Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

Today, Big Brother went to San Francisco with grandparents and uncles while Mommy stayed home with Little Sister. Mommy heard that Big Brother had so so much fun and was super excited to be in a touristy place, wanting to do everything by yourself. Daddy said that he had to stop you from running fearing that you might run into the traffic &/the traffic because it was so crowded. You were very excited when seeing real buses, taxi, and boats in Sausalito. Daddy said he felt really bad when you wanted to go on the boat, but unfortunately, he couldn't take you inside.

You were so exhausted that you fell asleep in the car and slept all the way until 5:30pm for your nap. When you woke up, you were fully recovered and back to your happy self. Daddy said that you wanted to "eat pho" on your way to SF, so he bought you a bowl and you ate all by yourself for dinner. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of the little man you have become.  Both of you are becoming so sweet that it is irresistible not to LOVE you.

Little Sister didn't have a good morning, partly because Mommy made too much movement and interrupted your sleep while getting ready for church. You didn't cry any bit though. You had a three hour nap in the afternoon and woke up entertaining your grandparents and uncles before they left for San Diego. They loved how interactive you are: constantly smiling, though in "shyish" way. You never wanted to be laid down these days, you always try to sit up by yourself, all of your three month self. You cried a whole lot again when Daddy gave you a bath - probably because you don't like to be in the cold air when we were changing you. Maybe, Mommy and Daddy will prompt you next time so you know what to expect. Mommy missed your cue again for pooping, also because your grandmother was holding you so Mommy didn't want to be rude, but Mommy still feels so bad that I didn't get your message. I will try harder to listen to you. 

Both of my Love are sleeping soundly now - Mommy Loves both of you very much.

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

Today was not a good day for Little Sister at all - you slept well in the morning, but hardly anything at all in the afternoon. As a result, you had a rough time falling asleep at night too. You cried a whole lot without anything Mommy can do to comfort. Maybe you are not feeling well. You had some yellow discharge in your left eye, which got better by the end of the day after Mommy put some Polytrim. You continue to be so sweet with your smiling and talking. You like to be held upright all the time and continue to give us so much Happiness with just your sweet presence. You look like such a doll with your beautiful eyes.

Big Brother is having a lot of fun with uncles and grandparents around - he loves having people around and interact with others. You are talking so much and you remember everything that we say to you. You are like an empty canvas that absorb everything you hear. Today, you said that you didn't have money and that you forgot money at home when Daddy took you the mall, which is what Mommy told you when you wanted to buy a microphone at Kohl when Mommy told you one day when I didn't bring my wallet. Everybody loves having you around because you are so sweet and what you say is nothing short of sweetness/cuteness. You went to eat pho, and Daddy said that you ate a whole whole of pho all by yourself. What you love most was the motorcycle toy that Chu Tu bought you. So much that you had scratches on your face while chasing the motorcycle around the house. Since there are so many people in the house, it is hard to put you to sleep since there is so much excitement going on. You only had one and half an hour nap.  But tonight you were so tired that you sleep without much resistance (and you went to bed late because you wouldn't come into the room).

Mommy is really now, so I will stop now. Love you both so much.        

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

We had another gloomy day - hopefully the New Year will bring us better weather. We mainly stayed inside where Big Brother play with your new cars, while Little Sister slept in mommy's wrap. At around 10, we went outside even though it was really cold and you played with a friend at the park. You are still very shy around other people so Mommy is trying to get you more sociable. When we went home, you ate a lot of "cha", so Mommy didn't want to feed you much more. However, you only slept for two hours today, even after much bargaining with Mommy. It was incredibly cold inside the house, hopefully that's not why you didn't sleep much (even with Mommy wrapping multiple blankets around you). When you woke up, we ate a little bit of avocado smoothie, and then Daddy came home. And then, your paternal grandparents and uncles came to visit, which made you so so happy. You just love having familiar people around. You also got lots of presents - which add to your happiness. At dinner, because you ate too fast, you vomited again (possibly everything that you ate from lunch to dinner), and we had to feed you again. You are so sweet these days though. Every time you get scared, you would say that Mommy, Daddy, and baby are here, so everything is okay. It is the cutest phrase to hear. Hopefully by now, you are safe and sound in your cozy sleep and dreaming of wonderful things knowing that you are so LOVED, my precious prince.

Little Sister didn't have a good day today. Her sleep wasn't very long; she keeps waking up, but unlike other days, she doesn't go back to sleep right away.  She had a rough time with sleeping at night too.  She cried a whole lot, possibly because there are so many strange noise in the house and that she didn't have a good day sleeping. By 7:30 though, she was off soundly asleep. She was incredibly good last night, sleeping all the way until 2 am before making any movement. However, she did wake up very early 6:50. Well, I am hoping for another better day tomorrow. Your smiles continue to melt our heart with limitless sweetness, my precious princess. Actually, even sweetness & precious doesn't measure up to how much they are to us. You are showing more personality (or crying) - really telling us if it's what you like or don't like. I Love You so much.     

Wrapping my Love into my prince and princess.

Dear Mai An & Khoa,

The past few days have been so crazy for Mommy, so much that I haven't got a chance to write to my angels and have been lacking sleep like there's no tomorrow. Part of the craziness was that we had a lot of vomiting & lack of sleep episodes between the two of you, so much that Mommy almost lost her temper. It started with all of us going to a holiday schedule, which throws the sleep hour totally off for both of you, and then the same nap fighting the following day, but today, everyday is sort of back to normal again. Thanks goodness.  Yesterday was an extremely good sleep day for little sister, the day before was one of the worst in her life, and today was just an "okay" day. Mommy is trying to get you to eat more during the day so that you will eat less at night, but still haven't figure how. When I feed you more frequently during the day, you just vomit - so we have to go with what you prefer I guess. Today, you didn't feed from morning until 2 pm - which worry me a little bit, but I don't know what else to do. Lately, you seem to hate swaddling too - crying your heart out every time I attempt to swaddle you. Tonight, you are sleeping on your stomach - hopefully you will sleep better? Every time I try to put you sleep, but you don't want to yet, you vomit too? I am not sure it is because you are intentional protesting or just coincidence? You have really master the smiling though - big and wide - all the time, even when you are extremely tired. Your smiles are just so so sweet - it makes all my tiredness really melt away. On Christmas Day, you were so lacking in sleep that you just fell asleep on my shoulder without any prompting - which is a first for me. 

Big Brother has been such a sweet boy too, even though you really test Mommy's patience. Yesterday was another rainy day, so we played inside and had a lot of fun opening Christmas presents. You love your new Camaro car the most and want to play with it all the time. Most of your other gifts were clothes - all of them are too big because you are so tiny. We will be ready for them next year (I hope). Lately, you love your rocket PJ and want to wear it all the time, even though it makes it so difficult to go to the bathroom during the daytime. Today was sunny so we spent a lot of time exploring the complex across from ours: we went to their pool, gym, community room, garden, elevator, you name it. You had so much fun exploring and took a three hours nap - which makes Mommy so so happy. Yesterday was a complete opposite - as far as sleeping - so Mommy was very exhausted last night :).  Mommy recently realizes that you secretly store all the things I say into your head (especially things I don't really mean to say), and you repeat to me without knowing that some of those things that "bad statements" that Mommy have made. Therefore, I have to be careful with what I say to you now. I don't ever want to have even the slightest thought of Mommy being "mad" or "upset" at you at this early age. I want you to always be happy, innocent, and full of joy. I don't ever want to impart any "negative vibe" onto you. I wish that every night of your life will be made of beautiful dreams, and never any nightmare :)

I want to protect both of my angels, every day of your life, so that yours will be always beautiful and pure, but that's not possible, but I am going to try as much as i can.

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

It's Christmas Eve, but doesn't seem like it much since you both are so small and go to sleep much earlier than everyone else, but Mommy wishes you a peaceful sleep tonight and every night of your life. May the newborn Jesus always be your guiding light and protect you every step of your life. Today, Big Brother was very clingy and wanted Mommy to hold you and your blanket all the time; you didn't have a good night sleep last night - so you were not quite yourself. We spent about an hour watching the postmen at the post office again. And then you decide to play with the water puddle, which made your socks, pants, and shoes all wet - so we had to go home early to change. By then, it was getting late to go out again, so we just stayed home for lunch and you took your nap at 12:30. You woke up at around 2:45 and needed to sleep more, but Mommy couldn't put you back to sleep since Mommy was carrying Little Sister in the Moby. From then, we stayed up to play, read, and eat. We had some precious time hanging out with Little Sister, who turned three months today. We took a lot of pictures together.  Today, for some reason, you keep referring to yourself as "baby", rather than the usual "Anh" or "Khoa".  My favorite moment today was at around 5AM, you wanted me to hold you. Then you told me that since I am holding you in my arms, Little Sister had to sleep alone. This statement made me realize that you fully understand (and hopefully embrace) Little Sister's presence in our lives. Even though there are two of you now, I still love you not any less than before, my precious prince.     

Little Sister has really come alive the last few days. Today, we can hear her smiles cracking and she just constantly smiles at us. Even when she is not smiling, she is still such a sweetheart.  She had a rough morning, probably because Mommy didn't do a good job with the Moby wrap so she didn't slept well. She stayed up for more than two hours, took a 15' nap, and then up for another hour since Daddy had some guests over. However, in the afternoon, she was able to sleep for about four hours, but didn't go to bed until 8pm. She had some vomiting episodes, was somewhat fussy when left alone since mommy had to feed Big Brother, but was generally in happy spirit, especially after her four hours nap.  I look at Little Sister today when I was breastfeeding and saw such a long healthy baby in my cradle, which made me so happy. I can't believe three months ago, you were still a tiny fragile being in my arms, and today you are now a big girl with huge smiles and bring so much joy to my every day.

Tonight, Big Brother has not been sleeping so well - let's hope that he can settle and get the rest he needs. Little Sister is now soundly asleep. Mommy loves both of you so so much. Merry Christmas, my Biggest Loves. 

An unbelievably rainy day

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

Today it rained like it has never rained before, keeping pouring down hard all day along. As a result, we all hung out in the house to escape the wetness. Little Sister didn't nap continuously; she had multiples of one hour nap throughout the afternoon and went to sleep later than usual. Mommy was tired from not being able to fall asleep until 12:30 last night and woke up before 7 in the morning. You didn't fall asleep as easily as yesterday - so we went back to the Moby.  However, Little Sister was incredibly alert, talkative, laughing, smiling so much with Big Brother and Daddy (which is why Mommy let you stayed up later). You also had two big bowel movement (both of which Mommy missed to bring you to the toilet :( ); it was as if you didn't have any for five days, and then now it's pay back time. You were just so beautiful today and I love you more and more everyday.

Big Brother was also very well-behaved. You woke up at 8 because you went to sleep so so late last night after. Daddy was home so he took care of you mostly. You slept for more than three hours for your nap. You too were so cute - favorite moment everyday for Mommy is when you hold your sister and embrace her. Just watching the two of you together is priceless. I am so happy that you love your sister so much. It seems to me that you enjoy life so much with your laughter and innocence. Today, I notice that you are referring to Bo & Me as Mommy and Daddy. We read some books together and you seem to remember everything that I told you about these stories - you are like a sponge that absorb all the information that are imparted upon you.  I love playing with you - today your favorite game involved the cars, train, firetruck, police cars. and lastly the harmonica. You love playing with the harmonica and you are just so incredibly cute. I love how you hold me and play with me and call for me when you need you.

I never realize how wonderful motherhood until I see you, my precious children. Love you both so much.

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

The last two days have been crazy for Mommy again, and Mommy was too sleepy to   write something last night. It has been gloomy & rainy both days - it seems this December has been too gray. Christmas is almost here, which is exciting. Mommy has been reflecting on the fact that I have to return to work soon. How I will miss spending all of my time with both of you - Mommy wishes that she can stay home with you forever. It breaks my heart to part both of you.

On a brighter note, Di Mi took Big Brother to the mall to get picture with Santa. You looked super super cute and handsome. She said that you behaved so well at the mall and she was so impressed with you.  Surprisingly, you ate well yesterday (as in Mommy didn't have to beg you) and slept well. It was super cold - so it was so nice to hold you close as I tuck you in your nap. I love holding you next to me and hearing your heartbeat, wrapping you as close to me as possible, my precious prince. You are so beaming these days it is irresistible not to love you: I love the way you talk, twirl, play, jump, and everything about you. At nighttime, we had Chu Phong-Co Ngoc Anh over and you had fun showing them the pictures of you and Little Sister.  As Mommy tucked you in for nighttime, we talked about so many of your favorite things for the day. You told Mommy that you wanted to go on the airplane to the park with the swing. Those moments are so special to Mommy and Mommy wishes that you will always have this innocence.

Today, Di Mi had to go back to OC, which is sad for all of us. You told her that you wanted to stay with you. After she left, you kept looking for her in the room, thinking that she is still sleeping under the blanket as the previous days. But unfortunately, she left already. Daddy was home today so he took to so many places and you had fun being outside.  Right now, you are at a Christmas party with Daddy and Mommy misses your infectious smiles so much. My favorite moment today was when you woke up from your nap and Little Sister was up to. You told me to place her on the pillow next to yours and you kissed, held, hugged, embraced her - and this moment was my favorite. You have this phrase similar to "Oi, oi, oi" that you say when you hold your sister that is the cutest thing ever.  I hope you will continue to love your sister as much as now. Watching how you interact with your sister make all the hardship of parenting so worth it for me. I Love you both so much.

Little Sister slept well yesterday during the daytime, but night time, she still wakes up very often. Big Brother has a cold/stuffy nose, so between the two of you, Mommy runs back and forth between the two rooms all night long. She has been waking at around 7 every morning, vs. 9 like before.  Today, however, Little Sister was such a independent girl. She did a complete rollover all by herself when she woke up from her morning nap. She also fell asleep and stayed asleep when Mommy breastfed her less than an hour after she woke up. Mommy was ecstatic so that we don't have to put you in the Moby. However, part of the reason was that Mommy was with you all by herself; we didn't have Big Brother at home so you were not disrupted. We will try again tomorrow and see how things go. Also favorite moment of Mommy today was when you started grunting and Mommy took you to the bathroom where you had a bowel movement in the toilet. Mommy was so proud of you for being such a trooper. Being home and taking care of you made Mommy so happy today for I was able to see how you have grown. Right now, you are peacefully sleeping.

Kisses to my precious prince and princess.  

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

Today we had one of the best day, except for the fact that Big Brother had a vomiting episode and went to sleep an hour later than usual., and Daddy let you stay up so so late - but hopefully your sleeping routine will resume tomorrow. Having Di Mi around absolutely makes Big Brother very excited and happy. We started the day with going to the park where Big Brother played on the swing & slide. You also started rolling down the slides your shoes, and then the tennis balls, and Di Mi would catch it on the other end. You had an incredible amount of fun, but we walked back earlier than usual because it was quite windy today. When we were at the park near our complex, we met up with our neighbor and you had fun interacting too. You let our neighbor's grandpa hold you and play with you, which made me very glad because you have gained a sense of security (or at least I hope so).  At naptime, you insisted on sleeping on the floor all by yourself (you told me to be outside so you can go to sleep by yourself). Hopefully, you will learn to fall asleep by yourself from now on. Napping and sleeping at night remain difficult as you like to play rather than sleep.  Daddy took you to Santana Row at night so you can see the Christmas lights - I hope you enjoyed seeing all the bright lights and get excited about Christmas. When you grow up, I hope to share some Christmas traditions with you so you will learn to love the holidays.

Little Sister had a lot of sleep today and was generally happy. She also cried a little bit at bedtime, but nothing compared to previous days. She enjoyed taking a bath with Mommy and Di Mi and was all happy and smiley the entire time. She smiled a lot today and is super super cute with her constant smiles. She still loves to be wrapped in the Moby all day long. Before bedtime, all three of us took some pictures with Di Mi, which was really fun. So far tonight, she has been sleeping soundly - let's hope for a smooth night :)     

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

Today was a delightful day, except for Little Sister's struggle to sleep in the afternoon and evening. Little Sister has so much trouble falling asleep at night this week. This morning, she woke crying hysterically, and Mommy was so exhausted that Daddy had to take over. She stayed up for two hours with Daddy while Mommy tried to get some sleep. She is in the 12th week, so I am hoping it is a growth spurt. She napped for three hours in the morning, but only 1 and 1/4 hour and then another tiny 20 minutes in the afternoon. Daddy gave her a warm shower when he came home from work, but she cried almost throughout. It took Mommy more than an hour to put Little Sister down for sleep, and she is waking up very often (which is rare). Overall, even though you look tired from not sleeping in the afternoon, you always give me big smiles and "talk" out loud - which is incredibly cute and bring so much joy to Mommy's heart. Mommy loves looking at you peacefully sleeping, too.

Big Brother had a fabulous day. We started with spending an hour at the post office watching the postman preparing their trucks and heading out to do their delivery for the day. I am sure the people at the parking lot thought we were a little strange, just standing there watching the postman, but Big Brother loved watching one truck after another heading out the road. There must have been 20+ trucks in the lot, and you were equally excited for each one. Then, we went back to the park where we watched all the cars going by on the street and played on the rock. We then used the back route to go the the side park and the pool, where we met up with Di Mi and proceeded to the tennis court and the park behind our complex. You had so so much fun playing with Di Mi, racing, jumping, climbing, bouncing balls, and many more activities. You were so happy and your smiles just melt Mommy's heart. We went home to have lunch and nap. You napped with Di Mi too - she said sleeping with you was so warm and comfortable. When you woke up from your nap, Di Mi took you to the Dollar Tree store to buy you toys and then to PetSmart so you can see some animals. You had fun playing the toys once we finished dinner. You are getting so good at putting together puzzles. Tonight, you went to sleep earlier than last night too. Overall, Mommy thought you had a really fun day. My favorite moment was when you ran up and hold Mommy after coming home. Again, every time you say "Me Oi" it is so sweet and just make my heart so joyful.

Love you both so so much.  Good night my babies.

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

Today, Little Sister cried hysterically for about an hour and Mommy felt so horrible that there was nothing she could have done to stop it. Mommy is finally gaining insight that it might be d/t the Swaddle Me blanket being too small, hence uncomfortable for you. This insight was based on the fact that everything I pull it off you are able to fall asleep right away w/o any fussiness, so I am gonna not use it for a while to see if it helps. Besides Little Sister's crying, her day was better than yesterday; she slept for three whole hours in the afternoon and about two hours in the morning. Now, she is soundly sleeping. Last night, she woke up again at 4am again, but only stayed up for half an hour. I put on the Swaddle Me blanket last night for Little Sister, so maybe that's why you are waking at odd hours the last few days.

It was sunny, though it was brisk. We took a walk, but Mommy decided to head to the mall to keep Big Brother entertained and at least we can get out of the house. We had a lot of fun playing by the water fountain, the rides, and the toys. On our way home, we even stopped by the park for a quick swing ride. Mommy rushed home because it was so so cold that she didn't want both of you to get sick.  Big Brother has been battling a cold so he hasn't slept that well either. The biggest excitement today for Big Brother was that Auntie Mi is visiting. He keeps asking when Auntie would come and waited patiently for her to appear. He was super excited when he saw his aunt and had so much fun playing with her. He constantly wanted to know where Auntie was and wanted to hang out with Auntie all the time. Auntie will keep Big Brother company, which will give Mommy a break. Auntie also brought us lots of food from Grandma, so we will enjoy good food for a few days. Mommy tucked you in bed tonight, and you struggled for more than an hour. Mommy wishes you a sound sleep tonight.

Kisses to both of my Love. 

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

Today was a pretty bad day for Mommy with Little Sister hardly sleeping at all, and Big Brother feeling a little trapped by being inside the house. It was yet a gloomy rainy day o we can't go outside again (when will we see sunlight?) Mommy feels so terrible for Little Sister not being able to sleep, and feel even worse that I can't do since Big Brother was always on the move. Mommy wishes that Little Sister would be able to sleep on her own in the room while Mommy can play with Big Brother outside, but... 

Big Brother had a vomiting episode at lunch also - which made Mommy even more tired. For the first time last night, Little Sister was not able to fall back asleep from 3 to 4:30 despite all of Mommy's effort. As a result, Mommy was feeling quite tired. The last 24 hours has been the worse 24 hours of Little Sister's life so far. Maybe it was not sleeping well last night that Little Sister had a tough day, and then at bedtime, she struggled for two hours to fall asleep also (after vomiting twice). Mommy prays that she will get back to her normal routine soon. 

Luckily Daddy came home a little home early, so Mommy was able to rest while Daddy took Big Brother to the library and then to Chu Dong's home for dinner. Mommy fell asleep from 7 to 9 pm without knowing anything, and then spent some minutes with Big Brother before you went to sleep. Now, both of you are safe and sound in your sleep while Mommy is eating dinner and finishing up house chores before another battle tomorrow. Di Mi is coming to visit (yay!) and Christmas is coming soon...

Much Love for my two angels. Sleep tight my Loves.

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

Today was much similar to yesterday - the weather has been so gloomy and cold that we can't bring you outside much. We began with going to church where Big Brother always enjoy walking up to the altar. Afterward, we play in the courtyard and observed the manager with all the different animals. Then, Big Brother went to the grocery store with Daddy where Daddy said you had so much fun that you said you didn't want to come home to Mommy. You had a nice three hour naps and you woke up being happy and spirited. These days, you are so excited when you go out that you always want to lead, which is incredibly cute. You would say to Mommy "Anh dat Me di" and you would show me where to go. Again, you are really "no" these days, telling me what you don't like to do, eat...  You would say "Anh khong thich" everything, a lot (much more than Mommy wants). You are also into Thomas the train, cars, playing with piecing together puzzle on the iPad.  You love spending time with Daddy when he is home. My favorite moment with you was when you woke up and Little Sister was also up, you wanted to help Mommy with holding the baby. You held her close and kissed her tightly and showed me everything you love about your sister. You also tickled her - but she is too young to know.

Little Sister's morning was smooth again. She fell asleep in church and slept all the way until 1 pm, but the afternoon was rough again. She only had 1 45 minutes nap, and another 15' nap, which made her very fussy when it comes to preparing for night sleeping again (very much similar to yesterday). Mommy tried to help you sleep more, but you resisted and always wanted to see what's going on in the world rather than sleep. Mommy fell asleep while putting Little Sister to sleep (again), and woke up when Big Brother already went to sleep. I miss saying Goodnight to my prince (and feel a bit guilty about it- I will give you one extra kiss tomorrow)! Mommy is thinking that you are not eating enough during the daytime, which is why you usually wake up a lot between the hours of 12-8 to eat, but I haven't thought of how to adjust your schedule yet.

Daddy and Mommy enjoy the weekend with both of you and love you both so so much. 

Another gloomy Day

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

Today was yet another gloomy day of rain and grey clouds, but it is Saturday so Daddy is home with us. Big Brother went to a lunch with Daddy and didn't want to go home to take a nap at all. It has been a constant battle for Mommy and Daddy to put you down for nap because you are too into playing and going out. We are hoping that this phase shall pass soon - we love for you to socialize but to slow down when it comes to rest. Luckily the night routine went smoother and you went to sleep without much resistance. Mommy went to get grocery in the afternoon and fell asleep while putting Little Sister to sleep so I didn't get to interact with you much today. In the morning, you tried to ask Mommy to bring you a bathroom, but Mommy was too sleepy (due to a rough night with Little Sister) and didn't attend to your needs so we had an accident. Mommy feels so terrible for missing your cues and promised to be more attentive with you when you come to me for help. 

Little Sister had smooth morning, but the afternoon was rougher because Mommy tried to help you sleep without the moby again. You resisted with vomiting, and as a result, your afternoon was restless and you were quite tired when it comes to the evening. You cried a lot while I put you to sleep and wanted Mommy to sleep with you for a long time at night. I hope you will have a peaceful night tonight. Last night, you were such a trooper (one of the best night as far as I can remember) until 5 am when you had a coughing spell and we stayed up all the way until 6.  Then, your brother woke up, so Mommy was up with your brother too. So for now, Mommy thinks that we will continue to be in the Moby to preserve your daytime nap.

Love you both with all my heart and soul. 

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

It was a gloomy day so we stayed inside all day. Mommy had to turned on her creative hats to keep Big Brother entertained. As a result, the house was very messy, which didn't make Daddy very happy when he came home. Big Brother had a fun day, racing his cars down the mattress track with mommy. We also played a lot with the blocks where you learned different colors. We also read books about train and Santa Clause. Your nap was short though and you have been staying up really late. The world is too exciting - so you always want to stay "in the picture" rather than going in a dark room and fall asleep, which must be quite boring. Whatever you are involved in, it's hard to break you away - we have to work on how to get you to detach when it comes time for naps and nighttime sleeping.  You are also learning to say "no" to everything that we ask of you, especially to the food that I offer. Food must be boring because it takes time from your playing, so Mommy thinks. You are also getting very good at negotiating, asking for Mommy when having Daddy and vice versa. Regardless of all the stress that we have, you are infinitely cute and are talking so much and everything that you say melt our hearts with your innocence.

Little Sister had a tough day with sleeping (again). Mommy is trying to wean you from the Moby, but you are resisting with all my efforts. You slept well in the morning, but in the afternoon hardly at all due to Mommy's trying to swaddle you to sleep and your brother's waking up from nap. Every night this week, you have been furiously crying right after your bath. We are hoping that it's because you are afraid of the cold temperature since sitting in the warm water was so comforting. Your crying break our hearts, but we are not sure what to do to make you more comfortable. Your cough continues at night, sometimes even in the day, which worries Mommy a little bit. Hopefully your "cold" will pass soon. On a more positive note, Mommy is so proud of you for peeing/pooping in the toilet on cue. Both of you and your brother are so in sync with eliminative communication training. You continue to melt our hearts with your smiles and cooing (even when you are not sleeping well at all).     

Mommy will head to bed now - thousands of kisses to both of you. May the angels protect your dreams tonight and keep you warm and safe.

Hoping for better days

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

Mommy has been so busy with trying to send out Christmas cards that she didn't get a chance to write to you yesterday. Today, we had a really tough day too. Big Brother has been on an eating strike lately - Mommy has not able to offer you anything exciting enough that you want to eat. Tonight, something was up in the air and you didn't go to sleep until almost 11 after throwing up everything. Mommy and Daddy feel so terrible that you are not feeling quite yourself and hoping that tomorrow you will have a better day. In the morning, we went to the park near our house, and then to the Honda dealership where you wanted to go inside. We played in the kid's section, but where you had the most fun was in the bathroom with the automatic faucet and the napkin dispenser. You also enjoyed looking at the all the big trucks on the 880 from the view room of the dealer. You slept for almost three hours and in the evening Daddy took you to play at the mall, too. In the last few days, you have started to call me "Me oi" every time you look for me, which is incredibly cute. Even though you are having a tough time with eating, you still are still so precious with your incredulous self. You are in love with Thomas the train these days and want to play with Thomas all day along. Of course, the Hot Wheels cars remain your ultimate favorite - together the train and the car light your beautiful up every moment of my day.

Little Sister slept in the morning but had a rough afternoon sleeping wise. However, you always delight Mommy with the smiles and cooing, which happen all the time, even when When Daddy came home at 5, I gave you a quick bath and you were asleep by 5:40. However, you have been coughing a lot at night, which worry me a bit. I hope you will get over whatever it is that you are going through soon, my precious angel. Right now, you are sleeping soundly, just like an angel would. I hope you will have a smooth night with beautiful dreams. 

I love you both so much, more than you ever know.

Checking out Montessori school for Big Brother

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

We started the day off with the three of us going to check out school for Big Brother. You seem to click right off and went to hang out with the other kids. You didn't want to leave at all. I am not sure if you knew that Mommy was nearby but you seem like you were delighted and inquisitive about the new environment.  You loved the playground the most and hopped right on even though you were the only one there. I hope when the day come that I have to drop you off at school that you are not anxious and will be adjusted quickly.  After the school visit, we went to the fire station so that you can look at all the firetrucks. We stayed there for quite a while; I am not sure what the firemen think when they see us going by everyday and just standing there in awe of the fire trucks. We tried to catch a glimpse of the train too, but we always seem to miss it somehow. It was unusually warm today, so Mommy didn't want you to spend all day in the sun. After the fire station, we went to the park where you spent some time on the swing and the slides. You played with another toddler and raced around the park with him. You were so happy and silly today and Mommy loved every single moment with you. We got home rather late; I attempted to feed you but you said that "Baby khong thich bot" so we went to take a nap. The sweetest was when you woke up, you had the biggest smile on your face and greeted me with "baby cua Me thuc day roi". It just melts my heart to hear those sweet words. I tried to give you some more food thinking that you must be hungry but you didn't want to eat that much today. Hopefuly, you will want to eat tomorrow. I am trying to make food more enticing so that you will eat more, but haven't been that successful. When Daddy came home, he took you to the library and you had so much fun there going on the elevator & stairs. Finally, the last thing we did were you reading a "train" book for Mommy and Daddy, which was super sweet too. I recorded that moment but accidentally deleted it - feel so bad right now.

Little Sister had a better day than yesterday sleeping wise, but you still had a tough time falling asleep for the night time. In the morning, you wanted to stay up to watch Big Brother while he played at the park too so you didn't have your regular morning nap. I am not sure why - I hope this period of not sleeping much will go away and you will go back to sleeping your long hours again. Mommy gave you a bath at night today, which you seem to enjoy. You have the biggest smiles on your face these days and Mommy just loves them so much. You still like to hang out in the Moby wrap, danging in front like a kangaroo, which is your nickname these days.

Mommy will head to bed early today... sending all my Love the biggest Loves of my life: Khoa & Mai An.
 

 

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

We had a really rough day today with both of you not sleeping well. We started the day with going to the park and then to the mall. Big Brother had so much fun playing different games at the mall and didn't want to come home at all. Mommy was so tired on the way back pushing Big Brother and carrying Little Sister in my Moby wrap. Mommy had a tough time feeding Big Brother lunch but managed to put you in sleep at 12:45. Things went downhill from there, with Big Brother waking up early from nap and didn't fall back to sleep. Little Sister was interrupted multiple times and slept a few cat naps just 45 minutes each. By the time Daddy came home, Little Sister was way too tired and cried a lot while Mommy put you to sleep. You continue to sleep but had multiple bouts of cry while falling asleep. We started the sleep routine at 6, but you didn't sleep soundly until after 8.  Mommy feels so bad that you had a rough day and wants to cry along with you.

Big Brother refused to eat after you woke up from your nap, so we went outside to the park. You had a lot of fun playing hide and seek, climbing up and down the slide, with Mommy and Little Sister. We had to go home because it was getting dark and cold, even though you didn't want to come inside. I am glad that you enjoy going outside so much these days. My favorite moment today was when you were at the massage chair, you pretended that the remote control was the phone and you pretended to call your aunt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4PMfzeyDec&feature=plcp

I also love that you are reading to me these days the same way that I hold books and read to you - I hope you grow up and continue to love books.

Mommy will head to bed now - here's to a better day tomorrow.

Love you both infinitely.

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

Yesterday was the Saturday so Daddy was able to spend a lot of time taking Big Brother to many places while Mommy stayed home with Little Sister. Daddy took Big Brother to the mall to meet Santa & Snowmen. You were so tired when you came home, but you had so much fun that you didn't want to come inside at all. Mommy had to beg you to take a nap to restore your energy. When you woke up, we played the Music Sparkles App while you ate your afternoon meal and you were able to relate between the note "Mi" and your auntie "Mi". You asked if we can call auntie Mi so that you can tell her about the relationship that you just figured out. You were also able to relate a picture of a coffee cup with the coffee that your Grandpa drank. Mommy is so proud of you for making these connections. Afterward, we attempted to wrap some Christmas presents but you had too much fun with the wrapping paper so we didn't get a whole lot done. Daddy then took you to visit Uncle Hoang's new baby, whom you wanted to bring home too. Mommy had to tell you and Mommy and Daddy are already too tired with just your little sister, we cannot possibly take care of another infant.  You seem to enjoy going out so much these days that you wouldn't leave your carseat once you are home - I hope you will continue to be sociable and enjoy going places and learn new things.

Little Sister had a great day with long hours of nap during the day and nighttime routine was smooth too. You are talking so much these days and Mommy enjoys listening to your conversation. Here is 5 whole minutes of you talking to Mommy after taking a bath and getting ready for sleep.

Mai An talking

You must enjoy talking so much that you woke at 4:50AM to converse with Mommy and didn't want to go back to sleep again. We stayed up for about an hour and as a result, Mommy was very tired when she woke up in the morning. I love you infinitely nonetheless.

Love, Mommy

Dear Khoa & Mai An,

Welcome to our first blog - Mommy is looking forward to document your progresses on this blog since you both grow up so fast.  Mommy and Daddy love you very much.