Strong Island Visit

This weekend we went out to LI...where I grew up...to visit my sister Stephanie, my Great Aunt Gina, and my high school friend Janet. Steph had back surgery recently and had not met Hsin yet, so it was REALLY great to finally have them meet, as well as both of Hsin's cousins, Tara and Thomas.

On the way out on Friday, we made a stop off to see my Great Aunt Gina. Hsin was so thrilled to just NOT be in the car anymore, she was entertained playing on the floor of the big lobby at Gina's nursing home with nothing other than a burp cloth to play with :-)

Here is a pic of all three of us together.

We then met Steph, her husband Tom, kids Thomas and Tara, and Steph's sister and brother in law for dinner. Hsin amazed everyone with how much she can eat. I swear she eats as much as an adult and I DON'T know where she puts it and why she doesn't gain weight. She ate an adult serving of mashed potatoes, 3 pieces of cauliflauer, a whole dinner role, half a hotdog and about 6 french fries. She shoveled the mashed potatoes in her mouth like someone would take them away if she didn't eat them quick enough, and it was so cute...she was "dipping" her french fries in the mashed potato bowl the way I was dipping mine in ketchup! Too cute!

We then headed to the hotel to test out all three sleeping in one room with Hsin NOT in bed with us. Paul and I were joking that we were having flashbacks (not good ones) to Taiwan...all of us in a hotel room together. We were a little scared. BUT...we had ordered the Port-a-Wall. A 6 foot by 6 foot privacy wall that goes up in a flash and collapses down to the size of a camp chair. That thing was the best $50 I ever spent! We could put Hsin down and she didn't know we were on the other side of the wall! FAB-U-LOUS! Anyone that needs to share a room with a little person and doesn't want them to know you are right there in the room with them...GET THIS WALL. It is called PORT-A-WALL...Google it. You won't be disappointed I swear!

Saturday we hung out at Steph's house and played with the kids. We went to the playground for a little bit before lunch and Hsin wanted NOTHING to do with the sweings or the slide...although Daddy did take her down it once. NOT a fan.

Tara and Thomas are the sweetest kids and LOVED Hsin. I love the fact that they both say Hsin's name better than most adults. Leave it to kids to not over think things and just roll with it.

Pauly, Hsin and I did make a quick detour to the outlets...they have a Dooney & Bourke one and I LOVE LOVE LOVE their bags. Yup...got me a red and brown bag that doubles as a diaper bag (ya know...no COOL bags for a few years) that is FAB-U -LOUS. I already used it today! And at the outlets since it was chilly, Hsin got to use the snuggly that came with her stroller for the first time. We were so glad it still fit over her feet. It is my favorite part of that stroller! Doesn't she look comfy!This morning we played in the hotel for a little bit, and met my high school friend Janet for breakfast (killer breakfast buffet at our hotel). Janet even brought Hsin a little stuffed pig by the same company as Shiu and she LOVED him. She played with him on the ride home. We named him "Seymour Swine Flu".
My last comment from the weekend is in regards to Baby Einstein. So apparently you can return the videos because someone was complaining that it didn't make their kid a genious. Well I don't know about you...but that sure as heck is not the reason I bought the videos. I bought them because for the last 45 minutes of our 4+hour trip today it was the only thing that kept Hsin from screaming...she never took her eyes off the screen. Educational, Scheducational. SHE DIDN'T SCREAM! In my book that is a freaking HOME RUN! Worth every bit of whatever the heck it cost me. Is she smarter? Who knows and who cares. Am I sane...yup! (I also fed her french fries from Nathan's IN THE CAR, WHILE I WAS DRIVING...not healthy, totally greasy and dirty...but again with the no screaming!)

First Parent/Teacher Conference

We had our first parent/teacher conference at Hsin's school yesterday. Yeah I know...she is only 15 months old...but our center takes education and development REALLY seriously.

We got a bunch of pictures of Hsin "doin stuff" at school. Some pics of her all bundled up playing outside, one of her painting (one of my favorites), one of her and Shiu sleeping at naptime (my other favorite) and one of her stuffing Cheerios in her mouth at breakfast.

We also got all her artwork from the past 2 months. The funniest one is a cut out of an acorn that the kids were given brown paint to color in. Yeah, Hsin's had 3, very small brown dots on it. Her teacher told us that Hsin is often more fascinated by the crayon, or paintbrush...and doesn't really bother with the actual coloring or painting. So a white acorn with 3 freckles it is.

They said that Hsin is becoming very interested in other kids emotions. If another kid in her class is crying, she goes over and looks at them with a concerned look on her face.

She LOVES to eat and is usually the first kid at the table for meals. She bangs on the table and gets the other kids to bang on the table too (somehow this makes me think of a scene from Oliver). Yesterday morning the teacher made raisin bread with cream cheese and Hsin ate 2 and a half pieces. She asked me where Hsin puts it all since she is the tiniest kid in the room. We have also been told that Hsin has tried to get into the little fridge in the classroom. She does eat like a horse!

They said she is making progress with walking, but seems like a laid back and easy going child and therefore doesn't seem to have much interest yet. Her legs are actually sturdy enough, and she can stand on her own for long periods of time...she just doesn't want to.

They also said that when another child takes Shiu she makes a really loud screeching noise like a cat and hits whoever took him. The teacher said she is actually pretty happy to see Hsin sticking up for herself. Being the easy-going kid that she is, and little, she is more prone to be picked on. Word of warning...don't mess with her mouse or you might get knowcked the *&^% out!

There was a ton of other information, and cute stories about Hsin at school, but I won't bore you with all of them. It was really nice to have a little window into her life at school. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it there! It really does our hearts good that Hsin loves it too. Just this morning when we walked in, her one teacher and one other baby were there. The other baby (who is a bit older than Hsin) yelled "SHEEN", and Hsin got the biggest grin on her face like "yes my friend...I have arrived and your day may begin". We then grabbed Shiu and they all sat down to read a book! LOVE IT!

Sighting Of The Rare Taiwanese Kangaroo!

This Halloween we were lucky enough to see the rare and never before seen Taiwanese Kangaroo named Hsin-Hua.

We had SUCH a fun Halloween this year.

Mommy, Daddy and Hsin spent the early part of the day shopping at the outlets. Daddy didn't find much, but Mommy and Hsin made out like rock stars! Lots of good stuff on CRAZY sale. We even got Hsin her Christmas PJ's complete with reindeer on the feet!

After a good lunch and a good nap, we headed over to the McG's to have dinner and go trick-or-treating!

After we got the little people all dressed up, the Dad's stayed back to give candy to the neighbors, and the Mom's headed out with the Fireman, Dalmation, and Kangaroo. On the way out we picked up Buzz Lightyear and his Dad too.

Hsin didn't really "get" trick-or-treating, but liked being out in her stroller with all the kids around. She just kind of quietly took it all in. She also did a bit of singing which she is known to do from time to time.

Hsin went to sleep in the back room while Mommy and Daddy watched the baseball game at the McG's (REALLY disappointing baseball game BTW). This was our first time trying Hsin out falling asleep one place then transferring to the car and home. She did GREAT. She woke up in the car, but quietly just looked out the window and hugged Shiu all the way home. Then she went right back to sleep in her crib when we got home. We were SO hoping this would work out. We are always on the go and out at other people's houses, and hate to be prisoners in our own home (we really can't sit still very long). So this will allow us to keep doing what we always did, but not mess with Hsin's sleep (which she likes VERY much).

Oh...and Hsin learned a new sign...CUP!

So Hsin's first Halloween was a smashing hit.
Happy Halloween everyone, and have an awesome week.
Go PHILLIES!

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15 Months Old...and Phillies In The World Series

Dear Hsin,
Yesterday you turned 15 months old!
I seriously can't believe you have only been home for 3 months.
It feels like there was never a time you WEREN'T here and a part of our family!

Here are some or your "stats" at 15 months old.

LOVES CAULIFLOWER

LOVES MASHED POTATOES

LOVES CHICKEN SALAD

LOVES MACARONI AND CHEESE

ALMOST WALKING. YOU USE A WALKER AND HAVE THE BIGGEST SMILE ON YOUR FACE BECAUSE YOU ARE SO PROUD.

YOU USE THE SIGN FOR “ALL DONE” FOR ANYTHING FROM EATING TO CHANGING YOUR DIAPER AND WIPING YOUR NOSE

YOU USE THE SIGN FOR “MORE” BUT ONLY IN RELATION TO EATING. WE THINK YOU MIGHT THINK IT MEANS “EAT”.

YOU USE A SIGN OF YOUR OWN FOR “CAT”. WE SHOW YOU THE RIGHT SIGN AND YOU DO SOMETHING SIMILAR WHEN YOU SEE LILY OR MR.PEEPERS.

YOU LOVE THE CATS. YOU CHASE THEM, AND ARE SO GENTLE WHEN YOU PET LILY.

YOU YELL “DADA” AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS REALLY EMPHASIZING THE LAST “DA”. WE DON’T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS, BUT YOU REALLY LIKE TO SAY IT.

YOU TALK NON-STOP. IT IS IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE, BUT YOU TALK CONSTANTLY.

YOU KNOW WORDS FOR THINGS ALTHOUGH YOU CAN’T SAY THEM.

IF WE ASK YOU WHERE SHIU IS, YOU FIND HIM AND SAY “AW” AND HUG AND KISS HIM. YOU REALLY LOVE THAT MOUSE.

DADDY HAS STARTED TO READ YOU BOOKS IN THE BATHTUB AND AT BEDTIME AND YOU SIT QUIETLY AND LISTEN. WE CAN ONLY READ SHORT BOOKS BUT YOU REALLY LIKE THEM.

YOU GIVE HUGS BY LAYING YOUR HEAD ON OUR SHOULDER AND WRAPPING YOUR ARMS AROUND US.

YOU POINT AT EVERYTHING AND SAY “BAP”.

YOU STILL SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT AND WE HAVE TO WAKE YOU AT 7 TO GO TO SCHOOL.

YOU HAVE 4 TEETH. TWO ON THE BOTTOM, ONE FRONT TOP, AND A SIDE TOP ONE TOO.

YOUR FEET AND TOES NEVER STOP MOVING. WE SAY YOU ARE LIKE DADDY WITH YOUR RESTLESS FEET.

YOU STILL LOVE MUSIC AND CLAP YOUR HANDS, AND SAY “YEAH” AFTER SONGS. YOUR FAVORITE SONG IS “IF YOUR HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT”. SCHOOL SAYS YOU LOVE WHEN THE MUSIC LADY COMES WITH HER GUITAR.

YOU HAVE GOTTEN SO GOOD AT EXPLORING AND PLAYING WITH TOYS. WE FEAR YOU WILL SOON START TO PULL THE WHOLE HOUSE DOWN.

IF WE GIVE YOU A SPOON AT DINNER YOU KNOW TO STICK IT IN THE FOOD AND THEN YOUR MOUTH. YOU ARE VERY MESSY ABOUT IT, BUT YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT.

YOU HAVE FULLY ACCEPTED USING A SIPPY CUP. WE HAVE TO USE ONES WITH A SOFT TOP, BUT YOU LOVE TO THROW YOUR HEAD BACK AND DRINK FROM YOUR CUP. A LOT OF THE WATER DRIBBLES DOWN YOUR CHIN, BUT AT LEAST YOU ARE FINALLY DRINKING.

YOU HAD YOUR FIRST ICE CREAM CAKE FROM CARVEL FOR DADDY’S BIRTHDAY AND YOU LOVED IT.

YOU SLEPT AWAY FROM HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME AND DID GREAT BOTH TIMES. ALTHOUGH YOU WERE IN A STRANGE PORTABLE CRIB AND IN A STRANGE ROOM, YOU FELL RIGHT TO SLEEP AND SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT. YOU ARE SUCH A LITTLE TROOPER.

YOU TOOK YOUR FIRST LONG CAR TRIP. NOTHING LIKE THE 16 HOUR FLIGHT HOME, ONLY 4 HOURS IN THE CAR. YOU SCREAMED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, BUT SLEPT AND PLAYED FOR THE REST. ON THE WAY HOME YOU SLEPT AND ATE A LOT OF SNACKS.

WE MET THE TWO LADIES THAT WERE RIGHT AFTER US ON THE WAITING LIST TO ADOPT FROM TAIWAN. JULES AND DAVID ADOPTED HAYDEN AND LISA AND JOHN ADOPTED PAIGE.

YOU WAVE HELLO AND BYE-BYE AND YOU BLOW KISSES FOR BOTH.

YOU CAN STAND WITHOUT HOLDING ON FOR OVER 10 SECONDS. WE CHEER FOR YOU SO YOU GET VERY EXCITED!
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In other news...the Phillies are in the World Series. I am not a huge regular season fan of any sport, but when the Philly team makes the playoffs and what not...I get kind of excited. My company let everyone where jeans and Phillies shirts to work today (usually business professional)...and Hsin wore her Ryan Howard shirt to school today. She doesn't know it yet, but she is a HUGE Phillies and Eagles fan. She can't be Daddy's girl if she isn't :-)

Hsin and Shiu about to leave for school this morning. She woke up about 7 minutes before this picture...therefore the miserable face :-)

Hsin and me in our Phillies shirts!
Getting around with the walker!

I Couldn't Help Myself...

...from posting this picture. Pauly did school drop off this morning and had to wake Hsin up at 8 from a DEAD sleep. So what did he do...what any good Daddy would do...took her picture while she was sleeping!

You can see some of her bedtime friends in there too! This is the position she sleeps in most of the time...on her side with her legs crossed. Pink sock bunny is made by Mommy...and the BIG wooley mammoth is courtesy of Daddy. You also can see Shiu the Mouse up above her head with the giraffe and white bunny also in the background. Missing from this shot are the two cats and one more bunny :-)

Daddy said she was snoring :-)