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