Christmas Chaos for Mommy and Daddy

Christmas is one of my favorite holiday, but it's one of my busiest one. I have been balancing preparation and planning for all the Christmas and Gingerbread themes and activities for my kidos in my class. Everyone in my school is also practicing for our Christmas Sing-Along Performance next week. We are also busy with our 2nd Harvest Can Food Drive and anticipating our Christmas school play from the drama club. I have not even typed up my annual class Christmas party letter for next Thursday. Our staff party is this upcoming Thursday. I have started shopping Christmas gifts for my colleagues and family. I just ordered the Christmas greeting cards. I am not even thinking of wrapping gifts until this Friday. There is Caitie's pie's birthday bash coming up next weekend. Eugene has been in a whirwind in trying to finish up his assignments and lesson plans for his classes, which is ending this week. He has been pulling a lot of all nighters to complete his tasks for his student teaching. Both of us so caught up with our work or school related work that we try to remind ourselves not to miss this stage of Caitlin's growth.

Caitlin has started to take her 1st step of walking without any support, but she still preferred to cruise around. She does a lot of cutsey shaking head and squinting her eyes to amuse us now. Caitlin has started teething again. It is her teeth on her bottom gum that are coming out. She is doing a lot of peek-a-boo games with us.

Thanksgiving Day

It is time for family gathering and eating. This a nice break from our daily work and school schedule. It also gives us more time to spend with our 11 months old baby girl and catch up on sleep and naps for me. It has been a treat for Eugene and me to see how much Caitlin has grown in little and big ways. Both of our families were able to get together again to hang out for Thanksgiving. This year, we are so happy to be able to have Rica and Lina to join us. We were able to enjoy Grandma Rebecca's famous potato salad and her annual yummy Thanksgiving turkey, which look forward every year. There were lots of other delicious food and dessert to enjoy.The biggest treat was everyone was able to spend some time with little Caitie pie. She was the center of attention -not the turkey! Here are some pictures from my camera. I can not wait to see everyone else pictures from that day. =)

One Sick Family

Caitlin was getting over a stomach flu the week before last, and she has a cold now. Her nose is still running and congested. She has the baby coughs too. It is her first cold. I know there will be more in the future. She had a slight fever last week on her 3rd day of catching a cold. I was glad that her fever went away after one baby dose of Tylenol and nice bath in the evening.

Eugene has been coughing. I had bad sore throat after whole day of parent conferences middle of this week. It lasted 2 days, and I have a lot of dry coughs right now. The whole family is drinking a lot of water. I am napping a lot too in the evening. This is the 1st time the whole family is sick. I was told is a norm after you have a kiddo. We're one sick family right now.

Caitlin's Little Challenges

It is almost mid- November already. I thought I better blog a little on Caitie pie. Eugene has been so busy with his class and student teaching work. As you noticed, you have not seen Eugene write anything lately. I have been working on report cards, students' portfolios box and getting things ready for my parent conferences next week. Caitlin has been fighting a stomach flu and horrible diaper rash last week. We had to switch back to lactose free formula milk and feed her good old fashion-- juk (porridge). However, Caitlin still loves her daily Cheerios and Sweet Potato Puffs. Additionally, Caitlin has been teething and has 6 visible little teeth. (I can't believe how much she has grown.)

Caitlin is also quite an adventurous baby. She loves to grab on things and cruise around. She loves to dig and grab on things she is not supposed to. I think it's typical for any baby at her age. I know she will be keep us on our toes once she can walk independently. She already gets into things, as you can tell from the pictures.

Caitlin Moments

Wow, it's almost the end of October. I totally can't believe it. Caitie pie just turned 10 months this past Tuesday. She's been getting into a lot of trouble around the house. We need to get another fence to keep her safe. Caitlin can pull herself up from a sitting position and grabs anything she can reach. Caitlin is definitely like all the babies around her age-- the exploring age. Here are some recent photos of Caitlin that we took professionally. Caitlin is wearing Auntie Rica's penguin costume and one of my favorite Hawaiian dresses. We all had a very fun time during the photo session.

Hello Kitty Imposter

In that time of year where we love to go to arts and crafts fairs, Oktoberfest, and other weekend events, today we went to Babies 'R Us. It was their store opening anniversary day. In addition to getting a discount on our purchases, Caitie pie got a chance to take a photo with Geoffrey. It was our 1st professional photo shoot for our little troublemaker. Caitlin was wearing her cutie Hello Kitty Halloween outfit that we got from Jenaya and Kalyssa jie jie. Our next goal is get more pictures of Caitlin in Auntie Rica's penguin outfit, which Auntie Rica purchased for her before she was born last year.

Caitie's Busy Day

We had a very busy day. We went Eugene's mentor and friend's birthday gathering this afternoon. Caitlin got to hang around other adults and kids. Caitie pie had so much fun that she did not want to nap. Then we headed down to downtown San Jose and checked out the Japantown fair.This evening, Caitlin took her first few steps, once with Eugene and once with me this evening. Before she went to bed, Caitlin was playing "pee-a-boo" with Eugene. Caitlin kept covering her face and pulling her pink banklet away. It was just so adorable. I wished I videotape those moments. I guess next time.