Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

Today was not a good as far as sleep goes for both of you, but Big Brother still had so much fun while Little Sister was a bit clingy/fussy almost all day with not so much sleep. I desperately miss those days when you sleep next to my chest for 3 hours each stretch. You had three short nap: possibly ranging from 1/2 to 1 1/2 hr, and that's all. The only better thing vs. yesterday was that you didn't have the crying period before sleep, maybe because Daddy gave you a relaxing bath before. You were out for the night before 5pm - hopefully you will sleep well tonight and praying that tomorrow will be better. This week has been rough for you as far as sleeping during the day time. I am not sure why - maybe growth spurt (you are at your 15th week mark). Today, Mommy feels this overwhelming sense of powerlessness as Mommy is not able to help you sleep well. I wish that somehow magically you will learn to self soothe and would sleep well everyday, despite all the noise in the house. I notice that you are ever so sensitive to noise this week, whereas the week before nothing seems to bother you much. What I don't understand is that you still sleep well at night (averaging 13 hours nights), but daytime remains a struggle.  Because you were kinda fussy all day, we couldn't get a lot of smiles (some but not like usual) but you are growing ever so beautiful and sweet. You continue to only like to be held standing straight up (no sitting). You didn't feed that much today (so Mommy's breast is full at this moment). You are talking a lot and definitely telling us what you want or do not want. I am hoping whatever stage you are going through shall pass soon...  I am constantly saying prayers for you.

Big Brother hung out with Daddy all day since Mommy was trying to help Little Sister with her sleep. In the morning, you went to Home Depot to make a bird house. I heard that you were very cute with the staff, speaking to them in Vietnamese and thought that they fully understood you. Some of them even wanted to take a picture with you. You got selected for a gift (gingerbread house) which we will save for next Christmas. You took a two hour nap, and then woke up playing balloon with Mommy and Daddy. You surely love balloon very much - it kept you entertained for more than an hour. You are also a pro at eating, especially with your hands, by yourself these days. You now know to ask for what kind of food you like to eat. Mommy feels terrible that we don't have a wide array of food to offer you since Mommy is so preoccupied with taking care of Little Sister. Hopefully when Grandma is here, she can cook all kind of wonderful food so that your taste buds will be greatly enamored and you will learn to love all kinds of food. In the evening, Daddy took you to the mall (since it was raining again) and to church. By now, you are soundly sleeping. I love the fact that despite you are now a big and independent two years old, you still hold and hug Mommy whenever you feel the need to.  Sometimes, in the middle of your playing, you would grab a book and sit in Mommy's lap so that we can quickly read together. Your "I Love You" to me is ever so sweet, too (in addition to "bye bye Me, anh di choi vui). These moments are so precious to Mommy. You especially love to go out to places, even though you haven't interacted much with children your own age). I love it that for now at least, our family get to spend some time and interact together in the kitchen.

Mommy Loves her prince and princess very much. Good night my Loves!