Trick or Treat!

Our first Halloween in our new neighborhood was pretty quiet. There are so few homes in our neighborhood that pretty much all the kids were out trick-or-treating at the same time. Since we were out too, we didn't give out a single piece of candy. That's a record for us. We've never spent a Halloween at home without giving out ANY candy.

As for our little jack-o-lantern...let's just say he was he wasn't the most willing and friendly trick or treater. There are plenty of little children in our neighborhood and every single one we came across, no matter how cute or harmless they looked, was greeted by Tyler with a "No No!".

Each time we approached a new door, he would hold on to us tighter and tighter and when we tried to get him to ring a doorbell..."No No!" So we'd have to ring it ourselves. At least he was willing to stick his basket out for candy but as soon as they got too close...another "No No!". He's probably now known as the neighborhood grumpy kid who's afraid of everyone. Looks like we've got some work to do to get rid of that bad rep.

Even though our little guy wasn't the happiest camper, it was nice getting out to meet some of the neighbors and seeing all the children around Tyler's age. We're looking forward to seeing all of these kids grow up together.

Tyler lugging his big basket around.
It got pretty full considering we only went to a few houses.

Tyler and Mama. You can see the basket is starting to fill up.

Is that a pumpkin behind that pumpkin?

Fall Fun

What's the opposite of fearless? That would be Tyler's current phase. He's cautious about everything and checks them out profusely from afar before diving in. So we decided to show him his pumpkin costume weeks ago and as predicted, he was interested, but would absolutely NOT going to get within 3 feet of that soft mound of orange and green. He'd "visit" the pumpkin hanging in his closet every so often and finally one day, he went over to touch it and since nothing happened after that, he felt safe enough to go over and give it a hug. He was finally willing to try on the suit a day or two later and here he is, having a grand old time as our pudgy little pumpkin.



He also had a fantastic time at the pumpkin patch down the street from our new home (after clinging on to us for a while of course).


Tyler was trying to say "Ho fai!" ("Very fast!"). I guess they'll be cruising around like this in a little over 15 years...

Moved In

Update...it's been a month since we moved in and the house is still semi-unpacked with nothing on the walls, and DEFINITELY messy, but here's a taste of it anyway. Please come visit us if you're in the area!

Front of home

Front entrance and game room...notice that though boxes are still unpacked, the mj table is already in full use...there's also talk about getting permanent mj chairs instead of these folding ones...hahaha...

Family room and kitchen where we spend most of our time...we love that Tyler feels like we're all playing together even when we're busy in the kitchen.

Our messy store room...I mean...office...

Tyler's room...the first one to be completely ready =)

Master bedroom and view from the window...very peaceful when you hear nothing but birds chirping in the morning. Can you see the cows at the top of the hill? And of course...this is our backyard that has nothing but dirt at this point. HGTV...wanna come do my yard??

Since we last updated, life's been quite hectic with the start of the new school year for me and YES...the move to our new house! We moved in last weekend and today finally feels like the first time I've had a chance to sit down and just breath in a LONG time. And it feels fabulous. Every so often these past few days, I kept thinking, "What? This place is ours???". My commute's doubled, we're seriously sleep-deprived, but that doesn't take away the fact that we absolutely LOVE our new home. There's definitely lots of updating to do and lots of pictures to upload, but in the meantime, a big "Hello!" from us here in Dublin.

Children's Discovery Museum

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME DAY!! I had SO much fun exploring with my buddy Ethan at the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose.

I was super excited when Ethan arrived.

Ethan and I were totally doing our own thing and not following the teacher's directions =p

"Look, Ethan!" "Let me hold the ball for you..."

Who doesn't LOVE bubbles?

This is bigger than my crib!

Can you see me? I'm way up high!

Driving a real-life fire truck

I just started on a monkey craze and guess what the special exhibition was at the museum? Curious George! Score!! I was so excited going around the exhibit saying "Ma, Ma, Ma..." (for monkey). I very easily sat through and watched a 20-some minute long showing of a Curious George book on film. When other people around me got noisy, I put my index finger up to my lips and said, "Shhhh..." That made my parents laugh so hard they almost had to leave the theater! Here I was re-enacting it on the way home...

Mama thought I wouldn't like painting but I loved it! Too bad she didn't get a video of me going at the Paint Wall with my smock and all.

My first real art project...look at how focused I was at putting on the paper, string, and feathers!

This was the finished product that Mama proudly displayed on our refrigerator...the first of many!

We stayed WAY past our nap time but had such fun that both Ethan's and my parents decided to get the annual family pass...guess we'll be coming back soon! YAY!!

Swimming Class

I'm a very relaxed and down-to-earth kinda guy. Literally. That's why I wasn't so happy when Mama took me into the pool last Monday for my first swimming class. It was only a half-hour class, but I think I was crying and whining for about 20 minutes of it. My whining got better the next day but I clung to Mama's neck every time the teacher wanted us to do anything. I was only willing to chase after the ball Mama tossed around the water and climb up the side of the pool and jump in (weird choice, I know). Wednesday, I realized we weren't stopping this swimming thing and so I begrudgingly participated in most of the activities. Mama helped me bob up and down in the water (I drank a couple gulps of lovely pool water but managed not to cry), and I floated on my tummy and back, and splashed with my hands. (When the teacher asked us to kick though, my legs were still stiff and locked.)

Mama was feeling really proud of me and thought that I've started to enjoy swimming. I didn't want her to have the wrong idea, so that night when she was putting me to bed, I patted my chest with both hands and said to her, "Mama, pah pah."
"Scared of what?" she asked.
"Shui shui (the water)," I said.
I think I surprised her when I was able to tell her that, but hey, that's the truth! I made her laugh and then she kissed me and said, "It's okay, I know you're scared at the beginning. But the more you do it, the more you'll like it! We'll try again tomorrow." What kind of thinking is that?!

Well we did try again. Thursday was more of the same thing. In AND out of the pool. Anytime anyone asked me about swimming, I'd tell them I was scared of the water. Except I also started laying on the ground showing people how I kick my legs in the water (if I actually kicked in the water). I got a break Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but Mama told me that we're going swimming again tomorrow and Baba's going to be able to come with us this time. Maybe we'll get some videos...stay tuned...

Overdue post

This past month's been a busy string of cleaning, packing, staging our home and getting ready to move. But life always throws a curveball at you to make things interesting. Long story short, we sold our home, but our buyers had to back out, and we're restarting the whole process again. Frustrating to say the least, but what can you do? Hopefully we won't have so many hiccups with our next buyer!

Here are some things we did this past month...

Tyler just chillin' with his two best buds Ethan and Brandon (he'll pretend to call them on the phone and ask for "Than Than" and "Bran Bran")

Tyler playing with Uncle Jim and Cousin Shane

"I love you Cousin Kaelyn!"

At the Wang's for a bbq (lamb skewers!)...

...and Tyler's chasing after Ava!

Meeting little Kole...so cute!!

Tyler with Auntie Vivian and Uncle Ben...they're so good-looking and so well-rested...Kole, are you sleeping through the night already?!

On a walk with Annie (we forgot to take a picture with you!), we caught sight of a white duck with a cool hairdo

Going to the library for storytime with Rose and Ethan

Tyler "driving" at the playground

Proud Mama

No photos or videos for this post, just a mother's immense awe and pride.

As I was driving Tyler to childcare this morning, we were doing our usual, "Look at that truck Tyler." or "Where are the birds?" conversation. He started pointing to the cars in front of us (or so I thought) and said "che che" (car). I said, "Yes, cars." Then he started saying "maa maa" and I wasn't sure what he was referring to. In Chinese, many many words have the same sound, just different tones and coming from a 15-month old's mouth, even more words sound the same the way they say it, so I didn't have a clue whether he was saying horse, monkey, socks, Auntie Stephanie, or....??? I guessed everything I could think of and none of them were correct because he kept repeating it, wanting me to understand him. I think he realized that I couldn't figure it out, so instead of beating a dead horse, he added "jo jo" (dirty) "maa maa"....and then DING! went the lightbulb in my head. OMG...He wanted to tell me to "maa maa" (wipe) the "jo jo" (dirty) "che che" (car)!! I couldn't believe it! We had just gotten back from our LA trip, so yes, our car WAS dirty and due for a good wash. When I asked him if that's what he was telling me, he nodded and smiled and finally stopped repeating the words. How in the world are babies so incredibly smart?! He actually gave me a context and helped me figure it all out. Babies are truly amazing creatures!

L.A. Trip--Part 3 The Three of Us

Kerwin and I also got to go on a date for our 4^th anniversary while my cousin, aunt, and uncle babysat Tyler. We went to RED at the Pacific Palms Resort for dinner (yum!). For three hours that night, we reserved our conversation just for us. We had a bet…whoever talked about Tyler first would give the other person a massage…and guess who got the massage? Neither of us did! (Darn, I really wanted one...) We love our son, but it was really refreshing having 3 straight hours of just US time.

Notice the empty bread basket?

Lobster bisque...hmmm...

Crabcakes that were PACKED with crab!

Kerwin's rack of lamb...he got so full after the lamb that he couldn't finish his delicious garlic mashed potatoes...a truly rare event.

My juicy pan-fried red snapper

Molten chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream...sweet! On the house...even sweeter!!

Tyler was such a good roadtrip baby, hanging out with us and chillin' in his carseat both ways. We made sure we packed his little backpack (thanks May Biu Yee!) full of his little toys and knick knacks to keep him entertained. I saved a new find as my secret weapon for when he did get cranky and he LOVED it!

He kissed Pooh so much that this was what Pooh's nose looked like afterwards...SOAKED...gross!

The most amazing thing for us about going on trips with Tyler is watching how much and how fast he learns. I think when we break the day-in-day-out routine we're all used to, it gives Tyler the chance to see and experience new things. This time, playing with Matthew and his big boy toys confirmed that our son is no longer a baby! One of the things Tyler kept going back to everyday was the set of magnetic letters and numbers on Matthew's easel. Lo and behold, our little Chinese boy is a fan of the number......you guessed it, 8. He learned to say that number, picked it out from the easel, and recognized it on T-shirts, signs, etc. Here he was in the car on our way home...

L.A. Trip--Part 2 Friends

We had the chance to visit many friends this time. On the first weekend was a reunion with my college roommates. It was great to see everyone, especially the new members of our group, little Addison, and Ann and Josh's boys, Elias and Dylan. Our time together was short but sweet. I don't know when our next big reunion will be, but I'm certainly looking forward to it!

Our little group of 6 girlfriends is now a whopping 16 with our other halves and kiddos!

Tyler walking down the Santa Monica Pier with Auntie Regina

Family Photo at Santa Monica Beach

One evening, we went over to Peter, Beverly, and Isaac’s place for dinner and Tyler was so happy to see Isaac again. The two hit it off playing basketball and toys together. They even chatted over dinner even though none of us adults knew what they were talking about.

Isaac and Tyler playing slow-mo basketball. Somehow, they knew to take turns shooting!

We had a great time catching up with everyone, sometimes so good we forgot about taking out our camera...Kristie, Ryan, Des, and Yen...we'll have to get a picture next time!

Lunch with the Lin family. Here is Jack and Lorelai...she had a new baby brother just a few days after this photo was taken...CONGRATS Lin family!!

Lunch with the Yeung Family...it was great to meet Jayden and Kyle!

The big finale for our trip was Alisa and Albert’s wedding. It was held at Inner City Arts, an absolutely perfect spot for these two fun and artsy teachers. You can see how much thought Alisa put into the details, making everything beautiful, casual yet chic. The ceremony was so personal and touching, with Albert's sister as the officiant. I always feel so fortunate to attend weddings because it's a chance for us to be reminded of why we entered our own relationships, to reflect upon the words and officiant's messages of how we can continue to love and grow with each other. Alisa and Albert know how to throw a party alright! At cocktail hour, they not only had the usual, hors d'oeuvres and drinks, but they brought out the shaved ice too! Perfect for a hot summer day. Let's just say that it was a wonderful start of an evening of good food, great music, lots of dancing, and more good food (ice cream sundae bar), and still more good food (taco bar--yeah, taco bar!).

Congrats Alisa and Albert!

Did someone say taco bar?! Yes, Kerwin got two tacos...that is AFTER the shaved ice AND buffet dinner AND cake AND sundae...

There was actually an epilogue to our trip...on our long drive home Sunday, we bumped into 'Team Stevenson' at lunch in the middle of nowhere on Interstate 5 and we got to hang out with Karen and Kamryn some more while at McDonald's. Later, I got a text from my long-time high school friend Jessica and got to meet up with her and her super adorable son Eric when we arrived in town. Added bonus...she was having dinner with some other high school friends so I got to see them too!

Eric you are SO CUTE!!

L.A. Trip--Part 1 Family

We just got back from our 10-day trip to LA. It was such a fun and relaxing trip! We stayed with my cousin Stephanie and her family. We had a grand time everyday eating, going shopping, and just hanging out at home watching Tyler and Matthew play. The best part was seeing how close he got with his LA family. Each morning we were there, Tyler would wake up bright and early (yes, EARLY), and the first thing out of his mouth would be "Matt Matt!" calling out for his cousin. One night, he even said "Matt Matt" when he was dreaming! We miss you all very much...come visit us when you can!

Cousin Matthew feeding Tyler some cheddar bunnies...watch your fingers!

Tyler with Biu Yee Ma and Biu Yee Jeung

Tyler with Dai Yee Por and Dai Yee Gung