Four Months

Taylor is 4 months today! She had her 4 month check up on Friday and is doing great - 13 lbs 4 oz; 24 inches long. Her motor skills are developing well and she is becoming quite chatty. She is at such a fun stage with a smile to share all the time. It is never dull around here!

HAPPY YEAR OF THE OX

We attended the annual Chinese New Year party with the Chinese speaking congregation of our church. It is one of the highlights each CNY!Taylor is wearing a dress I bought for my neice in China when I was on study abroad years ago - I also got the little slippers there too.
They had a dragon this year and 2 baby dragons holding its tail - Taylor was fascinated though the drum scared her at first!They also had a talent program with Karoake, dancers, and many other acts.

Good friends Wing Yee, Taylor & I, Joy Kong

Indoor Picnic Day

John came home with these beautiful flowers yesterday and asked me if I remember what today was. It took me a minute to remember it was the day we got engaged (January 20, 2007). I had been in Mumbai, India for work and had just flown back - John picked me up from the airport. I knew we were close to getting engaged (I had my wedding dress made in Mumbai by a tailor I found!) but wasn't expecting to walk in the door of my apartment and find a beautiful picnic spread out on the floor. It was suppose to be set up in the park where we had gone for a walk on our first date, but it was cold and rainy so he and his assistants (thanks Pam & Stacy!) set it up at my apartment.

John had my ring custom designed and Pam had tied it on to this Chinese knot and symbol of prosperity (very fitting for me!) when he gave me the ring and proposed. It was a very special day - a perfect way to come home from being away for 9 days across the world.

So tonight I established a new tradition for our family - indoor picnic day to celebrate the day we got engaged! The Neuhaus chocolates are one of our favorite chocolatiers - thanks, Lilian, for hand delivering them from Brussels. We love them! Taylor's first indoor picnic, one of many to come!

New Accessories

Along with with headbands, we are now sporting barrettes! This is Taylor looking at herself in the mirror - a sure way to get a smile from her!

If You Need Some Advice

The Doctor is in....

What Taylor Thinks of the Economy

Let The Giggles Begin....

The Not So Fun Part of The Holidays

Saying goodbye, taking down all the decorations and having your house feel empty again. Bummer....

We have three Christmas trees - no wonder its a dreaded job to take down! Our formal tree in the living room is one that John had - its the beautiful one that we took all the Christmas day pictures in front of. John also has this silver tree that was his grandparents - very retro and fun. We added the bright colored balls last year and had it up in our game room. And you can see the colored light disc that is awesome to have rotating at night.

Then I brought a box of ornaments to our marriage, but no tree. And they weren't quite the kind to match our formal tree so we purchased this skinny tree last year. My family has a tradition of getting an ornament each year. And mom still gives us an ornament each year so I have 37 family ornaments (the Washington monument, German painted ornaments, Minnie Mouse from our vacation at Disneyland, Cowboy Santa for our vacation in Jackson Hole, etc) along with ones I've collected from travels and friends and now John & I have added to the collection with our own purchases. And don't forget the "baby's first Christmas!" ornament for this year!

Taylor helping us take the ornaments down, well holding Jordan's tamborine ornament (Johnathan has a guitar). I think we have another musician in our family!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome 2009! We were very blessed in 2008 but look forward to another great year - let's make it one!

Taylor getting ready for the New Years party circuit (first to Susie & Eric's across the street and then on to the Branning's for their bash!)

Taylor New Years morning (after sleeping 8 hours - thanks, Taylor!)