Summer summer summertime!

It's been a couple of weeks my dear family and friends. Have you missed me? People around these parts will tell you that summer doesn't start until July 5th and that's exactly what happened this year. It's been a string of gorgeous sunny days and the sun doesn't go to bed until after I do. Mummy told me it was because the sun was older than me. I dig it.

Regardless I've been in a supergood mood. Check out all my teeth! My Gonggong came to visit me and took this picture. Thanks Gonggong!

Speaking of teeth, I've decided that biting my mama is not a good idea. Therefore, on my own accord, last weekend I decreed that I was done with breastfeeding. Funny how when mummy and I first started this thing, neither of us had a clue what we were doing. Then it became so routine, but now... well, I decided Mama, I'm a big girl now. You can have a little extra time in the mornings and evenings all to yourself! I think Mama is a little sad, but I'm trying to reassure her how much I still love her even though I'm growing up fast. I've even woken up in the middle of the night a couple of times this past week just so she can come hang out in my room. Isn't that reassuring?

I've also taken full advantage of summer by getting in the pool. When I went to go visit Aunty MC and Uncle Andrew in Vancouver, we got to use their pool, which was heated! Talk about fancy. It was so awesome since it was 100 times bigger than my bathtub at home.

Today I went into a wading pool with Mama and was a pro, splashing around and walking around to check out the other kids. Good thing I got so prepared at Aunty M-C's. I'm loving to walk, but need just that little bit of proprioception with a single finger assist. I am going faster and getting more confidence daily, but I think I'll hold off for a while on taking independent steps. Besides, I think it makes my parents feel useful.

Happy belated 4th of July everyone! I have been a busy girl.

Aunty M-C and Uncle Andrew came down from Vancouver to come see me. I got to pose for Uncle Andrew's camera. This is the look I get when I traipse around the down comforter. The bed is no obstacle course for me! The beginning of July also meant I had to say goodbye to Uncle Jeff. We've shared a lot of good times especially when my parents weren't around. He even taught me his favorite letters.

I hosted a little bbq for him and some of his friends. We had a plate lunch feast! There was so much deliciousness, but since I didn't get to try any of it, I just played with Uncle Jeff. Here he is trying to make me appear like a chubby bunny.

I did however notice these Diddy Reese like creations that Mummy made. I was a little jealous I didn't get to try them, but they looked a little big for my delicate mouth. Mummy has been a little over-excited in dusting off her ice cream maker. With all this delicious fruit around us now, I hope she thinks more seriously about canning so we can save the taste of summer.
Speaking of saved tastes, I hope Uncle JT is enjoying a nice Waiola's shave ice for me! I can't wait to visit him and Aunty Lynne again!

I also have world cup fever. Here's a little clip of me training. GO NETHERLANDS!

Papa Love

I'm such a lucky girl to have my wonderful Papa. I love spending time with him. He plays the violin for me, makes me lots of yummy food, and even lets me test him out as an instrument of percussion. Happy Father's Day to the greatest papa in the world. Mummy and I love you very much! Enjoy the maia original blueberry-peach cobbler!

1 year stats

I'm so enjoying being 1. Yes, that is a pair of lungs on my t-shirt. Did you know 2010 is not just a good year to turn 1, but it's also the Year of the Lung?

So, with turning 1 comes the need to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella. It was not so pleasant... but the way I think about it, vaccines are a little bit of pain, for a lot of bit of gain.
Here's my 1 year banana shot. I thought I'd go for the dramatic look this time.

And here are my stats from my check up. Actually, since I've been moving around more, I think I may be slimming down a bit... shocking! I'm 23 lbs 7 oz (75-90%), 28 3/4 inches tall (25-50%) and head circumference 47.4cm (95-97%). My pediatrician is proud that I'm tracking very appropriately on all my growth curves.
Time for me to motor along. Lots of exciting things to see in the world! Babble soon!

5 hundred 25 thousand 6 hundred minutes

in five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes, how do you measure, a year in the life?

Can you believe I'm a year old already! At 6:30am on my birthday, Papa woke up Mummy and said, "wow, 1 year ago from this moment, you were pushing." Nice flashback, Papa!
I have to say though, this has been the best year of my life! OK, so I don't have much to compare to, but what an adventure life is. I'm a far cry from the newborn I once was. I'm cruising with the best of them and pull myself up every morning in my crib before I give my parents a wake-up yawp.
Let me take a moment to thank my parents for being such troopers this past year. I've really taught them the ropes of parenthood. I know they've been through a lot, making a new place home and starting new jobs. They're tough cookies. Let's see how they withstand something I like to call "toddlerhood!"
Ok, time to share birthday pics. I have to thank so many of my friends and family for sending me many presents. I really feel the love.
Here are some highlights from my little party:
I like balloons, but mainly because helium is the 2nd element on the periodic table. (Aunty Jas taught me that.)

Uncle Andy bought me this special party hat!

I raised the roof with some of my guests...

...while Mama did the cooking. We had a major spread. Special thanks to Aunty Lynne and her mom for making special sushi you see on the left hand side. Also want to give a shout out to Aunty Nan for my octopus hotdogs. You can compare pictures... the nori faces on the ones below really add some special oomph, but mine were fun too.

Aunty Lynne hanging out in the poang!

And of course... cake time! Mama made me a special ricotta cake with my favorite blackberries and peaches in a whipped cream frosting.

It's kind of fun to have just 1 candle on your cake. I hear it only goes up from here. Now let's get down to business!

One relatively clean before shot...

And after! (before Papa took the cake away from me so some of the guests could have cake before I really had a chance to get into it.)

Here are a couple of the birthday recipes:
Birthday Ricotta Cake
(which I believe has been adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe.)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and butter and sugar a 9" springform pan.
Mix 1.5 lbs of ricotta, 6 egg yolks, 1/4 cup of flour, 6 Tbs sugar, zest of 2 lemons, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth.
Whip 6 egg whites + 6 Tbs sugar until stiff.
Fold 1/3rd of egg white mixture into the ricotta mix, then fold in rest.
Bake for 1 hour until golden brown and set in the middle.

It comes out puffy, but sinks as it cools so don't get disheartened. Mummy frosted it with fresh whipped cream and blackberries and peaches which I adore!

Herbal ice tea
(Click here for original recipe from Ina Garten)
4 lemon tea bags
4 hibiscus tea bags
(Celestial seasonings as Ina uses are wonderful for this, but I've had trouble finding "red zinger" any more. Apple-raspberry works well as does mango black tea bags from Trader Joe's)
Steep in 4 cups of hot water.
Add 1 can of frozen apple juice and 3 cans of cold water. (sometimes I stretch this out a little more if I'm making for a big group.)
Very refreshing over ice!

Hanging with Owen & Aki

What's up? I think I could really get used to island life. Sun, shade, sand, shave ice, spam, ... aren't those the 5 S's?

I mean really, check out this view! This was from a very child-friendly hike we went on near Aunty Nan and Uncle Mike's home. I rode up in style while Papa pushed me. It was so relaxing to take in the sights.

I had so much fun with Owen and Aki. We got to eat breakfast every morning which meant that I had 1st, 2nd, and 3rd breakfast even. Hmm.. perhaps I over-ate in Hawaii. Guess I was thinking I should go all out if I end up buying a Muu-muu. I didn't though. I'm trying to grow up fast moving around lots and imitating the big kids. I reached for my cup as soon as I saw the big kids doing it.

Owen + Aki + Me = 3 kids, and Aunty Nan + Uncle Mike + Mummy + Papa = 4 adults. Why were the adults always so tired if they outnumbered the kids? Silly adults. I mean how much trouble could we get in?

I miss Owen and Aki already!! Mummy, when are we going back?

Aloha!

We're back from Uncle Jeff and Aunty Lynne's wedding. It was my first long distance flight. I was so excited I couldn't sleep! But of course that meant that I wanted Mummy and Papa to keep me extra entertained. I think I heard them talking about not being quite ready to handle a trip to visit my Jiujiu sometime in Taipei. Hmm... perhaps I should have rethought my plane behavior.

We were so lucky we got to spend time with Owen and Aki and their parents while we were in Hawaii. We did so many fun things... I'm going to have to talk about vacation in a couple of posts.

First off.. let's talk about some of the things we ate!!
MALASADAS! Ohhh.. Leonard's Bakery.. especially the puff filled with haupia.. warm and delicious. Mummy got me my own unedible version, but I was quite content chewing on it with my 7 teeth! I'll have to show you later.

Hank's Haute Dogs of triple D fame. Can you see the glee in Mummy's eyes? Kind of funny to watch her. They were not large, but very satisfying and full of flavor. The Lilikoi lime soda looked so refreshing... if only I knew how to use a straw!

And of course, no day would be complete without Waiola's! Ice cream and mochi balls topped with finely shaved melt in your mouth deliciousness. With all the excitement going on, I kept falling asleep before I got to try. Wait a minute, did Mummy and Papa go 3 times to Waiola and didn't wake me up? Luckily on our last day there, I managed to stay awake and try some of this deliciousness for myself. A little cold so I made a face, but otherwise I kept eating.

I'll post some more pictures later with my pals Owen and Aki. Stay cool.

Will Crawl 4 Food

3-2-1 action!



I just wanted to be clear with everyone, that it's not that I don't know how to crawl, rather I just didn't have the right incentives before. Papa found out that a single cheerio can get my caboose in the air and off I go. Lucky for my parents, I think I still prefer to cruise along the furniture then actually crawl. I do think they ought to get a move on "baby-proofing" though...

Double hitter

Today is special not just because it's my Mummy's very first mother's day, but also because I turned 11 months! Papa and I tried to make Mummy feel extra special this weekend. Papa ventured out of his comfort zone to bake (not like Uncle Andy bakes, but with flour and sugar and stuff) He made pear ginger muffins that made the whole house smell delicious. I did my part by sleeping in a little this morning so Mama could get some extra ZZZ's. See how much fun we're having!

I also turned 11 months old! Can you believe my big 1 year is just around the corner? I've heard that with a 1 year birthday comes cake! (maybe even the kind Lucy jiejie likes - "chocolate cake") Here my requisite banana shot. If you're really keeping track, you can go back and see how much bodily control I've gained in the last little bit.

Pictures may tell a thousand words, but here's a couple clips of my latest skills. Enjoy!

The sun is up

O joy! Seattle sunny times are here. Just a quick post to let you know how I've been enjoying myself. I'm now big enough to wear some of these beautiful hats that have been sitting in my closet. They are sooo stylish. Uncle JT thinks I look like a train conductor in this one:

I also have these fun sunglasses, but personally would rather eat them instead of wear them to protect my eyes. Here's my best "Elementary, my dear Watson"-look.

Mummy was really busy last week so I'm looking forward to spending all kinds of time with her this week. Maybe I'll even start to say Mama... (but I like to keep her on her toes.) I am waving bye-bye now and have gotten really good at cruising along the furniture; crawling still is not my style. Hope everyone is doing great. Babble with you later!

Alliance declared

Quick little post to let you know I didn't forget my 10 month old banana shot. This is one of my favorite places to stand by... my toy box. I wonder if this is similar to hanging out next to the food table when you're at a party, or near the entrance where the servers come out to hand out hors d'oeuvres. Hmmm.. food for thought.

Well, even though I've been spending a lot of time with Mummy when Papa was working extra hard last week, I was thinking a lot about him. You can hear me talking about him in this little clip:

Fundamentals of reading and music

Exersaucers are pretty cool, but every now and then a girl needs a little more intrigue.

I spied Papa reading next to me one day and insisted that we read JAMA together. I thought it was going to be about going to bed - JamaJamaJamaJama, paJAMA time, but actually it was on the more fascinating topic of electronic intensive care units. I love reading with Papa.

I also got into this blue journal with Mama. I would recommend it for some light reading and page crumpling.

If you're more musically inclined, you could consider the complete Beethoven violin sonatas. Quite wonderful! Papa has warned me that the harp and the bass are not in my future. Something about having to buy a separate plane ticket for the instrument... I think my Aunty Kristin would disagree.

I'm so ready for Hawaii. When are we going already? Do you like my new sunprotective swimsuit? I can't wait for Plate Lunch! If I'm really good, I might get one all to myself. (and perhaps a muumuu to go with it.)