Winter Wonders

Mini spent Christmas week in Tahoe. Check out the pics from her escapades...

I'm ready to make snow angels!

Fu family picture

First ride in the shopping cart

Whoa! Circus Circus arcade in Reno

Merry Christmas

Mini's first Christmas is being spent in South Lake Tahoe (also a first).

Too Cute

Mini is five months old today and she's such a little person with big personality. Here and there we see a tantrum but 90% of the time, Mini is happy and cheerful. She's got this big open-mouthed smile that is contagious and then there are her big squeals and shrieks of laughter that entertain everyone.

Story time with Grandpa Fu

Dad put me in the sock drawer

How Mini Spends Her Day

Lounging in my boppy

Time for lunch

New Ride

Mini's faces forward in her Baby Bjorn now. It's a much better view and so much more exciting!

Four Month Wellness Exam

Mini had her four month wellness exam and hit these growth marks.

Head circumference 40.8 cm (30th percentile)
Length 24 3/4 in (50th percentile)
Weight 14 lbs 13oz (60th percentile)

She also found a new motion that she's been experimenting with. Not sure if she's "rockin' out" or trying to turn. Take a look...

Mini's Sleeping Woes

Mini seems to have recovered from her first cold! However, her sleep patterns have been all off. The past couple nights she woke up almost every hour and had to be held to stop crying. I hope this is not going to be the new mini sleeping pattern now that mama and papa are both working.

Nature Walk

Mini visited Muir Woods with the grandparents today. All that fresh, rainy air does a baby good.

Projectile Milk

Mini is still sick and showing it. It's now progressed into a wheeze and cough (guessing her throat is quite sore too because her voice is hoarse). While sleeping today, she started a coughing fit and out came three projectiles of massive milk puke. And guess where it landed??? It shot straight toward Mama's face and neck, also landed on the bed and blankets and all over Mini. Guess she'll be hungry soon.

Wonder if this is her way of getting back at Mama for disappearing all day? Mini now stays home with the grandparents while both parents go to work.

Mini Trooper

Mini, you are such a trooper. You look so sad now that you're sick. You have tears coming from your eyes. You can barely breathe. But through it all, you don't cry. You don't complain. You are so calm. I am so impressed at your stoicness.

Being Sick is No Fun

Mini caught her first cold. Runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing... poor baby.

Baby weighed in at 14lbs and 10oz today.

Sitting Pretty

Mini can sit, almost. It's a propped seated position where she eventually topples over.

Turkey Day

Today is Thanksgiving and we could not be more thankful for our little munchkin. It was exactly a year ago today that we learned of the pregnancy. How quickly the year has passed and what a joy it is to have Mini in our lives. There are many more things to be thankful for but Mini is the greatest.

Now let's break into some turkey!

Meet the Grandparents!

Today, Grandpa and Grandma Fu came to stay with us and help take care of Mini. I greeted them at the airport while Mama and Mini stayed in the car. When my parents finally arrived, I brought them over to the car. Grandma Fu got into the back seat first with Mini and called out Mini's name. Immediately, Mini started crying. Then Grandpa Fu got in the other side of the car and she quickly stopped. It was very strange and we don't really know what happened.

Safari West Weekend

It's Mini's first weekend trip! We drove out Santa Rosa to enjoy Safari West, the Charles M. Schulz Museum, and Petaluma Shopping Outlets. Mini travels really well and enjoyed her first stay in a Safari-style tent. She didn't pay much attention to the exotic animals on the grounds so we may take this trip again when she's older. It's also Mini's four month "birthday".

I'm sorry

Mini, today I scared you when I sneezed. You were sitting in my lap and I happened to sneeze very loudly. You looked at mommy as she walked by and then you broke into your cute wail. Anyway, mama and I started laughing because you were so stunned, it took about 5 seconds for you to starting crying. The ironic thing is that you actually sneeze quite loudly yourself for your size. Grandma Chan and Mama always joke that your sneeze is just like mine. I'm sorry - I'll try not to sneeze like you in the future.

SeeSaw Cafe

Mini went to her first playgroup today at SeeSaw Cafe. Again, she was the youngest child which put her at a disadvantage. Since she can only do tummy or back, the other crawling and walking babies attacked her. Ok, it was more that they were interested in playing with Mini. They pawed at her face, pulled her hair, and ate her head. Most of this was done innocently by a 7-month old and a two-year old. Mini tolerated it for a short period of time, then started semi-crying. Her face said it all, "Get me out of here!". I wish I could have taken pictures of this but didn't want to impose on the other parents.

Mini vs Mirror

Mini gets a kick out of seeing herself in a mirror. Her giggle and squeal session can last for ten minutes. These videos are toward the end where she's less excited and starting to tire.

Chatterbox Revisited

Here's video of our little talker. Purely baby babble but she goes all day long.

Weigh-in

Mini weighed 14 lbs and one ounce this morning. This was a pre-poop weight so it's +/- a couple ounces.

Mini Plays with Kleenex

Grandma Chan, Uncle Lee, and Aunt Vivian left this week. I'm not sure if Mini knows - probably not. She did hear Grandma on the phone today and she seemed to be sad and/or confused about why she could hear her voice through the phone. Mama is left home alone with Mini on the weekdays now until Grandpa and Grandma Fu get here.

Mini is a lot more aware of her surroundings. She likes to look around and play with her toys. She seems to recognize faces or at least she likes to stare at them. For the first time yesterday, I heard her really laugh -- actually giggle with glee for a good 10 minutes while I played with her. In the past, she would make laughing sounds but I wasn't sure if she was just making the sound or if she was really laughing. This time, it was definite laughing. I took a video of the event -- although when I was filming she didn't laugh quite as hysterically as before or after I was recording. It was as if she knew the camera was on her and she was being camera shy.

Dress Up

Mini is attending a wedding tonight and gets to wear a dress for the first time. She's looking more and more like a girl now??

Weigh-in

Mini came in at 13lbs this morning.

Send-offs

We spent the past couple days exploring SF and playing tourist. The last stop was SFO airport to say good-bye to Grandma. who is returning to Shanghai. Tomorrow, Uncle Lee and Aunt Vivien move to LA. Hope this isn't too drastic of a change for Mini, she's losing many familiar faces so suddenly. I'm sure Mini will cope well but Mama sure is having a hard time with this.

Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39

Exploratorium

SFO Airport

Let's go Giants!

Mini stayed awake as long as she could for game five of the World Series and made it to the top of the 8th. At least she saw the game-winning home run by Renteria, too bad she doesn't realize this historical sports moment. Then it was off to bed only to be awakened MANY times by car horns honking in celebration of the Giants' win.

Giants' good luck charm (complete with beard)

Boo!

Mini had Mama LOL this morning. Mini was lying in bed and Mama smashed the blanket too quickly and scared the breath out of Mini. She had the deer in headlights look and then it turned into crying.

Just had to mention this since it's the first time Mini is displaying this emotion. Maybe she learned this concept from Halloween, it is the day after. At least now we can scare her out of the hiccups.

Happy Halloween

We had a pumpkin photo shoot for Mini last week. Here's the end result... doesn't she belong on a t-shirt or greeting card? What a cutie pumpkin pie.

Mini also met her 16-month old cousin Charlize for the first time. Check out Mini's first Halloween costume... the shirt reads "Cute as can bee."

100 Days

It's 100 days for Mini! It's Chinese tradition to celebrate this milestone but we aren't sure how. Just the same, we are acknowledging this date and going to lunch at Burma Superstar (Papa Burrito's favorite SF restaurant).

Dear Mini: We hope you stay the happy and healthy baby that you are. Thank you for coming into our lives. We luuuuuuuuv you.

Chatterbox

Mini is gonna be a talker (unlike her parents). This little one strikes up a conversation and she keeps going and going. She likes chit chatting most with Grandma Chan.

We also discovered she can distinguish what's on TV. Price is Right is entertaining... The Maury Povich Show is not so entertaining. Her favorites are America's Funniest Home Videos and kiddie cartoons. Put her in front of these two shows and she just laughs and flails her arms and legs. Must remember to capture a video of this. Looks like we have to build Dora the Explorer into her daily schedule.

Mini is also watching the World Series and cheering on the Giants. 2010 is a big year - Mini arrives and the Giants come out of their slump.

Happy Bday, RRB

Mini attended her first birthday party today and she loved it! The birthday party was for Rohan who turned one recently. Mini was introduced to safari cake and the happy birthday song, colorful party decorations, balloons, and other babies. Everyone called Mini a cutie pie since she was the youngest baby there (the other kids were 1+). By the time the party ended, she was pooped but still wanted to enjoy this new experience. She would nod off to sleep and then keep waking up to look around. Sooo cute :)

Mini was so busy looking around and soaking in the party.

Mini loved balloons (although she looks scared here).

Mini's first party favor

Learning to Cook

Mini was watching mommy cook intently so we decided to give her a better look.

Mini Finds Her Hands

This weekend, mini discovered her hands. She looks at them and uses them to touch things now. She really likes it when we clap her hands together for her. We also took a picture of her sitting on her throne.

Bedtime, Baby

Mini can fall asleep on her own now. Mini spent only three nights learning this new trick and she can even sleep for seven hours before waking up hungry. It's amazing how babies learn and develop at their own pace, just gotta read their cues.

Next step is to get her in the crib for a night.

Another amazing thing is that baby is quite regular as well -- she wakes up exactly at 6:30am +/- 5 minutes to do her morning duty.

Blue Angels

Originally, we weren't going to go to Fleet Week this year to see the Blue Angels because it would be too crowded and crazy. At the last minute, one of our friends invited us to see them from her boyfriend's roofdeck. We decided to go check it out. It was pretty nice because the Blue Angels flew almost directly over where we were watching a few times. The loud engines overhead barely fazed Mini. She even fell asleep before the end of the show. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good photo.

My Worst Fear

I went through the baby pictures I had from our wedding and I found out that Kayla looks more like me than I thought. I always thought she looked more like uncle Daniel but the resemblance in these pictures is uncanny if you put them side by side. The only difference is I'm fatter in the first and she's fatter in the second.

Here is Mama's baby picture as requested:

Charting Average

Mini spent the morning at the pediatrician's office because she was due for immunizations. At ten weeks, Mini meets the 50th percentile for height (22in), weight (11lbs, 10oz), and head circumference (38.5cm).



Mini gets cranky at night these days... hope it's not colic.

Two Major Milestones

Mini turned from tummy to back this morning. With the weight of her head, she can flip 180 degrees, yay! Check out the video of her new milestone (if you don't see video, you may have to open from Internet Explorer). Sorry it's sideways, Mama never remembers to adjust for this.

So what else did Mini do today??? She used a potty for the first time! With Dad's help, she begrudgingly went #1 and #2 on her plastic throne.

Not bad for being ten weeks old. Thanks Grandma for the weeks of training :)

Sexy Mamacita

Baby Playboy, here we come!

Museum B&E

Mama and Grandma went to Golden Gate Park today and inadvertently gained entry into SF's DeYoung Museum. Hint, hint: the Cafe area is not monitored.

Mini slept as we gained a little culture and marveled at how modern art is considered art. We really don't get it. Maybe Mini will take to this stuff when she gets older and she can explain it to us.

Mini Rides Boppy, Has Fun

Before Mini was born, Lee picked up a free Boppy Rock-In Swing off craigslist. It was in pretty good shape so we just washed the fabric cover and got it ready to go. So far, the couple times we tried putting Mini in it, she cried and cried. Today, for the first time, she sat in it and seemed to enjoy it immensely. She stayed in it for 30 minutes just looking around and smiling/laughing every once in a while. We even left her in the room all by herself for a good 10 minutes. We were hoping that she would fall asleep but she was having too much fun.



It was all in all a productive day for Mini Burrito. We gave her a bath and she even helped Daddy with his laundry.

Helping Dad with his socks

Getting Chubby

Uncle Johnny

Mini met her Uncle John for the first time today. Uncle flew in from Thailand to see his new niece. We'll spend the next week hanging out with Uncle.

Now and Zen 2010

Uncle Andy and Aunt Wendy came over with E and C aleb to go to Alice 97.3 free yearly concert. Caleb is walking all over the place now and likes to touch everything in sight. E kept rubbing your cheeks calling you "so cute". We first stopped by the Cole Valley Street Fair - it wasn't very interesting, just some neighborhood vendors. We didn't make it inside the fenced area so we sat outside in the grass. We could still hear the music pretty well. Plain White T's and Sarah Bureillis. You were very calm and stayed awake for most of it.

Mini Snores

We caught Mini snoring today (you may have to turn up the volume to hear her). Hope it's a one-time thing.

Mini's Month 2

Mini, you have officially turned 2. Papa came home early from work (8pm) to see you. Unfortunately, during the extra time spent with you, you only slept and cried. Daddy was sad. Anyway, today Papa tried to think of all the differences between your early days and now:
- you were so tiny when we first met you - 5lbs 9oz. Now you're getting kind of fat, probably over 10lbs. you seemed so delicate the first few days but now you are very strong. you're always kicking with your legs when you cry and your arms are constantly flailing.
- the first few days, you slept a lot, almost all day long. you still sleep a lot, but now, you are awake a lot more during the day. In the mornings, you seem to enjoy being awake and looking around and making your baby noises. At night, you seem to be tired and cranky and tend to cry if you're not asleep.
- lately, you seem to cry whenever I hold you. When you start crying, I don't know how to make you stop. In the first month, I felt like I was able to stop your crying by bouncing you in my arms or rocking you.
- the only noise you made before were your cat-like wails and cries. you still make those now, but you have added soft cooing noises and "hi".
- you used to hate diaper changes and would cry every time the baby wipes touched your butt. now you seem to understand that they're for your own good -- you actually smile sometimes as we wipe your bum.
- you used to look right through me at bright lights. now you are able to look right at me and follow me around.
- your eyebrows used to be all white, now they are black
- you used to open one eye at a time, now you open both.
- you used to have a crazy widow's peak...well, you still have that today

Mini's First Ballgame

Minis first ballgame - go A's! Zzzzzzz

Mini's Monday

A play-by-play of Mini's Monday:

8:00am Wake up, full feeding, two diaper changes (both #2), accident and change of clothes
8:30am Playtime
9:00am Back to sleep
9:45am Wake up, snack, two diaper changes (#1 and #2)
10:15am Watch "Price is Right" with Grandma
11:00am Back to sleep
11:20am Wake up, Boppy time
11:40am Snack
12:00pm Back to sleep, Mom clips nails
2:30pm Snack, back to sleep
3:20pm Wake up, potty training session, diaper change (#2)
3:30pm Watch "America's Funniest Home Videos" with Grandma
4:00pm Snack
4:20pm Stroll to Buena Vista Park, naptime
5:30pm Bath, diaper change (#2)
6:00pm Full feeding, spit up and change of clothes
6:30pm Playtime with Grandma
7:00pm Back to sleep
7:45pm Wake up, full feeding
8:30pm Diaper change (#1)
9:30pm Full feeding, diaper change (#2)
10:15pm Bedtime
2:45am Snack, diaper change (#1)
6:00am Full feeding, diaper change (#1)

Fairyland and More

Saturday:
Mini ventured into her first theme park today. Mama and Mini met Lori and Emi at Oakland's Fairyland for a playdate. Fairyland is a fairytale-themed playground for younger kids that's on the older side but still something to see in the middle of Oakland. Mini spent most of the time sleeping and didn't see much but heard plenty of kids laughing and having fun. One day, she'll be one of those crazy kids running from place to place. Mama has to thank Mini for being on her best behavior. This is the first time we went out alone and Mini didn't cry in the car at all.

Once we got home, we went on a walk to Tank Hill with Papa and Grandma.







Sunday:
Mini went shopping at Macy's and helped Papa pick out a couple of dress shirts. Later that evening, Aunt Karen came over for a visit and dinner. Thanks, Aunt Karen! We can't wait to try out the Jenny Jump Up when Mini's older.