Bon Voyage Grandma Katy!

Well, Grandma Katy has officially left sunny California to visit Uncle Penjo in New York (for news to be announced soon, we hope). We've been preparing Erik for about a week, ever since we found out that Grandma Katy will be going. Last time when Grandpa Tom left, Erik really had a hard time coping. For weeks and/or months, Erik kept asking for his Grandpa Tom ("Yea Yea")

However, this time, although Erik did say "I go airplane with Grandma" and he was willingly saying "Bye Bye Mommy" "Bye Bye Daddy" to us. Overall, he handled Grandma's flight out pretty well.

In the morning, Erik did bound downstairs and went into Grandma's room but he didn't ask "Where did Grandma go?". When Mummy asked him, he replied "Grandma is in Bhutan" ...LOL! "Well, no, Grandma is in New York!"

Swimming

password: erikma
(2 month old video)

Erik Swimming from Jigme Chhimi on Vimeo.

Toddler Talk (Round 2)

Daddy and Mummy loves hearing Erik talk. It just amazes and scares us at how much Erik knows! Whenever Erik talks to us, Mummy would do her best to stop and listen patiently to whatever our little boy would want to say. No interruptions. She'll wait for him to finish his thoughts, sometimes it makes a lot of sense and sometimes it doesn't and Mummy will ask for Erik to repeat and/or show Mummy. We love having full on conversations with Erik!

Knock! Knock!
Grandma Katy closes her bedroom door to change as we are all getting ready for our evening routine of "Family Swim Meet" at the local aquatic center.

Erik knocks on the door and shouts with glee (in English) "Knock! Knock! Anybody home?"

Grandma teases "No, nobody home."

Erik replies "Yesbody home!"

Daddy and Mummy spilled into giggles and laughters seeing how Erik understood the concept of "Yes" and "No" and applied it to how he knew it best. So "Yes, Yesbody home" absolutely makes sense!

In The Dark
Erik's new nightly bedtime routine consists of Story Time with Daddy. It really is one of the best cuddling 1:1 time between Erik & Daddy. Erik loves to lay close to Daddy's side as he rests his toddler head in Daddy's arms while Daddy read some fun and delightful stories (sometimes in strange voices as well). Daddy also let's Erik "read" to him as well since there are some stories that Erik already memorized by heart! So cute and adorable.

However, an activity Erik loves to do is also "Hide & Seek" but he just loves hiding underneath our comforter and affectionately calls it his "tent" with Daddy. When he hides in there, Erik will asks "where's mummy?" and Mummy will uncover the "tent" to find 2 of her favorite people.

Last evening Mummy decided to do something different while Erik & Daddy hides under their favorite spot. She shuts of the bedroom light.

Daddy asks: "Uh-Oh! Is it dark?!"

Erik confirms yet wondering a bit: "It's dark, Daddy!"

Mummy turns on the light.

Erik shouts matter of factly: "I can see better now."

Mummy turns OFF the light.

Erik says in the dark: "I can NOT see better now."

Mummy & Daddy just ended up laughing because we loved seeing how Erik's brain is working, how he is figuring out the language and putting it together.

Chinese Influence
Alrighty, as many of you know, we are trying very hard to teach Erik 2 languages at the same time. That would be Cantonese and English. As Erik continues to grow and learn, he is often combining and substituting Cantonese words with English phrases and vice versa. Very common, even Mummy and Daddy would do the same as adults. When Erik does that, we repeat what he says in Cantonese and in English so he can distinguish how the 2 languages are said but no correction, just affirmation of Erik's communication to us.

However, the Cantonese influence is becoming apparent in Erik though.

Erik walks over to Grandma Katy's night lamp and says "Open Light" (turns on the lamp) as in 開輕

"Close Light" (turns off the lamp)

This is typical thinking in Cantonese and translating directly into English. Even Mummy has made that same verbal connection growing up and was often corrected by her teachers. But it's a big milestone because it means that Erik is very comfortable with both languages and is thinking in Cantonese and in English!! It's just AWESOME! Daddy & Mummy still chuckled a bit though.

Summer 2008: Loving It!

Despite the smokiness in California and recent bad air quality, summer is really a cool time! You see lots of families getting outside and hanging out together as...well..a FAMILY during the summer months. The day is longer, there's "more" time for leisure and bonding.

We got out of our regular weeknight routine of taking Erik swimming. Instead, we headed off the the local lake to enjoy a bit of outdoors and impromptu "photo taking". Grandma Katy got to go feed her geese and ducks with crackers. Erik got to chase them a bit (yet be gentle because we want to play with them but not scare them). Daddy got to indulge Erik's adventurous side by encouraging Erik to 'wade' in the lake, along with all the geese and ducks. Mummy got to...eh..sit on the sideline and take some photos HAHA!

What would have made this a complete visit would be a little picnic too. That's definitely an idea for next time.

Toddler Talk

Erik is growing up so nicely and he his such a little chatter box when he's very comfortable with the company. Mostly, he loves talking away with Mummy and Daddy.

Toddler & Hair

A little girl comes up to Daddy at Erik's school and inquires: "What happened to your hair?"

Daddy: [Awkward Silence]

Little Girl pointing to her own hair: "See? I have hair"

Daddy reluctantly admits: "I don't have hair"

Erik jumps in: "Daddy, you can my hair"

Daddy smiles and thinks "what a fine young man Erik is!"

Beauty & Compliments

Erik messes with Mummy's hair at Aunty Irma's. Flips Mummy's hair to the left...and then to the right. Comes in front of Mummy.

Erik: "Mummy you look beautiful."

Mummy smiles and inquires: "Mummy looks beautiful huh?"

Erik noddingly says: "Yes, Mummy you're beautiful like a hippo".

Mummy chuckles. That is one nice compliment from a sincere toddler. Can't wait until Erik turns the teenage years! That won't be a compliment anymore. HAHA!

Music Differences

Erik watches 'Dora Dora' fondly on DVD in our van. The introduction song comes along and Daddy starts singing along.

Erik: "No No Daddy, Dora Sings"

Daddy tries again to see Erik's reaction.

Erik again: "No Daddy! No Sing. I hear Dora sing."

Sheesh! Guess Daddy need some vocal lessons now?! HAHA!

Milestone Birthday Surprise

Imagine the "horror movie" soundtracks in the background....that was really how I was feeling when approaching the big XX birthday. Yes, to many that have crossed this threshold, it really isn't a "big deal" and Mummy is still a "young one" and the same many of those eagerly welcomes me to their club whether Mummy liked it or not. ACK!

First of all, Mummy's philosophy had always been "age is a mental state of mind". "You only feel as old as you think you are." etc etc. What a load of crock Mummy was giving all these years?! HAHA! Mummy still believes in the "mental state of mind" business but just hadn't realized that "CRAP! My mind just caught up to my actual age!" and Mummy tried so desperately to stay in "Stage 1 DENIAL" but a whole lot of good that did, the birthday still rolled around!

However, sweet and darling husband plus his always helpful assistant who happens to be mother-in-law, Katy, with some of Mummy and Daddy's friends, including fellow blogger, Lynette and Family serving as hosts, bailed Mummy out of the birthday slump!! They threw an amazing "surprised" birthday party for Mummy!!

Pampering
Mummy was sent out for a morning of pampering, which is an annual treat given by Daddy to Mummy on her birthday. Mummy got a first time "Hot Stone Massage" with deep tissue massage to relax all the stress away. It absolutely was a bliss and so glad Daddy selected it!! That one-hour was absolutely relaxing!

Next was a manicure, again, it was Mummy's first! Could hear the audible GASP! in the background now :o) haha! However, that was also a delightful treat as well. Mummy is such not a girlie-girl but the manicure was a very lovely surprise as well. Now Mummy's nails are polished, just like Mummy herself :o) HAHA!

Surprise?
Mummy drives back home and walks into a pretty much odd scene. Daddy was grilling and looking stressed (beads of sweat underneath the blazing hot sun) and trying to maintain the "potluck" play date we were doing later that afternoon. However, trays of food were every where. Food fit for 20+ people?! Potluck?! "What kind of potluck is this?" Mummy thinks NOT but really doesn't say anything...so going with it and tend to a sleepy / cranky Erik upstairs.

Then as Mummy climbs into the van, filled with the aroma of delicious and fresh cooked/grilled food. Mummy peeks out in the backseats and sees Daddy had loaded up folding chairs?! Eh...okay...potluck and we have to bring chairs too?! Now definitely up to something. Mummy then peeks over to the front seat and "lo and behold"...a 1/4 sheet cake from one of Mummy's favorite bakery store! AHAH! The surprise is no longer a surprise but definitely not ruined!

Wonderful Friends and Family
DELIGHTFUL, AMAZING, ENTERTAINING, MARVELOUS would be some of the words to describe Mummy's wonderful friends, darling hubby, Chhimi, and mother-in-law, Katy! Lynette, Karl, and Karalyn were so generous to open up their home, toys, and pool as hosts for a fun and cool pool party for 5 other families! It was a fabulous and intimate birthday for Mummy and what a way to celebrate a milestone! This definitely was a FIRST!! Never had a grand birthday party such as this and Mummy will definitely cherish it!


Awesome Hostess: Lynette & Karalyn


Darling Hubby with an "owie" on his forehead from Erik throwing a pumice stone accidentaly at him in the pool


Mummy cutting her delicious birthday cake! Mmmm!


Chhimi & Cathie being their silly selves


Birthday Mummy & Lin posing away


Summer of 2008

BabyCakes: I Love You

Daddy has always been a thoughtful and sentimental kind of guy. Erik, if you're reading this, hopefully you'll pick up these two wonderful traits from Daddy!

One of our families all-time favorite baby/toddler book is "Baby Cakes" by Karma Wilson. Mummy & Daddy have both read this book to Erik when he was just a baby in both English and Cantonese. We absolutely love the illustrations and the movements we could do as we read.

Daddy wanting to find the 'perfect' birthday cake for Mummy had scoured high and low, utilizing his network of resources. He at first tried a divine chocolate bakery that was reacted by Mummy with less than expected results. However, Daddy didn't give up in search of the perfect birthday dessert for Mummy's birthday. He found the perfect sentimental spot!

On Mummy's birthday, he went to "Baby Cakes Bakery" locally owned and operated in town and got Mummy and Erik some delicious cupcakes!! It really was surprisingly delicious and yummy!! Scrumptious would be more accurate! In fact, Mummy may have the rest of her strawberry shortcake cupcake now! :o) HAHA It's the little things that will bring the most joy and happiness in our lives.

"Staycation"

For the last week, since July 4th, Mummy has taken a week off of work with the goal to relax and rejuvenate! Plus Mummy was having a "milestone" birthday and thus a bit blue and definitely needed some alone time for reflection as well to make sense of all this 'Age-Business'. HAHA! Needless to say that Mummy's little "staycation" was really full of running errands and cleaning but it was all Mummy's fault. Could've left it there for yet "another day" but nope, had to attack priority list HEE HEE!

It wasn't all a wasteful way to spend precious vacation days! However there were highlights in Mummy's little staycation!

• Visiting Allibrew & Baby Logan to see how they were doing.


• Visiting Irma & Baby Jazmin, who is already 3+ months old!


• Bonding with Erik by going to a 'summer movie' and lunch date


• Lunch date with Daddy on a weekday, just the 3 of us!


• Met personal goal of reading a non-children oriented book, James Patterson's "Sunday at Tiffany's"