A Day in the Park

Last weekend, Gi attended her first picnic/bbq at a local park. Needless to say, she ate her way through a hotdog, some of Mommy's hamburger and countless pieces of watermelon. She made many new friends, crawled around a bit and chilled in her stroller. Many thanks to Donna in the blue dress for sharing these great photos!

First Doctor's Visit

Is it sleepy time yet?

Well, Gi went for her first American doctor's visit yesterday. She is officially 16.5 lbs and 29.5 inches. As expected, she is small for her age. The doctor has told us to let her eat as much as she wants. Let me tell you, this little dynamo can eat! She is also drinking whole milk and eating pureed foods that I make for her. Developmentally, she is at about nine months but should progress nicely according to the doc. The nurses around the office seem to think she will walk independently soon. Friday, Gi goes in for bloodwork. Mama is not looking forward to the crying! Then it's off to see the doc again in two weeks.

Daily Play Time

Some of My Favorite Toys

Although Gi seems to want to play with everything else but toys, she does find joy in bouncing around in her Jumperoo (thanks to the Baxter family) and poking and prodding her bilingual musical table (thanks to the DeCarolis family). But her all-time favorite activities so far seem to be tearing up paper and magazines, knocking things off the coffee table, doing her Chairman Mao wave and clapping her two little hands together. Every so often I will catch her sneaking up to the dog's bowl of water and dipping her tiny hands in it. Oh, I almost forgot. She loooves to pick up crumbs off the floor and attempt to put it in her mouth before I catch her doing it. Nice.

It's My Birthday and I'll Eat Pizza If I Want To...

Ready, set, blow!

Daddy trying to make the Crayola candle stand up.

Now, Daddy, it's MY birthday so I get to blow out the candle not you, o.k.?

Last night we had a quiet celebration for Gi's first birthday. Instead of a cake, we had pie, pizza pie that is. Even though Gi had her dinner prior to Daddy coming home with Italian take-out, she still gobbled up a slice of cheese pizza. Now Daddy has competition! We'll have a little party for Gi on the 26th with our family and good friends.

Tan Couch Photo

Today, Gi and I went to our first local FCC gathering as mommy and daughter. Gi had a blast and ate her way through a mountain of food. If you look closely at her bib, it is splattered with food stains. Gigi's buddies are also pictured here, Brea and Sammi. We all had a blast!

Morning Routine

Gi understands that this is the "food" chair so now she gladly sits in it without whining too much.

Still the eating machine.

2:30 A.M.

Mommy and Daddy love to watch me crawl at 2:30 a.m.

Daddy, wake up! Who will play with me?

Daddy's no fun! He can't even get up off the floor.

What's the matter, Daddy? You don't feel like dancing at 2:30 in the morning?

As you may have guessed, hubs and I have a much earlier wake-up time now---2:30 a.m.! Little peanut-head has been consistently getting up around this time since we came back to the States. We have called on the jetlag god to help our little one pass this phase quickly.

Welcome Home Pics

The fabulous gang.

Cool poster, Ed! So appropriate for Ron.

Ron, almost delirious after spending 20 hours on planes.

So happy and relieved to be home!

Gi, ever so curious about her surroundings.

By the expression on my face, I must have been talking about our experience with the San Francisco customs and border patrol. Avoid that branch at all cost!

Gi was overwhelmed by the warm reception but was not afraid and did not cry.

The new family of three walking towards our good friends at PBIA.

I'd like to give a big shout-out to the Van Clan for sending us these pictures of our arrival at PBIA. After 20 hours on three different planes, we didn't look so good but were sooo happy to be home and be greeted by such great friends.

Last Few Days in China

On one of our flights back to the US.

Gigi sleeping in her airline bassinet.

Eating dim sum in Hong Kong.

Krispy Kreme in Hong Kong. Fruit toppings are big with Asians!

Busy Hong Kong streets.

In front of the University of Macau.

Touring some traditional Portuguese landmarks in Macau.

Traditional Portuguese landmarks in Macau.

Dinner with my family.

Dinner with my family in Macau. My 81 year old grandmother is in the center.

On our way to Macau from Guangzhou on this charter bus.

Gi hated wearing this hat but was easily distracted by Daddy. We were at the White Swan.

We're Back!

Hi, Everyone!
After spending a total of 20 hours on planes, we are finally home. We spent yesterday recuperating from jetlag. Gigi is doing fine. We all got up around 3:00 a.m. this morning. I have a rare moment of freedom to do this entry as Ron feeds and plays with Gi. We would like to thank all our good friends for their support and much needed help. We came home to a clean house, food filled refrigerator and lots of friendly faces. We'll post some belated pictures later on. Much love to everyone!

Leaving Honk Kong at 11:35 on Tuesday

We are just about to board...Gigi is gigling
See you in Florida

Scheduled to Come Home Tomorrow 8/7/07 as Planned. Our laptop crashed and so we have to blog using Linux. That is why this entry is so unsual.