wei Wei, Kaixiang, Kyle, and Nathan) + 9 adults (me, Po Po, Judy, Gong Gong, Jerry, Audrey, Badri, Alice, and Dan) = maximum destruction (which incidentally, is Wei Wei's wrestling name, courtesy of Jerry)

Judy and Kaixiang are here for a quick visit. Judy has some interviews lined up, so during the day it's been just me and mom. Aaaack!

As always, so freakin' cute to see all of the cousins together. We are all more than a little scared of what this crew will be capable of in a few years. Let's hope they are able to channel their energies for the forces of good.

SUPERSTAR

At least we think she is. Adelaide is almost 5 months old now and getting better head control. She's trying to roll over as well.

Snow

Well, it's snowing again. And sleeting. I checked the weather in Orlando -- 85 degrees and sunny. Why is it that when we were there last week they were having record-setting cold weather? Sigh.

And no daycare today, which means it's me, Wei Wei, and Xiao Li all day. All day.

Someone send reinforcements!

It's official . . . we're parents

We just returned from Florida. Spent Saturday through Tuesday with the Torlucci's and then headed to Orlando on Tuesday to go to SeaWorld on Wednesday, then back to New Jersey on Thursday.

Some highlights:

• Loved seeing Joanne, Mark, Carina, and Sophia. We had such a good time with them. And I think Wei Wei has his first official crush -- on Sophia. He's going to have to stand in line with the other potential suitors.
• Carina fractured her elbow while we were there, from jumping off the swing. She was a real trooper and is now sporting a lovely purple cast for the next four weeks.
• Weather was cool, but nice in Bradenton. Then chilly in SeaWorld. Like in the 30's. We wore our winter coats to the park.
• SeaWorld was fun, despite the cold. We got to pet a penguin, pet and feed a dolphin, pet a shark, feed a sea lion. I was worried about Xiao Li (Adelaide) in the cold, but Jerry had a good idea about using the sleep sack to keep her warm (see photo below).

Our real relevation came while we were waiting for the Shamu show to start. There we were on vacation. With two kids. In Orlando. At SeaWorld. Driving a rented mini-van. Happy about staying in a hotel room with a kitchenette. Then it hits us . . . holy crap, we're parents. When did the heck did THAT happen?

And a pirate says "argh!"

Wei Wei had a birthday party last week -- a pirates and princess theme.

Jerry vetoed my original suggestion of sending Wei Wei in a princess costume. (It was to make a point -- boys can't be princes and girls can't be pirates?)

So I dutifully set about thinking about a pirate costume.

At least I started on Friday (the party was on Sunday). Usually I start thinking about it the night before, if not the morning of. Julie and I both agreed that a vest would be key.

So with a trip to the craft store and her help, voila -- a vest made out of felt! Not too bad, I have to say (although I will never be a contestant on Project Runway).

Here's the fierce looking pirate, growling out his best "argh!" Very scary . . .

Happy new year!

It's been a busy couple of weeks! We're all slowly getting back to normal. Here are some highlights (and some pics, with more coming soon):

• Holiday parties and get togethers
• House of germs -- me, then Wei Wei, then Adelaide. Jerry surprisingly escaped this round
• Christmas tree -- I had imagined us decorating the tree as a family. I ended up decorating it myself after Wei Wei lost interest
• Wei Wei's Santa list: a baby goat, a fishing pole with a pond with sharks and fish in it, a jet pack, and a rocketship. He got the fishing pole.
• Fullers visit -- their first with us over Christmas!
• Judy, Kaixiang, and P'ng -- Wei Wei loved playing with Kaixiang. So cute to see all four boys together. We have some adorable photos.
• Adelaide's 100-day party
• Lots of new toys and presents