December 2009 "I'm the winner!" and "Me first/I'm the leader!" plus "Open/Close"

Not sure where Julia picked it up from, school or TV? But this month she started saying "Me first, follow the leader" when we'd get out of the car and walk into the house, walking up the stairs, etc...then when she'd get to the top of the stairs it was "I'm the winner!" So I started telling her it's not always so important to win...but to always try your best and be a good person. After a few days of telling her this now when she gets to the top of the stairs she says "Daddy, I tried my best!" One step at a time!

Another new thing for Julia is automatic doors - it's so funny when she stands/walks toward the doors and yells "OPEN" and then after we walk through she turns around and yells "CLOSE." The first time she did this was at St. Johns Medical Center when we visited Mommy and Baby Rosie!

Dec. 16, 2009 - Over Due Update

Since Julia became a big sister on 12/4/09, life for the entire family became busier and even more full of joy! Stella Rose was born 12/4/09 and on 12/5 when Julia met her baby sister, all the way home whenever I would refer to Julia as Babe or Sweetie she would correct me and say "No, I'm not Sweetie, I'm Big Sister Julia." How cute!
Another thing that makes my heart smile is when I drop Big Sister Julia off at school at Undercroft Montessori and from the car pool she gets out of the CRV, puts her canvas school bag on her shoulder and starts walking on the white line into the school - really such a "big girl". Makes me so happy and proud that she's growing up and loves Montessori school!
Julia still loves music, dancing, singing, art, books and playing games.
Whenever Meme or I are eating or drinking something, Julia is sure to ask what it is and when we say it's spicy drink or spicy food, she says "When I'm bigger I'm going to eat/drink that spicy food/beverage."

Yesterday we made our first gingerbread house - it was loads of fun and of course both Julia and I had a lot of creative juices flowing and our girl was focused on decorating the house with the colorful candies.

Big Sister - December 4, 2009

Well, Stella Rose was born at 7:19am today and after Mommy got moved to her regular room in the labor/delivery unit, Daddy went home to pick up Julia and Grandma Ping Sou. Julia LOVES being a big sister! She got to hold Baby Rosie today and on the drive home whenever I said "yes sweetie" or "yes Jules" she would say "No I'm Big Sister Julia." It was soooo cute! Also whenever we tell someone that Stella Rose was born, Julia said, "No, her name is just Rosie!"

Aside from all the excitement of being a big sister, which Julia is adjusting to quite nicely, her latest favorite things is Rainbows. She loves to help Mommy make banana bread, she loves her Ms. Shelly's Dance Class, art, singing and kind of ordering people around. Hide n seek is still popular as well as running around the house in general.

Life as well know it is changing with two wonderful daughters - Stella and Julia - two apples of their parents' eyes!!!

Sat. Nov. 28. 2009

What a day! Julia went with Daddy to his WW meeting (of which she told me before we left "Your meeting is boring") where she kept occupied with coloring a couple pages of her Dora coloring book, then off to Hardesty Library where we borrowed 3 books and 3 movies, then back home for lunch and the Wiggles DVD we borrowed, before an hour at LaFortune Park and a stop at Lulu's Bakery To Go.

During lunch, Julia ate some Mac & Cheese, green beans and grapes. Attached is a photo of her bowl of grapes and the "small" ones that she wanted to "save for Baby Rosie." What a great big sister - so thoughtful and kind!

We had a great Daddy/Daughter day while mommy got to sleep in a little and then she took Grandma Ping Sou shopping.

Julia fell asleep right after we left Lulu's, so she napped for 90 minutes in the car while Mom and Dad got to catch up sitting out in from of the garage and then we headed to dinner at Asian Cuisine (the best Chinese food that T town has to offer)...

11-24-09 Folk's Day at Undercroft Monessori School

Today Mommy and Daddy had a chance to spend the day with Julia at her school. She was so happy to show us her Montessori "work" and we were so proud to see her do her work with independence, focus and such enjoyment! Undercroft also had a bake sale, gift basket raffle and Scholastic book sale going on - the school was humming with happy kids, a lot of adults guests and festive activities! What a nice morning we had! Here's a bunch of pictures from a typical day of Julia's life in Montessori!

11/20/09 Weekend!

Here's a pic of Julia reading a book to Daddy right before bedtime on Friday 11/20. Mommy needs extra rest lately as she's still fighting a cold and can't sleep through the night at all being 8 months pregnant.

Saturday morning Julia went with Daddy to his Weight Watchers meeting, then a trip to the library where we borrowed 3 DVDs and 2 new books and then off to the grocery store before getting home to prepare lunch, go for a scooter and tricycle rides around the block, then haircuts for Julia and Daddy, then a stop at Woodland Hills Mall for some new fall/winter wear for Julia, some playtime in the kids play area and a delicious dinner at The Cheesecake Factory!

Sunday was breakfast with Daddy again, then we went for a great Korean buffet (at least great for Tulsa) and some fun time at LaFortune Park while Grandma Ping Sou shopped at the mall and Mommy got to chat with Yee Mah (Aunt Nini). After all this, Mommy got to rest upstairs while Julia and Daddy chilled downstairs watching "I SPY" during which Julia said "Hi I'm Julia and this is my best friend Daddy." Melt my heart!!!

11/17/09 - Lunch at Daddy's Office

Today we had an impromptu family lunch at Daddy's office - it's funny how excited kids get to visit a parent at work...and how delighted the parent gets! After our meal, along with a little In Between The Lions and Clifford The Big Red Dog - ala the TV in the break room - Julia's visit wouldn't be complete without drawing something. So here she is making a "rainbow" which she proudly took home to show Grandma Ping Sou.

November 16, 2009

It's almost a ritual that Julia has to say one time on the way to school "I don't want to go to school - I want to stay home." To which Daddy says "I understand Sweetie - Daddy doesn't want to go to work either, but we both have to." As long as she gets her 11-12 hours of sleep, she's fine and has a good day at Undercroft.

The best part of driving my Princess to school is singing in the car with her and now that real autumn weather is here in Tulsa, saying "Wake Up Mr. Sun!" and talking about the reasons why Mr. Sun is not out - he's sad, tired, scared???

The joys of parenthood - never ending!

Nov. 2009 WE HATE PULMICORT!!!

Pulmicort changed our darling girl into a totally different person during the 10 days she was on the medication - here's a sampling of Meme's posts from Facebook:

11/6/09 "Ugh Julia is better but ACTING UP totally not herself - went from never having time-outs to getting TWO today --had a hunch and looked up her meds - the &~%$ Pulmicort might be causing all of this, can't wait to get her off it PRONTO. I want my daughter back!"

So after Meme did a lot of research on-line and reading a lot of horror stories she called the Pediatrician and we decided to start the weening of the meds the next day - only 1 dose rather than two, and then only 1/2 a dose for the remaining few days.

11/9/09 "J is back! While doing her fave game "interview" when asked "who is your favorite mommy?" she said "auntie frances"! Without missing a beat, only added "...and mommy" after noticing my jaw kitting the floor."

11/10/09 " toddler night terrors...would bug me more if they weren't so cute...Two nights of "MY lollipop with the SPECIAL stick! The boy took it." and at 6am today it was "I want to turn the computer off MYSELF!!!" Inconsolable till daddy lead her to the Mac and let her turn the computer on and then off. Hopefully this will wear off when the Pulmicort leaves her system."

Sunday - Nov. 8, 2009 - One of Daddy's Favorite Things

I have to admit that one of my favorite things on the weekends is having breakfast with Julia while Meme gets to sleep in a little bit. Quality Daddy-Daughter time and I love that she enjoys the "cheesy omelet" that only Daddy makes for her! Today was an especially hungry day for my toddler as she wanted cheese toast also! I was happy to oblige and enjoyed our morning together.

Nov. 7, 2009 - My accordian playing princess!

This was too funny - being serenaded by my accordion playing princess...just had to take a photo to share and memorialize the moment!

Nov. 4, 2009 Keep a toddler busy...

With Julia being sick the past 5 days - woke up with a fever Saturday morning (Halloween Day 10/31) and then her asthma kicked in, low appetite, but periodic bursts of energy - we started to hear "I'm Bored" as there is only so much Noggin/Nick Jr./PBS Kids, computer time and playing a lone a 3 year old can do. So these past two nights Dad broke out the old board games - Colorforms Silly Faces, Duck 1-2-3 and Zingo! After dinner and some family TV time, it was upstairs for 30-40 minutes of board games and then wash up for bed, read a few books and lights out! Thankfully tonight was Julia's (Mommy & Daddy too) first solid night of sleep since Saturday...the coughing has died down and the retching with no or little spit up is (knock on wood) hopefully gone (fingers crossed). Here's a couple pics of our "Silly Faces"!

11/1/09 Poopy in the potty reward!!!

Today Julia pooped in the potty and she was so proud of herself - as was Mommy, Daddy and Grandpa Ping Sou! Of course, with our girl's memory right after the High 5 and cheers was "Now I get my Pirate Ship and my Marble Game for pooping in the potty!!!" Yes you do! Well deserved and the Marble Run is so cool! The Pirate Ship was not opened yet...but I know Julia will remember it's already rightfully hers and "earned" on 11/1/09! LOL!

10/31/09 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Julia woke up with a slight fever today, enjoyed a restful morning watching her shows but in NO WAY was going to miss Halloween at Brookside's Boo Ha Ha with our neighbors the Whiteheads! Once she had her costume on (our perfect little Snow White) she was so darn anxious to go go go. We meet our neighbors there and had a splendid afternoon - weather was in the mid-upper 60's and the neighborhood was festive. Julia enjoyed getting some candy, playing some games and rode a pony.

For a princess who was under the weather, after we got back into the car she took a 2 hr nap which let Meme and I run a couple errands and fortunately she was not asking to go trick-or treating at residential areas as Brookside is commercial/retail and she said this is not trick-or-treating! Once we got home Julia wanted to pour her small bounty of candy on the floor and look and count them...just like in her book "Trick or Treat Critters"!

Also, as our doorbell rang from trick or treaters, Julia wanted to run to the door, hold our bowl of candy and see the people in their costumes. Aside from our girl being sick, it was a splendid day!

10/29/09 "I'm going to do it"

As we try to help Julia brush her teeth, comb her hair, etc we are hearing more often "I'm going to do it". Her strong streak of independence is growing unless she wants to be babied (like carried downstairs because her socks are slippery). Here's a picture of Julia combing her hair in the morning - now that she has a chin length bob, she HATES when we put her hair behind her ear!

10/28/09 New word and Julia's school cup.

This morning both Mommy and Daddy took Julia to Undercroft Montessori School - what a special treat. Both of us will pick her up today as well and we will have a family lunch as Daddy will be at a seminar all day tomorrow and in OKC on Friday. As we drove to school Julia was telling us a story about a tree getting it's branches cut and that the tree said owie, so Julia wanted to do something that is "COMFORTING" for the tree. What a nice word Mommy and Daddy said!

Well, when Meme and I went back to Undercroft a little early to see Julia during the end of her school day, our darling was having her snack. Sitting at the snack table, enjoying her food, sipping water and kinda dangling and swinging her legs. It was so cute! There was a surprise fire drill that day, so Meme and I sat in the car while that was going on and then Julia's class had their outdoor play time. So Meme and I were able to checkout the classroom and see Julia from the window playing with chalk, walking the maze, etc. Here's a picture of Julia's self decorated school cup with "flowers" that she drew on the cup!

10/25/09 - Quiet Reading Time

Thankfully Julia spent some quiet time reading so Mom and Dad could fold some laundry - this occurred before dinner and then pumpkin carving with the neighbors...

October 26, 2009 Our first Jack-o-latern

Yesterday we carved our first jack-o-lantern with the pros, our neighbors the Whiteheads. Holly, James and Caroline were gracious hosts and walked us through the process - the two dad's did the carving while the "girls" decided what kind of eyes, nose and mouth they wanted. It was a great relaxing and social evening. Here are a few pics from the "event". Once we got home (literally across the street!) and place our pumpkin on the stoop, Julia wanted it to face the house so she could see it from the window! Okay...whatever makes you happy.

This morning as I was driving Julia to school, she asked if the pumpkin was a boy or girl. When I replied with do you want it to be a boy or a girl she quickly said girl. Then I asked her is we should give the pumpkin a name to which she said yes. What name I asked? She replied "Julia Pumpkin Head" followed by a big laugh...okay, Julia Pumpkin Head is the name of our family's first jack-o-lantern!

10/25/09 Julia's "Duck in Water"

10/26/09 - Good Finder - Not A Finder

Today as I was driving Julia to school, she said she wanted to play a game on the computer with Pumpkins. Okay I said, after Mommy picks you up from school and you have lunch, remember to ask Mommy to find you a game on the computer with pumpkins. Julia replies "But Mommy is not a finder. Daddy, you are a good finder!"

October 21, 2009 When J is too tired...

From Meme's FB post today, a rainy day in Tulsa - you know when J needs a nap when she whines "I want a RAINBOW and you won't give me one!" as Julia points to the ceiling/sky!

October 2009 - Favorite Activities

Julia still loves music, singing, dancing, creating art, and playing on the computer - but a couple new things she's been into is running between the rooms on the 2nd floor of our current home on Oxford Place and she's into more into role play/pretend - ie. from Backyardigans - I was Pablo and Julia was Uniqua, from Wonder Pets - I was hamster, meme was duckling and Julia was the turtle and from her latest favorite - Boowa and Kwala!

Sept/Oct 2009 - Mmmm, steak!

Okay, Julia use to call all meat "chicken" and she hates having anything stuck between her teeth. She eats chicken, fish and some pork (Chinese BBQ pork or Grandpa Moy's famous ribs) but not really beef...until Grandma Ping Sou cooked steak and Julia started eating steak (cut into toddler bite size pieces of course). In fact we just had some t-bone steak on Monday, Oct 19th. More steak please - it's yummy!!!

October 14, 2009 - JULIA spells and writes her names all by herself!

October 20, 2009 "Is Daddy back from the kitchen yet?"

We are all adjusting to our family's new schedule with Julia going to Undercroft Montessori M-F from 8-11:30am. So shortly after dinner Meme brings Julia up to get ready for bed around 8pm and Daddy cleans the kitchen, clears the dining table, takes out the garbage, etc. Well, last night Julia was a bit overly tired and just wanted to brush her hair in front of the mirror and not get into her princess bed, so Meme called me up to talk to our daughter. I spoke with Julia and reiterated what Mommy had said - it's time for bed, you need your rest for school, Mommy will hold your hand to sleep, Daddy needs to finish cleaning the kitchen, etc and then I'll be up to bed in a bit. Okay, Julia laid down in her princess bed and fell asleep within 3 minutes. Meme and I got to watch some TV on DVR after I was done in the kitchen and we went to bed around 11:30pm. Julia woke up "for a sip of water" around 1:30am and clearly asked "Is Daddy back from the kitchen yet?" We can't get away with anything with our 3 year old!! LOL!!!

October 19, 2009

From Meme's Facebook post - J said "Mommy I want to give you flowers put them on the table and marry you." ;0)

October 18, 2009

Our silly girl! Here's a photo of her making a silly face on the Merry Go Round yesterday at the Bartlesville Kiddie Park. What a hoot she is these days - a little sassy, a lot of silly and 100% adorable (at least to mom & dad). Today when I took her to the bathroom at Target for her to go pee pee on the potty Julia says "Hey, this is the Men's Room, I'm a girl, why are we going here?" I said, because daddy is a man and he's taking you to the potty and cannot take you to the Ladies bathroom. Another JULIA-ism she started recently is whenever she hears a song she likes on the radio/xm/ipod Julia says "That's my song!" Oh, having a toddler who acts like a teenager or a 50 year old lady at times makes life SO interesting!!! LOL!

Oct 14, 2009 "I know - let's drink it all together!"

After telling Julia to drink some apple juice with her lunch and her saying no, I said okay, daddy will drink it all...to which she said "No...I have an idea, let's drink it all together!" Oh how I missed my girls (all 3 of them - Meme, Julia and Baby Rosie) when they were in DC for 7 days/6nights!

October 13, 2009 - "I'm not tired..."

Okay - after hearing the "I'm not tired" "I'm scared of the dark" and "I can't sleep" and missing my baby girl for the past 6 nights...here she is dead asleep in her Princess bed when we have to wake her up for school. Sorry Sweetie Pie, but I couldn't resist posting this pic!

October 8, 2009

While visiting her favorite cousins, Zoe & Zach, in DC - from Meme's Facebook post " Meme Moy overheard "This way Jules!" from cousin Zach - reply from Julia "Some people call me Julia, other people call me sweetie-pie." Auntie Nini (aka Yee Mah) replied that her favorite J-ism is "I use to live in Chicago then we drive to Oxford Place." Oh how Daddy misses his girls!

Oct 4, 2009 - New big word - "Frustrated"

Okay, thanks to the Pinky Dinky Doo show on Noggin, Julia has a new big word - "Frustrated". Tonight when Meme was getting her to bed and told Julia to stop moving, close your eyes and go to sleep, Julia was silent for a minute and then said "Mommy, I am frust-er-ated with you because you tell me not to move." Meme said it's okay to be frustrated Julia, but it's time for bed... Five minutes later Julia says "Mommy, I am mad at you." Meme tells Julia it's okay to be mad, but its time for bed... Five minutes later Julia says "Mommy, I want Daddy." Meme tells Julia daddy is working and Julia says with sarcasm "He went to the office???" Meme says no, daddy is working in the kitchen. Five minutes later, Julia says "Mommy, I'm okay now. Goodnight" and drifts off to sleep...geez!

September 2009 - What a memory...

After we saw "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" over a week ago and we were driving somewhere with the radio on, "Raining Sunshine" by Miranda Cosgrove was playing and Julia says "Yay, the big noodle song!" Meme and I were like, huh? And the song is the theme song from the movie...so we downloaded it from iTunes and added the song to our Family Mix playlist!

Sept. 30, 2009 - Mommy I can't smile...

My darling Julia told Meme "Mommy I can't smile" and made a weird grimace face. When Meme asked her why, Julia said "Because Daddy isn't home." Melt my heart!!!

9-27-09 Memory like an elephant!

OK - when changing the bribe/reward for a toddler (in this case potty training, doing #2 in the potty) you need to know if she remembers the initial bribe/reward. Julia has a memory like an elephant - months ago we offered a pirate ship toy is she poops in the potty - never happened, put the toy away. Today I decided let's try this again and showed her the "big' marble run game that she gets if she poops in the potty - "Wow" was the initial reaction. That evening I reminded her that she'll get the marble game when she poops in the potty like a big girl and she said "and a pirate ship toy!" She got me there as I never said "only the marble run game and NO more pirate ship...Geez!

9/26/09 - We can clean it together...

Friday I got my CRV washed and vacuumed, then on Saturday we went to see The Jellydots concert at The Tulsa Performing Arts Center (coordinated by the Tulsa Children's Museum). On the way home, J was having a mini bag of pretzels for a snack and when she was done she accidentally turned the bag upside down when trying to put it in the garbage and all the salt and mini crumbs fell out into the back seat and floor...dad was a little not happy about this, but knew it was an accident. My perceptive 3 year old said "Sorry Daddy - do we need to clean the car again?" I said yes and she said" I know, we can clean it together! You get the little vacuum and I will get a tissue." Awe, how helpful!!!

9-23-09

What are you eating...When I am bigger...

Today as I was chewing a piece of gum my 3 year old asks "What are your eating?" I reply "Spicy mint gum." J says "When I am bigger, I'm going to try spicy mint gum too."

"It's a beautiful bed..."

Sunday, 9/20/09

Okay - so we finally acknowledged that Julia just isn't ready to sleep alone in a dark room and went to plan C, D or is it F? Anyways, since we were going to pick up the new crib for the baby we decided to get a new toddler bed for Julia so both our girls will have a "new" bed. She was so excited and picked the Disney Princess bed, of course. She even wanted to "help" daddy put it together. Julia was so excited about her new bed and loved the matching sheet set, etc. After it was all done she layed in bed with her flat sheet and was in such a happy glow! We went downstairs for dinner and after out sweetie pie was done eating she disappeared upstairs and reappeared changed into her night time diaper and Cinderella PJs all on her own! She was so happy and proud - so was mom, dad and grandma Chua! She told grandma - "I have a new princess bed - it's beautiful. My hello kitty bed is old."

It worked - the magical bed - she slept alone in the bed all night!!! Yippee!!! Why didn't we do this months ago?????

You didn't say "Bye" to me...

Okay - when Meme dropped Julia off at school on Monday, walked her to class, said bye and Julia went right in with Miss Summer, so Meme left...BUT when Julia turned around and Mommy wasn't in sight, poor Julia bursted into tears and told Miss Summer "Mommy didn't say BYE!" Oh boy - she was distraught, didn't eat lunch and told Daddy about it when he got home from work. SO, today when Mommy took Julia to school she (Mommy) started signing a "Good Bye" song as they walked to class and Julia smiled and laughed and peace was back in the air!

Mustache Saga

Okay - It's been a few weeks since I got rid of the mustache and Julia and Meme are use to it now...but Julia asks me "Daddy when you see your friends at work, do you tell them you have no more mustache?" I reply to her - "Julia, I think they can see themselves I have no more mustache." Then she giggles.

Melts My Heart...

Thanks to the cartoon "Ni Ho Kai Lan", Julia started telling us "Daddy/Mommy, you make my heart very happy." It's so sweet to hear and makes our hearts melt like butter!

August 2009

OK - after Dad shaved off his mustache for Julia because she started complaining of "ouchies" from being kissed with a mustache she started saying right away "Daddy you look different." and "Your mustache grow back yet?" This lasted for a few days and then she finally got use to her "no mustache daddy".

Latest favorite games

- Horsey Back Rides and being "Tall Girl" on Daddy's shoulders
- Push Me - we both sit in bed and pretend to push each other and flop down in the bed, always followed by tons of giggles
- Zingo Game
- Memory Game
- I Spy

Toddler Created Game...

This morning when Julia and Meme woke up - "Mommy I have a new game for YOU!" What is it? "Close your eyes, smell my feet, and guess if its daddy's, mommy's or Julia's!" Hmmm...at least it was a fast game ;o) and her feet were not smelly.

Big Word

Today as Julia was preparing for her "show" she said she wanted to make ice cream, tea and popcorn for her "AUDIENCE."

About a week ago as Meme was choking, Julia asked "Are you okay Mommy? Was it your SALIVA?"

Sharing Mommy...

Today during breakfast it was apparent that Julia is still trying to figure out how the baby will change her life...she asked Meme "Mommy did you have to share your Mommy?" and then asked me "Daddy did you have to share your Mommy?"

Daddy, where is Mommy?

August 7, 2009
Geez - when Julia woke up from her sleep tonight and called for mommy and I was sent to the room to get her back to sleep this is what my darling 3 year old said - "Daddy, where is my Mommy?"

Our daughter - the reality TV junkie like mom and dad...

August 4, 2009
OK - we know it's bad when after telling Julia we are going to watch a "family show" - not her cartoon/kids show - and she says "Can we watch the posing show (America's Next Top Model)?" And she also knows "Top Chef Masters" enough that when Meme was watching "Next Food Network Star" our daughter said "This is NOT Top Chef Masters..."

When I'm Bigger...and Daddy is Smaller...

August 1, 2009
It's funny how Julia knows she's getting "bigger" so she assumes mommy and daddy will be getting "smaller"...
Today our lovely daughter said "When I get bigger I will wear daddy's shirt and do work like daddy. And when daddy is smaller he can wear my shirt."

When I'm Bigger...

June 19, 2009

While we were driving back to Chicago and the Oklahoma sun was out at 100+% wattage, Julia had her sunglasses on and daddy had his sun glass clips on his glasses, but mommy didn't have any sunglasses. So our sweetheart daughter said "Mommy, when I'm bigger I'm going to work hard and buy you sunglasses."

When I'm Bigger...

July 31, 2009
Today while watching a Samba performance on "So You Think You Can Dance", Julia said "When I am bigger I'm going to dance like that." followed by a sweet grin and chuckle!