Caitlin the Daring Explorer

It's so amazing. It just seems that Caitlin changed a lot in couple of days after turning 16 months. She looks so much bigger and older. Since she grew a little bit more, Caitlin has discovered that she can reach more things now like on our entertainment center and dining nook table. We had to move and put things away since she can get into more areas now. Couple of weeks ago, we went to IKEA and bought a tent for Caitlin. It's sitting near one of the corner of our living room. She bounces and pounces on the tent daily. I really wonder how long the tent will last. Caitlin loves it! Whenever we go to Eugene's parents' place, Caitlin finds YeYe very fascinating, especially with all his different instruments. She enjoys exploring and walking around to familiarized herself to YeYe's and MaMa's house. Last week, Caitlin bumped her head at the babysitter and had a slight bump and bruise. It wasn't too bad, but it scared the babysitter and me. I left my school site during my lunch time to check up on her. I had one of my colleagues watched my students, if I ran late, when our lunch time ends. When I got to the babysitter's house, Caitlin was being held and spoiled by the babysitter and her kids for the rest of the day. She started to be more clingy toward us after our spring break, too. However, Caitlin has a new fetish--as a walking green basket. =)

Caitlin's Language Development

I only have three more days left of my spring break. I am savoring every moment of it! This past week, Caitlin has certain words she keeps on using. It's been uh oh, ow, and oh. She still doing a lot of baby talk. I try to teach Caitlin to use the word milk instead nini, which means the same thing in Cantonese. It works for us at home; however, I am not sure it will work with the babysitter. Mum has three meaning right now- between food, mommy or MaMa (grandma in Cantonese). She can say up, which stands for picking me up or go up the stairs. Today she said up pease for up please, and it is kind of cute observing her language development. Since Caitlin has been teething, she is back with chewing the corners of the block books again. She says boo for book. I am still in the dilemma how I am going to incorporate English and Cantonese, since I am illiterate in Chinese.

Easter Weekend

It has been a busy 2 days for Caitlin and us. It was an interesting and exciting Saturday afternoon for Caitlin. Caitlin and I took a picture with the Easter Bunny. She went to her 1st Easter Egg Hunt; however, she had fun looking at the eggs from a far and watching other kids and parents clawing their way past each other to get as many Easter eggs as they could. Parents were not supposed to be inside the Easter Egg Hunt area, but as you can tell from photo many parents did not follow directions. We were most scared of the parents pushing Caitlin. I finally told Eugene to go into the area, so she won't get hurt. Eugene was able to get 3 eggs for little Caitlin. We ended sharing one of our eggs with Kalyssa, since she did not get any. In addition, Caitlin was able to pet a Police Officer's horse that was at the event. She also tried to throw some dice at one game booth, but Caitlin is still too young to do a lot of the activities. We can try again next year! In the evening, we had dinner with my family to celebrate GungGung's belated birthday at a Chinese restaurant in Foster City. Today, we went to Calvary Chapel for our Easter Sunday service, and Caitlin had a great time in nursery school. This church is close to where we live and has a good Kids Community. We had a nice and restful day.

Caitlin's Saturday

We went to Milbrae to go see TaiMaMa, MaMa and YeYe. Caitlin had a fun time hanging out with MaMa, YeYe and TaiMaMa for 3 hours by herself, while Eugene and I had our 2nd movie date. It's quite rare for us to go to the theater to watch a movie nowadays unless we have someone watching Caitlin. (The last time we went to a movie was for Forbidden Kingdom with Jackie Chan and Jet Li. My friend, Cindi, with her 2 daughters, babysat Caitlin at our place last time.) Then we stayed late to have dinner and hang out with everyone until night time. Caitlin had a fun time enjoying YeYe's singing and playing the piano and different shiny instruments. She also attempted to play the piano. In addition, she got to hang out with MaMa and TaiMaMa. It's Caitlin day to bond with the elders, not just Mommy and Daddy. The only one missing was Gu Jie, Auntie Rica. We all miss Auntie Rica.

15 Months Old

Caitlin turned 15 months old last weekend. Eugene and I can't believe it, as we looked through her last year's pictures. It has been an exciting week for Caitlin, since she started with our new babysitter, Connie, and her daughter, Michelle, who watches her also during the 4 days that Caitlin stays with them during the day. Caitlin has made a lot new little friends at the babysitter's place. They are Christian, Jaden and Aaron. At the same time, Caitlin has picked up a lot of the boys' voice level and playing habits. It hurts our ears a little presently, but I can tell how happy Caitlin is, plus she has become a lot more daring and active after returning from the babysitter. We are hoping it is just a phase Caitie pie is going through. Here are couple of pictures of Caitlin holding a remote control like a telephone. She is having a full on baby talk conversation, while I am snapping away. (Hee.....)

Turbulent Days

It has been a very busy and stress month for everyone at work especially with report cards due during the 2nd week of this month. On top of things, Eugene and I have been having babysitting problems the past few weeks since my friend and former babysitter, Alice, got sick. They found a tumor in one of her kidneys after being sick few weeks back. We're praying for her and her family. Since my friend can't babysit Caitlin anymore, I have been stressed out trying to find a new babysitter and someone to watch her in the process. My parents came over for the week to watch my little one. We were hoping for less stress for us until we find a new babysitter to replace Alice. Ah...that did not quite work out for Eugene and me. I have been so stressed out that my allergies went straight from a quick cold to bronchitis. I haven't gotten bronchitis for over 10 years, since my college days. In the mean time, I got some really great referrals for babysitters and/or daycare from colleagues in my school district. We were able to find a new babysitter starting Monday. The babysitter is located in our area, and the location is about 4-5 blocks from where we live. We are so relief! We thank God for answering our prayers. Even through these crazy days, I still remind myself to enjoy and appreciate all the memories I have with our little family especially Caitlin.

Growing Up Moments

Caitlin was digging and exploring our study room yesterday and discovered my little toddler backpack behind the door. I took it out of the plastic bag and gave it to her. Afterward I helped put on the little backpack on Caitlin. She totally loved it and didn't want to take it off. She wears the backpack everyday right now. I guess Caitlin is ready for school. (Hee...) She is just look so adorable with the tiny backpack. In addition, Caitlin loves DVD, TV, and Wii remote controls. Eugene and I have been trying hard to keep all our remote controls away from Caitlin. A lot of times I forget and leave couple of them on the couch. I forget that she's a lot taller now, and can reach for the remote controls since it's at her level now.