Play, Swim, and Circus

My weekend starts with a swim at the UCLA Sunset Pool with my girlfriends Isabel and AE. Swimming was a lot of fun, but running around and playing tag with the girls at the lawn was even more fun. We would hold hands and walk towards the sand in the volleyball court, while our parents play paparazzi.

After a long morning, I took a nap in the car and off to Langer’s for lunch, then on to the circus we went. Dad and Mom loved the pastrami sandwiches at Langer’s, but I really enjoyed their chicken noodle soup and French fries with lots of ketchup. YUMMY!

The circus was so much fun. We were right at the front row where I saw clowns, elephants, horses, performers, tigers, and so many other things. There were so many things going on sometimes I didn’t know what to look at. But my favorite were the elephants, dogs and horses. I love how they performed all these tricks and there were so many of them. Thanks Daddy for some amazing seats!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Today is Mom and Dad’s 6th wedding anniversary. I am thankful and happy that they got married, otherwise I wouldn’t be here today. Dad was working in Singapore until July 4th so we celebrated Independence Day and their anniversary today. There were a lot of people at the house today, my grandparents, my aunts, my girlfriends and their parents, and lots of food. We had corn on the cob, sausages, crabs with tamarind sauce, ribs, and ice cream for dessert.

My girlfriends Isabel, Audrey-Elisabeth (AE) and I played around, ate popsicles and took a bath together. Hehheheheh I had so much fun today I told Mom to please invite my friends over more often.

My 1st trip away from Mom and Dad in San Diego.

Thanks to aunt Linda (Di Linda) I was able to take a short vacation in San Diego and gave Mom a 5 day break from me. This is the first time since I was born that I have been away from Mom for more than 12 hours.

Di Linda had my tripped pack full of fun activities and mini adventures. Each day was a different trip and experience. On the first day she took me to the San Diego Children’s Museum where I was able to explore all the different exhibits, play areas, and even did some art with Uncle Tony.

My next day included a trip to the annual Del Mar Fair, and there I saw farm animals, a pig race, lots of rides, food, and fun. It was a continuous ride of fun and a variety of different adventures. For the first time at Trader Joe’s I was able to push around my own shopping cart, pet a pig, and did really well away from Mom. I swam, ate different food, and was so well feed that I gained a pound when I returned home.

Thank you to my aunts and uncle Tony for hanging out and taking care of me.

Cherry Picking

It’s our first Monday back from many weeks of nonstop traveling. Mom decided to head out to Leona Valley for some cherry picking before the season ends this weekend. I don’t ever remember seeing so many fruits in a single tree before.

At first I wasn’t sure if I should pick it, after some encouragements from Mom and my nanny (Ba Net) I decided to start. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. The first 20 cherries or so I picked, I ate them. The remaining ones I put them in the bucket just like Mom and Ba Net. It was a learning experience for me. I didn’t know that the cherries you picked and put in the bucket should be as nice and big likes those I like to eat. I just picked and put them in without closely evaluating them.

After Mom gave me a couple of lessons on which cherries I should and shouldn’t pick, I became better at it. Though Mom still helped me with weeding out the bad ones from the pail. It was hot (100 degrees F), windy, but so much fun. I can’t wait till we go and pick some other fruits this season.

Hi Mr. Garbage Man!

Every Monday morning when Dad hears the garbage truck, we would run outside to wave to our garbage man and watch him pick up the trash. It was so much fun and I always enjoyed looking at the trucks, and waving to the man.

Now take that and multiply it by 10 and that was the annual Sanitation Festival. Here I was able to see garbage trucks after garbage trucks, push the buttons, honk the horn, watched the level being pulled and even sat in the trucks. You really can’t beat that, and to top it off I was accompany by my grandparents and met lots of my Piglet buddies there. The food and drinks were free, I was given a free mini garbage can, and Mom received a free citrus fruit. Mom says nothing is free, well I guess she didn’t know garbage is!

Chicago and Savanna

A few days after returning from my long trip in Vietnam, we headed off to Savanna and Chicago. I was accompany by Grandmother, Mom, and Dad joined us later in the week. The week long in Illinois was full of visits with families, ancestors, and a wedding.

My first day I visited my great uncle Bob and his family just right outside of Chicago. I have seen them before, but it’s always fun to see them again. My second cousin Timothy came over to visit with his parents and we had a lot of fun together. One of my favorite things to do was watching Harley the dog run around and play.

The next day we drove out to Savanna, a city about 2 hours out of Chicago where Grandma grew up. It was beautiful and here I was able to visit the grave-site of Dad’s maternal grandparents, and great grandparents. I heard Grandma and Mom talking about my great grandparents so often on the trip that once I got there, it seems like I knew them. They must have been really beautiful people and I just hope I will grow up and be able to inherit some of their amazing traits & personalities. Especial great grandpa’s sense of adventure and being the renaissance man he was and great grandma’s happy personality.

I ran up to hug and kiss their headstones, and just really like to hang around there though Mom said it was getting too hot to stay in the sun. Savanna is a beautiful town and I am really happy I had a chance to come and visit it with Grandma. I hope to return again when I am older.

The wedding celebration that I was able to attend parts of was beautiful! I really like uncle Henry, he is funny and has a warm smile. The swing at Mr. O’connor’s house was so much fun, and I was captivated at how beautiful everything in the church was, especially the ceremony. Not to mention the great first baseball game I've been to in my life, go CUBS!

We ended our weekend in Chicago with sun on the Lake and an afternoon at the Children’s Museum with more friends and family. It was a long trip, but I really enjoyed it. Thank you Grandma for helping out with the trip and being such a great companion.

CONGRATULATIONS AUNT LINDA!

Aunt Linda graduated from UCSB today. Everyone drove up to Santa Barbara to attend the graduation ceremony and celebrate aunt Linda’s four years of hard work. I am really proud of my aunt, not only is she a beautiful person inside out, but she is a hard worker and does extremely well in everything she puts her mind to. In a few weeks she will start grad school and I will not be able to see much of her. Though I will tell parents to take me to campus often so I can visit and cheer you on. GO, GO, auntie Linda!

Happy Mother's Day, mommy!

This morning Dad and I waited for Mom to wake up. Once she was awake I gave her tulips, a card, a balloon and one BIG hug. Thanks to my mommy (well and daddy too of course), I have many adventures and also be with one of my favorite person in the world.

Mom really enjoys food so we decided to be casual and go check out the local BBQ Festival in Santa Monica with my aunt Linda and grandparents joined. We had ribs, pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, and even cupcakes. It was so nice to have Grandpa and Grandma Mesic join us. I gave her one of my Mother's Day class craft that I made, and she really likes it. I am a very lucky girl to have such a loving family.

Saturday with Uncle Kevin, Aunt Thu, and my dog Balu.

It's the day before Mother's Day and we have Uncle Kevin and Aunt Thu visiting from San Francisco. It's been a long while since I've seen the both of them, especially my aunt Thu. The day she came, I ran up to greet her all naked in my diaper, but can you blame me? I haven't seen her in what seems to be forever, and I used to see her everyday.

We wanted to give mom the morning off so she can get some things done, thus off to the Palisades we went. First stop was the weekly Polo game where I saw horses and riders all over the field. They're playing ball with a stick, it looks so fun. Maybe one day I will be able to ride a horse, just like them. Then Dad headed over to the local Fire Station where I checked out a very cool fire truck. It's big, red, has a long white ladder, AND I get to sit on the inside to check out all the equipments.

Dad wrapped up our trip with a short visit to the Los Angeles Lake Shrine where we strolled through the lake and even saw a couple of swans. After that I was happy to be home and hang with my dog, Balu. What a day, thanks Dad, Uncle Crabtree, and Aunt Thu.

My day with Daddy.

Today was Mommy’s day off so I got to spend the entire day with my daddy. As you can see, he dressed me in this oh, so fashionably daddy outfit. He took me to the park, fed me all my meals, we bonded on the back porch reading and playing around, and wrapped up the afternoon with washing mom’s car. I really enjoyed helping Dad wash the car. Though I got all wet and it was a little chilly, I try to help Dad wash all the lower parts where it may be hard for him to reach. It was hard work; there were so many spots to try and “clean-up”. After I finished washing the car, I took a break to say hi to our neighborhood dog Penny while Daddy finished it off.

Dad then fed me dinner, bathe me, read me some books and put me to bed. He is the world’s BEST Daddy.

Thank you Daddy for such a fantastic Day!!

Mom's Birthday

Today was such a beautiful day. We started off the day at KidSpace in Pasadena with my friends, Evan and Elijah. This place is quite spectacular, it has a toddler playing area outdoors and indoors. There's a man made stream where you can sit in and play with lots of little trails to walk around.

After the KidSpace museum, we met up with Mom's friend, aunt Diane and went out for cupcakes. It was fun, but really hot out in San Marino. We headed back west to the Lakeshore Learning Store before going out to pick up Jamaican food. In the late afternoon, mom and I sat on our back deck and had a little sunset Jamaican food picnic. It was so much fun as we sat there eating, watching the birds, and looking at our favorite tree.

Happy Birthday Mom!

San Diego and Seaworld

This past weekend, we were at Seaworld. I like the Sesame Street area where I saw Elmo and all his friends. We played in the water fountains, watched Shamu, and saw Seymour & Clyde performed. This is my first trip to Seaworld since I've been mobile. I look forward to going there more often since Mom purchased a season pass.

My Easter Party

For Easter this year, Mom threw an Easter Egg hunt party in our backyard. It was so much fun preparing for the party. We stuffed over 300 eggs with stickers and treats, then I helped mom put together all my little friends' snacks. Mom then tested my egg finding skills by hiding them all over the living room, just so I can hunt for them.

On Saturday, the day before Easter we had 22 of my Lil' friends and their parents over. All my friends were dressed up in their Sunday best. We played, hunted for eggs, and had so much fun. I ended up with three baskets full of eggs, and was excited to continue looking for eggs. Mom asked that I start hiding the eggs so others can find it instead of picking up more eggs. I had just as much fun hiding them as I did finding them. I can't wait till next year when we get to do this again.

Santa Maria

I visited Great Grandmother Johnson in Santa Maria today. She is 90 turning 91 in a few months, but she has a great complexion. We went to the local Children’s museum, and I had so much fun. There are so many different play areas, nooks, and things to do. I really like playing with the rubber pebbles sand box and met a large tortoise. We met mom’s Middle School Friend, aunt Vy and her son William there. Willliam is really cute and I like him.

Disneyland

Today is my first time at Disneyland with Grandma Mesic, Daddy and Mommy. There are so many things to do, people to watch, rides to explore and foods to try. My favorite rides were Dumbo, Small World, and the Merry-go-round. Thank you DADDY for taking me on Dumbo and the Merry-go-round. I had so much fun, especially when I know you are sitting right there next to me. After each ride I signed for “more”, but the line was too long and there were so many other rides I have yet to explore.

My least favorite was Pirates of the Caribbean, all the monsters and loud sounds really scared me. Snow White Adventure and the Jungle Safari were some other rides I was able to go on with everyone. One of the souvenir stores at Disneyland has a set of stairs with three steps on each side. I had so much fun going up and down those steps and did it about a dozen rounds before I had to leave.

By eight at night I was fast asleep in mom’s Ergo. Then all of a sudden I hear loud explosions and music playing. Colorful lights were flashing in the sky and mom encouraged me to fully wake up and watch Fantasmic. I was amazed and in awed as I look at all the beautiful colors in the distance.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dyi THU!

 

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear auntie Thu,
Happy Birthday to you!

Di Thu thanks to you I get to go to Disneyland today. I wish your birthday was everyday!

My new ride

A Day at the Beach

Today the weather is so nice and beautiful. We decided to go to the beach, play in the sand, and watch the sunset. Aunt Linda is here visiting from Santa Barbara, and she will accompany us. My favorite thing to do is running the sand through my hands. It's so fun dip your hands in the sand, and then try to remove them. Is this possible without the help of water? Well, I find that if I stick my fingers in my mouth, it also helps to remove the sands from my hands, but then how do I get them out of my mouth? Oh so many things to learn.

Floats at the Rose Bowl Parade

Happy New Year!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Celebrating my second Christmas with lots of love and family.

My Nook

 


This is one of my favorite places to hang out. It's a little nook mom made for me under her office desk. I like to sit in here and read, play with my toys, or just relax while mom is on her computer. Every now and then I would pull on mom's leg so she remembers that I am down here.

Playing in the Leaves

Every Thursday Grandma Mesic comes over to take care of me for the day. Today, Di Thu suggested we all go out and play in the pile of fall leaves near the driveway. I had so much fun, there are so many colors. I loaded all the squashes into my little wagon and pushed it down the sidewalk. Then Di Thu lifted me up so I can touch all the leaves in the tree. We gathered the leaves together and threw it up in the air.

Later that day, Grandma and I had a walk down the street. Unlike all the other walks where Grandma pushes me in my stroller. This time we were both walking. We went down about 5 houses, Grandma helped me a quarter of the way there, but the rest I did it on my own. It was so fun and nice to go out and run around.

Happy Birthay Di Hong

 
 

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Di Hong,
Happy Birthday to you!

My aunt turns 2? this year, I can't tell you exactly how old because it's a secret. Funny thing, is her birthday is the day after mine. I hope you had a great one!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUDREY!

 

Feel free to post in the comments section. Below is a message from Mom.

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Audrey,
Happy Birthday to you!

I can't believe mommy's little girl is turning ONE today. It's a bitter-sweet feeling on mom's part, but I am so happy and proud of you. You have really grown and changed so much over the past 12 months. Its simply incredible to watch you each week as you change and develop into the adorable little toddler you are today. There are so many things I want to wish for you. Let's start out this day with lots of giggles, laughs, hugs, and kisses.

AUTUMN is here!

 

Every morning auntie Thu takes me outside to look at the leaves and all the different colors. My favorite is what the call the “Maple” trees out near our drive way. The leaves on there are so colorful and vibrant. It’s been so warm that we finally had a chilly day today. Mom prepared my warm clothes and I get to dance around in my red boots. I can’t wait till it rains so I can test them out in the puddles.

LUNCH DATE

 

After swim class and farmer’s market today, I had a lunch date with mom. We sat down in the middle of Third Street Promenade at the new French wine and cheese restaurant. I ordered a kid’s portion of chicken and French fries. The fries were yummy, but I didn’t care for the chicken. There were lots of pigeons around the area, some of which came by the table and joined us for lunch. Mom breaks up the bread pieces and shares it with them. My favorite is the free kid’s ice cream they give at the end of the meal, it was yummy.

VOTE!

 
 

It’s a historical moment and mom says one day I will be reading about this in my history class. We went to our voting booth in the afternoon right after baby class. Mom let me hold the pen and help her mark the ballot. It’s too bad I will have to wait until I am 19 years old to vote. Voting is the first Tuesday of November and I am born in the second week of November. Although most of us can vote at 18, I am going to have to wait an extra year ;(

Piglets at the Pumpkin Patch

5 Moments at Mr. Bone's Pumpkin Patch Today:

1: Roaming around and exploring it with my fellow piglets
2: All the hay they use to make the ground covering
3: You are almost guaranteed to see some kind of celebrity if you stay long enough
4: Paparazzi's are outside at both corners of the entrance
5: Pumpkins the size of my head cost $5 and $10 for watermelon size.

Unlike any other Monday, today my little piglet buddies met at a pumpkin patch in Beverly Hills. I had a lot of fun and really enjoy exploring the different pumpkins, all the hay on the ground and being pulled around in the wagon.

Today I am Eleven Months

 
 
 
 
 
On the way back from visiting Great Grandma Johnson in Santa Maria, parents took me on a mini road trip to celebrate my 11 month. Dad drove through the back countryside where we visited a couple of U-Pick farms and ended the trip by driving through Solvang. Mom said there were a couple of other farms we didn't stop in because I was sleeping. I would have loved to see the ostrich farm and mini ponies that are in this area.

Although I was sleeping, I am glad mom woke me up when we arrived at the apple farm. I have never seen so many apples! There are rows and rows of trees and every branch on the trees were full of apples. Big ones, little ones, green ones, and yummy ones. Mom picked the first few apples and I helped her put it in the bag. After watching her with the first few apples, I was able to pull one off the tree myself. It was so much fun! Mom even let me taste it afterward, yummy, I really like apples.

Everything is going well and at Eleven months, I am developing and growing like everyone else. I now weigh a little over 21 pounds and about 28.5 inches long. Though my eyebrows have not really come in yet and I think it may come in before my first birthday. It's funny to think that my eyebrows are missing, but it's so light, its barely noticeable.

Over the last month I have learned to do many different things. I started the month with standing on my own, and within a week I took my first step. Towards the middle of the month, I learned how to walk, and life was not the same again. I spent many hours over the past month practicing my new found walking skill. Yesterday at Great Grandma's house I was able to walk on my own for about 10 feet before sitting down. My favorite thing is when I am able to hold someone's hand and walk at the same time. I've learned to run around the table at a faster pace and love to solicit auntie Thu to play tag with me.

I have learned to better recognize those around me and the things I share with them. I look forward to bath time with dad every night and cuddling him each time I see him. He comes to get me out of bed every morning and teaches me how to pronounce and spell my name. Some days I only get to see Dad once in the morning because I am sleeping by the time Dad comes home from work. Thursdays are reserved for Grandma Mesic. Grandma is semi-retired and she comes by every Thursday to be with me. I look forward to seeing her every week. We go on walks, she takes me to my Thursday class, and each week Grandma brings a big goody bag for me. Mom really appreciates her coming and I enjoy bonding with her each week.

I am still babbling quite a bit, saying " mama, baba, gaga" and all sorts of other sounds. My first distinct word is "Au Di", which is short for Audrey. I guess all that pronunciation and spelling with Dad each morning really helps. Though I understand more words than last month, I have not yet been able to recite them. I am learning my body parts in Vietnamese and can point to Mom's nose, mouth and head when she solicits it. I can confidently wave 'bye-bye' and give kisses each time I am asked. I still like kissing all the babies in the books I read and my own reflection. If you're lucky you can also hear me hum to myself.

School is a weekly routine where I learn something new each week. This past month I learned to "clean-up" and put all my toys away when ask to do it. In sign class I have learn to recognize a few more signs including all done, more, water, and mom. Though not consistently, I can sign "more" and "all done" back. I really enjoy playing with all the babies I see every day. My favorite class is swimming and music. I look forward to splashing around in the pool and exploring all the different instruments in music class.

Though I have not been eating or growing much, I ended the month a much better eater. Aunt Thu is staying with us and helps me every morning with my daily routines. Eating breakfast with her is a little more fun than eating with mom. Though I am still not eating as much as all my friends, I am eating a little better than last month. My favorite food are finger foods, and I like it best when I can feed myself. Yesterday, I noticed another tooth coming in on my lower right side. I now have a total of 5 teeth and a whole lot of drools.

Pretty soon I will be a YEAR old! This year has gone by really fast and I look forward to my journey and many learning ventures ahead.

My First Pumpkin Patch

On the way up to Great Grandma Johnson's house, we stop by Pete's Pumpkin Patch. It was more like a big garden with acres and acres of Orange Pumpkins that comes in all sizes and shapes. Mom and Dad took me to my very first Pumpkin Patch visit and I had so much fun. I really enjoy riding on the wagon, looking around at all the different pumpkins, and sitting on them. I look forward to visiting a few more pumpkin patches before the season is over.